QB guru George Whitfield, Jr. opens up on Manziel
By Gabe Bock
November 13, 2013
Key quotes from George Whitfield, Jr. interview
"About 2 years ago, we got a call from Manziel's mom. We weren't going to take any more guys, but she kept calling."
"Johnny came to me wanting help controlling the football. He knew he could do everything else."
"Johnny let me know he didn't come out to California for anything else besides improving his game and he was in it 100%."
"Manziel was so self-aware of what he needed to improve on. He would even shadow drills of other players to improve."
"Manziel is so much better in the pocket this year. That comes from Coach Sumlin and Spavital trying to keep him inside."
"Everyone knew teams would focus on keeping Manziel in the pocket. We tried to develop a comfort there because of that."
"Manziel is ready for the next stage. There are QBs starting in the NFL who are still being developed. He's ready."
"People in the NFL know Manziel is not a finished product, but he is on the right track."
"I, like all the Aggies, am hoping that this isn't his final year to play college ball. But he's ready for the NFL."
"Manziel is the best player in the game. A&M has two tough losses, but he will have a chance at the Heisman if he beats LSU."
"Manziel and I talk before pretty much every game. I tell him that A&M doesn't need Superman, they need Johnny Manziel."
"Manziel is one of the most intriguing pupils I have ever had. He's just different. His temperature never really alters."
"Living in his world, it would be easy to yo-yo up and down, but Johnny is almost always on the same level regardless."
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Discussion from...
2:36p, 11/13/13
I guess it still leaves open the possibility of a return if he doesn't think he'll go in the Top 10 for the money aspect.
Agents will tell him anything but he's got to look at where he thinks his competition will get drafted.
Agents will tell him anything but he's got to look at where he thinks his competition will get drafted.
6:19p, 11/14/13
I hope this isn't a jinx (knocking in wood as we speak) but something he said near the end makes a lot a sense. Johnny is never really cold. He seems like he's never really had a bad game. The only two I can think of are Florida last year and LSU last year.
Those weren't really bad games though, just seemed to be human in those games.
I know a lot of folks expected JFF to have a down year, etc. I think if he came our and played like an average QB no one would have been surprised (if it were just one or two or three games). But he's been on fire pretty much for two straight seasons.
That's simply amazing.
Those weren't really bad games though, just seemed to be human in those games.
I know a lot of folks expected JFF to have a down year, etc. I think if he came our and played like an average QB no one would have been surprised (if it were just one or two or three games). But he's been on fire pretty much for two straight seasons.
That's simply amazing.
11:44p, 11/14/13
Hard to put too much into his comment's about JFF's readiness for the next level. Manziel has been his pupil for two years. If he was going to say anything about JFF and the NFL, he had to say our favorite QB was ready. Its a cover the bases type of comment because I could not imagine Whitfield saying that any of his long time pupils who starts for a major college program not being NFL ready.
[This message has been edited by Eagle78 (edited 11/14/2013 11:44p).]
[This message has been edited by Eagle78 (edited 11/14/2013 11:44p).]
9:51a, 11/15/13
I have said several times, I do believe Johnny is the most dynamic college football player, ever. Period.
That said, if I were an NFL GM, he is the kind of guy that makes you pull your hair out. Will he be this dynamic at the next level? The things he does so very well, be slippery and slide away from linemen, outrun them, can he do that in the NFL, I'm not sure.
He's an undeniable winner, with great passion, but there are a lot of guys like that (McGee, Tebow, etc). I just don't know how it plays out for him.
If he expects to be a top 10 pick, it's a no brainer, he has to go. But if other guys are likely to go ahead of him, and he is a late first rounder, that money is not what it used to be. But, it's still significantly greater than zero.
If I were advising him, I'd say go, not much left to prove here. But, man I'd love to see him come back.
That said, if I were an NFL GM, he is the kind of guy that makes you pull your hair out. Will he be this dynamic at the next level? The things he does so very well, be slippery and slide away from linemen, outrun them, can he do that in the NFL, I'm not sure.
He's an undeniable winner, with great passion, but there are a lot of guys like that (McGee, Tebow, etc). I just don't know how it plays out for him.
If he expects to be a top 10 pick, it's a no brainer, he has to go. But if other guys are likely to go ahead of him, and he is a late first rounder, that money is not what it used to be. But, it's still significantly greater than zero.
If I were advising him, I'd say go, not much left to prove here. But, man I'd love to see him come back.
4:54p, 11/15/13
quote:
He's an undeniable winner, with great passion, but there are a lot of guys like that (McGee, Tebow, etc). I just don't know how it plays out for him.
If he expects to be a top 10 pick, it's a no brainer, he has to go. But if other guys are likely to go ahead of him, and he is a late first rounder, that money is not what it used to be. But, it's still significantly greater than zero.
If I were advising him, I'd say go, not much left to prove here. But, man I'd love to see him come back.
I disagree.
No doubt JFF is an undeniable winner. However, he still has much to prove here.
It doesn't appear money is the issue for him in deciding to stay. For him, it should be about pride and the chance to accomplish something no one in history has ever done. Two more years in the college ranks, and he could be the quarterback that everyone is compared to for decades to come. The next level, however, holds much more risk and uncertainty.
9:13p, 11/17/13
quote:
Hard to put too much into his comment's about JFF's readiness for the next level. Manziel has been his pupil for two years. If he was going to say anything about JFF and the NFL, he had to say our favorite QB was ready. Its a cover the bases type of comment because I could not imagine Whitfield saying that any of his long time pupils who starts for a major college program not being NFL ready.
[This message has been edited by Eagle78 (edited 11/14/2013 11:44p).]
What he says to the press and what he says to Johnny in private are not necessarily the same thing. Of course he he's gonna say that to a public question.