APDon’t look now, SEC, but Johnny Manziel is looking to get better on the field this offseason even as he’s thoroughly enjoying his time off of it.
Coming off a season in which, in his first year as a starter at the collegiate level, Manziel claimed the Heisman Trophy en route to leading Texas A&M to a stunning 11-win season in the Aggies’ first year in the SEC, expectations are running high both in College Station and across the country. For his part, Manziel will do what he can to help meet or even exceed those expectations in 2013.
While no specific dates have been set, Manziel is planning on taking another trip to San Diego this offseason to work with noted quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr. Whitfield, who has worked with the likes of Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III, told the San Antonio Express-News that Manziel will have one objective in mind when it comes to his next tune-up.
“Johnny really wants to hone in on being able to fully operate in the pocket,” Whitfield said. “He wants to run a lot less and make more throws and still be (as effective).”
During that breakout 2012 season, Manziel did a significant amount of his damage outside the pocket. While Manziel was 15th in the country in total passing yards, he was second among quarterbacks in total rushing yards. He scored nearly as many touchdowns on the ground (21) as he did through the air (26).
Certainly Manziel doesn’t want to abandon the part of his game that played a significant role in creating the Johnny Football legend, but the fact that Manziel is not resting on his stiff-armed laurels has to hearten Aggie Nation. And dishearten the SEC defenses charged with preventing a repeat performance.
i don’t think he’ll be able to replicate his numbers from last season again next year. they were just too good and his offensive line (which was outstanding) is losing some key players.
(cue the down votes)
We shall see…..ROLL JOHNNY ROLL
Sometimes people need to keep practicing what they do best. What makes you the best you can be. Example, Pat Boone was a great singer, after a few years he took singing lessions????? Elvis was a different but great singer. He kept doing the same thing, even in death he is still the best according to millions. Many of you ask, who is Pat Boone?
This article gives much more information about George Whitfield’s plans for Johnny this summer. Might be a good one to embed, since you felt it was important to include the “off field activities” link.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college_sports/aggies/article/Aggies-Johnny-Manziel-learns-from-QB-guru-4286675.php
I figured Manziel would work on his PATs to assure he wins another Heisman.
Scary to think he’s got three years of eligibility left. As a Florida fan, a) I’m glad we beat him before he got his game together, and b) I’m glad we don’t have A&M on our schedule this fall. Maybe he’ll go pro after his sophomore season (since it’s his third out of high school) and we won’t get terrorized by him. Definitely jealous of A&M fans. They get to watch this guy week in and week out. That’s got to be uplifting.
He may have three years of eligibility left, but he can go pro after the upcoming season.
The rest of my post above should read…”and will.”
Losing Joeckel, Swopes, and more importantly their OC Kingsbury (which may stunt his development all together), along with the fact that next year will be his last year A&M (officially 3 years removed after) will inhibit their offense in ’13.
Talented, but he will implode due to discipline and off-field issues.
Losing Kingsbury doesn’t matter. He doesn’t actually play. He did slap Sumlin on the ass on national tv after Johnny Football gutted the Mississippi State defense with a 37 yd TD run on 3rd and 11.
A&M took Oklahoma out behind the woodshed w/out Kingsbury.
And it’s Swope, not Swopes. Swopes played women’s basketball at Texas Tceh. Same place Karl Kingsbury is from.
And yeah, George Whitfield helped JFF last year. He’s gonna do it again this offseason too.
“Talented, but he will implode due to discipline and off-field issues.”
Sounds like wishful thinking, hoping someone else will implode and take the spotlight off of Major Applewhite, Bev Kearney, and Cleve Bryant.
Great player trying to get better…good for him.
Rest assured that some great defensive minds in the SEC are also studying film figuring out how to shut him down.
Should be a great year.
Circle Sept. 14th on your calendar. I think that a certain coach, perhaps the best one in college football, will do everything that he can to even the score on the road.
Read an article yesterday that talked about Johnny manziel and all his off-season “troubles”. I highlight “troubles” because what trouble has he really gotten into this year?
He has told the A&M compliance department in advance everything that he has been doing as to not jeopardize his eligibility. He is taking courses online this semester so he has the flexibility to go to San Diego and work with QB guru.
Yeah, he’s having fun, but he’s obviously also working to become a better player.
He’s said it many times and Aggies need to be ready. It’s National Championship or bust this year for the Aggies. We’ll know if its possible right away as the SEC West title game will be the first conference game this year.
I am counting the days until 9/14/2013
Currently at 205…