Manziel was the difference in Browns winning

Note: Flashback Post

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That’s what happens when a quarterback makes plays when they need to be made.
 
That’s when happens when an offense, again because of that quarterbacks, scores touchdowns instead of having to settle for field goals when it advances into the red zone.
 
That’s what happens when a quarterback, because of his quick feet, can escape the rush and buy time for himself.
 
That’s what happens when an offense, because of that quarterback getting first downs and scoring points, keeps the defense off the field and, with the team leading, forces the opponent to throw to catch up. That allows that defense to pins its ears back and go after the quarterback with the pass rush.
 
That’s when happens when an offense, because of that quarterback’s ability to throw the ball effectively, backs the defense off the line of scrimmage and opens up holes for the running game.
 
That’s what happens when a quarterback with talent realizes that talent alone means nothing, that it takes a lot of preparatory work to make it at that position in the NFL, and as such puts in that preparatory work.
 
That’s what happens when a quarterback figures out the proper balance of staying in the pocket, which all good NFL quarterbacks need to do, and using his natural skill set to get out of the pocket and improvise.
 
That’s what happens when a quarterback has a strong arm, and an accurate one as well.
 
Yes, that’s what happens.
 
You saw today what happens. Johnny Manziel and the Browns dominated the San Francisaco 49ers from start to finish, winning 24-10 at FirstEnergy Stadium to break their ugly seven-game losing steak and improve to 3-10.
 
Manziel completed 21 of 31 passes for 270 yards and a TD with one ill-advised interception when he threw across his body to the middle of the field.
 
But that’s what young quarterbacks do. They make mistakes. But the more experience they get, the less mistakes they make.
 
It takes time, of course, to get that experience. It doesn’t happen overnight.
 
Manziel and the Browns hope he keeps developing.
 
It’s just one game, but Manziel showed enough today to keep getting chances to prove himself. He’s already got the rest of this season to do that. Perhaps he’ll get a lot more games as well beyond this season. But he’ll have to earn them.
 
Yes, the Browns rushed for a ton of yards today.
 
Yes, the much-maligned offensive line was outstanding both with its run and pass blocking.
 
Yes, the much-maligned defense went after the quarterback like hungry animals going after raw meat.
 
Yes, the Browns did a lot of good things.
 
But none of this would have mattered – none of this ever matters – if the quarterback doesn’t make plays to go along with it.
 
In football overall, and in the NFL especially, it’s all about the quarterback.
 
It’s not about the running attack.
 
It’s not about the pass protection, or run blocking.
 
It’s not about the pass rush.
 
Yes, all those things are obviously important. They are key ingredients in winning.
 
But THE key ingredient is the performance of the quarterback.
 
And those who think that Josh McCown, while being a really good guy and having the heart of a lion, or Austin Davis, the second-best Austin ever in this town behind some guy named Austin Carr but still a career journeyman at best, have the ability to consistently do what Manziel did today are just plain delusional.
 
The Browns have a rough road in these last three games, going against, in order, the Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, all of whom are right in the playoff hunt and really playing well now. So Manziel will have a good test the rest of the way to see what he can do and if he could possibly be the guy – that franchise quarterback for whom the expansion-era Browns have searched so long and hard.
 
That will all play out one way or another in due time.
 
But now, especially in a season that, nearly week after week, has been like having to suck down a heaping helping of Castor Oil, little victories and successes mean something and need to be celebrated.
 
So let the Browns and their fans celebrate.
 
They certainly deserve it. 

By Steve King

Cleveland Browns:

• “Trent Williams, still on Browns’ radar, would be ‘first tackle taken’ in 2020 draft even at 31, ex-NFL GM says” (cleveland.com)
• Paul Brown, Obie and Brownie (Browns Daily Dose)
• “Trent Williams ‘still on table’ for Browns, but a deal isn’t imminent” (CBS)
• “From Jim Brown To Johnny Football, Browns Hit Draft Extremes” (AP) 
• “Baker Mayfield ranked 5th, Odell Beckham Jr. 7th in NFL merchandise sales” (WKYC)
•  New 2020 Cleveland Browns Jerseys

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