Kyle Shanahan has experience with hot shot quarterbacks. While with the Washington Redskins, he experienced the talent and attention of Robert Griffin III. Coming out of Baylor, he was all the media could talk about as speculation ran wild of his potential success. Now, Johnny Manziel has taken over the spotlight and as Shanahan begins his tenure with the Cleveland Browns, he is seeing the similarities.
Both quarterbacks are Heisman trophy winners. Both quarterbacks love improvise and operate outside of the pocket. Shanahan is confident that his transition from Griffin to Manziel will be very easy since they both possess a similar skillset. While Brian Hoyer is more of a system player, Manziel fits better with what the offensive coordinator has experience with.
"Johnny and Robert are very similar," Shanahan said, via USA Today Sports. "They're both talented guys who can make plays with their legs. But there comes a time in the NFL when they're going to keep you in the pocket, and you're going to have to have that ability to make the throws with your arm and mind. And Johnny, just like Robert, has that arm talent and intelligence to do that."
While under the direction of Shanahan, Griffin thrived in his rookie year. He put up 3,200 passing yards while adding another 815 on the ground. The Washington Redskins earned the NFC East title that season. The Cleveland Browns want that same success, but it might not come at the arm of Manziel. While Shanahan has remained extremely complimentary of Manziel, Hoyer remains the starting quarterback for now. The job is wide open and many believe it is only a matter of time before the rookie gets bumped to No. 1.
"Perception becomes everyone's reality, but Johnny has been here working his tail off day and night, doing everything we ask," Shanahan said. "He's really attacked it every day, done a good job even as each week gets harder as we throw a lot more at him. I've been very impressed. ... If he keeps working like he has been, Johnny should be feeling comfortable by the time we get to training camp."
In order to help out the two quarterbacks, the Browns are still exploring options on the wide receiver market. After trades for Andre Johnson and Mike Wallace were denied, will the team be able to get someone capable of replacing Josh Gordon for the year? There is a not a lot available unless they attempt to acquire Jimmy Graham, so the Browns must remain hopeful that Earl Bennett and Miles Austin can step up to the challenge.
