With President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara in attendance, you knew Johnny Manziel's Pro Day was going to be a unique one. Then, Manziel changed the game by voluntarily donning a helmet and pads for his workout in front of eager scouts.
The hype around Pro Day is usually unwarranted, but Manziel put on a show without eluding living, breathing, bloodthirsty defensive linemen. In the history of Pro Days, no other man has made throwing to uncovered receivers so compelling.
Manziel completed 61 of 64 passes, which wowed onlookers. However, the point of these days is just to avoid disappointing, not about improving draft stock. Ultimately, they mean nothing. Kyle Boller, Jamarcus Russell and the scouts who gave Alex Smith a standing ovation at his Pro Day four years ago.
It doesn't look like he’ll be a Bear or Brown though as they were the only teams to skip Manziel’s Pro Day.
Ron Jaworksi, who gave Manziel a third round grade, raved about Manziel's Pro Day. The legend of Johnny Manziel grows. Unfortunately, we just have to wait and see whether he can live up to the hype in September.
Text from a team scout just now: "You know Manziel is throwing in a helmet to make himself look taller." And such is the cynicism of scouts
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 27, 2014
Source on Manziel's decision to throw in pads: "Because anyone can throw in a t-shirt and shorts." #jff
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 27, 2014
Just asked Manziel why the pads and helmet at pro day: "Isn't the game played with them on?"
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) March 27, 2014