Tampa Bay Bucs new coach Lovie Smith loves the idea of being able to pencil Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel in as the team's pick with the No.7 selection in the upcoming NFL draft. And he's not bashful in heaping the praise on the man who would be his quarterback.
"I had time to watch quite a few games, and I had a chance to watch him, a lot," Smith told the Tampa Bay Times. "So you add all that up, as far as how he'll take his game to the NFL level? I think most outstanding players in college end up being a very good football player in the NFL. Football really is football. I know he's not your typical, prototype quarterback who drops back into the pocket, but there are a lot of quarterbacks doing well in the league that aren't your prototypical quarterback."
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With at least five of the first seven picks of the draft belonging to teams in need of a quarterback, Manziel figures to be at the top of a draft day heap that is also expected to include Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr.
"Whenever you have a chance to get a franchise quarterback, you have to consider, added Smith, whose roster currently features journeyman Josh McCown and second-year player Mike Glennon at the position.
Out of football all of last season, the veteran Smith seems rejuvenated and focused on rebuilding the Tampa Bay franchise.
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"I really enjoyed the time being a fan, watching our game, studying our game," he said. "Looking at different coaches. And then, everything I believe in, my core values and how I run a football team.
"I had a chance to analyze all of that."
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