Sports

Johnny Football Struggles, Connor Shaw Shines

SOUTH CAROLINA STAR ECLIPSES HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER … The Cleveland Browns haven’t had a decent quarterback since Bernie Kosar.  And if you’re wondering how long ago that was, the Browns actually left Cleveland (becoming the Baltimore Ravens) … and then returned as an expansion team since Kosar ran their offense….

SOUTH CAROLINA STAR ECLIPSES HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER …

The Cleveland Browns haven’t had a decent quarterback since Bernie Kosar.  And if you’re wondering how long ago that was, the Browns actually left Cleveland (becoming the Baltimore Ravens) … and then returned as an expansion team since Kosar ran their offense.

That’s right … it’s a whole new franchise.

The Browns’ “quarterback of the future?”  Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M – who was selected by the team with the 22nd pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Manziel isn’t off to the hottest of starts, though.  He completed just 7 of 16 passes against the lowly Washington Redskins in a preseason game on Monday night – struggling to find open receivers and getting sacked three times (it turns out they play defense in the NFL, unlike at Duke, UTEP, Sam Houston State, Rice, SMU, etc.).

Not only did he stink up the field, a frustrated “Johnny Football” let his emotions get the best of him – flipping off the Redskins’ bench during the third quarter of the Browns 24-23 loss.

By contrast, former University of South Carolina star Connor Shaw looked sharp in his first preseason action.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound rookie – signed as an undrafted free agent – completed eight of nine passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.  Shaw also ran the ball twice for nine yards.

The highlight of his night?  This “Hail Mary” touchdown pass to wide receiver Emmanuel Ogbuehi

(Click to play)

Nice …

And before anybody says Shaw got lucky, let’s rewind the clock to this play …

NFL analysts continue to refer to Shaw as a “career backup,” a benchwarmer who provides teams with “situational value.”

We’re not buying that …

“Expect him to prove his doubters wrong once again,” we wrote of Shaw just prior to the 2014 draft.

Looks like he’s already doing just that …

RAPID REACTION

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36 comments

Nölff August 19, 2014 at 9:58 am

I can’t stand that arrogant buffoon, Manziel. He looks like Sean Penn and Alfred E. Neuman had a baby.

Shaw is a better QB… this is coming from a Clemson fan too.

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Sandi Morals August 19, 2014 at 10:35 am

I was impressed with Shaw. Appeared to be poised and had good skills.Not surprised he is getting a look in the NFL.
As far as Manziel’s looks, if Obama had a son he would look just like Johnny Football.

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Squishy123 August 19, 2014 at 6:44 pm

Well The Kenyan is half white, raised by a white mother and abandoned by a black sperm donor.

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mtn gamecock August 19, 2014 at 4:45 pm

I don’t know if he’s better gifted with a strong arm than Johnny BOYziel but he has the head on his shoulders to be a leader.

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GrandTango August 19, 2014 at 9:59 am

Funny how the punch drunk media (FITS) is so surprised…SC fans are not surprised at all.

PS: FITS, any word on Sammy Watkins. How’s that Hall of Fame pre-season camp going for him???…..

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Scooter August 19, 2014 at 11:47 am

Sammy has a position and the big bucks already sewn up. No need to worry.

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GrandTango August 19, 2014 at 12:25 pm

More power to Sammy. I don’t begrudge him making it. It’s the Dumb@$$#$ like FITS putting him on the all-time Best list before he even plays in a real game. It’s the ignorance that I’m opposing.

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E Norma Scok August 19, 2014 at 1:40 pm

Ignorance of what? What is it he doesn’t know?

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GrandTango August 19, 2014 at 1:57 pm

He does not know that you might need to wait until the guy plays a few REAL games.

Where you people make @$$#$ of yourselves, you so emotionally HATE me..you say stupid $#!*…and that just makes you look more like a Dumb@$$…and then I point it out…

Comment on SUBSTANCE, not me. We all know that you despise me because of what I represent. Of course, if you commented on substance, you’d have NOTHING…

E Norma Scok August 19, 2014 at 2:51 pm

All I’ve seen you “represent” is you hocking your poorly written and horribly edited BS blog.
Well that, and lots of homo-erotic innuendo and special character curse words.
Is there more? I haven’t read ANY “substance” to comment upon from you.

GrandTango August 19, 2014 at 7:44 pm

Hocking…and you’re their Best and Brightest???…LMAO…

haha August 20, 2014 at 9:53 am

“)*$$*& $#%% @#@$#@% ^ %^@@% $%$#R$%% $#@%^$ &R^T&%%^!!!!!”
Translation to English from Tango Helen Keller lingo: “What?”

Saluda Rapids August 19, 2014 at 6:10 pm

As a Gamecock fan, the substance I will add is Sammy, Deandre, and Andre will all have great years and don’t overlook them in your fantasy league. But that’s no fun. It’s better to tell you to shut the f#$k up b/c you r and asshat…go push your pablum on your incoherent blog and stay out of here.

GrandTango August 19, 2014 at 7:43 pm

Classy. Have you EVER written anything of substance? I KNOW you hate me. How many ways can you express the same dead-brain sentiment?
Now you’re making predictions of grandeur for Clemson plans, while begging people to believe you’re a Gamecock.
If you have to tell everybody, it likely means the team would rather not have a fan like you. We’ve had too many like you over the years. You DESERVE Brad Scott. Now go kiss his big-fat @$$…LMAO…

Saluda Rapids August 19, 2014 at 9:41 pm

Just like E Norma said, more homo-erotic innuendo and special character curse words. Your post is meaningless, cliché, and full of lies, myths, and fables. But good for a laugh, as usual. Thank you. We need people like you to keep the pharmaceutical industry in business. It’s odd that you bring up Brad Scott, but since you did, remember that he won us our first ever bowl victory and thank him each night for it. And see you next Thursday night. I am sure you were granted media credentials for Gamecock coverage in SCPD. Guessing they have a front row seat for you in the press box…the press box of Capital City Stadium, that is. Go Cocks, you fucktard.

E Norma Scok August 20, 2014 at 9:43 am

hahaha..media credentials. Awesome.

John August 19, 2014 at 10:00 am

I am pleased that Shaw played so well, but he is playing with third and fourth stringers against third and fourth stringers. I hope he gets a chance to prove himself against the elite players in the league, which I believe he can, but I’m not going to get too excited about last night.

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Dice Man August 19, 2014 at 10:21 am

Technically, Shaw is a third/fourth stringer, but I agree with you. Interesting that ESPN had no coverage of Shaw’s efforts….

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The Colonel August 19, 2014 at 10:40 am

Manziel is overrated and Shaw is a man.

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Same ol' Same ol' August 19, 2014 at 11:13 am

The NFL does have a way of rooting out the arrogant empty shirts. Even if JF is really, truly good, he has a target on his back, defenses around the league will see to it.
I don’t know Mr. Shaw, but just watching him play, observing his demeanor and reading comments about him seem to indicate he is a “straight up” guy that focuses on his playing and creating a good public persona. Good for him, hope he has great success.

JF, meh, spawn of Penn’s right.

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mtn gamecock August 19, 2014 at 4:49 pm

As a Gamecock fan and a alumni of USC (not So Cal) I will tell you that if he didn’t make it in the pros he said he was going in the military to be a officer. Browns fans give this guy love and he will make you proud!

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Smirks August 19, 2014 at 11:25 am

What a classless douchebag Manziel is. Willing to bet his career is short lived if that is how he responds to getting his ass kicked. Everyone was talking big about this guy in the draft and here he is being a spoiled little brat in a big man’s game.

Great job by Shaw though. Keep up the good work and good luck to you man!

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shifty henry August 19, 2014 at 11:33 am

Conner to Alshon — hot damn! Better yet – Alshon’s alertness to turn into the end zone… wow!

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John Peterka August 19, 2014 at 11:50 am

Connor Shaw! This guy is a winner! He was coached by Steve Spurrier, has had to compete for a job at every level, and is a student of the game. If the Browns do not realize the talent they have in this guy, I hope another NFL team will.

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E Norma Scok August 19, 2014 at 1:38 pm

Yeah..Spurrier is known for developing NFL QB’s..lol

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Todd August 19, 2014 at 12:20 pm

Manziel could have thrown 10 interceptions last night but would still start, why? Because Johnny Football = $$$

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E Norma Scok August 19, 2014 at 2:52 pm

When Connor starts doing this:

http://www.lostlettermen.com/slideshow/colleen-crowley-johnny-manziels-new-it-girl
heh..he probably won’t.

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cap'n'crunch August 19, 2014 at 3:19 pm

Yeah, no defense played at Duke who gave up 52 while scoring 48 of their own against an obviously stellar A&M D. But plenty of great defense played in 2013 by Bama (A&M hung 42 on them), Arkansas (45), Ole Miss (41), Auburn Tigers (41), Vandy (56), and Miss St. (51). And in 2012, Arkansas (58), Auburn (63), Mizzou (59) and Oklahoma (41). Sometimes you just say dumb shit.

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BruceW August 19, 2014 at 4:26 pm

Did he win 11 games three years in a row or go undefeated at home in his college career? Did he ever throw just 1 pick to 24 TD passes? NO, because he’s a me first player and a stat junky, not a winner. Shaw is a winner.

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cap'n'crunch August 19, 2014 at 5:39 pm

I ain’t arguing Shaw v. Manziel. I like Shaw and think Manziel is a spoiled prick. But the shot at Duke was unwarranted. Manziel directed an offense that hung big numbers on some major programs, many of them SEC schools.

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mtn gamecock August 19, 2014 at 4:35 pm

I am a Gamecock fan. He was the under dog at the Real USC (not So. Cal). Browns fans you got a guy in Shaw that finished 27 and 5 as a starter in the SEC. He also finished 17 and 0 at home. Give this guy some love and he will rise to the occasion. I am now a Browns fan!

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mike hold August 20, 2014 at 8:14 am

connor shaw: 24 tds 1 int in SEC. all time winingest qb at usc. led usc to a nation leading home winning streakand best ever #4 ranking in final poll. UNDRAFTED!
wait a minute! 24 tds and 1 interception in the SEC and nobody drafted him?) proven winner and pure class. hypocrite NFL didnt even draft him. see who the media focuses on: manziel and michael sam LMFAO!!! connor shaw =andy dalton2.0, 10-15 year nfl career. (if the browns are dumb enough to cut him he will definitely be picked up and will be at leas a 2nd string qb by his 3d year)

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major major August 20, 2014 at 9:12 am

Shaw isn’t the second coming of Peyton Manning but I could see him developing into a solid starter in the mold of Russell Wilson. A little undersized but smart, good game manager, can beat you with his feet, and a guy who has the respect of his teammates.

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ELCID August 20, 2014 at 5:39 pm

Over the past few months, I written several pro Shaw comments on Cleveland Browns web site discussion boards. The folks up there didn’t seem too interested when I told them that Connor Shaw was a great QB that just needed an opportunity. Many didn’t think so, and others took a wait and see attitude. I guess the wait and see attitude is over. Today, Connor Shaw got a 70%+ vote by the Cleveland fans for the Starting QB job. He’s a very serious young man, a great leader, has a strong arm, can throw going any direction, runs for yardage, has a great mind for the game, and keeps his mouth shut and stays out of trouble. Not like the mouth from Texas Manziel.

Shaw is an excellent representative of football players from SC Colleges. He’ll even make Clemson fans proud. Let’s just hope he stays healthy and has a long career.

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ELCID August 20, 2014 at 5:40 pm

Over the past few months, I’ve written several pro Shaw comments on Cleveland Browns web site discussion boards. The folks up there didn’t seem too interested when I told them that Connor Shaw was a great QB that just needed an opportunity. Many didn’t think so, and others took a wait and see attitude. I guess the wait and see attitude is over. Today, Connor Shaw got a 70%+ vote by the Cleveland fans for the Starting QB job. He’s a very serious young man, a great leader, has a strong arm, can throw going any direction, runs for yardage, has a great mind for the game, and keeps his mouth shut and stays out of trouble. Not like the mouth from Texas Manziel.

Shaw is an excellent representative of football players from SC Colleges. He’ll even make Clemson fans proud. Let’s just hope he stays healthy and has a long career.

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Lynn Robertson Turner August 21, 2014 at 12:33 pm

I wish that Connor can get the credit he deserves. Great quarter back! Shaw will prove to you guys that you were all wrong. He is not a bench warmer.

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