Johnny Manziel: ‘I would hope I’m a better passer than Tim Tebow’

Johnny Manziel is a self-proclaimed Tim Tebow fan. The Texas A&M; quarterback thinks his fellow Heisman Trophy winner is “great dude” and a “great person.”

But as far as playing the position of quarterback is concerned, Manziel thinks he’s better than Tebow. And he’s not afraid to say it, on national TV no less.

“I would hope I’m a better passer than Tim Tebow,” the third-year sophomore told Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless on ESPN’s “First Take” Tuesday, the day Tebow signed with the New England Patriots.

Addressing Bayless, who is well known for his admiration for Tebow, Manziel said, “I just don’t, like you, hang on one throw in one game in the playoffs, regardless if it was a great throw.”

When Bayless pointed out that Tebow made more than just one great throw during the 2011 season with the Denver Broncos, Manziel said it was just “four or five when you’ve got a season of 300, 400 throws.”

Manziel called Tebow’s 46.5 completion percentage that year with the Broncos “a slippery slope.”

Of course, Manziel can afford to be critical of Tebow after completing 68% of his passes for 3,706 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions in becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman last year.

Or can he? Tebow put up similar numbers during his Heisman year in 2007, completing 66.9% of his passes for 3,286 yards with 32 touchdowns and six interceptions. Not to mention his two BCS championships.

Nonetheless, Johnny Football didn’t hold back when it came to discussing Tebow’s prospects in the NFL.

“He deserves this chance that he’s getting in the NFL. I do truly believe that from the bottom of my heart,” Manziel said. “As far as being a starting quarterback in the NFL, I don’t know if it really suits him.”

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