Mike Zimmer on Johnny Manziel workout: ‘It was a sideshow’

The pro day that Johnny Manziel held on Thursday in Texas was unlike anything we have ever seen before from an NFL Draft prospect. For starters, people like George H.W. Bush were in attendance. Then there was the fact that Manziel courageously chose to wear a helmet and pads while throwing for scouts and coaches.

Manziel was extremely sharp and made almost every one of his throws with pinpoint accuracy. Despite that, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was turned off by the red carpet feel of the event.

“The huddles and the different things and the music. The sideshow stuff,” Zimmer said, via the Houston Chronicle. “It was a sideshow.

Zimmer was unimpressed with the way the event felt “choreographed,” as he put it.

“It was a different workout,” he said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever seen it. This one was a little different in how it was choreographed. People like that or they don’t like that, I don’t know.”

Obviously, Zimmer didn’t like it. Others like Jacksonville Jaguars coach Gus Bradley thought it spoke to Manziel’s ability to be able to perform under pressure.

“The atmosphere and everything that was involved and then to come out and perform like he did, that was great,” Bradley said. “I think that’s no different than how he’s performed all year, right? Perform under pressure. Felt like more of a pressurized environment with a lot of eyes watching him and he did a great job.”

Manziel tried to make a statement by choosing to throw in pads, and that statement was well-received by most. I understand why Zimmer didn’t appreciate the Drake music blaring and the pre-workout huddle, but he seems to be in the minority with his opinion. The Vikings have the No. 8 overall pick in the draft and they need a quarterback. Smokescreen, anybody?