Wide receiver Nate Burleson spent the past four seasons with one of the best young quarterbacks in the league in Matthew Stafford with the Detroit Lions. Now, getting ready to enter his first season with the Cleveland Browns, Burleson could get a shot to see the field with one of the most polarizing figures to ever enter the NFL from the college ranks, Johnny Manziel, should he win the quarterback battle.
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While Manziel’s wild, versatile style is vastly different than Stafford’s traditional pocket passer mentality, Burleson does see some similarities between the two, mainly in their attitudes.
“The one thing they are quite comfortable in is that they are quietly cocky, which is a great characteristic to have at the quarterback position,” Burleson said at a charity softball game in Detroit, per ESPN.com. “You want to walk in the huddle and know that the guy throwing you the ball, you’re, like, he’s the best.
Despite Manziel’s cocky demeanor on the field, Burleson did also admit that he’s doing what every rookie should do, and that’s keep quiet and learn.
“From what I’ve seen (he is),” Burleson said. “Outside looking in, everybody has their misconceptions about him. He’s acting like a rookie should, which is don’t say nothing.
Should Manziel ultimately be named the starter at some point, having an experienced receiver like Burleson around will help tremendously and it’s also a great sign that he’s already earning some respect from the veterans.