Arch Manning Didn’t Look Comfortable vs. No. 51 Florida

It’s that time again ⎯ time to put Texas Longhorns’ starting quarterback Arch Manning back under the NFL microscope.

In this contest, this polarizing prospect was taking on the No. 51-ranked Florida Gators (CBS Sports).

How did he look in the first quarter?

Shaky.

WATCH TEXAS VS. FLORIDA

Manning’s first pass of the opening quarter was his best. He dropped back, appeared relaxed, his mechanics looked right, and he threw a nice out route to a receiver on time as his receiver was making his break.

From there ⎯

He reverted to looking hesitant and attempted a series of pre-determined and elementary one-read throws. He threw a couple of dangerous-looking passes, one of which was broken up, that he threw late. There was also another throw that should’ve been broken up, one that he gunned short into a super-tight throwing window that made everyone hold their collective breath.

Inconsistencies continued

The second quarter began.

It was a little bit of this and a little bit of that. There were some good throws and some bad. He was just so tentative.

Manning then stepped up in the pocket on one throw and heaved one deep. It was bobbled, but caught. What a relief! He followed that up by rolling out to his right and throwing a short touchdown pass.

A couple of UGLY passes were mixed into the fold. Luckily for Manning and his team, they fluttered helplessly to the turf. To Manning’s defense, on one of those, he was getting hit as he threw it.

Manning’s first-half numbers (per ESPN): 6/12, 63 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions.

It actually looked worse than that.

Third quarter

Here we go again ⎯

More conservative passes and runs.

It’s almost like his coaches either didn’t trust him or were trying to protect him. I would guess the latter, as Florida kept bringing the pressure.

A highlight ⎯

Manning took off, scampering for 15 yards with his legs when the proverbial green grass sea parted right in front of his eyes.

He came back and hit another out-pattern, which was similar to the one he threw to start the game. The only difference was that this one wasn’t thrown with any anticipation.

Then it happened ⎯

Manning began climbing the pocket and managed to avoid incoming pressure and delivered his best-looking pass of the game. It was a 38-yard post pattern for a touchdown.

4th quarter

He took off for another 36 yards with his legs and completed a “got-to-have-it” out pattern on 3rd and 12.

Manning then threw his second interception of the contest on a deep shot into double coverage.

Was this the knockout punch?

Nope.

Manning proved resilient. He bounced back, evaded pressure, and hit two wide-open receivers downfield like his life depended on it. This drive ended with a short touchdown run when a Texas back punched it in.

Florida 29

Texas 21

Manning had one more drive in the game’s final seconds that amounted to nothing, and that’s how it ended.

NFL scouting perspective

How does what Manning did against Florida translate to the NFL?

D

The play calling didn’t do him any favors, forcing him into several obvious passing situations.

But bottom line ⎯

Manning developed no cohesion between himself and his receivers, as the Gators muddied the pocket waters for Manning all game long (6 sacks).

Manning rarely threw from a clean pocket.

Whatever confidence Manning had found against Sam Houston in the game prior, it was nowhere to be found in this one.

Everything Manning did against the Gators was inconsistent:

• Footwork
• Progressions
• Ball placement

You name it.

I also didn’t like his body language from start to finish.

Manning tossed two interceptions, which easily could have turned into four more (there were those two errant passes and two additional passes broken up). Per Pro Football Focus, Manning’s time to throw vs. Florida was 3.50 seconds (his second-worst time to throw this season).

It’s tough when any quarterback holds the ball that long.

I liked how Manning never gave up and how he aggressively attacked downfield (4/10 on passes 20+ yards that I charted).

But that’s it.

Manning looked like a fish out of water in the stadium nicknamed “The Swamp.”

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.