Johnny Football wants to start

by Otis Redding

Blogger, San Francisco Chronicle

Sources around the San Francisco 49ers' organization are trying to keep a lid on the latest "crisis" to hit the bay - Johnny Manziel wants to start next week against the St. Louis Rams.

"He (Manziel) has been adamant that he should be the starter over Philip Rivers," said one source on the condition of anonymity. "He feels he deserves it and he is being cheated out of it by the current coaching staff."

Coaches around the 49ers' facility in Santa Clara are keeping mum, including offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

"Ask the head coach," said McDaniels. "He makes the final call on personnel decisions as far as that goes."

Coach Winuvas will have to settle the issue soon. While Rivers is not totally at fault for the team's 1-5 start, he has been less than stellar, completing just over 55% of his passes (74/134) for 634 yards and 3 touchdowns...to go with 11 interceptions.

In contrast, Manziel has thrown for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns to go with 2 picks in limited action against the Cardinals and a near full game against the Jaguars. However, his completion percentage is 52.5% (22/42).

Is there a quarterback controversy on the west coast? Will coach Winuvas settle this soon, or will he let it fester into a potential cancer in the locker room?