Mike Zimmer: ‘Some flags that come up’ with Manziel

At least one NFL coach doesn't seem impressed with Johnny Manziel. (USATSI)

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It seems that either Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is adamant that Johnny Manziel isn't the right quarterback for when his team picks No. 8 overall in May's draft, or he's sending up one helluva smokescreen.

Though Manziel was praised by just about everybody following his pro day performance last week, Zimmer didn't seem nearly as impressed, calling the workout a "sideshow."

On Monday, Zimmer expanded on his thoughts about Manziel, saying there were red flags that arose during conversations between the former Texas A&M star and the organization.

“We asked him all kinds of questions. ...There are some flags that come up,” Zimmer told 104.9 The Horn in Austin, via the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “All of the things that happened out in Los Angeles, the commercials and all that stuff; the position of quarterback in the NFL is such an important position and the reason these guys need to be a totally football-minded guy is the pressure of the position and being the face of an NFL team and doing everything right. That's the thing you want to know about him. Will he be into work early every single day? Will be the last to leave? Will he be the guy that is working the hardest to get better?

The Vikings had dinner and a private workout with Manziel the day after his pro day was covered by more than 100 media members and observed by President George H.W. Bush, his First Lady and their dog.

Minnesota certainly could use a franchise quarterback, particularly since nobody on last season's roster (Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel, and Josh Freeman) appears to fit that description.

Either way, Zimmer and the Vikings could have a difficult decision to make if Manziel still is available at No. 8 -- for the record, four of the five CBSSports.com mock drafters predict Manziel will be taken with either No. 4 or No. 5 picks).

“I guess the thing you have to figure out is, is this just another part of the things that happened a couple of years ago after he won the Heisman Trophy or is he just a different person as far as wanting the limelight or just wanting to prove that he can do things the right way,” Zimmer said. “I guess it maybe brings a few questions marks in. Is he going to conform to typically what the NFL is or what everyone else has done before him including what the great players in the game have done before him, or is he going to try to be the celebrity man guy that he was maybe a year-and-a-half ago?”

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NFL.com's Michael Wesseling has reported that Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin is expecting to gain medical clearance next week, and should be ready to resume football-related activities when the team starts mini-camp on April 22nd. "It's been too long since I've been in the game," Martin said, via Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger. "I can't wait to get back on the field."Expectations were high for Martin in 2013, after rushing for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns during his rookie season in 2012. He was injured six games into the year and placed on Injured Reserve with a torn labrum in his left shoulder in Week 8.



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