Craig: Vikings' receiver Johnson says Manziel is misjudged

Vikings receiver Charles Johnson used to have this one teammate who was "real chill."

"He didn't say too much," Johnson said. "Always had his playbook with him. That's all he was ever doing.

"He was cool when you talked to him. He wasn't this cocky, arrogant, loud guy. He wasn't like that at all."

So who was this quiet, studious, laid-back guy?

Johnny Manziel.

You mean, that Johnny Manziel?

"Yeah," Johnson said. "From what I saw, he wasn't what the media displayed him to be at all."

It took less than two months for Johnson to become a starter and Bridgewater's favorite target. He caught one pass for 7 yards from Christian Ponder before catching 25 for 408 yards (16.3 yards per reception) and two touchdowns from Bridgewater.

"Johnny and Teddy are different," Johnson said. "But I like both of them. I hope Johnny does well."

Johnny didn't do so well a week ago. Manziel's NFL starting debut was a humiliating 30-0 loss at home to the Bengals.

His passer rating was 27.3. He threw two interceptions. He was sacked three times. And, yes, the Bengals mocked him unmercifully with his money-rubbing signature celebration.

Even a penalty for taunting couldn't stop the Bengals from mocking the money rub.

If you say so.

There's a lot to like about Manziel. And he'll no doubt get better because, frankly, he couldn't get much worse than last Sunday.

But he might want to tuck the "money rub" away. It's an unprofessional act that motivates foes.

At least that's the old-guy view. Johnson's viewpoint is a tad more youthful.

"When Johnny does the money rub, that's him," Johnson said. "That's his own swag. That's what he's been doing for a while now. That's what he's known for. Money Manziel."

"I was in that game, but I didn't see that," Johnson said. "I guess their sideline said something to him and he flipped them off, not thinking.

"But he's so confident. That's what I like about him. He's got his own personal swag. It's cool for guys to go out there and be laid back and make plays. But sometimes you like to see exciting guys. He was exciting in college, and that's why people loved him. People aren't going to be talking about this when he starts making big plays."

Johnson also likes it that Manziel isn't changing himself, on or off the field, to satisfy media perception.

"Sometimes, people in the media want to put you in this box and say, 'You're a quarterback, you're supposed to act like this,' " Johnson said. "Man, be yourself. That's how I feel. You shouldn't have to change who you are because you're an NFL player, a doctor, a regular citizen or a journalist."

NFL Chatter

Route running is the primary one.

There is virtually no freelancing by receivers at the NFL level. Defenses typically are too powerful and fast to hold off long enough for a quarterback to wait for a receiver to run a sloppy route.

Most of the time, the quarterback has thrown to a spot before the receiver makes his cut to get to that spot. If the receiver consistently doesn't get to the right spot at the right time, well, what would you do as the quarterback?

Right. You'd throw it to someone else.

This describes the fall of Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. But the good news is Patterson's attitude isn't an issue with the team. He simply hasn't learned what he needs to learn quickly enough. But with offensive coordinator Norv Turner expected to return, next year would be the first time Patterson has been in the same offense in back-to-back seasons at the major college or NFL level.

"He's got some naturalness as a receiver, he's grown up as a receiver, he's an excellent route runner," Turner said. "He's a guy that I think has very good upside."

• The Buccaneers are 0-5 in a division with three other teams that are a combined 16-25-1.

• Like defense? The Packers have scored 52 touchdowns, 22 more than the Lions, but Detroit is atop the NFC North based on the head-to-head tiebreaker.

• Turnovers, smurnovers. The Eagles are minus-9 in turnover ratio, but own a 9-5 record and the fourth-highest scoring offense.

• Further complicating the mess in Chicago, the Bears will upset the Lions with Jimmy Clausen at QB.

1 The best of the worst? Atlanta at New Orleans

It finally appears that the Saints have decided to fulfill their destiny and win the NFC South. A win on Sunday, combined with a Carolina loss, does the trick. And the Saints can still finish .500 by winning their last two games.

2 This is what it's all about: Kansas City at Pittsburgh

This is almost like a playoff game as the Chiefs (8-6) are in desperate straits and the Steelers (9-5) can clinch a playoff spot with a win.

3 Line of DeMarco-cation: Indianapolis at Dallas

4 Cardinals a feel-good story: Seattle at Arizona

The Cardinals, playing with third-string QB Ryan Lindley, are 7-0 at home and can clinch home-field throughout the playoffs with a victory. Seattle has won seven of eight and might be the NFL's hottest team.

5 Big one on Monday night: Denver at Cincinnati

The Bengals can clinch a playoff berth with a victory, and the Broncos can clinch a first-round bye with a win. That makes the prime time game pretty competitive.

So you're Christmas shopping and time is running out and you just don't know what to get that special NFL player who has everything.

Hmm. Let's see.

If you're stumped, just give money. That should make at least one little Johnny very happy come Christmas morn.

Here are some other suggestions heading into Week 16:

SD +1 at SF

Chargers by 7

PHI -7½ at WAS

Eagles by 10

For Daniel Snyder: An NFL team.

GB -10½ at TB

Packers by 14

DET -7 at CHI

Bears by 3

For Marc Trestman: A one-way ticket back to Canada, where they don't pay their quarterbacks $1 million per turnover.

ATL +6 at NO

Saints by 7

NE -10 at NYJ

Patriots by 17

For Bill Belichick: Garage sale tips from Bud Grant because these AFC East trophies are piling up.

KC +3 at PIT

Steelers by 7

CLE +2½ at CAR

Panthers by 3

For LeBron James: A new little buddy with no signature celebration.

BAL -5½ at HOU

Ravens by 3

NYG +5 at STL

Giants by 3

For Tom Coughlin: Critics who remember that he won two Super Bowls with Eli Manning as his quarterback.

BUF -5½ at OAK

Raiders by 3

IND +3 at DAL

Cowboys by 10

For the Colts: Nothing. Six AFC South games are more than enough.

SEA -8 at ARI

Seahawks by 10

DEN -3 at CIN

Bengals by 3

For Peyton Manning: NFC home-field advantage for any team not located in Seattle.

MIN +6½ at MIA

Vikings 27, Dolphins 24

Record

Last week/overall: 9-6/ 124-81-1

Versus spread: 7-8/ 104-102

Vikings picks: 11-3

Upset special picks: 5-10