It may come as a surprise that Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has supporters within the NFL ranks.  What should not be surprising is that one of those players is Saints' quarterback Drew Brees.

Brees was drafted late in the second round back in 2001 mainly because of his height (he is generously listed at 6-feet), and was eventually let go as a free-agent in 2004 because of injury concerns.  Since signing with the Saints, Brees has proved his doubters wrong by leading the Saints to a Super Bowl title in 2011, and has consistently been one of the NFL's best players.

Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel (AP Photo)
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As one of the shortest signal callers in the league, Brees knows what it takes to defy expectations, so when he was asked by Fox Sports about Manziel, he was quick to provide his take.

“He’s got all the playmaking ability to be a great player. [There are] guys like [Manziel] in this league. Russell Wilson and his ability to run the football and extend plays outside the pocket and throw the ball down the field. Intermediate [routes], I mean he can do it all.”

Brees went on to say that he believes that Manziel's skills aren't the only reason that the A&M quarterback will have success at the next level.

“I think the physical qualities are not nearly as important as the psychological qualities of playing the quarterback position,” Brees said. “Certainly you have to have some level of throwing ability and fundamentals and that kind of thing. But speed, height, arm strength ... those things are way overrated when playing the quarterback position.”

“You have to instill confidence in the guys you’re playing with so they’ll follow you and play for you so you can get the best out of them,” Brees said. “It’s all about leadership.”

Johnny Football's Aggies are currently ranked 10th in the AP Top 25, and the young quarterback has clearly been able to push aside the litany of off field distractions that have occurred since he won the Heisman.  Whether Manziel can continue to mature and overcome his questionable off the field antics at the next level remains to be seen.

The fact that an established, respected veteran such as Brees thinks that he has a bright future in the NFL certainly doesn't hurt Manziel's credibility.