The way he ran the 2005 WC final was sporadic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abxUL7zz1nI
After a big 2001, having two down years and then up again in 2004 was sporadic.
After a good 2004 and 2005, he had no 2006 summer season.
2007 was fantastic until it came to the most important race of the year, which he ran poorly.
That's sporadic.
After his 3:30 in 2007 his season bests go to 3:35 to 3:42 to 3:36 to 3:37 in 2011 and 2012.
And his 2011 outdoor best was run in March in Australia and then he fell off.
A lot of good stuff but it was sporadic through his career.
Manzano has been top 3 at USATF 8 years in a row and has competed in every global championship. He even has the top US time this year.
But we all know Manzano's brilliance is sporadic.