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Sunday, February 14, 2016

Johnny Manziel

Well, it keeps getting worse for Johnny Manziel.  After being drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Browns, the character problems that were in question at Texas A&M have showed up badly.  Let's start with what happened after becoming the 22nd pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.
The first incident came during the Preseason against the Washington Redskins.  Manziel had been outplayed by Brian Hoyer to this point, and to make matters worse, he flipped the bird to the Redskins sideline.  Hoyer was named the starter the next day.
In November, Johnny's squad got into a fight with a Browns fan who got injured from it, and later said he was sorry.  But, anytime that a player's crew gets into a fight with a fan, that's never a good sign for that player's future.  But, after the Browns started 7-5, including a drubbing of Cleveland's big brother, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a road win at another divisional rival, the Cincinnati Bengals.  Hoyer started to struggle, and Manziel got the start against the Bengals at home. He only went for 80 yards and ten completions with two interceptions.  He finished out the season, and then checked into a rehab facility for ten weeks after the season.
Josh McCown started over Manziel until he was lost for the season.  But, in October, he got into a fight pulled over on the side of a highway, fighting with his girlfriend.  No charges were filed from either side.  He got benched after drinking during the bye.  In Week 17, he allegedly showed up under the influence to a meeting, and was partying in Vegas wearing a disguise the night before the Week 17 matchup against the Steelers, making Austin Davis the next Browns starter.
New coach Hue Jackson said they are moving on from Manziel in March.  Then, in January, he allegedly punched his ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley so hard, he ruptured her eardrum, and she is still regaining her hearing in that ear.
Manziel has shown that football is not his priority.  He retired the money sign, and it looked like he was getting his life together.  When he played this year, he looked good most of the time, including going for 372 yards against the Steelers on the road. But, I don't think that he will get a second chance, and is just wasted talent.
Manziel was so bad in college, that Kyle Allen said that the culture at A&M was lazy, mostly because of Manziel, leading him to transfer to Houston, and AAC school.
How bad is Manziel?  His dad, Paul Manziel says he won't make it to his 24th birthday if he doesn't get help.  He is 23.  Former NFL Quarterback Ryan Leaf, a year after being released from jail in Montana, said its like looking in a mirror.  His dad has tried to get him to go to two different facilities, but he has rejected them both.
What to do with him?  Nobody can do anything.  The NFL and players have tried to help him, but it hasn't worked.  If Manziel doesn't want help from the NFL or his parents, he's a lost cause.  He can't get helped if he is willing to get that help.  Maybe he'll turn it around like it seems Jameis Winston has.  Or maybe he'll be in a Montana prison twenty years from now.  It's up to him.  His career is probably over, but he can turn his life around.

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