10 Players for Browns fans to watch for at the Senior Bowl
January 24, 2015Statues, bobbleheads and jerseys galore: Indians release 2015 promotional schedule
January 24, 2015Johnny Manziel may still have a shot at being the quarterback of the future for the Cleveland Browns, but it would take an unprecedented turn of events for those No. 2 jerseys to have any kind of value beyond 2015. In a recent report from ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler and Pat McManamon, more than 20 sources—some on the record, some not—discussed Manziel’s rookie season, leaving one to wonder just how both parties could make things work going forward.1
By season’s end, cheering had turned to frustration and anger as Manziel struggled mightily in almost six quarters as a starter, then was fined for being AWOL the final Saturday of the season. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan resigned with two years left on his contract. Loggains was fired. The Browns openly discussed Manziel’s viability as the franchise’s quarterback at a wide-ranging postseason staff meeting about the roster. And at least a couple of Manziel’s teammates were joking his text should have read “wreck this team.”
Lacking commitment, lacking preparation, lacing focus… There wasn’t much in the way of new violations—both actual and perceived—in the report, but the way in which teammates spoke of the player who would otherwise be a leader speaks volumes. On that fateful Saturday that led to the suspension of Josh Gordon and an APB put out on Manziel, the report states that the rookie was “drunk off his ass”2 when team officials showed up at his home. It also mentioned that multiple fines were levied throughout the season for the quarterback being late to team meetings3.
Some of the most glaring items of note:
• More than once, teammates corrected the play call in the huddle, or headed to the line hoping things would work because the call was wrong. Sometimes, the offense would get lined up wrong because Manziel forgot to read the whole play or got the verbiage wrong.
• Several sources said Manziel did not practice well leading up to his first start, completing fewer than 50 percent of his passes during the week.
• Some veterans “clearly didn’t want to play for [Manziel]” because of the lack of readiness, and they responded better to undrafted rookie Connor Shaw in part because he knew the playsA
• According to one Texas A&M source, “His thing would be he’s going to show up on Saturdays, ‘I’m a gamer.’ He’d show up for practices and games but that’s about it. Johnny thought he was an NFL superstar before he came [into the league].”
Manziel’s competitiveness can’t be denied. The kid has spent his entire life being told he’s too short, or not strong enough. But he’s also spent the majority of the last four years being hoisted upon a pedestal of superstardom, surrounding himself with celebrity types and jet-setting with casual disregard. He spoke about needing to stop putting himself in situations that can be cast in a negative light, but has spent more time in Aspen and Miami than he has Berea (or Texas or with his trainer in California). The Browns, meanwhile, have said that actions speak louder than words. The new offensive coordinator gave Manziel nothing in the way of an endorsement during his introductory press conference.
One source who spoke with the ESPN duo said that while it was a mistake to draft Manziel where the Browns did, it would be a bigger one to let him go after just one season. The team is well aware of what a player of Manziel’s notoriety brings to the organization in the way of attention (not always a positive) and merchandise sales. But the best part of the entire piece may have very well been the kicker:
“What Johnny has to understand is [if] he has another year like he just had, he’s not going to be famous anymore,” one NFL team exec said. “LeBron James is going to lose his number.”
Never a dull moment in Berea.
19 Comments
Great start to my Saturday! Thanks Scott!
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With the first pick in the 2015 draft..
I turned on 850 this morning and was utterly shocked that any of this was “news” to Hammer and Emmet. Were the “Manziel Mafia” members burying their heads in the sand all season long? I mean literally these are the same stories that have been circulated and reported throughout the course of the entire season, this is just a compilation of Johnny’s greatest hits.
And the offseason is just getting started. 😉
Secret WFNY ninja cam footage from JFF’s suite in Aspen…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arf2TxeYPDs
Golddouche’s response to everything is utter exasperation and befuddlement at the stupidity of everyone else especially anyone associated with the Browns. He is everything bad about being a human.
All you need to know about Goldhammer is he got taken off the biggest show on the station and was put in the death slot of afternoon drive for a whopping 2 hours.
To make this even more confusing, HE is the program director at 850 and it was HIS decision to leave RBS and start the afternoon show with Golden.
Yikes that explains why the station is so bad now.
I AM CORNHOLIO
Tired of your crap, Johnnie, and I’m a patient person. Since you can’t grow, how ’bout you GROW UP!!! Try John instead of Johnnie. Try work and studying your craft instead of partying. Lose your giant ego and get good already!!! Anybody can party and get drunk. Use your God given talent, work hard and bring Cleveland a winner!!! It is long overdue!!!
Manziel is chaos in a bottle with No NFL style ability………..
The SB hasn’t even been played yet and Browns fans are already regretting next season.
I like how the underlining theme in this article is “dont screw up again this year or LBJ will lose your number” #richpplproblems …but all jokes aside manziel is awful imo and we should trade up to get our franchise qb w/ 2 1st this year. Maybe then manziel shows up in camp and we have the brees/rivers situation in san diego, If that doesnt motivate him then hes obviously a right handed skinny tebow lol
http://mrwgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Youre-In-Big-Trouble-Mister-Quote-By-Michelle-Tanner-On-Full-House.gif
At least Tebow tried and cared.
Honestly I like the Golden boys. The mix of pop-culture stuff is refreshing from hearing the same story spun by 15 different hosts on 92.3 throughout the day. Plus Emmet is awesome.
While I’m not a huge fan, I liked Rizzo more when he was on it.