Baltimore and the descent into madness – Browns Friday Fumble – 2015-11-27
November 27, 2015The Game: Ohio State – Michigan Preview
November 27, 2015On a recent drive with my wife on I-271, I checked my mirrors, intending to change lanes but saw another vehicle rocketing toward us from behind. It flew by us on our right, cut in front of us, and raced on at what seemed to be at least 90 miles per hour, maybe 100. We held our breath watching the car change lanes repeatedly and disappear out of sight ahead of us. I glanced at my wife who was clearly upset at what we had just witnessed, a public menace, risking the lives of dozens of others.
“Well,” I said, “it’s not Johnny Manziel, he’s in Cincinnati.”
But it was Johnny Manziel a few days earlier who was behaving as a public menace in much the same way and who was eventually pulled over and questioned. He had been drinking that afternoon but was not cited.
According to numerous reports, Manziel spent ten weeks in an addiction rehabilitation facility prior to that incident on I-90. The specific reason for his voluntary admission into the facility is not a matter of public record, but his problems with alcohol have been documented for several years. Even his own father said he had a problem with alcohol.
Only those in a face-saving mode, would think it a reasonable idea to continue the charade.
In preparation for writing this column, I went back and re-read a column posted on WFNY on March 27 this year titled “Can Johnny Manziel come back from the Celebrity Injured List” to see if much has changed in the last seven months. Not much at all, it turns out.
Why do I suggest this annulment? Because it’s the right time and it’s for everyone’s benefit. Call it a mismatch … with irreconcilable differences.
1. Manziel had remarkable success as a college quarterback, even becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012. But his success had “does-not-necessarily-translate-to-the-NFL” written all over it. To begin with, there are virtually no advantages to being a short quarterback in the NFL. A scant few become stars or even starters. The smart path to follow, especially in the AFC North, would have been to develop a big, sturdy, strong-armed quarterback. Athleticism and a little mobility are always nice but counting on your little quarterback’s elusiveness and rushing yardage is a disaster waiting to happen.
2. Even casual fans know how important it is for a quarterback to be dedicated to film study. Work in the film room? Manziel’s coaches at Texas A&M and the quarterback, himself, made it clear he mostly just blew off that part of his job. In his rookie season (surprise, surprise) Manziel blew off that part of his job as a member of the Cleveland Browns. Supposedly there’s been improvement in this area, but as evidenced by recent events, it is still not a top priority.
3. From the March 27 column: “Anyone who has heard the story of Manziel’s commitment to glitz, to the party life, to the idea of intoxication-on-display as entertainment, must surely wonder if this 18/19/20-year-old had any significant influence in his life that sought to apply the brakes to this off-road speedster.” Prior to the Browns drafting him, Johnny Manziel, embracing the very public, celebrity persona as he did, revealed a great deal about himself, and much of it raised serious questions about his character. That information seems to have warded off many NFL suitors, but not the Cleveland Browns.
4. An oft-heard comment after Manziel was drafted was about the national attention he would bring to a mostly moribund Cleveland franchise. Form over substance. Glitz over competence. Giddy fans may be vulnerable to such shallow sentiments, but the team’s owner and the paid professionals charged with re-building a team that gets enormous financial support not just from fans, but from taxpayers, have no business playing with such baubles. There doesn’t have to be a public meeting of a Truth and Reconciliation Committee, but the Browns need to sit down and confront this one head on, because it shouldn’t happen again. Being motivated by the sale of a popular jersey can only lead to considering a jersey buy-back program.
5. That Manziel checked himself into an addiction rehab facility shows that, at some level, he understood the gravity of his situation. But being discharged after ten weeks signifies almost nothing on the long road back where addiction is concerned. For long term results it takes continual and sizable doses of self-surrender, humility and maturity to return to soundness. More often than not there are relapses, failures, and a more profound deterioration before the addict truly turns with loathing from his dangerous habits. The road signs of where Johnny Football was headed were all there before the 2014 draft. Since then, what evidence have we seen of humility or maturation? OK, maybe he got serious about learning the playbook. What else?
6. Speaking of facing issues head on, euphemisms such as “partying” to refer to an ongoing habit of intoxication as entertainment, behavior that can lead to addiction and the endless list of tragic results that can follow, is a disservice to those who have hit rock bottom and are trying to recover. Statements that he didn’t do anything illegal, or that he’s just a 22-year-old out having a good time, or that there are plenty of others who do the same thing smacks of enabling and doesn’t begin to acknowledge that alcohol abuse and addiction is the biggest drug problem in this country. Manziel came out of rehab a new man, you say? He gave up the money sign and the Johnny Football moniker. What else, exactly, has he been willing to give up?
7. Finally, an adult surfaces in the room: Mike Pettine. And like a school teacher trying to overcome the effects of the neglectful parenting of a child who is a terror in the classroom, Pettine has to be fuming over this role he has to play. Yes, it’s a distraction. Coaches probably work 80 hours a week or more as it is, without this bad boy celebrity maintenance stuff. The complaints that the Browns haven’t just come out and said specifically what they demanded of Manziel and how he violated a trust are unrealistic. The Browns cannot speak of these things, and they shouldn’t. If they did, they, too, would be violating a trust. There are slivers of indications that Manziel’s problems are even more serious than the stories for public consumption reveal, but if I’m an owner or general manager who respects my head coach and is responsive to his needs, I’d be looking to remove this albatross from his list of duties.
8. For the same reason the Browns cannot discuss Manziel’s personal life issues, they also cannot be specific about why he was, until recently, deemed unfit to be a starter. It would be folly for fans to expect the Browns organization to publicize their unfiltered assessments of any player. That some fans are demanding to see what the team has in Manziel by just letting him play, completely overlooks the whole point of having scouts, general managers, coaches … and practice. Does anyone think the Cleveland Orchestra cannot select violinists without putting them out there in front of a big crowd at Severance Hall? The owner should trust the evaluation process or change the evaluators. All teams make mistakes. The process is far too unpredictable to avoid them altogether. Covering them up or delaying their remedies, however, only compounds the error.
9. The Cleveland Browns talk about personal accountability. They preach the idea that no matter where you were drafted or how large your paycheck, you have to earn the right to play. The players who prepare the best, who practice the best are those who play. Except for the Johnny Manziel fan club, there aren’t too many people in the business who are saying that Manziel outperformed Josh McCown. So clearly, the Browns breached what they preached. Manziel was given the starting role without truly earning it. This was yet another mistake. The thoroughly professional Josh McCown took the news as you knew he would, with maturity, even grace, though through clenched teeth. Drafting a successful franchise quarterback is a hazardous business, so teams have to pursue every avenue at their disposal. If the Browns ever hope for Cleveland to become a destination location for highly regarded free agents — especially experienced quarterbacks — they have to walk the walk. They can’t entice an experienced quarterback to Cleveland only to have him immediately walk into another silly Cleveland quarterback controversy for the sake of satisfying the culture’s insatiable appetite for celebrity.
10. One final reason some in the Browns organization (and some fans) might want to hang onto Manziel is that they’re afraid he’ll resurface later as an outstanding player for some other organization. While I am among those who think that won’t happen, I am also among those who won’t care if it happens—it’s beside the point. If another team wants to take on the challenge (and the baggage), it’s all theirs. In the best interest of both the Browns organization and Johnny Manziel himself, they should go their separate ways. Both made mistakes: The Browns by drafting him in the first place (and who could possibly say today, they would draft him again if they had it to do over?); and Manziel for the immature, unprofessional start of his professional career. Both sides need this re-boot.
If Thanksgiving is a special time for expressing gratitude for the good and meaningful things in our lives, let’s be grateful not only for the abundance of the harvest, but for those experiences that bruise and humble us.
38 Comments
In the famous words of the late Robin Harris…”Gotta go. Gotta go, gotta go.”
I think they shout cut him as well. The juice is not worth the squeeze.. The worst reason in the world to keep him is “he might find success elsewhere”. That’s battered spouse syndrome. He has said all the right things over and over again since the pre-draft process began, but every time he’s been given enough rope, he’s used it to hang himself. Would have been nice to see him take this last showing of faith and used it as an opportunity to justify the team’s commitment to him, but he didnt do that. And then he compounded that mistake by lying to the team about it. Then he put the cherry on top by hastily attempting to organize a conspiracy to get other’s to back up his assertions that the video was old. That he didn’t go out and do exactly what the team told him not to do, in no uncertain terms.
I wanted him to succeed. I want to stop riding the QB carousel. I’d root for Ben Roethlisberger if I thought he could win games for the Browns. I dont care who it is, I just want to win. So no, Johnny fans, I’m not a hater. It’s not that Im a grumpy old man who doesnt understand kids these days. Build any strawman you want, it’s simply not true.
Johnny has to go because of Johnny. It really is that simple
Excellent column, Richard. I agree with every single point.
The longer this goes on, the more it’s starting to seem that the only reason Manziel went to rehab (reluctantly, it looks like) is to get people off his back, not because he thought he had a problem. Clearly, he doesn’t think he has a problem. He hasn’t accepted that yet. And until he does, all the rehab in the world isn’t going to accomplish anything.
Let Jerrah have him. Free of charge.
Also, as you point out, we fans form opinions and make judgments based on incomplete information, so we have to keep an open mind. At the time of the demotion, no one knew about the lying. But now that we do, the demotion makes even more sense.
Coincidentally, Dallas looks desperate…
Your point on “long term results” on his sobriety is flawed. You expect him to provide long term results but only in examine him in a short term basis? Relapse is a staggeringly common part of recovery. If one accepts that is in recovery then they shouldn’t be suprised of a relapse, especially at his age where that relapse rate is extremely high. They also have to operate within the framework of CBA and wherever he is in personal conduct policy.
I have no stake in Manziel, but if you’re expecting somebody to “long term” show sobriety yet think relapse likely won’t occur, then you are somewhat unfamiliar with the road to long term sobriety, or misframed that point.
They could cut ties with him sure, but I don’t think that a relapse would be the issue. If you said “one relapse and you are done” then they’d of been more likely to just cut ties with him at the conclusion of last season.
“Drafting a successful franchise quarterback is a hazardous business, so teams have to pursue every avenue at their disposal.” which includes seeing if their first round pick is going to continue to develop as quickly as he has.
They’ve already taken on one Browns reject QB this year with terrible results.
“The longer this goes on, the more it’s starting to seem that the only reason Manziel went to rehab (reluctantly, it looks like) is to get people off his back, ”
LOL no way. He stayed a very long time past the normal treatment times. There is nobody in their right mind that’d spend an extra month at a rehab facility to win a PR battle. This comment is just too cynical.
I don’t think JFF is an alcoholic in the classic sense. I think he is a partyholic.
Being King Of The Bros seems to be higher on his list of priorities than being a starting QB.
Has it ever been definitely confirmed that he spent ten weeks in rehab for booze? (Or just booze alone?) Remember he was photographed in that Vegas bathroom rolling up a dollar bill…
My 2 cents – let’s say __IF__ the Browns decide to keep him – would keeping 4 active QB on the roster (2 or 3 for game days) be that bad? It seems there’s a bit of “nearly all the teams keep 3 QBs so that’s what we’ll do”.
If developing and finding a franchise QB is as difficult as I am told it is… AND
a franchise QB is as vital to team success as I am told it is… AND
the Browns need to get one –
Is the cost of that 1 extra spot that damning? I mean the Browns cannot afford to burn 1 roster spot and risk losing some special teams LB or secondary or special teams WR like Marlon Moore – b/c they wont burn a 4th roster spot on a QB?
If you’re saying he’ll never mature past partying ways – that’s a fine and legit argument to cut him. I’d agree – and that we don’t know what the rehab was for… I’d presume it’s booze/pill popping or some combo…
I think if Haslam realized Manziel would be controversial and then did it, I should not be surprised for the team to take on the controversy of keeping him around for another few seasons. If one thinks Haslam took Manziel wihtout deliberation… then I guess I could see them cutting him without much consideration.
I tend to think it’s the former not the latter though, so I’d expect Manziel to be on the roster for the forseeable future.
Amen!!! They should never have drafted him in the first place. They knew he was a spoiled, arrogant, alcoholic and had no chance to be an NFL QB, but Haslam fell in love with him. He is an addicted circus clown who has no respect for his coaches, fans or the game itself. Send him packing and get rid of the clown and all the negative publicity he generates.
Every report I have heard is that he was back at the party days after leaving treatment.
You are missing the point.
Sadly, Pettine is demoting him, but only temporarily. The team keeps giving him absolute ultimatums that are only 50% enforced. This is why Johnny is only 50% focused on his problems.
you should be breaking stories for the news outlets then
Hi scripty. If you are referring to point No. 5, I think you’re misinterpreting my intended meaning. “You expect him to provide long term results …” Well, no, I don’t, and I think I said so in that para. I’m well aware that relapse rates are extremely high, so chances are the Browns can expect more of his very disappointing behavior. That’s just one reason, among at least nine others, the Browns should part with him. The Browns and/or NFL can offer him treatment, by all means, if that’s what the CBA calls for, but keeping him on the roster is just inviting more chaos for the QB position. The last thing this team needs.
The “cost” I fear would be far greater than one roster spot. What a royal mess this has turned into.
what if it didnt involve Manziel at all? I think any team without a franchise QB would be wise to use 4 spots on QB and simply need to manage the bottom of their roster better.
Utterly.
That’s definitely a different story I’d say. Right now they have McCown, Davis, Connor Shaw and Manziel. Subtract Manziel. Then during the next six months be on the lookout for another addition through draft, trade, FA, etc. That’s manageable. The status quo looks unmanageable.
My thoughts are teams should have 4 at all times.
Dave, I find it very difficult to believe “they knew” what you say they knew. I sure hope not. Last week some guy called in on sports talk radio. An older guy, seems to have been watching the Browns since the 1950s or 60s. Very emotional, quivering voice etc. He was appalled and ashamed at JM’s behavior after having been given the first-string/face-of-the-franchise job. For me too, the negative publicity is difficult to stomach. But as you probably know, if he was a can’t miss superstar, he probably wouldn’t have been demoted … but if he was an unsigned free agent, he’d have been dumped a long time ago.
I don’t believe that many teams were serious about drafting Manziel in the first. Seems like a perfect guy to sit on if he slides to the 2nd or 3rd. Wasting resources to draft a project QB in the first round is something a 10 year old playing a Madden franchise would know not to do.
Sounds like a nice even number. I like it. A range of ages (but not heights) 🙂
Scripty,
First of all, cynical is now the default position for all matters Manziel, thanks to him and him alone.
Second, do we know for a fact that he stayed long past the normal treatment times? If he did, do we know why he stayed?
I’ll keep an open mind, but right now cynicism is justified.
Actions, not words, remember?
No that’s your choice. Multiple news outlets reported his time in as 10 weeks. One site found similar stays at that facility whould be about 35-45 days most of the time.
Occam’s razor might indicate he stayed 70 days as that’s what he felt what was best for him at the time. Or like you say, it could of been some long con to create a false PR image and remove time where he’d have freedome to practice and improve on his trade.
I’d have my starter, a back-up type like McCown, and 2 developmentals (of whatever round / acquisition method). I think Dallas did this when they had Henson, Qunicy Carter, (somebody else) and wanted to hold onto a young Romo.
In treatment programs can range from 28 to 120 days (sometimes more) with the most success always found at the 90+ day program.
If Manziel felt he had the tools necessary to re-enter his environment and begin his recovery he may have left prior to the 90 day commitment (there is no 70 day program I know of).
Its pretty obvious based on his actions post treatment he did not have the tools he thought he had.
“Hi, my name is Johnny, and I’m an alcoholic.” “Hi, Johnny.” End of story. Ten weeks in rehab didn’t quite do the trick. He’s got a long road. Perhaps after three sober years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers someone might take a chance on an alcoholic QB. I wouldn’t. It is sad, though, especially since the NFL interrupts every game to tell viewers how much fun being drunk is over and over………
I have addicts in my family and relapse is definitely a thing that happens. When they have relapses, they fear for their jobs. They’ve been fired from jobs due to their relapses. Why should Manziel be treated differently?
Me too. But – 1. – there’s some protection in the CBA and Browns need to nagivate some of that minefield. But two – the larger point – if the Browns said they were going to stand by him through recovery – they just can’t acted shocked at some relapse. In the end, they weren’t – they just got pissed at him lying moreso than anything. He’s an idiot for sure.
josh gordon is still browns property … manziel will probably be here as well.
Who is going to develop these youngsters? Do you divert your OC or QB coach from working with the starter to running QB camps for the might-some-day-bes?
I guess the QB coach has his work cut out for him. But it’s moreso an idea of casting a wide net and creating competition.
Also, you could hold onto a guy longer with the raw talent, and just be bold enough to not suffer the same “he can’t help us right away, this is a win now business” failures that plague a franchise without a stud QB.
Ah this argument is predicated on the longevity of the front office then.
of all the things to worry about from this season of Browns, DeFilippo and O’Connell’s work with QBs is not one.