Jimmy Haslam details the latest Browns reboot – WFNY Podcast – #444
January 3, 2016Another January in Berea: While We’re Waiting…
January 4, 2016Johnny Manziel has done about everything one could in order to punch their ticket out of town, if not the entire league this season. His latest antic was a reported no-show for a Sunday meeting with the Cleveland Browns team medic. And, it sounds as if it will become the straw that finally buckled the camel’s knees.
SI’s Peter King reported Manziel was to be seen by a team medic on Sunday, and not only did Manziel not show up, but team personnel were not able to contact him. In the current era of always being connected, it seems only an intentional or horrific event could be the cause of such an occurrence.
JFF1: Reported this on @SNFonNBC re Manziel: Browns require players in concussion protocol to be seen by team medic at 9 am on Sunday …
— Peter King (@peter_king) January 4, 2016
JFF2: … even if they’re not playing. Manziel didn’t show up Sunday. Browns couldn’t reach him on phone. At this point I can tell you …
— Peter King (@peter_king) January 4, 2016
JFF3: … Browns are so done with the guy. I will be stunned if he ever plays another snap for Cleveland. He wants to go to Dallas.
— Peter King (@peter_king) January 4, 2016
One simple absenteeism might lend itself to a suspension, but not a complete washing of the hands. Of course, Sunday’s missing person trick was not even the first time Manziel missed such a session (as he reportedly missed a training session in December of 2014 and needed team personnel to locate him). Nor is it the only type of blemish on Manziel’s record. Sadly, Manziel’s entire professional tenure has been known for far too many issues and mistakes off the field of play rather than anything of substance on the field. There’s a reason Manziel was a Top 10 story of 2015 despite rarely lining up under center.1
The Browns let go of both head coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer on Sunday, and one cannot help but wonder how their fates might have been different had the team refused to consider the option of allowing Johnny Manziel to wreck the Browns rather than the league. Yes, do remember that Johnny Manziel begged to be drafted by the team he now is self destructively forcing himself off.
- At least in college he didn’t line up under center due to shotgun snaps. [↩]
62 Comments
You may be right, and I am certainly not defending his actions (whatever they may have been), only pointing out the reality that the chain of events still isn’t clear at this juncture. We are all in an emotional frenzy over the organization falling apart yet again, and it just seems like this may not be the best time to take drastic measures, cathartic though it might be.
When we say “the Browns” are done with Johnny, who, precisely, do we mean? The GM? The coach?
See, it seems to me that Johnny may have played his cards exactly right, particularly if he’s Haslam’s guy (as we all assume he is). He did everything he could to either (a) get the heck outta Cleveland, or (b) get the head shed fired. Either way, it worked (and I would not be surprised at all if the goal was always (b), and the kid stays, with a new coach that loves him).
Bowe Bergdahl, pay attention: THIS is how it’s done.
I have assumed all along that Johnny did not actually have a concussion, and that this was Pettine’s final play to embarrass him and keep him off the field, after the Christmas video/nonvideo. Based on this assumption, Johnny had no need to actually see a neurologist, and everyone in the know knew it.
But, you know what happens when we assume. Libel happens.
Yeah – I don’t want to draw a direct parallel, but he was a wild dude that could play. But dollars to donuts the Duce is more Leaf than Favre.
i agree 100% and can only believe Johnny did what he did to show Pettine one last time that people with talent will always be able to participate in the NFL, while head coaches who lose 18 out of 21 games while using petulant, high-school ploys won’t.
I also think the two group completely different although I must admit I don’t know about Favre’s family history. He always struck me as a self made mad while the Deuce has basically had everything handed to him his entire life.
Our local vegas gossip page/sightings columnist could not confirm that he was here. Norm Clark has all the connections here in Vegas. Football was not here.
Team Conspiracy in action!
Prepare yourself for possible video of Johnny Manziel in disguise while in Vegas. Reportedly in blonde wig, sunglasses and hoodie.
Thought you’d be interested to know the Twitter posse is on the Manziel case. Supposedly there could be video of him in Vegas in disguise. I’ve read blonde wig, sunglasses and hoodie.
It was Mitch Moss who asked Norm if there was a sighting. I guess he got confirmation from another source before his show ended today.
Manziel was the hobo’s guy. Haslem was just looking for advice and thought he would be a great draft pick