With all the promise that “Johnny Football” showed in college, many thought he could be the catalyst that could bring about a renaissance to the Cleveland fans so desperate for a hero.
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Like former Cleveland Browns first-round picks Brady Quinn and Brandon Weeden before him, Manziel continues the franchise’s bad luck in the quarterback position.
The Browns drafted Manziel in the first round in 2014, hoping he could not only be their long-term solution at quarterback but revive a sluggish franchise.
Manziel was a mistake from the moment that his name was called on draft night in 2014 and he walked across the stage flashing his “Money Manziel” sign to the crowd.
And while the Browns are losing Johnny, one thing browns fans are not losing is hope.
He was benched, and demoted to third string quarterback, in November past year after video emerged of Manziel partying during the team’s bye week. The team at first stood by him, but soon decided they’d had enough.
In his two National Football League seasons, Manziel has played 15 games (eight starts) and thrown for 1,625 yards and seven touchdowns.
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But nobody wanted to give up anything for Manziel, who was in Vegas last weekend and has been spotted in nightclubs around Los Angeles the past few days.
The Browns back in February said they would make the move to cut Manziel when the new NFL league year began. On Saturday, Manziel cleared waivers, which should hardly come as a surprise to anyone. That the Browns would choose to cut loose the baggage after just two years isn’t a shock when one considers the off-the-field issues that took on additional danger in his second season.
Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater, and Derek Carr were drafted the same year as Manziel and have made significant improvements for their teams.
Meanwhile, ESPN reported that 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wants to play in Cleveland for new coach Hue Jackson.
Crowley applied for and was granted an order of protection against Manziel after detailing an alleged assault in an affidavit in court seeking the order from a judge in Texas.
Despite failing drug tests and facing suspension in each of four seasons with the Browns, Gordon isn’t going anywhere because he’s too talented.
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Johnny Manziel is free to sign with any team, if anyone will have him. Crowley told police that Manziel hit her several times to prevent her from leaving the vehicle.
