Manziel is not the first troubled quarterback Gruden has mentored.
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BRIEF: Steelers GM Kevin Colbert signed a two-year extension through the 2018 NFL Draft, the Post-Gazette reported, adding that RB Le’Veon Bell said he has yet to have his appeal of a three-game suspension after a DUI charge heard by the league.
Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel largely has remained out of the spotlight and headlines ahead of training camp, which opens next week.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel spent the past week working with former NFL head coach and current ESPN broadcaster Jon Gruden. Manziel spent 10 weeks in rehab during the offseason and laid the blamed for a poor first year squarely on his shoulders.
Manziel’s training with Gruden consisted of film study and on-field work, the source confirmed. Gruden was bullish on Manziel before the 2014 NFL Draft, saying “there’s a lot of magic to him” and reportedly urging the Oakland Raiders to select Manziel, potentially so Gruden could return to Oakland and coach the signal-caller.
If you recall, in week 13 of the 2014 season, Manziel was named a starter in the thick of a playoff race. The Heisman-winning quarterback completed just 51 percent of his passes and compiled a quarterback rating of 42.
Manziel realized that he needed to grow up and be a professional.
Gruden is an analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football. “I’m a Manziel – I don’t know what the word I should use is – advocate, proponent”. Currently, Manziel is expected to compete for the starting quarterback position against veteran Josh McCown.
“I know he can learn”. Last year, the Cleveland Browns had high hopes for the polarizing player coming out of Texas A&M. It didn’t matter. He adapted and did extremely well.
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Whether a personalized version of Gruden’s QB Camp is able to make a difference in the former Heisman Trophy winner’s career has yet to be seen. In two years at Texas A&M, he had the most productive back-to-back seasons in SEC history. I spent two days with him, and I know he wants to learn. “All I know is I want Manziel”.
