While nearly all of the world has lost faith in Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Johnny Manziel after a miserable attempt to become the team’s lead signal caller, he apparently still has the trust of two teammates.
Browns’ cornerback Joe Haden spoke with Around the NFL about whether he still believes the team’s first-round draft pick could be successful in the future.
I feel like he could be. He could be Rookie seasons, they go however, but I think Johnny really understands what he needs to do to be successful.
That’s a bold statement to throw out there considering the disastrous seven quarters Manziel spent on the field. The epic down point for Manziel was when he was late to treatment for his hamstring injury he suffered in Week 16 . After security found Manziel in frazzled, after-party shape, sources reported to ESPN.com that Manziel was “drunk off his a–.”
Also speaking up on Manziel’s behalf was linebacker Karlos Dansby, who had this to say about Manziel being a future leader for the team.
Oh without a doubt. It’s gonna take a lot of sacrifices. Guys can’t have egos, you gotta check ’em at the door. We gotta … rally around each other and continue to fight for each other, just play lights-out football, and that’s what we’re gonna (have to do to get there).
That’s two people in Manziel’s corner. Now he just needs to work on convincing about two million more. If Manziel has any shred of hope at becoming a reputable leader the Browns can trust, he’s got to make a complete 180 change from the way he conducted himself in 2014. This is providing the Browns still even have interest in giving him another chance.
Manziel finished his rookie season completing just over 50 percent of his passes for 175 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions. However, it’s his antics off the field that has drawn the most criticism. He needs to get that straight before even focusing on his on-field play.