Cleveland Browns Trade Rumors: Johnny Manziel May Be Out By March
Johnny Manziel could have been a legend in this sport, but he didn't want it. When the Cleveland Browns picked him in the 2014 NFL Draft, they knew he was special. He broke several records in the NCAA and became the first-ever freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.
But look at him now.
The same team that drafted him is reportedly giving up on the chance of seeing a player who could be the best at what he does. With his erratic behavior and the lack of respect for the team, it is believed that the Browns are finally going to release him by March of this year once the NFL starts its next calendar year.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The team's vice president of football operations Sashi Brown released a statement that would be construed as sign of things to come. "We've been clear about expectations for our players on and off the field," the statement said. "Johnny's continual involvement in incidents that run counter to those expectations undermines the hard work of his teammates and the reputation of our organization," Brown added.
The statement also said that the quarterback's status in the team will be addressed once league rules allow it, basically saying that the team is only waiting for the right and official moment to be able to let him go.
In his short stint in Cleveland, the 23-year-old showed what he can do and that he had all the potential to carve out a great career in the league. However, those flashes of brilliant abilities and talents in the field were pretty much overshadowed by incidents that were not related to football.
After getting drafted in 2014, photographs were leaked online just after a month of becoming pro, where he was wildly partying at a nightclub in Austin, Texas. There wasn't really anything wrong with the photos, except for the fact that he showed insolence and brashness without even playing a single game in the NFL at that point.
Another photo surfaced before the start of training camp, and this time Manziel was visibly drunk while talking into a money phone.
In just his second game (exhibition) as a pro, he passed through the Washington Redskins' sideline and flashed a middle finger while jogging. The league responded by giving him a fine of $12,000 as a consequence of the profane and unprofessional gesture.
Finally, everything went spiraling down when he was often late in team meetings and practices, which eventually led to offseason rehabilitation for drug and alcohol abuse. The latest drama to Manziel's life as a pro football player came when another domestic dispute issue (his second) was revealed in Fort Worth, Texas, involving him and a girlfriend. The police were called to assist in locating him, but no arrests were made.
Sad, but the Browns, even though on the verge of letting go a rare talent and a highly touted player, will have to decide for the team's own good.
