There are a lot of things Cleveland Browns fans want to see out of young quarterback Johnny Manziel, but his famous money sign gesture - a gesture he used quite often while lighting up the collegiate football landscape at Texas A&M - is not one of them.
Sure, were it to follow a high-impact play like a phenomenal touchdown pass or game-clinching first down run, they'd surely endure just such a gesture and had Manziel been able to provide any impact whatsoever during his rookie year, Browns fans would probably be even more willing to give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to cocky hand gestures.
But after Manziel stumbled, bumbled and fumbled his way through an ultimately forgettable and frustrating first NFL season, Browns fans probably just want to see him stick his nose in his playbook and keep it there.
Luckily for the Cleveland faithful, it sounds like Manziel at least partially got the message about his immature antics.
"The money sign will not be back. I will not be making it," Manziel said Wednesday, via MSN.com.
For Manziel, ridding himself of the trademark gesture is just another step on the road to redemption. It comes in the same offseason that the former Heisman Trophy-winner endured a self-imposed rehab stint and moved from a trendy downtown Cleveland apartment to a golf course.
"Last year is last year, it was what it was and it was not very good," Manziel said. "So for me, I'm trying to close that chapter and just build on what I've done so far this year and just move forward, and try to close that chapter in my life. Not one that I'm very proud of, not one that I want to look back on very much and dwell on, that's for sure."
Also fortunately for Browns fans, Manziel seems to not just be saying the right things off the field, but doing the right things on it as well. Veteran teammates have made a point of lauding Manziel for his work thus far and reports emerged from OTAs that Manziel had been making progress in terms of his reads and understanding of the offense.
Still, it's a long road to hoe for Manziel to find his way back into Cleveland's good graces. If he can endure, he's likely got the Browns starting gig in his future. If not, Manziel may not be long for Cleveland and, quite possibly, even an NFL roster.
