It's not inaccurate to say that Johnny Manziel had a pretty disastrous rookie season for the Cleveland Browns. The 2014 first-rounder failed to beat out veteran journeyman Brian Hoyer for the starting job in pre-season and then disappointed in his only two starts of the season before a knee injury ended his rookie year. Overall, Johnny Football threw for just 175 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions in five total game appearances.
But the Browns aren't quite ready to give up on the talented yet embattled QB. An offseason stay in rehab and a strong training camp/preseason has ignited the faintest spark of hope. ESPN Senior Writer Eric Karabell even believes Manziel could break out at some point this year and be a viable fantasy football option.
"Don't even look at his rookie numbers," Karabell wrote. "We hope his life is back on track and if it is, let's remember how talented a player he can be. There's a reason he's had on-field success. He's certainly confident. I doubt he has the weapons around him to truly break out, but I don't think Josh McCown, absolutely awful last season, is the answer. Presuming Manziel can't play at the NFL level is short-sighted. We don't know. I don't want to outright dismiss it, and in a dynasty format, I'll take the chance late. Manziel could be just as successful, it not more, than [Jameis] Winston and [Marcus] Mariota, but since they're perceived to have not failed yet, they're thought of differently. Let's be open-minded."
McCown was just 1-10 as a starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year (no coincidence they ended up picking first overall). He completed 56.3 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,206 yards with 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 11 games last year. It wouldn't be a surprise for Browns coach Mike Pettine to pull the plug if McCown gets off to a slow start. He is not a permanent road block for Manziel.
Karabell is right to note Cleveland's lack of dynamic pass-catchers. But with newcomers Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline, the Browns will at least have proven veterans at the position. With a trio of talented running backs in Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West and rookie Duke Johnson and one of the NFL's better offensive lines, Manziel wouldn't be on an island like Derek Carr was for the Oakland Raiders last season.
All in all, Manziel should get one more year before the NFL public officially declares him a bust.
