"Hands-on" Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam doesn't buy into the thinking that quarterback Johnny Manziel is destined for a new NFL home next season. Manziel has, in two short NFL seasons, developed a reputation as a party animal whose focus lies almost solely outside the field's boundary lines. Many have assumed that Manziel's brushes with the law - his girlfriend refused to pursue charges against him after claiming Manziel hit her during a semi-sotted roadside argument - excessive social life - he was benched late in the season after being declared the Browns starter when video surfaced of Manziel partying in Austin during the team's bye week - and his penchant for drinking - his first offseason after entering the league included a rehab stint - would land him elsewhere for 2016.
But Haslam, appearing at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards on Thursday, said he doesn't think the relationship is unsalvageable.
"Oh, yeah, I don't think there's any question about that," Haslam said of whether the relationship can be repaired, according to Ohio.com. "We talked to Johnny before he left [for the offseason]. I know a big deal was made that Hue hasn't called Johnny yet. Well, we've got 53 players on the active [roster] and 10 more, and there were a couple of other real prominent players that he just talked to in the last day or two. So I'm sure he'll get around to talking to him."
New Browns head coach Hue Jackson and executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown will ultimately be the ones to make the call on Manziel and the rest of the team's quarterbacks, Haslam said.
But the owner certainly doesn't sound like he's ready to give up on a guy they traded up to draft in the first-round not all that long ago.
"I think Johnny made progress on the field last year. I think that's undeniable," Haslam said. "We have a certain expectation for our players and that includes Johnny, and he's got to live up to those expectations."
