The Cleveland Browns are expected to jettison former first-round pick, quarterback Johnny "Football" Manziel once the first opportunity is afforded them in March. Manziel has squandered every opportunity to take ownership of the starting position in Cleveland since the day he was drafted two short seasons ago and now his future lies not only outside the Browns facility, but maybe the NFL.
UPDATE, 2:25 p.m.: The Browns have issued a statement basically dismissing the notion that they used a concussion to cover up Manziel being inebriated.
UPDATE #2, 3:20 p.m.: Silver has addressed his own report, expressing regret for insinuating that the Browns lied about Manziel's concussion diagnosis, but standing behind his report that Manziel showed up drunk to the Browns facility on Dec. 30.
"I was with a Browns player yesterday," NFL Network's Mike Silver said this week. "Johnny Manziel going into what would have been a start late in the season, showed up drunk at practice on a Wednesday.
"The Browns lied and said he was in the concussion protocol. Let me repeat that: the Browns lied to try and to protect, and I would argue enable, this irresponsible and very troubled young man."
Back in Week 17, it was reported that Manziel was spotted in Las Vegas the day before the Browns' season finale. Earlier that week, prior to what was initially supposed to be a start against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Manziel was sent home from practice. Talk began to swirl that he may have been sent home because he was inebriated but at the time, then-Browns head coach Mike Pettine denied that Manziel was drunk.
The team subsequently announced that Manziel had been placed in the league's concussion protocol.
A pattern of destructive behavior for Manziel has clearly begun to emerge. It may not just be a propensity for partying, but an actual dependence on alcohol and an attempt to shirk the responsibility that comes with being a highly-paid public figure by damaging himself and his reputation beyond repair. In short, Manziel needs help. His dad, Paul Manziel, said as much last week, indicating his belief that if Johnny didn't get the helphe needs, he may not live beyond his next birthday.
But this latest report isn't just troubling for the player - it's troubling for the organization as well. Covering up that a player was drunk in the facility could certainly result in significant backlash from the league. And using a concussion as a means of doing so is abhorrent.
