On Tuesday it was reported that Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer has "shown a liking" for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Then on Wednesday it was noted Mariota was working out with Browns' QBs coach Kevin O'Connell. What does this mean for Johnny Manziel?
Despite the developments surrounding Mariota, coupled with Manziel volunteering to check himself into an inpatient rehab facility to address a possible dependency on alcohol, Browns' owner Jimmy Haslam spoke to reporters about Manziel's status heading into 2015. Many believed the organization had lost faith in the 22-year-old after a poor start against the Cincinnati Bengals and a couple of off-field issues.
"I think it's way too early to give up on Johnny," Haslam said, via Pat McManamon of ESPN. "We certainly haven't given up on him ... I applaud him for raising his hand and saying 'I need help.' We're going to do everything we can to support him. Our primary interest is making sure that he gets well, if you will. Fixes himself."
However, now that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released quarterback Josh McCown yesterday and own the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, it looks like Haslam's comments have less authenticity attached to them. The Browns have the 12th overall selection, which puts them ways away from other teams, such as the Bucs, Tennessee Titans (second overall) and New York Jets (sixth overall), that are in need of a starting quarterback.
"I don't think Wednesday increases the chances of the Bucs taking a quarterback, either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota," writes Martin Fennelly of the Tampa Tribune. "I think those chances are already locked in, or should be, or have to be, even if the Bucs aren't 100 percent sure about Mariota on the field or Winston off it. They have to get a quarterback. They have to take a swing."
If the Buccaneers and Titans are indeed seriously considering Mariota, there is no chance the Browns would be able to make anything work, unless they wanted to surrender a ton of potential value to move up that far in the draft. This means they would be focusing their efforts on Manziel, especially if Brian Hoyer doesn't return to Cleveland.
Haslam's comments surely may have been genuine, but the current state of affairs surrounding the Browns, Mariota and the draft are leaving many to wonder what will happen in 2015.
