It all comes back to Johnny Manziel. You can't talk about the Cleveland Browns without talking about their headlines generating quarterback. Heisman Trophy winner, first-round pick, talented player, troubled person. Right now, all of those descriptions are accurate and right now, veteran journeyman Josh McCown is looking like the starter for the Browns. But can Manziel turn his career and life around and help Cleveland in 2015? It's a question that was posed to ESPN Browns reporter Pat McManamon in his weekly mailbag.
@PatMcManamon do u see a "made for tv" ending for Johhny and see him starting? Seems all is too good to be true post rehab #BrownsMail
— Matt & Mary Sue (@MMSY2010) May 22, 2015
"You're the first person to raise a very astute and interesting point," McManamon wrote. "Yes, much has been good with Johnny Manziel since he left rehab. But in some ways the gushing over the good discards the challenges Manziel faces in his post-rehab life. We do not know for sure what led him to rehab, but we do know his lifestyle now requires a drastic change from what it was. That has daily challenges, as everyone who has been through rehab can say. Now...if Manziel does maintain and does produce on the field the way he did in college, well that would have to be one of the great sports stories we've seen in years. Calling it 'made for TV' almost does not do it justice. It would be that good."
Manziel threw for just 175 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions in five game appearances last season. He also rushed nine times for 29 yards and one score. In college, he was a dynamic playmaker who could turn nothing into something. In the NFL, he looked overmatched in almost all facets of the game.
The NFL is more interesting with Manziel in it. Whether or not he belongs has yet to be answered though.
