Johnny Manziel’s work ethic and behavior throughout his rookie season has been called into question, and now even more details are being released about the quarterback’s lack of preparation during 2014.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Pat McManamon teamed up on a lengthy piece on Manziel where they obtained information through interviews with multiple sources. The theme of the article was that Manziel did not act professionally during his rookie season, which led to poor results and frustrated teammates.
Here is one sampling of what they wrote:
Those who spoke talked of a year-long pattern that showed a lack of commitment and preparation, a failure to be ready when given a chance in his first start against Cincinnati and a continued commitment to nightlife, which affected his preparation and work while in the team facility.
The article includes a note that when the Browns did their pre-draft preparation on Manziel, not one person they interviewed said the quarterback, who was known for his hard-partying ways in college, would grow up. Those people told the Browns that the large public persona and partying ways was just who Manziel is.
The article says Manziel was frequently late to meetings with the Browns to the point where it wasn’t a surprise when he was late. They say Manziel partied throughout the season and didn’t get serious until it was time for him to start in place of Brian Hoyer, but by that time it was too late. Manziel finished the season 18/35 for 175 yards, no touchdown passes and two interceptions. He posted a 27.3 passer rating during his lone complete start.
The result of Manziel not working hard enough while he was a second-stringer was him not knowing the plays in the huddle or not calling them correctly when it was time for him to play. The article says one player called Manziel throughout the season Manziel a “100 percent joke.”
Manziel’s lack of commitment to the team and practicing resulted in some players responding better to undrafted quarterback Connor Shaw, because he at least knew the team’s plays.
The story also confirms the report that blew up in December about the Browns sending employees out looking for the quarterback after he did not show for workouts on a Saturday morning following a night of partying. Security reportedly found Manziel and felt he clearly had partied hard the night before and was supposedly “drunk off his a–.”
Despite everything against Manziel, the opinions about him remain fractured. Some feel he worked hard after he knew he was going to be the team’s starter and believe he worked hard while in the facility, though others feel he did not put in the time necessary to be great and will not change. We know that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan left the team, possibly because he did not want to deal with Manziel. Despite all these strikes against Manziel, some players actually still believe in the former Heisman Trophy winner.
