Johnny Manziel is the talk of the town right now in the NFL after last night’s preseason game against the Washington Redskins. The game was supposed to determine who the Cleveland Browns would start in week 1 of the regular season, but both Manziel and Brian Hoyer did not play up to snuff.
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Manziel finished the game throwing 7 for 16 for 65 yards and a touchdown. Hoyer finished the game throwing 2 for 6 and 16 yards. Ultimately, the post game discussion was focused on Manziel’s middle finger salute to the Redskins bench, and not about the quarterback competition.
Former NFL quarterback and current NFL analyst Boomer Esiason had some strong words regarding Manziel on his radio show this morning. Esiason warned that Manziel is not ready to start in week 1 (Courtesy of CBS):
"I’m telling you right now, he is not even remotely close to being ready. His ass would be driven into the ground. Because I’m telling you, other teams hate this guy. Hate him.I’m telling you, those linebackers for the Pittsburgh Steelers are just praying to God that (Manziel) plays in Week 1. And if I were (Cleveland head coach) Mike Pettine, I would have to have my head examined to put that kid on the field."
It would make sense that NFL players are unhappy with the media circus surrounding Manziel considering he has done nothing on an NFL field to prove himself. Mike Pettine is expected to make his decision on the starting quarterback in the coming days. Whether or not Pettine heeds Esiason’s advice is to be seen.