Why it's way too early to give up on Johnny Manziel

This is America, and Johnny Manziel has too much football in his blood to be disposed of so early.

Even if you can’t admit it, you know which sports stories create the flood of tears that make you come up with lame excuses. I’m sorry that I don’t buy you “all of a sudden” needing to go to the bathroom or having an eyelash caught somewhere in those “watery” eyes of yours.

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It’s the story of an inspirational comeback that gets us right where that mysterious lump exists in our throats.

Whether it’s a story about an athlete battling his way back from a terrible injury, or overcoming a life-threatening accident, or frightening illness, we all of a sudden find ourselves naturally rooting for the underdog to make the once impossible, possible.

As Americans we’re used to seeing tear-jerkers.

How about the story of Leah Still, the daughter of Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still? Throughout the entire season we rooted for this little sweetheart to overcome the odds.

Last spring most of the world became acquainted with the story of New York Rangers center Dominic Moore as he returned to hockey after a year of taking care of his dying wife. He was named NHL Comeback Player of the Year and helped the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals.

If he plays his cards right, Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel will one day provide another great story.

The 22-year-old first-round pick of the Browns last season has started his professional career worse than anybody could have imagined. Even the experts who thought he didn’t possess the tools necessary to succeed in the league didn’t expect this.

His name has quickly turned into a punchline.

Through a disastrous season which saw him only start two games in miserable fashion, and constantly be questioned by many in the league for his lazy worth ethic, including his teammates, Manziel took a stand.

A little under a month ago he decided enough was enough and entered a treatment facility to battle his personal demons. And quite frankly, we still don’t know how bad his situation is.

This wasn’t something that shocked us. His legend for an off-field stud was greater than what he did for his alma-mater Texas A&M on Saturdays. His constant duel personalities on and off the field rivaled Joe Namath.

Unlike guys like Namath though, and to the complete shock of the world, Manziel has surrendered himself at the ripe old age of 22.

Could “Johhny Football” become “Johnny Comeback?”

Did anybody think Philadelphia Eagles bust of a wide-receiver Chris Carter would one day give an emotional speech while wearing the most prestigious gold jacket in the world? He often says Buddy Ryan did the best thing for his career – outright cutting him from the team which threw the proverbial cold water on his face.

Did anybody think Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre would announce this so quickly into a dominant career?

Under a year later he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy as he beat Bill Parcels and the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

Nobody is comparing Manziel to Hall of Famers like Favre or Carter, but the fact that many greats have dealt with life threatening issues and fought through holds true.

The point is, everybody deals with their own sort of personal demons, whether perceived serious or dull. Because Manziel has identified his at such an early age, the outlook on his career his now limitless.

His entire life, Manziel has seemingly been handed everything. Now though, he faces his first real adversity in his entire life.

This biggest step of admitting he has a problem has been accomplished.

Let’s be honest for a moment. For all the Johnny bashers there are out there, there’s no arguing that the kid does have talent. While a college football god, he displayed enough to earn himself first-round draft status.

He’s equipped with a strong arm. While it’s not Jeff George like, his arm strength is no doubt above the 50 percentile mark among NFL quarterbacks.

He’s accurate with the ball. While he’s not Troy Aikman, he can make all the throws with his strength/accuracy combination. The deep out for him is not a problem as long as he has a lane to throw from.

He’s mobile. He would’ve enjoyed so much more success as a rookie if he played three seasons ago when the zone-read was a hot commodity in the league. It was so hot that coaches like Mike Shanahan and Jim Harbaugh used it to make terrible throwers like Robert Griffin III and Colin Kaepernick actually look like decent quarterbacks.

Despite NFL defenses catching up with the read-option shenanigans, Manziel’s greatest trait is his mobility in the pocket and his accuracy while throwing on the run, which defenses will never catch up to as Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger prove on a weekly basis.

Their mobility and escapability in the pocket is what drives defensive coordinators mad. Not to mention how they can deliver a ball on the dime while on the move. It is something, unlike the read option, that will always keep defenses on their toes — and Manziel does this better than most.

The problem for Manziel his is smallish frame. Listed at 6-foot-0 and 207 pounds, he is a prime example of a guy who needs to outwork his competition.

The quarterback that screams comparisons to me is Drew Brees.

Brees is under 6-foot, is mobile in the pocket, doesn’t have the strongest arm, yet excels at his craft. The reason? He outworked the rest of his competitors.

It wasn’t always fun times for Brees.

When drafted in 2001 by the San Diego Chargers, it wasn’t until his fourth season (and third year starting) that Brees put it all together. In 2001 he didn’t start one game. In 2002 he threw 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while 2003 saw him put up an 11-15 TD/INT ration in only 11 games.

He struggled mightily his first couple years. That was until he realized with his frame, and they way most viewed him as a pro prospect, he needed to have a tireless work ethic.

While most still don’t believe Manziel will bring that same type of work ethic day by day, him going into treatment and working on the hardest part of his journey back first is the ultimate great sign.

Things are terrible in Cleveland right now.

Manziel is in rehab, Josh Gordon has all but screwed up his professional football career, players are disgruntled and the owner deals with his own personal issues.

What Cleveland, and perhaps the lucky team that trades for him at such a low value must realize though, is that this kid is a football lifer who thrives when people bet against him. The fire this type of player gains when he hears the negativity drives him even further.

He has that “it” factor that cannot be explained.

I know this: It is way too early to give up on such a talented and fiery soul like him. The hardest part is done, he just now needs to put his working boots on.

Doug Flutie had that same “it” factor and fire. Eli Manning has it when the game gets most chaotic and important. Favre displayed it as well building great story time and again.

Certain guys just thrive on the pressure and the hate.

Will Johnny Manziel become that next great comeback story in American Sports – conquering his demons and climbing the NFL mountain top? Or will he slowly fade into the darkness?

I know this: It is way too early to give up on such a talented and fiery soul like him. The hardest part is done, he just now needs to put his working boots on.

We are way too reactionary in today’s world. Let’s allow Manziel take care of his own fate.

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Why it’s way too early to give up on Johnny Manziel

By R. Sabo | Feb 20, 2015

This is America, and Johnny Manziel has too much football in his blood to be disposed of so early.

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