Cleveland Browns Not Giving up on Manziel
Dec 21, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) prepares to throw the ball during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine on Tuesday laughed off the idea that Cleveland is ready to dump quarterback Johnny Manziel at a press conference. In a response to a question coming from a report from ESPN’s Chris Mortensen saying the team has “90 percent moved on” from Manziel, Pettine told reporters: “I filed that one in the ridiculous category when it was brought to my attention.”
“I use that number 90 percent, too, about the accuracy of reports that are out there, being 90 percent inaccurate, Manziel is very much in our plans, and as we said, his career with us just hit the pause button. We’ve said this before, he’s got to get himself right as a person first before we worry about Johnny the football player.”
Manziel is at their offseason program after spending two-plus months in a treatment facility. Pettine said he met personally with the quarterback, who told him, “Don’t judge me on my words. Judge me on my actions.” Pettine also said, “He doesn’t expect treatment any other way. I know that ‘persona’ stuff is out there, but if you ask the players, and they’re probably the best ones to ask, I don’t think they see that they feel the need or have ever felt the need to treat him any differently.”
That sounds like a man being accountable for what he’s done, vowing in a way to right the ship. The fact that he’s been through rehab tells me that he’s ready to put his best foot forward henceforth. With the talent he has and the team the Browns are building around him, we just might get another one of those redemption stories.
And those fans in Cleveland finally get what they deserve, a winner.