" Can Manziel Save His Career"

Manziel has had a rocky season this year. Named starter for the third different time this season at the expense of Browns head coach Mike Pettine. Pettine punished Manziel two weeks ago by dropping Manziel to third-string for the Monday night loss to Baltimore. Besides all the turmoil around Manziel, he has shown promise in the limited amount of time that he has had. Manziel has thrown for 933 yards with 5 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions with 5 fumbles. Of the 5 touchdown passes that Manziel has thrown this year 3 have been deep 50+ yard passes to wide-out Travis Benjamin. One of the most overlook aspects of Manziel’s game has been his ability to read coverages. John Gruden has been a big supporter of Manziel development.

But is Manziel really the biggest problem for the Browns? His off-the-field decisions does make the Browns look bad, that should be the least of the Browns worries their performance this year is worth going to the nearest bar and chugging a few myself. The defense has been woeful this year ranking near the bottom of every statistical category. The offensive-line which coming into season was a major strength, has been inconsistent. As for the skill position players on offense, well…. It makes you go back to the move “Angels in the Outfield” when manager George Knox (Danny Glover) pleads to the owner to trade the entire team and proceeds to say “there is a called talent, they don’t have it”. That’s what the Browns have seem to show this year. The Browns have yet to have a running back run for over 100 yards this year. The lone bright spot this year for the Browns has been the emergence of tight-end Gary Barnidge who has set career-highs in all statistical categories. Travis Benjamin has shown major glimpses this year as a big deep play threat. The team as a whole should be criticized not just Manziel.

With four remaining games on the schedule Manziel and every Browns employee that is employed by the organization may be fighting for their job so it will be intriguing to see who and how the Browns will take the rest of the season. The Browns host the 49ers this week who are coming off an emotional OT win over the Bears last Sunday. Manziel may have to revert back to his old back-yard style of play this week to inject some life back into this team. Something I would like to see from Manziel this weekend is show some leadership on the field not be afraid to get on his teammates even though some naysayers would question that logic, When your team is 2-10 and your fighting for your job treat each game like there is no tomorrow.

My last Vent…….

Johnny Manziel should take this team over and show Pettine that he has made a mistake for not starting him all season. Their have been articles stating that Manziel may be auditioning for the league for the final 4 games, If I am Manziel I would say screw that, I am auditioning for the starting spot on the team that drafted me and I’m out to make the other 31 pay for not taking me. The Browns should play like the team from the movie “The Replacements” play reckless and go all out giving the Dawg Pound a good reason to bark. The season maybe lost but what will be an even bigger loss is when players, coaches and upper management are taking the walk of shame through the facility parking lot in Berea at the end of the season.