November 6, 2015
This
past Thursday, the Cleveland Browns set Johnny Manziel as their starting
quarterback against the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals. An article on ESPN.com,
written by staff writer Pat MacManamon, breaks down Manziel’s role in the
Browns’ 31-10 loss. MacManamon states that Manziel “started played like an NFL
quarterback, then didn’t.” Coach Mike Pettine is looking to make Manziel the
starter for the rest of the season, and this was his test. Manziel was unable
to play from the pocket and ended up being sacked three times. MacManamon says
that this is a problem, as NFL quarterbacks face having to play from the pocket
several times during the season. The media is raving about Johnny “not being
able to show up once again,” but MacManamon makes a great point in saying that
he needs to play to get better. We have seen that Manziel is capable of making
these NFL plays, but he does not play often enough to make them consistent.
Manziel’s response to the game was that if “he continues as a starter, he will
make it happen.” MacManamon agrees that as long as Coach Pettine makes some
adjustments to the offense to fit Manziel’s mobility, the Browns will be better
off.
Now,
this is very relevant to sports, media and pop culture. Manziel flooded the
headlines as his career as Texas A&M’s star quarterback neared its end.
Many outlets were predicting Manziel to be a first round pick in the 2014 NFL
draft. He ended up being 22nd and was selected by the Cleveland
Browns. Many people began to believe that Manziel’s style was not capable for
the NFL. As Manziel reached training camp and preseason, we discovered that
maybe he wasn’t worth all of the hype. Not only was he struggling during his
transition, his reluctant partying became a big issue. Manziel was now a
growing figure of the NFL and his actions bared much bigger consequences than
before. He was faced with an entire new crowd—especially through the media—bashing
on him as a player and a person.
Because
of all the media hype, I believe that Manziel finally had his wake up call. He
announced to the media that he would be taking off some time and attending
rehab. Does this not tug at your heart strings a bit—the arrogant quarterback,
finally owning up to his mistakes and wanting to make a change? Of course it
does. Now, Manziel out of rehab and ready to work, is still struggling, though
making it known that he wants to work hard for the Browns and continue being
the starter.
My
goal is to see what the rest of the campus thinks about Manziel and his
situation. I am rooting for Manziel this season. As McManamon said, he has
shown us that he can play like an NFL quarterback, his consistency just isn’t there.
I believe that he has changed into a grown man that still holds a deep passion
for football and just needs a little more time on the field.
Works
Cited
McManamon, Pat. “Johnny
Manziel’s Second-half Struggles Shouldn’t Send Him to Bench.” ESPN.go.com. ESPN, 5 Nov. 2015. Web. 5
Nov. 2015.
