Smeltz: Browns were right to punish Manziel

By: Joe Smeltzer

Photo creds to www.usatoday.com

Over a week ago, I wrote an article in reaction to the Steelers 30-9 defeat over the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.http://joesmeltzer775.blogspot.com/2015/11/steelers-reaction-ben-is-awesomewhat.html In the article, I was defensive of Cleveland's controversial QB, Johnny Manziel. I wrote about how the Browns lack of talent was holding Manziel back and not allowing him the reach his full potential as a player. This week, the Browns did not fail Johnny Manziel, but rather Johnny Manziel failed the Browns.

Last Tuesday (the same day I published that article), it was announced that Manziel would remain the Browns #1 quarterback for the remainder of the season. Boy is it amazing how stupid athletes can be. After the Pittsburgh game, the Browns had a bye week. Knowing that his franchise had just committed to him for the next month and a half, it seems that it would be common sense for Johnny to stay in Ohio and not do anything stupid, right? Nope. Instead, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner apparently decided to travel to his home state of Texas and party hard, as http://www.tmz.com/2015/11/23/johnny-manziel-slammin-champagne-during-2-night-party-bender/ this video below would suggest.



Now there is nothing wrong with a person above the drinking age having a little fun, but not when your employers have just put their faith in you and, therefore, trust you not to do anything that can be classified as childish. The Browns trusted Manziel, and "Johnny Football" let them down because he couldn't resist being a party animal.

It is no secret to anybody who follows sports that Manziel has been living on the edge for quite a while now, and his previous incidents made it much easier for the Browns to take action. Over the past year, Manziel  has reportedly been involved in a fight along with his entourage, threw a party that lead to receiver Josh Gordon missing practice and being suspended for a game, was criticized by approximately 20 of his teammates due to his tumultuous rookie campaign, allegedly got into a domestic altercation with his girlfriend, and checked himself into a rehabilitation facility. Because of these prior issues, either true or alleged, the Browns had no choice but to take action.

When I wrote my article last week that defended Manziel, I should have taken a harder look at all that Manziel has done since the Browns traded for the rights to draft him in 2014. I wrote in the article that Manziel's only crime was liking a good party, and I think that this was a false statement on my part. I sent the link to my article to my cousin and fellow sports intellectual, Will Sturm.

Will was not in 100% agreement with what I wrote, and he said that he disagreed with my claim that Manziel had the potential to carry a franchise, stating that Johnny does not have the leadership that a QB needs to be the man. After this story, I can say that Will was correct. Manziel has the maturity of an immature teenager, and until he cleans up his act, he will never be a great, or even a very good NFL quarterback.

Photo Creds to www.buccaneers.com

A person who Manziel should look at is Jameis Winston. Winston, like Manziel, is a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, winning the award in 2013 at Florida State, the year after Manziel did it at Texas A&M. Much like Manziel, Winston's college career was filled with controversy. Unlike Manziel, Winston is making the most of his NFL opportunity, as so far in his career as quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Winston has behaved himself off the field and, judging by this video,http://proxy.espn.go.com/blog/tampa-bay-buccaneers/post/_/id/12039/bucs-post-video-of-jameis-winstons-fervid-postgame-speech has become a leader on it. Winston is making the most of his NFL opportunity and is a year younger than Manziel is.

Tampa Bay put their faith in Jameis Winston, and he is making the most of it. The Cleveland Browns put their faith in Johnny Manziel, and he is making the least of it. I hope this kid gets it together. Maybe he needs another trip to rehab. Maybe he needs somebody to watch over him and keep him under control. Whatever it is, the Browns and/or NFL need to help this kid sooner rather than later.