What should the Cleveland Browns do with Johnny Manziel?: Hey Mary Kay!

Admin   |   05 January, 2015   |   833   |   3980

CLEVELAND, Ohio --Hey Mary Kay! Hey Mary Kay: What should the Browns do with Johnny Manziel? Is he worth the trouble?-- Kasten Rini, Lakewood, Ohio

Hey Kasten: It sounds to me like general manager Ray Farmer wants to stick with Manziel and see if the Browns can get him to settle down off the field and try to live up to his first-round status. Farmer contends that Manziel still has the talent in his body to be a solid NFL starter. Of course, it all depends on what  Manziel is willing to do -- or not do -- off the field. I'd give Manziel an ultimatum to knock off the partying and get help in that regard if necessary. If he needs rehab, make him go or tell him he'll be traded or cut. I would let him know in no uncertain terms that the leash is extremely short and that off-the-field shenanigans will no longer be tolerated. The Browns defended him too much this season and it's time for that to stop. It was clear from his eight-week party tour from draft day to the start of camp that he didn't get it. I'd tell him he'll have another chance in training camp if he can clean up his act. In the meantime, I'd acquire a veteran that can win, whether it's Brian Hoyer or Matt Schaub or Kirk Cousins or someone else.

I'd also draft the best quarterback the Browns can get. I'd make a pitch for Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, although it'll take a king's ransom to get him -- the No. 12, the No. 19, and next year's first-rounder. The Browns can also try to get something for Josh Gordon -- it's obvious they're at the end of their rope with him -- and throw that into the mix if necessary. If the Browns wind up with two good quarterbacks, so be it. If Manziel continues to mess up, I'd unload him one way or the other. Maybe Jerry Jones still wants him. In a crucial offseason for Manziel, the first thing he did was fly to South Beach to party. Seems like he can't help himself, but maybe someone can.