The drama that has Johnny Manziel smacked in the middle appears to be nearing its end as the Cleveland Browns have finally decided to let him go. In a tumultous run in the NFL team, the quarterback has become one of the most widely talked about football star in the league. Unfortunately, sports analysts and fans are not discussing his prowess in the gridiron. Instead, his party boy antics and senseless behavior became the center of attention this season.
Following months of deliberation and uncertainty, Manziel is now off the Cleveland Browns roster as they waived him. The troubled quarterback signed with the NFL team in 2014 and had a contract that would keep him there until 2017. However, reckless behavior had been the major legacy he left with the team. Moreover, the legal battle on domestic violence filed against him reportedly pushed the Cleveland Browns to simply let him go. Manziel is now a free agent.
"I'd like to thank the Browns for the opportunity they gave me -- nearly two years ago, we all hoped that we were building what could be a championship team for Cleveland. I will always remember the support I received from the organization, my teammates and especially the fans," Manziel said in an official statement.
Although Manziel is cut off from the Cleveland Browns, it appears that the news has not dampened his spirit. In fact, the quarterback shared his confidence over the future of his career via TMZ Sports. When asked if he expects to be part of an NFL team by next season, Manziel responded with a resounding "Of course."
Amid Manziel's confident remarks, a number of critics feel that the best way to deal with this kind of behavior among football stars is to "blackball" them. According to Heath Evans, players like the errant quarterback have no respect for the game. Hence, the former NFL fullback feels that Manziel should be taken off the league completely.
"I wish Roger Goodell would pass out a league-wide memo saying, 'We're going to blackball this young man,'" said Evans of Manziel, according Dallas News. He added, "For the betterment of our league, for the betterment of the future of our league, for every young man that gets to watch our great game and the great NFL shield. Say, 'We're not tolerating this type of selfish, childish, mindless behavior.'"
Evans further shared, "I'm okay with first-, second-, third-strike opportunities. Grace and mercy, you won't find anyone more forgiving. But time and time again this kid spits in the face of our league," Evans said. "There are so many guys...that have come before him, done things the right way. And he just refuses to respect our game, our shield and our league. Get him out of here. Again, grace and mercy I'm all for it. It needs to come with remorse and respect. This guy has neither."
The former NFL fullback went on to note that Manziel had no remarkable skill to set him apart from the rest of the stars in the league. That is, the ex Cleveland Browns quarterback has no special talent that would contribute to the growth of the sport. Hence, Evans pointed out that Manziel is not "worth it."
He said, "Has he done a few okay things? Yeah, they've been okay. This guy can't play in this league and he's not worth the hassle and the detriment to your locker room. He's not worth it. We're not talking about Drew Brees. We're not talking about Tom Brady. Do not waste your time with him. We're not talking about a talented quarterback. We're talking about a one-hit wonder in college that made some great athletic plays, heaving balls up in the air. They were great, highlight plays. That doesn't work in this league."
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Brown are reportedly seeking ways to fix the damage left in Manziel's wake. With the NFL team painted as a group that condones reckless and criminal behavior, rumors are surfacing that they are searching for someone with a "good boy" image to clean up the mess. This inevitably points to Tim Tebow.
"Tebow was more of a champion and leader than Manziel," pointed out Arch Triumph of Red State.
While both Tebow and Manziel are of the Heisman Trophy fame, the award is the only common denominator they have. Hence, some fans are advocating the signing of Tebow into the Cleveland Browns roster. In doing so, the NFL team might just be able to salvage their tattered image.
