The most recent publicity of Johnny Manziel was in the form of a video of him recently stumbling around drunk at the California music festival called Coachella. Some would say that is rock bottom for Manziel. A once hopeful prodigy drafted by the Cleveland Browns is now proving to every football fan what can happen if you let partying take over your professional life. Manziel has now isolated himself from the league, his two former agents and anyone that has ever tried to help him. Manziel is never going to be the dominant quarterback that he once was at Texas A&M, even if he makes it back into the league.
In his first offseason last year, Manziel attempted to rid himself of his reckless lifestyle by going to alcohol rehab and supposedly emerging as a new man as he began his second training camp with the Browns. Little did everyone know, Manziel had returned back to his old habits, and reportedly showed up to practices throughout the weeks during the regular season smelling like alcohol. The Browns had to cover up Manziel’s nightlife, or the press would eat the franchise alive.
Manziel’s selfish ways had an obvious impact on the tumultuous 2015-2016 season the Browns had, finishing at a sub par 3-13. There was small glimpses of hope in his select few starts this past season, but were quickly overshadowed by his off-field antics that involved partying, and alleged domestic abuse incidents involving his girlfriend.
Even if Manziel straightens his life around and somehow makes it back onto an NFL field, there is little about him that says he will be a successful quarterback in the league. First, Manziel stands a short 6 feet tall, which is very small build for a quarterback who will be trying to look over his tall offensive lineman. Historically, small quarterbacks have had it rough in the NFL (Doug Flutie), and their value to teams is severely diminished based on their height. On top of that, in 14 career games, Manziel has thrown for a lackluster average of 116 yards per game, with a completion percentage of just 57 percent.
Pairing up his short build with his inability to complete the ball at a consistent rate, on top of his drug and alcohol problems, Manziel is doomed for failure. Manziel put himself in a predicament being dropped by his main sponsor, Nike, being dropped by famous sports agent Drew Rosenhaus and capping it off by being waived by the Browns. Manziel has a long road back to NFL success. The only person who Manziel can now rely on is himself, and the chances of him coming all the way back to being a starting quarterback is looking like a longshot at best.
