Tuesday, August 19, 2014

My theory on Johnny Manziel and the bird flip

My very brief theory on Johnny Manziel and why he shot the bird at the Washington sideline Monday night consists of two parts.

1) Manziel is extremely immature.

2) He was not getting enough attention.

Can you imagine having to coach Manziel -- or rely on him for anything -- at this stage of his life? It would be awful. Surely he will grow up one day, but the constant parade of Manziel-related negative headlines is so tiresome. The latest came Monday night, when Manziel flipped the Washington sideline off (he wasn't penalized but will likely be fined).

It wasn't that terrible of a thing to do, but it was so childish. Manziel wasn't having a good game and people were yelling at him. Wow -- that's all? Welcome to the NFL, buddy. Now that people know they can get to you, how do you think it's going to be for the next 10 games you enter?

As for the attention thing -- I think there is a part of Manziel that truly craves it. Why else does he show up in so many public places on his off time? I know we live in a digital age where everyone has a camera phone, but contrast how many pictures there are of Manziel doing something weird (at best) in his off time with how many there are of, say, Andrew Luck or RGIII or Cam Newton? So this was "Monday Night Football," and Manziel wasn't playing well, and this was a way he could dominate the postgame narrative. I'm sure he didn't think of it that way, but I also don't think he really minds what is happening today.

There's no way Cleveland can start Manziel, although Brian Hoyer is so bad undoubtedly the rookie is going to play at some point. I don't like his chances this year, though. Manziel is a child trying to lead a group of men, and that only works if the child is very wise. Manziel is far from that.

17 comments:

John said...

Now this one, I agree with you 100%. The Browns screwed this one up from the beginning.

Tad Lowe said...

Pro ball is such a different game than college ball I think the rookies would really benefit from some mentoring before hitting the field. Sometime between draft week and summer training, there should be NFL 101 Camp, where they can learn the skills they need to cope in a world where they go from being the big fish in a little pond, to being the new guy on a field where nearly everyone is better than them, at least in the near term. It could include lessons in financial management, physical fitness, and how to handle public and media scrutiny. And in the words of Andy Griffith, "Act like you got some smarts!"

Unknown said...

No, but can you imagine having the opportunity to coach a "class act" like Connor Shaw? Who cares about Manziel?

PSLOwner (20 Yrs) said...

No hate for the guy but he's incredibly immature and an ego-maniac. He doesn't realize that football can be his ticket for life, but he can also be on the street in 2-4 yrs. He's gotten to this point on raw athletic ability (read: scrambling) but that won't work at this level. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if he suffers a career-ending injury because of it. QB at this level is a diff game. Johnny Finger reminds me of Kerry Collins...just sayin'. And the miserable QB options the coach has right now? Saw that movie too at Mint & Morehead. Oh yeah, one more thing: Go Panthers/#KeepPounding !!

Anonymous said...

Very telling on how ESPN, NFLnetwork, Boomer Esiason, Peter King, and many others have come out to lable Cam Newton as "immature" and "not a good leader", Yet some of the same have "touted" the glory of Manziel. Cam has a towel on his head and it's a national story and the end of team sports, Manziel flips the bird and its "He just plays with passion, he's a competitor, he was wrapped in the moment"....We know why there is a unbalanced way people treat Cam. Don't we?

Charles said...

Spot on, Scott

Anonymous said...

Cam, Luck, and RG3....

One of these does not belong when showing examples of what a young QB should strive to be.

RG3 is a bit of prima donna himself...not to mention a bust (to this point and will be in the long run I believe).

Russell Wilson - that is an example of a stand up teammate, competitor, gentleman, hard worker, and winner.

Luck seems to be that way, and Cam quickly morphed into such a mold.

Anonymous said...

Scott:

The immature factor is the key here. Unless he cleans up his act. I would not be surprised if he is suspended or off the team in the next two years.

Anonymous said...

Connor Shaw is better than John Football anyway. He should start.

GoAwayCam said...

Yet Cam acting like a child still in every game is just fine Scott? You should just change your name to Homer and start working full time as the Panthers media relations guy. You threw out journalistic objectivity a LONG time ago it seems.

Anonymous said...

@PSLOwner
Manziel will never be on the street even if he never plays a down in the NFL. He comes from a rich family.

Anyway. Hoyer should start although Manziel will play eventually.

Anonymous said...

"the constant parade of Manziel-related negative headlines is so tiresome", said Scott as he contributed to the narrative with more tiresome negative Manziel related headlines...

Anonymous said...

we aren't talking how badly he played, but about his gesture...he may know how to play the press...start connor shaw...he's a proven winner

Anonymous said...

his ego is probably no larger than a lot of NFL players. He just happens to be a Quarterback. Much different maturity level required.

Anonymous said...

My Dad always said when you lay down with dogs, you are bound to get fleas. Why is this surprising?

Anonymous said...

Johnny Wildcat signaled long time ago who he is. He vowed not to change. He struts to the stage on draft night, flashing his $$$ sign, goes to Vegas instead of working, has drinks on a swan, rolls a snorting tool in the bathroom and we're shocked he's not very good and gigs the opponents on national TV.

Sports media has promoted him and now find themselves apologizing for his indefensible acts.

The Browns should start him or send him home. Benching him won't help because he is not studious and will not learn by watching.I say play him, so he's soon known as Johnny Roadkill.

Anonymous said...

Usual empty suit fowler stating the obvious.