Browns owner says Johnny Manziel relationship can be repaired
There have been a lot of things go wrong with the Cleveland Browns in the past, oh, when did they come back into the NFL again? Yeah, since then.
One of the issues is that nobody ever seems to be on the same page, at least since owner Jimmy Haslam took over the team. There have been many reports and rumors that Haslam made the call on drafting quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first round in 2014, and the story that a homeless man convinced Haslam to do it has become legend. Former general manager Ray Farmer denied that Haslam had anything to do with drafting Manziel, a move that looks pretty bad after two years.
Whatever the truth is on what role Haslam played in drafting Manziel, Haslam doesn’t seem to want to cut the cord yet. Even though there have been reports that new coach Hue Jackson hasn’t even called Manziel, and Jackson reportedly told the Browns before he was hired that he wanted to move on from Manziel, Haslam is still keeping the light on. Here’s how he answered a question of whether the relationship with Manziel can be repaired, via the Akron Beacon Journal:
“Oh, yeah, I don’t think there’s any question about that,” Haslam said. “We talked to Johnny before he left [for the offseason]. I know a big deal was made that Hue hasn’t called Johnny yet. Well, we’ve got 53 players on the active [roster] and 10 more, and there were a couple of other real prominent players that he just talked to in the last day or two. So I’m sure he’ll get around to talking to him.”
Now, a musical interlude.
Anything is possible in Cleveland, but realistically, Jackson hasn’t not called Manziel in the two weeks since he was hired because he has been busy working his way up from the 53rd man on the roster, calling everyone else and leaving Manziel for last. That’s just not logical, no matter how Haslam paints it.
But again, who knows with Haslam and the Browns? It would be tough to dump the 22nd pick of a draft two years ago, with no long-term answers at quarterback, no matter how rocky Manziel’s time has been in Cleveland. It might also be foolish to keep Manziel around, understanding the circus surrounding him at this point and all the indications that Jackson doesn’t want him as his quarterback.
Most likely the initial reports are true, Manziel will be gone, and Haslam’s comments about repairing the relationship are … well, I honestly can’t figure out why he’d say that. But this is the Browns, so stay tuned.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
