Sports

Johnny Manziel Hung Out To Dry By Browns — Will He Sign With Cowboys?

Published on: February 3, 2016 at 9:08 AM
By Toni Matthews

Get your butter and your jelly ready, because multiple reports suggest Johnny Manziel is toast — at least in Cleveland. The Browns seem to have finally had it with covering for and cleaning up after the troubled 23-year-old quarterback.

According to Yahoo Sports , via the Associated Press , the final straw came when Johnny was mixed up in yet another domestic violence controversy over the weekend. This incident involved a woman identified as Manziel’s “ex-girlfriend.” Although rumored to be Johnny Manziel’s girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, her exact identity isn’t known. Crowley and Manziel were involved in a dispute that made headlines back in October, but no charges were filed.

Although Johnny evaded charges this time as well, the NFL has launched an inquiry. It represents even more bad publicity for the Cleveland Browns franchise. With Manziel delivering controversy rather than valuable starting performances, it seems the Browns have no choice but to simply cut their losses at this point.

A harsh official statement by the Browns in reaction to the latest Manziel incident seems to suggest the two sides have come to the end of their working relationship.

“We’ve been clear about expectations for our players on and off the field. Johnny’s continual involvement in incidents that run counter to those expectations undermines the hard work of his teammates and the reputation of our organization.

“His status with our team will be addressed when permitted by league rules. We will have no further comment at this time.”

The team’s statement didn’t say that Johnny is fired. However, multiple news sources claim a plan is already in motion. The earliest the Browns could be rid of Manziel would be February 8, but that date just isn’t realistic.

As ESPN pointed out, letting Johnny Manziel go immediately “would count $4.6 million against the cap,” bringing the team over its 2015-16 cap limitation. The most ideal date to fire Manziel would be March 9, after the cap increase.

With the Cleveland Browns all but set to bid a not-so-fond farewell to the disgraced young quarterback, speculation as to where he will land is at an all-time high. Despite his failed hype and ruined reputation, ESPN writer Mike Sando believes Johnny just might end up with the Dallas Cowboys, a move that supposedly “makes sense.”

It’s not so much that the move is sensible as it apparently wouldn’t be surprising. It’s no secret that, as SportsDay writes, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had to be hurriedly talked out of making a move to acquire Johnny Manziel in 2014. It’s likely that everyone opposed to the trade breathed a sigh of relief as Johnny Football exposed his bad behavior and lack of professionalism while with another team.

Although common sense suggests the Cowboys dodged a bullet by not signing Johnny Manziel signing, those who know Jerry Jones fear the romantic team owner might make another go for the troubled quarterback. This is especially possible if Jones firmly believes the Cowboys can get out of Johnny what the Browns could not.

Should Johnny Manziel land at a new NFL team, the organization be the beneficiaries of quite a one-sided agreement with the Browns. Despite being a Heisman winner and joining the NFL as a first-round pick, Johnny Manziel has seen his value plummet over just a couple of seasons. The Browns will be taking quite a loss when all is said and done — assuming they can trade Manziel at all.

If trade difficulties humble Johnny Manziel, perhaps he’d be willing to prove himself elsewhere after all. Where better to do so than in Texas? I won’t rule out a belated turnaround, but I’ll say that it’s not looking very good.

What do you think: Should the Dallas Cowboys take a chance with Johnny Manziel or stay away from him? Share your opinion below!

[AP Photo/Charlie Riedel]

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