Cleveland Browns 2014 Draft: Analyzing the Hype of Johnny Manziel

Whether you love him or hate him, Texas A&M Aggies quarterback, Johnny  “Football” Manziel has skills, heart, and determination. Many rumors have surfaced about the Cleveland Browns expressing strong interest and expressing disinterest in the Hollywood-type player. So what exactly is all the hype about the Texas native?

To understand Manziel, we must look back to everything from his college career. What exactly made Manziel become Johnny Football?

Before the start of the 2012 season, Texas A&M students and fans gave him the nickname that is actually trademarked. As a red shirt freshman, Manziel lit up the college football world, becoming the first “true” freshman to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.

With sixteen MVP or Player-of-the-Year awards throughout his short career, Manziel has been the talk of college football for the last two years. When we watch his style of play and charisma, we can’t help but love the way he plays the game of football. Many of those YouTube highlights we’ve seen are flat-out ridiculous. Without question, Johnny Football’s leadership, moxie, and desire to win is something you wish every quarterback had.

However, there are a few character issues with the young man too. Being sent home from the Manning Passing Academy is never a good thing. And, what about all the hoopla with the autograph scandal? Off-field problems and responsibility is the last thing Browns fans should have to worry about with their field general, isn’t it? But, let’s forget character issues for now. Do the statistics in his two years with the Aggies back up all the hype? Take a look and decide for yourself.

Career Statistics at Texas A&M

Completion %     Pass Yards     Pass TDs    Interceptions     Rush Yards      Rush TDs

68.9                       7,820                     63                22                    2,169                    30

Now, granted these are just two years, but will these numbers and his “run first” mentality translate in the NFL? Just to put these figures in somewhat of a perspective, Colt McCoy had similar passing numbers in his last two years at Texas. Manziel was more of a runner than McCoy.

Colt McCoy’s Career Statistics at Texas (his last 2 years)

Completion %     Pass Yards     Pass TDs    Interceptions     Rush Yards      Rush TDs

73.7                             7,380            61                20                             909                  14

What’s my point?

The million dollar question the Cleveland Browns must ask themselves is simple – Can we afford to select Johnny Manziel with the fourth overall pick or trade up to select him higher with the state that the franchise is in?

My answer is no and this is the most important draft in franchise history. A complete miss or dud with the no. 4 pick could set the team back again. This has been stated many times by this writer.

Both Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer seem to be high on Brian Hoyer. With one of the deepest drafts in long time, there are other quarterbacks in later rounds that could be the future quarterback of the orange-and-brown.

Does this writer like Manziel? Absolutely, I think with time, positive coaching, and the right mental attitude he could be a good quarterback in the league. I just don’t like him for the Cleveland Browns.

Ryan Ruiz is the Cleveland Browns Beat Writer for The Inscriber: Digital Magazine. You can follow him on Facebook: Ryan (BrownsWriter) Ruiz and Twitter @ryanpruiz24. Ryan is also a Browns correspondent for The Sportsfix. Tune in every Friday at noon on www.thesportsfix.net.  Email Ryan at [email protected]