Johnny Manziel did not have the most distinguished of NFL careers. The former first-round pick lasted just two years – two tumultuous years filled with drama – at the pro level before being released by the Cleveland Browns, arguably the sorriest franchise in the league. Now, in a shocking development (note the sarcasm), former Browns wide receiver Nate Burleson is saying that Manziel’s work ethic was laughably bad. This should be fun.
Burleson appeared on “The Ken Carmen Show with Anthony Lima” where he talked about Manziel after he was drafted in 2014. Here’s what he had to say about his rookie year:
“I saw somewhat of a lack of dedication. I saw a guy that would rush out of the facility to go enjoy the fruits of his labor and the friendships that he had. I would see a guy coming in that did not study the playbook as much as he should and struggle in the classroom and then adversely struggle on the field. That was one thing that I quickly realized, when I first got there, they handed out iPads. It’s the new generation so I studied on the iPad but I also asked the coach for the paper playbook.”
“I heard that Johnny wasn’t opening up his iPad on the weekend because everything is tracked. You log in and coaches know when you are looking at your iPad. I knew then that the dedication wasn’t there. Was I disappointed? Definitely.”
“There were certain things that he did at practice that dropped jaws. If he was talented enough and had the IQ to dedicate himself to the classroom and on the field, he could’ve been special in this league,” he continued.
“I remember saying if he can do what Russell Wilson does in the classroom and not enjoy the streets to the point that you are not exhausted, he will be just as good as Russell Wilson which is crazy to say…If he had dedicated himself to the classroom, his skill set, huge hands, can avoid the pocket, can negotiate with his feet, could throw any ball from any angle: cross body, sidearm, over the top. He could’ve been just as good.
Has that time passed? Maybe. I’m not sure exactly where his motivation is.”
From a quick glance, that’s a pretty damning statement about a rookie. But Burleson didn’t completely shut the door on a Johnny Football comeback (Manziel is still just 24).
“Not to give him a pass…Not to say anything that he was doing to give him a pass. When you’re Johnny Manziel – Heisman winner, Heisman finalist, super star, couldn’t go to class because the fanfare was so crazy on campus. Not to mention, you get in the NFL, you’re friends with Drake, you’re friends with LeBron, every superstar. Then, on the weekend, you have the decision to stay and study the playbook in a small hotel room or dip out and sit your feet court side at a playoff game. I’m not sure if I could tell a 22, 21, 23-year old that you’re making the wrong decision.”
At this point, the criticisms levied against Manziel have been well documented and Burleson’s comments sound eerily similar to Pro Bowl teammate Joe Thomas’. It sounds like Manziel was a f— boy, for lack of a better term. Will he ever figure it out? Who knows…at least we’ll always have the money sign dance.
