Mike T’s Newsletter 8/21

Johnny Football, it’s just all about growing up

 

I've got a gut feeling, a feeling that 7 out of 10 professional football players share with me, but a feeling that the average football fan and many members

of the media don't. The feeling that I have is that Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback sensation Johnny Manziel aka "Johnny Football" will someday be a champion at the professional level. Here is what we know about the kid: He has crazy, unbelievable football talent, so much so that as a freshman at Texas A&M he won the Heisman Trophy; no freshman in the history of the game has ever done that. He has broken numerous NCAA Division I FBS and SEC records, and was even drafted as a baseball player in the 28th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Diego Padres. Here is what else we know, he likes to party, he is still very immature in term of his behavior and sometimes his work ethic. He loves the spotlight and as of late he likes to flip the bird to his opponents.

Many are conflicted regarding this phenom and his role as an NFL quarterback. Some again do not buy into the hype and feel he is overrated, just a flash in the football pan. I do not happen to be one of those folks. While I do not condone a lot of what Manziel has done, I do buy into his remarkable talent. I believe he will overcome the adversity that is himself and he will succeed. I can somewhat identify at times with this young man having been a young man myself once upon a time. Having sometimes being confused, angry, a knucklehead, and many times needing to prove myself. If the Browns organization can nurture and help develop Manziel, particularly between the ears, and get him support with key players on the field, look the hell out! He may not take the Browns to the Super Bowl ala Dan Marino in his second year with the Dolphins, but mark my words that at the end of the day, Johnny Football will be a champion!