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Johnny Manziel at Cleveland Browns camp
BEREA, Ohio — One day after he vigorously defended his jet-set lifestyle, Cleveland Browns rookie Johnny Manziel hit the field Saturday for his first NFL training camp practice to loud cheers from fans sporting his gear and expressing the belief his partying won’t be a problem.
“Everything has changed, and I think older people like us who judge him are totally wrong,” said 52-year-old season-ticket holder Steve Hodge, who sported a Manziel No. 2 Browns jersey adorned with green money signs.
“I think (the controversy over Manziel’s offseason antics) are overblown and everything will be fine. He was like that in college (at Texas A&M) and it didn’t affect his play. He’s going to be fine.”
But Browns owner Jimmy Haslam indicated he isn’t so sure about that.
“I think the really great athletes make their news on the field, not off the field,” Haslam said in a clear reprimand to the Kerrville Tivy graduate.
Manziel-driven drama greeted the Browns when their full roster arrived at camp Friday. Citing unnamed sources, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported the Browns were “alarmed” by Manziel’s offseason antics, which included nightclub-hopping excursions and parties with celebrities that produced some eyebrow-raising photographs, including one of him floating on a blowup swan at a club in Austin while drinking from a champagne bottle.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with me going out and having a nightlife and having a social life,” Manziel said Friday. “I am 21 years old, and I do like going out. It was the offseason. It’s free time for us … I think that’s within my rights to (party).”
The Plain Dealer also reported that sources said Manziel’s play in offseason workouts “regressed” as they went on and that members of the organization attribute that to a less than diligent work ethic. Add it all up, and the sources said he’s “lost ground” in his battle to beat out Brian Hoyer for the starting job.
Hoyer, who played high school in Cleveland, was on the field Saturday morning 5 minutes before Manziel. When he walked out of the locker room, fans chanted “Brian Hoy-er, Brian Hoy-er.”
“Hopefully, Johnny can look at guys like LeBron (James) and (Tom) Brady, Peyton (Manning) and (Derek) Jeter and pattern himself after those guys who make their news on the field not off it,” Haslam said.
In a seemingly conciliatory moment, Manziel appeared to accept Haslam’s counsel.
“I think those are (some) of the greatest athletes who played their respective sports in this country,” Manziel said. “I’m sure they all made their mistakes at 21, 20 years old when they (were rookies), so what I take away from that is you learn from the best and you learn how those guys have carried themselves, which is extremely well on and off the court. So I absolutely agree with Mr. Haslam that I can learn from that.”
torsborn@express-news.net
Continue reading...
BEREA, Ohio — One day after he vigorously defended his jet-set lifestyle, Cleveland Browns rookie Johnny Manziel hit the field Saturday for his first NFL training camp practice to loud cheers from fans sporting his gear and expressing the belief his partying won’t be a problem.
“Everything has changed, and I think older people like us who judge him are totally wrong,” said 52-year-old season-ticket holder Steve Hodge, who sported a Manziel No. 2 Browns jersey adorned with green money signs.
“I think (the controversy over Manziel’s offseason antics) are overblown and everything will be fine. He was like that in college (at Texas A&M) and it didn’t affect his play. He’s going to be fine.”
But Browns owner Jimmy Haslam indicated he isn’t so sure about that.
“I think the really great athletes make their news on the field, not off the field,” Haslam said in a clear reprimand to the Kerrville Tivy graduate.
Manziel-driven drama greeted the Browns when their full roster arrived at camp Friday. Citing unnamed sources, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported the Browns were “alarmed” by Manziel’s offseason antics, which included nightclub-hopping excursions and parties with celebrities that produced some eyebrow-raising photographs, including one of him floating on a blowup swan at a club in Austin while drinking from a champagne bottle.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with me going out and having a nightlife and having a social life,” Manziel said Friday. “I am 21 years old, and I do like going out. It was the offseason. It’s free time for us … I think that’s within my rights to (party).”
The Plain Dealer also reported that sources said Manziel’s play in offseason workouts “regressed” as they went on and that members of the organization attribute that to a less than diligent work ethic. Add it all up, and the sources said he’s “lost ground” in his battle to beat out Brian Hoyer for the starting job.
Hoyer, who played high school in Cleveland, was on the field Saturday morning 5 minutes before Manziel. When he walked out of the locker room, fans chanted “Brian Hoy-er, Brian Hoy-er.”
“Hopefully, Johnny can look at guys like LeBron (James) and (Tom) Brady, Peyton (Manning) and (Derek) Jeter and pattern himself after those guys who make their news on the field not off it,” Haslam said.
In a seemingly conciliatory moment, Manziel appeared to accept Haslam’s counsel.
“I think those are (some) of the greatest athletes who played their respective sports in this country,” Manziel said. “I’m sure they all made their mistakes at 21, 20 years old when they (were rookies), so what I take away from that is you learn from the best and you learn how those guys have carried themselves, which is extremely well on and off the court. So I absolutely agree with Mr. Haslam that I can learn from that.”
torsborn@express-news.net
Continue reading...