Johnny Football
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Browns cut Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football's time in Cleveland is over.
The Cleveland Browns announced Friday, two days after the start of the 2016 NFL calendar year, that the team has released the troubled Johnny Manziel, making the quarterback a free agent and available to sign with any team. The big question is, however, if any team wants him.
Manziel, who the Browns traded up to select 22nd overall in the 2014 NFL draft, was signed with the Browns through 2017. His two years in the NFL have been nothing short of turbulent, and his latest legal situation may be the final straw.
In the most recent accusation, Manziel's former girlfriend Colleen Crowley said in an affidavit that the NFL quarterback restrained, hit and threatened her on January 30. She accused Manziel of grabbing her by the hair and hitting her ear, causing her to lose her hearing.
Manziel has denied hitting Crowley. Dallas police have referred Manziel's case to the district attorney as a misdemeanor assault/domestic violence allegation. In a February 25 statement on its blog, the Dallas Police Department said its investigation is complete and it won't comment while District Attorney Susan Hawk prepares the case for a grand jury.
Ahead of the start of the 2016 league year, it appeared the Browns were planning to release Manziel if they couldn't trade him.
"I think his future on our team will be addressed here pretty soon," Browns head coach Hue Jackson had said on February 24 at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "But let me say this. I think it's really important that obviously there (were) some people involved in this situation that happened, and I feel very bad about those things, as they do happen.
"But I want to make sure we all understand that that behavior will not be tolerated as we move forward. And that's all I want to say about it. I want to leave it at that. Our organization is going to take a stand, and we're going to move on from those kind of situations as we move forward."
The NFL also is investigating the incident involving Manziel and Crowley; the quarterback could face a league-imposed suspension if he is found to have violated the personal conduct policy.
The Browns have cleaned house in their front office. Paul DePodesta is now the team's chief strategy officer. For those familiar with the book and movie "Moneyball," he was a big name in the baseball world for his work with the Oakland A's, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and New York Mets. Meanwhile, Jackson replaced the fired Mike Pettine as head coach.
But the name to watch for is Sashi Brown, who was promoted to executive vice president of football operations after general manager Ray Farmer's firing. Final roster decisions are in Brown's hands.
"We've been clear about expectations for our players on and off the field," Brown said in a statement on February 2. "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."
Crowley's allegation in Dallas is the latest in a string of unfavorable situations involving Manziel.
In February 2015, Brad Beckworth, a friend and adviser to Manziel and his family, said in a statement that the quarterback had entered a treatment facility the previous month. Manziel was at Caron, an alcohol and drug treatment facility in Pennsylvania.
Johnny Football's time in Cleveland is over.
The Cleveland Browns announced Friday, two days after the start of the 2016 NFL calendar year, that the team has released the troubled Johnny Manziel, making the quarterback a free agent and available to sign with any team. The big question is, however, if any team wants him.
Manziel, who the Browns traded up to select 22nd overall in the 2014 NFL draft, was signed with the Browns through 2017. His two years in the NFL have been nothing short of turbulent, and his latest legal situation may be the final straw.
In the most recent accusation, Manziel's former girlfriend Colleen Crowley said in an affidavit that the NFL quarterback restrained, hit and threatened her on January 30. She accused Manziel of grabbing her by the hair and hitting her ear, causing her to lose her hearing.
Manziel has denied hitting Crowley. Dallas police have referred Manziel's case to the district attorney as a misdemeanor assault/domestic violence allegation. In a February 25 statement on its blog, the Dallas Police Department said its investigation is complete and it won't comment while District Attorney Susan Hawk prepares the case for a grand jury.
Ahead of the start of the 2016 league year, it appeared the Browns were planning to release Manziel if they couldn't trade him.
"I think his future on our team will be addressed here pretty soon," Browns head coach Hue Jackson had said on February 24 at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "But let me say this. I think it's really important that obviously there (were) some people involved in this situation that happened, and I feel very bad about those things, as they do happen.
"But I want to make sure we all understand that that behavior will not be tolerated as we move forward. And that's all I want to say about it. I want to leave it at that. Our organization is going to take a stand, and we're going to move on from those kind of situations as we move forward."
The NFL also is investigating the incident involving Manziel and Crowley; the quarterback could face a league-imposed suspension if he is found to have violated the personal conduct policy.
The Browns have cleaned house in their front office. Paul DePodesta is now the team's chief strategy officer. For those familiar with the book and movie "Moneyball," he was a big name in the baseball world for his work with the Oakland A's, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and New York Mets. Meanwhile, Jackson replaced the fired Mike Pettine as head coach.
But the name to watch for is Sashi Brown, who was promoted to executive vice president of football operations after general manager Ray Farmer's firing. Final roster decisions are in Brown's hands.
"We've been clear about expectations for our players on and off the field," Brown said in a statement on February 2. "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."
Crowley's allegation in Dallas is the latest in a string of unfavorable situations involving Manziel.
In February 2015, Brad Beckworth, a friend and adviser to Manziel and his family, said in a statement that the quarterback had entered a treatment facility the previous month. Manziel was at Caron, an alcohol and drug treatment facility in Pennsylvania.
