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15 Bold Predictions for 2015: No.2: The redemption of Johnny Manziel

By Ryan Disdier

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Since entering the NFL in May of 2014, Johnny Manziel has been called a litany of things.

Scouts called him “unorthodox,” while others either called him “Money Manziel” or a “bust in the making.” Thanks to a recent Monday Night Raw in Cleveland, Manziel was even called “Idiot Face” by WWE World Heavyweight Champion and resident bad guy Seth Rollins.

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One thing many people haven’t called Manziel, however, is “successful.”

Despite all of the fanfare — including two (one pre-draft and one post) Sports Illustrated covers — and all of the hype, Johnny “Football” had an abysmal rookie year and ended the season on the shelf because of an injury sustained in Week 16.

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In his two starts, Manziel threw two interceptions and completed a measly 51.4 percent of his passes. He looked like a scared, un-ready rookie who had no business playing quarterback for an NFL team.

“Rest in peace, Johnny ‘Football.’ Hello, Johnny ‘Professional.'”

But this article’s purpose isn’t to bash Johnny Manziel. No, because my second bold prediction for the 2015 season is that Manziel will have a bounce-back season and surprise many fans.

Let’s start at the beginning and say when he entered the league, Manziel entered with a lot of self-entitlement and immaturity. He was caught on camera flipping off the Redskins sidelines during the preseason, and he was fined for throwing a party last December.

Manziel’s first step to becoming a legitimate NFL starting quarterback was maturing, but he seemed to forgo that oh-so-important step during his rookie campaign.

Well, after a humbling offseason spent partially in rehab, it’s safe to assume Manziel has completed step one. The 22-year-old quarterback seems to realize he must change his party-boy ways and reinvent his image, so to speak.

Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

In fact, Manziel will no longer break out his trademark celebration.

“The money sign will not be back,” Manziel said Wednesday to Browns media. “I feel bad about that today. I feel bad about that throughout the last months of my life really thinking back and seeing how much of my life outside of this field and outside of this locker room was documented.”

Manziel also admitted the young, wide-eyed Manziel from last year was unable to escape the persona he had created while at College Station.

“I think it just overtook who I was as a person,” Manziel said. “I think at times Johnny Football probably took over me a little bit, too, and I bought into that. … I think I didn’t do my best to hush things down, push things down … At times I welcomed it with immaturity.”

According to NFL.com, perennial Pro Bowler and the unofficial voice of the Browns, Joe Thomas, said Manziel is “night and day” from last year. Pro-Bowl corner Joe Haden chimed in, saying Manziel has the “it-factor.”

The vote of confidence from the best players on the Browns signifies Manziel has won the team back over.

Rest in peace, Johnny “Football.” Hello, Johnny “Professional.”

While I ranked Manziel as the worst starting quarterback in the league, his placement is just because he hasn’t shown what he can really do yet.

He’s not the tallest, strongest or most accurate quarterback, but Haden was not necessarily exaggerating when he said Manziel has the “it-factor.”

While he’s certainly unorthodox, Manziel can still win games for the Browns. With a better grip on the playbook and more emphasis on cutting back on his bad decisions, Manziel has a legitimate chance of becoming a starting-caliber quarterback.

Manziel now knows his scramble-heavy approach he utilized in college doesn’t work in the NFL, and he realized that the hard way during his first start.

Going back and looking at Manziel’s full game as a starter last year is tough, as there’s not a lot to analyze.

Perhaps he said it best himself by saying he got too carried away with the hype. He didn’t look comfortable, but let’s not pretend like the Browns offense did him any favors. Add in the fact that it seemed the Bengals were prepared for anything Manziel and the Browns had, and you have a perfect recipe for a nightmare of a debut.

However, not many rookie quarterbacks can come in and light up a defense. In fact, very few in recent memory have.

Manziel needed to get used to the speed of a regular-season NFL game, and it takes far more than half of a game to accomplish that.

Aug 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

In one instance, Manziel threw late across his body — a throw he got away with at Texas A&M — and the ball was intercepted by Dre Kirkapatrick.

So he’s not the most polished passer and he doesn’t have a Joe Flacco-like arm. He has sufficient accuracy and a decent deep ball.

Manziel also has all of the intangibles, though, and that’s something that can’t be taught. The way Manziel can move around and extend a play is remarkable, though he needs to understand when a play’s over.

Whether you care to admit it or not, it’s undeniable that Manziel ignites the offense and gives the team a spark. He has a — now mature — swagger, and that’s something the Browns have lacked for a long time.

Despite the fact that journeyman Josh McCown signed with Cleveland, Manziel is still a better fit for the offense.

He remains as one of the NFL’s elite rushing quarterbacks, and his speed and agility give him a dimension the Zach Mettenbergers of the world direly lack.

Johnny can make magic happen on the football field.

Manziel competes, and he brings that competitive nature with him on every play. He can lead his team back in the fourth quarter, and he has a short memory when it comes to his mistakes.

Manziel now has a group of veteran receivers who can help the young quarterback. While Andrew Hawkins, Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline aren’t exactly gangbusters, but they’re reliable, viable options. They also won’t add drama like the now-suspended Josh Gordon.

Pro-Bowl center Alex Mack’s return will also help Manziel in year 2.

With Manziel now a more mature, more focused individual, I think he’s primed for a much, much better 2015. He’s displaying characteristics of a player who wants to help lead a team.

His unique play style that’s almost like a modern-day Doug Flutie is dynamic. Don’t expect Manziel to make the Pro Bowl or lead the league in passing in year 2. However, expect a much better leader and quarterback to be under center for the Cleveland Browns.

Manziel is a clear-cut winner, and he does possess the “it-factor” that so many players lack. Entering his second year, the pressure will be a bit greater, the noise a bit louder and the lights a bit brighter.

It’s time for Johnny Manziel to shine.

Next: 15 Bold Predictions: Adrian Peterson to dominate again

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