This article lists five teams that should consider nabbing Johnny Manziel. The Dallas Cowboys aren’t listed among them. But they should be.
My distaste for Manziel is no secret (“Johnny Football Manziel Will Bust Like RGIII,” Dec. 2, 2014).
The relief I felt when Jerry Jones passed on Manziel in last year’s NFL draft was similar to the relief a new mother would feel while watching a bus barely miss running over her newborn baby.
But it’s not hypocritical to encourage the Cowboys to go after him now. Manziel was ranked a first-round pick less than a year ago. He wasn’t as good as many experts thought then, but he’s not as bad as his detractors claim now. Plus, he’s been in rehab for two months, and, unlike Amy Winehouse, he apparently wanted to go.
So a guy I wouldn’t have crossed the street to piss on a few months ago looks like an interesting gamble today. He’ll sell at a discount, and he’s athletic and scrappy enough to play positions other than quarterback, such as slot receiver or wideout.
His brash “show my the money” persona turned me off immediately. But his on-field performance at Texas A&M proved he can be heroic, charismatic, and a winner. Take away his booze and teach him some humility and he could do a 180-degree turn.
The Cowboys might have to give up a third or fourth round pick in a trade, which is a gamble. Manziel is worth about a seventh round pick at this point. But Jones’ gambles have been paying off lately. Examples: signing the troubled Rolondo McClain; using a first-round pick on Travis Frederick; and using a fourth-round pick on Anthony Hitchins, who was figured to go much later in the draft.
The Cowboys have trotted out one bust after another at backup qb in recent years, and — gasp! — the front office seems to like Brandon Weeden for some reason. I like him too, and he’d probably be a great fishing buddy. But I’d rather have a crappie playing qb than Weeden. I’d rather have Frederick snap to himself and play both center and qb than to see Weeden again. Ever. I’d rather start a Fredericks of Hollywood model than Weeden. I’d rather have Fred Gwynne at qb while in full Herman Munster wardrobe. Okay, you get the idea. No Weeden. Give Johnny Football a chance to redeem himself in his home state.
I agree with you all the way, Jeff, but I do have a question: Who would you walk across the street to piss on?
Somebody who was on fire.
I forgot to add the part about the person across the street being on fire.
Glad to hear it… Otherwise, you know, it sounded more like something my dog might do… My dog dislikes a lot of people and that’s generally how he lets them know.