Johnny Manziel - Pro Football Rumors

AFC Links: Browns, Phillips, Williams, Jets

January 23rd, 2015 at 10:37pm CST by Rob DiRe

New Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo did not study quarterback Johnny Manziel before accepting the position in Cleveland, writes Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

“I’ll be honest with you. I’m going to be flat out honest with you because it’s the only way I know how to be. I have not. I’ve not watched the games from last year with Johnny. Obviously, I studied Johnny coming out of college and spent some time with Johnny,” said DeFilippo. “I wouldn’t say it was a lot of time, but I spent some time with Johnny. He flew out to Oakland and spent a day with him. Can you get an overview on a guy in one day? No, but you can get a grasp of what he thinks and how he’s feeling and those things. I got along with Johnny when we met with him, but I can’t tell you that I’ve watched the games yet. No, I have not.”

This could mean DeFilippo is not convinced that Manziel will be the quarterback of the future in Cleveland. That point is only further confirmed when he admitted during his pressure that the quarterback situation is still in flux. “We’re not sure if our starting quarterback is in the building right now or not,” said DeFilippo. “If he is that’s great. If he’s not, that’s great too.”

Here are some more links from around the AFC:

The Browns are pursuing former journeyman quarterback Steve Walsh to be their new quarterbacks coach, writes Alex Marvez of Fox Sports 1. Walsh has been coaching high school football for the past six years, but has turned down a number of opportunities to coach at a higher level.
The Broncos are still looking for a defensive coordinator, and one possibility could be former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, writes Gil Brandt of NFL.com (via Twitter). Phillips served as the Texans defensive coordinator for three years under new Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, and the two could reunite in Denver.
The Broncos have not hired a defensive coordinator, but they have hired Bill Kollar as their defensive line coach, according to USA Today. Kollar spent the last six years coaching the defensive line for the Texans.
The Jets have a pressing need a cornerback, and new GM Mike Maccagnan will have a number of options to improve the position, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. He writes they could go after Antonio Cromartie or Byron Maxwell in free agency, but an intriguing prospect in the draft could be Quinten Rollins of the University of Miami (Ohio).
Bills star pass rusher Mario Williams will be playing for a new defensive coordinator for the sixth straight year, writes Kevin Patra of NFL.com. With head coach Rex Ryan and defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, the defense will switching back to a 3-4 base. Williams is excited to play outside linebacker. “I look forward to it,” he said. “So hopefully if (Ryan) hears this, this is my call-in: Will Linebacker. So hopefully it works out.”
Colts pass rusher Robert Mathis is still recovering from a torn Achilles that forced him to miss all of 2014, but there is no guarantee he will be back in time for next season’s training camp, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. “He’s still in recovery,” said general manager Ryan Grigson. “He’s a freak and you hope that he has an athletic genetic freak type of recovery so that he’s ready day one of training camp. But that information is not clear yet or a timeline is not there because it’s a tough injury. Hopefully in a couple months from now, we’ll be able to have some information on that.”

Browns Notes: Manziel, Hoyer, Carter

January 23rd, 2015 at 1:36pm CST by Luke Adams

Addressing the Browns’ decision to release offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan from his contract, head coach Mike Pettine suggested that Shanahan wanted to move on, and the team didn’t want the situation to drag out.

“It’s just very hard to win in the NFL (even) when everybody’s into it and they truly want to be there,” Pettine said. “And again if you have somebody that just doesn’t want to be there, I know it’s easy to say, ‘Hey he’s under contract, hold him to it,’ (but then) there’s a dark cloud over your coaching offices and I’ve been a part of that.”

According to Pettine, there was some discussion about trying to get compensation for Shanahan, who had two years left on his contract, but the head coach didn’t want to “get into that legal stuff.”

Here’s more on the Browns:

Initial reports suggested that Shanahan may have had an issue with the team’s commitment to Johnny Manziel, but Pettine dismissed the notion that the former OC wanted out because of Cleveland’s quarterback situation: “I think a lot of people are just putting that out there as a possible reason where he looked at it and said, ‘Hey, the QB situation’s not great and this is one of the reasons I want to get out of here.’ I won’t get into details, but in his reasoning to me that was not a part of it.”
While Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has often been cited as a catalyst for the Manziel pick, Haslam didn’t exactly rave about the young quarterback this week, suggesting that selecting a QB in the first round of this year’s draft is on the table. Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal has the details and quotes.
Jeremy Fowler and Pat McManamon of ESPN.com spoke to nearly 20 Browns sources to try to determine what went wrong during Manziel’s first NFL season, and found a handful of worrisome patterns both on and off the field.
The Browns’ chief contract negotiator, Sashi Brown, reached out to Brian Hoyer‘s agent Joe Linta a week ago to re-open communications between the two sides, according to Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. Grossi writes that while it may have seemed at one point like a foregone conclusion that Hoyer would be moving on, “that tide is turning” and the veteran could re-sign.
Hoyer is scheduled to sit down with Pettine, GM Ray Farmer, and new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo in the next week or two, and what he hears in those meetings may determine whether or not he instructs Linta to pursue a possible extension with the club. Linta on his client: “Brian would love to stay — if the situation were good for all parties. He’s looking forward to meeting those guys over the next couple of weeks.”
CFL receiver Duron Carter, who was previously said to be in talks with the Browns, Colts, and Vikings, is now down to two finalists, according to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (Twitter link). It’s not clear which clubs are the finalists, but the Colts and Vikings have been cited as frontrunners throughout the process, so it’s possible Cleveland is no longer in the mix — that’s just my speculation though.

Browns Notes: DeFilippo, Manziel, Hoyer

January 22nd, 2015 at 1:05pm CST by Zachary Links

In his 2015 salary cap outlook for the Browns, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap writes that the team faces an interesting decision with cornerback Buster Skrine. They drafted a replacement for him in Justin Gilbert but Skrine is the more proven commodity and he came up with four interceptions in 2014. Fortunately for the Browns, they have a good amount of cap space and can afford to hedge their bets by retaining him. Here’s more out of Cleveland…

At today’s introductory press conference, new Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said he isn’t sure if his starting quarterback “is in the building or not,” according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer (on Twitter). Brian Hoyer, of course, is set to hit unrestricted free agency, leaving 2014 first-rounder Johnny Manziel and undrafted rookie Connor Shaw on the depth chart at this time.
DeFilippo said hasn’t studied Hoyer much but will meet with him this week, according to Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram (on Twitter).
Head coach Mike Pettine admitted that he has had some “healthy debate” with GM Ray Farmer but says that talk of “friction” between the two is overblown, according to Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald (on Twitter).
DeFilippo said he and Pettine have discussed having an experienced former play-caller on the staff at quarterback or wide receiver coach, according to Cabot (on Twitter). DeFilippo does not have previous play calling experience in the NFL.
Pettine told reporters, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal (on Twitter) that he only offered the offensive coordinator job to one person.

Browns Notes: Shanahan, Manziel, Carter

January 8th, 2015 at 3:12pm CST by Luke Adams

The big news out of Cleveland today is the departure of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who reportedly asked to be released from his contract. With quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains also leaving the Browns, the team will revamp its coaching staff yet again heading into the 2015 season. Here are the latest updates on Shanahan, the newly-opened OC job, and other Browns-related topics:

According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter links), it’s not a surprise that Shanahan and the Browns decided to part ways, since he has heard there’s been “major friction” between the two sides. Per La Canfora, last Friday, after Shanahan approached the club about his issues and concerns, the team granted him permission to leave, even if it was a lateral move to another offensive coordinator position.
A source tells Pat McManamon of ESPN.com that the split between Shanahan (and Loggains) and the team was caused by the fact that the offensive coaches didn’t see eye to eye with the front office on Johnny Manziel. According to McManamon, the front office wants Manziel to be the starter, and Shanahan and Loggains weren’t convinced the club could win with him. Said one source: “They are both smart to get out now.”
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com counters that report, tweeting that Shanahan “really liked” Manziel, and didn’t depart because of the rookie signal-caller.
Cabot adds (via Twitter) that as of a couple days ago, the Browns hadn’t contacted Charlie Weis about their offensive coordinator job, but she acknowledged that could change soon. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported earlier this week that Cleveland had “reached out to guys like” Weis.
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) adds the Browns to the list of teams planning to work out CFL wideout Duron Carter, the son of longtime Vikings star Cris Carter.

Cowboys Notes: Bryant, Murray, Garrett, Manziel

January 7th, 2015 at 5:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared on ESPN’s NFL Insiders to discuss a wide range of topics. Here’s a look at some of the PFR-relevant highlights..

Jones once again mentioned the franchise tag for wide receiver Dez Bryant, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com (on Twitter). The Cowboys owner didn’t say much about DeMarco Murray, however and the return of the star running back seems iffy.
Even though he hasn’t been able to work out an extension with coach Jason Garrett, Jones assumes he’ll stay, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. Garrett is currently coaching as a lame duck and, apparently, he’ll stay that way until the end of the season. If he continues to wait, however, it’s possible another team will pounce.
There was a lot of talk about the Cowboys taking Johnny Manziel at No. 16 in last year’s draft, but owner Jerry Jones is glad he passed. “Really we had Manziel and we had Zack Martin,” Jones told ESPN, according to Michael Florek of The Dallas Morning News. “We really couldn’t have known the quality of the player that Zack Martin is. It’s just been so much more than we could’ve expected and he had a very significant career at Notre Dame. “We certainly needed — I should be looking at the future after Romo. But I decided right there the future after Romo is too far down the road when he won’t be our quarterback to be developing a quarterback like Manziel during these next few years. It just didn’t work time wise, so we had to settle on that pick, Martin, which may be one of the best if not best pick we’ve made around here in the last 15 years.”

North Links: Steelers, Peppers, Browns

January 4th, 2015 at 1:55pm CST by Ben Levine

We learned earlier today that the future is uncertain for a couple of veteran Steelers defenders. Troy Polamalu and James Harrison could soon call it a career, but neither player wanted to address the speculation following their loss to the Ravens on Saturday.

“Honestly, we just lost a game,” said Polamalu (via ESPN.com’s Scott Brown). “I don’t think I’m prepared to even think about that or talk about that at this time.”

“We’ll see,” Harrison said. “I’m not going to answer a question [about the future] right now because I’m not in the right mind frame.”

Let’s check out some more notes from the NFL’s north divisions…

Packers general manager Ted Thompson probably has a “good idea” about whether he’ll have Julius Peppers back next season, ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky writes. If the organization thinks Peppers can repeat his production from 2014, Demovsky believes they’ll bring the veteran (and his $9.5MM salary) back for a second year.
Even though the Packers are interested in extending defensive tackle Letroy Guion, that doesn’t mean B.J. Raji‘s tenure with the organization is over, writes Demovsky.
It’s sounding like Browns general manager Ray Farmer has zero intention of giving up on quarterback Johnny Manziel, writes Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. If the team was to move on and trade up for Marcus Mariota, Cabot estimates that it would cost three first-rounders.
Furthermore, Cabot says the turnaround of cornerback Joe Haden proves that the Browns shouldn’t give up on Manziel or Justin Gilbert.

Browns GM Talks Manziel, Hoyer, Gordon

December 30th, 2014 at 11:03am CST by Luke Adams

Appearing before reporters in Cleveland today, Browns general manager Ray Farmer addressed a number of topics, including the status of quarterback Johnny Manziel, who has been the subject of a number of headlines related to his action on and off the field in recent weeks. According to Farmer, Manziel’s words don’t mean anything — it’s all about action, and the rookie has the opportunity to make changes. Farmer adds that he believes Manziel can develop into a solid NFL starter, and that patience is required (all Twitter links via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal).

Here’s more from Farmer, with all links heading to Ulrich’s Twitter account:

The foundation in Cleveland isn’t perfect, but it’s heading in the right direction, according to Farmer.
Asked about the possibility of releasing Manziel, Justin Gilbert, and Josh Gordon, the GM said he intends to discuss the possibility with the club’s coaches — if it happens, it won’t happen today.
While Manziel will be given an opportunity to compete for the QB job in 2015, the team will try to bring in a signal-caller through free agency, trade, or the draft as well. Farmer didn’t rule out the possibility of using a first-round pick on a quarterback for the second consecutive season, which would be easier to stomach since the Browns had multiple first-rounders in 2014, and will again in 2015.
Farmer acknowledged that Brian Hoyer has some leverage heading into free agency, and will have to make some decisions that will determine whether or not he returns to Cleveland.
The jury’s still out on the quality of the Browns’ first draft under Farmer, according to the GM, who added that the team made a lot of changes to its processes following May’s draft.
Farmer reiterated that owner Jimmy Haslam didn’t make the call to draft Manziel.
Noting that he expects Gordon’s camp to contest his one-game suspension, Farmer said he’s not willing to call the embattled wideout a lost cause. According to Farmer, the Browns will try to help their players, and if those players don’t want the help, then the team will move on.
In spite of Gordon’s uncertain future, Farmer says he doesn’t regret not drafting a wide receiver in May.

Browns Notes: Gordon, Manziel, Gilbert

December 29th, 2014 at 5:09pm CST by Zachary Links

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam says he won’t tolerate bad behavior or poor effort from any of his players, including young stars Johnny Manziel, Justin Gilbert, or Josh Gordon. “I think this is the ultimate team game, and I think a player who can’t show up for meetings, can’t make practice, can’t make weight lifting, disrespects himself,” said Haslam after the Browns’ 20-10 loss to the Ravens, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer. More out of Cleveland..

Browns safety Donte Whitner is all for getting rid of players who can’t comply with team rules, Cabot writes.
For his part, Manziel denies reports that he threw a party last Friday in Cleveland and says he was just out with some friends, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.
Brian Hoyer said he hasn’t heard anything from the team about wanting to retain him, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron-Beacon Journal (via Twitter). Meanwhile, coach Mike Pettine says that the quarterback situation is “very much a question mark,” as Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald tweets.
Pettine says that Gordon is now at a crossroads with the team: he wants him to remain with the club but also wants him to be accountable for his actions (via Ulrich on Twitter).
Pettine says that he has a good relationship with Hoyer, but he isn’t sure if the stars will align for a reunion, Ulrich tweets.
The Browns should back up their talk by releasing Manziel and Gordon, Pat McManamon of ESPN.com writes.

La Canfora’s Latest: Texans, Browns, Harbaugh

December 28th, 2014 at 9:23am CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s check out the latest from CBS Sports scribe Jason La Canfora:

The Texans are expected to make a change at general manager during the offseason, with current GM Rick Smith shifting into a new role that doesn’t involve football operations. Head coach Bill O’Brien will have significant input on who is hired to fill the position, and sources tell La Canfora that the club already has several candidates in mind. Patriots executive Nick Caserio would likely be O’Brien’s top choice, as the two worked together in New England. Other external options include the Eagles’ Tom Gamble and the Pats’ Jon Robinson, while internal candidates could include scouting director Mike Maccagnan and director of pro personnel Brian Gaine. Texans vice chariman Cal McNair has denied La Canfora’s report, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
Meanwhile, changes could also be coming in Buffalo and Tennessee, writes La Canfora. Bills GM Doug Whaley doesn’t have a great relationship with head coach Doug Marrone, and given that the current Buffalo front office was responsible for the selection of E.J. Manuel, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the club completely overhaul its management team. Meanwhile, the Titans could opt to fire general manager Ruston Webster, and replace him with executive Lake Dawson.
The Browns are growing increasingly frustrated with both Josh Gordon and Johnny Manziel, sources tell La Canfora. Gordon, who was suspended for today’s game after missing a walkthrough on Saturday, will file a grievance against the team in order to maintain his free agent status after 2015. But Cleveland officials say Gordon “has to go,” although La Canfora says it’s unclear whether owner Jimmy Haslam is willing to trade the talented wideout. For his part, Manziel was also absent yesterday, and team security was forced to go to his house to retrieve him. The rookie quarterback reportedly threw a team party Friday night (which led to several Browns being late on Saturday), the latest questionable decision by a player who recently vowed to take the game more seriously.
Five clubs — the Raiders, Jets, 49ers, Falcons, and Bears — are expected to make coaching changes in the coming days. The Raiders still have their eye on Jim Harbaugh, but if he takes the Michigan job as expected, the club could bring in Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. And while the 49ers are expected to look at some of the younger offensive coaches during their search, the Jets, Falcons, and Bears are looking to hire an established head coach, per La Canfora. Rex Ryan is an option in Atlanta, though if the Falcons lose today and miss the playoffs, general manger Thomas Dimitroff could be axed there. In Chicago, the club could look to reunite Mike Shanahan with Jay Cutler.
The Raiders will indeed attempt to make their pitch to Harbaugh, and would even engage in trade talks with the 49ers if possible. La Canfora notes (via Twitter) that NFL executives won’t believe Harbaugh has a deal with Michigan until it’s officially signed.
Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is a name to watch regarding head-coaching vacancies. La Canfora says sources have compared Autin’s rise to that of Mike Tomlin, who went from an unknown position coach to leading the Steelers in rapid time. Austin is expected to garner several interviews, including one with the Falcons.

Browns Notes: Manziel, Pettine, Gilbert

December 25th, 2014 at 8:54am CST by Rob DiRe

Reports that the Browns will explore all options at quarterback have rookie Johnny Manziel fired up, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

Manziel, who has only seen limited playing time this season before being placed on the injured reserve, thinks the team would be wrong to move on from him after such a small sample of snaps.

“I don’t think it would be fair to give up on somebody after seven quarters of football,” said Manziel. “If that’s what they were in the business for and what they intended on me coming in here doing — just giving him seven quarters, giving him a couple of games and then looking somewhere else — I don’t think that’s a lot of commitment and sticking with somebody.”

Manziel struggled in his limited playing time, but spoke about the process of learning how to play in the NFL. He does not believe he has had enough opportunity to be evaluated at the professional level.

“If that’s what they think is enough to evaluate a quarterback, then that’s really up to them, but I’m going into this offseason working extremely hard and wanting to be the guy next year,” said Manziel. “If that’s not the case, then obviously we’ll see down the road, but that’s my mindset going into it and I’m 100-percent sticking with it.”

Florio writes that this idea is not totally accurate, as Manziel had plenty of time during the offseason, training camp, and preseason to compete for the starting job, and failed to take advantage of those opportunities. He also notes that the injury Manziel suffered against the Panthers only magnifies concerns about his ability to stay healthy in the league.

Here are some other notes about Manziel and the team’s other first round pick:

Head coach Mike Pettine responded to the idea that the organization had already written off Manziel, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter). Pettine agrees that it would be unfair to think the book is closed on Manziel after just one season where he did not even get to play two full games.
Manziel isn’t the only rookie who has drawn the ire of the organization, as Justin Gilbert failed to live up to expectations after being drafted eighth overall in 2014. Browns’ safety Donte Whitner was critical of his season, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. “It’s time to grow up and not be a kid anymore. It’s a wasted year for him,” Whitner said. “There were so many ups, so many downs — a lot of it has been brought on by himself.”
Whitner was not the only teammate of Gilbert’s who was critical of him after one season. Karlos Dansby agreed that both Gilbert and Manziel wasted a year of their career, writes Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland.com. “When you’re a first-round pick, you’ve got to c’mon, man” said Dansby. “They’ve got to reset their goals and they’ve got to do it fast,” said Dansby. “There’s so much (Gilbert) could’ve done better and he didn’t put forth the effort. So yeah, it’s a wasted year.”
Still, Pettine is not ready to label Gilbert as a bust either, reports Cabot. “Are we ready to write both of those players off as busts because they didn’t produce as rookies?” Pettine said. “I’m not anywhere near that point. That’s just a knee-jerk. Some rookies come in and play right away. Others it takes some time.”