Johnny Manziel: Cleveland Browns quarterback heads to rehab

When they drafted Johnny Manziel, the Cleveland Browns had to know he had a drinking problem.

(John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When the Browns drafted Johnny Manziel, they knew he had drinking problem.

Or at the very least, they knew Manziel's father thought his son had a drinking problem.

In the July 30, 2013 edition of ESPN The Magazine, Wright Thompson authored a long story about the 20-year-old quarterback whose emotions were often out of control. Furthermore, his father, Paul, was worried about Manziel's drinking.

Thompson wrote, "Paul thinks Johnny drinks to deal with the stress. After his arrest, Johnny's parents and (Texas A&M Coach Kevin) Sumlin mandated he visit an alcohol counselor; Johnny saw him six or seven weeks during the season."

Paul Manziel also told Wright: "I don't know where the anger comes from. I don't think he knows. If it comes from his drinking, or if he's mad at himself for not being a better person when he fails, when he fails God and his mom and me. If it makes him angry that he's got demons in him. You can only speculate because you can't go in there."

So the good news for Manziel is that he has entered a rehabilitation facility, according Brad Beckworth -- the Manziel family attorney. Now, he must be very serious about his treatment and especially the aftercare -- or nothing will change.

The encouraging news for the Browns is that this is Manziel appears to be facing up to his problems. It also gives the Browns clarity at quarterback, at least in terms of Manziel.They absolutely must look elsewhere.

The Browns have been talking to Brian Hoyer's agent. And my guess is that Hoyer would be very open to returning, assuming he comes back with a good chance to be a starting quarterback. That should be his status, as Manziel has even bigger issues to battle than the NFL playbook.

I mentioned that because Coach Mike Pettine told ESPN 850's Tony Grossi this during training camp: "I think at this point, right now, it's more Johnny vs. the playbook than it is vs. Brian. I think he's got to make sure that continues. He's well along the path, but that needs to continue."

Actually, Johnny's biggest problem is Johnny. It's that Johnny not only lacked the self-discipline needed to be an NFL quarterback, he also is very limited physically.

Those are the facts, and that shouldn't come as a shock to the Browns. When Joe Banner was the CEO, the team spent about $100,000 researching quarterbacks. There weren't just red flags next to Manziel's name, there were warning sirens blaring.

That research recommended Teddy Bridgewater as the best bet in the 2014 draft to be a success NFL quarterback.

Banner was fired in early February. I'm not sure we'll ever know all that went into the selection of Manziel, but it's not hard to assume that ownership had some influence.

There's no reason to recount all of Manziel's escapades -- or his denials about needing to change his lifestyle. Browns fans are painfully aware of all that.

Nor should the team believe that just because Manziel completes rehabilitation treatment he suddenly will turn into a competent NFL quarterback. I was one of many in the chorus of those who had doubts about Manziel as a player before the draft.

His performance in two starts was as alarming as his actions off the field. After his first start against the Bengals, I wrote of being stunned by how ill-prepared he appeared. Others saw the same thing.

If Manziel can pull himself together and become serious and accountable when it comes to sobriety, he can take a another shot at the NFL. But he should not even be on the Browns depth chart at the moment.

They have made enough mistakes when it comes to the former Heisman Trophy winner from Texas A&M.

I'd prefer the Browns come back with Hoyer, Connor Shaw and another veteran or promising rookie. They need men in that quarterback room who understand the demands of the job.

When it comes to life, Manziel needs to start over.

When it comes to the quarterback situation, the Browns need to hit the reset button and take another long look at Hoyer.