What did this kid ever do to engender such hate from not only fans, but the entire journalistic community? We are talking about a thoroughly corrupt league here, one which has tolerated, and continues to tolerate, genuine thugs who are given chance after chance, even after committing violent crimes. Manziel has never even been accused of a crime. From what I can determine, he likes to have fun and party. Wow- what reprehensible behavior for a young guy.
Jamis Winston was caught stealing and was accused of rape twice. Cam Newton stole a laptop, was caught cheating on his exams and his father was trying to sell him to the highest bidder. Neither suffered in the court of public opinion and each was still chosen #1 overall in the draft. While Manziel was blasted for his "chance" last season- 1 1/2 games worth- Winston's first game this year was very, very bad, and yet no one suggested he was a "bust" after one game.
When was the last time a player was drafted in the first round whose coach clearly and obviously hates him? Pettine lashed out at Manziel during a halftime interview a few weeks back, when Manziel had played very well in the first half. Like so many of these glorified gym teachers, Pettine is lacking in intelligence and vision. He hates Manziel because it's politically correct to do so. Who doesn't hate this guy? Pacman Jones- who is somehow still in the league- has fewer haters, despite his litany of criminal offenses. So does Aquib Talib, whose most recent offense was trying to gouge out an opponent's eye. So does Greg Hardy; apparently it's less "offensive" to sexually assault women than it is to "party."
Quarterbacks in the recent past were big "partyers." Joe Namath and Kenny Stabler (both of whom had links to mobsters). Billy Kilmer was sometimes drunk on the field. Sonny Jurgensen. Bobby Layne. Presently, Ben Roethlesberger clearly likes to "party" as much as Manziel does. But Manziel hasn't been accused of rape. Twice. Yes, I know Big Ben has proven his worth, but Manziel hasn't been given a chance to prove anything. He's just continually told to "grow up."
I have never heard a single announcer or talking head say that they like Manziel. Even Tebow would have journalists saying "I like him personally but...." We're talking about one of the most exciting college football players ever, and no one who covers the sport liked him? He had no real off the field issues, unlike Winston and Newton. But instead, everybody just hates him. And now his own team has demoted him, before it ever gave him a real chance, because he was caught "partying."
By way of comparison, Jamis Winston- who is being talked up as an offensive rookie of the year candidate- hasn't passed for 300 yards in a single game yet. Manziel, in his best game to date, just passed for 372. Neither has Tyrod Taylor- whom no one is suggesting should be benched, despite the fact he hasn't passed for even 200 yards in half his starts. And Manziel can run as well as any of the running quarterbacks, but his coach mysteriously doesn't want him to do that.
The NFL's product has never been more mediocre than it is now. Here they have a potentially exciting young star, and yet the entire league, and the journalists covering it, are doing everything they can to stop him from reaching that potential. While they embrace youngsters with the most violent pasts imaginable, Manziel is labeled as a "character" concern because he...well, likes to party. This entire league has become a giant joke.
