Johnny Manziel may be a year older, but is he a year wiser?
Fresh off his five-figure 24th birthday festivities in Miami, the NFL flameout continued the celebrations at Catch LA on Tuesday, where he caught up with his friends from TMZ. Before he and his party crew left the club, a cameraman quizzed Manziel about fellow Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and this year’s favorite, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson.
“Cam’s the man, Heisman Trophy winner brother. Monday night, Lamar Jackson’s taking it home,” Manziel said before slamming the car door in the camera crew’s face.
Asked if the Louisville product will be Cleveland’s next (or first) savior, Manziel fiercely shook his finger.
“Lamar’s going to go somewhere else,” Manziel warned/predicted.
Jackson, a true sophomore whose electric throwing and running highlights have drawn comparisons to Michael Vick (or vintage Manziel), is poised to be a No. 1 pick … in the 2018 NFL Draft, the first year he’s eligible.
If the winless Browns don’t address the quarterback position with the likely No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, which is notably lacking in franchise-caliber passers, expect Jackson to leap to the top of their wish list the following spring.
Manziel’s career has gone in the opposite direction since he was drafted in the first round in 2014. Following two losing seasons filled with off-field transgressions, the Browns cut ties with Manziel in March. After super-agent Drew Rosenhaus took him on as a client, Manziel’s erratic behavior ultimately ruined the relationship. Despite attempts to get sober, Manziel continues to hit the bottle; he recently was documented chugging whiskey at 8 in the morning.
Manziel was indicted in May after allegedly striking ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley during an argument earlier this year. He reached a deal last week to have the assault charges dropped if he complies with certain conditions, including his participation in a substance abuse program.