Johnny Manziel is backtracking from some candid comments about his experience with the Browns that made it seem as if the quarterback was blaming Cleveland for his NFL failures.
In an interview Wednesday with "The Dan Patrick Show," Manziel said the Browns should have realized he didn't dedicate himself to film study or game preparation. "If Cleveland did any of their homework they would have known I wasn't a guy who came in every day and watched film," he said. "I wasn't a guy who really knew the X's and O's of football."
Unsurprisingly, those quotes spawned immediate backlash, lending credence to the notion Manziel isn't worthy of a second chance in the NFL. The 2014 first-round pick attempted to add more context to his statement on Twitter after the interview had aired.
"Draft a QB in the first round and put him into a toxic Quarterback room vs. what it was like my second year with McCown. COMPLETELY different situation," Manziel wrote. "It's all about the right fit and mine in Cleveland wasn't right. That's just the facts. I also have nobody to blame but myself."
Despite two miserable seasons in Cleveland and constant erratic behavior –– including a couple of domestic violence incidents –– NFL teams appear interested in bringing Manziel aboard for another opportunity. Multiple clubs, including the Patriots, saw him throw twice at workouts last month. The Patriots reportedly met with Manziel as well.
The interest in Manziel stands in stark contrast to the apparent indifference surrounding Colin Kaepernick, who still desires to play in the NFL. Manziel has vouched for Kaepernick, praising the pass-thrower for his charitable work and societal impact.
If NFL clubs truly think Manziel has changed, then some off-hand comments he made in a radio interview shouldn't affect his comeback chances. But still, if Kaepernick touted his lack of preparation, it's unlikely he would receive the benefit of the doubt.
Through no fault of Manziel's own, the double-standard seems to persist.
