Crazy Like a Fox: Could Rivers’ Successor Be in the Form of Johnny Manziel?

Johnny Manziel? It sounds crazy, right? just hear me out. I’m sure some of you have strong feelings about the kid either way or the other. After all, he had some of the highest potential as a quarterback we have seen recently, at least in comparisons to some of the recent quarterbacks to come out. With a few exceptions. I mean the kid can throw on the run like nobody’s business from either his back or lead foot, either rolling left or right. Instead of reaching anywhere near close to his potential we all witnessed a downward spiral of destruction.

Of course, this is a high-risk high reward type scenario in which the organization needs to protect themselves. It's really not such a crazy idea, however, considering he posted a Snapchat of himself holding a football with a charger logo. Whether that means he had a private workout or not is unknown as he nor the team has actually said anything. There has been a buzz around the combine that several teams are willing to bring him in. If he would be willing to sub-come to a drug test say 2-3 times per week would be first and foremost. If he is indeed willing, then you can start to toy with the notion. The organization might even be able to get away with not even guaranteeing him a roster spot or giving him an incentive based contract.

He would then have a year to prove that he genuinely wants to be there and is genuinely striving to become a better teammate and better quarterback. Johnny could really benefit learning from a guy like Philip Rivers. After all these years its no secret and more of a commonly known fact that Phillip Rivers is not shy in voicing his displeasure. Leading me to believe that if Manziel would commit to a “prove it” inherit the team type situation that Rivers would do much more then help to keep him on track or let him hear it if he was slipping up. Obviously, if he does not show his seriousness or show his improvement then you can let him walk after one year.

Worst case scenario it becomes a short-lived experiment, or it brings great PR. What a comeback story it would be! Once upon a time, I remember another quarterback who was deemed a party boy who wasn't focused on football. That guy was run out of Atlanta for being a drunk and his name was Brett Favre, the rest is history. I try to look at things objectively. What if you were an 18-year-old kid and became the first ever Heisman winner. Thrust into instant stardom to its max all while being at a party school. How would you handle lit as your 18-year-old self? He obviously didn't handle it well.

According to recovery logic, if he truly felt he hit rock bottom then the bounce back could be a real possibility and not a Greg Hardy pretend attempt at rehabilitation. Some naysayers will say he didn't look that great when he got his playing time. However, I think he still showed flashes considering his age and the fact that he was apart of the black hole of a franchise that is Cleveland. I say the risk is more than worth the reward. Not only could it become a great comeback story he also has the personality to match a new Los Angeles market. Plus given the opportunity to sit for the next two years to mature gives him the chance to do so that he should have done to begin with, not to mention he probably has more talent on a bad day than Kellen Clemens on his best. All while saving a draft pick.