New Orleans Saints: Johnny Manziel Interest A Fascinating Gamble
By Erik Lambert
Drew Brees remains the unquestioned starter for the New Orleans Saints, but they know his time in the NFL is beginning to wind down.
Not a surprise given he just turned 38-years old. At this point there is just no telling when Brees will finally reach that point of no return every pro player experiences. Thus the team is forced into a difficult task. Who can they pursue in order to find a potential successor? Of course it starts with the draft. Word is the team is doing their homework on all the top prospects including Patrick Mahomes and Davis Webb. However, it appears they may have a more creative solution to the problem.
Creative and risky. According to Ian Rapoport, head coach Sean Payton has been in steady contact with former 1st round pick Johnny Manziel, who has been in the process of attempting an NFL comeback. It’s seems the Saints might be interested depending on if they trust his commitment is sincere.
Sources: #Saints coach Sean Payton & Johnny Manziel were spotted together Super Bowl week, at breakfast. They discussed a return to football
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2017
FA QB Johnny Manziel has kept a low-profile as he trains for a return. #Saints coach Sean Payton appears to have taken an interest in him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2017
Risk-Reward
Manziel was one of the bigger draft disappointments of the past five years. A ridiculously talented athlete at the quarterback position who produced boatloads of highlights at Texas A&M. Most felt if he could get over his partying ways and mature, he’d become a star at the pro level. Unfortunately he didn’t. Alcohol and drug problems persisted and his work ethic deteriorated. Eventually the Cleveland Browns couldn’t take it anymore and he was released. He hasn’t set foot on a field since. Now he’s apparently sobered up and ready to reclaim his career.
Give his history, it’s a somewhat terrifying idea to bring him on the roster. At the same time there is a potential brilliance behind it. Manziel is still just 24-years old. Sean Payton is one of the best offensive minds in football and a maestro with quarterbacks. Brees is a the cosummate professional, somebody who knows how to conduct himself on and off the field. If there are any two men that Johnny Football should learn from, it’s them.
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The potential payoff for New Orleans. A talented young backup who could be that heir to the throne down the road if everything were to go as planned.