Johnny Manziel regained the Browns starting QB position after losing it for 2 games due to lying about the time the infamous March Madness video took place. And he did very well, completing 21-31 passes for 270 yards, 1 TD and 1 pick, as well as 15 yards on the ground. Manziel looked very composed in the pocket, and used his feet and mobility outside of the pocket very well. He should’ve had another TD, but Brian Hartline fumbled before going into the endzone.
Manziel, who is a 2nd year Brown out of Texas A&M, provided the Browns with their first win in 7 games, the fans some hope, and most importantly, social media with some awesome footage. Here are some of the best Manziel moments from Sunday’s win against San Francisco, graded by yours truly:
Money Manziel Signing a $100 bill
Manziel signed a bunch of autographs before the game, and the best by far was when a fan gave Johnny 100 dollars in cold hard cash. What did Johnny do, you ask? He put his John Hancock on the bill, and wrote “Money Manziel”, while giving the peace sign to the fan afterwards.
Johnny, if you remember, gave up his signature Money Manziel hand gestures after he exited his voluntary rehab this past offseason. So, not only does he show he doesn’t give any f**** at all about what people think with his trademark, but he also defaced a $100 bill, which is an unenforced crime in America.
People would’ve been talking about this if he didn’t sign the dude’s dollar, so there’s no winning for Manziel in this one. However, he’s got the starting job back, and he put the Browns in the winning column this week.
Autograph execution: 10/10
Not giving 1 f*** about committing a federal crime: 10/10
Peace sign symbolizing him saying goodbye to loser critics: 20 points
Still signing the bill with cameras nearby: 18 points
Hearing the fan with headphones on, because they’re wasn’t too much money in his f****** hand: 10/10
Thirst for Benjamins: 25 points
Bringing back Money Manziel traditions: priceless
Overall: A+
Well done Johnny. Excellent execution, especially not caring, knowing people would moronically respond negatively to this.
Destroying a Surface Tablet With Your Head
#2 threw an ill-advised interception across his body, and on his back foot against the 49ers Sunday, where he scrambled out of the pocket and saw what appeared to be an open Brian Hartline. Manziel was not pleased going to the sideline, and after seeing the replay on the Microsoft Surface tablet, he did this:
The fact that he would risk getting a concussion just to provide us with entertainment says enough. The dude is the people’s guy. He “overreacted”, according to analysts whose lives revolve around worthless reporting, but if another guy did this, no one would bat an eye.
Johnny played very well the rest of the day, and he made it very clearly that it was a bad play by attacking the tablet with his steel head.
Precision of headbutting: 11 points
Unintentionally endorsing Microsoft tablets’ durability: 9.5/10
Vandalism: 9/10
Avoiding concussion protocol: 50 points
Reenacting Nike destroying the evidence of LeBron getting dunked on: 10/10
Overall: B+
I would’ve liked to see a body slam, or scattered shrapnel from the tablet. But Manziel has a reputation to build up, and for that, we thank you.
Overreacting on a first down that led to no points
The context of this situation comes about from Manziel almost getting sacked in the end zone, which would have resulted in a safety. However, 49ers LB Corey Lemonier grabbed his face mask, which resulted in an automatic first down, and a hilarious celebration video:
Manziel pointed his pistols like he was dominating Alabama in his college days. The fact that the drive resulted in no points for the Browns makes this celebration even funnier.
Johnny is more relaxed now, he understands the offensive, he reads plays and defenses better, and he has more fun under control now. That’s what I like to call a “guns out” approach:
Ignoring 2nd amendment controversy: 7.5/10
Overreaction: 15 points
Creativity – Double Meaning of Guns and Sexual Innuendo: 10/10
Vintage Cocky Manziel: 19 points
Giving Madden More Improvisational Celebration Ideas: 8/10
Rocking The Tongue Out: 9/10
Overall: A-
Manziel celebrated amazingly on a play that didn’t matter. I would like to see creativity moreso with touchdown drives as well.
Throwing a TD to Gary Barnidge
https://twitter.com/BeforeFamePics/status/676133079287799808/video/1
Manziel called an audible after noticing a certain defensive scheme from the 49ers. With the play clock quickly winding down to 0, Manziel changed the play, got the ball snapped, and quickly threw a beautiful pass to Gary Barnidge, giving the Browns 6 more points.
Could you imagine a team with Johnny Football, Josh Gordon, Terrelle Pryor, Duke Johnson, and Barnidge, with Jon Gruden?
The answer is 0. But hey, I can dream, can’t I? Anything is possible now that the Browns finally won another game.
Noticing defensive scheme: 30 points
Audible execution: 10/10
TD Celebration: 3.5/10
Doing The Impossible – Making Mike Pettine Really Happy: 11/10
Putting His Money Where The Haters’ Mouths Are: 10/10
Making Browns Fans Happy Again: see below
Overall: A
Beautiful touchdown throw right on the money (lol puns), but I would’ve liked to see a TD celebration, like a choke sign, a rendition of Joe Horn’s “cell-ebration”, or even telling the haters to kiss his a** like Randy Moss. But the points matter in this situation more, unlike the points involved in my unknown algorithms for my grading system.
Getting Really Excited For Teammates on Live TV
Manziel is portrayed by the media to be a selfish me-guy who doesn’t appreciate the NFL game and his opportunity (which I think is total BS). However, Johnny, to my knowledge, has never put out any bad talk about anyone, and always gives the credit to his teammates. He does so on live TV here:
(Don’t show this to anyone who thinks this dude doesn’t care about his teammates)
To my knowledge, living near the guy, he cares a lot about Cleveland and enjoys it here, despite what Stephen A. Smith tells us. The way he has played recently, turning the corner, and his new attitude on the game of football, it’s apparent that we have our future QB.
Sailor Talk: 15 points
Congratulating Lineman I Never Heard of Until Sunday: 9/10
Super Great Attitude: 20 points
Gotta Lotta Energy: 10/10
Being Excited Knowing Cameras Are Watching And Knowing No One Would Talk About This, But Instead the “Negatives”: 10/10
Smile (Since I Have 3 Dentist Generations In My Family): 14 points
Overall: A++
Great job Johnny, A+++++ for giving this fan base life again.
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Joey Kinsley, Founder, Writer, Lake Erie Sports
Follow me on Twitter @KinsleyLES, and our Twitter @LakeErieSports.
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