Leadoff with Lee 2.3.16

By @cleeverizon


Did you really think this was going to end well? I did to be honest.

It was only a matter of time before the Cleveland Browns tossed quarterback Johnny Manziel to the side of the road and said, “Find your own ride.”

The words “his status” and “will be addressed” all but told us that Manziel will be gone when the new season officially starts on March 9. On that day, the salary cap will increase, allowing for Cleveland to get rid of the 23-year-old who many thought two years ago could be the team’s franchise quarterback.

Some fans may ask, why don't the Browns release him the day after the Super Bowl?

The Browns have no salary cap room because they have carried over $18M to the 2016 league year which starts Mar 9th. The Browns will eat $4,624,170 in cap when Manziel is released in March. He has told people the Dallas Cowboys, LA Rams and Kansas City Chiefs are interested in him.

According to league sources, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wants out of San Francisco after a forgettable 2015 that included on-field struggles that resulted in a benching midway through the season and a coaching change after it. According to sources, the Jets are his preferred destination. If this potential draft day trade happens, there is a possibility that free agent to be Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel may find a home in the Bay area.

Why does this make sense? He was highly recruited out of high school before deciding on Texas A&M. Other offers he received came from Colorado State, Baylor Louisiana Tech, Iowa, Rice, Tulsa,Wyoming and Stanford. Although he was a cornerback/quarterback, Texas wanted him bad. Manziel was originally committed to play for Oregon, he later changed his commitment to the Aggies. The simple connection is Chip Kelly wanted Manziel out of college. So, to me, I'm sure he wants to give him a try in running his offense.