Browns tired of Johnny Manziel’s antics, point to release
The Browns are about to throw Johnny Football away.
The team issued a strong statement Tuesday, condemning QB Johnny Manziel’s actions and pointing to his release in March, a move that has seemed inevitable for months.
The conduct by the 23-year-old player – rampant partying, two domestic incidents and a general lack of commitment – have been a major problem almost from the day Cleveland drafted the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner in the first round two years ago.
Last weekend, Manziel was involved in a disturbance with his ex-girlfriend in Dallas that is being investigated by police and the NFL.
“We’ve been clear about expectations for our players on and off the field,” said Sashi Brown, the team’s vice president of football operations. “Johnny’s continual involvement in incidents that run counter to those expectations undermines the hard work of his teammates and the reputation of our organization. His status with our team will be addressed when permitted by league rules.”
The Browns, who drafted Manziel with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2014 draft, can release him as early as Monday, the day after the Super Bowl. But salary-cap implications point to the move happening March 9.
The expected end to his run in Cleveland will conclude two turbulent seasons for the electrifying college star known as Johnny Football, whose arrival with the Browns prompted enthusiasm and a belief by some fans that he could bring the Browns back to respectability.
Randle denies gambling
Troubled former Cowboys running back Joseph Randle denied a report that he was cut by the team midway through the 2015 season in part because he was betting on sports.
Randle responded via text message: “No truth at all.”
According to a report by The Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys released Randle in early November because they learned he had been involved in sports gambling in addition to the well-chronicled bizarre behavior he displayed and a pending NFL suspension.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledged the organization had gambling concerns about Randle in an interview with the Morning News, but Jones and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league had no knowledge of Randle being involved in sports gambling and never investigated him for it.
Quick kicks
DE Vinny Curry and the Eagles agreed on a five-year contract. Curry is expected to start for the first time in his career now that Jim Schwartz is the new defensive coordinator and the Eagles are switching back to a 4-3 defense. … The Raiders are still seeking answers about the neck injury that sidelined rookie DL Mario Edwards Jr. Edwards got hurt Dec. 20 against Green Bay and missed the final two games of the season. The Raiders have not divulged any specifics about the injury other than calling it “significant.”