Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has made plenty of bad personnel moves over the years.
Most recently, his decision to sign defensive end Greg Hardy this past offseason was not very wise nor was his idea of getting rid of running back DeMarco Murray.
But nothing he’s ever done or ever could do would be more harmful to the organization than if he were to sign Johnny Manziel.
Earlier this week, Jones hinted at the possibility of going after Manziel if he were to become available this offseason, which is likely considering the Cleveland Browns seem ready to wash their hands of the 2014 first-round draft pick.
Manziel is undoubtedly gifted athletically, but he has proven to be nothing but trouble off the field dating back to his days at Texas A&M.
People who are surprised of his unruly behavior shouldn’t be because the writing was on the wall.
In 2012, a 19-year-old Manziel was arrested in College Station for fighting and booked for disorderly conduct, failing to show proper ID and carrying a fake driver’s license.
At that time, no one knew who “Johnny Football” was as he had yet to win the Heisman Trophy. But all the signs were there. He was a spoiled, overindulged troublemaker then and nothing has changed.
This past season was a complete roller coaster ride. He began the offseason by checking himself into rehab for an undisclosed matter, but it’s pretty obvious the boy has a drinking problem and probably has had one for many years.
After rehab, he entered training camp supposedly a new man, dedicated to showing the world he was worthy of being an NFL QB.
Yeah, right.
Manziel went from a starter to a backup QB several times this past season and along the way continued to be involved in off-the-field incidents that would eventually lead to a two-game suspension at one point late in the season.
Manziel’s future with the Browns now rests in the hands of whoever ownership brings in to run the team as both Cleveland’s GM and head coach were fired at the end of the season.
It’s possible the new regime may decide to keep him, but why? There’s no up side to keeping him. The reward is not worth the risk.
And Jerry Jones needs to keep that in mind should the Browns cut him loose. Johnny Football is done. He has proven that he is not mature enough to be a professional football player in the NFL.
Even Cowboys legend Daryl Johnston doesn’t like the idea of Manziel moving to Dallas.
“It’s not because of the talent and it’s not because of the style of play,” Johnston told TMZ Sports when asked about Manziel. “He’s still making some poor choices out there and that’s in Cleveland, and that’s traveling to other places. If you’re in Dallas, you don’t have to go far to get into trouble. I think he needs to grow and mature a little bit. I just don’t think the fit here in Dallas may be the right place for this time in his career.”
What career?
It’s possible that Manziel will one day grow up and get a clue, but in the meantime why should any NFL team bother giving him any more chances?
For once, he needs to learn that actions have consequences. For once, he needs to learn humility.
During his heydays at A&M, Manziel became famous for making the “show me the money” sign. It’s now time that the NFL show him the door.
That means you too, Houston Texans. Don’t even think about it.
Follow Dave Favila on Twitter @dfavila
