The Reclamation Projects: Johnny Manziel / Robert Griffin III
Before we dive any further into this, let me make this clear: I’m not advocating that the Denver Broncos sign Johnny Manziel or Robert Griffin III; I’m simply saying it’s a possibility.
Now, let’s break this down.
In each case, we have a former Heisman Trophy winner who has shown both flashes of talent — brilliance, in RGIII‘s case — and elite-level knuckleheadity (if that’s not a word, it should be). Through this point in their careers, the latter has better come to represent their attitudes towards football, but they’re still young, which means that there may still be hope.
RGIII, 26, is a year removed from his last meaningful snap in the NFL and even further removed from his last meaningful injury — an important point. And while his stock resembles the DOW following the crash of the housing bubble, his numbers are actually fairly appealing:
PASSING: 63.9 perecent completion; 8,097 yards; 7.6 yards/attempt; 40 touchdowns; 23 interceptions
RUSHING: 1,480 yards; 6.1 yards/attempt; 8 touchdowns
Now, to be fair, those numbers don’t really tell the whole story; RGIII was a mess, both on the field and in the locker room, during his final season as the starter in Washington; any team that brings him in will be bringing in his baggage too.
Nonetheless, it makes sense. RGIII did achieve his best success under Mike Shanahan, Gary Kubiak‘s mentor.
Manziel is a different story, though. Unlike RGIII, Manziel hasn’t really ever shown the ability to win in the NFL, and, more importantly, his off-the-field issues are much more severe. In fact, they could be career ending.
It would be a waste to go into all of Manziel’s “issues” right now — I’m sure most everybody is aware of them anyway — but I can safely say that they are serious enough that I wouldn’t want him in Denver, no matter how high his upside is. I think the same should go for most every franchise in the NFL.
Manziel needs to take care of himself first, and then maybe we can start talking about a comeback story.
Still, I could see Elway making a play for either of these guys. While they’re both under contract for next season, they’re undoubtedly up for auction, and if that doesn’t work, they’ll be cut in due time. There’s enough there that a guy like John Elway could find himself thinking he could revitalize one of these guys’ career.
