Fear of a Quarterback: The Johnny Manziel Effect on the Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns have been in desperate need of a quarterback, so why are fans so scared for the team to draft one? Let’s take a deep psychological dive into fan psyche, and see what Johnny Football might have to do with all of this.
Ever since coming back to the league, the Cleveland Browns quarterback position has been consistently lacking. No matter where the “New Browns” might have sporadic pockets of talent, it has never been at quarterback.
In fact, it can be argued that no good signal-caller has worn orange and brown since Bernie Kosar packed up to go to Dallas in 1993. When Kosar left, it seems that he took with him the soul of every potential Browns quarterback to come after him.
Yes, most every Browns fan knows the story, so I’ll spare the little details. Twenty-eight starting quarterbacks since 1999, and only two with a record of .500 or better. And yet, none of Cleveland’s starting quarterbacks have had an effect on the Dawg Pound’s current psyche quite like one Johnny Manziel.
Manziel is, to say the least, one of the biggest draft busts of this decade. A 6-foot former Heisman winner raised in Texas, although electric on the field, just could not be the savior that Cleveland football needed due to off-field concerns, and his knack for being overly cocky.
It was around mid-point in the draft process that something became crystal clear: Johnny Manziel has put a quarterback-based fear in the hearts of Cleveland Browns fans. Essentially, this “Manziel Effect” has scared Browns fans of drafting quarterbacks high.
Really, it’s easy to see why fans are so fearful. As mentioned earlier, 28 quarterbacks have come into Berea in the past two decades. None have left the Browns with anything more than very minimal amounts of success.
Let’s transition, just for a moment, to 2018’s No. 1 pick, Baker Mayfield. A 6-foot former Heisman winner raised in Texas, electric on the field, but some have torn him down due to off-field concerns and a bit of cockiness. Wait a second, could this mean that Baker Mayfield is the next Johnny Manziel?
No. Let’s put that untrue (and frankly, lazy) comparison right to bed, right here and right now. Mayfield is only comparable to Manziel on the surface, at first glance. Really, we need to put that era of Browns football behind us, and stop being fearful of this position.
2018 was the first time since 1999 that the Browns actually took “their guy” at quarterback, right at the top of the draft. The Browns, now armed with Tyrod Taylor, have a good support system in place to let Baker learn. Let’s allow the coaching staff to do their thing, and decide right course of action.
Next: Early team MVP candidates
It is time to stop the Manziel Effect from ruining the lives of Browns fans. I beg of you, do not be scared of drafting quarterbacks. Trust this front office, and let them pick their guy. Do not be afraid. It is time, finally, for this signal-caller’s tragedy to end in Cleveland.