http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ly-lied-to-browns-about-age-of-partying-video
Johnny Manziel Reportedly Lied to Browns About Age of Partying Video
By Timothy Rapp, Featured Columnist
More information has surfaced regarding the video of Cleveland Browns signal-caller
Johnny Manziel partying over the weekend and his
subsequent demotion to third-string quarterback for the team's game against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.
According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports (via
Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report), Manziel lied to the Browns about the video, telling them it was old footage. He also reportedly told his friends who shot the footage to lie as well.
Manziel spent 10 weeks in an addiction treatment center earlier in the year as he attempted to get sober. But according to
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, "Sources close to Manziel believe he's relapsed from his program of sobriety."
There were hints that was the case after Manziel admitted to drinking on the afternoon of Oct. 12, when he had a dispute with his girlfriend, Colleen Crowley. Though he was later cleared by the
NFL of domestic violence and wasn't suspended, the ordeal was "a red flag for the Browns organization," per Cabot.
And according to
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Browns felt betrayed when Manziel didn't remain close to the facility over the bye week, as they hoped the young quarterback would lay low.
It remains to be seen if the 2014 first-round draft pick will ever start for the Browns again. While he has made strides on the field, throwing for 933 yards and five touchdowns with just two interceptions in five games, his off-field concerns remain an issue and the Browns may not be keen to give him many more chances to prove himself.
Pettine and the organization surely feel they can't trust him at this point, and his demotion to third string suggests he'll have another hill to climb to earn that trust back. If he doesn't do so this season, it's possible the Browns will simply cut tied altogether in the offseason.
