Eric Mangini former Browns head coach, Shaun Draughn former backup/practice squad running back, and Phil Dawson, former Browns hero, are all returning to Cleveland to battle their former franchise in week 14 of the NFL season as members of the San Francisco 49er’s.
I can only imagine what the paper bags and signs from the fans will say this week.
Browns fans this season have been subject to solid performances from former players thus far; for example Terrance West from the last matchup against Baltimore, Buster Skrine, T.J. Ward … so it wouldn’t be a surprise to me if we see more solid performances from the likes of Dawson who is more than comfortable kicking in that stadium to say the very least, Draughn who has the start for the Niner’s, and defensive coordinator Mangini, whose defense is playing considerably better than Cleveland’s.
All three would love nothing more than to have the their best game of the season against this franchise that is not only vulnerable from on and off the field tension, but also has clearly gone nowhere in a hurry since their departures.
Cleveland punter, Andy Lee, will also be facing off against his former team which traded him to the Browns for a 7th round pick, so you can also assume that he will want to perform well against his former team like most if not all players in the NFL would.
The return that everyone will be anticipating, however, is the return of Johnny Manziel; a.k.a. Jonathan Paul Football. After losing his starting position to both Josh McCown, and Austin Davis, Johnny has regained the starting role after Davis and the offense could only put up 3 points in their excruciating loss to the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday.
Now, let me be clear… this team may have no other viable options at the quarterback position, but I say he is THE option. If the Browns lose this game it will not be because of Johnny. He lacks playmakers around him, offensive linemen are in and out thanks to injuries and lack of “consistency”, and the defense is the biggest mystery to everyone in Cleveland, including the players AND coaches. But if the Browns win, Johnny will be mostly responsible for it – hold on – please allow me explain myself.
Think outside the box with me; this current Cleveland team is not only lacking talent and health, this team is lacking energy, motivation, togetherness and “swagg.” (putting it lightly) And what can Manziel provide? Answer: Energy, and “swagg”, which in turn will motivate the players around him.
And nothing brings people together like winning. It’s the thing that keeps everyone tuning into the “Johnny Watch”, that is, every time Manziel hits the field, you watch to see what he is going to do next whether it is for the better or for the worse.
The “IT” factor. I believe THAT will provide enough of a spark for the Browns to squeak out a victory against a confident, but just “Ok”, San Francisco team. Final verdict; Browns win a close one all thanks to the play making ability of one Johnny Manziel.
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