North: Some free advice for Johnny Football
After Johnny Manziel's horrendous NFL debut as a starter for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, a 30-0 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, his haters were out in full force.
It was the perfect storm. Cincinnati stopped Manziel a few times early with three downs and out, and the Bengals built an early 17-0 lead. The Bengals dominated the time of possession by almost 18 minutes, and Manziel looked flustered and threw high on most of his passes.
This weekend, the Browns play Carolina and I'm expecting some improvement from Manziel.
Here's my advice to the rookie: put away the money signs, be ready to play, and try to beat the Panthers.
If he plays adequately, his first NFL game, which earned the lowest Total QB rating (1.0) by any starting quarterback this season, will be forgotten.
The NFL is littered with great, good and high-priced players who had horrible debuts. Maybe there's still a $126 million contract in Manziel's future like the very average Jay Cutler.
If we see more of the same in his second start, I'll be the first to criticize, but let's hope for the NFL's sake that Manziel plays better because he is a definite draw.
I watched a Cincinnati-Browns game with no monetary interest because I wanted to see him. That kind of pull only continues if he can play and win, so I'm hoping he can because Sunday was about as bad a game as a QB could play.
Kobe passes MJ:
Kobe Bryant passed Michael Jordan on the all-time points list to now rank third behind Kareem Abdul- Jabbar and Karl Malone.
Kobe, it should be noted, played in 197 more games to break Jordan's record and has taken more shots than any player in NBA history.
I thought his last $42 million contract was ill-advised by the Los Angeles Lakers with Kobe past his prime at 36, but I like him more now than I ever did. Kobe always patterned himself after MJ, and his tenacity and work ethic are admirable.
Jordan sent a message of congrats to Bryant and seems to like him, and maybe after watching his Charlotte Hornets Jordan appreciates a guy with as much passion for the game as he had.
If Kobe wants to win a sixth ring, I don't think it will happen with the Lakers, though.
Hey how about the Bulls? Rose and Bryant in the back court − oh well, my mind just drifted!
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