Clear-headed and focused, Johnny Manziel still has his sights set on NFL

As his new $82.5 million contract indicates, Mike Evans has developed into one of the best receivers in the NFL. Someday, Evans might be just as good a general manager. Unfortunately, that will be too late for him to sign Johnny Manziel.

Of course, Manziel is hoping to resume his NFL career after partying himself out of it. As a part of his long climb back, Manziel was throwing at Texas A&M’s Pro Day on Tuesday.

Evans, who caught 151 passes for 2,499 yards and 17 touchdowns as Manziel’s favorite target at A&M in 2012 and ‘13, was among dozens of spectators watching. Those spectators did not include President George Bush or an array of NFL head coaches, which was the case when Manziel essentially had his own Pro Day in 2013.

“That was a circus,” Manziel admitted.

There was no circus atmosphere this time. It was just business. Afterward, Evans gave Manziel his endorsement.

“You’ve seen some of the (NFL) quarterbacks and what they’ve done,” Evans said. “He’s better than a lot of quarterbacks, I think.”

Yet, Evans acknowledged Manziel may be a pro football pariah.

“Some guys are untouchable,” Evans said. "Most GMs think he’s a high risk. It’s the politics of sports. It’s beyond my head. As far as what I think, I think he’s a starting quarterback in the NFL.”

Manziel proved he can play in the NFL on Dec. 13, 2015. That day, despite playing behind a suspect offensive line and throwing to marginal receivers, he passed for 270 yards and a touchdown to lead the Cleveland Browns to a 24-10 victory over San Francisco.

That was one of two games Manziel started that season in which the Browns won. That doesn’t seem like much until you consider this amazing fact: Cleveland has gone 1-38 since that game.

But imagine you’re not an A&M fan. Think of yourself as an NFL general manager. Your career, your mortgage, your spouse’s happiness and your children’s college education is dependent on the personnel decisions you make.

Would you take a chance on Johnny Manziel? 

The guy who did — former Browns GM Ray Farmer, was fired, though the selection of Manziel was just one of many reasons for his dismissal.

Then there is the Colin Kaepernick issue. He too is an NFL pariah. Many believe it’s because of refusal to stand for the National Anthem, though his play swiftly deteriorated after helping the San Francisco 49ers reach the Super Bowl in the 2013 season.

Some might not want to try to justify signing Manziel and not Kaepernick.

Yet, as Evans alluded, there is a dearth of NFL-caliber quarterbacks. That’s why guys like Brian Hoyer — who Manziel replaced in Cleveland — are still on an NFL roster.

That’s why Manziel might get another shot. But for him to get a second chance will require a GM to take one and — at least to some degree — bet his livelihood on Manziel.

Rey Romo, TexAgs

Manziel participated in the Aggies' pro day on Tuesday morning, throwing pass routes to Christian Kirk and other players. 

For his part, Manziel said all the right things after the Pro Day, which started with him expressing his appreciation to the other JFF (Jimbo Freaking Fisher).

“I need to say thanks to Coach Fisher,” Manziel said. “For him to be like that and roll out the red carpet especially at a time in my life where I don’t feel like I made the school exactly proud all the time...”

Manziel's gratitude was obvious, and Fisher graciously accepted it.

“This is not a 4-year decision (going to A&M),” he said. “It’s a 40-year decision. Or 60-year decision or an 80-year decision. However long you’re here you’re part of this family forever.”

Then Fisher added: 

“What I saw of him throwing the football, it looked like he threw it very well.”

A&M receiver Christian Kirk, who’s projected as a first round pick in the draft next month, agreed. He played a big role in bringing Manziel back for Pro Day.

“I had talked to Johnny back in January about it,” Kirk said. “I definitely asked him, ‘Hey man, if you have the opportunity I’d love you to come back for pro day.’ He said he’d be ready. We decided to do it. He came out and killed it. We’re helping each other.”

Manziel also said he’s getting help from his parents, his sister, his agent, an advisor and his wife, Bre.

“I have a good team around me,” he said. “I’ve cut off a lot of the leeches that had been around me in my life, and it was really needed and really necessary.”

Again, Manziel said the right things. 

More importantly, he reportedly has been doing the right things. He recently revealed he’d been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He said treatment and therapy have made a big difference for him.

“I cannot do what I want to do football-wise if I don’t do what I need to do mental health-wise,” Manziel said.  “If I’m not going to see a psychiatrist and a psychologist at least a couple times a week, if I’m not taking my medicine every day that I need to take, I’m not the same person. 

“I see it. First things first. I can’t be me without doing the necessary steps to get my head right. That’s just a fact. It took me awhile to overcome that and get where I’m comfortable with that. When I did I started seeing improvement in all aspects of my life.”

Whether that improvement includes his football life remains to be seen.

He’ll compete in a little-known upstart spring league. Canada remains an option. But he’s obviously hopeful an NFL opportunity arises before teams open training camps in July.

He also realizes that would take a general manager who will overlook his checkered past and take a chance.

“I feel like I’m better,” Manziel said. “I can say that all day. Until I really get the opportunity to show it day in and day out and show this consistent run of good behavior, of good health going, then it’s all for naught. I’m confident I will.

“I’m preaching to myself consistency, consistency every day."