Johnny Manziel hopes to make teams regret passing on him in draft
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel said he has a chip on his shoulder for any teams that passed on him in May's NFL draft, including the Houston Texans, according to the Plain Dealer in Cleveland.
The Texans had the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft, and there was speculation they would take Texas-native Manziel with it. Manziel said he was told he was in the "top range of picks" the Texans were looking at, but they elected to pick defensive end Javedeon Clowney instead. Manziel dropped to No. 22 before the Browns selected him with their second pick of the first round.
"I think when my time comes, and I have a chance to play and show what I'm made of in this league, hopefully, I do make some people regret not taking me," said Manziel.
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The rookie lost a preseason battle for the Browns starting quarterback job to veteran Brian Hoyer and has appeared in two games this season, playing five snaps and attempting one pass.
Manziel won the Heisman Trophy in 2012 after throwing for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman at Texas A&M. He followed it up with 4,114 yards and 37 touchdown passes in 2013 before declaring for the draft.
Earlier this month, Browns general manager Ray Farmer said if he could do it over again, he'd still pick Manziel in the first round and believes the rookie can be a starter in the NFL.
Cleveland (6-3) hosts the Texans (4-5) on Sunday.
- Molly Geary
