Skip to main content

Barry Switzer: Johnny Manziel needs to earn respect of Browns

Former college and NFL head coach Barry Switzer believes Johnny Manziel needs to earn the respect of his Cleveland Browns teammates to be successful as a professional.
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

Former college and NFL head coach Barry Switzer believes Johnny Manziel needs to earn the respect of his Cleveland Browns teammates to be successful as a professional.

Switzer, speaking on The Oklahoman's The Non-Fiction Writers podcast, first talked about Manziel's behavior since being drafted.

More: All-Prove-It Team: Players that need to step up in 2014

The former coach went on to praise Manziel, saying he was "the most dynamic quarterback I've ever seen in college," and complimenting how Manziel was able to put up impressive numbers against good defenses while playing for Texas A&M.

But Switzer said Manziel ultimately can't have success in the NFL unless his teammates respect and support him.

Manziel was criticized by some for partying this summer after he was taken in the first round of the NFL draft by the Browns. 

More: AFC North preview: QB play could decide division

Since training camp began, Manziel reportedly was late to a team meeting, has reportedly struggled to learn the team's playbook and flipped off the opposing bench in Cleveland's preseason game against the Washington Redskins on Monday.

On Tuesday, the Browns named Brian Hoyer the starter over Manziel, with the rookie agreeing with the team that he isn't yet ready to be the starter.

Ben Estes