Puskas: Manziel wearing out his welcome

The sad story of Johnny Manziel can be summed up in four words:

Too much, too soon.

Too much adulation. Too much money. Too much booze. Too much partying — which apparently started again after a lengthy rehab stay.

And, of course, too little accountability and responsibility.

The latest revelation came Friday when it was announced Manziel was stopped by police Monday while arguing with his girlfriend along the side of the road. Both admitted to drinking alcohol.

Can Manziel play? We may never get a definitive answer to the question that has been kicked around ever since the Browns selected him with the 23rd pick of the 2014 NFL draft.

All we know for sure is that Manziel talks a good game. He wants to be an NFL quarterback, a good teammate and a leader. He wants to leave the Johnny Football lifestyle behind.

But talk is cheap. Manziel doesn’t seem to get that NFL players — or bankers, used-car salesman or sportswriters — aren’t just judged on what they promise to do. We’re all judged, ultimately, on what gets done.

And, as it seems for Manziel, what can’t get done.

Manziel can’t seem to back up his talk by making good decisions.

Drinking all day with your girlfriend, then getting into an argument with her while driving 90 mph and passing cars on a freeway berm?

Not good decisions.

Despite his protests to the contrary, Manziel doesn’t seem to have changed much from his Texas A&M days. His family always had money, but then came fame and later an NFL contact and even more money.

Manziel has always seemed more enamored with fame and money and being Johnny Football than doing what it takes to become a credible NFL quarterback.

Why?

Too much, too soon.

The kid has never had to work for anything. That’s one reason Brian Hoyer couldn’t see fit to tutor Manziel, as the Browns’ grand plan of 2014 was laid out. Manziel couldn’t show up for meetings and practices on time.

Hoyer couldn’t wait to get out of Cleveland — his own hometown — because it was clear the Browns weren’t invested in him. Owner Jimmy Haslam was invested in the kid quarterback, work habits and maturity be damned.

But after rehab, Manziel assured everyone that was the old Johnny. The new one was dedicated to being a better man, teammate and quarterback. Early reports were that Manziel seemed to have matured and had a better grasp of the offense. Teammates and coaches spoke glowingly of him.

Manziel even stepped in for an injured Josh McCown and made several big plays as the Browns beat the Tennessee Titans. His performance renewed calls for him to become the starter.

But McCown has played extremely well and Manziel has been afterthought the last few weeks. Maybe that was part of the problem.

Whatever it is, Manziel is wearing out his welcome in Cleveland.

Can the kid play? Maybe, maybe not. But Manziel’s off-the-field mistakes may prevent the question from ever being answered.

Write Sports Editor Ed Puskas at epuskas@vindy.com and follow him on Twitter, @EdPuskas_Vindy.