NFL 2016

[Cutz]

Production trumps everything.

Manziel's crime was being cocky and stupid AND shitty on the field. The one unforgivable sin.

I'd agree with you in 95% of cases. Chris Carter had a consuming coke habit, got cut from Philly, woke up to his problems and went on to have a productive career. Ricky Williams had to spend 3 years out of football to wake up to his problems, came back to become a solid fullback. The difference between them and Manziel is that Johnny isn't realizing his problems. He's continuing to let his off-field issues consume him.

Sometimes production is overshadowed by character. AFC Wild-Card game last year. Bengals leading Steelers 16-15, time ticking down. Burfict (selected in the 7^th round, character concerns) gets an illegal hit to the head on 4^th down. Adam "Pacman" Jones (first round selection that bounced around teams to Canada for a year because of legal trouble/shootings) gets a second penalty in the ensuing drama. Steelers get 30 yards from penalties and kick the game winning field goal. Burfict gets suspended 3 games for repeated targeting. Jones catches a 10k fine.

Point is, those guys are both productive players that teams avoid for character reasons. The Bengals didn't and they were both key players for their playoff run... and they lost their 97^th playoff game in a row because of character. Neither of them has changed despite having all the reason to. Manziel is more like them. Even if Manziel was doing well, he'd lose the hardest games because he doesn't put in the preparation time.