Johnny Manziel has been a target of derision since entering the NFL as the No. 22 overall pick in 2014 thanks to his off-the-field misbehavior and his disappointing performance on it. Those factors have combined to force Johnny Football into a backup role behind new acquisition Josh McCown.
Having a first round pick in a backup role seems like a good problem to have, but in Cleveland's case, it's not such a good look. In fact, according to NFL.com's rankings there's only one team in the NFL with a worse backup-the San Francisco 49ers.
That's right, NFL.com listed Blaine Gabbert, once the 10th overall pick in the 2011 Draft. As the NFL's weakest reserve quarterback. The reputation is well-deserved. Since 2011, Gabbert has thrown more interceptions (24) than touchdown passes (23), and topped out at 2,214 yards passing. He has been picked off at least once in more than half his games played, and was sacked 40 times in his rookie campaign for a loss of nearly 300 yards. He also fumbled 14 times as a rookie, and let the ball hit the ground 21 times in 29 games.
Gabbert only made one appearance last season for his new team, the San Francisco 49ers, and went 3-for-7 for 38 yards and a touchdown.
In Manziel's limited time on the field he showed a flash of his rushing ability in his second game of seeing action when he rushed for a touchdown. He was handed the starting job after that, but completed just 50 percent of his passes in two games, for 112 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns. He posted a QB rating of 29.6, presided over a 30-0 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and then got hurt.
[NFL.com]
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