Joe Haden, Karlos Dansby Comment on Teammate Johnny Manziel's Future with Browns

After being selected 22nd overall in the 2014 NFL draft out of Texas A&M, expectations for quarterback Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns were high. However, poor play in limited playing time, along with a reported lack of commitment to preparation, dampened spirits.

Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden is in Manziel's corner as the maligned signal-caller attempts to get his NFL career on track ahead of his second season.

Haden spoke with NFL.com's Marc Sessler about Manziel, suggesting the former Heisman Trophy winner is criticized too much and has the wherewithal to succeed in the pros:

Haden hinted that Cleveland's defense will be the foundation of its eventual success:

Teammate Karlos Dansby also offered his support when asked if Manziel can lead the Browns, via Sessler:

"

Oh without a doubt. It's gonna take a lot of sacrifices. Guys can't have egos, you gotta check 'em at the door. We gotta...rally around each other and continue to fight for each other, just play lights-out football, and that's what we're gonna (have to do to get there).

"

A damning ESPN.com report from Jeremy Fowler and Pat McManamon surfaced earlier this month, revealing that Manziel couldn't read the plays properly and flat-out wasn't ready to start. Sources stated that veterans didn't want to play for Manziel because of it. One teammate called his rookie year a "100 percent joke."

The fact Haden and Dansby are vouching for Manziel—a player who could conceivably be the Browns' long-awaited answer at the most important position—has to help the young signal-caller. There is something to Haden suggesting the talk about Manziel is blown out of proportion, though Manziel will need to produce on the field to silence doubters.

ESPN's Darren Rovell offered this interesting tweet Wednesday; it's something Cleveland fans won't want to see:

Manziel had ugly results in his first career start, going 10-of-18 passing for 80 yards and two interceptions in a 30-0 home loss to Cincinnati in Week 15. Then a hamstring injury knocked him out of the next contest at Carolina, keeping him sidelined for the regular-season finale.

The speed of the NFL game overwhelmed Manziel, causing him to see ghosts in the pocket and take off to run at ill-advised times. It also caused Manziel to hesitate on reads, throwing off the timing of plays and affecting his mechanics.

Those factors, combined with the scant dedication Manziel reportedly had to learning the offense, saw "Johnny Football" go from a college playmaker to an indecisive, chaotic mess at the NFL level.

Manziel is just 22 years old and has plenty of time to turn it around. Haden had off-field issues of his own and wasn't as dedicated. That changed when he was suspended four games in 2012.

Having someone like Haden as a mentor and public supporter can only help Manziel as he tries to find a better balance between doing his job and enjoying his time off. The Browns have a new offensive coordinator in John DeFilippo, so Manziel will have to get down to work to learn an entirely new system in 2015.