Bayless's Bold Manziel Prediction: Bust or Brilliance?

0:00On March 7th, back in 2014, Skip Bayless made a huge prediction on ESPN. He said the Cleveland Brown's 22nd overall draft pick, quarterback Johnny Manzell, would one day outshine the Braun James in the hearts of Cleveland fans. Bayless hyped to Manzell's college edge from Texas A&M and his high-smotrophy win as the sparked the franchise needed. The comparison drew from both being high-profile talents tied to Cleveland. The Braun had transformed the Cavaliers as a local kid before leaving in 2010. Bayless figured Manzell's chip on his shoulder after being passed by nine teams would do the same for the Browns in football. Fans and media buzzed at the time, but Manzell's pro career crashed hard. Over two seasons, he started just eight games, with seven touchdowns and seven picks. All field troubles like partying and suspensions ended his NFL run by late 2015. Looking back, Cleveland's weak roster doomed him from the start. A shaky offensive line, Finn receivers, and poorest defense gave a rookie quarterback

1:03no shot. Manzell later admitted he skipped the grind needed for success, turning hype into one of the biggest draft busts. Bold takes, like Bayless' keep sports talk alive, even when they age poorly. They remind us how unpredictable the pros can be, no matter the college flash.