NFL Notes: Johnny Manziel, Browns & Saints

Johnny Manziel

A source tells Jeremy Fowler of ESPN that he believes former Browns QB Johnny Manziel is in fact serious about getting sober and focusing on playing in the NFL again.

“I do believe he’s serious,” the source told Fowler. “He’s talked for a while about knuckling down, getting ready and working out. It’s more about health and having options and feeling good. If that works out for this season, great. But if not, that’s OK too.”

This comes after Manziel TMZ of his plans to get sober in the coming weeks.

Fowler’s source wasn’t sure if Manziel would need to go to rehab.

Last week, Manziel’s father, Paul, called him a “druggie” and even said it could be in his best interest to end up in jail.

“It’s not a secret that he’s a druggie,” Paul Manziel said of his son. “I don’t know what to say, other than my son is a druggie and he needs help. He just hasn’t [sought] it yet. Hopefully he doesn’t die before he comes to his senses. That’s about all you can say. I don’t know what else to say.”

Browns

• Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes the “odds are very, very high” that Robert Griffin III will open the season as the Browns’ starting quarterback, via CSN Mid Atlantic.
• Cabot says that HC Hue Jackson and OC Pep Hamilton have been “riding him hard” during practice.

Saints

• Nick Underhill points out that DL Nick Fairley’s contract with the Saints includes $750,000 if he records seven sacks this season.
• Beyond that, Fairley would earn another bonus if he plays 35 percent of the team’s snaps and totals four sacks.
• In total, Failey has $1.75 million tied to sacks and playing time, according to Underhill.