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Signing Johnny Manziel would be the ultimate Bill Belichick project

By Dan Orencole

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH24: Johnny Manziel #2 of the Memphis Express warms up before a game against the Birmingham Iron at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on March 24, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Express defeated the Iron 31-25. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/AAF/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH24: Johnny Manziel #2 of the Memphis Express warms up before a game against the Birmingham Iron at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on March 24, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Express defeated the Iron 31-25. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/AAF/Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 03: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Montreal Alouettes runs with the ball against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats during the CFL game at Percival Molson Stadium on August 3, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Montreal Alouettes 50-11. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 03: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Montreal Alouettes runs with the ball against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats during the CFL game at Percival Molson Stadium on August 3, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Montreal Alouettes 50-11. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Manziel’s athletic ability has flashed at all levels

Manziel’s rise to stardom at Texas A&M took the football world by storm. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2012, and his ability to run around defenses was what made him extra dangerous on the field.

Defenses couldn’t just focus on Manziel throwing the football, as he averaged 6.3 yards per carry during his collegiate career. That rushing success translated to the pros, and that’s why I believe the Patriots could be able to make use of that part of his game — one that has remained steady outside of the NFL.

With the Cleveland Browns in 15 games, Manziel had 46 rushes for 259 yards and one touchdown. That’s good enough for a 5.6 yards per carry mark on the ground.

In the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes, Manziel ran for 215 yards on 29 carries — good for a 7.4 yard per carry mark.

His most recent action on the football field came in the Alliance of American Football with the Memphis Express. Manziel ran the ball five times for 38 yards — a 7.6 yards per carry mark.

So, it’s clear that Manziel’s athletic ability still exists. But is it enough for a team like the Patriots to take a risk on him?

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