Kelly On Manziel: ‘I Love the Kid’

Johnny Manziel originally committed to play for Chip Kelly and the Oregon Ducks coming out of high school.

He attended an Oregon football camp with Marcus Mariota back in 2010 and both were planning on heading to Eugene. But Manziel had a change of heart and decided to stick closer to home by attending Texas A&M.

“When I coached at Oregon he was tailor-made for that [offense],” said Kelly. “Broke my heart. I love the kid. I think he’s a hell of a football player.”

Peter King brought up the possibility of a Kelly-Manziel union in his column Monday.

There’s a rumor (apparently faulty) making the rounds about the Eagles moving up to try to get Johnny Manziel. I wouldn’t pass it along if the person who told me wasn’t smart and, to this point, reliable. But I just can’t see it, and I have someone who would know better than the rumor source telling me it absolutely won’t happen. Which seems smart to me, seeing that Nick Foles’ 27 touchdowns and two interceptions and 119.2 passer rating would be pretty damned foolish to throw out the window for Manziel. I just put it out there as an example of the kind of stuff that makes the rounds when so much of what happens at this time of year is designed to be a misdirection play. As Bills GM Doug Whaley said Friday, speaking to western New York reporters: “It’s finally one time where we can use you guys [reporters] to our advantage. There are things that you put out there to see if someone bites, and there are some things you put out there that are true. You have people read between the lines and you don’t want to show your hand. I’m sure everyone is doing the same thing.’’

Sheil laid out the multiple reasons why it appears unlikely that Manziel will end up in Philly.

Do the Eagles have interest?

“We have an interest in anybody that is draft eligible this year,” Kelly replied.