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Johnny Manziel to make first NFL start Sunday against Bengals

And if there wasnt enough hype???

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=cincinnati-bengals&id=14090


Marvin Lewis' mouth still a problem, could cost Bengals the division
 
By Coley Harvey | December 9, 2014 9:45:45 AM PST


CINCINNATI -- It's amazing that of his many recent verbal slip-ups, all it took for Marvin Lewis to finally issue an apology -- and possibly get back to the best practice of thinking before speaking -- was Johnny Manziel.

Is there anything Johnny Football can't do?

On Monday night, Lewis, the Cincinnati Bengals' 12th-year head coach, called into the city's flagship sports radio station during a weekly show it hosts at a bar not far from Paul Brown Stadium. Radio host Lance McAlister and Bengals radio color analyst Dave Lapham, a former Bengal, were on WLW-AM asking Lewis about the possibility of the Bengals having to defend Manziel this Sunday when they visit the division-rival Browns.


Robert Mayer/USA TODAY Sports
Marvin Lewis has more important things to worry about than Johnny Manziel's height.
Lewis started his answer just fine.

But then he made a quip he later would regret.

"You gotta go defend the offense. You don't defend the player," he said, pausing before adding, "particularly a midget."

Once social media learned of Lewis' completely unnecessary addendum, a flame ignited.

Most were incensed by Lewis' word choice. Browns fans rallied behind it, hopeful their players use it as motivation when going for a second straight win over the Bengals following last month's 24-3 blowout victory on a Thursday night in Cincinnati. A loss this weekend, and the AFC North-leading Bengals could slip behind either or both the Ravens and Steelers. With a tough remaining schedule, their playoff hopes could start to fade.

In 2009, Little People of America, Inc. -- an advocacy group for men and women diagnosed with dwarfism, a medical condition that doesn't allow people to grow past 4-foot-10 -- made a public statement denouncing the use of the word "midget." To those with dwarfism, it is considered offensive. More practically, as it relates to Manziel, it simply doesn't make any sense.

Manziel is 6 feet tall.

On their active 53-man roster, the Bengals have 11 players, including 5-foot-9 running back Giovani Bernard, listed at shorter than 6-foot. Would Lewis use the same term to describe them, too?

About an hour after his comments went viral, Lewis issued an apology.

"I apologize to Johnny, the Browns and all the fans in Cleveland," he said. "It was just a poor remark. I really didn't mean anything by it."

Certainly, he was trying to add levity while discussing the intricacies of playing the smaller-in-stature, mobile Manziel. For the second straight week, the Browns have a quarterback controversy after starter Brian Hoyer had another disappointing showing in their 25-24 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday.

Browns coaches could decide Tuesday to give Manziel his first career start Sunday as a result.

No matter what his excuse, Lewis had no need for the added barb, particularly considering his litany of poorly chosen remarks this season.
 
Marvin Lewis calls Manziel a ******* midget

yeah - I saw that in his presser last night

I thought it was hilarious

Marvin shouldn't have apologized
 
Johni needs a win....................... $for US !!!!!!!!!!




Salute the nation
 
Marv's apology should have been, "I'd like to apologize to all the midgets out there for any offense I gave. I should have known better, that calling him a midget would be an insult to midgets everywhere, and for that I am truly sorry."
 
"I really didn't mean anything by it."

Other than he meant to call him a midget. I think Marvin's been drinking this year.
 
This should end Cleveland's chances of making the playoffs.
 
A funny thing happened a long time ago to an individual I used to work with. He and his wife and son were on vacation and had gone to a nice resort somewhere, I do not remember the location. Rates were fairly cheap and they booked on line. When they arrived at the hotel they did not think anything of it but wondered about all the low shelves in front of the front desk. They later discovered they were some of the few folks in the resort that were not midgets or dwarfs. It seems that these folks have a convention or something every year in different places and he and his family had a blast, funniest story was one of the adults was too short to go on one of the roller coasters and was having a major fit over it.
 
I don't have be so PC

I'd lie cheat and steal to see Bell get to the playoffs - this season is just a waste of a heroic effort if the Steelers don't make it.
 
A funny thing happened a long time ago to an individual I used to work with. He and his wife and son were on vacation and had gone to a nice resort somewhere, I do not remember the location. Rates were fairly cheap and they booked on line. When they arrived at the hotel they did not think anything of it but wondered about all the low shelves in front of the front desk. They later discovered they were some of the few folks in the resort that were not midgets or dwarfs. It seems that these folks have a convention or something every year in different places and he and his family had a blast, funniest story was one of the adults was too short to go on one of the roller coasters and was having a major fit over it.

I love a good short story.
 
I just assumed Lewis was referring to Sparky as a mental midget, as opposed to a literal midget.
 
So the Elf has been taken off the Shelf to show he can start a football game? If that ain't a Christmas miracle, I don't know what is...
 
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