Daily Madden: 'Johnny Football' Case Highlights Bigger Issue
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - 'Johnny Football' Manziel has been suspended for half a game by the NCAA after an investigation into reports that the Texas A&M quarterback had been paid to sign autographs. "That seemed like a funny disciplinary action," John Madden told the KCBS morning crew, noting that the team must be relieved it's resolved.
"It had to be tough for him and had to be tough for Texas A&M and tough for college football. He was there practicing and wasn't sure if he was going to be able to play and he's your quarterback so the whole team was kind of that way," said Madden.
Madden said the incident is another reminder of a problem with college football. "This isn't something that just came up with 'Johnny Football.' This is something that's been there for thirty or forty years, you know, should the college players get paid... College football through television and everything started making so much money that there ought to be something there for the players. And I kind of agree with that. I'm not sure how you would do it."
San Jose State senior quarterback David Fales is getting a lot of attention after throwing 33 TDs and leading the Spartans to an 11-2 record last year. "Since the quarterback is so important to the NFL and it's a quarterback league, any guy that has the skills is going to be looked at closely," Madden said.
In NFL news, New York Jets coach Rex Ryan has been criticized for playing quarterback Mark Sanchez in the last quarter of last weekend's pre-season game. Sanchez sustained a shoulder injury and it's not clear if he'll be able to play in the season opener. Madden said Sanchez may not have been ready for the late assignment. "It's not only the physical part... it's the mental part," Madden said. "When you think you're finished, you go from one mental state to another mental state. And then all of a sudden (when) someone says go back in, you're not in a mental state to go back in."
Daily Madden
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