The college football media has not heard from Johnny Manziel since SEC Media Days. Since then, the quarterback faced an NCAA investigation and on-the-field penalties. Texas A&M has announced that per Manziel's lawyer, he will not be made available to the media for some time. As the Aggies prepare to enter one of the biggest games of the season with their rematch with Alabama, the Heisman winner will let his playing do the talking.
Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin is respecting the wishes of his quarterback and not allowing the media to hound him with questions regarding the tough off season and start to season Manziel has had. Instead, the quarterback is harnessing his intensity to face the Crimson Tide in College Station.
"He plays with great emotion and intensity," Sumlin said, via USA Today Sports. "And it's my job to have that emotion and intensity moving in a positive direction because when that happens, great things happen."
Last season, Manziel made his Heisman campaign in Tuscaloosa. He handed the Tide their only loss of the year, something that has not gone forgotten by returning players. However, as much as Alabama wants to beat the Aggies on their own field, no one is uttering the word 'revenge."
"Yeah, it's the only game we lost last year," Cooper said, via ESPN.com. "To me, it's not a revenge thing because if we wanted to get revenge, we'd have to play that same team last year with the same team we had last year. It's really not a revenge thing. If you lose a fight with someone, you don't get revenge from fighting someone else."
The Alabama defense will have their hands full trying to stop Manziel. Last season the quarterback completed 24-of-31 passes for 253 yards, while rushing for another 92 yards. Alabama admitted to being embarrassed in their own stadium. As the hype around Manziel continues to grow, players are not overlooking his ability to make noise again.
"He deserves the hype he's gotten because of what he's done and how he's played," safety HaHa Clinton-Dix said. "It doesn't bother me at all. He's one of a kind, if you ask me. It's very important you stay locked in on your keys and assignments. When he takes off running, you're thinking, 'Maybe I can go get him,' and the next thing you know he's throwing it to your guy. He's an amazing quarterback."
Quarterback AJ McCarron is not paying into the media attention surrounding Manziel. While the two are friends, it is not likely they will see much of each other this weekend. McCarron notes they are both just trying to live their lives and win a game.
