Dansby says he knew Manziel was distracted during season

On Friday, Johnny Manziel admitted he was in the treatment facility Caron, likely near Wernersville, Pa., for the past 10 weeks, but didn't disclose the specific reason for his stay.

Earlier this week, several of his teammates spoke out concerning Manziel's issues.

"I just knew it was distracting his game," Karlos Dansby said at the unveiling of the new uniforms. "It wasn't allowing him to be himself out on the field. It wasn't allowing him to express himself the way we all have seen him play at the collegiate level.

"Whatever he was dealing with was suppressing him," Dansby said. "So him being able to check himself in and try to get that relief, I think it was huge."

Manziel led the Browns to just three points in six quarters as a starter in his rookie season. Dansby thinks Manziel admitting he needed help and checking himself into a treatment facility is a positive sign.

"It took a lot for him to take that step, and for him to make that step shows that he's maturing a lot as a man," Dansby said. "And he's growing as a person. I'm anxious to see what he does and how he comes out.

"I know it's going to make him a better man, and that's all I'm worried about is him being a better man at the end of the day. Everything else will take care of itself."

Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas was critical of Manziel in an interview with ESPNCleveland.com two weeks ago, and said that Manziel is going to have to earn back his teammates' trust. At the uniform unveiling Thomas admitted Manziel obviously had other things he was dealing with besides football.

"I think the only thing that was apparent probably was that there were other things in his life that were maybe getting in the way of committing himself the way an NFL quarterback needs to," Thomas said.

Manziel apologized in his statement to his teammates, as well as the fans.

"I owe private apologies to a lot of people that I disappointed but a very public one to the Browns organization and the fans that I let down," Manziel said. "I take full responsibility for my actions and it's my intention to work very hard to regain everyone's trust and respect. I understand that will take time and will only happen through what I do and not what I say."

Donte Whitner also chimed in on Manziel.

"I think there was some doubt based on what he did last year if football was the most important thing," Whitner said. "I believe that he'll come in, he'll earn our trust back, he's that type of guy. He'll have to compete for his job. I believe he'll be up for that challenge. We will welcome him back with open arms."

Manziel is expected to begin the offseason program on Monday and will rejoin his teammates.

"I look forward to seeing my teammates next week," Manziel said. "And focusing on football and my desire to be the best possible player, teammate, and man that I can be."