Brian Urlacher: Johnny Manziel isn’t a punk ... he just acts like one

Johnny Manziel is a punk.

That’s what most of us are thinking, right?

If only someone had the guts to come right out and say it.

Brian Urlacher could have been that person. The former Chicago Bears linebacker and future Hall of Famer certainly has the football background -- and the bulging muscles -- to back up such a statement.

Plus, he has a forum in his new gig as a “Fox Football Daily� analyst.

But Urlacher not only stopped just short of making that claim, he went out of his way to make sure we knew he wasn’t making that claim while criticizing the Texas A&M; quarterback’s actions during Saturday’s 52-28 victory over Rice.

After serving a first-half suspension for signing autographs he knew would be sold, Manziel came out and threw three touchdown passes in a little more than a quarter. But he also was caught on camera making several gestures -- including pretending to sign autographs in the air, rubbing his thumb and fingers together in a common symbol for money and pointing to the scoreboard -- and eventually drew a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

“I’m not saying he’s a punk, but he acted like a punk in that game,� Urlacher said Monday. “Like his coach said, guys are going to come after him all season long.

“He’s the reigning Heisman winner. He’s making plays out there and running around and running his mouth, obviously, but he’s going to have to learn to deal with that.�

Manziel has been rubbing people the wrong way with his off-field antics ever since becoming the first freshman ever to win the Heisman Trophy last November. Maybe it’s time for some tough love, and who better than Urlacher to give it?

“He’s such a good football player,� Urlacher added of Manziel. “You saw in the second half what he did, three touchdown passes and ran it pretty well. It’s just too bad he had to act like that. I’m pulling for the guy, I want him to do well.�

Sigh. Never mind, Brian.

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