Manziel: If the Cowboys drafted me I'd be dead

The big picture: Manziel's partying was legendary and contributed to his premature departure from the Cleveland Browns, who drafted him six picks after Dallas took guard Zack Martin.

• In the wide-ranging, shockingly frank interview with Sharpe, he explained that his familiarity with Dallas' party scene would've compounded his issues.
• Manziel also described getting arrested in college, doing so much cocaine that he lost 40 pounds, and why LeBron James got angry with him.

Flashback: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones publicly flirted with the idea of drafting Manziel, but ultimately decided to stick with then-starter Tony Romo.

What they're saying: "I love Jerry," Manziel said of Jones. "I had my fingers crossed under that table the entire time. Please let me go put that star on my helmet."

• Manziel said he's grateful that he ended up in Cleveland, despite his eventual struggles there.
• Playing for the Cowboys "would've been just an absolute disaster," Manziel said.
• "It wouldn't have been suicide that would have been the issue. It would've been drinking and driving. It would have been taking a bag from someone you shouldn't take it from and boom. It could've been over in an instant."