Shanahan believes Manziel getting ‘bad rep’

FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan believed that Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is receiving a bad reputation for having a lousy work ethic and he wished his former pupil, who's checked into a treatment center, well.

Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. (By D. Orlando Ledbetter/Dledbetter@ajc.com)

“Johnny is a great guy,” Shanahan said. “Johnny’s getting a bad rep with that because Johnny worked very hard for me. I really enjoyed coaching him.”

Shanahan was the offensive coordinator in Cleveland last season, before getting out his contract and landing with the Falcons.

“I don’t know what he’s going through right now, but I’m confident that Johnny will work it all out,” Shanahan said. “He has a chance to have a good future.”

Shanahan said it was tough to leave Cleveland after just one season and said the team’s texting scandal was not a part of his decision.

“But you know, you make some tough decisions and (leaving) Cleveland was obviously a very tough decision for me,” Shanahan said. “Nobody likes to be in the media. I’d rather just hide a hole and never like to do this ever. But it’s part of the business and I understand that.

“You can’t make decisions just based off of that. You have to make decision for you think is best for your family. If you believe it’s right, you live with the consequences. You hope the tough decisions end up working out. The fact that it’s led me to Atlanta and I’m in this situation right now, I couldn’t be any happier.”

THE LATEST ON THE FALCONS BEAT

Quinn's leadership traits were pegged early on

5 things we learned from Coach Quinn's press conference

COACHING STAFF: Quinn still has some holes on his coaching staff

MARK BRADLEY -- Quinn might win if his front office lets him

JEFF SCHULTZ -- Dan Quinn's ascent to head coach was years in the making

Dimitroff has no problem with restructured

Sam Baker battling back from injury

Sean Weatherspoon to be part of revival