The Cleveland Browns appear to be quite pleased with what they got out of Johnny Manziel on Sunday and may be ready to move him ahead of Josh McCown on the team’s depth chart.
McCown is currently in the league’s protocol after suffering a concussion against the New York Jets in the team’s opener. Manziel finished that game and fared adequately, though he made several mistakes. He started Sunday’s Week 2 clash with Tennessee and did not put up huge stats, but he did throw for two long touchdowns, including one that sealed the victory.
Even if McCown gets cleared to play this week, Browns head coach Mike Pettine indicated on Monday that Manziel may remain the starter.
#Browns will consider jumping Johnny Manziel ahead of Josh McCown at QB, based on Mike Pettine's comments.
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) September 21, 2015
#Browns HC Mike Pettine said Josh McCown is starter right now, coaches will discuss tonight whether to start Manziel once McCown cleared
— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) September 21, 2015
“We’re tasked with winning football games, and the decisions we make are what gives us the best opportunity to win this Sunday,” Pettine said via the Akron Beacon Journal. “I know that on the outside that those things get brought into it. We’ve already seen circumstances have come about for us to get an evaluation of him. So we’re not going to use a season and look at it that way, say, ‘Hey, we need to know.’ We think over the natural course of events we’ll find out.”
Pettine also lauded Manziel for his overall improvement as a quarterback.
“Overall quarterback play,” Pettine said via ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi regarding what the former first-round pick has done better. “Just his presence, hearing the play, being assertive calling it in the huddle, making sure everyone’s lined up right, being good with his cadence … coming off on the sideline, being interactive, going through the still prints. Quarterback play from A to Z, he’s improved in all areas in our mind.
McCown might be cleared to practice in the coming days, which would really force the team to make a decision. With Pettine saying the coaches will meet to discuss the plans Monday night, it would not be a surprise for them to settle on Manziel as the starter for Week 3 against the Raiders.
