Right before the Browns left for their bye week, head coach Mike Pettine named second year quarterback Johnny Manziel the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. “We’re confident he’ll do a good job for us”. You never say never in this profession.
Advertisement
“Since I’ve been here, the saying’s been, ‘Next guy up, ‘” Upshaw said.
On if Bitonio will replace OL Cameron Erving at LG on Monday, if healthy: “If he’s cleared 100 percent, ready to go”.
“It’s the trust, the accountability part of it”, Pettine said.
He leads the National Football League with a 137.3 rating on third down this year.
“I told him this isn’t a dead end”, Pettine said Wednesday of Manziel. But McCown, despite sympathizing with Manziel, is excited for another opportunity. I’m especially disappointed in his actions and behavior because he has been working very hard.
McCown said he’d draw energy from celebrating Thanksgiving and reflecting on his blessings. And Austin Davis went from quarterback room gofer (“What do you mean they were out of jelly doughnuts?”) to the No. 2 quarterback. “I don’t know if [staying on the field] was the best thing, but it’s just a reaction”.
The news and energy surrounding the Browns have been negative for a long time. They managed a push in their Week 11 win over the St. Louis Rams. Tonight starts a closing six-game stretch – including four at home, with three inside the AFC North – that could shape the future of the organization.
Pettine deflected any questions about Manziel’s troubled week, and said he was just focusing on Monday night’s televised game with the Ravens. That is the thing as you go through the bye and you think through things and assess where you are, and 2-8 is obviously not where any of us wanted to be. Unfortunately, ESPN does not get the same priviledge with Monday Night Football, and it is showing this week.
This is their first appearance in seven years, and Cleveland players are relishing it. Josh McCown will start in his place for the short-term while the Browns figure out what the long-term option is.
Injury report: Ravens – WR Marlon Brown (back), OT Eugene Monroe (shoulder), TE Chase Ford (shoulder), OG Kelechi Osemel (knee) are doubtful; CB Shareece Wright (back) is questionable. In the last loss to Pittsburgh the offense only ran the ball 14 times and only managed to gain 15 yards. “It will be cool to get out there as a team and try to do as much as we can to prove that the Browns are trying to save their season a little bit”.
Cleveland secured the first matchup in Week 5 when it came into Baltimore and won 33-30 in overtime. Since the rivalry began in 1999, Cleveland has only swept in 2001 and ’07. “All I want to do is win the game”. It is very disappointing, but at the same time a decision was made, and we are going in that direction.
The victory in Baltimore was McCown’s best game of the season on multiple fronts.
Since the Browns demoted him, they will not be able to evaluate him the rest of the season.
“With Josh, he’s more experienced obviously, ” said Harbaugh. This has all the makings of a terrible Monday Night match-up. “That’s all I would care about”.
Though just two games out of a playoff spot, Baltimore’s chances of a seventh postseason appearance in eight years appear slim due to a litany of injuries that includes season-ending ones to wide receivers Steve Smith Sr. and rookie Breshad Perriman and top pass rusher Terrell Suggs.
Advertisement
“I’m going to leave those conversations between myself and coach, ” DeFilippo said. “I like our plan”.
