If Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine knows who he will start at quarterback against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field Sunday, he is not talking about the decision.
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McCown’s total of 1,154 passing yards combined between starts against the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and Ravens are the most in a three-game stretch by any quarterback in Browns history. Preparing to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday they have been dealing with an injury to Josh McCown and doubt around Johnny Manziel’s ability.
McCown has been limited in practice this week with his rib injury, and it might be as simple as his not being well enough to play effectively. Manziel only completed 15 of his 33 passes, at a rate of just 45 percent.
“He does. I know he’s going to have a big role for Tabes (special teams coordinator Chris Tabor) in his first game”. He started off the game with a flurry of hope for Cleveland fans, but faded as the game wore on and finished the night with only a 45.5 completion percentage and 168 yards passing. If Manziel does indeed get the start and Roethlisberger is held out of action with his mid-foot sprain, that will set up a matchup between Manziel and Landry Jones on Sunday.
“We’ll see how I feel when I wake up and as we go throughout the day”, McCown said.
He has taken eight sacks.Manziel played well in the first half against the Bengals but struggled mightily when they changed coverages and focused on keeping him in the pocket. He has played decently well when given playing time, but consistent playing time is what young players like Manziel need to improve.
McCown was limited in practice during the week because of the injured ribs he suffered in a 34-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals two weeks ago.
“I’m not going to be able to sit there like a few of these taller quarterbacks in the league and just be able to see everything happen as the play is on”, he said, via ESPN.com.
“If there’s a quarterback question, you have to think, and if the quarterbacks are different styles, then it makes you have to have a couple different game plans”, Browns linebacker Barkevious Mingo said. In a vacuum, did they execute their job?
“He’s improved”, Pettine said of McCown. He has completed 65 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns, four interceptions and a rating of 95.2.
If Pettine thinks he’s being crafty, fine, enjoy believing you’ve got your opponent freaking out. He just might have it in him to do well but just never got a chance to get into a rhythm.
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Pettine was asked whether it really matters if the Steelers know which quarterback will start.
