The 372 yards are the 10th-most ever in a single game by a Browns quarterback, and Browns coach Mike Pettine said he thought it was “accurate” to say Manziel’s performance against the Steelers was the best the second-year quarterback looked for a full game.
Advertisement
Johnny Manziel, named the Browns’ full-time starter Tuesday, promised coach Mike Pettine that he’ll be a model citizen – beginning with the bye this week.
And while it is a pleasant fantasy to think that we’ve heard the last of this, the reality is that there are probably several people who are not ready to let this go.
Pettine acknowledged that the pending case factored into the decision. The week without a game gives Pettine the chance to reflect on everything that’s gone wrong and try to figure out how it happened. He understands it, and he knows that with these expectations comes great responsibility. While Manziel rushes more times per game, the only difference in their rushing is that McCown has a touchdown to go along with three fumbles (two lost) while Manziel has neither.
Benjamin, who has 48 catches for 736 yards and four touchdowns as the No. 1 wideout, said he had no problem with Pettine and his staff. That is what I told Coach Pett when I was in there with him. He has recorded at least a half-sack in six consecutive games against the Browns, dating back to December 30, 2012.Heyward also extended his consecutive regular-season games played streak to 74 – tying as the fifth-longest active consecutive games played streak among National Football League defensive ends.
“I wanted to start”.
He said the same thing several times last season and then December 26, the Friday before the 2014 season ended, he partied so hard he missed a scheduled treatment on his injured hamstring the next morning because he overslept. “He’s been tremendous and with Johnny now as the starter, we feel like we have the best backup in the league”. “I’m looking forward to focusing my energies on our start against the Ravens and bringing in a win for our fans in Cleveland”. Cincinnati played by far its worst all-around game on Monday night, resulting in a 10-6 loss to the Houston Texans in front of a less-than-capacity crowd that was booing in the fourth quarter. “We’ll move forward accordingly”.
“I was just trying to make a play for these guys”, Manziel said.
According to those who share the field with Manziel on a daily basis, they saw a lot of development in his ability to command the huddle.
But what did the Steelers get in return when they signed Jacoby Jones to replace Archer as their kick returner and ostensibly to replace Antonio Brown as their punt returner? He did some good things but there’s some things that can be improved upon. “Each week presents a new challenge, and he has to be able to react to how a defense is playing him and be able to play within a game plan and the structure of it and stay tight to that”.
“The stuff about the right staff, I was talking about the mistakes and eliminating things we’ve done on the field, like the right pieces we need”, he said. “I love the guys in the locker room and on the staff. There is nothing that I want more for this team and for this city than to be successful”.
Advertisement
The obvious answer at this point, with no hope for the year, would seem to be Manziel, so you can find out what you have in him. Pettine was impressed with Manziel’s improvement, and the team will go with him down the stretch of this season.
