CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel began losing the Browns' starting quarterback job right after the draft when he embarked on his frat-boy partying spree, and he continued losing it right up through the moment he flipped off the Redskins' bench Monday night. How could Mike Pettine have stood in front of the meeting room and announced to his players that the rookie who lost his cool in Washington was their new fearless leader? Would he have announced it while handing Manziel his NFL fine letter? If Manziel let Washington's Brian Orakpo get to him, how would he have responded to all the bullying he'd receive in Pittsburgh, both on and off the field? Granted, Manziel's bird-flip wasn't his ultimate undoing. But it was one more piece of evidence that the Browns' impetuous rookie isn't ready to take over the reins just yet. The infamous bird came one week after Manziel was either late for a brief team meeting or missed it altogether. How does Pettine stand up in a front of a room and announce that the guy who missed the meeting that week is their starting quarterback? Truth is, the job was there for the taking by Manziel and he blew it. He was competing against a player in Brian Hoyer who was coming off a torn right anterior cruciate ligament and who's started a total of four NFL games. What's more, he's finished only three, and Pettine described him last week as a virtual rookie. Like Manziel, Hoyer had to learn Kyle Shanahan's offense, which Manziel likened to learning Spanish. If that's the case, Manziel should've spent more time on his Espanol and less on his inflatable swan. Even Manziel admitted last week, "I don't think I'm ready for Pittsburgh right now.'' While Manziel was clubbing from coast-to-coast, Hoyer was at the Browns facility every day, rehabbing his repaired knee and working out with other injured players such as receiver Charles Johnson. He revealed at the start of camp that from the moment team doctors let him start working out after the surgery to the day veterans reported for camp July 25, he took a total of five days off. In between, he studied the playbook and learned the terminology, which is job No. 1 for a quarterback in a new scheme. When Manziel showed up for camp, he received a stern lecture from the Browns about his offseason escapades, which might be why he sat all alone in the cafeteria on his first day in Berea. The Browns weren't expecting him to be a choir boy, but were alarmed by things such as the photo of him rolling up a $20 bill in a nightclub bathroom. Through it all, Manziel maintained that "I'm not going to change for anybody,'' and "I don't think I'm doing anything wrong.'' Maybe not, but he certainly wasn't doing enough right -- not enough to win a starting job, anyway. Suddenly, what was supposed to be an "open quarterback competition'' at the start of training camp mysteriously became Manziel taking no first-team reps for the entire first week -- which meant it was really over before it even began. Manziel buckled down and came up the learning curve quickly, but not quickly enough to overtake Hoyer, who mastered the terminology in the offseason. Hoyer knows what it takes to bark out a 17-word play, and he made sure he had it down by the time he showed up in Berea. From the first practice, it was evident that Hoyer made quicker reads and got the ball out faster, while Manziel's head was still spinning. Manziel picked up some steam in the Family Day scrimmage and carried the momentum through the preseason opener in Detroit. In fact, Pettine even considered starting him in Washington Monday night. Then, Manziel misread the schedule and missed the team meeting. Did it cost him the start in Washington? Maybe not. But it couldn't have helped. Hoyer was just named the starter for Pittsburgh despite completing 40 percent of his preseason attempts; earning a 57.9 rating; and putting three field goals on the board in his seven drives, including two against a second-team defense. He was named the starter despite the fact quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains told Arkansas ESPN radio in May that "I think we can throw (Manziel) out there right now and he's going to be one of the most exciting players in the NFL and run around and make plays like he did at Texas A&M.'' Pettine said last week that he wouldn't make a "permanent commitment'' to his opening-day starter and that he'd evaluate it week-to-week. That leaves the door open over the next few weeks for Manziel to win the job he could've grabbed from the start. And now it's time to see if Johnny Football has what it takes to raise his index finger instead of his middle one.
I suppose we will never tire of Johnny vs Brian talk. Certainly the nation won't, and once again is laughing at the Browns for taking the "most exciting player in the draft" and sitting him behind a perennial back up. The hype has been fun and actually good for Browns fans, especially for ones like me who are outside the local market, where mentions of the Browns most years amounts to the obligatory mention as they rank each team, oh... and the Browns ..... Last. I haven't seen much said about Gabriel, but I thought the kid was hard to miss. He always seems to be in on the action, and has made some pretty nice catches, yet nobody ever brings him up. Will I'm bringing him up. Where is he in this mix? Frankly if I were an opposing team, I would be watching to see if he is released. I think I see a Player. Is it just my colored glasses?
What. No Stripes down his back ??? Does he have to wear the Orange pants too ? Asked how the team looked, Swagger replied "Ruff"/ Thank you. I'll be here all week
The Morning Kickoff ? Browns held hostage: Is Friday the day Josh Gordon learns his fate from the NFL marijuana police? Speculation early in the week was a judgment was close on Gordon?s appeal of an indefinite suspension for a scantily positive marijuana test ? by one billionth of a gram! on one sample, and a negative reading on the second sample -- while in Stage 3 of the league?s byzantine substance abuse program. The Peloponnesian War was fought and won in shorter time than it?s taken the NFL to digest the volume of evidence dumped on its bench by Gordon?s team of lawyers. OK, it?s only been 17 days since Gordon?s appeal hearing. But that?s stretching the ?reasonable period? timetable for a decision, as spelled out in the purposely ambiguous league substance abuse policy. The league may be weighing the validity of its terribly flawed, though collectively bargained, policy against a potential lawsuit brought by Gordon. Or it may simply be trying to craft an exit strategy that is the least disastrous public relations-wise while the league pushes a stronger policy against future Ray Rice-like domestic violence episodes and looks the other way from Colts owner Jim Irsay?s serious chemical dependency issues and league violations. Meanwhile, Gordon, who reportedly flunked one marijuana test of over 70 taken in the past year, appears to be a basket case, evident by his lackluster play in the Washington game and at practice on Thursday. ?I think it?s human nature,? coach Mike Pettine said. ?It?s definitely weighing on him. He, like all of us, wants to know and wants to get on with it and move forward. ?Just kind of being in limbo for so long, I think it can be draining. I think he made the comment the other day (on his Twitter page) that the football field is where he feels most at home. It?s important to him. He?s responded. We discussed what happened in the game, and he?s responded and has had some good practices for us. I just think, like all of us, it?s only natural that he?s frustrated.? More frustration: Frustration is the common theme of the Browns? receiving corps at Pettine?s first Browns training camp. If Gordon is suspended for any length of time, it would leave the Browns with a group of receivers that would be the greatest argument of all time for turning back the clock and playing 1980s-ish Martyball (i.e., hand off, hand off, hand off, punt). On Thursday, Pettine identified Miles Austin, 30, and Andrew Hawkins, 28, as the only receivers he feels comfortable with. There are some young guys who have shown snippets of promise ? the strapping Charles Johnson coming back from ACL surgery and learning the NFL game for the first time; Ball State?s prolific Willie Snead, who has been inconsistent; and Taylor Gabriel, the pride of Abilene Christian ? all 5-7 and 167 pounds of him ? who is 6 for 6 on passes thrown to him in two preseason games. Then there are Travis Benjamin, aka, Rabbit, also recovering from ACL surgery, and Anthony Armstrong, 31, who has actually played in the Kyle Shanahan offense. Pettine is hoping for somebody to rise up in the third preseason game Saturday so that Brian Hoyer can start working on chemistry in the passing game. ?I think it?s a big night for them,? Pettine said of the receivers. ?We?ll see who can step up and make some plays. I talked yesterday about how the NFL is all about being productive and making plays. The third game is typically one that?s game-planned a little bit. It?s as close to the regular season as you?re going to see. I think we?re all looking forward to the guys going out there and competing.? Assessing the most maligned position group of the team, receiver Nate Burleson said, ?This is why we have preseason. The little things that happen in a game or at practice, we can fix. I guarantee whatever we?re not doing well will be fixed by the time the season starts.? About Nate: The theme of frustration brings us to Burleson. The 33-year-old receiver was signed to a one-year contract to reprise his role of a solid No. 2 to a big-play No. 1. He has benefitted in the past from playing alongside Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson. Attention to Gordon, coming off his NFL breakout season, presumably would help Burleson post decent numbers. But Burleson missed much of OTAs and minicamp practices when he needed a surgical re-set of a previously broken arm. And in this camp, he has been stricken by a strained hamstring, a product of ?these old, dehydrated muscles.? Burleson has not played in a game and has seldom practiced. He said it?s killing him because ?it?s not in my character or makeup as a professional athlete to sit out practice or games. I?m too much of a competitor.? On a list of the league?s all-time personable, media-friendly, good players, Burleson ranks high. He is a future star network analyst. The thought of his roster spot being in the slightest jeopardy has me in a state of apoplexy. A sampling from his virtuoso, 16-minute interview session on Thursday: * ?They brought me here for a reason. That?s to add a sparkplug to this offense and make plays when the ball?s thrown to me. No new guy wants to be on the sideline. I know that firsthand.? * ?First impressions to me are a big deal. If I?m 80 percent (healthy), that might not be the best impression. I want to give Cleveland what they deserve, and that?s Nate at 100 percent.? * ?They cut the check for me to make plays and be a leader ? I?m that guy that celebrates the first downs. I?m that guy that barks and screams. I?m that guy that challenges in the huddle.? * ?I want to do something special here. I want to be able show these young guys you can age with grace and still make plays. And that?s my plan. I?ve got a lot of selfish intentions to the season.? Good luck, Nate. We?re all counting on you.
Johnny Manziel may not have won the starting quarterback job in Cleveland, but at least one member of the team?s receiving corps thinks that the future is still very bright for the first-round pick. Nate Burleson said that Manziel?s extracurricular activities were not a problem for him because he has seen that Manziel ?loves this sport and he wants to be great at it.? Burleson also thinks that a stint as a backup could make Manziel even better down the road. ?Johnny?s still the man. He?s still a really good quarterback. He?s an NFL-quality starting quarterback. ? Johnny being the No. 2, as you want to call it, we got arguably the best No. 2 in the NFL,? Burleson said, via the Akron Beacon Journal. ?Johnny will be successful in this league. He?ll have his opportunities. Regardless of how many chances he?ll get or waves of opportunities he gets, he?s going to take advantage of them. It?s not a bad thing for him to be the No. 2 [quarterback] Week One. He is a rookie, still has a lot to learn and to do as a professional and as a player when it comes to the playbook. He?s going to be all right. I?m a Johnny Football fan.? Burleson?s support for Manziel doesn?t come at Brian Hoyer?s expense as he said he felt the team had two ?winners? to choose from and praised Hoyer?s command of the offense. That command hasn?t been as evident to many others during the team?s preseason work, something that will have to change if Manziel is going to remain the No. 2 in Cleveland.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns coach Mike Pettine reiterated Friday what offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said at the beginning of training camp: that they'd put in a package for Johnny Manziel as soon it makes sense. "We could potentially look at a two-quarterback system down the road,'' Pettine said on Sirius XM Radio this morning. Pettine stressed that a Manziel package is "on the table.'' But during his press conference Wednesday in Berea, Pettine said he didn't envision such a platoon early in the season, presumably ruling it out for the opener against the Steelers. But why not give Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and his defenders plenty to think about? "No, this is Brian's job,'' said Pettine. "I don't foresee us now, especially early, being in a two-quarterback system. This is Brian's job and I never think of it as a leash or we want a guy to be a game manager. ....I don't want our guys on offense to feel like there's any type of governor there and they can't just cut it loose and be aggressive. I think when you feel like you're going to be solid on defense, that allows you to be even more aggressive on offense." Shanahan was asked July 31 if he'd put in a package for Manziel right from the start, and he said he wouldn't hesitate. "I would do it if it looked like the right thing to do,'' he said. "That has to do all about studying Pittsburgh, what their schemes are, whether we think some things look good versus them that maybe Johnny could do that Brian couldn't, what the rest of our team's doing. I have no problem with that. "I think that does present some issues, but I don't like to ever do something just to do it. There's got to be a reason for it and we think something looks good and it can help our team move the chains and it can be successful, then I would never hesitate to do it." Pettine also made it clear that Hoyer is on a week-to-week trial. "I don't want to make a permanent commitment to any starter,'' Pettine said. "I just don't think you can do that. I think you make more of a commitment to your quarterback because of the unique circumstances that surround that position. But I think you need all your guys on the roster running scared a little bit, that, 'Hey listen, if I don't perform, this is a performance-based business, if I don't perform, I'm not going to be in there.' '' Manziel, meanwhile, stressed that even though he doesn't feel ready to start against the Steelers right now, "I'll be ready when my number is called.''
Newly minted starting quarterback Brian Hoyer needs to show something positive Saturday night vs. Rams Brian Hoyer has won the Cleveland Browns quarterback competition. But, really, were there any winners? Quick, name a quarterback competition in recent years that was this hyped in the preseason and this muddled but still ended with a lot of victories for the team that season? I?m waiting ? Perhaps this is just a jaded point of view because Browns. This year wasn?t the first time a Browns? preseason was dominated by dissecting who was getting the snaps and with what team during a mundane August practice, who was starting a preseason game, how long would they play in the preseason game and, finally my personal favorite, who has the ?momentum.? Think back to the debates we?ve all had: Holcomb vs. Couch. Anderson vs. Frye. Anderson vs. Quinn. Weeden vs. McCoy. I?m sure there?s one or two I?ve missed, but my goodness isn?t that a depressing trip down memory lane? In 2014 and 174 losses since 1999 later, this all just feels sad and hopeless. For now the job is Hoyer?s and regardless of the ?winner? this season, after last Monday?s performance neither Hoyer nor Johnny Manziel seemed like a good solution. In two games, we haven?t seen any signs of life from the Hoyer we briefly saw in three games last season, which brings us to Saturday night. It sure would be nice to see a familiar Brian Hoyer. Remember that guy who led fourth-quarter rallies to beat Minnesota and Cincinnati last season? A quarterback who ? for the first time since Tim freakin? Couch ? actually looked competent behind center? So far this preseason, Hoyer has looked like ghosts of Failed Browns Quarterbacks Past. He?s 6-for-14 for 92 yards with no touchdowns. Yes, there have been some poor efforts from his fellow offensive players and it is still preseason, but it?s been ugly. Hoyer is coming off an ACL injury. His recovery has gone smoothly, but it?s rare a player bounces back the same or even better a year removed form blowing out his knee. Adrian Peterson was an anomaly while Carson Palmer, Tom Brady and Robert Griffin III seemed to be more typical. Palmer?s knee was destroyed in the Bengals? home playoff game against the Steelers in 2005 after a season in which threw for 32 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. The next two years his touchdowns went down and interceptions went up. He?s never returned to that 2005 form. Brady blew out his knee in the first game of 2008. In 2009 he threw for 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions before returning to his old form with 36 touchdowns and four picks in 2010. Griffin?s rookie season ended with a blown out knee. After throwing for 20 touchdown and five interceptions and rushing for 815 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie, his 2013 season saw only 16 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and 489 yards rushing with zero touchdowns. Hoyer is dealing with more than a simple quarterback competition entering the 2014 season. He needs to overcome that knee injury and find that previous form. He needs to overcome Manziel Mania. A month ago, many thought the Browns couldn?t go wrong with picking either Manziel or Hoyer. Now, it appears either option was poor considering Manziel isn?t mentally ready and Hoyer may still be physically unprepared. This all adds up to another 4-12 or 5-11 season by the Cleveland Browns. That is, unless Hoyer can once again give Browns fans hope. If he could show something ? anything ? positive this Saturday at home against the Rams, it would go a long way to preventing everyone from studying that Cavs schedule for another month or so.
Newly minted starting quarterback Brian Hoyer needs to show something positive Saturday night vs. Rams Brian Hoyer has won the Cleveland Browns quarterback competition. But, really, were there any winners? Quick, name a quarterback competition in recent years that was this hyped in the preseason and this muddled but still ended with a lot of victories for the team that season? I?m waiting ? Perhaps this is just a jaded point of view because Browns. This year wasn?t the first time a Browns? preseason was dominated by dissecting who was getting the snaps and with what team during a mundane August practice, who was starting a preseason game, how long would they play in the preseason game and, finally my personal favorite, who has the ?momentum.? Think back to the debates we?ve all had: Holcomb vs. Couch. Anderson vs. Frye. Anderson vs. Quinn. Weeden vs. McCoy. I?m sure there?s one or two I?ve missed, but my goodness isn?t that a depressing trip down memory lane? In 2014 and 174 losses since 1999 later, this all just feels sad and hopeless. For now the job is Hoyer?s and regardless of the ?winner? this season, after last Monday?s performance neither Hoyer nor Johnny Manziel seemed like a good solution. In two games, we haven?t seen any signs of life from the Hoyer we briefly saw in three games last season, which brings us to Saturday night. It sure would be nice to see a familiar Brian Hoyer. Remember that guy who led fourth-quarter rallies to beat Minnesota and Cincinnati last season? A quarterback who ? for the first time since Tim freakin? Couch ? actually looked competent behind center? So far this preseason, Hoyer has looked like ghosts of Failed Browns Quarterbacks Past. He?s 6-for-14 for 92 yards with no touchdowns. Yes, there have been some poor efforts from his fellow offensive players and it is still preseason, but it?s been ugly. Hoyer is coming off an ACL injury. His recovery has gone smoothly, but it?s rare a player bounces back the same or even better a year removed form blowing out his knee. Adrian Peterson was an anomaly while Carson Palmer, Tom Brady and Robert Griffin III seemed to be more typical. Palmer?s knee was destroyed in the Bengals? home playoff game against the Steelers in 2005 after a season in which threw for 32 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. The next two years his touchdowns went down and interceptions went up. He?s never returned to that 2005 form. Brady blew out his knee in the first game of 2008. In 2009 he threw for 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions before returning to his old form with 36 touchdowns and four picks in 2010. Griffin?s rookie season ended with a blown out knee. After throwing for 20 touchdown and five interceptions and rushing for 815 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie, his 2013 season saw only 16 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and 489 yards rushing with zero touchdowns. Hoyer is dealing with more than a simple quarterback competition entering the 2014 season. He needs to overcome that knee injury and find that previous form. He needs to overcome Manziel Mania. A month ago, many thought the Browns couldn?t go wrong with picking either Manziel or Hoyer. Now, it appears either option was poor considering Manziel isn?t mentally ready and Hoyer may still be physically unprepared. This all adds up to another 4-12 or 5-11 season by the Cleveland Browns. That is, unless Hoyer can once again give Browns fans hope. If he could show something ? anything ? positive this Saturday at home against the Rams, it would go a long way to preventing everyone from studying that Cavs schedule for another month or so.
Okay Browns. Awesome job on the mascot. "Swagger" is cool, and i think easily the best team mascot in the NFL.....Now that that top priority has been handled, lets find some guys that can throw and catch the football. Go Browns!
Saw the quotes from Thomas and Mack. Looks like naming a starter, any starter is Good News to them too. Lets hope that translates into a better more cohesive prformance this Saturday, and beyond. Still looking for any feedback on Gabriel......... 6 of 6 in redeptions??????? I'm thinking he may be a player.
Got out early today after an extraordinarily Frustrating Friday, and a couple of beers later feeling much more relaxed. Can't catch Saturday's game live. Have to work, but any ideas on how to catch up? Will it be rebroadcast? Have to admit I am anxious to see if a week of a settled QB competition (sic) has any positive effects. Hoping for the best as always. Seeing Pitt look mundane didn't hurt my feelings at all. Sorry Beach. Happy Weekend Lounge Hounds, I'm pouring Duff........ drink up all, and lay out a frothy bowl for Swagger too. If things go well I may get down there with him, and get in some licks.
Wait that time can't be true, with all the flags the Rams and Browns will still be playing. *REF* hoping for a good game from both and no injuries. *THUMBSUP*
Gooo Browns .I have a 12 pack on the game tonight , a long time friend of mine is a sheep fan . we bet a 12 pack every time we play each other . me Sam Adams Him Labatts true blue I really like Sam Adams *DRINK*
