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Johnny Manziel

Browns Place Johnny Manziel On IR

December 24th, 2014 at 10:38am CST by Rob DiRe

WEDNESDAY, 10:38am: The Browns have officially placed Manziel on IR, along with defensive lineman Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, the team announced today (via Twitter). The two moves accommodate the previously reported roster additions of long snapper Charley Hughlett and defensive lineman John Hughes.

MONDAY, 3:56pm: Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel will not be available for the last game of the season against the Ravens, according to Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com (via Twitter). Manziel injured his hamstring in last week’s loss to the Panthers, and the injury would have reportedly forced him to miss a few weeks had this not been the last game of the year.

The team’s other quarterback option with experience is Brian Hoyer, who started for most of the season before being benched for Manziel. His status for Sunday’s game is uncertain due to a shoulder injury as well, which could leave the Browns without their two top quarterbacks.

The next option is undrafted rookie Connor Shaw, who the team signed after the draft this season. The former University of South Carolina quarterback is expected to get the lion’s share of the reps with the first team in practice this week in anticipation of the matchup with Baltimore (via Twitter).

According to Grossi, the team is also considering bringing in a quarterback from outside the organization, to serve as a backup under the circumstance where Hoyer cannot dress for the game. Grossi expects that the team will bring Rex Grossman in as an emergency option for Week 17 (via Twitter).

Grossman played under Kyle Shanahan for years, first with the Texans as a backup and also during their time together in Washington. Grossman was also with the team for a few weeks this August, and should have some comfort level, if not familiarity, with the offense.

Browns coach Mike Pettine was asked about the prospect of bringing in Grossman, and was noncommittal but noted that the team was exploring their options, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter). Pettine said he would get together with general manager Ray Farmer and they would look into how to proceed.

Browns To Consider All Options At QB

December 21st, 2014 at 5:13pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Despite the presence of 2014 first-round pick Johnny Manziel, the Browns will be open to upgrading the quarterback position during the offseason, reports Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Head coach Mike Pettine noted last week that the club would still have doubts about Manziel even if his play improved over the last two games of the season. Manziel missed most of today’s game against the Panthers after suffering a hamstring injury, and with his status for the season finale uncertain, Cleveland will have even less information with which to make a judgement on its rookie signal-caller.

The new contractual bargaining agreement likely plays a role in the Browns thinking in this situation, as the terms of the CBA drastically reduced the earning potential of rookies, even first-rounders like Manziel. Manziel, chosen twenty-second overall, will count only $1.87MM against the cap in 2015, $2.25MM in ’16, and $2.62MM in ’17; Cleveland will then hold a fifth-year option for 2018. The Texas A&M product has just the 15th-highest cap figure on the Browns roster this season, and only the 12th-highest in 2015. Essentially, the CBA allows the Browns to retain Manziel at such a low cost that it’s conceivable they could simply employ him as a backup quarterback. Additionally, the modest cap numbers make Manziel more attractive to clubs interested in acquiring the young QB, if Cleveland is inclined to trade him.

League sources tell Cabot that Browns general manger Ray Farmer has long been fascinated by Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, who is widely expected to be a top-five pick in the 2014 draft. Cleveland will hold two mid-first-round picks thanks to its draft-day trade with the Bills earlier this year — given the current standings, the Browns would pick at No. 14 and No. 19. As Cabot writes, a move up to acquire Mariota is possible, but unlikely, given that the cost could rival what Washington parted with to select Robert Griffin III. In addition to both its 2015 first-rounders, Cleveland would probably have to surrender its 2016 first-round choice in order to move up.

Cabot also speculates that the Browns could bring in a veteran quarterback next season, either to replace Manziel if he’s dealt, or to act as a bridge as he continues his development. Hoyer is unlikely to return to Cleveland, as the Browns don’t view him as a long-term starter. But Jay Cutler is believed to be available via trade, and a number of mid-tier options, such as Mark Sanchez, Ryan Mallett, and Jake Locker will be unrestricted free agents after the season.

Johnny Manziel To Start For Browns

December 9th, 2014 at 11:43am CST by Luke Adams

After Brian Hoyer got the nod at quarterback one last time for the Browns last week vs. the Colts, the team has elected to turn to its prized rookie for Week 15. According to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (via Twitter), Hoyer and Johnny Manziel have been informed that Manziel will start for Cleveland this Sunday against the Bengals.

The Browns nearly pulled off an upset at home on Sunday against the Colts, but Andrew Luck led Indianapolis to a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. Despite the Colts’ small margin of victory, it was Cleveland’s defense and special teams that kept the team in the game, while Hoyer had one of his worst games of the year, completing just 14 of 31 passes for 140 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. In his last three starts, since Josh Gordon‘s return, Hoyer has compiled a QB rating of just 45.6 and thrown seven INTs.

Even if the Browns were to win their last three games to finish with a 10-6 record, there’s no guarantee they’d make the playoffs, given the level of competition in the AFC. With Hoyer struggling and the team’s postseason chances slipping away, it makes sense for the club to see what Manziel, the 22nd overall pick in May, can do in the starting role.

Unless Manziel struggles mightily down the stretch, it’s very possible Hoyer has played his last game for the Browns. Hoyer, who is in a contract year, had a strong first half this season, fueling speculation that he could sign a long-term extension with the team, but his overall performance in 2014 suggests he’s probably not Cleveland’s QB of the future.

Monday Roundup: QB Dilemmas, Pitta, Lewis

December 8th, 2014 at 9:02pm CST by Rory Parks

After predictably non-committal responses in his post-game press conference yesterday, Browns head coach Mike Pettine said today that “it’s natural to lean the other way” when considering who his starting quarterback should be moving forward (per ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon) The “other way” in this case is, of course, Johnny Manziel, whom Dennis Manoloff of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes will get the nod over the struggling Brian Hoyer in next week’s matchup against Cincinnati.

Now for some more links from around the league:

AFC Notes: Browns, McCourty, Miller

December 8th, 2014 at 11:40am CST by Luke Adams

Let’s check in on a few Monday morning links from around the AFC….

  • In his latest notes post at CBSSports.com, Jason La Canfora touches on a handful of topics, suggesting the Colts should take a flier on Ray Rice, speculating that the Dolphins could make an offseason run at Jim Harbaugh, and arguing that the Chiefs need to consider quarterback options besides Alex Smith for 2015.
  • It’s time for the Browns to make the switch from Brian Hoyer to Johnny Manziel for the rest of the season, so the team can see what it has for the future, says Tom Reed of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. If Cleveland is going to start Manziel in Week 15, head coach Mike Pettine and the club should make the decision swiftly and announce it soon, rather than letting it linger until the middle of the week again, writes Pat McManamon of ESPN.com.
  • Hoyer earns a spot on Jason Fitzgerald’s “Stock Down” piece at OverTheCap.com for the second consecutive week, with Fitzgerald suggesting that if the Browns signal-caller gets a chance to start next year, it will likely just be as a stopgap for a team developing a young quarterback. Fitzgerald also writes that the recent play of Titans cornerback Jason McCourty has made him a reasonable candidate to be cut during the offseason.
  • On the other hand, Percy Harvin‘s performance on Sunday could make the Jets think long and hard about guaranteeing his “bloated” 2015 salary, given the team’s lack of big-play talent on offense, says Fitzgerald in his “Stock Up” post.
  • Appearing on WSVN in Miami, agent Drew Rosenhaus said yesterday that it’s disappointing the Dolphins don’t use his client – running back Lamar Miller – more often, tweets Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Miller has one year remaining on his rookie contract after this season.

Extra Points: Browns, Harbaugh, Peterson

December 7th, 2014 at 10:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s take a look at some assorted notes as we wrap up the weekend…

  • The Browns quest to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002 took a hit today, but don’t expect the team to make any drastic changes. Following Cleveland’s 25-24 loss to the Colts, coach Mike Pettine addressed the play of quarterback Brian Hoyer (via David Campbell of Cleveland.com). “He did not play well enough for us to win,” Pettine said. “The entire team did not play well enough for us to win.” So, will the team make the switch to rookie Johnny Manziel? “I haven’t even thought about it,” said Pettine. “It’s something we’ll get together and discuss. It’s too fresh after this one.”
  • There isn’t only a quarterback controversy in Cleveland. According to Branson Wright of The Plain Dealer, the Browns may be looking for another kicker after veteran Billy Cundiff missed another key kick. “It’s obviously concerning,” said Pettine. “We get field goal attempts, we get a chance to put points on the board against a good team and you’ve got to be able to convert.”
  • There have been plenty of rumors regarding Jim Harbaugh‘s future with the 49ers, but the head coach was adamant that the whispers have not distracted his team, saying “it can’t be a factor.” The coach was also clear that he’s focused on this season. “My priorities are No. 1, winning football games,” Harbaugh said (via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com). “No. 2, the welfare of our players, coaches and staff. And, lastly, is what my personal professional future is.”
  • A resolution to the Adrian Peterson appeal will come eventually, and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes the running back will be on the field in 2015 if a deal is reached. If a deal isn’t reached, the writer warns that a lawsuit could be the next option.

More On Brian Hoyer’s Immediate Future

December 7th, 2014 at 10:07am CST by Rory Parks

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport writes that the Browns will continue to start Brian Hoyer at quarterback as long as the team is in the playoff hunt. However, Cleveland faces a daunting task against the Colts today, and a loss would thrust head coach Mike Pettine right back into a quarterback quandary next week. If that happens, Rapoport believes that Pettine would ride with rookie Johnny Manziel.

As PFR’s Zach Links wrote a few days ago, ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes that Hoyer will leave Cleveland in the offseason, possibly to reunite with Bill O’Brien in Houston. Schefter reiterated that point (via Twitter) this morning, noting that if the Browns fail to make the playoffs this hear, Hoyer will not be re-signed.

Brian Hoyer To Start For Browns

December 3rd, 2014 at 10:37am CST by Luke Adams

Despite speculation that rookie Johnny Manziel would get his first NFL start this weekend against the Colts, the first-round pick will enter the game as Cleveland’s backup signal-caller once again, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. Glazer reports (via Twitter) that the Browns have informed Brian Hoyer he’ll get the start against the Colts this Sunday.

The decision to stick with Hoyer may surprise some, but Glazer suggests (via Twitter) that the veteran had “widespread support” inside Cleveland’s locker room, and that the decision was a “no-brainer” in the view of many players. Still, Hoyer has been erratic in recent weeks, throwing for no touchdowns and five interceptions against the Falcons and Bills, resulting in his benching in Buffalo. Manziel looked excellent in his first drive on Sunday, leading the offense down the field and running for a touchdown, but was shakier on his second series.

Despite Hoyer’s middling overall numbers (56.2% completion percentage, 11 TDs, 10 INTs), he has led the Browns to a 7-5 record this year, putting the club right in the thick of the Wild Card race in the AFC. Presumably, with a handful of rookies already manning the running back position, the team feels more comfortable that the veteran Hoyer – rather than the rookie Manziel – can keep the Browns’ playoff hopes alive on Sunday against the Colts. If Hoyer struggles again, Manziel may still get a look down the stretch — ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets that Johnny Football could start the last three games for Cleveland if Hoyer loses on Sunday to Indianapolis.

Hoyer’s performance in the last quarter of the season could go a long way to determining not just his NFL future, but the future of the quarterback position in Cleveland. As Hoyer thrived in the first half, there was speculation that he could sign a long-term deal with the Browns, but if Manziel takes over the job down the stretch, it seems less likely that Cleveland will lock up Hoyer, who is in a contract year. That could ultimately open the door for another team to swoop in with an offer for Hoyer in free agency.

King’s Latest: Rice, NFLPA, Manziel, RGIII

December 1st, 2014 at 8:58am CST by Luke Adams

Within his latest Monday Morning Quarterback column, Peter King takes a look at many of Sunday’s more noteworthy games, and also touches on several other topics of interest. Here are the highlights from King’s newest piece:

  • Two NFL general managers who spoke to King had no interest in signing Ray Rice themselves, but predict he’ll be with a team in training camp in 2015. King believes there’s a very slim chance the running back signs anywhere in 2014, calling the Saints a long shot and the Colts a longer one. However, the executives who spoke to King think that the league’s other notable embattled running back, Adrian Peterson, is a much better bet to find work if and when the Vikings let him go, since his play hadn’t fallen off prior to his off-field troubles.
  • Although the NFL and NFL Players Association met last week to discuss the personal conduct policy, the league didn’t respond to the NFLPA’s written proposal on the policy, and the union isn’t happy about it. “They just want to meet with the union,” president Eric Winston said, “so they can say they got our input, and then do whatever they want.”
  • King would be “very surprised” if Johnny Manziel doesn’t get the chance to start next Sunday for the Browns against Indianapolis, though he views it as an “all-hands-on-deck game,” with Brian Hoyer ready to be called on at any time
  • In King’s view, Washington needs to play Robert Griffin III before the end of the season, either to decide whether to keep him or to showcase him for a potential trade. However, Colt McCoy‘s solid play yesterday will keep RGIII on the bench for at least another week..
  • King wrote back in June that Janay Rice “made a moving case for leniency” for her husband during Rice’s hearing with the NFL, but in the wake of Friday’s release from Judge Barbara Jones which suggested that wasn’t the case, King has retracted that report.

Browns Could Move Forward With Manziel

November 30th, 2014 at 10:09pm CST by Rob DiRe

After a strong start to the NFL season, Brian Hoyer has cooled off considerably in recent weeks. He threw eight touchdowns to only two interceptions in the first seven games of the season, as the team stayed in contention in the AFC North.

Since then, he has thrown only three touchdowns to eight interceptions. The Browns are still in the hunt in the AFC, but after playing horribly in a loss to the Bills earlier today, Hoyer was benched by head coach Mike Pettine. First-round pick Johnny Manziel promptly took over, completing five of his eight passes and adding a rushing touchdown.

Now that Manziel has seen the field as the leader of the huddle, it may be difficult to put him back on the sidelines. Hoyer’s play has not done much to convince the organization otherwise in recent weeks. Still, Pettine will wait until Wednesday to announce the starter heading into next week’s game against the Colts, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter).

The moment wasn’t too big for Manziel, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com. His poise in the moment makes him the frontrunner for the starting job the rest of the season. “It’s a football decision,” said Pettine. “Nothing else will factor into it, just pure football.”

Peter King of Sports Illustrated agrees that it is time for Manziel (via Twitter). With only four games left and the playoffs on the line, the team needs a spark if it plans on grabbing either the division title or a wild card berth.

Manziel is prepared for the opportunity to get his first NFL start, writes Jeff Schudel of the Morning Journal. “That’s obviously up to Coach Pettine and some higher people than me in this organization,” Manziel said. “But if that’s the case and my name is called, I’ll definitely be ready.”

Hoyer was obviously unhappy with the prospect of losing his job midway through the season, according to Schudel. “Obviously you never want to see someone else doing your job, but it’s the coach’s decision,” Hoyer said. “I mean this is my team and I’ve always felt that way. We’ll see what happens.”

Despite the recent rough times, Hoyer still supports the Browns’ playoff chances for the stretch run. “I just keep pressing on,” Hoyer continued. “I’m not the one that makes the decision. I’m not going to just hang my head and feel sorry for myself. We have four games left, and whatever Coach decides to do, I’ll be here to support this team.”

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