Browns HC on Johnny Manziel: If we can limit the circus, we’re going to
By Josh Sanchez
The Cleveland Browns have made it very clear that quarterback Johnny Manziel is just another rookie and they are doing their absolute best to make sure that he understands that as they try to limit expectations and the media circus that comes with a player that carries the Johnny Football persona.
From Day 1, the Browns have said that Manziel is nothing more than a back up at this point of his career and they let him know that “this isn’t Hollywood,” and now Browns head coach Mike Pettine is continuing to drive that point home.
When speaking to the media, Pettine said, “If there’s something we can do to limit (the circus), we’re going to do it.”
Fans in Cleveland are eager to see their latest first-round quarterback take the field, but he is going to have a difficult task ahead of him in beating out Brian Hoyer.
The good news for fans that want to see him in the line up, however, is that Manziel is as tough as a competitor as their is and he will put his best foot forward during team OTAs and training camp. If he can quickly learn the offense, his chances of winning the starting gig will receive a significant boost.
Cleveland does seem willing to roll with Hoyer as their starter for the season-opener, but it is going to be hard to convince fans it is the best move for their franchise.
They are going to want to see Manziel. They are going to want Manziel in the huddle. And because of that, the Manziel media circus is only beginning despite the team’s best efforts to keep things under wrap.