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Time For Johnny Manziel To Be Cleveland Browns’ Starting QB?

By Nick Dudukovich

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Sep 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) celebrates his first career NFL touchdown pass during the first half of their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Manziel got his first taste of the 2015 NFL season a lot sooner than he probably thought he would, after it looked like starter Josh McCown got knocked back to the Kardiac Kids era in those brown and orange uniform combos.

Manziel did some good things–such as tossing his first NFL TD, but he also made mistakes. At times, he held onto the ball too long. Overall, there was much improvement from the unprepared rookie Browns suffered through watching last December.

He showed flashes of what make him a college-football phenom. If it wasn’t for porous offensive line play, he would have had rushed for more yardage. With an improved running game, he might’ve had time to actually make a read in the pocket. Instead, the Jets’ defense got to tee off on the former Heisman winner.

The bottom line? Nobody has the Browns hoisting the Lombardi Trophy come February, and that’s why Manziel–if he has improved–should be given the reigns to the offense, according to Fox Sports Alex Marvez…

"“…For a team that isn’t realistically a Super Bowl contender, the Browns must keep an eye on the future. That means making Manziel the starter beginning with next Sunday’s game against Tennessee to see exactly what they have — an upgraded version of Johnny Football who can succeed in the NFL or another draft mistake that will require Cleveland to address the position yet again in the 2016 offseason.”More from Cleveland BrownsAre the Cleveland Browns a Top 10 roster heading into the 2023 season?There will be no more excuses for Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns in 2023There is hope that the Cleveland Browns land DeAndre Hopkins4 reasons the Cleveland Browns may in fact land DeAndre HopkinsThe Cleveland Browns need to rock some white helmets in 2023"

It’s hard to argue with Marvez’s logic. The only way for Johnny to build off the positives from the Jets game is to get first-team reps in practice and get back in the huddle Sunday against the Titans.

It’s not all going to highlight-reel stuff, but who knows? Perhaps Manziel can surprise and prove he wasn’t a waisted first-round pick.

• The Browns were penalized 12 times for 109 yards. When you have more penalties than rushing yards (104) it’s probably a good idea to keep  the Pepto Bismol close by. Mike Pettine must’ve gone through 10 bottles.

• If we’re talking changes, Duke Johnson needs to elevated to the feature back role. The position is that dire. Against the Jets, Isaiah Crowell looked a tad slow. His struggles can be blamed on the offensive line, but at least The Duke was able to make something out of the tiny he holes he had.

He came close to busting two or three runs wide open. The Browns need playmakers. Crowell isn’t the answer.

Celebration of the day goes to Craig Robertson and all he did was stop a punt returner cold in his tracks.

If this type of reaction comes after a special teams play, what does Robertson do if the Browns actually win?

• There’s already a fireMikePettine.com url that’s active. Go there, and you’ll be re-directed to the Browns website.

Don’t count me in the camp that wants to fire Pettine. Ray Farmer on the other hand? Time is ticking.

• But speaking of a hot seat–it has to be turned up on both Farmer and Pettine, right? Jimmy Haslam is the owner who fired his entire front office and changed coaches after one season.

He’s a wild card. Who knows what he’ll do.

But here’s what we do know. He’s not afraid to make the Browns the butt of national jokes.

• On Sunday, the Browns get to see Marcus Mariota. How’d Super Mario do in his debut?

Pretty ho-hum, you know, just throwing four touchdown passes. And he’s the first player since at least 1933 with a perfect passer rating in his first game. No big deal.

Who knows if the Browns actually had a shot to get trade up with the Titans to get him, but Farmer’s inability to get a deal done is shaping up to be a major blunder.

Next: 5 Game Changing Plays That Cost The Browns Against The Jets

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