Cleveland Browns Roster & News: Johnny Manziel Could Get Another Chance, Says Mike Pettine
Johnny Manziel was demoted to third-string quarterback, but Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine said that the sophomore could still win back the trust of the coaching staff.
Manziel, who is the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, was supposed to start for the remainder of the season, but lost the chance to prove that he could be the face of the franchise due to another off-field controversy.
The former Texas A&M standout was seen in a video partying and holding alcohol during their bye week. It disappointed team officials, especially after Manziel underwent intense rehab during the offseason to become a better player on and off the field.
But while most fans and analysts believe that the move is an indication that the Browns will part ways with Manziel, Pettine reiterated that they are still open to giving the 22-year-old another chance depending on how he will react on in the remaining weeks of the season.
"We told him yesterday, 'This isn't a dead end, this is a hurdle.' Sometimes you have to take a step back to take a few forward," Pettine told Cleveland.com. "This is a heavy dose of adversity. We will see how he handles it."
Pettine admitted, though, that it will have a negative impact to the team because they wanted to evaluate their quarterback options in their remaining games. They want to test Manziel in order to map out their offseason plans, but the Browns coach insisted that they had no other choice but to demote him because of his disappointing behavior.
Pettine added that they did give Manziel a warning about engaging in off-field activities before their bye week. The former first-round pick also admitted to Pettine that he engaged in off-field activities in Austin on Thursday and Friday. The report also indicated that he partied in Ohio on Saturday, which means that he spent three of the five days off partying despite getting warning from their coaching staff.
"The position of quarterback is always going to be held to a higher standard than any other position on the team," Pettine said. "That's the reality. It's not just about talent. It is not just about what you do on the field. To be successful at the position requires a great understanding of what is involved in the non-physical aspects."
Following Manziel's demotion, Josh McCown will start for the Browns in their Monday Night Football game against the Baltimore Ravens with Austin Davis as his backup.
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