The Cleveland Browns are maintaining the faith in Johnny Manziel and so far he is meeting all of their expectations. After a roller coaster rookie season and an even worse offseason, the second-year quarterback is in need of some redemption. The Browns gave the quarterback their silent endorsement by not trading up to acquire Marcus Mariota in the draft and Manziel will get his first chance to prove they made the right move as he takes the field for organized team activities.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Manziel will fully participate in OTAs with the Browns as the media will get their first glimpse of the quarterback since his 10-week rehab stint. Since returning back to Cleveland, the offseason praise has been rolling in for the former first-round draft pick as coaches and teammates have been impressed with his maturity and growth. According to quarterback coach John DeFilippo, Manziel is putting himself in position to be a starter in the league.
"He's spent every hour that he's been allowed to spend in this building," DeFilippo said, via ESPN.com. "I can't predict the future, but all I can do is tell you right now Johnny Manziel is putting himself in a position to be a quarterback in the NFL."
Manziel by be looking like a starting quarterback, but that might not be what happens this season. The Browns acquired Josh McCown in the offseason and head coach Mike Pettine has already named him the starting quarterback over Manziel, Connor Shaw and Thad Lewis. McCown is in need of his own bounce-back season after a forgettable year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McCown told the media that he is looking to take contract of the team as he and Manziel begin to bond.
"First and foremost, it's how you play as an individual, and moving forward, it's how you help the guys around you." McCown said, via ClevelandBrowns.com. "As a member of a team, that's how it should go. By going out and winning football games. I'm not into talking people into it. That's not my deal. You go out, and you play better football. That's the idea."
The Browns opted to build around the quarterback position rather than replace it. They acquired Brian Hartline, Dwayne Bowe and Rob Housler to help with the receiving game while the addition of Duke Johnson will add a new dynamic to the ground game as both Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West return to the team.
