The Cleveland Browns are likely starting Josh McCown in Week 1 of the season over Johnny Manziel and head coach Mike Pettine said that the team "feels good" about the depth chart and this comes as Terrelle Pryor is trying to make the team, while Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson and Terrance West are competing for carries.
McCown dealt with a finger issue earlier in the preseason, but as long as he is healthy for Week 1 he will likely be the starter. According to Cleveland.com, Mary Kay Cabot reports that Mike Pettine said that the team "feels good" about McCown starting over Manziel, as he has more experience and has been more consistent in the offseason so far. Last season McCown had a tough year in Tampa and he is trying to rebound this season in Cleveland.
Manziel also is dealing with a sore arm and that could be one reason why the team feels more comfortable with McCown as the starter for now. Manziel likely will get playing time this year and it comes after he got some work behind Brian Hoyer last season. According to Pro Football Talk, Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said that the throwing motion for Manziel could be a reason for the sore arm and that it's something the team will try and work on.
Manziel comes in after playing in five games last season and passing for 175 yards and two interceptions with zero touchdowns. Manziel also had nine rushes for 29 yards and one touchdown last year as a rookie. McCown comes in after completing just 56 percent of his passes in Tampa and he finished the season with 2206 yards and 11 touchdowns with 14 interceptions.
Pryor is trying to make the roster as a wide receiver and while he can play some quarterback also, the team is not looking to have him as an option at this time. But that versatility could help him make the team, as the Browns currently have Connor Shaw and Thad Lewis on the roster. The team could carry three quarterbacks and also have an emergency option in Pryor if he makes it. Pryor has been dealing with a hamstring issue and Mike Pettine admitted that the missed time could hurt Pryor as he tries to make the roster.
ESPN Cleveland reports that Pryor has a chance to make the roster, but that he likely "has to practice and play" this week so the team can evaluate him. The team wants to give Pryor a good chance to stick around, but the hamstring injury has made it tough for the team to fully gauge what he can be. Pryor has appeared in a regular season game since 2013 and that year he had 83 rushes for 576 yards while playing QB. The Browns would be bringing in Pryor as a wideout and he could be an emergency option at QB.
Check here for more on the Cleveland Browns QB situation and more on Pryor making the roster.
