The Cleveland Browns are planning to start Josh McCown over Johnny Manziel in Week 4 and head coach Mike Pettine said that the team is not second guessing their starting quarterback. The team reportedly will not cut Dwayne Bowe despite his disappointing play and this comes as Gary Barnidge has emerged as a fantasy football option for owners at tight end.
The Browns have struggled to start the season, but Manziel helped the team earn a win in Week 2 against the Titans, but he was replaced in the starting lineup by McCown. McCown went down in the first game against the Jets and then missed Week 2, but once he was able to return for a concussion, Pettine put McCown back in the starting lineup. According to Pro Football Talk, Pettine said he gave "no" consideration about going back to Manziel after the Browns lost against the Raiders.
McCown did not look great against the Raiders, but the Browns said they are confident in him as the starter and he will play in Week 4. Manziel was up and down against the Titans, but he has three touchdowns and one interception this season and has a better handle on the offense than he did last year. Many players have said that Manziel appears more mature this season, but Pettine said the best chance to win remains with McCown.
Pettine was also asked about Dwayne Bowe and according to Cleveland.com, Pettine said that the team is "not cutting" Bowe. The team had Bowe as a healthy scratch against the Raiders and that is not a sign of confidence, but Pettine said it's a "long season" and that while things have now "started out the way that we've all - including Dwayne - wanted it," the team is "confident" that he can turn things around. Bowe only played eight snaps in Week 2 after missing the first game with a hamstring injury and now he will have to find a way to play his way back into the lineup.
Money is likely the main issue with Bowe not getting cut, as the team gave Bowe a contract with $9 million guaranteed. The emergence of Travis Benjamin has helped the Browns and the team also has Andrew Hawkins and Brian Hartline on the depth chart. Bowe has yet to record a catch with the team and he comes in after playing the first stretch of his career with the Chiefs. Last season Bowe did not have a TD catch and his numbers have been middling for the last few years following a breakout season in 2010.
Barnidge has emerged as a fantasy sleeper for the Browns along with Benjamin, as he had an impressive game in Week 3. Barnidge had six catches for 105 yards and a TD in the game and he also had 10 targets, which is a good sign moving forward. The Browns need players to step up wherever they can and now Barnidge has the chance to be a consistent option. Barnidge has 10 catches for 160 yards this season and moving forward he could be a good pickup for fantasy owners.
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