New Browns OC John DeFilippo unsure if starting QB is on roster
New Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said he is unsure if the team's starting quarterback is currently on the team, Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer reports.
DeFilippo was hired on Wednesday to replace Kyle Shanahan, who resigned earlier this month. The 38-year-old joins the team after serving as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders.
Quarterback play was a weakness for the Browns this season as they finished No. 20 in passing yards and No. 32 in passing touchdowns. Starter Brian Hoyer was benched late in the season in favor of first-round pick Johnny Manziel, but Manziel struggled and the Browns missed the playoffs.
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Hoyer led the team to a 6-3 start to the season, but threw eight interceptions in his next four games as the Browns went 1-3. On the season, he completed 55.3 percent of his passes for 3,326 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Manziel saw time in five games this season, completing 51.4 percent of his passes for 175 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. The Browns lost 30-0 in his first start against the Cincinnati Bengals and was injured in his next start against the Carolina Panthers. DeFilippo said he is looking forward to working with Manziel, according to Cabot.
The Browns finished 7-9 this season.
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- Paul Palladino
