Browns QB Johnny Manziel on rookie year: I arrived with "college mindset"
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel said Tuesday that he arrived in the NFL with a "college mindset" but that it has faded over the course of his rookie season, according to Tom Withers of the Associated Press.
Manziel was criticized by some for immaturity due to his well-publicized partying habits this summer after the Browns selected him with the second of their two first-round draft picks.
He largely stayed out of the public eye off the field this season save for an altercation with a fan at Manziel's residence, an incident in which Manziel wasn't a target of a criminal investigation.
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More from Manziel:
After losing a training competition with Brian Hoyer for Cleveland's starting quarterback job, Manziel rarely saw the field until Hoyer was pulled from the Browns' Week 13 game against the Buffalo Bills.
Manziel then started in Week 15 against the Bengals but struggled, throwing for just 80 yards and getting intercepted twice as the Browns were shut out. He injured his hamstring on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers and was ruled out for Cleveland's season finale against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
All told, Manziel completed 18 of 35 passes for 175 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in his rookie season, adding 29 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
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Connor Shaw will start for the Browns on Sunday. Hoyer is set to become a free agent after the season.
The Browns are 7-8 this season and will miss the playoffs for the 12th straight season.
- Ben Estes
