Mike Pettine: Browns did not volunteer for Hard Knocks series

Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine told reporters Tuesday that he did not volunteer to have his team featured on HBO's Hard Knocks, in part because quarterback Johnny Manziel checked into a rehab facility this offseason.

Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine told reporters Tuesday that he did not volunteer to have his team featured on HBO's Hard Knocks, in part because quarterback Johnny Manziel checked into a rehab facility this offseason. 

The Browns "declined to volunteer" for Hard Knocks, with Johnny Manziel's situation as part of the reason. They can still be picked.

— Eric Adelson (@eric_adelson) March 24, 2015

Pettine acknowledged that Johnny manziel coming off rehab was a factor in #browns not volunteering for Hard Knocks during meeting here

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 24, 2015

#Browns HC Mike Pettine on Hard Knocks: It's hard to be yourself. If you have to change, then it's a distraction.

— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) March 24, 2015

• Agent: Not in Adrian Peterson's best interests to play for Minnesota​

Vic Carucci of The Buffalo Newsreported Sunday that Browns are the “front-runners” to be featured on the series. 

The series, a joint venture between HBO and NFL Films, chronicles one team's training camp each summer. The NFL passed a rule in 2013 that allows the league to force a team to participate if none volunteers. Teams with a first-year head coach, that have appeared on the show in the past ten years, or that have made the playoffs in one of the past two seasons cannot be forced to participate.

- Dan Gartland