Johnny Manziel to open training camp as Browns’ No. 2 quarterback
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel will open training camp as the team’s No. 2 quarterback, though head coach Mike Pettine wouldn’t guarantee that he will not start in Week 1.
Veteran Josh McCown will receive the majority of the reps in camp, Pettine said.
“The repetitions will (still) be handled that way, with Josh as the one,” Pettine told reporters, according to Cleveland.com. “Now, I wouldn’t say I’m guaranteeing today that Josh McCown is going to be the starter against the Jets. A lot can happen in a preseason. If guys are getting the two’s reps and all of a sudden they’re playing really well and the guy with the starters, you're maybe not pleased with—and you start to mix those reps as we go on.”
McCown signed a three-year deal with the Browns this off-season after being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He threw for 2,206 yards with 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while completing 56.3% of his passes in 2014.
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Manziel saw action in five games as a rookie last season and made two starts. He completed 18 of his 35 pass attempts for 175 yards. He had no passing touchdowns and threw two interceptions. He also gained 29 rushing yards and scored a touchdown on the ground.
Cleveland parted ways with Brian Hoyer, who started the majority of Cleveland’s games, but the Pettine doesn’t envision handing the reins to Manziel immediately.
“I wouldn’t rule it out (Manziel starting), but if I had to say ‘will Josh McCown likely be our day one starter’ to answer that question, I would say he would likely be, but I don’t want to say he is,” Pettine added. “I don't want to guarantee it.”
- Dan Gartland
