Johnny Manziel a Bright Spot For Browns in Blowout Loss

Maybe, just maybe, the Cleveland Browns have something positive in second-year quarterback Johnny Manziel.

ALSO ON SPIN ZONE: Who are the greatest defensive players in NFL history?

Manziel could not have had worse of a start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The QB who was starting in place of the injured Josh McCown dropped back to pass, but the ball slipped out of his hand before he began his throwing motion. Manziel could do nothing as the Steelers collected the fumble, and it seemed as if the polarizing Heisman Trophy winner was going to be in for a forgettable afternoon.

A funny thing then happened as the Steelers cruised to a 30-9 victory over the Browns. Manziel actually had himself a solid outing.

Manziel showed improvement following his up-and-down performance against the Cincinnati Bengals. He stayed in the pocket rather than attempt to make plays with his legs, something that head coach Mike Pettine had stressed while speaking with reporters. Manziel spread the ball to seven different targets. Tight end Gary Barnidge reeled in six of eight Manziel targets, one for a touchdown.

Manziel also showed toughness after he nearly got his head ripped off via a face mask that is going to be a fineable offense later on this week.

When all was said and done, Manziel completed 33 of 45 passes for 372 yards, a score, an interception that was not his fault (more on that later), and a lost fumble.

Those who are drooling while they wait to review the All-22 film and point out all of the miscues Manziel made against the Steelers would also have to admit that the QB was not the problem for the Browns on Sunday. Manziel received zero help from a rushing attack that featured Isaiah Crowell going for negative-five yards on six carries. The Browns would have had minus-two rushing yards on the day had Manziel not picked up 17 yards on a trio of runs.

Offensive lineman Cameron Erving, a first-round pick, had himself an awful game versus the Steelers.

Fortune, it would turn out, was also against Manziel. He was the star of a play-of-the-day candidate in the third quarter when he did well to escape a pass rush, fake Pittsburgh defensive players out with a pump of the ball, and then rush toward the goal line. Manziel was called down at the one-yard line, and that decision was not overturned following a replay that, on one angle, seemed to show that Manziel had barely managed to get the ball to the line before his knee was down.

That memorable moment would mean nothing for the Browns. Erving committed a clear hold as Crowell completed a sweep for a touchdown. Jim Dray was called for illegal formation on the following play. Manziel was facing fourth-and-goal from the Pittsburgh seven-yard line when he rolled out while he kept his eyes down the field. With nothing to lose, Manziel attempted to fit a throw through a tight window. The pass was intercepted.

A lack of discipline has been a problem for the Browns throughout 2015. That was again the case for the club against the Steelers. Cleveland was penalized on 12 occasions. Those fouls cost the Browns a total of 188 yards. That, for those of you wondering, was 173 more yards than what the Browns picked up on the ground against the Steelers.

Remember when the offense of the Browns was supposed to be built on a stellar offensive line and an above-average rushing attack?

Manziel was not perfect against the Steelers. There were occasions when Manziel did his teammates no favors with inaccurate throws. Manziel will, once he reviews the film, hopefully see occasions when he should have picked up Pittsburgh blitzes at the line of scrimmage. With all of that said, Manziel never looked overwhelmed against the Steelers, and he is undeniably an improved product from the unprepared rookie who played QB for the Browns in 2014.

Reasons for Pettine to not keep Manziel the starting QB disappear with every week.

The unofficial end of the Cleveland season occurred over a month ago. With the team’s playoff hopes now gone — if any ever actually existed — the Browns not only need to see what they have in Manziel. It is vital that the club attempts to develop Manziel as a starting QB up through the end of the season. Manziel needs to take his lumps on the field as he hopefully improves.

If nothing else, the Browns have nothing to lose by starting Manziel for at least another game.

All the Browns know for sure about the QB position on the depth chart is that McCown is closer to retirement than he is to the prime of a journeyman career. Manziel still has a long trek to complete if he is to prove that he can consistently win in the NFL. He at least deserves the opportunity to fail before whoever is leading the Browns in January begins scouting en route to selecting a different QB in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Next: Should Browns Target Matthew Stafford?

Maybe Manziel will do something off the field during the bye week to prove that he is not, in fact, worthy of playing. Perhaps Pettine and company will, when reviewing the film, see glaring holes in Manziel’s game that need to be addressed before the 22-year-old can be trusted with the keys of the team’s offense. Pettine needs to have a good reason for not starting Manziel 15 days from now if that is the decision he makes.

Not playing Manziel could, if Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports is correct, cost Pettine his job.