Johnny Manziel: Mike Pettine, Browns need to make the switch

Despite not growing up in Cleveland, Ohio or having ever been to the city, it continues to shock me that head coach Mike Pettine and the Cleveland Browns are jeopardizing their season over a quarterback that likely has no future in town. The Browns are one of five teams that boast a 7-6 record, while three more teams are close in front with records of 8-5. I hate to sound redundant, but if you are reading this Coach Pettine, please put in Johnny Manziel. Hoyer wore out his welcome at least three games back.

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Of all twelve teams in playoff contention in the AFC, there is one team whose starting quarterback has thrown fewer touchdowns than interceptions (11-12). Can you guess what team and which quarterback I”m referring to? That’s right, the Cleveland Browns and Brian Hoyer. I think there is a place in this league for Hoyer, but it’s not as a starting quarterback. This past Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, Hoyer completed 14 of 31 passes for only 140 yards, along with two more interceptions.

If I were a Browns fan, I would be absolutely infuriated after watching the game against Indianapolis. Cleveland blew had a 21-7 lead in the early third quarter, as well as a five-point lead with under a minute to go in regulation. The Browns, who managed to turn the Colts over four times, couldn’t build-up a big enough lead to put the game away because of another lackluster performance from Hoyer and the offense.

It’s a long-shot, but the Browns are still in striking distance of a playoff spot with three games remaining. Johnny Manziel needs to be starting at this point. I’m not saying that he’s the answer to the team’s offensive woes, but the first drive that he led after entering the game against the Buffalo Bills two weeks ago was quite convincing. We know what starting Johnny Manziel entails. When he scores and yes, I said when, you’re going to get the money sign. People have been waiting for him to mess up, and up until this point, he hasn’t done so.

On Sunday, FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reported that it was possible that Manziel didn’t start against the Colts due to the fact that he attended a Cleveland Cavaliers game on Tuesday night before the Browns had decided on who would start. Quite frankly, if that’s the worst “Johnny Football” publicity he’s going to get, I take it and run with it if I’m the Cleveland Browns. He provides a much needed spark to the Browns’ offense, and his mobility will give it another dimension. The running game hasn’t be spectacular this season, but it hasn’t been terrible either. With Manziel under center, the element of read-option plays from the quarterback will create nightmarish scenarios for opposing defenses.

Obviously wide receiver Josh Gordon isn’t completely up to speed yet after coming off of his suspension, but his presence alone can help with Manziel’s progression. Then there’s tight end Jordan Cameron, who is fed up with the offense as well. Cameron told media after the team’s 25-24 loss to Indianapolis that “we gotta watch the tape, but we suck.” It’s very clear that players are getting fed up with the offense, not just Cameron, and changes need to be made. The team has benefitted from a relatively weak schedule, yet have lost three out of their last four games. I’ll reiterate my position one final time. It’s time to let Johnny Manziel lose because it’s a lot more likely that he’ll be starting for Cleveland in 2015 than Brian Hoyer.

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Mike Pettine, Browns need to make switch to Johnny Manziel

By Matt Reed | Dec 9, 2014