It is Johnny Football time in Cleveland
“The door is definitely open for a change at the quarterback position,” Pettine said to ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio. “It’s not like we’re just going to go back to Brian (Hoyer). This has been a cumulative thing, where discussions about a change at quarterback have been more and more lively. We’ll evaluate both quarterbacks and have a decision soon.”
Hoyer was 18/30 for 192 yards and two interceptions in the loss. The score was 20-3 when Pettine benched the starter for rookie first-round pick Johnny Manziel. Manziel proceeded to lead a touchdown drive and went 5/8 for 63 yards, while rushing for 13 yards and a score in his limited action.
The past four games have seen QB Brian Hoyer struggle. The Browns have gone 2-2 while Brian has only one TD pass with six interceptions. The future is now for the Cleveland Browns. While a 7-5 record puts the Browns 1 1/2 games behind the Cincinnati Bengals with four games to play, the playoffs are still a remote possibility. Home games against the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals in the next two weeks will determine the fate of the youthful Browns.
The Browns showed some spunk with the change in QB in the fourth quarter from Brian Hoyer to Johnny Manziel. The Bills were ahead 20-3 following the second Brian Hoyer interception. Associated Press:
The rookie first-round pick provided an initial spark in getting his first appearance since a 23-21 loss to Baltimore in Week 3.
Manziel went 3 of 4 for 54 yards and added 13 yards rushing in capping an eight-play, 80-yard drive with a 10-yard run to cut Buffalo's lead to 20-10 with 8:47 left.
Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine can turn to Johnny "Football" at home in the "Dawg Pound" to see what he can do. Johnny will gain valuable experience in a pressure situation. Johnny has faced pressure before. His 2012 Texas A&M team went to Tuscaloosa, AL, and defeated the Crimson Tide, 29-24. Alabama has not lost at home, since
If the change at QB works, the games at Carolina and Baltimore will have playoff implications. If it doesn't, "it wasn't meant to be."
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.
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