Mike Pettine Explains Why Johnny Manziel Will Still Start For The Cleveland Browns
Despite a dismal debut in the NFL, it looks like Johnny Manziel will remain as starter for the Cleveland Browns.
According to Cleveland.com, Manziel threw for 80 yards, two interceptions, and zero touchdowns in his first professional football game against rival Cincinnati Bengals. After the game, Manziel told the press that there is certainly room for improvement.
“Looking at my position and how I felt I played, I need to be better. I felt like it was a fail on my part for the position and it’s tough. It’s going to take time. It’s a process for sure.”
Manziel added that he blames himself for the poor performance.
“It’s tough to come out there and lay an egg like that and I put a lot of that on me. I’m not using the rookie excuse – it’s not me. Yeah, I’m a rookie but that’s out the window. I needed to play better.”
Johnny Manziel later said that not all great quarterbacks had terrific starts.
“The best quarterbacks to ever play this game have struggled early. It’s tough for a young guy to come in and get accustomed to this league.”
Prior to Sunday’s loss against the Bengals, the Inquisitr reported that several Browns players were praising Johnny Manziel. One was wide receiver Josh Gordon.
“He’s got what we need right now to move forward and pull off these last three wins. He’s willing to do anything, extend a play, and make something out of nothing.”
Browns head coach Mike Pettine also acknowledged that Johnny Manziel’s performance in his NFL debut was lackluster. But according to a separate Cleveland.com report, Pettine said it was the whole team that didn’t play well against the Bengals, not just Manziel. And despite Manziel not performing well, Pettine said he will keep him as the starter for the game against the Carolina Panthers.
“You can’t base it on one game. We didn’t play complementary football. When you’re trailing, you have to throw it more. It’s so much more a function of the team than the individual…. Disappointing start for him, but there were flashes of what he’s capable of. I don’t want to dwell on the one position.”
Pettine added that he noticed how Johnny Manziel was feeling during his NFL debut.
“He was definitely nervous. The situations that we put him in didn’t help. It wasn’t like we were playing with a lead, giving him a short field, running the ball well. That’s a tough spot to be in.”
How do you think Johnny Manziel will perform against the Carolina Panthers?
[Image via Point Spreads]
