Browns’ Pettine might bench partying Manziel


Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel. Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel. Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Manziel enjoyed the bye week and after learning of video and photographic evidence of the quarterback partying in Austin, Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine said Tuesday he is not ready to name a starter for Monday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Manziel, who spent three months in a rehab facility he entered voluntarily in January, can be seen drinking champagne and in a general party atmosphere in photos and video published by the website Busted Coverage. “Disappointing. Very,” said a visibly frustrated Pettine on Tuesday. Pettine only seven days before had named Manziel the starter for the remainder of the 2015 season, a move designed to help the Browns determine if Manziel was an option as the long-term solution at quarterback. The Browns have not had the same starter for three consecutive seasons since returning to the NFL in 1999. Manziel’s off-field issues cast doubt over his future during his redshirt sophomore season at Texas A&M and despite effort to make changes, the Browns are not seeing the type of commitment expected of a face of the franchise. Pettine said no knee-jerk reactions would be made. Josh McCown started Oct. 11 and helped the Browns beat the Baltimore Ravens, who are up next on Cleveland’s schedule. Before he returned home to Texas for the bye weekend, Manziel said he was elated for the opportunity on the primetime stage. “Coach Pett said I couldn’t ask for a better stage, so I guess he said it pretty well,” Manziel said.” I wanted the chance to be the guy and that was always my goal. I’m excited, I think as I should be. This is a great opportunity with a great group of guys that are going to go out and fight with me every week so I couldn’t be more excited.”