The Cleveland Browns lost 26-10 on Sunday to the Buffalo Bills, but the day will be long remembered for more than the final score. In the second half, head coach Mike Pettine pulled the plug on Brian Hoyer and ushered in the era of Johnny.
Johnny Manziel, the 22nd-overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, is now center-stage for a fan base starving for a franchise quarterback. Enjoy the spotlight Johnny, and try not to become Tim Couch or Brady Quinn. Manziel has high expectations both in the Rust Belt and nationally, thanks to ESPN likely camping out in Berea for the foreseeable future.
Manziel was ultimately going to get his crack at starting, but it seemed he might have to wait until the 2015 campaign after Hoyer had Cleveland buzzing with a 7-4 start. However, another pitiful performance by the journeyman and desperation for a jolt led to Manziel getting a shot. It’s unlikely Manziel will lead the Browns to the playoffs, but if Tim Tebow can win a division, anything is possible.
Despite a solid 10-5 mark as Cleveland’s starter, Hoyer was never anything more than a stopgap. Hoyer, 29, is far too inconsistent to be a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback. This year, Hoyer has thrown for 11 touchdowns but also 10 interceptions, including zero scores and five picks over the last two games. Hoyer’s completion percentage is 56.2, ranking 33rd of 34 qualifying quarterbacks.
Manziel has more natural ability than Hoyer. The real question is will he work hard enough to be successful in the NFL, which Jerry Glanville famously coined as “Not For Long.” Also, will Manziel earn the trust and respect of teammates who are veterans, many of whom have busted body parts and missed out on plenty of party time to stay in the league?
Now that he’s the leader, Manziel’s days of partying in Las Vegas, giving the middle finger to opponents and hitting the scene with his overly-aggressive posse will have to stop. Everything he does and says will be seen as a representation of the organization, which is paying him $8.2 million over the next four years. Manziel has to get serious in a town that is starving for a postseason win, something that hasn’t been delivered since 1994.
Pettine made the right move, even if it likely signals the proverbial white flag on 2014. Hoyer was deteriorating on a weekly basis and getting Manziel in now will lessen the learning curve next year. The Browns have two first-round picks this April (acquired the Bills’ pick last year) and already have ample young talent. Cleveland is finally in a position to make some noise, and Manziel becoming an upper-echelon player is essential to that plan.
Johnny Football, the floor is yours.