The drama is over and after a draft free fall, Johnny Manziel was finally selected by the Cleveland Browns at No. 22. Many "draft experts" predicted the Browns would select the quarterback at No. 4, but instead made several trades to then draft him later on, but only after a number of teams passed on him. So now Manziel heads to Cleveland where he could easily start Week 1. However, head coach mike Pettine said that is not happening.
The Browns cleaned house in the offseason, getting rid of both Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell, two quarterbacks that saw starting time last year. All they were left with veteran Brian Hoyer who showed promised on the field before ending his season early with a torn ACL. Pettine has already named Hoyer the starter for 2014 baring any setbacks with his recovery, but would Manziel change that?
Lindsay Jones of USA Today reports Pettine said in his post-draft press conference that drafting Manziel does not change the plan to have Hoyer start in 2014. The head coach has no plans to force the rookie into a starting role early and prefers to let him develop during the 2014 season. Now that could easily change with pressure from the ownership, media and fans. Hoyer does not exactly fill a stadium whereas Johnny Football could get the Browns faithful at least something to get excited over.
Manziel is not calling himself the starter. He noted that he spoke with Hoyer during his draft visit and is excited to learn under the veteran. However, no surprise, Manziel has a chip on his shoulder and is ready to compete and prove his talents after falling in the draft.
"Brian obviously is a very good player who I really do respect, and he's a teammate of mine now," Manziel said, via ESPN.com. "I'm going in to try to show these guys that I'm obviously here to compete and see what I bring to the table. Obviously, that's the coaches decision, and whatever happens in that regard will happen."
With Manziel will come media and Pettine and owner Jimmy Haslam are aware that Manziel attracts attention. Many teams believed that was his biggest downside during pre-draft visits. The quarterback is constantly in the press for something, but Pettine said the team is not concerned about it becoming a distraction.
"It's something in the coming days we'll discuss how we handle it," Pettine said. "I'm not saying it's going to be an issue, but it's something we'll have to address and have a plan for."
