The Cleveland Browns could trade for Andre Johnson if the team wants to make a major move for quarterback Johnny Manziel after losing Josh Gordon to a drug suspension and while that is unlikely, Manziel got his first on field time for the team and this could be step one in his quest to beat Brian Hoyer for the starting job and owner Jimmy Haslam was in attendance to watch.
The Browns held their first workouts for rookies and that meant Johnny Manziel was on the field for the first time and owner Jimmy Haslam watched along as he threw to running backs in a short practice session and as the media descends on Cleveland, everyone is wondering whether Manziel will get the chance to start over Brian Hoyer as the two battle in training camp this summer.
Manziel has tons of media attention and the Browns will try to harness that after he was drafted and while they have said that he is starting off as the backup for Hoyer, there is always a chance he wins the job in camp. Manziel is a dynamic talent and if the team is bad, fans will be begging for Manziel to get on the field and Haslam may put his foot down to get it done. Manziel comes in after being taken with the number 22 pick in the first round of the draft and according to ESPN.com, Manziel had his first workouts with the Browns over the weekend.
Manziel worked with running backs and tossed three passes to them along with some handoffs and the short session was open to the media and Haslam was there to watch. Manziel and the Browns practiced inside and the team is getting ready for more organized team activities before training camp starts later in the summer. The Browns originally moved up in the draft from number 26 to number 22 to get Manziel and now Johnny Football moves from Texas A&M to Cleveland. Manziel has the chance to win out over Hoyer, as he has time to work this offseason in the offense from Kyle Shanahan while Hoyer continues to recover from a serious injury last season to his knee that required surgery.
Manziel won the Heisman trophy in college and was considered to be a potential top five or top 10 pick before slipping in the draft. Blake Bortles was the first quarterback taken in the draft and Manziel ended up going to the Browns while he went to the Jaguars. Manziel will have a chance to win the job and if he shows enough to Mike Pettine, he could get it done. The team may have to play the year without Josh Gordon after his potential drug suspension and that is why the team added Miles Austin and Earl Bennett to the mix for Manziel. The Browns had another losing season in 2013 and now they have some hope for the future with Manziel.
