Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has gotten plenty of attention and rumors thrown at him over his first weeks as an NFL player and if he starts this season over Brian Hoyer, there is a chance he could end up winning offensive rookie of the year over players like Blake Bortles, Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Teddy Bridgewater and Odell Beckham, but that will be very tough if Josh Gordon is suspended for the entire 2014 season.
Manziel could end up in the conversation for Rookie of the Year if he starts, but right now that's a big if with the way the Browns are using him and with Brian Hoyer coming in as the incumbent. If you were to bet on the award, someone like Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins are smart picks, as they are wide receivers and players that will get the chance to be on the field a great amount and both went in the top 10 and are considered prime talents.
The Browns received plenty of attention when they picked Manziel and they have continued to get bombarded with coverage, including of Manziel in Vegas and other stories like Manziel and that fake lawsuit that he was hit with. Manziel has handled himself like a pro at every turn and has been professional about what is going on, but the media is going way overboard and while this is the TMZ culture now, the Browns would love it if they would just let the kid live and play his game.
The Browns started off treating Manziel like the backup and he will have to earn his way into the starting job, but Manziel has not shied away from that and he has said that he looks forward to competing for the chance to start with Brian Hoyer. Manziel was drafted with the number 22 overall pick in the first round and that came a bit lower than some expected, as many predicted that he would be a top 10 pick. Manziel slipped, but he ended up in a solid situation, as the Browns have some decent offensive talent and could be much better in a couple years when he has the chance to develop.
The Browns traded picks with the Minnesota Vikings in the top 10 and everyone thought that would be the Manziel pick, but the team opted to take Justin Gilbert and they ended up trading up into the first round again to get Manziel. The Browns had Hoyer start last season until he was injured and he is still recovering from that injury a bit and has been limited in workouts this offseason. Former top draft pick Brandon Weeden was put in again and he did not play well and that led to his release this offseason and now Manziel steps in with the chance to compete.
According to ESPN.com, Manziel has looked more comfortable in workouts and he had a great play over the week, rolling out and throwing to the opposite sideline to athletic tight end Jordan Cameron, a very tough play for most NFL QBs to make. The Browns went just 4-12 last season and they were only 2-4 in the division and now they are hoping that Manziel gives the team a spark as they try and turn things around.
