The drama surrounding the Cleveland Browns quarterback rotation appeared to be over when Brian Hoyer had the team looking like playoff contenders. However, after two games that featured more interceptions than touchdowns passes, Johnny Manziel took over and could remain under center in the coming weeks. Manziel did not get the win after coming into fourth quarter of the loss to the Buffalo Bills, but he did get a scoring drive which now has head coach Mike Pettine considering starting the rookie in Week 14.
Pettine told the media on Monday that he was not ready to name a starting quarterback for the upcoming game against the Indianapolis Colts. That is much different tone than the head coach has had this season when he was putting all of his faith and confidence in the veteran quarterback. However, the three interceptions against the Atlanta Falcons and two more against the Bills has Pettine considering a change, but he is not ready to commit just yet.
"Not ready to make a decision on that at this point," Pettine said, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Not leaning one way or the other, but there's a lot to consider. We believe that competition is a cornerstone of what we do. I said earlier in the year that quarterback would not be an exception, except that we'd be much more patient there."
Hoyer admits that he believes the Browns are still his team and he plans on playing and practicing as such. The quarterback told the media that no one just lucks into being 7-5 on the season and he believes the two bad games are just a slight slump he can bounce back from. The question remains whether or not he will get that chance.
"We're 7-5," Hoyer said. "That just doesn't happen by luck. It was hard-earned and we've worked to get where we're at. And we're still in it. With those other teams [Pittsburgh and Baltimore] losing yesterday, we have four more games; two of them are division games. You don't get to 7-5 in the NFL just by lucking into it."
One person ready to see Manziel in the starting role is Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James who has been a supporter of the quarterback since his arrival to the Browns. According to James, Manziel is ready to start, but will see his share of struggles. If given the chance to start, Manziel is essentially auditioning for a future job with either the Browns or somewhere else as Cleveland considers what to do with the quarterback job.
"I know he's ready to go," James said, via ESPN.com. "I talk to him weekly. He's ready to go. But he's still learning. He's a rookie, he's still learning. If Coach [Mike Pettine] is ready for him, to give him the nod, he'll be ready to go, but he's going to have some bumps and bruises just like any other rookie quarterback would have, any other player in the NFL or in professional sports. But I'm one of his biggest supporters. I mean, he's part of the family, so of course I want him out there."
