The Cleveland Browns are trying to be careful. The team is still fully committed to the potential of Johnny Manziel, but understands they must limit the media circus around the quarterback in order for him to succeed. Manziel has been the subject of numerous headlines since his days at Texas A&M and the Browns are looking to stop that which is why the team will not be volunteering for HBO's Hard Knocks.
Manziel is set to return from a rehab clinic in time for April practices. General manager Ray Farmer confirmed that Manziel would be back with the team and the stint in rehab would not factor in to his abilities to get named the starting quarterback for 2015. When Manziel does return, the Browns plan on doing their best to limit the media that surrounds the quarterback in order for him to adjust and succeed. Head coach Mike Pettine is making it clear that for that reason the team will not be making an appearance on Hard Knocks.
"You just weigh everything in," said Pettine, via ESPN.com. "Because being a part of 'Hard Knocks,' having been there, knowing they're going to look to cover the team's biggest current storylines, it's obvious that he would be a point of attention. When we decided not to volunteer for 'Hard Knocks,' we discussed everything that was involved with it. [Manziel] is certainly something we needed to consider."
The Browns are trying to voice their support for Manziel and belief that he can still succeed as a starter, but recent transactions prove that might not completely be the case. The Browns are preparing to enter the season with Manziel and Josh McCown as their two best quarterback options, but it is not for lack of trying. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns were in the mix to acquire Sam Bradford in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. They have also been linked to moves for Philip Rivers and Drew Brees. All of those have been denied.
With two first-round draft picks, the Browns could easily move up for Marcus Mariota. However, with multiple needs to fill on the roster, that might not be the trade Cleveland favors. The Browns could wait until a later round and try to grab either Brett Hundley or Bryce Petty, two quarterbacks who are seeing their stocks start to increase. They might not be a Day 1 starter, but more on a long-term option which is what Cleveland really needs.
