The Cleveland Browns simply cannot get out of their own way. The team was hoping this season would bring less drama than last year and instead they are experiencing the exact opposite. The improvement of Johnny Manziel has brought up quarterback questions with Josh McCown struggling under center. Now with TMZ getting involved, will head coach Mike Pettine make a move back to the second-year quarterback?
TMZ has released a story that quotes three anonymous Browns' players who say that they favor Manziel as the starting quarterback over McCown. How TMZ got these quotes is unknown, but wide receiver Andrew Hawkins took to Twitter to deny all of it saying the report is "1000 percent made up."
He is likely right. TMZ has never been known as a reliable news source. However, it cannot be denied that there is some quarterback controversy in Cleveland. Manziel got the win in Week 2 while McCown got the loss in the Week 3. Manziel made mistakes, but certainly showed improvement. McCown was responsible for a game-ending interception. Do teammates prefer Manziel? Who knows, but there is the argument that the quarterback should get some starting time again.
According to ESPN's Pat McManamon, the loss does not change the plans to start McCown. Pettine is sticking by the veteran whether people want Manziel or not.
"You don't get into the what ifs?" Pettine said, via ESPN.com. "I know the end of the movie now. Now I can go back and second-guess things. That's not how we work. We're capable of executing that plan. We're not going to deviate from it or panic. We need to play better. We need to execute."
Pettine is calling on all offensive players to step up and start helping out. That includes Dwayne Bowe. Pettine made it clear that reports the team was aiming to release Bowe were false as the wide receiver has not been a factor through three games. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Bowe is dealing with a hamstring injury and the Browns are being patient with his healing and not giving up on what he could potentially bring to the offense once he is healthy.
"No. It's a long season," Pettine said, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer. "It hasn't started out the way that we've all -- including Dwayne -- wanted it to but we're confident that we'll get him contributing here sooner than later. Dwayne will help us, but he's just not there yet."
For now, the team will continue with Travis Benjamin and Brian Hartline as their leading receivers. The Browns are hopeful that Robert Turbin can return from an ankle injury and help the struggling run game with Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson. The offense will rise or fall with McCown. If the quarterback cannot improve in Week 4, the team will be in a tight spot.
