After another disappointing loss, the Cleveland Browns are trying to refigure their offensive plan in order to save the season. After a strong performance from Dwayne Bowe, the wide receiver rotation is under review during the long week for the team while head coach Mike Pettine is hitting the pause button on the quarterback position. With Josh McCown healthy and Johnny Manziel making a start, Pettine is not ready to name a starter for Week 10 just yet.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Pettine is not naming a starter just yet as he continues to evaluate McCown and Manziel. McCown has been dealing with a shoulder injury that he was unable to get healthy in time to play against the Cincinnati Bengals. That gave Manziel another start to the season to which he only mustered 10 points in the game. While many believe that if healthy, McCown gets the start in Week 10, but Manziel is making his case.
"Yes, absolutely," Manziel said, via ESPN.com. "We get a few days off now to refresh and get a break ... come back, watch the film and then get ready to go for the following week. I think there were some good things done in the first half, but there's two halves for a reason. I did some good things tonight and some things I wish I could have back."
Manziel knows that he is auditioning for the future. While the quarterback looked improved in Week 9, he certainly did not appear to be a franchise quarterback just yet and that is something that could come with more starting time. However, the Plain Dealer reports that Pettine is very committed to McCown and if he is healthy the veteran gets the nod.
The question is who will be helping McCown and Manziel on the field. In Week 9, Bowe was active for the first time in a few games and led receivers against the Bengals. While the Browns' wide receivers are pedestrian at best, Cleveland could do a better job of figuring out a stronger rotation. With Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel struggling with injuries, Bowe made the most of his time on the field. Travis Benjamin is nowhere near a No.1 receiver, but the Browns keep playing him like he is. Heading into Week 10, giving Bowe more time on the field could be an ideal fix to some of the offensive issues. He paired well with Brian Hartline and Gary Barnidge and could keep the momentum moving.
"We're going to hit the reset button, see where we are from an injury standpoint," Pettine said, via the Plain Dealer. "The receiver group (Thursday) night overall did not play well, that goes back to my supporting cast comment. We're going to see where we are from a health standpoint next week and make those decisions moving forward."
