Merrill Hoge calls for Browns to cut Johnny Manziel

Sep 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) looks to pass during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Browns 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, there are always going to be plenty of opinions.

No matter what the second-year quarterback does on or off the field, there are people ready to weigh in on his future with the Browns and the NFL.

The latest comes from ESPN analyst Merrill Hoge, who went off the deep end following Manziel’s off-the-bench performance against the New York Jets on Sunday, calling for the Browns to cut Manziel “immediately.”

According to this article from CBS Sports, here’s what Hoge had to say about Manziel:

"“Here’s what was evident in that game. He fell back on what he trusts. What is his instinct and you’re never going to change that, that is who he is, he’s going to run. That’s what he’s believed in, he won a Heisman Trophy for and that’s what he’s going to go to when he needs that the most, when you need structure and discipline to come out, he’s going to be erratic and reckless and run and that’s never going to change."

"“Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Baltimore, they love the plan that Cleveland’s under. Keep going down that plan because all you do is set your organization back one more year by babysitting and trying to get this guy as your starting quarterback. So keep doing that for the other teams. But if you want to move on, cut bait, get another guy in there and go another direction. Immediately. Cut bait. Move on.”"

This is not the first time that Hoge has sounded off on Manziel.

Hoge unloaded on the Browns and Manziel last season after the quarterback’s ill-fated debut against Cincinnati, saying that:

"“As I’ve said before, it’s going to be a quick exit and it’s unfortunate, because whoever drafted him in Cleveland, they need to be fired. Because it’s unfair to the kid. He has sixth-round talent but first-round hype, and you draft him there and now regardless of what happens from here on out, he will be expected to play like a first-rounder and that’s unfair to him."

"“He doesn’t have the skill set to withstand that expectation and that’s not his fault, it’s the Cleveland Browns’ for drafting him that high.”"

We’re not sure why Hoge has such a burr under his saddle about Manziel and the Browns, but he is way off base with his latest comments.

Was Manziel good on Sunday against the Jets? Outside of the opening drive, no. He only put up three points on his final eight drives, turned the ball over three times and led the Browns to just 112 yards of total offense in the second half.

Did Manziel look like what he is, which is basically a rookie quarterback, against the Jets? He did.

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Did Manziel look like a quarterback who is working on rebuilding his game and is making improvement, no matter how small, over what we saw last season? Most definitely.

The idea that the Browns should release Manziel is, to put it bluntly, asinine. He’s a backup quarterback that the Browns have invested in and are working with to develop his game. What exactly would the Browns gain by releasing him now?

The Browns and Manziel are in a relatively good place right now. Manziel received some valuable experience against the Jets, and as soon as Josh McCown is cleared to play then Manziel will return to the bench and continue his development.

As for Hoge, maybe it is time for the former Steeler to take his own advice and move on.

Next: Turnovers and penalties kill another opener

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Merrill Hoge calls for Browns to cut Johnny Manziel “immediately”

By Thomas Moore | Sep 15, 2015

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