Daily Dawg Tags: Johnny Manziel still a hot topic of discussion

Spanning the virtual globe to bring you the latest news about the Cleveland Browns and the NFL – these are your Daily Dawg Tags for Thursday, Nov. 25.

Cleveland Browns:

Mike Pettine discusses the Johnny Manziel situation

"Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine met with the media Wednesday to talk about the decision made to remove Johnny Manziel as the starting quarterback for Monday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. The decision came after pictures surfaced of Manziel partying and drinking once again, which is not great for someone who went to rehab less than a year ago. “On the decision that was made yesterday, we are always going to do what is best for the team in all of the decisions that we make,” Pettine said. “The position of quarterback is always going to be held to a higher standard than any other position on the team. That is the reality. It is not just about talent. It is not just about what you do on the field.”"

Who should the Cleveland Browns target in the first round?

"Josh Gordon’s suspension will be up after this season, but there is still the looming question of if he can stay clean for the duration of the season. Alex Mack will likely opt-out of his contract, paving the way for Cam Erving to begin his sophomore season as the starting center. And after a very sub-par season defensively that is showing no signs of improving, any position, front seven to secondary, could become a practical drafting option. There appears to be no shortage of potential talent in the early rounds of this years draft, and the Browns should have their pick of a lot of options that would fill gaping holes in their team."

NFL Power Rankings: Cleveland Browns keep status quo

"The Cleveland Browns hoped to have a quiet bye week to allow the coaching staff and players to recharge for the season’s final six games. That all changed, of course, when video of quarterback Johnny Manziel partying surfaced, head coach Mike Pettine demoted Manziel from starter to third string, and Browns Twitter went up in flames. So Manziel is out, Josh McCown is back in, and the Browns are getting ready to take on the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football in front of the home fans. The last time McCown faced the Ravens, all he did was throw for a franchise record 457 yards in leading Cleveland to the win."

Browns’ Joe Thomas on Johnny Manziel demotion (NEOMG)

"Browns left tackle Joe Thomas and receiver Brian Hartline both backed coach Mike Pettine’s decision to demote Johnny Manziel  and suggested that the decision was based on more than just the 30-second partying video that surfaced on Monday. “I’ll let coach (Mike) Pettine dig into the justification, but I think it’s probably more than what you see on the surface from a TMZ report or whatever report,” said Thomas. “Like I said, we support coach’s decision, and I’ll let him kind of dig into the details of why he made the decision that he made.”"

Cleveland Browns: Start and keep Austin Davis as starter (Factory of Sadness)

"After the recent benching of quarterback Johnny Manziel to third string, QB Josh McCown is back starting for the Cleveland Browns. Yet, why is McCown starting when the team is going to have to look towards the offseason rather than contend for the playoffs (again)? Davis should start ahead of McCown. McCown was brought in to be a mentor to Manziel but since that did not last long, McCown can keep that role with Davis. Since the Browns already signed Davis to a contract extension in addition to McCown’s injury woes, the likelihood that Davis will at least appear sometime in a 2015 game is very good. However, just an appearance is not good enough."

NFL News:

Report: Redskins could play consecutive games in London next season (FanSided)

"The NFL on Wednesday, announced the games that will be played in London in 2016. While the league wants to eventually ramp up the amount of games played in London, it will be three games overseas for the league again next year. It just so happens that the Washington Redskins could very well end up playing in two of them, with the games coming in consecutive weeks. According to ESPN, the Redskins will for sure be playing in one of the games in London, when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals."

Rams’ Stedman Bailey remains hospitalized after shooting (NFL.com)

"St. Louis wide receiver Stedman Bailey was involved in a shooting incident on Tuesday night, according to a release from the Miami Gardens (Florida) Police Department, obtained by NFL Media on Wednesday. Bailey was shot in Miami Gardens while sitting in a car with family. According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, someone pulled up and started shooting, per a source informed of the incident. Bailey was hit twice in the head. The driver — his cousin — was hit several times and has life-threatening injuries, per Rapoport."

Hall of Fame player Frank Gifford suffered from CTE, family says (ESPN)

"The family of Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford says signs of the degenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy were found in his brain after his death. In a statement released through NBC News on Wednesday, the family said he had “experienced firsthand” symptoms associated with CTE but did not offer specifics. Gifford died of natural causes at his Connecticut home in August at age 84."