The Cleveland Browns QB Competition is targeted to come to an end on Tuesday, the day following the Browns Monday Night Pre-Season Game. Mike Pettine shared that information following practice, and an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, today:
Pettine says Tuesday is target date to pick starting quarterback for regular season. #Browns
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) August 15, 2014
While Pettine is not held to this date, as it is only a target, it is likely that this is when they will make their decision. Given Mary Kay Cabot’s report, that we covered here earlier, that Johnny Manziel will have to “make it impossible” for them not to start him, it is likely that the Monday Night game has to be very lopsided for Manziel to win.
If Manziel has a huge game and Brian Hoyer struggles, throws an INT or 2, then Manziel could wrestle away the job. If Hoyer and Manziel have similar games as they did against Detroit it seems like Hoyer would be named the starter the next day. How Pettine gets each QB reps will be interesting. He has reported that each will get first team reps, but will he alternate them? Get Hoyer’s in then Manziel’s? How would the alternating impact each QBs rhythm?
Pettine believes both QBs have a chance to win the job:
#Browns HC Mike Pettine said he feels Hoyer and Manziel are starting quality and that's why it'll be difficult decision who starts Week 1.
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) August 15, 2014
Mike Pettine on QBs: "All of our options are still on the table."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) August 15, 2014
#browns Pettine said Manziel can still win the job "sure he can"...has told both of them it's still up for grabs
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 15, 2014
Pettine: He can still win the job. Johnny just needs to go out and play. They both do. They've both made big strides.
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) August 15, 2014
Yet he also made it clear that the Week 1 starter wasn’t set to start the entire season:
#Browns HC Mike Pettine said whoever starts Week 1 at QB won't necessarily be guaranteed the starting job for rest of season.
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) August 15, 2014
As well as making a quick statement, but really saying nothing, about the report that Manziel was late for a meeting:
"It's unfortunate that report came out" - Pettine on Manziel late for team meeting; said will not confirm/deny "we'll keep that in family"
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) August 15, 2014
For Pettine naming the QB should take some questions off his plate, but his statement about the Week 1 starter not locked in for the entire season likely didn’t help:
Pettine says QB decision likely Tuesday "I'd like to cut the quarterback questions by about 90%"
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) August 15, 2014
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Either way Tuesday will be a huge day. We will know, likely, who will start the first 3 games, barring injury, before the bye week where things will be reevaluated.
Now if we could only get some information on the Josh Gordon appeal we could move forward with all of our preview material.
What do you think of Pettine planning to name a starter by Tuesday?