Johnny Manziel answers back at ESPN’s Merrill Hoge
By Thomas Moore
Sep 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) looks to throw against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Johnny Manziel may have retired his Money Manziel persona, but the second-year quarterback of the Cleveland Browns still has his sense of playfulness.
While meeting with reporters this afternoon, Manziel was asked about ESPN analyst Merrill Hoge, who this week said the Browns should simply give up on Manziel.
Manziel’s response?
“I think Merrill Hoge needs to worry about his big neckties more than anything.” – Quarterback Johnny Manziel
Related: Merrill Hoge calls for Browns to cut Johnny Manziel
“I think Merrill Hoge needs to worry about his big neckties more than anything,” Manziel said. “Talking about Merril, he has been that way since I decided to come out into the draft. That is really part of it. No, no extra motivation or extra bump for me or anything like that. It is just go out and play and quiet him with the way we go out and win on Sunday. That is what we want to do.”
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Manziel will get the start on Sunday in place of Josh McCown in the Browns’ home opener against Tennessee. Coming off a performance against the New York Jets where Manziel turned the ball over three times, he kept the comedy routine coming by admitting that there is a particular someone who has reminded him about the importance of ball security.
“Coach Pett (head coach Mike Pettine) is harping on that day after day and practice after practice,” Manziel said. “If there is one person that is really making that a key point of the week, it is definitely Coach Pett.”
It is worth noting, we believe, that Hoge, a former Pittsburgh Steeler, rushed for just 3.73 yards per carry against the Browns in his career as the Steelers were juste 7-9 against Cleveland during that time period.