Put Me in Coach: Browns need to let Manziel continue to play
Sep 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) celebrates after throwing a pass for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The roars echoing through the streets of downtown Cleveland on Sunday afternoon sent shock waves through the city.
What was happening inside of the walls of FirstEnergy Stadium between the hours of 1-4pm EDT?
As Friday came and went, one Johnny Manziel was given the keys to the car and told to take it easy and don’t wreck it.
Well folks, what we saw on Sunday was vintage Texas A&M John Paul Football.
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As the clock ticked down on Sunday afternoon and Manziel trotted of the field smiles were all around as the beleaguered quarterback did what many doubted he could in the NFL… win a game.
Manziel played within the system for the most part and even made a few mistakes along the way, but when his team needed him most Manziel showed why he was one of the most electrifying players to ever play on the college level.
With the game on the line and the Browns leading 21-14, Manziel took the snap from center and then the magic happened. After feeling the pressure from his blind side, Manziel spins out of the pocket to his left. Titans defender Brian Orakpo is said to have yelled “Oh sh*t” as Manziel spun out of the pocket, set his feet and launched the game-sealing touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin. Game Over.
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The Dawg Pound was electric Sunday, the young quarterback came out and played loose and the team felt the feeling of a victory for the first time in their last six games. So why not continue the good feelings along with getting a good look at the kid you started to be the future of the team at the most important position?
Manziel is better suited to start now versus coming off the bench as a backup down the line as we saw against the New York Jets a week earlier. Josh McCown on the other hand is accustomed to coming in as the backup quarterback and one could say he thrives in that role. A perfect scenario to say the least.
Let’s couple that with upcoming games against the Raiders at home and San Diego on the road before the gauntlet of division games soon thereafter. The next two games also give Manziel and the Browns a chance to really get in sync as a team heading into the toughest stretch of the schedule. So why not let the kid play and see if he’s the quarterback that can elevate the team to the next level? What better time than now?
Head Coach Mike Pettine and the coaching staff really have no decision to make until McCown is released from the NFL concussion protocol, but even if cleared he should ride with Manziel and see if he can build off that first win. Manziel is the unknown as we don’t know his upside unless he gets a chance to prove it on the field.
C’mon coach, let the kid play.