Daily Dawg Tags: Cleveland Browns ready for Johnny Manziel time

Spanning the virtual globe to bring you the latest news about the Cleveland Browns and the NFL – these are your Daily Dawg Tags for Tuesday, Dec. 8.

Cleveland Browns:

Cleveland Browns ready for Johnny time once again

"The Cleveland Browns decided on Monday that the third time is the charm in naming quarterback Johnny Manziel as the starter for the remaining four games of the season. With the Browns officially eliminated from the playoff race – something that was apparent for several weeks now, but didn’t become official until Sunday’s loss – and currently in control of the No. 1 overall pick in next spring’s NFL Draft, the team has reached the point where it simply has nothing to lose by putting Manziel back under center. Of course, since this is Manziel – a player who wants to be seen on TMZ’s homepage as much as he wants to be an NFL quarterback – the move comes with conditions. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Manziel will get the starting nod on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers unless he does something to once again mess it up."

Mike Pettine: It’s hard to be unified at this point

"Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine met with the media on Monday and for the first time publicly acknowledged that there are problems within team headquarters in Berea. Namely, not everyone is pulling in the same direction when it comes to turning things around for the 2-10 club. “It is hard to be (unified) at this point. I just think it is human nature when things don’t go well, I think, everyone has a tendency to bunker in and get into that mode when things aren’t going well,” Pettine said. “We all want what is best for the Cleveland Browns. I think we all have ideas on how to get it done, and we need to be collaborative and we need to make sure that we are picking the best ideas and pushing those agendas moving forward."

Browns’ Mike Pettine: Lack of conflict would reflect ‘a problem’ (ESPN)

"A day after his Cleveland Browns dropped to 2-10, coach Mike Pettine suggested tension indeed exists among those running the team — and that it might not be such a bad thing. “I can’t sit here and say absolutely we’re all on board 100 percent,” Pettine said Monday after the Browns’ 37-3 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. “No, that’s not reality because when things don’t go well, everybody has their opinions and their reasons why. It’s going to come down to a brutal self-assessment and to be able to have the strength to make tough decisions and trust them and move forward.” The Browns coach said he understood that what he was saying could be taken negatively. He was asked whether he is in disagreement with general manager Ray Farmer, team president Alec Scheiner or owner Jimmy Haslam."

Mike Pettine: ‘Your building has to be unified’ and ‘it’s hard to be at this point’ (NEOMG)

"As Mike Pettine’s seat grows warmer, the gloves are starting to come off. The embattled Browns coach revealed Monday that there’s tension inside the walls of the Browns facility with the team tumbling to 2-10, and that the different factions must come together to turn the club around. He was not specific about which departments are at odds, but made it clear that the problems are systemic and run far deeper than just the coaching staff."

Browns: Johnny Manziel is back as the starting quarterback (Factory of Sadness)

"According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the Browns have decided to promote Manziel back as the starting quarterback starting on Sunday versus the San Francisco 49ers. Manziel will be going up against a defense that is led by former Browns head coach Eric Mangini, who is the 49ers defensive coordinator. Why must Manziel start again this season and who really made the call? After just one game in the Austin Davis era, Cleveland has continued to not commit to a quarterback. Davis did not have a great game, but with so many problems within the Browns organization, including the multiple injuries at the wide receiver position, Davis cannot be at fault for their blow out loss yesterday."

NFL News:

Injuries: Peyton Manning could resume on-field work (NFL.com)

"Giants quarterback Eli Manning would not say why or what he received X-rays on after Sunday’s lossto the Jets, but he did want everyone to know that he was fine and would not miss a start. Manning never does. On Monday, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin provided some context to the situation, noting that Manning received X-rays on his ankle. Manning finished the game without issue and did not appear to be walking with a significant limp following the game. Manning attempted a rare, out-of-pocket scramble late in Sunday’s game, which raised some alarms given the hard hit he took. But as the Giants’ iron man, Manning almost always makes it to practice the next day. It sounds like this will remain the case as the Giantstry and sort themselves out."

Michael Vick advocating for animal safety (FanSided)

"From part of the problem to part of the solution. Eight years ago, then-Falcons QB Michael Vick was convicted for his role in an illegal dogfighting ring. Vick served a two-year prison sentence, and his reinstatement to the NFL upon his release was met with widespread criticism and protests. Since returning to the league in 2009, Vick has vowed to use his position as a public icon to try and help right some of the wrongs he’s responsible for, and it looks as if he is making another effort to do good. The current Steelers backup QB is scheduled to meet with lawmakers Tuesday in support of PA House BIll 1516, better known as the ‘pets in cars bill,’ which would grant police officers the necessary authority to rescue dogs, cats, and other pets from cars due to unsafe temperatures."

Tom Brady files brief in response to league’s appeal of Deflategate ruling (SI.com)

"While Tom Brady’s New England Patriots have lost two straight games, his legal team on Monday took a crucial step to protect his decisive courtroom victory over the NFL. In a 73-page brief, Jeffrey Kessler, David Greenspan and other attorneys representing Brady and the NFLPA detailed why a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit should affirm U.S. District Judge Richard Berman’s Sept. 4 order. Judge Berman’s order vacated Roger Goodell’s decision to uphold Brady’s four-game suspension, thereby reinstating Brady and making him eligible to play the entire 2015 season. Monday’s filing is merely one of several steps in what will be a lengthy appeals process. The process will last well into 2016 and possibly beyond. Indeed, by Dec. 21, attorneys representing the NFL will respond to Brady’s brief in a separate filing."