Cleveland Browns fans hopeful of seeing young quarterback Johnny Manziel take the helm of the Browns offense for the remainder of the 2015 season will be disappointed to learn that head coach Mike Pettine isn't willing to pull McCown that quickly. While McCown must still work his way back through the NFL's concussion protocol, Pettine announced Thursday, via Pat McManamon of ESPN, that if healthy, he will remain the starter ahead of Manziel for the Browns Week Two matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
"Barring anything unforeseen, I don't see any reason why we wouldn't play him," Pettine said, per ESPN.
McCown, the veteran journeyman signed this offseason after Brian Hoyer sought the greener pastures of Houston and Manziel struggled through one of the worst rookie seasons the NFL has seen in some time, was knocked out of the Browns season-opener against the New York Jets are taking a "Replacements"-like tumble through the air, capped off by a shot to the earhole from a Jet defender.
Manziel replaced him and after initially providing a spark, including a long touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin, ultimately faltered and again fumbled the ball and the game away. McCown missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but Pettine said that the Titans and Jets have similar approaches defensively, so it shouldn't have much of an impact.
McCown found his way to the top of the Browns depth chart almost by default this preseason. He didn't play particularly well, but neither did Manziel. And considering the manner in which Manziel - and the hopes of Cleveland fans - imploded last season, it was always going to be McCown unless he looked atrocious or Manziel suddenly became a world-beater.
McCown didn't look bad, but he certainly didn't look good in the first couple of Browns possessions - he finished his day 5-of-8 for 49 yards - but it seems the position remains his to lose. The Browns watched Manziel finish the Jets game and take all the snaps in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. If they still want to roll with a less-than-100 percent McCown, that says a lot about Manziel's performance.
