Cleveland Browns rookie Johnny Manziel may have played himself back into the quarterback competition with his performance in Saturday's scrimmage. ESPN reported Manziel received first-team reps at practice Monday and is expected to receive more throughout training camp, leaving open the possibility of the 2012 Heisman winner starting Week 1.
Manziel, who's struggled so far during training camp, may have put himself back in the quarterback race with a solid outing in Saturday's team scrimmage.
"Manziel's numbers were not that impressive in the scrimmage, but the way he played was," ESPN's Pat McManamon wrote Monday. "He guided the offense on a 16-play drive and threw a touchdown pass to tight end Gary Barnidge that officials incorrectly ruled incomplete. (Quarterback Brian) Hoyer had a higher completion percentage but no touchdowns."
Although Browns coach Mike Pettine denied any correlation, Manziel took his first ever reps with the first team during practice Monday.
"(Manziel) took all the reps with the first team during the Cleveland Browns' practice Monday, but coach Mike Pettine cautioned against making too much of it," McManamon wrote. "It was the first time in training camp Manziel had a first-team rep, and he spent the entire session with the starters, two days after the Browns' intrasquad scrimmage."
Pettine wouldn't commit to Hoyer as the starter for Cleveland's preseason-opener Saturday against the Detroit Lions, leading to the possibility Manziel could end up winning the quarterback competition.
When asked whether Manziel or Hoyer would continue to get the first team reps, Pettine said the two signal callers would alternate but would not specify on which days.
