It's well known that Brian Hoyer is the starting quarterback in Cleveland, but there's a possibility we'll see a little Johnny Manziel action here and there. Similarly, the lack of stability at the quarterback position in Houston could enable playing time for others besides starter Ryan Fitzpatrick.
After the Browns announced that Hoyer would be their starting quarterback, many questions were raised about Johnny Manziel's development and if he would somehow be incorporated into Cleveland's offense because of his solid preseason and playmaking ability. Pettine told SiriusXM NFL Radio that a two-quarterback system is "on the table" back on August 22, and even the Pittsburgh Steelers believe they'll see some Manziel in Week 1.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said the team was preparing for both Hoyer and Manziel because they expect to see special packages for the rookie out of Texas A&M. The first week of the NFL is full of surprises, and the Steelers aren't going to take any chances against the division-rival Browns. Manziel ran a bit of the read-option in the preseason, which can be effective if utilized at the right time, as the league has seen with Colin Kaepernick, Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and others.
"I just think when you have a talent like Johnny Manziel, you're going to get him on the field and help him grow and develop," said Tomlin, in this CBS Sports article.
"New York tried to do that with Tim Tebow a little bit," said Steelers safety Troy Polamalu in regards to the Browns incorporating Manziel into the offense, in this Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article. "But Tebow's a guy you have to just play and play and grind out the entire game. I don't think Johnny is that type of guy. I think if Johnny came into the game, he would make some splashes, he doesn't need to get into a rhythm."
Down in Houston, the quarterback situation is a bit different. The team traded Matt Schaub to the Oakland Raiders in the offseason, signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, drafted Tom Savage, and traded for Ryan Mallett. Fitzpatrick will be starting, but at this point he almost seems like a journeyman after his unsuccessful tenure in Buffalo, and he's definitely not the answer for the future. How safe is his job?
Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle writes: "Mallett, 26, won't challenge for the starting spot any time soon, and veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick remains locked in as O'Brien's No. 1, despite an off-on-off preseason. Rookie Tom Savage remains the ideal long-term solution, despite seeing his on-field activity limited throughout training camp and dealing with the reality of being a fourth-round pick."
At this point it's all speculation, but if Fitzpatrick underperforms and the fans start calling for a change, head coach Bill O'Brien might be inclined to throw Mallett under center, who has spent three years under Tom Brady's tutelage.
