The Cleveland Browns have a bye in Week 4, but that doesn't stop the swirling quarterback controversy surrounding Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel. Despite Hoyer's solid performance throughout the season, the Browns are still 1-2. Does Manziel have a shot at starting at some point after the bye week?
The Browns' two losses have come on last second field goals by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, so they really haven't been performing poorly. And Hoyer has completed 64.2% of his passes for 716 yards (7.5 yards per attempt) and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Coming out of the bye week, the Browns' next five games will be against the Titans (1-2), Steelers (2-1), Jaguars (0-3), Raiders (0-3) and Buccaneers (0-3).
If Hoyer can't lead Cleveland to at least a 3-2 record against those teams, head coach Mike Pettine might be inclined to make a quarterback change. Hoyer will be a free agent after this season, so the team isn't committed to starting him for the remainder of this year if they keep losing games. Cleveland has a +4 turnover ratio, so the defense is obviously doing their job to some extent, and the offense needs to capitalize on that. Can Johnny Manziel be the guy to capitalize if Hoyer proves he can't?
Quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains implied that Manziel is on his way to a bright future in the NFL after speaking with 93.3 FM Cleveland before Wednesday's practice.
"We trust Johnny to do the right things," he said. "He understands that. I'm pleased with where he's at right now. I think he needs to continue to get better, and I think if he does, he's got talent. There's a reason why he's a first-round pick. We're excited to work with that skill set he has."
But talent wasn't the only thing Loggains raved about. His work ethic and wits were among his other appraisals.
"I've been really pleased with how Johnny's worked in the classroom, how he's come out and run scout team. I think he's taken it very serious, and I have no complaints with that. ... I think he's learned how to read coverages. He's learned how different the NFL game is from the college game."
Obviously Loggains' assessment of Manziel by no means indicates he will be the starter in the near future, but this is at least good news for Cleveland moving forward. They seemingly have confidence in Manziel in the event the rookie needed to take over the starting quarterback position. And if the Browns can't escape that previously mentioned five-game stretch with a winning record, it's a possibility we'll see Manziel starting under center before the season ends.
Check out ESPN's NFL Rumors blog for the latest news.
