The Cleveland Browns started Johnny Manziel but lost the Cincinnati Bengals in blowout fashion last night. Following the game, Manziel made it very clear that he "absolutely" wants to remain the starting quarterback moving forward.
Manziel looked like a much improved quarterback throughout the game, although there are still some flaws that he will need to work through moving forward.
While he didn't put up great completion numbers, he also didn't get much support from his receivers. There were multiple nice passes that he put right on the money for his players, but they dropped those passes. He took good care of the football, however, and didn't throw a single interception.
He ended up completing 15 of his 33 passing attempts for 168 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. Cleveland is without question stuck in a tough situation of whether to keep Manziel as the starter. Josh McCown is head coach Mike Pettine's favorite at the position, but the 36-year-old has no chance to be a long-term option for the Browns.
Manziel talked about his desire to remain as the starting quarterback next week and throughout the rest of the season after getting yet another taste of being the starter.
"Yes, absolutely," he said. "We get a few days off now to refresh and get a break ... come back, watch the film and then get ready to go for the following week."
At just 22 years old, Manziel is in his second season and has shown signs of being a legitimate starter throughout limited playing time this year. Giving him more consistent playing time and allowing him to develop is exactly what the Browns need to be focusing on this year.
There is no question that the Browns should be starting Manziel over McCown moving forward this season. He should get the chance to start and if he doesn't then something is seriously wrong with Pettine.
Expect to see the Browns seriously consider starting Manziel next game and finally giving him a fair chance to get consistent playing time.
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