Tuesday’s roundup: Partying costs Manziel starting job
Berea, Ohio — Dropped from starter to third-stringer — without playing a game.
Johnny Manziel partied his way out of the lineup during Cleveland’s bye week.
Browns coach Mike Pettine benched the polarizing quarterback on Monday for his off-field behavior, a move that could signal Manziel’s days with the team are numbered.
Pettine said Josh McCown will start Monday night’s game against Baltimore in place of Manziel, who was recently handed the starting job but couldn’t keep it while the team had a week off.
Manziel’s benching comes in the wake of a video surfacing of him holding a bottle of champagne and rapping profane lyrics last weekend in an Austin, Texas, nightclub. He had promised not to bring any embarrassment to the team during its week off, and did just that and Pettine, who has been supportive of Manziel in the past, has had enough.
“Everyone in this organization wants what is best for Johnny just like we do for every player in our locker room. I’m especially disappointed in his actions and behavior because he has been working very hard,” Pettine said.
“The improvements from last year to this year have been tremendous but he still has to consistently demonstrate that he has gained a good understanding of what it takes to be successful at the quarterback position on this level,” he said. “It goes well beyond the field.”
Manziel will not only move back behind McCown, but he’ll also be below Austin Davis on the depth chart.
Pettine met with Manziel following practice Tuesday and informed him of his choice to bench him for the foreseeable future.
However, despite saying he had learned from his past mistakes, Manziel spent 70 days during the offseason in a rehab facility specializing in alcohol and drug treatment.
Before Tuesday’s practice, Pettine expressed both disappointment and frustration with Manziel, who passed for a career-high 372 yards in a recent loss to Pittsburgh. Pettine spoke to Manziel about being responsible and was given assurances by the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner he would behave.
“I don’t think they’re going to have to worry about me this week,” he told reporters.
Pettine said much of his displeasure in Manziel stemmed in him not seeming to understand that his behavior was a reflection on the team.
“You have a vision of what you want the team to look like, how you want them to handle themselves when they’re out of the building,” he said. “It’s not just pure football here, it’s truly player development on and off the field.”
McCown has finally recovered from a serious rib injury, which had initially vaulted Manziel into the starting lineup.
“My hope for him is, whatever those choices that he’s making, that they’re healthy choices and they’re good for him as a person,” McCown said. “When you’re in that room with somebody and spend as much time as we do together, there’s a connection there.”
Personnel dept.
Bills coach Rex Ryan says starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor (right shoulder) should be healthy enough to play against Kansas City on Sunday.
... The NFL suspended Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander without pay for a minimum of one year for violating the Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse for a third time.
Alexander, who is on injured reserve, was suspended twice last season for a total of 14 games by the NFL for substance abuse violations.
... The Bears opened a three-week practice window for rookie receiver Kevin White to determine if they will activate him this season.
White, the No. 7 pick in this year’s draft, has spent the season on the physically unable to perform list because of a stress fracture in his left shin.
... Outside linebacker Quinton Coples was claimed by the Dolphins one day after he was waived by the Jets.
... The Ravens claimed quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Clausen was waived by the Bears.