The Cleveland Browns are doing a “disservice” to Johnny Manziel by publicly announcing he’s a backup, former NFL head coach Herm Edwards said.
Edwards said Browns officials are sending the wrong message to their team and fan base by labeling Manziel as Brian Hoyer’s understudy before the quarterback competition has even begun.
“We don’t know he’s a backup. Who said he has to be the backup? If you draft a player to be a backup, why did you draft him?” Edwards asked. “You’re drafting a guy because you think he’s worthy of being drafted at that spot, but you’re also drafting him because you think he can compete.
“If you’re going to say, ‘This guy’s a backup,’ — really? That doesn’t make any sense to me. It just comes off bad. No one wants to hear that. If you’re a fan, you’re going, ‘He’s the backup? Why’s he the backup?’
The Browns have sold at least 3,000 season tickets since drafting Manziel with the 22nd pick of the first round last week, and his No. 2 jersey is the top seller among draft picks.
But the Browns have made it clear that they intend for Manziel to begin his NFL career behind Hoyer on the depth chart. Cleveland’s other quarterbacks are journeyman Tyler Thigpen, signed earlier this month, and Alex Tanney, who was signed off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad last year.
I must admit when I read that comment I was somewhat shocked. I agree totally with Coach Edwards. He is a draw, first of all, "Well if Johnny Football ain't gonna play, I ain't goin." STUPID mistake from the top down in the Cleveland organization, not their first one however.
