The Cleveland Browns made lots of waves during the 2014 NFL Draft with their selection of Johnny Manziel with the No. 22 overall pick. There are questions all over the place with what the team should do now that they have Manziel on their roster. There are three options that the Browns must consider moving forward toward the 2014 season with odds that the option actually happens.
- Sit Manziel For Entire 2014 Season. This is a scenario that few people seem happening considering what he brings to the table but it has been shown that the organization has a lot of faith in what Brian Hoyer can do. If Hoyer can stay healthy, the team can allow Manziel to watch for a year and learn under Hoyer without the pressure of needing to come in as a rookie to save the day. Chances: 40%.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJwwRv4hKFo
- Have Manziel Start Beginning In Week 5. The Browns open at Pittsburgh before coming home to host New Orleans and Baltimore. The team has an off week in Week 4. If the team wanted to do it, the time to put Manziel out there would be on the road against Tennessee to begin Week 5 with two weeks to prepare. He wouldn’t have to deal with the home fans in his first career start even though they are going to be waiting for Johnny Football’s arrival. Chances: 35%.
- Have Manziel Start In Week 1. This is the option that the fans would want to see. Yes, the team is on the road but two straight home games would make it a party in Cleveland. This isn’t the most likely plan but with a team that has had at least ten losses 13 times in the last 16 years, some excitement is needed. Is Manziel going to save the day? It is always possible but he would at least bring excitement to the stadium from day one if nothing else. Chances: 25%.
There is going to be a lot of pressure on the Browns to go with the third option and allow Manziel to be out there right away. It could be a smokescreen with the team saying that Hoyer is the starter. There is still a lot of time until the season kicks off in early September so things could easily change between now and then but it is something that the Browns are going to need to seriously think about.