For the Browns, What Now?

3. Manziel: We may see Manziel starting for the Browns again sometime over the next four games. We may see him as soon as this Sunday against the 49ers or in the season-finale against the Steelers. Or, the Browns may have already washed their hands of the guy and would rather take extended look at Austin Davis, who, in all likelihood, would return as the backup to the veteran or rookie quarterback added. Davis is likely the only QB on this roster who is guaranteed a job next year. “Johnny-Fan” is a very vocal and annoying contingent of the fanbase, and maybe throwing Manziel to the wolves would be the only way to shut them up.

Once again, the Cowboys are rumored to be interested him, along with the Eagles and the 49ers. Maybe Manziel is content to hold a tablet on the sideline while Davis takes his lumps behind an underperforming offensive line with a lack of receivers and running backs and let the chips fall where they may during the offseason. Maybe he really does want to play and audition further for teams that may want him. Or – and this is doubtful – maybe he really wants to stay here and make this work, or vice versa? If he does get another chance, he’ll need to put more than 9 or 10 points on the board.

After leading a TD drive in his first NFL action against the Bills in 2014, he’s been shutout in back-to-back starts, put up 10 against the Jets in 3 quarters of play, 28 against the Titans (although 7 were the result of a punt return), no points in limited action against the Rams and Cardinals, 10 points against the Bengals and 9 against the Steelers. Take out the Titans game, and that’s 36 points in 9 games – an average of 4 points per game. That’s not good enough! My feelings on the guy are well-documented, so that’s all I’m going to say about that.

4. Terrelle Pryor: The former Ohio State quarterback and training camp wide receiver experiment was re-signed last week to help a depleted receiver corps. Also, with his background as an NFL QB, he is listed as the third-stringer behind Davis and Manziel. With Travis Benjamin and Marlon Moore taken out with injuries and Hartline hobbled on Sunday, the timetable for Pryor to play has moved up. These four games are essentially a glorified preseason for him to show if he has any future as an NFL receiver.

Or, maybe he gets pressed into quarterback duty if Davis and Manziel get hurt (a distinct possibility if you’ve followed this team) and he shows a glimmer of hope there. Pryor has the size, speed and athletic ability to be a player in the NFL, but it’s a longshot. The Browns have nothing to lose and everything to gain to see if that longshot pays dividends.

Over these next four weeks and beyond, the rumor mill will be swirling in full force when it comes to whether Pettine and Farmer stay or go, who replaces them, will someone like Peyton Manning or Bernie Kosar get hired in a big capacity, will the Browns acquire someone like Matthew Stafford, Robert Griffin III or Colin Kaepernick, is Sean Payton’s name a viable choice, what happens with Manziel, etc.

The Browns turned off a lot of fans by increasing season ticket prices before this season, and after this dumpster fire of a season, I’ll bet a lot more will be ready to wash their hands of those tickets. Trust in Haslam is at an all-time low. It’s up to him to take that next step in regaining that trust.

Until next time, remember that Cleveland Rocks!

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