The Cleveland Browns quarterback competition appears to be over before it ever really began, and unlike most situations pitting a veteran vs. a first-round pick, Josh McCown is the one that's way ahead.
Manziel, the lightning rod of the 2014 NFL Draft who was picked No. 22 overall, was disastrously bad on the field as a rookie and an even bigger mess off of it. He threw zero touchdowns and two interceptions in a very brief run as a starter before he got hurt.
When the season ended, Manziel checked himself into rehab where he stayed several months. Uncertain about his NFL future, the Browns went out and signed McCown to a two-year, $13 million contract. During OTAs, McCown has been exactly what new offensive coordinator John DeFelippo wants.
Per ESPN Cleveland, DeFelippo's offense calls for a caretaker under center who is willing to "live for another down." Manziel's greatest strength in college was the exact opposite, creating miraculous plays out of nothing, and scrambling until big plays materialized. He quickly realized how difficult it is to translate that success in the pro game, however, and struggled to complete passes and avoid turnovers.
Coupled with his off-field problems, Manziel has a long way to go before he can be considered a part of the Browns' future.
"My focus is just how good can I be at decision-making," McCown said. "Just holding myself to a high standard, where it never puts us in a bad situation and the defense is always playing with favorable fields. That's what I hope people see as we move into the season."
Meanwhile, Manziel's focus has been on rehabilitating his image. Sources within the organization say he's shown improved work ethic, and Manziel is saying the right things to reporters. The second-year passer is "taking one day at a time," and knows "actions speak louder than his words."
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