Manziel benched by Browns for antics during bye week
From starter to third-stringer. 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.
Pettine spoke with Manziel following practice Tuesday and informed him of his choice to bench him. Pettine said owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Ray Farmer support his decision.
“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.
Manziel’s benching comes in the wake of a video surfacing of him partying last weekend in Texas. He had promised not to bring any embarrassment to the team during its week off, but Pettine said he was both disappointed and frustrated by Manziel’s actions. The video showed Manziel holding a champagne bottle and rapping profane lyrics in a nightclub.
“It goes well beyond the field. We are going to continue to support him in every way possible, but at this point, we’ve decided it’s best to go with Josh as the starter going forward.”
The 22-year-old Manziel has shown progress on the field during his second NFL season. However, despite saying he had learned from his past, Manziel, who spent 70 days during the offseason in a rehab facility specializing in alcohol and drug treatment, he has not shown the maturity the Browns are looking for from their quarterback.
Bills QB Taylor expected to play: Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan says starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor should be healthy enough to play against Kansas City on Sunday.
Defensive end Mario Williams’ status is uncertain because of a foot injury. And starting right guard John Miller has already been ruled out because of an ankle injury.
Ryan provided the updates during his weekly radio show on Buffalo’s WGR-AM on Tuesday, a day after a 20-13 loss at New England.
Taylor’s status was a concern. Though he finished the game, he was hampered by an injury to his right shoulder in the final quarter.
Quarterback questions in Philly: The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t sure or aren’t saying who their quarterback will be less than two days before they’re scheduled to face Detroit.
Sam Bradford, the team’s starter, passed through his concussion protocol but it still bothered by a sprained joint in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He suffered the injuries in the Eagles’ 20-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins Nov. 15. Mark Sanchez relieved him in that game and started the 45-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday.
“It’s just how it progresses from now until game time,” Bradford said after Tuesday’s walkthrough. “It’s really hard to put a percentage on it. I just know it feels better (Tuesday) than it did (Monday). So hopefully it will feel better over the next 48 hours. I’d like to be out there, but right now it’s going to be in the coaches’ and trainers’ hands.”
Bears begin 3-week practice window for White: The Chicago 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.
The Bears have until the end of this 21-day period, which began Tuesday, to place the West Virginia standout on the active roster or season-ending injured reserve.
The Bears saw him as a potential starter with Alshon Jeffery. But White started experiencing pain in his shin in June during organized team activities. He had surgery in August after therapy failed to cure his discomfort.