Will Johnny Manziel have any shot to start the opener with no QB competition … – cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Hey Mary Kay!
Hey Mary Kay: With Mike Pettine saying he doesn’t want to talk about a quarterback competition in training camp, will Johnny Manziel still have any chance to be the starter on opening day?
— Sam L., Columbus, Ohio
Hey Sam: I think it’s smart for the Browns to take the pressure — and the spotlight — off Johnny Manziel and give him a chance to focus on his recovery and on learning John DeFilippo’s new offense. I believe the Browns have every intention of starting Josh McCown on opening day, and they will spend training camp preparing him to do just that. I don’t think Manziel has much of a chance to start the opener, but I do think he can earn some starts this season by working his tail off and dazzling the coaching staff in the meeting room and on the practice field. Remember, Manziel started only two seasons at Texas A&M and ran a simple, spread offense with nothing resembling an NFL playbook. He has a ton to learn about the pro game, including how to call complicated plays and protections. The good thing for Manziel is that DeFilippo has vowed to play to his dual-threat strengths — when the time comes.
Hey Mary Kay: Do you think first-round pick Cameron Erving will start right away? If so, at what position?
— Bob M., Sun City Center, Fla.
Hey Bob: Erving, the offensive lineman from Florida, will most likely find a home on the right side, and is a more natural tackle than guard. That means he’ll likely press 2012 second-rounder Mitchell Schwartz for playing time. In rookie camp, Erving moved around spending the first day at right tackle and the second day at left tackle. He’ll also get reps at center, and will likely replace Alex Mack there if he opts out of his contract after this season.
Hey Mary Kay: Will 4th-round receiver Vince Mayle be ready to contribute right away this season considering he has a broken thumb?
–– Erin Sullivan, Westlake, Ohio
Hey Erin: Mayle tried to catch a few passes on the first day of rookie camp, but couldn’t grasp the ball. Coach Mike Pettine revealed that he’ll undergo surgery after the season and should be full-go by the start of training camp. If he’s not, it will be hard for him to catch up and be ready to go by the start of the season. Generally, rookies need every rep in camp to be ready to make a significant impact early on. A young receiver trying to learn a new offense and develop timing with the quarterbacks can’t miss too much time in camp or he’ll take a back seat to experienced receivers. What’s more, he’ll miss a lot of install in organized team activities and the June minicamp. My guess is that this will set him back a few games.
Hey Mary Kay: Which of the Browns defensive draft picks will start this season?
— Brian L. Washington, D.C.
Hey Brian: No. 12 overall pick Danny Shelton will start at nosetackle, but will share some reps with Phil Taylor, who’s coming off a knee injury, and Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, who played the season finale with a broken leg. Shelton will occupy two blockers and free up the edge-rushers to get to the quarterback. If he’s as good as advertised, he’ll boost the sack totals of Paul Kruger, Desmond Bryant the other pass-rushers. Second-round pick Nate Orchard will likely be thrown in from the start as an edge-rusher on third down, and third-round pick Xavier Cooper, the defensive lineman from Washington State, will either start at end in a 3-4 front or be part of a rotation. I expect those three to make an immediate impact, and fourth-round safety Ibraheim Campbell will likely earn playing time in sub-defenses as the season goes along. He’ll likely see action on special teams right away.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.
