The Browns are clearly interested in Marcus Mariota (after their coincidental hiring of his private quarterback coach), and the fact they’ve already met with veteran Josh McCown should tell you they’re open for business.

 

Mike Pettine supports Johnny Manziel, but looking for a starter | ProFootballTalk

I think they are done with him. I think Johnny Football may be more messed up than originally thought...plus they now realize he is not very good. Why would they even pretend with this guy any longer.

No, they are not done with Manziel. But he will need to prove himself on several levels.

 

1. On a playing level he was woefully unprepared to start the two games he started this season. He will have to look much improved through the preseason.

 

2. On a preparation level he will need to demonstrate he is willing to put in the time necessary to understand the game and his opponents defense and his team's strategy. He kept saying he was doing what it takes but there seemed to be an increase in his preparation once he was named the starter but apparently, he had not been doing enough all season and the added attention he gave in the last couple of weeks could not make up for lost time.

 

3. On a maturity level he will need to show that leading the Browns offense means more to him than being on the invite list for every party in Vegas, Tinsel Town, and Miami. He has to take responsibility for leading the Cleveland Browns and that requires that he grow up fast.

 

I believe Manziel is on a short leash and his words will not be believed, only his actions will mean anything. However, I do not think Haslem, Farmer, or Pettine is done with Johnny.

 

That says nothing about whether the kid is actually good enough to play in the NFL. We should know by the middle of the 2015 season.

 

On related issues: no kidding the Browns are still looking ofr a franchise QB. Manziel did not look like one by a long shot in the two starts he had. Hoyer has a winning percentage in games he's played but there are some games where he looked horrible. He doesn't have the talent to overcome a lot of adversity. If the rest of the offense is not playing well, Hoyer will not be able to pull it up.

 

So the Browns have been looking for another quarterback since before the season has ended. They have to see if they can upgrade in Free agency, by trade, or by draft. Right now they only have one guy on the team who can at least command the offense. You need at least two such guys on thye team.