<![CDATA[OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing)]]> ohnny Manziel takes third-team reps at Browns' OTAs
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  • By Marc Sessler
  • Around the League Writer
  • Published: May 21, 2014 at 12:17 p.m.
  • Updated: May 21, 2014 at 01:04 p.m.

The Browns weren't kidding around about shoving Johnny Manziel down the depth chart.

NFL Media's Aditi Kinkhabwala reported Wednesday that Cleveland launched its offseason workout activities with veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer taking first-team snaps. He was followed -- to our surprise -- by journeyman Tyler Thigpen at the No. 2 spot, before Johnny Football brought up the caboose with a collection of third-stringers.

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While threatening to melt the Internet, the team's under-center pecking order means next to nothing here in late May. In fact, Thigpen makes some sense at No. 2, considering his experience in the Pistol, which we expect offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to lean on heavily this season.

The Browns, to the dismay of many, have preached competition from the minute they made Manziel the No. 22 overall pick in this month's draft.

New coach Mike Pettine isn't in the mood to designate a rookie as his starting quarterback without first seeing him on the field.

Nice plan, in theory, but the city's building mania for Manziel is bound to make a mockery of any scenario starring someone other than Johnny Football under center against the Steelers come Week 1.

Here's what else we learned from Wednesday's OTAs in C-Town:

1. After leading the way through 7-on-7s, Hoyer didn't participate in what Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer called a "spirited" round of 11-on-11s. Still yet to be cleared for full-squad snaps on the heels of knee surgery, Hoyer watched as Thigpen took first-team reps followed again by Manziel.

2. Kinkhabwala noted that "Manziel throws with some serious zip." He "can't match" Hoyer's accuracy and didn't show the same level of "understanding of WR routes," but as Aditi pointed out: It's May 21.

3. Also from Kinkhabwala: Josh Gordon, as expected, participated in the session and caught"EVERYTHING." The pass-catcher's potential lengthy suspension casts a gloom over Cleveland's otherwise action-packed offseason.

4. We were surprised to hear, per Cabot, that pass rusher Paul Kruger played with the backupsduring 11-on-11s. The outside linebacker later rejoined the starters with Jabaal Sheard dipping down to the second wave. Cleveland's coaching staff isn't playing favorites.

The latest "Around The League Podcast" plays the post-draft version of the game "What's More Likely" and breaks down all the latest news.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/29382/ota-early-report-which-means-nothingRSS for NodeThu, 01 Oct 2026 09:26:46 GMTWed, 21 May 2014 17:12:10 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Wed, 28 May 2014 19:43:52 GMT]]>

@d-bone said:

Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot:
#browns cb justin Gilbert limped off field in OTAs, sitting on ground with right knee wrapped. No word yet.
Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot:
#browns cb justin Gilbert up walking around on sidelines on wrapped right knee.
Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot:
#browns cb justin Gilbert has the ice-pack off his right knee but still on sidelines.

As long as he can walk on it, I think he will be fine.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411466https://brownsboard.com/post/411466Wed, 28 May 2014 19:43:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Wed, 28 May 2014 19:37:35 GMT]]>Johnny worked with two different centers his two years there, an experienced senior and a redshirt soph (Mathews' little brother also son of Bruce). He had a very good working relationship with them both which i am sure he will develop with his new center. Line calls will be mutually agreed upon and understood before he plays his first game, whenever that may be.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411465https://brownsboard.com/post/411465Wed, 28 May 2014 19:37:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Wed, 28 May 2014 19:13:23 GMT]]>

@2006ee said:

Most hardcore Aggie fans know this. And Johnny has alluded to it in many interviews. He's actually excited about. Even if he saw something at A&M he couldn't change protection coverage.

He will learn it. It's been what 20 days since he was drafted?

With a new coach, etc. I don't think any players know it fully yet.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411461https://brownsboard.com/post/411461Wed, 28 May 2014 19:13:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Wed, 28 May 2014 18:33:19 GMT]]>

TyperWoods said:

One thing you newbie JFF fans might not know...at A&M the center called out the protection.

So I would think that is a big thing JFF will need to get used to.

Most hardcore Aggie fans know this. And Johnny has alluded to it in many interviews. He's actually excited about. Even if he saw something at A&M he couldn't change protection coverage.

@lbc-mike said:

It was a matter of time. The word is that he does not know the whole playbook .

He will learn it. It's been what 20 days since he was drafted?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411453https://brownsboard.com/post/411453Wed, 28 May 2014 18:33:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Wed, 28 May 2014 17:45:15 GMT]]>Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot:
#browns cb justin Gilbert limped off field in OTAs, sitting on ground with right knee wrapped. No word yet.





Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot:

#browns cb justin Gilbert up walking around on sidelines on wrapped right knee.





Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot:

#browns cb justin Gilbert has the ice-pack off his right knee but still on sidelines.


]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411443https://brownsboard.com/post/411443Wed, 28 May 2014 17:45:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Wed, 28 May 2014 15:57:37 GMT]]>Must have won a bet for his OC. 😁

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411386https://brownsboard.com/post/411386Wed, 28 May 2014 15:57:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Wed, 28 May 2014 15:47:38 GMT]]>That Vegas vacation must have worked.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411382https://brownsboard.com/post/411382Wed, 28 May 2014 15:47:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Wed, 28 May 2014 15:41:14 GMT]]>It was a matter of time. The word is that he does not know the whole playbook .

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411379https://brownsboard.com/post/411379Wed, 28 May 2014 15:41:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Wed, 28 May 2014 15:36:44 GMT]]> Tony Grossi ‏@TonyGrossi 1m

It's true. Manziel now w 2d team. Promoted.


]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411378https://brownsboard.com/post/411378Wed, 28 May 2014 15:36:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Wed, 28 May 2014 15:36:36 GMT]]>Apparently Manziel's been promoted to taking snaps with the seconds, with Thigpen presumably demoted.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411377https://brownsboard.com/post/411377Wed, 28 May 2014 15:36:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Tue, 27 May 2014 20:48:33 GMT]]>

TyperWoods said:

One thing you newbie JFF fans might not know...at A&M the center called out the protection.

So I would think that is a big thing JFF will need to get used to.

Not much different than what Alex Mack has done the past several years, at least for those on the line.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411107https://brownsboard.com/post/411107Tue, 27 May 2014 20:48:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Tue, 27 May 2014 19:15:16 GMT]]>One thing you newbie JFF fans might not know...at A&M the center called out the protection.

So I would think that is a big thing JFF will need to get used to.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411099https://brownsboard.com/post/411099Tue, 27 May 2014 19:15:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Tue, 27 May 2014 19:10:39 GMT]]>With the extra attention to the wide receiver position l wondered if there were any stories or information available on how they did in the OTAs, but l haven't seen much. Looking here and elsewhere l saw the new guy from Dallas didn't participate, Armstrong dropped a ball, and Gordon caught everything thrown his way, which may or may not be ironic.

Has there been any reports on how they did? Maybe a feel good story about one of the undrafted guys or something?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/411097https://brownsboard.com/post/411097Tue, 27 May 2014 19:10:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Mon, 26 May 2014 12:35:18 GMT]]>

@choco said:

Yes....that's his job. He really deserves no praise for doing his job.

After watching the last two year of Weeden...it's obvious that he never did his job. Can't name one game he actually went out there and looked prepared. Since we haven't seen Johnny actually play it's unfair to say that he's not capable. He's doing and saying the right things so far so leave him to his devices. I'd be good with him not playing at all this year but if he earns it; let him do his thing. Might be the 49er's scenario from a couple of years ago...Hoyer may get us going and then he gets injured and Johnny comes in a gets us to the Super Bowl...you never know. Teddy also has AP..so I can see why Zimmer is a little more comfortable with putting him in with the 1's. Johnny has some adjusting to do and it's jacked up to call him trash when he hasn't done anything to deserve that from us fans.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/410741https://brownsboard.com/post/410741Mon, 26 May 2014 12:35:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Sun, 25 May 2014 12:40:44 GMT]]>

@mike-h said:

The Browns Board: The home of the bitter old men with no football knowledge or insight.

...and one drama queen with a Jesus complex...

@walterwhite said:

Way to inspire confidence you alleged "Browns fan"

So you are simply here to inspire us?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/410625https://brownsboard.com/post/410625Sun, 25 May 2014 12:40:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Sun, 25 May 2014 12:39:46 GMT]]>

@calfoxwc said:

but shoving him into prime time before he knows the playbook doesn't sound smart, that's all.

i think we'll all agree on that.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/410624https://brownsboard.com/post/410624Sun, 25 May 2014 12:39:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Sun, 25 May 2014 12:32:22 GMT]]>nah, it's just spring - *some* fans' cabin fever prompts them

to frolic amidst the wild flowers in rage....

But Mr. Hoorta is not bitter. Never rageous. Not even outrageous.

Most all of us, mehbe even you and walter, are surely far different in real life

than online, like Brad Paisley's song.

Manziel has the "it" we've been missing ...but shoving him into prime time before

he knows the playbook doesn't sound smart, that's all.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/410623https://brownsboard.com/post/410623Sun, 25 May 2014 12:32:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Sun, 25 May 2014 10:13:22 GMT]]>

@walterwhite said:

Hoorta is the fun police

It literally kills me how much he can't stand Manziel but polices every thread, and a has a rebuttal for every positive Manziel post. I'm not sure if he's a real beer drinking Browns fan who loves football and excitement or just a jealous 17 year old girlfriend. Either way, who gives a shit. Manziel is the king of Cleveland and it makes him insecure. Let's rage and kick Big Ben's ass week 1

We ARE Johnny Football.

Embrace it.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/410614https://brownsboard.com/post/410614Sun, 25 May 2014 10:13:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Sun, 25 May 2014 07:09:48 GMT]]>I would love to read Lumbergh's thoughts on this topic. 😉

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/410606https://brownsboard.com/post/410606Sun, 25 May 2014 07:09:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Sun, 25 May 2014 05:59:53 GMT]]>

@tour2ma said:

"Brash and unafraid" (or thoughtless and immature)... In one post you've capsulized our (or at least my) two worst JM fears: big shot(s) and thoughtless actions that hurt the team.

1. NFL shots a bigger than college shots. Yes, even bigger than SEC shots.

2. When he gets flagged he'll get an earful from Pettine, just as he did from Sumlin, except potentially with a seat as part of the deal. That kind of antic is what Johnny pulls in the heat of a close game. Just the circumstance where self-control is demanded. Just the circumstance where that Unsportsmanlike Conduct flag will hurt the most. So when we kick off from our 20 and the opponent kicks a 55 yard FG two plays later as time expires for the win, while you Johnny-boys revel in his game tying TD, we Browns fans will curse him for costing us the game...

And then this board will get really interesting...

Good post.. truly... well reasoned for the most part... and kudos for watching the 2013 games.

As you say you've no need to apologize for any of your views, but you have gone beyond defending them in some posts and at times your JM "fanaticism" has kept you from recognizing what others are saying. Case in point is your "an overall negative vibe" comment. IMO that simply is not the case... As a group we are as optimistic as I have seen for the direction of the team. Where we fail you is by a lack of universal enthusiasm for JM now and forever, and the percentage of us who reject your insistences that he is "the one". I think you conflate the two.

I like Hoyer as well, but we have to give up the 3-0 thing. Brian was hurt very early in the Buffalo game, so 2-0 is more representative of his record as a Browns starter.

Ah he is "THE ONE" start calling him Neo instead. 🙂 But regarding the hits- a little personal aside. Went to HS with a guy you've probably never heard of Larry Zelina- wound up being the starting tailback behind Brockington @ Ohio State- LOL I got to see what 4.4 speed looks like up close and personal playing against him in a basketball game. Anyway, Larry got a tryout with the Browns- and promptly got his knee destroyed in training camp. His comment afterwards? I got hit hard a few times in college (and one of his teammates was "The Assassin" Jack Tatum) but when I got to the Browns every hit was a hard hit.

@tim-couch-pulls-out said:

You act like starting Hoyer results in guaranteed wins.

Hey, WW says 16-0 with JF, and the Super Bowl. Nope TC the Nattering Nabob of Negativity in me says is doesn't matter who we start- we're looking at 0-3 out of the gate. Start Manziel, and he doesn't make it to the bye in one piece.

LeBeau 15-2 against rookie starters, care to bet the ranch on JF in the opener?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/410605https://brownsboard.com/post/410605Sun, 25 May 2014 05:59:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Sat, 24 May 2014 23:05:46 GMT]]>

@hounddawg said:

Fancy that. Some of us would like to give the last guy to actually win two games in a row the benefit of the doubt. No one said he was doing it all by himself, either. What he did do was elevate the level of play of the whole team. I was in the stadium that Thursday night against Buffalo. The mood was electric going into that game. It wasn't just me that felt that way. When he went down you could literally feel the collective deflation.. Why is it so difficult to understand? WINS. Isn't that what we are all looking for? Forgive me for thinking that was the whole fuckin point.

Oh man, it's that easy? Well fuck, I wish I knew that.

The Browns will win every game next year. Boom. Done. That was fucking easy.

Dumbass.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/410586https://brownsboard.com/post/410586Sat, 24 May 2014 23:05:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Sat, 24 May 2014 21:02:48 GMT]]>

@tour2ma said:

Sigh...Maybe right now cal, and all us "Hoyer-lovin'-Manziel-hating-schlubs", just think Hoyer gives us the best chance to win.It could be that simple...

Fancy that. Some of us would like to give the last guy to actually win two games in a row the benefit of the doubt. No one said he was doing it all by himself, either. What he did do was elevate the level of play of the whole team. I was in the stadium that Thursday night against Buffalo. The mood was electric going into that game. It wasn't just me that felt that way. When he went down you could literally feel the collective deflation.

@tim-couch-pulls-out said:

It's frustrating when people have opinions that they can't back up with anything other than "WINS, DUDE".

Rational football talk makes everyone better, in my opinion.

. Why is it so difficult to understand? WINS. Isn't that what we are all looking for? Forgive me for thinking that was the whole fuckin point.]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/410574https://brownsboard.com/post/410574Sat, 24 May 2014 21:02:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Sat, 24 May 2014 16:43:45 GMT]]>

@runyon27 said:

I dont care who starts, but whoever gives us the best chance to win should be the starter. If its Hoyer I am fine with that, same with Manziel. However, Manziel has to prove he is ready, which I am betting comes are some point whether its week 1 this yr or maybe as later as next yr. Would be great for once to have more than one capable QB on the roster.

Very well said. I am starting to think we just may have 3 QBs who are ALL better than the best we had available to end the season last year. Quite a turn around.

Mike

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/410559https://brownsboard.com/post/410559Sat, 24 May 2014 16:43:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to OTA Early Report (Which Means Nothing) on Sat, 24 May 2014 15:54:12 GMT]]>

@tim-couch-pulls-out said:

It could be. But, outside of you, I've yet to hear anyone specifically say why they think this way or what drives them to that feeling.

It's frustrating when people have opinions that they can't back up with anything other than "WINS, DUDE".

Rational football talk makes everyone better, in my opinion.

I dont care who starts, but whoever gives us the best chance to win should be the starter. If its Hoyer I am fine with that, same with Manziel. However, Manziel has to prove he is ready, which I am betting comes are some point whether its week 1 this yr or maybe as later as next yr. Would be great for once to have more than one capable QB on the roster.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/410550https://brownsboard.com/post/410550Sat, 24 May 2014 15:54:12 GMT