SmashMouth

Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam says the Browns have told Johnny Manziel to start acting "like a backup quarterback."

Haslam praised Manziel for being an "ultracompetitor" but reiterated that Brian Hoyer is the team's starting quarterback and Manziel will have to beat out the veteran in training camp. Haslam made it clear that Manziel "is not the starter. Johnny's the backup."

Haslam spoke on Manziel while addressing a luncheon in Canton, Ohio, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The owner said the team was not scared off by the celebrity that comes along with Manziel, adding that the Browns told Manziel "this is not Hollywood" and that he will have to come to Cleveland ready to work hard.

Manziel's new teammates are happy to have him, but they're not ready to anoint him as the Browns' starter at quarterback.

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Browns’ owner says Johnny Manziel is a backup | ProFootballTalk

QBREES9

"this is not Hollywood" and that he will have to come to Cleveland ready to work hard. Welcome to Cleveland

exile

Encouraging an nfl player not to be competitive? Not sure that makes sense.

K Major

Give it time. Once Hoyer throws a few pick 6's, Johnny football will be under center.

TheOak

I disagree, Johnny Football is what he is and he needs to embrace it. Id much rather see him true to his colors like Joe Namath than pretending to be a backup. Like him or not he is a two year starting QB that has a Heisman and is a natural playmaker.

If you act like a back up, you stay a back up.

SaintsBro

I think this is code telling him to stay out of the newspapers, with stunts like the buying the zillion rounds of drinks at the bar after he got drafted. In fact I'm certain it's got to be related to that. That type of stuff from Manzell will not fly in Cleveland with the fanbase, unless there are "W"'s in the books.

Danno

I hope my back-up never starts acting like a back-..

He should do everything a starter should do, and have a starter mentalilty from day 1.

I know what he means, but thats a poor choice of words.

Jamessr

That organization is screwed from the owner on down...

K Major

I think the Browns surprise a lot of critics this year. When I look at their roster, I don't exactly see Jacksonville. Lots of talent up in Cleveland.

Maybe Haslem was trying to say ... "Johnny Manziell is a NFL Pro now, so it's time to put down the Superman cape you wore at A&M and get ready to put in work".

TheOak

One could very much argue that being a NFL Professional QB is being a Superman, and there are many loved colorful QB personalities in the NFL.

Namath, McMahon, Bradshaw...