Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is starting to get on the right track this training camp as he had great performances during practice last Wednesday and Thursday.
ESPN reported that Manziel had a couple of good throws to wide receiver Vince Mayle and deep throws to wide receivers Shane Wynn (7-on-7) and Darius Jennings (11-on-11) in their practice Wednesday.
"I saw him make some good throws, but I just don't know off the top of my head. I don't chart or do those statistics during training camp like some others do. I'll defer to seeing the tape," Pettine said, according to ESPN.
Pettine is feeling great with the progress he is seeing from Manziel, telling the media in a press conference that the development is more of the mental aspect rather than the physical since he is now understanding protections.
The Browns head coach also shared a play during camp. Perhaps Manziel's best play so far, according to him, was when the 22-year-old quarterback changed protection when he faced the defense and stepped up to the pocket to complete a touchdown pass.
"But it just typified his — it was more preparation than anything else. I just think he has so much more of an intimate knowledge of what we're doing," Pettine also said following Thursday's practice.
Despite all the improvement he is showing, Manziel will still likely be a backup as Pettine continues to eye the veteran Josh McCown as their starting quarterback on opening night.
Manziel was also a backup last season as he competed for the starting job in training camp against Brian Hoyer, who later won the competition but was unable to really perform well.
Late last season Hoyer was replaced by Manziel as a starter with just a number of games remaining in the regular season; but he faced struggles as the Browns finished with a 7–9 record missing the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season.
