Manziel makes strides toward starting QB job, but can't pull out win
Johnny Manziel made another strong impression on Cleveland's coaches.
EJ Manuel's was even better for Buffalo.
Manziel threw a touchdown pass and maybe closed the gap on presumed starting quarterback Josh McCown before Manuel rallied the Bills to an 11-10 victory Thursday night.
Manuel, attempting to beat out Matt Cassel and Tyrod Taylor for Buffalo's starting job, threw a 14-yard TD pass to Andre Davis with 1:31 left. He then connected with rookie Bronson Hill for the 2-point conversion to complete a late rally by the Bills (1-1).
Buffalo coach Rex Ryan said his QB competition remains open, and he will not name a starter until just before the season opener against Indianapolis. He doesn't want to give the Colts any edge.
"We don't need to tell them," he said. "Until the league makes us tell them we can go right up there and say we're not going to say anything. We may know. But why would we say any different?"
After Manuel's TD pass and conversion, Manziel had one last chance, but he couldn't pull off any magic as the Browns (0-2) dropped their second straight exhibition at home.
Manziel connected with rookie Shane Wynn on a 21-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter. Playing against Buffalo's backups, Manziel finished 10 of 18 for 118 yards and made one of those Johnny Football plays -- rolling left and completing a 37-yard pass -- that made him an electrifying college star.
Following the game, Browns coach Mike Pettine reiterated that McCown, who threw interceptions on Cleveland's first two drives, was firmly the No. 1.
"We'll evaluate both guys," Pettine said. "I'm not going to sit here and talk about trying to start up a quarterback controversy."
Manziel said he's happy to be on the field and he'll leave the number of snaps up to Pettine.
"Would I like to be in there with the ones? Sure," he said. "It's not my call, and if that decision does come, I'll be ready to hop in there. But for now, I'm making the most of the opportunities I'm getting."
McCown did nothing to lock up the starting gig. He has not been named Cleveland's Week 1 starter, and Manziel's performance could further delay any decision.
"The things that stopped us were my mistakes," said McCown, who went 7 of 10 for 57 yards and two interceptions.
Following the game, McCown underwent X-rays on his right ring finger. McCown said initial tests were negative, but that he may need more.
Due to injuries, the Browns were missing 20 players including Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, safety Tashaun Gipson and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and cornerback Justin Gilbert.
The Bills rested 16 players, including McCoy, defensive end Kyle Williams and wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
JOHNNY BE GOOD
With the score tied 3-3, the Browns were backed up at their own 4 before Manziel, who played the entire second half, drove them to their go-ahead score. He completed 6 of 7 passes on the drive, highlighted by his 37-yard strike to rookie Darius Jennings.
BILLS QBS
Taylor started and went 7 of 10 for 65 yards. He added 41 yards rushing before giving way to Manuel, who finished 9 of 14 for 111 yards.
Ryan said he rested Cassel to get a closer look at his two less experienced QBs.
OTHER INJURIES
Bills: Already missing Watkins, Percy Harvin and Robert Woods, Chris Hogan was carted off with an ankle injury in the first quarter, further depleting Buffalo's receiving corps. Hogan covered his head with towel and placed his hands on his as he was driven to the locker room.
Browns: DB Jordan Poyer sustained a concussion while making a tackle. He briefly wandered into Buffalo's offensive huddle before the Browns sent him for an evaluation.
ROOKIE WATCH
Bills: A second-round pick from Florida State, CB Ronald Darby showed solid ball-hawking skills by intercepting two of McCown's passes. He's listed as a backup on the depth chart behind Leodis McKelvin, who is on the non-football injury list and expected to miss the start of the season.
Browns: Wynn, an undrafted free agent from Indiana, continued to impress. In addition to his TD, he had a 58-yard punt return that was brought back by a holding call. Also, DT Xavier Cooper had two sacks and massive DT Danny Shelton plugged the middle.
