Johnny will be good.
That is what the Cleveland Browns expect from Johnny Manziel now that training camps have opened.
Mike Pettine, Cleveland’s coach, said he is not worried about the popular rookie’s colourful off-field behaviour carrying into the season, and he is determined not to let any outside influences affect his decision in picking either Manziel or veteran Brian Hoyer to be his starting quarterback.
Read more: As always, new coaches and new rookies in the NFL pre-season spotlight
Pettine, who opened his first training camp on Friday, discussed Manziel, Pro Bowl wide receiver Josh Gordon’s clouded situation and several other topics during time with the media as preparations for the new NFL season picked up speed.
Manziel, the former Texas A&M player nicknamed “Johnny Football” for the seeming ease with which he masters the game, made headlines throughout the off-season with his weekend partying. And while most of it was seemingly innocent, a recent photo of him appearing to roll up a dollar bill brought him even more scrutiny.
Pettine said he is aware of the photo and, during his recent vacation, he called Manziel to discuss the young quarterback’s conduct.
“I picked up the phone and called him,” Pettine said. “It was a good conversation, positive and I’m confident going forward, especially now that it’s all about football, I think some of this will and should quiet down because football season is different.
“The off-season is one thing, but it is all about preparation and I think he knows that in order for him to compete well, he’s going to have to probably be more dedicated than he has ever been.”
Manziel has insisted he will not change his ways and that he is entitled to have fun away from football.
Pettine said Manziel has been dedicated to learning his playbook, and has given the Browns no reason to think he is going to be a distraction.
Pettine believes Manziel is beginning to understand the responsibility that comes along with being a high-profile athlete, a social-media sensation and a first-round pick in the NFL draft.
“I think that’s a process for him and I think he’s headed along the right path with that,” Pettine said.
“I think if you talk to him, he gets it. Some of the things I think he gets a little frustrated with, but I think he’s coming to realise that, ‘Yeah, this all comes with the territory’.”
Hoyer, who has worked his way back after undergoing knee surgery, begins camp with a lead over Manziel in their competition to be Cleveland’s starter.
Pettine said he would like to name his starter “reasonably quickly,” and that he and offensive co-ordinator Kyle Shanahan have discussed dividing practice time evenly for the rookie and the veteran.
Manziel might have a huge fan following – his No 2 jersey has outsold all others since April in the NFL’s online store – but Pettine said he will not be swayed to name him a starter.
“All the decisions we make will be based on football,” he said. “We’re not going to base our depth chart on jersey sales.
“The external pressure will not factor into our decision. It’s an easy decision for us. It’s who gives us the best chance to line up against the Pittsburgh Steelers in September and win that football game, that’s what it boils down to and that’s as simple as it is for us. But it’s a decision that we want to make pretty quickly because there needs to be some chemistry developed.”
As for Gordon, Pettine expects him to report Saturday and practice Sunday. The team is awaiting clarity from the league on Gordon, who could be facing an indefinite ban for another violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.
Pettine said he is beyond the point of worrying about whether Gordon will play at all this season. Gordon was suspended two games last season.
However, Pettine did make it clear the team has no plans to release Gordon and want to help him.
“Josh is a Cleveland Brown and we want what’s best for him and we want what’s best for us,” he said. “He’s smart. He’s bright. He’s creative. He’s a guy that in a lot of ways that you root for.”
Follow our sports coverage on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE