Johnny Manziel improving with every game — Sports WebXtra

These numbers won’t wow anybody, and the extra time Manziel has had over nearly two seasons surely benefit him over actual rookies.

It wasn’t the most ideal reaction for Manziel by slamming a tablet into his skull numerous times, but the reaction seemed to please Browns head coach Mike Pettine, who didn’t see the reaction until after the game.

Only after Josh McCown suffered a first-quarter concussion in the season-opener did Manziel get to play.

The run defense still allowed Browns castoff Shaun Draughn over four yards a carry (well above his previous 3.3-yard clip), but the run defense deficiency is sufficiently masked when the opposing quarterback is constantly under duress and losing yardage on pass plays. “It was great to see the way we ran the ball the way we did running for over 200 yards”. He started 32 games in a row before that streak ended at the beginning of the 2014 season when he was late reporting to the team due to a contract dispute. Crowell’s day was highlighted by runs of 54 yards and 50 yards. It’s the most rushing yards by a Browns player since Peyton Hillis rushed for 184 on November 7, 2010, against the New England Patriots.

The Browns say they have his back. They were the first two sacks of Orchard’s career.

Outside the pocket, Manziel was 4-of-6 for 88 yards, with no touchdowns and the one glaring interception.

The 49ers took control at their 42 but went three-and-out.

In the final three games the Browns face the Seahawks, Chiefs and Steelers, three teams on track for the playoffs.

Two plays before Crowell scored, the Browns dodged a bullet. In the receiving end, Bryan Hartline had 107 yards in eight receptions while Gary Barnidge added 84 yards and one touchdown. Hartline fumbled at the 1 but recovered to preserve the drive. However, they did so thanks to a pushover defense finally stepping up while a toothless running game at long last got going. He will miss the rest of the season. Browns WR Terrelle Pryor was active for the first time but was not targeted.

Does Sunday’s performance vindicate defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil, who has been under fire all season, and provide an example of what his defense can do given time? The converted quarterback finished without a catch.

“I’m not sitting here saying we’re going to win them all, but I can tell you for sure that we’re going to come out and we’re going to fight”. On the next play, Duke Johnson sprung off left guard for 19 yards. Six plays later, the Browns settled for Coons’ field goal. He did so with a cast of injured receivers that only got worse as time went on.

Even if the 49ers are not a good team, that shouldn’t take away from the fact that the Browns – especially Manziel – went out and did what they needed to do in a convincing win. The Jaguars stuck with him and now he looks every bit like a starting quarterback. But are there enough to convince the Browns to bring Manziel back next season?

Manziel stormed off the field and slammed his helmet to the ground.

Sitting on the sideline, Johnny Manziel was angry and frustrated. Fortunately for the Browns, he bounced back.