Browns speedy wide receiver Travis Benjamin starts fast

For those of you hyperventilating over Mike Pettine’s decision to start Josh McCown over Johnny Manziel in Sunday’s Browns game against the Raiders: Relax, OK? Why is that? And why would Pettine go back to McCown? It may be several days before the team knows if McCown can play face the Titans, and until then the Browns will prepare backup Johnny Manziel to start. Therefore, it’s safe to say that Cleveland fans weren’t surprised by the news. I think their receiving corps has definitely upgraded from when we played them (last year). Of course not. Yes, Manziel played well in last week’s win over the Titans. A lot of it is dependent on the coverage we get, the way the routes are read, whether it’s a progression read or however it plays out. Former Browns cornerback Buster Skrine delivered one to Manziel’s right shoulder early in the fourth quarter as he ran for a 20-yard gain that was negated by penalty. The team will try to determine precisely where the 2014 first-round pick is in his development and begin to assess what the immediate needs will be in the 2016 draft and beyond. McCown will not light the world on fire, but this team is supposed to be built on a good defense and winning the field position battle.

BEREA, Ohio – Travis Benjamin has brought to the Cleveland Browns’ offense what most thought it lacked: the big play.

“That’s why they call him The Rabbit, ” said Browns rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton. The problem is that we never had a quarterback who could time him up, so nobody had to respect the deep throw to Benjamin. After suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in October of 2013, Benjamin fought to regain his confidence, but signaled for eight fair catches while averaging 8.5 yards over 15 punt returns. The reality of the situation seems to be that Bowe has just been passed on the depth chart by more productive receivers. Brian Hoyer couldn’t time anyone up on the deep ball a year ago, though, which was frustrating given Benjamin’s speed and the suspension of Josh Gordon.

The 49ers signed him late in training camp, but cut him after three weeks and he jumped back into his high school stint just as the regular season was beginning.

Overlooked in Peyton Manning’s stunning come-from-behind win in Kansas City last week was the fact that the Broncos have won 13th straight divisional road games, the most in National Football League history. I just think he is a talented guy and athletic. Whether it’s Marcus Mariota being given the Offensive Rookie of the Year award after one game or owners ready to offload Jeremy Hill after a couple bad games, they are everywhere, in fantasy and in real life.

And Benjamin has rewarded that faith, not only on special teams, but also, on offense through the first two games of the season. What is their bread and butter? That includes last year’s Colts, who are again 0-2 this season. This year, thanks to a re-tooled defensive line, that isn’t happening. Manziel is going to need to improve at ball security, otherwise things are going to start trending downward for him.

The bread and butter of the defense is the secondary. McCown was injured on the first drive of the season against the Jets and now he will be back in the mix against the Raiders on Sunday. So how long will McCown’s leash be entering week 3? The safeties were still a bit shaky at defending tight ends last week, though. “We’re not going to make that assumption”, Pettine said. Luke, conversely, has started nine games since his 2004 debut, suiting up for five different teams.