Reports say Johnny Manziel lied to Browns about the bye week video

Pettine added that they did give Manziel a warning about engaging in off-field activities before their bye week. “We’ll see what happens, but like I said I’ll be there supporting him 100 percent”. “This is where we had an obvious shortcoming.”.

Close the book: Coach Mike Pettine would not comment on the Thursday report from FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer that Manziel was demoted for lying to coaches about the partying video exposed on the Internet during the team’s bye.

Now, Manziel is pushed down the depth chart and is heading to Monday’s game versus Baltimore as the Browns’ third string quarterback.

Obviously, the Browns would love to get some sort of compensation from a quarterback-needy team in return for Manziel.

“This is a heavy dose of adversity. So like I said, I’m not in a state to be able to speak on it because my focus has been on this (volunteering) and what really matters in this game on Monday. This is a hurdle.”.

The video showed Manziel singing in a nightclub and holding what appeared to be champagne bottle.

Pettine was surprised by the video, but more disappointed than anything. The benching was a hard blow to the 22-year-old, but Pettine said it was essential if he’s going to develop into a full-time starter.

Pettine said the most frustrating aspect and biggest concern is the fact that there have been multiple incidents.

“I certainly hope not”. He’s made great progress. Sometimes, you have to take one step backward to go four or five steps forward. Austin Davis will serve as McCown’s primary backup.

Manziel later in the day talked about his conversation with Pettine while reacting to being named the starter.

He spent 10 weeks in a treatment facility during the offseason for undisclosed reasons and last month was questioned by police after witnesses reported him driving dangerously and getting physical in an altercation with girlfriend.

So, basically, Manziel squandered in one weekend whatever trust he had rebuilt with the team following his disastrous rookie season. Pettine said he didn’t want to look too far ahead, preferring to keep his focus on the present.

Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, who spoke to Manziel about the partying video, also declined to confirm whether Manziel lied to the Browns.

“Things can change, ” he said. Last week, we made him the starter for the rest of the season. “We’ll see how he handles it”. “Like I said, we support coach’s decision, and I’ll let him kind of dig into the details of why he made the decision that he made”.

Manziel might have kept the job had he told the truth, the source said. You never say never in this profession. He won the starting job after amassing a career-high 372 yards in a loss to the Steelers on November 15.

“Its a credit to Johnny, ” McCown said.

McCown complimented Manziel for taking notes in meetings and doing everything he was supposed to do Wednesday despite the circumstances.