Manziel to make debut as Browns’ starting QB today

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Hours after the Browns switched starting quarterbacks, Cavaliers superstar LeBron James stood at his locker following a win rocking a “Money Manziel” T-shirt.

“You know I know timing,” James quipped.

The Browns hope theirs is right, too.

Johnny Manziel, the stage is yours.

The hyped rookie, who depending on whom you talk to is either the NFL’s next big thing or everything that’s wrong with today’s athlete, will make his first career start today against the Cincinnati Bengals.

With their offense sputtering and their playoff hopes wilting, the Browns (7-6) are handing the ball to Manziel.

And once he’s got it, anything is possible.

“If something breaks down he runs around and makes a play,” Browns Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas said. “That can be a huge spark for any team when you have a quarterback who can extend plays the way he does. I’m excited to see what he can do. Hopefully he can lead us to where we want to go because I think our goal is still out there.”

Manziel will take the knowledge he has gathered from spending months learning as a backup behind Brian Hoyer, who helped make the Browns relevant again before it seems the pressure of playing in his hometown, trying to earn a new contract and having Johnny Football over his shoulder became too much.

The Browns drafted Manziel with an eye toward the future, and it’s here.

Sure, he’s a social media sensation and a star to a young generation of fans, but there’s no denying Manziel’s ability to drop thousands of jaws in a packed stadium and keep defensive coordinators up at night.

The Bengals (8-4-1) lead the AFC North, but to keep it they’ll have to control Manziel, which won’t be easy.

“The challenge is even if you do get a good rush on him, he has the ability to make you miss in the pocket,” Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap said. “King of like (Tony) Romo and some of those guys who are good in the pocket. But at the end of the day, he is still a rookie.”