Manziel says he’s not frustrated as Hoyer’s backup

By Mary Kay Cabot

Northeast Ohio Media Group

BEREA

Johnny Manziel disagrees with coach Mike Pettine’s assessment that he’s frustrated with not playing.

“I don’t necessarily think that’s the right word,’’ said Manziel. “Obviously coming from the situation I’ve been in the past couple years of every rep, every snap, every down of every game, coming into the situation that I’m in now is going to be a lot different for me. So I’m sure there are signs of this being a different situation for me, but I don’t feel frustrated. Obviously, being a competitor I want to play, but there is a difference.”

Manziel said he’s right where should be at this point in his development: on the bench backing up Brian Hoyer, who’s 7-3 heading into Sunday’s game against the 1-6 Bucs.

“I feel like I’m in the role that I need to be at this time,’’ he said. “And, for me, obviously, I wasn’t where I needed to be throughout the earlier stages of being here, and now is my time to play catchup and make sure I’m on top of my things, continuing to get better and what’s up to my level and also the coaches’ level of where I need to perform.”

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan hasn’t sensed any undue frustration on the part of his rookie QB.

“Johnny is staying into it,’’ he said. “I don’t have to worry about that much. He knows at any time you’re one injury away from playing, which is one play. I think Johnny’s no different than every other guy out here who’s not playing.

“I wouldn’t say he’s more frustrated or less frustrated. He’s the same as any other NFL athlete who is competitive, wants to be out there. He understands that he’s not and understands why, and I think Johnny’s been great. He’s been easy to deal with it, and he’s been working and doing everything we ask.”

Manziel acknowledged that he wasn’t happy with where he was coming out of training camp. He had a chance to win the starting job, and didn’t even really come close. It was evident in camp that he wouldn’t have been ready to face the Steelers on Sept. 7, and he admitted as much.

“I’m still extremely hungry,’’ he said. “I still feel that obviously coming out training camp, I was disappointed. I wanted to play better and at the same time I am a rookie and I can’t be too hard on myself.

“I remember thinking back to the days when I was learning the offense at (Texas) A&M. It was frustrating. And it’s like that for everybody coming into a new system and a new place a long way away from home. So there’s a lot of things that were going on in my life at the time. Now I’m a lot more settled in, a lot more comfortable with everything that’s going on in the day-to-day operations.’’

Pettine said Wednesday that he can sense Manziel’s frustration in part because he’s been quiet, but Manziel said that’s just because he’s been getting acclimated.

“I’m here in the building is a lot different for me than life outside away from the building a little bit,’’ he said. “And I feel at times the times that people think I’m always going and always doing this, it’s not necessarily the case. It just always seems to get out that way and people seem to hear about it.

“But I feel I’m a pretty quiet, reserved guy here in the locker room. We have a great locker room here, a lot of guys who I’m going to get really close with. So it still works. I’m still in here doing what I need to do and kind of minding my own (business). At the same time, there are great guys in here.”