Browns name Davis, not Manziel, new QB starter


BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Austin Davis has scaled the Browns depth chart over the past few weeks. It's an annual tradition this time of year for Cleveland quarterbacks.

After weeks as a third-stringer, Davis is the new starter – No. 24 for the club since 1999.

"I've heard that number tossed around," Davis said when asked about a number that perhaps best underscores this franchise's continued woes.

The merry-go-round took another spin today as coach Mike Pettine picked Davis over Johnny Manziel to start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. The switch was necessary because Josh McCown, who spent most of the season absorbing body blows like a boxer's sparring partner, broke his right collarbone Monday night against Baltimore and will miss the final five games.

Pettine said his decision to play Davis and not Manziel – recently demoted for breaking a promise to Cleveland's coaches to behave during the bye week – had nothing to do with punishing one player but rewarding another.

"He deserves this opportunity," Pettine said of Davis, who replaced an injured McCown in the fourth quarter.

Pettine is only committing to Davis, who went 3-5 in eight starts for St. Louis last season, as his starter for this week.

"We'll revisit this," Pettine said. "These are two players that we both want to see play is the bottom line. I don't want to declare, 'Hey, this is what it's going to be from here on out.' These are two young quarterbacks that have upside and we want to see what that upside is. Austin's the guy for this week."

By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use.

» Accept
» Learn More