Johnny Manziel supporters are hailing the Cleveland Browns' decision against drafting a quarterback as a show of faith in the former Heisman Trophy winner.
But that may not be the case.
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The Akron Beacon-Journal is reporting that coach Mike Pettine told a local radio station "it's fair to say" that journeyman quarterback Josh McCown is the favorite to become the team's starter when it heads into training camp this summer.
But Pettine also hinted that the Browns are working to minimize the role of their quarterbacks in general for 2015.
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"When you build the team right, it minimizes the importance of the quarterback."
Perhaps, now that the Browns understand their quarterback situation better, Pettine feels more confident about projecting a starter.
As recently as April 21, Pettine said it was too soon to start projecting depth charts for next season.
"We're a ways away from just kind of worrying about how the depth part of it shakes out,'' Pettine said then. ... "We don't really kind of get into depth charts and where guys are.
"I'm not going to get into penciling in guys and say, 'Hey, this guy's a starter.' We thrive on competition. I'm not prepared to make that statement yet."
Perhaps, now that the Browns understand their quarterback situation better, Pettine feels more confident about projecting a starter.
But Pettine's statement about reducing the quarterback's role can't be taken in a positive context for Manziel, or McCown for that matter.
"Josh has proven in the right circumstances that he can be successful,'' Pettine said during the radio interview. "I think it was pretty clear to us when we looked into the results of what happened for him a year ago that a lot of those circumstances were outside of his control that made the year as difficult as it was.
"We just look back to when he was in Chicago, when he had a pretty good supporting cast around him, and he was able to be more than functional. He had a very successful year. When you build the team right, it minimizes the importance of the quarterback."
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