Ask any Johnny Manziel apologist -- even the ones not named Skip Bayless -- they'll tell you the Browns QB is far from a pocket passer.
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Following the Browns' 31-10 loss to the Bengals, head coach Mike Pettine led many to believe that's what he was seeking under center.
"He [Manziel] did some good things," he said, per Cleveland.com. "But in the second half, especially after we fell behind, he was just trying to make too many big plays instead of just taking completions.''
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Turns out, reeling Manziel in was far from Pettine's intention.
"By no means was that a comment designed that we wanted him to stay in the pocket," he said, per ESPN. "But when there's a play to be made early, let's make them."
It was the first positive sign for Manziel's career in Cleveland.
As is always the case for scrambling QBs coming out of college, throwing out what made you successful is often the norm. Fearing health issues, most head coaches are prone to cut back on their QBs ability to make plays outside the pocket. The desire to build a pocket passer often derails a perfectly good project in front of them.
Pettine has finally abandoned that philosophy.
Well, almost. Manziel still has to meet him halfway.
"[Pocket passing] is an area of his game we want to develop," Pettine said, "and have it be complemented by his ability outside the pocket."
Manziel's next opportunity might come on Nov. 15 against the Steelers.
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"We didn't do enough. That's what it comes down to." -@JManziel2 https://t.co/cOdM1HX2ql
— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2015
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