Dose: Johnny Football Time
Johnny Manziel had his best to-date half as a professional Week 9 against the Bengals before it all went downhill after halftime. Josh McCown wasn’t ready to return from his ribs injury, and Manziel got another start Week 10 against the Steelers. He answered with easily his best NFL start, completing 33-of-45 passes for 372 yards, one touchdown, and a pair of turnovers. He played really well on the move, especially outside the pocket and in play-action. The turnovers need to stop, but there have been steady signs of progress from the diminutive second-year player, though it’s a MUST that he learns to play from the pocket if he wants to have sustained success at this level.
The 2-8 Browns are on their bye, and it’s the perfect time to make a permanent switch from McCown to Manziel in what is another lost season in Cleveland. That’s just what they’re doing, as FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reported early Tuesday that Manziel will start the remainder of the season, and McCown will be sent to the bench. McCown actually played pretty well in some spots this year, but it makes no sense to trot the 36-year-old out there when Manziel can be evaluated for 2016 and beyond. Manziel could have some streaming appeal in plus matchups down the stretch as a playmaker.
As for the rest of the Browns’ skill-position players, Travis Benjamin has actually had his best games of the season with Manziel at quarterback. In the four games Manziel has played significantly in, Benjamin has caught 16-of-23 targets for 339 yards (21.1 YPR) and three scores. He has some strong WR3 appeal with big-time upside. Gary Barnidge was on the side of a milk carton in Manziel’s previous two starts, but caught 6-of-8 targets from Manziel this past Sunday for 65 yards and another touchdown. He should continue to be leaned on in the red zone as a surefire TE1.
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In Other News…
The NFL dropped the hammer on Raiders OLB Aldon Smith on Tuesday, suspending him one year for multiple violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy. It stems from Smith’s DUI on August 6 that resulted in his release from the 49ers. He’s long had a pattern of reckless off-field behavior, from multiple DUIs to a gun-related incident at a party in his early days with San Francisco. Smith was enjoying a fine season opposite Khalil Mack in Oakland, grading out as a top-15 pass rusher at his position and top-six against the run. Smith will be 27 next September and eligible for reinstatement sometime thereafter. It’ll be a challenge for him to keep his nose clean, but the Raiders plan to stick by his side and have already expressed a desire to have him back once his suspension is over.
Allen Hurns has battled a number of nagging injuries throughout his short two-year career, but has always played through them and is enjoying a monster season as fantasy’s No. 17 receiver in points per game. Hurns has scored a touchdown in seven-straight games. He played through a sprained foot against the Ravens in Week 10, and apparently has been playing through an abdominal issue for a couple weeks. It’s possible he’ll need sports-hernia surgery after the season, but the plan is for him to play through it with the AFC South wide open. Hurns is expected to play Thursday vs. the Titans.
Breshad Perriman’s rookie year is over before it even got off the ground. He missed a ton of training-camp action and the entire preseason with a knee injury and had yet to play a snap through 10 weeks. Perriman required PCL surgery six weeks ago. Coach John Harbaugh wanted to see Perriman play at least four games, but Tuesday he was sent to season-ending I.R. With Steve Smith Sr. another year older with an uncertain future, Perriman still has an upward-pointing arrow for 2016.
The Christine Michael experiment didn’t last long in Dallas; he was waived by the Cowboys on Tuesday just 10 weeks after they acquired him from the Seahawks. He rushed for a grand total of 51 yards on 15 carries in Dallas. Michael reportedly was a cancer in a locker room filled with them, and was struggling to learn the playbook. His extreme athletic upside will likely earn Michael another chance as a former second-round pick, but the rope is getting short for the 25-year-old.
Quarterback & Running Back Slants
Free agent RB Kendall Hunter worked out for the Seahawks. … The Texans are “hoping” Brian Hoyer (concussion) will be cleared in time for Week 11 against the Jets. On a short week, it’ll be a chore. … T.J. Yeldon (foot) has shed his walking boot and expects to be fine for Thursday night against the Titans. … Cowboys waived QB Brandon Weeden. With Tony Romo healthy, Matt Cassel beat out Weeden for the backup gig. … Ryan Mathews (concussion) didn’t practice Tuesday. Neither did Sam Bradford (shoulder, concussion). … Geno Smith is expected to take most of the first-team reps in practice this week after Ryan Fitzpatrick underwent thumb surgery last Friday. Fitzpatrick’s status will become cleared later in the week. … Coach Mike McCarthy thinks Aaron Rodgers may be “trying to do too much.” … Coach Jim Tomsula will go week-to-week with his quarterback situation. … Coach Jay Gruden said he wants the team to re-signed contract-year QB Kirk Cousins. … Andre Ellington will continue to be used in special packages. … The Rams still owe Nick Foles $7.75 million in guaranteed money. … The Colts want Andrew Luck to change his running style.
Wide Receiver & Tight End Slants
Dolphins rookie WR DeVante Parker has resorted to watching his Louisville highlights to remind himself that he’s good and can make plays. He’s played just 110 snaps and seen seven total targets as the No. 5 receiver. … Lions signed former Giants WR Corey Washington to their practice squad. … Browns waived TE Rob Housler off injured reserve. The free-agent bust caught one pass for six yards before being placed on I.R. earlier this month. … Patriots promoted WR Chris Harper from the practice squad. … Kendall Wright (knee) is expected to miss Thursday night’s Week 11 game against the Jaguars. … Chiefs placed TE James O’Shaughnessy (foot) on I.R. … Ravens signed WR Kaelin Clay and TE Chase Ford. They waived WR Jeremy Ross. … Seahawks waived Super Bowl breakout WR Chris Matthews. He caught just four passes this season. His size should earn him another look. … Tom Brady hinted WR Keshawn Martin could have an increased role in the absence of Julian Edelman (foot). … Titans signed rookie WR Tre McBride off their practice squad. … There’s some belief Roddy White will be more involved on offense moving forward. … Coach Gus Bradley is unsure if WR Rashad Green (thumb) will be activated off I.R./recall this week. … Giants signed WR Hakeem Nicks, their 2009 first-round pick. He takes Victor Cruz’s (calf, I.R.) roster spot. … Julian Edelman underwent surgery on Monday to have a screw inserted into his broken foot.
