COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Some quick observations from the Cleveland Browns' intrasquad scrimmage at The Horseshoe in Columbus:
I'm not ready to anoint Johnny Manziel as back, or as the starter, or even as anything other than what he is -- a young guy trying to get his life and game together one day at a time. But I am ready to say that Manziel the past three days has done a lot of good things, and it doesn't matter if it came against the starters or backups in The Shoe, Manziel threw the ball very, very well. That this is a positive step cannot be disputed. If athletics are a game of confidence, this night will give Manziel a healthy amount.
Danny Shelton can move, as in really move. Shelton had constant pressure on the quarterback. It should be noted that Shelton played first-team nose tackle and first-team center Alex Mack was held out as he recovers from last season's injury, so Shelton did not go against starters. But on one pass he dropped into coverage, saw a throw outside, ran to the sideline and put a pasting on Marlon Moore. Moore told Shelton to do that to someone on the other team next time. Asked if he would drop into coverage a lot this season, Shelton said: "I hope so."
Josh McCown opened well with a drive that ended with a touchdown throw to Brian Hartline. The highlight was a 47-yard catch-and-run on third down to Gary Barnidge. "This is my 14th year so you kind of get how it is," McCown said of the scrimmage. Joe Thomas praised the work of Manziel but was staunch in his support of McCown, saying there is no conversation whatsoever about McCown not being the Browns' starter.
Barnidge's catch-and-run indicates what he brings. He had several big catches last season, he can run when he catches the ball and he's dependable. "I think Gary Barnidge is very underrated," coach Mike Pettine said. "He just does his job and makes plays."
Donte Whitner had a faraway look in his eyes as he walked off the field at The Shoe. "A lot of reminiscing," said the Ohio State product. Hartline admitted catching the touchdown throw from McCown meant something, even in the scrimmage. "I'll openly say I didn't expect it being how cool it really was, but it was really cool," Hartline said. Terrelle Pryor didn't play, but he addressed his night in The Shoe and his days at Ohio State here.
The Browns had a lengthy list of injured guys who did not play, and Justin Gilbert landed awkwardly after breaking up a McCown pass to Hartline in the end zone. Pettine said Gilbert had a wrist issue, but he did not know if it was serious. The Browns held Mack and Joe Haden out of live action to ensure their well-being, though Pettine said Haden had "a little muscle tightness."
Whitner's unsung hero: "[WR Josh] Lenz, No. 7. He's been a guy that came in, and you barely ever hear him speak. He's a guy that's always working, and he made a lot of big plays out there today. Last year, I think he was with the [Indianapolis Colts]. They ended up letting him go, but he's making a really, really good impression on his teammates and the coaching staff." Others include tight end E.J. Bibbs, whom the Browns are high on, as well as defensive lineman Dylan Wynn (two sacks) and rookie linebacker Nate Orchard (one sack, but beat by Bibbs for a touchdown).
It's not exactly a major concern, but the defense did give up four touchdowns and two field goals to an offense that has serious question marks about its ability to score. File that in the "for whatever it's worth" category.
The Browns had to be thrilled with the day in Columbus. Attendance was announced at 49,734, and the mood was festive. "It is a football town," Pettine said. "It was a real good trip for us."
