CLEVELAND -- If the Cleveland Browns decide it’s Johnny Manziel time, then they should have at it.
Just make the decision quickly and decisively. Don’t let it linger into Wednesday the way the team did last week, with all the chatter and drama stewing for two days. Come in Monday, let the players know and then let the public know.
There's no arguing that Brian Hoyer struggled against the Colts and that he has struggled for a month. His numbers can’t be disputed. Like this one: On their past 29 drives with Hoyer at quarterback, the Browns have scored one touchdown.
Maybe it is time for Manziel.
Coach Mike Pettine did nothing Sunday to indicate he was pondering a change, or would ponder a change. ESPN’s Ron Jaworski seemed to sum up the vibes that Pettine and the Browns were giving off when asked during postgame analysis if it was time for Manziel: “I don’t know. It’s getting close, though.”
With Cincinnati losing, the Browns are alive in the playoff hunt -- barely. But if they win all three remaining games they’d have beaten Cincinnati and Baltimore, two division teams.
In that sense, losing to the Colts, while excruciating, is not fatal.
If the Browns win all three and the other teams stumble, they have a chance.
That may mean that Pettine decides it’s best to stick with the guy who’s played, especially if he determines after watching the film that the offensive struggles weren’t all on Hoyer. That argument holds less water with every poor game, though.
If Pettine decides it’s Manziel, there’s really no arguing the point. The rookie could provide a spark that the offense needs -- assuming he’s ready to play.
Just make the decision quickly. The extended drama does nobody any good.
In other Browns news:
Indianapolis’ game-winning touchdown had a bit of street flair to it. Receivers T.Y. Hilton and Reggie Wayne collided, and then made up their routes. The two were supposed to cross, but when they collided Hilton simply spun out and broke to the sideline, where Andrew Luck found him.
Clearly Hoyer and Josh Gordon are missing something. Hoyer was 2-of-7 targeting Gordon on Sunday with no completions after the first quarter, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Hoyer has completed 44.4 percent of his passes to Gordon since he returned from his suspension, with no touchdowns and three interceptions.
Buster Skrine on a tough interference call on him in the Colts’ game-winning drive: “That’s the game. That’s how they call it now. It’s not a defensive game. It’s an offensive game.” Pettine pointed out that 35-yard penalty provided many of the Colts' yards on the drive. “My kids will be mad at me if I’m having money deducted out of my paycheck for criticizing officiating. I’ll leave it at that,” Pettine said.
Billy Cundiff has missed a field goal in five games in a row -- though one was a 60-yarder in Atlanta. “Obviously concerning,” Pettine said.
