Manziel is back, but leash short
Johnny Manziel didn’t like being punished for partying, but now the Browns quarterback says he wants to make the most of his new chance to start.
Speaking for the first time since being demoted last month, Manziel didn’t apologize but said he feels fortunate to be back in the starting lineup this week.
“I was forced to learn a hard lesson,” he said. “Obviously, there’s a way to conduct yourself that 31 other guys in the league do each and every week. You have to follow that example and realize that this is a very prestigious situation that I’m in being a starting quarterback in the NFL, so I have to take pride in that and act accordingly.”
He had better. Coach Mike Pettine warned Wednesday that the team won’t stand any more offfield shenanigans.
“If something were to occur, I could imagine that the repercussions would be harsh,” Pettine said. Lots of love lost: Don’t expect LeSean McCoy to shake Chip Kelly’s hand when the Bills running back faces his former team for the first time Sunday.
“Chip can’t shake (anything),” said McCoy, using a profanity.
McCoy said he still bears a grudge after Kelly abruptly ended McCoy’s Eagles career by trading him. Kelly said he had “great respect” for McCoy. Tough assignment: The Vikings will be missing their three best defensive players when they take on the high-powered Cardinals on Thursday night.
Defensive tackle Linval Joseph, safety Harrison Smith and linebacker Anthony Barr have been ruled out with injuries.
The Cardinals (10-2) have won six straight. Costly celebration: Steelers receiver Antonio Brown has been fined $11,576 for Sunday’s goalpost celebration. He received an unsportsmanlike penalty for “using the goalpost as a prop” in the Steelers’ 45-10 victory over the Colts.
After crossing the goal line, Brown jogged toward the goalpost and jumped onto the padding with his arms and legs outstretched. Extra points: Broncos QB Peyton Manning, sidelined since Nov. 15, threw indoors on his own for the first time since being relegated to the bench behind Brock Osweiler. ... Saints leading rusher Mark Ingram went on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, ending his season. ... The Rams lost two defensive stalwarts for the season, with DE Robert Quinn to undergo back surgery and S T.J. McDonald headed for a shoulder procedure. ... Jaguars LB Paul Posluszny had surgery to repair a broken right hand and might play this week.