Manziel might face discipline by league
BEREA, Ohio — Johnny Manziel’s argument with his girlfriend in his car could lead to punishment from the NFL.
Browns coach Mike Pettine said the league plans to investigate the backup quarterback’s domestic dispute last week, an altercation that raised new concerns about Manziel.
Manziel was questioned by police in Avon, Ohio, after his girlfriend claimed he was physical with her when the two had a heated disagreement while driving. Colleen Crowley can be heard telling police on a dash-cam video released Monday that Manziel “hit me a couple times” and “I’m in fear for my life.”
Manziel was not arrested and Crowley did not press charges. The couple left together and Friday went on social media to downplay the incident.
League spokesman Brian McCarthy said Manziel’s situation will be reviewed.
“It is standard procedure to look into any incident that is a potential violation of our personal conduct policy,” McCarthy said in an email.
Pettine did not have a timetable on the inquiry.
According to the police report, Crowley was intoxicated and made inconsistent statements. The report said an officer determined Manziel was not intoxicated and “had consumed only two alcoholic drinks several hours prior.”
DEVELOPMENTS
Hoyer keeps job: The Texans’ indecision at quarterback appears to be over now after Brian Hoyer’s performance in Houston’s win over the Jaguars on Sunday.
“He’s our quarterback,” coach Bill O’Brien said of Hoyer, who had been competing with Ryan Mallett. “We’re going to stick with him. ... He’s playing at a high level, and we’ve got a lot of confidence in him.”
Hoyer made his second start this season Sunday and it was the first time he both started and finished a game.
Hoyer was 24 of 36 for 293 yards and tied a career high with three touchdown passes.
Saints change kickers: New Orleans released kicker Zach Hocker on Monday and replaced him with former Washington Redskins kicker Kai Forbath.
Hocker missed two field goal attempts during Thursday’s Saints victory over Atlanta, dropping him to 9 of 13 this season.
Forbath had kicked for the Washington Redskins from 2012 until his release last month. He has made 60 of 69 field goal attempts in his career.
NFL Network apologizes: The NFL Network has apologized to Cincinnati Bengals players who were shown naked in the locker room during a postgame interview Sunday in Buffalo.
A network reporter was interviewing cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones after the Bengals’ 34-21 win, and the videographer’s angle included the entrance to the shower area. Several players were shown naked in the background.
Left tackle Andrew Whitworth was one of those shown. Whitworth, the team’s union representative, said Monday that the league should restrict media access to prevent it from happening again.
“It’s just not right,” Whitworth said. “There’s no office, there’s no other situation in America where you have to do that. It’s dated, it’s old and it needs to change.”