Johnny Manziel Fail: Disaster Debut For Cleveland Rookie QB- NFL Reacts To Browns Loss

Johnny Manziel's first start as an NFL quarterback was a "disaster", with the QB himself calling it a "fail". The Cleveland Browns lost 30-0 to AFC North division rival Cincinnati Bengals in Manziel's debut start, with the former Texas A&M QB looking "sloppy" and "slow" in the shut out loss. Manziel — drafted 16th overall by the Browns in the 2014 NFL draft — threw two interceptions and was sacked three times, and essentially eliminated the Browns from NFL playoff contention in the process. Unsurprisingly, the reactions around the NFL to the loss were — similar to everything else Manziel-related — loud and brash.

CBS Sports called it a "disaster" while cleveland.com's Chris Fedor explained that the "debut was one of the worst quarterback performances in the NFL this season."

Manziel, adds Fedor, "He finished 10-of-18 passing, with 80 yards and two interceptions. His quarterback rating of 27.3 was two points lower than Brian Hoyer's disastrous showing against Indianapolis."

Stats site Elias Sports report that it "was the worst shutout loss in a quarterback's first NFL start since 2000, when Spergon Wynn was the QB in Cleveland's 48-0 loss at Jacksonville".

And it wasn't just the shoddy showing that ruined Cleveland and Manziel's day. As ESPN report, members of the Bengals defense also took shots at Manziel, mocking his infamous "more money" finger gesture. As ESPN say, Bengals defensive linesman Wallace Gilberry "sacked Manziel deep in the backfield on the Browns' second drive Sunday and displayed the quarterback's signature move to the FirstEnergy Stadium crowd."

Then came Rey Maualuga. "Later in the game, Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga got in on the action by flashing money signs in Manziel's face after batting down a pass." (Maualuga later apologized to his team for incurring the penalty)

I put my teammates in a bad situation and I was selfish for that penalty. I let my emotions get the best of me. Great team effort today!

— Rey Maualuga (@maualuga58) December 14, 2014

But there were still more! "Reserve defensive tackle Brandon Thompson also flashed the money sign as he got up after sacking Manziel in the third quarter."

Ouch.

But Manziel was taking everything in stride. As The Washington Post says, Manziel said after the game "I felt like it was a fail on my part at the position, and it's tough," Manziel said. "It's going to take time."

Nor did the quarterback – who the Washington Post point out, only managed five first downs and one of ten third first down – feel overwhelmed by the moment.

"I never felt overwhelmed or that it was too much for me," he said, "[but] I needed to play better."

Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman argued the opposite saying "Manziel looked overwhelmed and overmatched against an average defense-a defense Brian Hoyer beat for 24 points five weeks ago." He goes on to call Manziel "slow" and "sloppy" and called the game "as alarming a beginning as you will ever see a quarterback have."

Johnny Manziel T-shirts are already on the clearance rack in Cleveland: https://t.co/Es6tKJ5gxw pic.twitter.com/mrEnWqlL9B

— Complex Sports (@Complex_Sports) December 15, 2014

ESPN's Merrill Hodge also ripped Manziel, according to cleveland.com, saying that Manziel wouldn't last long in Cleveland. "As I've said before, it's going to be a quick exit and it's unfortunate, because whoever drafted him in Cleveland, they need to be fired."

"It's unfair to the kid," he continued. "He has sixth-round talent but first-round hype, and you draft him there and now regardless of what happens from here on out, he will be expected to play like a first-rounder and that's unfair to him."

"He doesn't have the skill set to withstand that expectation and that's not his fault, it's the Cleveland Browns' for drafting him that high.''

And even Fox' s Joe Buck got in on the action, tearing Manziel a new one, as reported by NESN. In a Fox broadcast of a later game between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers, Buck mocked Manziel, saying:

"Hi, my name's Johnny Manziel, you may know me as Johnny Football... I made my first start here in week 15. How'd I do? Oh I went 10-18 2 interceptions, threw for 80 yards and a quarterback rating of 27.3 and lost to the Bengals thirty to nothing. Off to Canton we go!" (Canton Ohio is where the Pro Football Hall of Fame is located.)

@maualuga58 You on the front page homie, wit that money dance #Salute pic.twitter.com/Db8gSbIo4A

— IG: WzrdofCroz (@WZRDofCROZ) December 15, 2014

BUT. Reports say the Browns will start Manziel next week, with Fox Sports saying Manziel's first start was "so bad that Pettine had to say after the game that the team will stick with Manziel as its starter next week."

What do you think? Should Johnny Football be starting over Brian Hoyer? Can he beat a possibly Cam Newton-less Carolina Panthers next Sunday?

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