The Johnny Manziel era begins in Cleveland this weekend as the Heisman-winning quarterback makes his debut with the Browns.
Manziel will attempt to help the Browns turn their luck around after a three-game losing streak followed a solid season start of 6-3, anchored by original starting QB Brian Hoyer.
The Browns face the first-place Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
"I'm very appreciative of the opportunity that Coach [Mike] Pettine and the coaching staff have given me to be the starter on Sunday,''
Manziel said in a press release, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I've tried to spend my entire season learning what it takes to become a pro and it's been great to watch Brian because he knows what it takes.
"I've prepared every week to be ready to help the team however possible and my focus has been on improving every day. I'm very excited to get out on the field with my teammates on Sunday and to have the opportunity to make the Dawg Pound proud," he continued.
Browns fans have responded by snatching up tickets for Manziel's first start, with
team president Alec Scheiner telling ESPN.com Tuesday that 2,300 season tickets have been sold since he was named the starter.
"We know right now that every one of our games is going to be sold out for next season," Scheiner said of the prospects of having Manziel start next year. "The beauty of picking Johnny was that this was a football decision only.
"It had nothing to do with business in any way. The fact that he's an incredibly popular athlete wasn't factored in at all," Scheiner continued.
Pettine told ESPN.com, though, that Manziel still had to earn the job, regardless how many of his No. 2 jersey Cleveland fans purchased before the season.
"It's a situation where despite what's around him and what's following him — and there will be pressure to play him — we're in the business of evaluating the best quarterback for the Cleveland Browns to win football games, and that's who is going to play, whether that's Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel," he said.
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