Browns coach Mike Pettine isn’t exactly crazy about the fact that quarterback Johnny Manziel was out at 2:36 a.m. and involved in a situation that resulted in a fan accusing a member of Manziel’s entourage of assault. But Pettine isn’t ready to rip Manziel for it, either.
Pettine said on Mike & Mike that he wishes Manziel were at home in bed at that hour.
“We’re never comfortable . . . with guys being involved in incidents that late at night,” Pettine said. “There’s a saying in the league, ‘Nothing good happens after midnight.’”
Manziel insists he did nothing wrong, and he hasn’t been accused of a crime, but it does raise an interesting question: Is the mere fact that Manziel was out at that hour alarming? Have you ever heard of Peyton Manning or Tom Brady or Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson or Andrew Luck doing something that draws unwanted attention to themselves at 2:30 in the morning?
“I’ve had a talk with Johnny,” Pettine said. “He was very up-front with us and notified us immediately when it occurred. As far as in the building, he’s been a true professional, he’s done everything that’s been asked of him, but obviously this is something that’s unfortunate.”
Pettine said the incident won’t affect whether Manziel gets on the field at any point, although that’s probably moot right now because Pettine has insisted that Brian Hoyer will remain the starter. Manziel is a backup, just waiting for his chance. And enjoying some late nights out while he waits.
