Johnny Manziel's comments have surfaced again about his “Browns’ 0-16 every season” comment. This has prompted a statistical comparison between Shedeur Sanders, with a 3-4 record, and Manziel, who went 2-6 as Cleveland's starter.

Browns insider Anthony Moeglin drew comparisons between Manziel, who was with the Browns and in the league for two years from 2014 to 2015, and Sanders, who is entering his second season. 

“For one, the stats on Manziel’s side are from his second and final season in the NFL, while Shedeur’s are obviously from his rookie year,” wrote Moeglin of Browns Wire on 2 July. “Regardless, it is no excuse for the comparison of truly horrific quarterback play.”

In September 2015, Manziel spoke to Pro Football Talk in an NBC interview about his time with the Browns.

"“I sit here today and I’m like, ‘F*** it, I think I’m going to be pissed at them and hate them forever.’ So, it is what it is, man. No love for the Browns, I’m rooting for 0-16 seasons every season.”

Manziel's rookie season in 2014 saw him play five games, of which he started two. He was able to register only 175 passing yards that year and zero touchdowns.

Sanders, meanwhile, registered 1,400 passing yards and seven touchdowns. Insider Moeglin added that neither QB necessarily put out good football.

In 2015, he registered 1,500 passing yards and seven TDs against five interceptions. However, the season saw him embroiled in many controversies. 

Per Jaclyn Hendricks of the New York Post Sports, Manziel was on a rollercoaster journey from his college football days to the NFL. His off-the-field incidents led the Browns to release him in early 2016.

In the Browns Wire report, Moeglin shared that a major fundamental difference between Sanders and Manziel is that the former “genuinely cares about getting better”. 

“I think that it would be totally unfair to do what many are doing in regard to Sanders, and that is immediately writing him off after one year,” said Moeglin. “... He is not Johnny Manziel, he is not worse than Johnny Manziel, and he had the potential to be the leader of this team.”

Moeglin concluded by saying that based on Sanders’ tape, there are some good things to build upon for the 24-year-old who is trying to put his "best foot forward" at the Browns training camp in July.

Browns open practices to give fans first look at the QB1 competition

The Browns are gearing up for their training camp in late July at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea. 

An exciting change during the training camp is that Browns fans have the opportunity to get a close-up look at this year’s squad. The Browns have allocated nine dates from 31 July to 12 August for fans. 

According to Mike Battaglino of Browns Nation, the fan practices will have multiple familiar attractions like the Puppy Pound pet adoption center, Browns Pro Shop, the 40-yard dash experience and a variety of food trucks, to name a few. 

Fans also have the chance to win daily prizes, like autographed items and game tickets. These practice sessions open to fans will also be based on different themes throughout the nine days.

Battaglino concluded by saying that the focus during the training camp will be QB1 competition between Sanders and Deshaun Watson. If a decision is made, the outcome will decide the Browns' course for the upcoming season. 

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote