Johnny Manziel will make the first start of his NFL career on Sunday. It promises to be *the* storyline of Week 15.
Manziel's opponents are fully aware. Any Cincinnati Bengals player who manages to make a play at Manziel's expense will be a star on the highlight shows to follow. On Thursday, Browns coach Mike Pettine addressed the bull's eye on the back of Johnny Football.
"I don't think it affects him," Pettine said, according to The Plain Dealer. "He's no stranger to it. That's the price that he has to pay for who he is and the reputation that he brings with him to the NFL. He already got a taste of it in the preseason. Everybody's gunning for him.
"Everybody wants a sack. I guarantee that anyone who sacks him will stand over him and give the money sign. The best thing is not to get caught up in it. He has to go out and execute. When a play is over, it's over and you have to move on to the next one."
Manziel has shown he can be incited into action. During the preseason, he was fined $12,000 for gesturing with his middle finger toward the Redskins sideline.
That incident likely factored into Cleveland's decision to keep Manziel on the bench to start the season. Pettine said Thursday he plans to speak with his rookie.
"I'm sure I'll talk with him as the game gets closer," Pettine said. "It's something he's faced. That's not anything new coming into the NFL for him. He's been a target probably from the first day he stepped under center in college. I'm sure he knows, but it'll be reiterated."
How Manziel reacts to the inevitable taunting is just another reason why Sunday's game is must-see TV.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews the Week 15 schedule and recaps the Cardinals' win over the Rams. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
