It seems strange to say these days but the correct word to describe Johnny Manziel’s performance against the Buffalo Bills was, ‘impressive’. Manziel came into the game in the second half for current Cleveland Browns starter, 36 year old Josh McCown, with the latter having thrown 2 interceptions for a total of 57 yards passing. With both teams struggling to mount any kind of offense to that point and the game tied at a field goal apiece, Johnny Football would provide the spark both the game, and the Browns needed.

The game plan seemed to be low risk, with Manziel completing some quick screen and slant passes for short gains to wide outs, Taylor Gabriel and Travis Benjamin but Buffalo’s secondary would force a 3 and out on the first drive. As the game progressed into the 4th quarter, it was obvious that with each short completion, the former Texas A&M star was building confidence.

With Manziel’s strength being his ability to throw on the run, we saw a nice completion to Darius Jennings under heavy pressure on 3rd and 3 to move the markers followed by magnificent throw on the run yet again to Jennings, for a gain of 37 yards and just one yard shy of the Buffalo red zone. The play was fantastic to watch and well executed as Manziel wheeled out on a bootleg, and hit his wide open receiver for the huge gain.

With Cleveland pressing on what would become a 95 yard drive, Manziel yet again under pressure stepped up into the pocket away from the oncoming pass rush and launched a 21 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Shane Wynn to give the Browns the lead 10-3 with just under 10 minutes left in the game. It was a fantastic way to cap off the drive, with Johnny Football punching the air and seemingly oozing confidence.

Unfortunately for the Browns, Bills starter EJ Manuel would eventually drive Buffalo in for a touchdown on a 4th and goal from the 14 yard line, making the Cleveland defense pay on an unsuccessful blitz. Buffalo would then complete a successful 2 point conversion for the 11-10 lead with 1:30 left on the game clock. With time winding down on the Browns, Manziel would have a chance to mount the game winning drive.

Under heavy pressure and needing some big plays, Manziel was unable to find his receivers deep, even at one point having Darius Jennings wide open down field and throwing a panicked, inaccurate pass for an incompletion. With the blitz heavy Buffalo defense forcing the Browns quarterback to scramble and keep a play alive in the dying seconds, Manziel would find E.J. Bibbs for a first down which was then waved off by the referee’s as an ineligible receiver penalty was called.

The Bills came away the one point victor, 11-10, but there was certainly some bright spots for Cleveland and this was a small glimpse of the performance we had been waiting for from Johnny Football. As stated, the game plan was designed perfectly, getting easy completions on short yardage eventually finishing with two deep plays and a huge score. Once Johnny Manziel was able to settle and find his rhythm, and although it was more or less only for one drive, he was efficient.

With the Browns heading to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week, it would be foolish of Cleveland to not start with Johnny Football against the Buccaneers. Cleveland needs to let Manziel build on his performance from here and it would make sense to roll the dice for the remainder of the preseason. Manziel may not be the quarterback for the future in Cleveland, but with the options available at this point, there really is nothing to lose.

The money sign may be retired, but most certainly tonight Johnny Football was money.