CLEVELAND: Johnny Manziel showed signs of progress, and not just because he didn’t make the money sign after a 12-yard touchdown run Thursday night against the Washington Redskins.
Nor did he flash an obscene gesture at the Redskins’ bench, as he did during his rookie year.
Perhaps “Johnny Football” really has been buried.
But giving up his larger-than-life persona built during a 2012 Heisman Trophy-winning season at Texas A&M is one thing. Becoming a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL is another.
Manziel Mania will likely return Friday, even though the Browns’ backup quarterback didn’t throw a touchdown pass in the preseason opener at FirstEnergy Stadium.