TMZ.com published a story Tuesday claiming three unnamed starters on the Browns’ offense told the celebrity gossip website they want Johnny Manziel to start at quarterback instead of Josh McCown.
Starting wide receiver Andrew Hawkins reacted on Twitter by writing the story is 1,000 percent “made up.”
Eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas said Tuesday during a radio interview that the story belongs in a famous farcical newspaper.
“I think that’s an article that really belongs more in the Onion than a reputable news source, if that’s what we’re going to call TMZ,” Thomas told WKNR (850-AM).