NFL Notes: Johnny Manziel, Browns, Lions, & Vikings

Johnny Manziel

Browns HC Mike Pettine wouldn’t commit to either Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel being the team’s starting quarterback following Thursday’s loss to the Bengals.

“No, I can’t,” Pettine said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “When we get in and get back from this time off, we’ll assess what pool of players are available and go ahead and make those decisions from there. This will be a good time to step away and reassess where we are moving forward.”

Many have suggested that it makes sense to turn to Manziel and see what he can do now that the team is no longer competing for a playoff spot.

Browns

Browns LT Joe Thomas admitted he would been “really crushed” had he been traded tot he Broncos last week.

“Certainly I would have been really crushed being traded and leaving all these guys that you work so hard with and all these coaches and the people that are in this building and these fans,” Thomas said, via Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “It wasn’t until after the deadline that I realized that it was more serious than maybe just a rumor. At that point it was like, ‘Oh, interesting.‘”

Lions

Lions S Glover Quin mentioned that it “feel like everybody’s on the chopping block” in Detroit now that ownership has begun making big changes.

“When new people come in, they obviously feel like the people who were here weren’t getting the job done, so they try to bring in their own guys,” Quin said, via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press. “Everybody, at least for me, I feel like everybody’s on the chopping block. Everybody’s job is on the line.”

• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that people in and out of the Lions’ organization seem to think QB Matthew Stafford‘s issues are mostly a byproduct of terrible offensive line play.

Vikings

Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson said he isn’t sure why he isn’t getting more opportunities this year, but plans to ready when/if they call on him.

“I know my ability. I know what I can do. I’ve just got to control what I can control,” Patterson said, via the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “When my opportunities come, I’ve got to make the most of it. I’m not getting that many opportunities right now. I don’t know why. But things happen for a reason. You’ve got to be ready for it. The way I’m handling it, man, I think I’m handling it the best. I’m not getting frustrated or anything. When the time comes, I’ll be ready.”

Patterson added that he’s still happy to be in Minnesota.

“I’m here. I’m happy to be here,” Patterson said. “And whatever happens, it happens, so I’ve just got to keep my head high and stay happy and stay positive.”