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NFL Manziel confident he'll remain poised in start Comment By Akron Beacon Journal MailTribune.com By Akron Beacon Journal Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 2:00 AM By Akron Beacon Journal Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Social News BEREA, Ohio — If a photograph of rookie Johnny Manziel hangs in the Cincinnati Bengals’ locker room punctured by darts, the Browns’ new starting quarterback wouldn’t be bothered one bit. Defenses target all quarterbacks, but the bull’s-eye on Manziel’s back is gigantic because of his celebrity. Manziel not only knows it, but he also relishes it. “I think I welcome it,” Manziel said Friday after practice. “I think I accept that, and I’ve been a guy that’s had a lot of hate spewed towards me. And, obviously, we saw that at [Texas] A&M, but it’s part of it, and you just move on from that and do what I need to do.” Coach Mike Pettine said he would remind Manziel to keep his cool Sunday when the Browns (7-6) host the AFC North-leading Bengals (8-4-1). It’ll be Johnny Football’s much-anticipated first NFL start, and defenders know they’ll be featured on SportsCenter if they blast Manziel with a big hit. Pettine realizes opponents are licking their chops at thoughts of not only smashing Manziel, but also talking trash and getting under his skin. Manziel lost his composure Aug. 18 in the Browns’ second preseason game and directed a middle-finger salute toward Washington’s sideline at FedEx Field in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The defense provoked Manziel throughout the game, and Washington linebacker Brian Orakpo repeatedly taunted him by mimicking his signature hand gesture for making money. The NFL fined Manziel $12,000 for flipping the bird. Pettine, at the time, called Manziel’s lapse in judgment “extremely disappointing.” Manziel, though, is confident he won’t let opponents get the best of him again. “You saw in the preseason. There was some stuff going on, but at the same time, I’m in a different place now,” Manziel said. “It’s not like it was in preseason. I have to have a lot better control of everything. I’m under a lot more control than I was then, and I know I have a lot better control of my emotions. I know I need to go out and be the leader of this team, and regardless if I’m a rookie or not, go out and try to have fun and not get caught up in any other (stuff).” How big is the target on Manziel’s back? Well, even coaches seem to have him in their crosshairs, as evidenced by Bengals coach Marvin Lewis calling the 5-foot-11 3/4 Manziel “a midget” Monday night during a radio interview. Browns strong safety Donte Whitner is sure Manziel will be challenged Sunday. “Especially Johnny being the celebrity that he is, there’s a lot of people that are jealous of that, especially outside of this building,” Whitner said. “Yeah, there’s defenders out there that’s going to want to get a shot on him. There might be some late hits. There might be a little talking trash. But if you know Johnny, he might say something back. “He’s not really worried about that, but we don’t want any cheap shots on him or him to take any big hits because you see with the quarterback in Washington or Mike Vick for so many years, if you take too many of those hits, you won’t be able to play. Make plays, but be smart about it.” No quarterback can afford to give defenses ample opportunities to crush him. Especially not one who likely tops most-wanted lists throughout the league. “Everybody’s gunning for him. I guarantee everybody that sacks him is going to stand over him and make the money sign,” Pettine said. “That comes with it. But his best thing is not to get caught up in it. He’s got to go out and execute. And when a play’s over, it’s over, and you have to move on to the next one. “He’s no stranger to it. But that’s the price that he has to pay for being who he is and what he brings with him, the reputation that he brings with him to the NFL. He already got a taste of it in the preseason.” By Akron Beacon Journal MailTribune.com By Akron Beacon Journal Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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