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Johnny Manziel's elbow issue was not common knowledge before 2014 draft

Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine volunteered the information last week that Johnny Manziel has managed elbow soreness and pain going back to high school.

Though that information raised eyebrows, Pettine mentioned it as a positive -- he said it showed that Manziel had dealt with the issue in the past, so he could deal with it in the future.

Pettine was also asked if the Browns knew about the elbow issue before the draft.

"I am sure there was something in the medical reports about it," Pettine said, "but it had been managed. I think it just got to the point where it flared up."

Team medical reports often include details not available to the general public or media.

But with the number of analysts looking into the draft, it would seem that one of them might have come across this information, given its potential significance.

In an appearance on Dari & Mel on ESPN Radio today, I was asked about Manziel and mentioned that I would be interested in hearing what ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. had to say about the elbow issue going back to high school.

Kiper Jr. said Manziel was fully examined, poked and prodded before the draft, and nothing surfaced about the elbow.

That answer is consistent with the pre-draft scouting reports. There is no mention of an elbow issue from Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com, Mike Mayock of the NFL Network or Todd McShay of ESPN.

All gave Manziel plenty of positives, but also expressed concerns about his throwing mechanics. None said a thing about the elbow.

As for the mechanics, most analysis dealt with Manziel not using his legs and body in throws, something that can put strain on the arm.

Brugler attributed what he called inconsistent "ball placement" by Manziel to "an inconsistent base and streaky overall passing mechanics, something that shows frequently on tape."

"Manziel will ignore fundamentals and rely on snap throws," Brugler added.

Mayock pointed out that Manziel’s "footwork and set-up will require refinement."

ESPN’s McShay wrote that Manziel got in trouble when he didn’t transfer his weight, a lack of mechanics that puts stress on the arm. The Browns have not hidden that Manziel’s occasional tendency to throw three-quarters also can stress his arm, but the team said changing his motion at this point would be difficult. They would stress proper mechanics to relieve that stress.

Quarterbacks coach Kevin O’Connell said the team has stressed to all the quarterbacks to use their legs and core in their throw, not just their arms.

"We talk a lot about their footwork and their base being the foundation for what they do and really using their legs to make throws, and letting their legs help them decide if a guy is open or not," O’Connell said.

Manziel will not play in the final two preseason games, including tonight in Tampa Bay, but the Browns continue to hope and plan that Manziel will be able to throw next week and be ready for the season opener.

But there was no information readily available to the public from before the 2014 draft that suggested Manziel had elbow issues.