ST. LOUIS -- It seems highly likely that Johnny Manziel will be preparing to start next Sunday’s game for the Cleveland Browns against the Arizona Cardinals.
He also will soon be interviewed by the league's investigators checking into what happened on Oct. 12 in Avon, Ohio.
So the Browns will have a quarterback preparing to start also being interviewed about his behavior.
Consider this oh-so-Cleveland scenario: After the interview, the league could take action regarding Manziel, including a fine or suspension. So the Browns could have a quarterback preparing to start, interviewing with the league and then suspended for the game he prepared to start.
Far-fetched? Perhaps. But not impossible.
Does this kind of thing happen anywhere but Cleveland?
The exact date and place of Manziel’s interview is not known. It has been two weeks since he drove on the shoulder of the highway at an estimated 90 mph and then was questioned by police about whether he hit his girlfriend, Colleen Crowley.
Manziel admitted to drinking prior to the incident, but police found no evidence to believe he was drunk. No charges were filed. Manziel had spent 10 weeks in a treatment center last offseason.
The league routinely investigates incidents that could violate the Personal Conduct Policy. Going two weeks before an interview takes place seems surprising, but that’s the way it played out. The league has to do this within the schedules of the Browns and Manziel.
Manziel could do the interview in New York or Cleveland.
He will prepare to start while practicing in Berea.
Manziel relieved Josh McCown late in a bad loss to the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, completing 4-of-5 passes for 27 yards and running once for five yards, when he slid one yard short of the first down on fourth-and-6 with the game basically out of reach.
Manziel didn’t get much practice time leading up to the game because McCown was the starter, but he said he had an inclination that he would be on the field in St. Louis.
“I just had a weird feeling last night that with the way this defense was, the way the D-line was, that something like that might happen, so I was more than prepared," Manziel said. "I was pretty excited to get back in there. Obviously it was late in the game, but nevertheless it felt good to get in.”
In a year in which the Browns have dropped phrases like “mental reps” (following plays while injured) and “eye discipline” (a defensive back using his eyes well), Manziel dropped a string of superlative catchphrases in a brief locker room interview.
He said that since he started, he has been “continuing to shore up everything.”
He said he finds “solace” in the building and “a sense of peace” being around the team.
He also said his “football IQ” has gone up, even when hasn't played.
If McCown does not play next Sunday -- and it didn’t look positive for him as he walked off the field -- Manziel will have the chance to prove all these words correct.
The many who love him will relish him getting another chance. Those against him will watch with a skeptical eye. And many Browns fans will wonder if it’s not simply time to play Manziel more regularly, given the team’s situation.
A disheartening loss to Denver was followed by a disheartening effort against St. Louis. The Browns looked more like a team preparing for soccer-style relegation than they did an NFL team; they dropped the ball, kicked it around and stumbled over themselves.
Four numbers sum up the day: four turnovers, four sacks, 11 penalties and 158 yards rushing by the Rams for 6.1 yards per carry.
The Browns have skidded to 2-5 and realistically have to win seven of their remaining nine games to even have a sniff of the playoffs. It could happen. An alligator may tap dance on Broadway, too.
A strong argument could be made that it’s time to see what Manziel can do, and to give him a full and complete shot over several games. That way the Browns can make 2016 plans accordingly.
The odd truth in the matter?
If the Browns go back to McCown, that may say as much about their feelings regarding Manziel as anything.