Josh McCown

Johnny Manziel gets praise from Browns QB coach O'Connell

Published Aug. 12, 2015 11:37 a.m. ET

foxsports

Johnny Manziel is racking up the positive reviews from within the Browns organization. After head coach Mike Pettine and left tackle Joe Thomas spoke highly of Manziel's progress over the weekend, new quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell got in on the act.

O'Connell, who also tutored Manziel entering the 2014 draft, says the second-year quarterback has had laser focus since arriving back with the Browns after spending the beginning of the offseason in rehab.

"He's been phenomenal around Josh (McCown) and the other quarterbacks and myself and (coordinator John) DeFilippo," O'Connell said via NFL.com. "As far as just digesting -- whether it's install one to specific situational work to protection, he is doing everything on a daily basis that we're asking him, and then some, within the confines of the rules, and really just starting to flourish."

O'Connell says Manziel has improved drastically with his pocket awareness and it showed in last Friday's scrimmage when he was 9-of-11 for 93 yards and two touchdowns.

"You see him getting through his progressions. We talk a lot about progressions and protections, and it's kind of something that's scattered -- a lot of different topics -- and there's a lot of little things you have to focus on in playing the quarterback position, but when you start getting comfortable with that, the game starts slowing down for guys."

Manziel didn't throw during Tuesday's practice due to a sore elbow, but he is expected to play in Thursday's preseason opener against Washington.

h/t: NFL.com

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Josh McCown

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