Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine used his post practice session with the media on Tuesday to voice his displeasure with a report that came out last week that it looked as though the Browns had "moved on" from Johnny Manziel.
Pettine called a report from last week's OTA's that it looked like quarterback Johnny Manziel was not in the team's plans "irresponsible."
"Right now, (the offensive installation) is building blocks," Pettine said. "Getting our concepts in. It doesn't thrill me to know what's going on outside the building, but when it can potentially drive a spike between the staff and the team, I have issues with it.
"For me, to talk about how a team has potentially "moved on" from a player or he's not in the plans, that's just irresponsible," Pettine said after OTA practice Tuesday. "The way we see it is we're just teaching basic offense and we're going to get to the point when a certain player is in there to tailor a game plan to match their strengths."
Manziel has not addressed the local media since the end of last season.
On Manziel's play thus far, Pettine said.
"He's done an outstanding job so far in grasping what we're doing," he said. "I thought he made some real nice throws. He's had his days where he's struggled going against the defense that is significantly ahead. I think we all feel good about where he is. You can see he shows some frustration because he wants to do it right and (run the offense) the way we're coaching it. He's been the hardest guy on himself."
Pettine was asked about the incident over the weekend where he reportedly threw a water bottle at a fan that was heckling him at the Byron Nelson golf classic in Texas.
"I have no thoughts," he said. "It's a non story."
When pressed further, Pettine said.
"You could insert any name and under the right circumstances everybody standing here could do something along the same lines," he said. "Again, I don't see it as a story."
Pettine did say he has talked with Manziel about the incident, but said he doesn't see it as a distraction. I have the details of what happened and in my mind it's a non story."
Joe Haden agreed.
"I think (the Manziel incident) was a bit overblown," he said. "They were heckling him for over two hours. It gets to the point where people are saying stuff just to get a reaction."
Extra Points
Browns grant special wish: The Browns signed 9-year old Dylan Sutcliffe to a one-day contract as the team celebrates the one-year anniversary of its First and Ten volunteering initiative this week. Sutcliffe, who was diagnosed with ataxia telangiectasia (A-T), joins the Browns for OTAs today after he told Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana that his dream was to play football with the Browns. General Manager Ray Farmer made the announcement in a press conference held before the OTA practice.
"It's a special day for us," Pettine said. "You can see what the organization put together. It's nice to sometimes push the reset button and not take things for granted."
Following his limousine's arrival in Berea, Sutcliffe was welcomed by President Alec Scheiner and escorted into a meeting with Farmer in the draft room, where the two ultimately agreed to terms and watched film. The Lyndhurst native was accompanied by his parents, Derek and Jennifer; grandparents, Dennis and Mary; and his 4-year old brother, Sean, who has also been diagnosed with A-T.
"It's special," Dylan's father, Derek said. "In dealing with this (illness), we've learned to live in the moment. This makes it special. It's all about the memories in life."
After signing, Sutcliffe entered a private coaching session with Pettine to prepare for his day with the team.
Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a primary immunodeficiency disease that affects a number of different organs in the body. A rare, recessive genetic disorder that affects between one out of every 40,000-100,000 children worldwide, A-T is a progressive ailment that is characterized by neurological problems.
Return of Duke: Rookie RB Duke Johnson was back at OTAs after missing last week for "personal reasons."
Pettine said Johnson showed what he can do.
"He certainly showed it today, the explosiveness," he said. "Unless we were playing flag football, he would've had a run of a 40 or 50-yard run."
On the Side: DL Phil Taylor (knee), WR Travis Benjamin (knee), WR Brian Hartline (undisclosed) and DB Ibraheim Campbell (undisclosed) were on the stationary bikes during the first portion of practice. OL Joe Thomas was given a planned day of rest. With Thomas sitting out, first-round draft pick OL Cameron Erving played some left tackle.
WR Dwayne Bowe left the field with a trainer during team drills with a tweak of the knee.
"We might hold (Bowe) out Thursday," Pettine said. "It's nothing serious."
Mayle "He can take some reps on running plays and it's good for him to get positional work."
No Dansby: LB Karlos Dansby and rookie FB Malcolm Johnson were absent from practice. Pettine didn't offer any particular reason.
"Both arranged ahead of time to not be here."
All in: Pettine made his prediction for the NBA Finals and said the Cavs would win in six games.
"I was right the first series," he said. "I'll go (Cavs in) six games."
DB Joe Haden, who's been visible throughout the season at the Cavs games, said even though it's a different sport, the excitement can be carried over to the Browns.
"It's the same city," Haden said. "We can feed off the energy."
Pettine agreed.
"It's great to see," he said. "How do you not feed off that energy. It's great for the city and I can tell you our guys would be fired up to see a parade in the city."
