The last time Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains talked about Johnny Manziel, their infamous "wreck this league" text-message exchange was the primary topic of conversation.
These days, there's a little less sizzle in "absorb this game plan" and other messages Loggains might be texting the NFL's most popular backup quarterback. But as the Browns head into a bye week and Manziel continues to settle into his role as a backup who's been used in two short but highly-scrutinized cameos, that's where things stand.
"What does Johnny have to do? Just continue to get better," Loggains said Wednesday. "It's a vanilla answer but it really is the truth.
"He is a great competitor and wants to be in there, but it's understanding how to get better, how to be a quarterback, how to learn. Just do all the things he's going to have to do -- the process, the grind, fighting the boredom of learning a gameplan and knowing you might not get the chance to go execute it.
"I've been really pleased with how Johnny's worked in the classroom, how he's come out and run scout team. I think he's taken it very seriously and I have no complaints with that."
Both Manziel and Loggains are headed to Texas, separately, for the long and free weekend, and the camera phones presumably will be ready for one of them.
"I don't know what Johnny's plans are," Loggains said. "I'm sure (Browns coach Mike) Pettine and (general manager Ray) Farmer will address that with him, but we trust Johnny to do the right things. He understands that and that's up to the powers that be and Johnny.
"I think it will go well. I think he'll go watch the Aggies get beat by the Razorbacks."
Manziel is reportedly headed to Dallas to watch his alma mater, Texas A&M, play Loggains' alma mater, Arkansas. Loggains' comments last summer to an Arkansas radio station about his draft-night text messages with Manziel made headlines -- and led to Pettine punishing Loggains by making him wear a visor with "I'm a dummy" on it around the Browns facility for a day.
Loggains learned then about keeping Browns business in house, and he's maintained that Manziel is using this time away from the spotlight and in the media room to further his transition to the NFL game.
"I think he's learned how to read coverages, he's learned how different the NFL game is from the college game," Loggains said. "We've faced Dick LeBeau and Dean Pees and Rob Ryan, three great defensive coordinators and (Manziel) has seen how different weekly the defense is, and why you have to understand what these sub-blitzes are, and make protection checks and run checks and do all of that stuff.
"I'm pleased with where he is right now. I think he needs to continue to get better, and I think if he does, he's got talent. There's a reason why he's a first-round pick. We're excited to work with that skillset he has."
Manziel made a three-play cameo in the Browns Week Two win over New Orleans, and last week he played one snap at quarterback and caught a pass on a trick play on the next play that was negated by penalty. Loggains said Manziel's appearances have been a success because defenses have to prepare and account for him on the field.
Before last week's game, Manziel said being a backup is "the position that I'm in right now and that's what's best for all parties in this organization. That's all I need to do is do my job and can't worry about the rest." He said he's learning from Loggains, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and Brian Hoyer, the starting quarterback who's played well thus far.
Of his wild celebration with Hoyer after the Browns beat the Saints, Manziel said "I was (expletive) proud of him."
Loggains knew that already.
"Johnny was as excited as anyone," Loggains said. "Obviously we could all tell by his language with how Brian played and how the last series came down. I've seen a difference in those two's attitude toward each other. They've become really good teammates and worked well together. I'm excited about the quarterback room and where it's going."
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