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Johnny Manziel on short leash with Browns

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2015, file photo, Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel walks into the locker room after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, in Cleveland. A person familiar with the decision says the Browns will start quarterback Johnny Manziel this week against San Francisco. Manziel lost his starting job because of off-field behavior, but will be back in the lineup against the 49ers, said the person who spoke Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the move. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2015, file photo, Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel walks into the locker room after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, in Cleveland. A person familiar with the decision says the Browns will start quarterback Johnny Manziel this week against San Francisco. Manziel lost his starting job because of off-field behavior, but will be back in the lineup against the 49ers, said the person who spoke Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the move. (AP Photo/David Richard, File) FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2015, file photo, Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel walks into the locker room after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, in Cleveland. A person familiar with the decision says the Browns will start quarterback Johnny Manziel this week against San Francisco. Manziel lost his starting job because of off-field behavior, but will be back in the lineup against the 49ers, said the person who spoke Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the move. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

BEREA, Ohio (AP) – Browns coach Mike Pettine says the team did not understand the depths of Johnny Manziel’s problems before they drafted the quarterback last season.

Manziel has been plagued by off-field issues since his arrival in Cleveland. He entered the NFL with a reputation for partying and the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner spent more than 70 days in a rehab facility last winter for an unspecified condition.

The team did its usual background check on Manziel, but Pettine says the Browns didn’t anticipate “how deep-rooted” the QB’s problems were.

Pettine says he’s taking a “show me, don’t tell me” approach with the 23-year-old Manziel, who will start Sunday against San Francisco after being benched two games for breaking his promise to not be a distraction during the team’s bye week.

Pettine says the “repercussions would be harsh” if Manziel has another misstep.

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AP website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL