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Browns’ Manziel on being a target: ‘I welcome it’

Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) prepares to practice at the NFL football team's facility in Berea, Ohio Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014. After spending 13 games as a backup, Manziel will start Sunday when the Browns, with their playoff chances on the line, host the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan) Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) prepares to practice at the NFL football team's facility in Berea, Ohio Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014. After spending 13 games as a backup, Manziel will start Sunday when the Browns, with their playoff chances on the line, host the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

By Associated Press December 12, 2014 1 min read

BEREA, Ohio (AP) – Johnny Manziel is a marked man, and the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback says he welcomes it.

Manziel will make his first NFL start Sunday against Cincinnati, and the former Heisman Trophy winner knows the Bengals will be gunning for him. That’s the way it’s been for Manziel since his Texas A&M days and he doesn’t expect things to change.

Manziel says he’s “a guy that’s had a lot of hate spewed towards me.” The first-round pick says the only way to deal with the negativity is to “move on from that and do what I need to do.”

Browns coach Mike Pettine says he’ll remind Manziel to keep his composure when the Browns (7-6) face the AFC North-leading Bengals (8-4-1).

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