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Johnny Manziel has chance to start for Cleveland Browns

By Alex Butler
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2), whose last game at the Georgia Dome was as a quarterback for Texas A&M during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Duke almost a year ago, smiles during pregame warmups for their NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on November 23, 2014. UPI/David Tulis
1 of 3 | Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2), whose last game at the Georgia Dome was as a quarterback for Texas A&M during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Duke almost a year ago, smiles during pregame warmups for their NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on November 23, 2014. UPI/David Tulis | License Photo

CLEVELAND, July 27 (UPI) -- Johnny "Football" Manziel may have given up his 'money-sign,' but it appears he hasn't given up his ambition to start in Cleveland.

Manziel, who is the Browns' No. 2 quarterback in training camp, still has a shot at the starting job, according to ESPN.

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"I don't think anything's changed,"Browns coach Mike Pettine told ESPN. "The repetitions will be handled that way with Josh McCown as the 1. I wouldn't say I'm guaranteeing today that Josh McCown is going to be the starter against the Jets. A lot can happen in preseason."

The Browns face the New York Jets on Sept. 13 in week 1.

"From an experience standpoint, he (McCown) is that much further ahead," Pettine said.

Manziel worked on film study and mechanics with former NFL coach Jon Gruden this offseason and has been virtually absent on social media. Manziel, 22, completed 18-of-35 passes for 175 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions in five games. Manziel had one rushing touchdown and was sacked three times. His season stopped short with a hamstring injury.

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In January, Manziel checked himself into rehab for " his possible dependence on alcohol," according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"Brad Beckworth, a friend and advisor to Manziel and his family, has confirmed that Johnny entered treatment on Wednesday," Manziel's team said in a statement. "Johnny knows there are areas in which he needs to improve in order to be a better family member, friend and teammate and he thought the off-season was the right time to take this step. On behalf of Johnny and his family, we're asking for privacy until he rejoins the team in Cleveland."

Manziel also issued a statement when he left rehab in Pennsylvania.

"I take full responsibility for my actions and it's my intention to work very hard to regain everyone's trust and respect," Manziel said, according to USA Today. "I understand that will take time and will only happen through what I do and not what I say. I also understand there's a lot of curiosity about this but anyone who has a friend or family member that's been through things like this knows it's an ongoing process. I'm going to continue to ask folks to try to respect my privacy as I determine to what degree I am comfortable talking about a subject which I consider very personal."

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