BEREA, Ohio -- Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan explained one of the more intriguing Cleveland Browns offensive plays in Johnny Manziel's first start on Sunday, that 30-0 loss to Cincinnati.

The play symbolized the approach from the coaching staff, and the way the day went for the players, as the Bengals clearly came prepared for what the Browns wanted to do.

On the team’s first third down, it faced third-and-2 at the Cleveland 25, down 7-0.

The Browns brought a formation out of mothballs, lining up four receivers to the far right in a diamond arrangement and one split left.

Shanahan said the play was a triple-option.

"Depending on how they lined up -- I can’t give you all the secrets -- there were a bunch of different things he could do with (the ball) spreading them out,” Shanahan said. "It ended up being a draw."

The options were not hard to see on the tape of the game, given the play was third-and-2. If the Bengals don't have enough with the bunch, the Browns have an advantage. If the defense puts four people with the diamond, then the quarterback looks left. The Bengals did put four, so Manziel looked left.

That receiver was Josh Gordon, who ran a slant. But safety Reggie Nelson read the slant and jumped the route. That, plus the up-the-field action from the defensive end, meant Manziel had no throw.

So he ran. And Nelson recovered to make the tackle. The Bengals basically abandoned the middle of the field -- one safety was with the bunch, Nelson jumped the slant -- to take away what the Browns wanted to do.

What does all this say?

It says that teams have a decent idea what to expect with Manziel at quarterback, and they have the ability to match his movements.

It says that the Browns weren’t exactly trying a lot on offense with Manziel in the game -- Shanahan also said he called just two roll-outs because he didn’t want to put Manziel in a "knockout" play.

It probably says that Carolina will watch the film and take the same approach as the Bengals -- muddle the middle, keep ends wide and pressure the throw.

Carolina has the advantage that it’s used to defending the read-option and bootleg. They see it all the time with Cam Newton in practice.

Manziel has another opportunity to prove himself.

But it doesn’t figure to be a whole lot easier.