The Browns have been supportive of Johnny Manziel's rebound efforts after his ugly debut, publicly building his confidence up in the locker room and the podium. "He's a playmaker," Kyle Shanahan said.
But Manziel might not get the same treatment in the film room. That goes for any player.
When asked if the Browns have to go easy on Manziel in game prep because of the extra development required for rookie quarterbacks, coach Mike Pettine said his staff is "all about tough love."
That about answers it.
"I know there are some positions where you feel you can’t be as tough as others, but I don’t know if I necessarily agree that," Pettine said. "Guys, they want to be coached. Most guys are OK with being coached hard. More guys appreciate it more than don’t as long as it’s not done in a disrespectful way."
Manziel seems open to the coaching based on his tone this week. Manziel said he was "absolutely" humbled by Sunday's 80-yard, two-interception performance. Manziel is more of a humble guy about his football than the Johnny Football persona would suggest, but even so, that game would be a major humble dose for anyone.
The Browns need that humility to translate to production. Veterans such as Joe Thomas said they've seen progress in Manziel during the week.
"It’s just impossible to predict, just because it’s such a function of how we play around him," Pettine said. "Will there be improvement? Absolutely counting on that. At the same time, as we’ve said all along, we have to play well around him."
Thomas approaching Hall of Fame company: Thomas is poised to make his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl. The list of players who went 8-for-8 on Pro Bowl appearances since their rookie years is flooded with Hall of Famers.
In fact, all of them are enshrined -- Merlin Olsen, Joe Greene, Mel Renfro, Barry Sanders, Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas, Franco Harris, Jim Brown, Lou Creekmur, Dick Butkus and Les Richter. (stats courtesy of Thomas' agent, Peter Schaffer).
"I guess we'll find out next week," Thomas said.
Thomas has been a constant figure for a franchise that changes more than a runway show. Now he just needs to feel the playoffs for the first time.
"I'm still positive and optimistic that my best days record-wise as a team are in the near future," Thomas said.