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Jeremy Fowler, senior NFL national reporter 9y

Browns QB Johnny Manziel will be full participant at OTAs

NFL, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is expected to be a full participant in Tuesday's OTA session, marking the first glimpse of him throwing in a competitive setting since his turbulent rookie year and his 10-week stay in rehab.

Manziel's offseason has received positive reviews from Browns teammates who say they see a different guy and have noticed his move from downtown to a quiet golf community on the West side of Cleveland.

The next step is live quarterback work. Manziel threw footballs during phase one of offseason workouts last month, but Tuesday is the first noncontact practice of the offseason.

The Browns have a plan for Manziel, who is working with quarterbacks Josh McCown, Connor Shaw and Thad Lewis. Coach Mike Pettine says McCown is the favorite to start, stressing football is an afterthought to Manziel's health.

Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, hired in January, has been impressed with Manziel's work ethic in his short time with him and will use his skill set in his new offense. DeFilippo won't sacrifice Manziel's athleticism to fit a scheme, he said.

"He's spent every hour that he's been allowed to spend in this building," DeFilippo told reporters earlier this month. "I can't predict the future, but all I can do is tell you right now Johnny Manziel is putting himself in a position to be a quarterback in the NFL."

Manziel completed 18-of-35 passes for 175 yards and two interceptions in seven quarters of play. In Week 17, the team fined him for missing his treatment for a hamstring injury.

Manziel spent nearly three months at Caron Treatment Center in Reading, Pennsylvania. He was released in early April.

"The way he is now is night and day from last year," left tackle Joe Thomas told NFL Network. "He has a bright future ahead of him."

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