TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — Johnny Manziel showed he can act on the field as well.
Cleveland’s hyped rookie quarterback fooled Baltimore’s defense with a trick play in the second quarter on Sunday, but had his big gain after catching a pass called back by a penalty.
After replacing starter Brian Hoyer and handing off on a running play, Manziel appeared to be leaving the field when he ran toward the sideline. He stopped a little short of the sideline, and with his back to the action, pretended to have an animated conversation with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan when the ball was snapped.
Shanahan, who was keeping an eye on what was going on behind Manziel, told him, “‘Go,” and No. 2 took off.
Manziel caught a short pass from Hoyer and sprinted down Cleveland’s sideline before he was shoved out of bounds at the Baltimore 23.
The play worked to perfection but Browns rookie running back Terrance West was called for an illegal shift, negating Manziel’s 39-yard pickup.
Manziel, who has already made several TV commercials, made his NFL debut last week against New Orleans. He made two handoffs and threw an incompletion. The Browns are keeping a package of plays for the former Heisman Trophy winner.
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