Aaron Josefczyk / AP
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel watches on the sidelines during the second half of a game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, against the Denver Broncos in Cleveland.
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015 | 10:34 a.m.
BEREA, Ohio — Browns coach Mike Pettine says the team did not understand the depths of Johnny Manziel's problems before they drafted the quarterback last season.
Manziel has been plagued by off-field issues since his arrival in Cleveland. He entered the NFL with a reputation for partying and the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner spent more than 70 days in a rehab facility last winter for an unspecified condition.
The team did its usual background check on Manziel, but Pettine says the Browns didn't anticipate "how deep-rooted" the QB's problems were.
Pettine says he's taking a "show me, don't tell me" approach with the 23-year-old Manziel, who will start Sunday against San Francisco after being benched two games for breaking his promise to not be a distraction during the team's bye week.
Pettine says the "repercussions would be harsh" if Manziel has another misstep.
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