Browns News: LeBron James endorses Johnny Manziel as Cleveland's starting QB

When Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine dialed up a dose of Johnny Manziel late in Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills (benching starter Brian Hoyer in the process), one Cleveland-area icon was watching on approvingly.

"You know, I'm one of his biggest supporters, he's part of the family so of course I want him out there, but that's for the coach to decide, and I thought he played well in the two possessions he had yesterday," Cleveland Cavs superstar LeBron James said, via Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

James' marketing firm, LRMR, co-represents Manziel with its partner, Fenway Sports Management. The two have struck up a friendship that allowed James to be privy to Manziel's progress both as a player and a professional.

"I talk to him weekly; he's ready to go, but he's still learning," James said on Monday following a Cavs practice. "He's a rookie, he's still learning. If coach is ready for him to give him the nod, he'll be ready to go, but he's going to have some bumps and bruises, just like any other rookie quarterback would have in the NFL or any other professional sport."

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