The Browns "are front-runners" to be featured on the upcoming season of HBO's "Hard Knocks" series, according to the Buffalo News' Vic Carucci (TWITTER.com, 3/22). In Cleveland, Tom Reed notes the Browns last year "declined a chance to be featured on the training camp series," but they "don't have that option this spring." If the Browns "had qualified for the playoffs ... they could have said 'no thanks' again." But once they "fell out of contention, you knew the Browns would be a popular choice" with QB Johnny Manziel on the roster. The franchise's "bizarre offseason ... had to rocket them to the top of the HBO wish list." The storylines -- offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's resignation, the league investigation into GM Ray Farmer's illegal texting, Manziel checking himself into rehab and WR Josh Gordon's latest suspension -- "practically wrote themselves." The presumptive return of Manziel "would be ratings gold" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 3/23). ESPN.com's Pat McManamon wrote the Browns "haven't really talked much" about the possibility of the team appearing on "Hard Knocks," but it is "worth wondering if they would express reluctance" in light of Manziel's offseason rehab. This "might not be a 'normal' camp for Manziel." But Browns coach Mike Pettine "is interesting and honest and the Browns would have the chance to show a lot of their personalities" -- from LB Karlos Dansby to WR Andrew Hawkins to OT Joe Thomas, who "has one very droll sense of humor" (ESPN.com, 3/22). In DC, Des Bieler writes two words "spring immediately to mind ... Johnny Football." The HBO program "is already popular among NFL fans, but who wouldn’t want to tune in and watch the former Heisman Trophy winner try to make something of his shaky career?" Choosing the Browns "makes sense primarily because the NFL would be wise to take advantage" of Manziel’s notoriety "while he’s still in the league" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/23).
