Johnny Manziel vs. Redskins: Preseason Stats, Highlights and Twitter Reaction

The Cleveland Browns clashed with the Washington Redskins in their preseason opener Thursday night, which meant quarterback Johnny Manziel saw game action for the first time this summer.   

And after inconsistencies in the pocket marred his rookie season, Manziel had a chance Thursday to prove he had made strides as a dropback passer and decision-maker.  

Here's a look at how the second-year quarterback's preseason debut shook out statistically: 

Completions	Attempts	Passing Yards	Passing TD	INT	Rushing Yards	Rushing TD
7	11	42	0	0	14	1

Manziel entered at the tail end of the first quarter with the Browns holding a 7-3 lead after starter Josh McCown drove Cleveland down the field and tossed a two-yard touchdown to Travis Benjamin on the team's first possession.  

Manziel's first series resulted in a three-and-out, but a Redskins fumble on the ensuing punt put the Browns in plus-position to score. 

After completing three of his first four passes for 34 yards, Manziel took off scrambling and bolted 12 yards for a touchdown to put the Browns up, 14-3.

NFL.com provided a look at the touchdown scamper, which was accompanied by a subdued end-zone celebration: 

Bleacher Report's Cian Fahey broke down the defensive scheme that allowed Manziel to waltz in for the easy score:  

"

WAS blitzed off the edge with man coverage behind. Couldn't have been much easier for Manziel to run in TD.

— Cian Fahey (@Cianaf) August 14, 2015"

"

Against QB who is willing to run, you're making it too easy by coming hard off the edges. Have to come up middle, force him to figure it out

— Cian Fahey (@Cianaf) August 14, 2015"

ESPN Stats & Info passed along a note regarding the relative immobility of Cleveland's quarterbacks this decade: 

The rest of Manziel's showing didn't offer much in the way of highlights, but he completed a smattering of short throws from under center and out of the shotgun.    

Considering the 2014 first-round pick finished last season with a 51.4 percent completion rate in a minuscule 35-throw sample size, it was refreshing to see him deliver the ball on time and with accuracy in his return to the field.   

Given the positive vibes that have emanated from Browns camp of late, Thursday's performance represented a step in the right direction for the second-year signal-caller. 

"Johnny has matured," Browns receiver Andrew Hawkins said, according to Bleacher Report's Mike Tanier. "There's no question about that. He's in his playbook."

While Manziel still needs to flash more pop as a pure step-and-throw passer who consistently moves the chains, he can build on the positive momentum from Thursday's brief opening act.

Next up for the Browns is a nationally televised home date (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) with the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 20.

Matched up against a Buffalo defense that finished last season ranked third in opponents' passing yards per game and tops in sacks, Manziel will need to demonstrate he can get the ball out quickly and read the defense with refined efficiency.