re: Shaw >>>>>>>>> Manziel, Murray, Mettenberger and McCarron

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Johnny Manziel's lost season didn't look like it could get any worse.

Then, Connor Shaw took the field at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday. The Browns' third-string quarterback appeared more poised, prepared and productive in his NFL debut against the Ravens than Manziel did at any point during his six-plus quarters before suffering a hamstring injury a week ago.

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He also flashed the mobility and improvisational skills that many had waited for and rarely saw from Manziel. Shaw turned a busted third-quarter play into a 49-yard pass to Taylor Gabriel, setting up the Browns' lone touchdown and giving them a 10-7 lead.

"He did a great job – outstanding," left tackle Joe Thomas said. "I don't know if he took one snap with the No. 1 offense until this week. To come into a really difficult place to play against a really good defense, it just shows the type of person he is and that he's a quarterback who belongs in the NFL.

"It wasn't perfect ... (but) he far exceeded everybody's expectations."

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Manziel wasn't even permitted on the sidelines Sunday, a day after the club fined him for missing treatment. His lack of professionalism and preparation is wearing thin among teammates, coaches, management and owner Jimmy Haslam.

While the draft's most high-profile prospect watched from the stadium bowels, an undrafted free agent who sometimes plays free safety in practice kept the Browns in the game.

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He led the Browns to 16 first downs. Manziel managed five in his first start and two more in two quarters against the Panthers.

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Coach Mike Pettine lauded Shaw's grittiness to withstand the beating he absorbed.

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the kid from small-town Northern Georgia didn't embarrass himself in his first NFL start.

That puts him one up on Manziel, whose stock dropped even on day he never saw the field.

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