(USA TODAY Sports)

Do you feel the change in the air? That thrilling sensation that tickles the back of your neck? Do you know what time it is?

That’s right. It’s Johnny Football time.

The Cleveland Browns are in a stall. At 7-5 in a division where just about everyone is 7-5, facing a brutal four game stretch to end the season, and looking more anemic with every snap there was little else to do. The Browns switched quarterback Brian Hoyer for John Manziel, who immediately ran into the end zone for Cleveland’s lone touchdown in 26-10 loss to Buffalo.

Make no mistake, Hoyer hasn’t done much to merit losing his starting job. He’s safe and reliable like your mom’s Volvo station wagon. The Browns know exactly what they have with Hoyer, and that’s his problem. What they have is a fairly adequate quarterback who evokes similar emotions to that of someone attending a Jeff Dunham comedy special. This probably won’t be that much fun, but it’ll be harmless.

The same can’t be said for Manziel.

(USA TODAY Sports)

All the Browns or any of us know is that Manziel won’t be boring. That should be enough for Cleveland to give their rookie quarterback a shot. This team isn’t making the playoffs with anything less than 10 wins. Facing Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Baltimore to end the year, the Browns need a spark. Survey the locker room in Cleveland and ask yourself who better to provide that jolt than Manziel?

It’s not the safe move by any stretch. There is certainly the possibility of complete and utter disaster. But there is nothing worse than being lukewarm, as Cleveland is now. By giving the ball to Manziel, the Browns are making a statement, pushing for the playoffs, and refusing to be wildly average.

Maybe it works and maybe it doesn’t. No matter what, it will be wildly entertaining to watch.

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