PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Just like that, it's over.
The Browns will be on their way back to Berea on Wednesday morning after two successful practices with the Buffalo Bills. And just like yesterday, we've split our observations into two parts because of how the teams were separated at practice.
1) Johnny Manziel has a Texas A&M moment near end of practice
The Bills' vaunted pass rush took this play off. Instead, they dropped eight into coverage as Manziel and the second-team offense looked to cross into the end zone from about 5 or so yards out.
The ball was snapped and Manziel looked through his reads. He found nothing. He scrambled to his left, looking to make a throw against his body. Once again finding nothing, Manziel stopped and reversed field, running a few more yards backward to avoid one of the few Bills pass rushers. When he reached the far hash marks, Manziel uncorked a well-placed pass to running back Timothy Flanders, who jumped and caught it in the back of the end zone.
One problem: Flanders didn't get both feet in bounds, and the result was an incompletion.
"It's obviously a time where they're not going to have a lot of guys rushing and you've got to buy some time," Manziel said. "More than anything just have a little fun for a little bit and run around. not do anything that's dangerous and not do anything silly. Either our ball or nobody's ball in the back of the end zone."
Manziel's day was a mixed bag. He was on the throwing end on one of the best offensive plays of the practice when he connected with Shane Wynn on a deep pass. He also threw an interception in the red zone earlier in the practice, as he threw off his back foot into a crowd on fourth down.
Manziel will be the second quarterback used against the Bills on Thursday. He could play into the third quarter depending on how many snaps he gets in the first half.
"Just progress, really that's it," Manziel said, detailing his goals for his second preseason game. "Do better than last week. We scored once last week let's get in twice last week."
2) Bump in the road for Terrelle Pryor
After participating in the last three practices, Pryor was once again sidelined with a hamstring injury. His status for Thursday's game is uncertain.
He's among the numerous players Cleveland hopes to have for the Aug. 29 game at Tampa Bay, a game that could see many players make their preseason debuts.
"It's tough," Manziel said. "He was having a hard time yesterday and to see him go down again after he's been working so hard to get back, it's tough. Terrelle's a guy that wants to be out there with us, he wants to work on these little intricacies of things he's trying to pick up as far as the receiver position. He wants the reps, he wants the attempt to get better and I think he's been doing a good job ... Only thing we can hope is it's not that bad and we can get him back out there soon."
3) Cameron Erving faces his biggest test yet
Kyle Williams wasn't practicing, but that didn't ease the burden Erving faced Tuesday. He had to deal with Jerry Hughes from start to finish on a day in which he filled in for left tackle Joe Thomas, who had the day off.
Erving and Hughes went head-to-head on a run blocking drill early in the practice, and Erving often had to account for the pass-rushing linebacker throughout 11-on-11s. Hughes blew around the edge for a sack midway through the practice. Otherwise, Erving appeared to hold his own.
After receiving an offense-high 49 snaps last week, Erving could have another busy night Thursday.
4) Play of the day
The smallest player on the field was on the receiving end of the day's biggest play.
Wynn raced down the sidelines and got a yard or so of separation from Merrill Noel. It was enough for Manziel to uncork a deep pass in his direction, and Wynn positioned himself for it by running and turning around to grab it as Noel made up some ground.
Wynn took a hard hit but maintained control.
"Shane's been awesome for us since the day he stepped into the building," Manziel said. "He went up and made a great play today. He's been consistently doing that in practice. We need to give him some opportunities in the game Thursday to let him do what he's been doing.
5) Other observations
-- Thomas was on the team bus and a few minutes away from heading back to the hotel when he noticed a group of about 20 Browns fans standing outside. He got out of his seat and signed autographs until the buses departed.
-- Andrew Hawkins was on the receiving end of another long Browns pass Tuesday. He caught his down the left sideline in stride on a throw from Josh McCown.
-- "We were coming out here and practicing. It is adjustment process for everybody," Hawkins said. "I think we did some really good things the last two days. I wouldn't say we struggled at all. We definitely can improve some things like always."
