PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Browns linebacker Karlos Dansby disputed the notion that Johnny Manziel didn't practice well throughout the season.

"Johnny gave us some great looks,'' Dansby told Northeast Ohio Media Group while making rounds on radio row Wednesday at the Super Bowl. "I can't lie. He was giving us that every day. He was making us better as a defense every day.

"Like I said, it's a different level when you get on the field and you get thrown into the action like that. It's a tough situation for him, not having any reps throughout the whole season and then getting thrown into the fire.''



Manziel, who finished the season on injured reserve with his pulled hamstring, flopped miserably in his first start -- a 30-0 loss to the Bengals in the biggest game of the season, and improved somewhat the following week against the Panthers before leaving the game with the hamstring injury. But all in all, even coach Mike Pettine had to admit that Manziel's two starts "weren't very encouraging'' and that the Browns quarterback outlook is muddy at best.

"When opportunities present themselves you've got to take advantage of it,'' said Dansby. "If you don't, people start to question your character and if this game is for you and that's just how this game goes.''



Dansby, who warned both Manziel and fellow first-rounder Justin Gilbert that they'd be out of the league soon if they didn't dedicate themselves to the game, disagreed with the teammate who told espn.com that Manziel didn't look good in practice this season. He echoed the sentiments of Joe Haden, who saw flashes of Johnny Football in practice, which is probably why the Browns started him against the Bengals.

"He looked great,'' said Dansby. "He was extending plays, making plays, making plays down the field, putting the ball where it needs to be. He was making the defense work, so it was a good sight to see.''

From what Dansby saw every day in practice, when Manziel was primarily simulating the opposing quarterback and running the opponents' plays, he thinks Manziel has what it takes.

"Success,'' said Dansby. "I see success if he works hard at it. The guy is talented. He can be a talented player for a long time to come. He's unique in the way he plays the game and hopefully he can continue to grow and become a better player.''

Dansby said Manziel, like Gilbert, just needs to put it all together.

"They're young and this was their first year,'' he said. "Like I said, they didn't know what to expect going into it, but now they know it's a man's game. And I think they'll make the adjustments, because they have made the adjustments in college to be successful. Hopefully this offseason we'll see the improvement and it will carry over into the season.''

Dansby was also disappointed to hear that All-Pro receiver Josh Gordon violated the substance abuse policy again and is facing banishment from the league for at least a year.

"It's unfortunate,'' he said. "The kid was trying to turn the corner to have a setback like that, we've got to continue to reach out to him and to continue to surround him and be his brothers and be there for him, uplift him and hopefully he can bounce back from this and he can learn from his mistakes.''