Johnny Manziel parties his way out of Cleveland Browns’ starting lineup

Johnny Manziel was dropped from starter to third-stringer — without playing a game.

The polarizing Cleveland Browns quarterback partied his way out of the lineup during the team’s bye week.

Browns Coach Mike Pettine benched Manziel on Monday for his off-field behavior, a move that could signal that the quarterback’s days with the team are numbered.

Pettine said that Josh McCown would start Monday night’s game against the Baltimore Ravens in place of Manziel, who was recently handed the starting job but couldn’t keep it while the team had a week off.

The benching comes in the wake of a video surfacing of Manziel holding a bottle of champagne and rapping profane lyrics last weekend at a nightclub in Austin, Texas. He had promised not to bring any embarrassment to the team during its week off but did just that and Pettine, who has been supportive of Manziel in the past, has had enough.

“Everyone in this organization wants what is best for Johnny just like we do for every player in our locker room,” the coach said. “I’m especially disappointed in his actions and behavior because he has been working very hard.

“The improvements from last year to this year have been tremendous but he still has to consistently demonstrate that he has gained a good understanding of what it takes to be successful at the quarterback position on this level. It goes well beyond the field.”

Manziel will not only move back behind McCown. He also was listed behind Austin Davis on the depth chart.

Pettine met with Manziel after Tuesday’s practice and informed him of his choice to bench him for the foreseeable future. Pettine, whose job could be in jeopardy if the Browns (2-8) don’t show some improvement the rest of this season, said that owner Jimmy Haslam and General Manager Ray Farmer supported his decision.

Manziel, 22, has developed on the field during his second NFL season. However, despite saying that he had learned from his mistakes and spending 70 days during the off-season in a rehab facility specializing in alcohol and drug treatment, he has not shown the maturity the Browns are looking for from their quarterback.

Favre is semifinalist

Brett Favre, Terrell Owens and Alan Faneca are semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.

The group of 25 semifinalists was announced by the Canton, Ohio, shrine.

Other semifinalists, all of them previously eligible, include Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, Morten Andersen, Tony Boselli, Kevin Mawae, Tony Dungy, Marvin Harrison, Orlando Pace and John Lynch.

Already nominated by the seniors committee are Ken Stabler and Dick Stanfel. The 2016 contributor candidate is former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr.

Fifteen finalists will be announced in January.

Alexander suspended

Carolina Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander was suspended without pay for a minimum of one year by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy for the third time.

Alexander, who is on injured reserve, was suspended twice last season for a total of 14 games by the NFL for substance abuse violations.

His latest suspension could force the Panthers to cut ties with the former fifth-round pick.

Rams wait on Keenum

St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum did not practice Tuesday while going through the NFL’s concussion protocol, but Coach Jeff Fisher is hopeful that he’ll be cleared Wednesday.

Fisher said that Keenum, injured late in Sunday’s loss at Baltimore, was at Rams Park studying film and participating in meetings on Tuesday.

Bills counting on Taylor

Coach Rex Ryan expects that quarterback Tyrod Taylor will be ready to start in the Buffalo Bills’ game Sunday at Kansas City despite suffering a shoulder injury in Monday night’s loss to the New England Patriots.

“We’ll see how the week progresses,” Ryan said, without revealing the nature of Taylor’s injury. “But I think he’ll be ready to roll.”

Clausen claimed

The Baltimore Ravens claimed quarterback Jimmy Clausen off waivers to serve as backup to Matt Schaub.

To make room for Clausen on the roster, the Ravens placed quarterback Joe Flacco on injured reserve.

Etc.

Pass rusher Quinton Coples was claimed by the Miami Dolphins, meaning that he may get to play Sunday against the team that just released him: the New York Jets. The former first-round draft pick played outside linebacker in the Jets’ 3-4 defense but will be an end in the Dolphins’ 4-3 scheme.

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The Seattle Seahawks waived defensive tackle A.J. Francis and re-signed running back Bryce Brown for additional depth in the backfield. The Seahawks also placed linebacker Nick Moody on injured reserve and signed wide receiver B.J. Daniels from the practice squad.