NFL: Cleveland hits QB homestretch against ..

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Washington • Whole lot in common between Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel. Both from Texas. Both have Heismans. They've got catchy nicknames. They know how to create a commotion or two, and sometimes it comes back to bite. And they both sure can run.

"Anybody that wants to compare," Griffin said, "I'm sure they'll just look at us and say both of us are real fast, guys that can play backyard football at times."

Now for a big difference: Griffin hasn't had to compete for playing time in the NFL.

Griffin was anointed Washington's starting quarterback about a week after he was drafted in 2012. He's missed games because of injury and was shut down early last season in a power move by coach Mike Shanahan, but he hasn't dealt with any sort of traditional training camp challenge that would place in doubt his spot atop the depth chart.

Manziel has no such luxury. Drafted No. 22 overall by the Cleveland Browns this year — 20 spots lower than Griffin — Johnny Football has been going mano a mano with Brian Hoyer.

The duel is about to hit its climax: The Browns visit RG3 and Washington on Monday night, and Cleveland coach Mike Pettine says he'll pick his Week 1 regular-season starter Tuesday. —

Cleveland at Washington

P Monday, 6 p.m.

TV • ESPN

NFL: Cleveland hits QB homestretch against Washington