CLEVELAND -- So he's "more hungry"?

So he wants to be "the guy"?

Yeah, these next eight months are crucial.

Johnny Manziel threw up one money sign to celebrate a touchdown in 15 offensive drives then closed the register with a news conference in Carolina that seemed to acknowledge the obvious: There wasn't enough done on the field to take immediate ownership of the Cleveland Browns' quarterback job, but that process should start now.

Listen to coach Mike Pettine carefully when he describes in general terms what he wants in a quarterback to fit his "play like a Brown" mold. There's not a lot of talk about throwing mechanics or third-down conversions.

• "It's the leadership part, not just vocally but leading by example."

• "An encyclopedic knowledge of what we're doing ... in lockstep with the offensive coordinator."

• "Every time he steps on to the field, he has to elevate the play of the players around him."

• "Find a way to make plays. ... We want to find the winningest quarterback."

There's your blueprint, Manziel. Who knows, maybe there's a "no swan-floating" somewhere in there. Must be in another transcript.

Manziel and others around him (offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, for one) have said Manziel is misunderstood, that the party-with-Bieber-and-Drake image is a far-fetched one. This offseason can punctuate that point if that's how Manziel really feels. He can remold his image. He was able to start that process during the season, it seems. Coaches said he worked hard. Manziel said he learned to be a pro.

This offseason, Manziel can check off the first two items on Pettine's wish list -- and the quotes appear in the order he said them, by the way. Let the struggles of your two NFL starts drive you, an offseason fueled by the "absolutely" humbling experience you mentioned last week.

Spend some time in Cleveland outside the mandatory hours. Organize throwing sessions with receivers. Lean on veterans and coaches for advice.

That last part is crucial, Browns linebacker Karlos Dansby said. He's seen a lot of high draft picks fizzle out because they didn't evolve with the game.

"Johnny's got a lot of growing to do. He's a rookie. What do you want me to say?" Dansby said. "Johnny's making strides. He's getting better every week."

Dansby was speaking about rookies in general, but the point is clear: Now is the time to start winning the job.

Browns draft another quarterback? Who cares, start winning the job.

Browns sign a veteran free agent? Who cares, start winning the job.

The more competitors, the better.

It was fair to question whether Manziel was ready this season, but it seems reactionary to label him anything -- bust, hero, journeyman -- based on 35 throws. That's an absurdly small sample size for a rookie quarterback.

But Manziel could have created offseason momentum with a few more plays made on the field. Maybe he would have done that in Baltimore. That's why his injury is unfortunate for the Browns. That was a chance for Manziel to redirect the ugly statistics from the past six quarters.

Right now, that's all people remember. Manziel will need time -- and examples -- to change that.