Johnny Manziel early riser for Browns

BEREA, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel called his ugly debut as an NFL starter an "absolutely" humbling experience, and his midweek preparation habits for Sunday's game at Carolina seem to validate those words.

ESPN spotted Manziel's car arriving at the Browns' facility at around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, more than five hours before the team is scheduled to practice at 12:50 p.m. Unless someone else was driving the car, Manziel was likely coming to the facility for prep work on the Panthers. This was the same car Manziel often drives to games and practices.

A 7:30 arrival would be considered early for most NFL standards, unless the Browns were holding team meetings.The team's first QB positional meeting Wednesday was at 8:40 a.m.

As former starter Brian Hoyer struggled in recent weeks and Manziel's role in the offense intensified, the rookie's whereabouts became a focus, including what time he arrived to the stadium for 1 p.m. games (around 10:50 a.m., similar to many teammates and coaches and before the team's 11 a.m. deadline) and whether he attended Cleveland Cavaliers games before practice days, which other teammates do.

The offense stalled Sunday behind Manziel, who completed 10 of 18 passes for 80 yards with two interceptions in a 30-0 loss to Cincinnati, the first shutout for a first-time starter since Tennessee's Rusty Smith in 2010.

Manziel said Sunday was his worst performance at any level of football.

"You don't really envision that in your head," he said about the way the game played out. "I left some throws on the field I would have wanted back."

Coach Mike Pettine said it's "unfair" to predict Manziel's trajectory over one game, but the quarterback can help it by improving against Carolina, which at 5-8-1 still has a chance to win the NFC South. With a 7-7 record in a loaded AFC, the Browns' playoff chances are slim.