If Cleveland coach Mike Pettine chooses Johnny Manziel as the Browns’ quarterback this week, the rookie won’t lack for motivation against the Bengals in his first NFL start.

Opposing coach Marvin Lewis couldn’t have been more dismissive when asked by WLW-AM in Cincinnati Monday night about the possibility of facing Manziel this week.

“You’ve got to go defend the offense,” Lewis said. “You don’t defend the player.”

After a short pause, Lewis then added: “Particularly a midget.”

Lewis quickly said sorry Monday night.

“I apologize to Johnny, the Browns and all the fans in Cleveland,” Lewis said. “It was just a poor remark. I really didn’t mean anything by it.”

via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com