Fans must sign up for Browns’ camp

The Browns have a game plan to manage “Manzielmania” this summer.

Expecting huge crowds to see rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel compete with Brian Hoyer to be Cleveland's starter, the Browns plan to have fans register online to attend their training camp.

The Browns can accommodate roughly 5,000 fans at their facility, and Browns President Alec Scheiner said the team will have fans sign up beforehand so “that we don’t turn away 2,000 or 3,000 fans who just show up.”

Scheiner said the team will announce when capacity is reached, but fans still can come and wait to get in.

Scheiner said camp will remain free and that the club never considered an admission fee.

Manziel’s arrival has created a buzz around the Browns, who drafted the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner in the first round.

The Browns set attendance records at training camp last year, and Scheiner anticipates this year's crowds to “be a little bit better.”

“It’s exciting, and it’s fun,” he said. “We’re getting better.”

Last year, the Browns drew 56,306 fans to their 13 open practices at the training facility and a family night session at FirstEnergy Stadium. They averaged 2,475 fans per practice in Berea and set a one-day record of 4,466.

Scheiner said the Browns have begun looking into moving their camp to a college campus in the future. The team previously trained at Bowling Green (194651), Hiram (1952-74), Kent State (1975-81) and Lakeland Community College (1982-91) before holding camp in Berea, their year-round training headquarters.

If the Browns do move camp, Scheiner expects the new location to be within driving distance of Cleveland.

Meanwhile, receiver Josh Gordon’s troubles are piling up fast. Facing a possible NFL suspension for another failed drug test, he was ticketed for speeding last weekend and a passenger in his car was cited for marijuana possession.

“We are gathering information regarding the situation,” Browns general manager Ray Farmer said. “We will not have any further comment until the appropriate time.”

Suspensions

The NFL has suspended Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington for one year and New York Giants safety Will Hill for six games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.