Mike Pettine Won't Name Starting QB vs. Steelers for Strategic Reasons

Head coach Mike Pettine has already stated that, if healthy, QB Josh McCown will start on Sunday. Reporters thought that Pettine would officially announce the starter during his Friday press conference, but he told the media that he was withholding that information for strategic purposes:

#Browns HC Mike Pettine: Josh McCown was limited today. Johnny Manziel has taken most of the reps. Won't name starter for strategic purposes

— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) November 13, 2015

Pettine said that McCown, who is officially listed as questionable with rib injuries, has been limited in practice this week, with Manziel taking the majority of practice snaps. It's one thing for Pettine to try to gain an advantage over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but as of his press conference Friday, he hadn't even told the quarterbacks and the rest of the team who was going to start on Sunday:

Pettine said he has not told Johnny or Josh who will start Sunday

— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) November 13, 2015

We've been down this road before with coaches, and it hasn't ended well. Coincidentally, the Steelers might also keeping the Browns in the dark, as QB Ben Roethlisberger is officially listed as "questionable" after it was believed he'd miss the game with a foot injury.