NFL Preseason: Johnny Manziel vs Brian Hoyer, round 1

Fans in Cleveland have been on Brian Hoyer vs Johnny Manziel overload over the past few weeks. The speculation surrounding the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback position started the moment the Browns selected Manziel with the 22^nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

The starting position has belonged to Brian Hoyer since the 2013 season came to an end, but the Browns threw a wrench into the plans by selecting Manziel. The debate rages on about whether Manziel has the skills / maturity to succeed in the NFL, but his status of a media icon gives a franchise that is not familiar with the spotlight a chance to get some media attention.

At the same time, the Browns have a new head coach and are in the business of winning football games. The business side of things may be eating up “Johnny Football Mania”, but if Brian Hoyer is decided as the quarterback that gives the Browns the best chance to win, Johnny Football will be Johnny Clipboard.

After a circus of an offseason for Manziel and a lackluster start to camp for both quarterbacks, we reach the first checkpoint in the competition with tomorrow night’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

Browns head coach Mike Pettine said the starting quarterback for the regular-season opener on September 7^th will likely be determined by the performances of both Hoyer and Manziel in the first two preseason matchups.

Brian Hoyer has already been named the starter for tomorrow night’s game, but Pettine has left open the possibility of Manziel getting some time with the No. 1s. With Hoyer getting the starting honors against Detroit, it has opened up speculation that Manziel will get his chance to start against the Washington Redskins on August 18^th.

In camp, Hoyer took all of the first team snaps up until Monday, when Manziel got his first shot at working with the starters. Hoyer was back with the starters when camp resumed on Tuesday, but Manziel got another chance on Wednesday. In preparation for Saturday night, Hoyer was given first team reps again on Thursday.

Neither quarterback appears to have a hold on the position early in camp; Hoyer has the experience and a 3-0 record as the Browns starter. Manziel has the star power and the potential to become something great (depending on who you ask). While there is a significant gap in the experience, Manziel has kept up with Hoyer to this point. The difference between the two quarterback’s style of play was highlighted at the Browns intersquad scrimmage; Hoyer being a pocket passer and Manziel being more mobile and scrambling around.

Right now the competition between the two quarterbacks could only be described as a toss-up. Hoyer has already proven in his three starts that he can play in the NFL and win football games. It is truly up to Johnny Manziel to prove he is ready to start for the Browns and that he gives them the best chance to win.

The biggest fear going into this quarterback competition for Browns fans was that the Browns were going to cave into the hype and have a thumb on the Manziel scale. So far it appears that the Browns have done nothing like that and the competition has been weighed equally for both quarterbacks.

It must be noted that Mike Pettine said it is likely the first two preseason games will determine the starter for the regular season opener. That does not mean that the quarterback competition will come to an end. If either Manziel or Hoyer struggle with the starting role, a change will be made. Considering that it will be more difficult to replace Manziel after being given the starting role, it appears that as of right now, it is still Hoyer’s job to lose.

Saturday’s game against the Detroit Lions should give us a better idea as to where things currently stand with the Browns quarterback competition.

Cleveland Browns vs Detroit Lions

Where: Ford Field, Detroit

When: Saturday, August 9^th, 7:30 PM ET

Watch: Local TV, NFL Preseason Live