Cleveland Browns name Brian Hoyer starting quarterback
By Cory Buck
The Cleveland Browns announced via their website that the team has named five-year veteran Brian Hoyer the starting quarterback for Week 1 of the regular season. The decision comes on the heels of an unimpressive showing by Hoyer and rookie Johnny Manziel, in the team’s second preseason game against the Washington Redskins.
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“[Hoyer] was the clear leader from the beginning,” Pettine said in the press release.
“We’ve maintained all along that if it was close, I would prefer to go with the more experienced player. Brian has done a great job in the meeting rooms and with his teammates on the practice field and in the locker room.”
While many have clamored for first-round pick ‘Johnny Football’ to start right away, it became clear in the preseason that he wasn’t going to be head and shoulders above Hoyer as a quarterback by the end of training camp, which appeared to be the only way the coaching staff would hand the reins to Manziel.
Instead, the Browns made the steady choice and give the rock to Hoyer for the ever-important third preseason game start, as well as the Week 1 start, when the Browns visit the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
Throughout the first two games, neither quarterback has been too impressive so the team ultimately decided to go with experience and leadership.
Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel have both had a rough preseason. Here's how they compare: pic.twitter.com/4wye2PUO9n
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 20, 2014
Despite the decision, Pettine was quick to credit Manziel for the work he’s put in so far.
“He’s certainly made great strides,” Pettine said. “We are pleased with where he is, and he has shown that he has come a long way in his ability to pick up the playbook, be coachable and lead an offense. We are confident that Johnny is going to have a great future, but we just felt that Brian still had a decided edge on him.”