red back-up to Sexton in the last two seasons, starting last

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BEREA, Ohio -- Brian Hoyer defied long odds -- and stiff-armed Johnny Football -- to keep his dream job. Through sweat and tears, he fought his way back from a serious knee injury only to be faced with the Browns drafting Johnny Manziel, college footballs dynamic quarterback with the cult-like following. Hoyer, though, persevered. He endured grueling rehab to get back on the field sooner than expected, stayed focused as Manzielmania consumed the Browns, and ignored trade rumours. It will be Hoyer who will lead the Browns, his hometown team, onto the field for the Sept. 7 opener against the archrival Pittsburgh Steelers. For a Cleveland kid cut by three NFL teams and waiting for his chance, it doesnt get any better. "Obviously its very special for me," Hoyer said. "Did I believe this could happen after I got hurt? There was no doubt in my mind, but there were days when rehab (stunk) and I hated what I was doing. Its ..... how you appreciate the game when its taken away from you." Needing to fix his offence quickly, first-year Browns coach Mike Pettine chose Hoyer as his starter Wednesday over Manziel, who wasnt able to do enough during training camp or two preseason games to convince Clevelands coaching staff he deserved the job. Manziel is 0-1 as a pro. "Its obviously disappointing," Manziel said. "I feel like if I would have come out and played better it would have been a different outcome. I dont think I played terrible, but I didnt do anything to jump off the page. I made strides and got better throughout training camp and thats what I wanted to do." Despite a 40 per cent completion percentage, 57.9 rating and seeming to buckle under the pressure this month, Hoyer will start the season. However, in Cleveland that usually only guarantees one game. After all, the Browns have had 20 starting quarterbacks since 1999. Hoyer is the 12th QB to start the opener, a damning indictment toward a franchise that has only made the playoffs once in its expansion era. The first major decision of Pettines coaching career wasnt easy. He chose Hoyers experience over Manziels potential and he may have to make another switch. Pettine knows the best plans can change in an instant. "Give me a crystal ball, and Ill tell you," he said when asked if Manziel will play this season. "The NFL season is so long, so much can happen. We dont want Brian looking over his shoulder thinking one bad throw and Im out. But over time, if you feel you have to make a change, time will only tell. "You could foresee a scenario where he doesnt play this year and there are other scenarios that are absolutely possible as well. Its hard to tell." Pettine brushed aside the notion Hoyer is on a short leash. "This is Brians job," he said. "I never think of it whether its a leash or we want a guy to be a game manager. We want him to be confident and go out and play." Pettines selection of Hoyer will finally allow the Browns to move on to other things, and theres plenty of work to be done. Pettine had targeted the third preseason game as the drop-dead date to pick his starter, but after both Hoyer and Manziel looked so bad in a loss at Washington on Monday, he met with his staff Tuesday night. He informed Hoyer and Manziel of his decision before a team meeting. Hoyer didnt have enough time to contact his family, but while he was in the meeting, he received dozens of congratulatory text messages. Nothing has ever come easy for him and although there was an outside perception Manziel would prevail, the 28-year-old Hoyer wasnt going down without a fight. With Manziel on his heels, he cant relax. "My entire careers been looking over my shoulder," he said. "The pressure you put on yourself is far greater than anything else, because when youre a rookie undrafted and youre trying to come in and make a team, theres no one to look over. Youre just trying to get on the team and to me, I feel like Ill carry that chip with me forever." Manziel temporarily is pushed aside, and that appears to be OK with the 21-year-old, who draws attention with every move he makes on and off the field. Manziel hopes the hysteria quiets down a little. "Im the backup quarterback," he said. "I shouldnt be in the spotlight." Manziel has no regrets about the way he approached his competition with Hoyer. He was widely criticized for some weekend partying, but the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner insists he wouldnt change a thing. Hes developing as a player, maturing as a man, and hopes to one day take over. "Now next time I come into training camp I wont be surprised by it," he said. "But I wouldnt go back from the point after the draft to now and change a single thing. Im going to continue to live my life and the off-season is the off-season. Im going to go places, Im going to do things and thats going to have no effect. "Obviously I need to do it in the proper way, but Im still going to continue to have fun in my life and continue to live my life." For now, as a backup. NOTES: Browns DE Desmond Bryant underwent wrist surgery. Pettine doesnt know yet if Bryant, limited to 12 games last season by a heart problem, will be back for the opener. Wholesale Jerseys China . The 10-horse field of 3-year-old pacers will leave the starting gate at approximately 10:14pm et. Co-owned and trained by David Menary, Hes Watching will be driven by Tim Tetrick and is the 5-1 fourth selection in the field. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . Matt Carkner got back into the Ottawa lineup, and made his presence felt right away by settling his clubs score in a one-sided fight with Rangers forward Brian Boyle. http://www.cheapjerseysoverchina.us/. The 36-year-old said a few months ago he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, but has since changed his mind. "Its a pity the season is ending now, as I am in good physical shape and enjoying myself," Di Natale said. Jerseys From China Cheap . -- Phil Mickelson came to the St. China NFL Jerseys .ca NBA Power Rankings. Winners of 15 straight, with a healthy roster, the Spurs have overtaken the Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder for the number one ranking.Ulster wing Craig Gilroy is backing provincial team-mate Paddy Jackson to rise to the occasion when Ireland tackle South Africa in the first Test at Newlands on Saturday. Jackson is favourite to fill the void at fly-half left by Johnny Sextons shoulder injury against the Springboks, having been selected ahead of Ian Madigan for the three-Test tour.While Madigan was called up when Sextons surgery was confirmed last week, it appears likely that Jackson will be handed the No 10 shirt for the first time since the World Cup warm-up against Wales last August. The 24-year-old has been a regular squad member under Joe Schmidt, but Madigan has been the preferred back-up to Sexton in the last two seasons, starting last years World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina.However, he has struggled to get game-time at Leinster since Sextons return to the province, while his impending move to Bordeaux has weakened his claim.Meanwhile, Jackson, who made his international debut as a 20-year-old against Scotland during the 2013 Six Nations and has collected 13 caps since, has grown in stature under Les Kiss at Ulster and was a central figure in their season. Jackson was a central figure for Ulster last season And Gilroy believes his old schoolmate is ready to step up to the challenge of the first Test in Cape Town, live on Sky Sports.Hes been fantastic..ddddddddddddHes been a joy to play with, he said. Its not just off the back of this season that I say this, I played with Jacko at school, under-age level, U19s, U20s, provincially and internationally.Hes a joy to play with, Ive always rated him so highly. I always enjoy playing with him and no doubt if he gets an opportunity I think hell take it.I think this has probably been his best season on a personal level.Not only was he able to deliver on the pitch physically, but he stepped up as a leader. He spoke well to us guys post-game, at half-time and he talks well on the pitch and commands the plays that he wants. Craig Gilroy has played alongside Jackson since his schooldays He delivers with ball-in-hand, his kicking game has been fantastic as well. Les knows Jack is more than capable.He has that smart rugby brain to make the decisions to take the ball to the line or if he decides to go himself, do you know what hes a tight wee man and hes a lot quicker than he looks.Hes hard, Jacko. Sometimes he has a laugh at himself, but hell get down to the nitty-gritty stuff and put his ....... on the line. Also See: Easterby backs trio Sexton heads absentees WATCH: Greenwoods favourite 5 U20 Championship round-up Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '