Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel the backup as Brian Hoyer named starter; 'I didn't necessarily feel like I was ready'

By Robert Christie - 20 Aug '14 17:55PM

The Cleveland Browns have named Brian Hoyer as their opening day starter as he beats out Johnny Manziel for the job.

"It's been my mentality this whole offseason to come out here and act like the starter and be the starter," said Hoyer according to the Browns website. "When coach Pettine told me this morning, I'm sure I cracked a smile. You realize all the work I put in, now here's my shot. Now just go out, and run with it. All you can do is ask for an opportunity and to go out and try and seize it. Now that it's here, it's time to work harder."

Hoyer was believed by many to be the favorite heading into the season due to his status as more of a veteran in the league in addition to the fact he is 3-0 as a starter for the Browns.

"He was the clear leader from the beginning," Browns head coach Mike Pettine said in a press release, according to the NFL website. "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."

Pettine added Hoyer would not have to be anxious about Manziel coming to take his job.

"This is Brian's job," Pettine affirmed. "I never think of it as (if) it's a leash or we want a guy to be a game manager. We want him to be confident and go out and play."

As for Manziel, he knows he has some hard work ahead of him.

"I need to earn everything for me to get in," said Manziel according to ESPN's Jim Trotter. "Nothing should be given to me, I completely understand that. I need to continue to come in here every day and get better and be around these guys and let them know who I am and how I am."

Judging from Manziel's comments, it seems as if he believes being a backup is a good thing.

"I didn't necessarily feel like I was ready, and I felt like there were steps that I needed to take and I need to take to move forward and get better,'' said the rookie quarterback according to Cleveland.com.

The Brows first regular season game is Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. ET at the Pittsburgh Steelers.