On a problem-filled night for the Cleveland Browns, the most pressing issue was a doozy: Brian Hoyer doesn't resemble an NFL starter.
Three days after "winning" the team's over-hyped quarterback competition, Hoyer "led" the starters to a mere 76 first-half passing yards in a 33-14 loss to the St. Louis Rams.
Hoyer's seven drives generated four punts, an interception, a strip-sack and just seven first downs. His 10-of-16 passing night also included a five-yard scoring strike to Andrew Hawkins -- the only touchdown by Cleveland's first team all preseason. Scary stuff.
Hoyer's chemistry with his mediocre cast of wideouts was improved, but his 5.3 yards per attempt -- which matches his preseason total -- speaks to the veteran's inability to find his targets downfield in this offense. Not a surprise considering whom he's throwing to.
"I don't think he played well enough, that's across the board," Browns coach Mike Pettine told reporters, before adding, per NFL Media's Aditi Kinkhabwala: "It's hard for your quarterback to look good when guys around him are not playing up to our standards."
We see nothing sustaining about Cleveland's attack. They've preached a ground-and-pound run game, but the so-called double-headed monster of Ben Tate and Terrance West combined for a paltry 2.2 yards per carry.
Manziel's night was slightly more hopeful. Hitting the scene in the third quarter, the rookie orchestrated a rapid-fire touchdown drive capped by a crowd-pleasing 7-yard scramble to pay dirt. Johnny Football and his plus arm looked more comfortable than last week, but his 5.7 yards per attempt magnify a scheme yet to achieve liftoff.
Maybe play-caller Kyle Shanahan has something up his sleeve for the regular season -- or maybe it's just clear that we'll see Manziel much sooner than the Browns planned when they elevated Hoyer into the catbird seat.
The "Around the League Podcast" Fantasy Football Extravaganza has landed. Tell your friends and lovers.
