Johnny Manziel got most of the media hype as the Cleveland Browns opened training camp practice Saturday. But Brian Hoyer got the starter reps.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot reported that Hoyer took all the first-team reps. According to Cabot, Hoyer took his snaps from under center after working mainly out of the pistol this offseason to avoid geting caught in the traffic at the line.
Hoyer, coming off an ACL tear, reportedly looked good even in the knee brace he'll be forced to wear this season.
Head caoch Mike Pettine said Friday that Hoyer will start the first preseason game, barring an unforeseen incident. The quarterback, with a 3-1 starting record, believes he can hold off Manziel for the full-time gig.
"The opportunity is there for me," Hoyer said. "That's my goal, and that's so far in advance that I can't even think about it. I'm thinking about our install for tomorrow that we're putting in tonight. I believe that I'm capable of being the starter at quarterback for this team, and that's what I'm working towards every day."
Until we see both quarterbacks against defenders in pads and in preseason games, the truth is that either man could win the job. However, the Browns are clearly putting Hoyer in the lead cart and forcing Manziel to pass the vet on the field.
*The latest "Around The League Podcast" recaps all the training camp buzz and previews the biggest NFC North and NFC South camp stories. *
