Despite poor performances by both quarterbacks Monday night in Washington, Brian Hoyer has been named the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback over Johnny Manziel for the opener in Pittsburgh.
Coach Mike Pettine made the decision in a lengthy meeting with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains Tuesday night and announced it Wednesday morning.
Pettine admitted Tuesday night that Manziel's obscene gesture to the Redskins' bench Monday night and all of the other things he's done since the spring would factor into the decision. Clearly, Manziel didn't show the leadership ability needed to be the starting quarterback yet.
"(Hoyer) was the clear leader from the beginning," Pettine said in a release by the team. "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 the writing is still on the wall in Cleveland, this puts a dent in Johnny Manziel's draft stock. He may get an opportunity to play sooner rather than later, but he now has to wait for Hoyer to falter due to poor play or injury. Hoyer's upside is minimal. He could be serviceable in a QBBC strategy on a weekly basis, but he's a difficult player to trust given the shaky ground on which he's standing.
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