Experience won out over youth in Cleveland. Brian Hoyer has been named the Brown's starting quarterback, beating out high-profile rookie Johnny Manziel, the team announced Wednesday.
"[Hoyer] was the clear leader from the beginning," Browns head coach Mike Pettine said in a statement. "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."
A major part of being a leader is showing maturity and Manziel revealed Monday night, during a 24-23 loss to Washington, that he is lacking in that department. During the game Manziel was caught on camera giving a middle finger to Washington players who were taunting him in the third quarter.
Listening to @JManziel2 talk about the decision to go with Hoyer. His biggest problem right now? He doesn't know.. what he doesn't know.
— trey wingo (@wingoz) August 20, 2014
The gesture did not sit well with Pettine, who learned of the incident after the game.
"That type of behavior is unacceptable," Pettine said. "He should know more than anyone that all eyes are on him."
Hoyer, a five-year veteran and Ohio native, has appeared in 18 NFL games. Now that the Browns have resolved their QB issue, Manziel is hoping to garner less attention.
"I'm the backup quarterback. I shouldn't be in the spotlight" - Johnny Manziel speaking on NFL Insiders right now. pic.twitter.com/YXOh2la2a1 — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 20, 2014
Manziel struggled often to lead the Browns offense during the preseason. But Pettine is confident the former Heisman Trophy winner will have a productive NFL career.
"He's certainly made great strides," Pettine said. "We are pleased with where he is, and he has shown that he has come a long way in his ability to pick up the playbook, be coachable and lead an offense.
"We are confident that Johnny is going to have a great future, but we just felt that Brian still had a decided edge on him."
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