Ankündigungen » ds Note, the 2012 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint runner-up

BEREA, Ohio -- Brian Hoyer defied long odds -- and stiff-armed Johnny Football -- to keep his dream job. Through sweat and tears, he fought his way back from a serious knee injury only to be faced with the Browns drafting Johnny Manziel, college footballs dynamic quarterback with the cult-like following. Hoyer, though, persevered. He endured grueling rehab to get back on the field sooner than expected, stayed focused as Manzielmania consumed the Browns, and ignored trade rumours. It will be Hoyer who will lead the Browns, his hometown team, onto the field for the Sept. 7 opener against the archrival Pittsburgh Steelers. For a Cleveland kid cut by three NFL teams and waiting for his chance, it doesnt get any better. "Obviously its very special for me," Hoyer said. "Did I believe this could happen after I got hurt? There was no doubt in my mind, but there were days when rehab (stunk) and I hated what I was doing. Its amazing how you appreciate the game when its taken away from you." Needing to fix his offence quickly, first-year Browns coach Mike Pettine chose Hoyer as his starter Wednesday over Manziel, who wasnt able to do enough during training camp or two preseason games to convince Clevelands coaching staff he deserved the job. Manziel is 0-1 as a pro. "Its obviously disappointing," Manziel said. "I feel like if I would have come out and played better it would have been a different outcome. I dont think I played terrible, but I didnt do anything to jump off the page. I made strides and got better throughout training camp and thats what I wanted to do." Despite a 40 per cent completion percentage, 57.9 rating and seeming to buckle under the pressure this month, Hoyer will start the season. However, in Cleveland that usually only guarantees one game. After all, the Browns have had 20 starting quarterbacks since 1999. Hoyer is the 12th QB to start the opener, a damning indictment toward a franchise that has only made the playoffs once in its expansion era. The first major decision of Pettines coaching career wasnt easy. He chose Hoyers experience over Manziels potential and he may have to make another switch. Pettine knows the best plans can change in an instant. "Give me a crystal ball, and Ill tell you," he said when asked if Manziel will play this season. "The NFL season is so long, so much can happen. We dont want Brian looking over his shoulder thinking one bad throw and Im out. But over time, if you feel you have to make a change, time will only tell. "You could foresee a scenario where he doesnt play this year and there are other scenarios that are absolutely possible as well. Its hard to tell." Pettine brushed aside the notion Hoyer is on a short leash. "This is Brians job," he said. "I never think of it whether its a leash or we want a guy to be a game manager. We want him to be confident and go out and play." Pettines selection of Hoyer will finally allow the Browns to move on to other things, and theres plenty of work to be done. Pettine had targeted the third preseason game as the drop-dead date to pick his starter, but after both Hoyer and Manziel looked so bad in a loss at Washington on Monday, he met with his staff Tuesday night. He informed Hoyer and Manziel of his decision before a team meeting. Hoyer didnt have enough time to contact his family, but while he was in the meeting, he received dozens of congratulatory text messages. Nothing has ever come easy for him and although there was an outside perception Manziel would prevail, the 28-year-old Hoyer wasnt going down without a fight. With Manziel on his heels, he cant relax. "My entire careers been looking over my shoulder," he said. "The pressure you put on yourself is far greater than anything else, because when youre a rookie undrafted and youre trying to come in and make a team, theres no one to look over. Youre just trying to get on the team and to me, I feel like Ill carry that chip with me forever." Manziel temporarily is pushed aside, and that appears to be OK with the 21-year-old, who draws attention with every move he makes on and off the field. Manziel hopes the hysteria quiets down a little. "Im the backup quarterback," he said. "I shouldnt be in the spotlight." Manziel has no regrets about the way he approached his competition with Hoyer. He was widely criticized for some weekend partying, but the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner insists he wouldnt change a thing. Hes developing as a player, maturing as a man, and hopes to one day take over. "Now next time I come into training camp I wont be surprised by it," he said. "But I wouldnt go back from the point after the draft to now and change a single thing. Im going to continue to live my life and the off-season is the off-season. Im going to go places, Im going to do things and thats going to have no effect. "Obviously I need to do it in the proper way, but Im still going to continue to have fun in my life and continue to live my life." For now, as a backup. NOTES: Browns DE Desmond Bryant underwent wrist surgery. Pettine doesnt know yet if Bryant, limited to 12 games last season by a heart problem, will be back for the opener. Adidas Riley Sheahan Jersey . Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Allen Craig on the 15-day disabled list with a right knee contusion on Sunday. Adidas Sidney Crosby Jersey . The senior threw for 319 yards and no interceptions in his final college game, leading No. http://www.adidaspenguinsjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-jamie-oleksiak-jersey .com) - Colorado forward P. Adidas Brian Dumoulin Jersey . I wondered how NHL coaches would feel about a playoff schedule that allowed them to open a best-of-seven series on the road, which many claim to favour, yet still gave them the precious home-ice edge for a seventh game. Adidas Jaromir Jagr Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla.New Orleans. LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Local stakes winner Gantry returned to the winners circle Thursday by claiming a highly competitive allowance race at Fair Grounds. Just two weeks after failing to repeat in Fair Grounds Thanksgiving Handicap, Gantry, ridden by Miguel Mena, finished first in a $40,000, 5 1/2-furlong turf event versus other stakes-winning runners. Trained by Ron Faucheux for Brittlyn Stable, Gantry was the 3-1 third pick in the seven-horse field behind even-money favorite Unbridleds Note and 2-1 second choice Sum of the Parts. Gantry overcame a poor start to register a length victory over Unbridleds Note, the 2012 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint runner-up, with 52-1 longshot Solar Charge getting third. Gantry and Solar Charge, leaving from the two outside posts, bumped each other at the break. Fiinishing fourth was Voodoo Storm followed by Win Lion Win, Sum of the Parts and Rhetorical.dddddddddddd Gantry covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.53 on a firm turf course. Thursdays win was worth $24,000 and is the 11th career win from 27 starts for the 7-year-old gelding. He has now banked $848,331 overall. Gantry was unable to repeat in the tracks Thanksgiving Handicap on Nov. 27 when he finished fifth out of seven. He was really fresh last time and we probably didnt train him hard enough going into the race, Faucheux explained. I dont think he was 100 percent fit. Gantrys last win came in the Colonel Power Stakes on March 15 over the same course and distance as Thursdays effort. Gantry returned $8.20, $3.40 and $2.60. Unbridleds Note paid $2.40 and $2.40, and Solar Charge paid $5.20 to show. ' ' '