The Cleveland Browns have announced that Brian Hoyer will be the team's starting quarterback against the Redskins on Monday Night Football.
"It's just something right now where we are comfortable with Brian going out there to start the game," Pettine said. "I think it's a little overblown as to who the starter is going to be. The key component, as I've stated earlier this week, is that we are going to balance the reps. We will play it a little by ear as it goes on, we haven't truly decided as far as the rotation but the goal is, for when we look at the stat sheet at halftime, that they both have the same amount of repetitions and hopefully they both get a good amount of work."
Hoyer was 6-for-14 for 92-yards passing last Saturday in Detroit. In three drives, Hoyer led the offense past midfield twice, ending in two Billy Cundiff field goals. Hoyer picked up where he left off in 2013, finding openings in the Lions' defense and showing his underrated arm strength. But with all teams in the preseason, there were some overthrows on his end and drops on his receivers that need to be corrected.
"For me, I'm always trying to improve and I think that's what drives me," said Hoyer on Monday to reporters. "I'm competing with myself every day in and day out to be the best I can. I don't think that you look and say that someone has a ceiling because I think that no one is perfect. "
It won't be at the start of the game, but Duke Johnson Jr. will also receive first-team repetitions in Washington. The rookie quarterback was 7-for-11 for 63 yards on Saturday, while also leading the Browns in rushing with 27-yards on six attempts. Most of Manziel's 25 snaps came in the third quarter against the Lions.
"I don't expect anything," said Manziel on Monday. "I expect to come out and get the reps and get the teamwork that I'm told I'm going to get. From there, go out and make the best of the opportunity that I have."
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Monday at FedEx Field.
