BEREA, Ohio — Brian Hoyer intends to finish what he started. The Browns may not give him the chance.
Cleveland’s starting quarterback said Monday that his confidence has not been shaken despite three poor performances and believes he should keep his starting job over rookie Johnny Manziel.
“You don’t get to 7-5 in the NFL just lucking into it,” Hoyer said. “It’s been a lot of hard work, and I think I’ve proven that I’ve gotten us to this point. I feel like I can carry us through the next four games.”
Hoyer was replaced by Manziel in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 26-10 loss to Buffalo after throwing two interceptions, continuing a pattern of bad games over the past month.
Following the game, Browns coach Mike Pettine left open the possibility that he would start Manziel this week against the Indianapolis Colts. Manziel did give the Browns a spark against the Bills, leading Cleveland on a touchdown drive he capped with a 10-yard run.
Hoyer said he has not yet been told of his status for this week.
“Until he (Pettine) decides what he wants to do, I’m going about it as I’m the starter,” Hoyer said. “I’m studying my tape on Indy, and I would do the same if I wasn’t. That’s just the way I’ve always prepared. For me, nothing’s changed. I go about my business the way I handle it every week, and that’s his right. He’s the head coach. He gets to make those decisions.”
Hoyer, who went 3-0 as a starter last year before sustaining a season-ending knee injury, pointed out his record and that he has the Browns in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
“We’re 7-5 here,” he said. “We won three games last year here when I started, so 10-5 as a starting quarterback, that’s not bad. I think — Coach Pettine always says it — there’s always a lot of overreaction regardless of if you win or lose and obviously a little more this time because of the circumstances, but this doesn’t waver my confidence in myself one bit.”
In the past three games, Hoyer has thrown one touchdown pass and six interceptions. Cleveland has scored only 36 points in that stretch.
Browns right guard John Greco said Pettine has a tough decision.
“Brian’s been our guy all year,” he said. “He’s shown he’s won us games. Whatever the decision, we’re going to roll with it. They obviously have confidence in both guys and we do as well. No matter who it is, we have to prepare the same way and block the guys up front.”
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