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Johnny Manziel's got all that — and more — to himself. Hoyer, though, has something Johnny Football covets: The Browns are his team.
As he prepares his team to face the Browns this week, Harbaugh, who grew up a Cleveland fan and is therefore well aware of the team's endless quest to find a franchise quarterback, had high praise for Hoyer.
After rallying Cleveland to a 26-24 win Sunday over New Orleans in the home opener, Hoyer became a quarterback in high demand. He spent Tuesday making the rounds of national radio and TV shows; everyone wanted to know more about his last-minute winning drive.
Hoyer's sample size may be small, but he's been remarkably clutch in just a handful of starts.
"It may be the most complicated, the most challenging position to play in all of sports,Cheap Jerseys From China," Harbaugh said. "It's an absolute must if you want to have success as a football team. He's made the difference for them whenever he's been in there in the past two years. He's done great since he's been in there."
"That last drive was just about as good as it gets in the NFL," Harbaugh said.
He's guided the Browns to last-minute winning drives against Minnesota and New Orleans; sealed a win against Cincinnati with a clock-eating, 91-yard drive; and rallied the Browns from a 24-point deficit in the second half at Pittsburgh before losing on a last-play field goal.
"You just respect him a little more," he said. "What he's preaching is working. It's all about respect in this league. Guys see that,NFL Jerseys From China, when you're making plays in the fourth quarter and you're driving down the field with two minutes left, starting on your own 3-yard line, odds are against you. He obviously fought through those odds and capitalized."
With just six career starts, Hoyer knows the perceptions about him. If he's ever going to change them he has to perform well every time on the field.
"He's played great for them," Harbaugh said on a teleconference Wednesday. "I know their history at quarterback, put it that way."
Browns Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron said the drive against the Saints altered his feeling about Hoyer.
The cool kids aren't wearing his No. 6 jersey to school and his off-the-field exploits aren't being monitored by TMZ.
Manziel was out of sight.
NOTES: Cameron (shoulder) and LB Barkevious Mingo (shoulder) both returned to practice on a limited basis after missing Sunday's win,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys. Cameron said he has no hunch whether he'll play this week. ... Browns coach Mike Pettine doesn't expect RB Ben Tate (knee) to play this week because of a sprained right knee.
Hoyer didn't know about Harbaugh's comments,Wholesale Jerseys Online, but smiled when he was told.
Hoyer isn't nearly at that stage, but he's making steady progress.
"It's a nice compliment," he said, "but I got a long way to go."
But beyond the stats, Hoyer is providing leadership. It's one thing to give a rah-rah speech in the locker room and another to go on the field and produce.
"I understand the skepticism," he said. "I'm a guy who was cut three times. I played a little bit last year and had some success. I'm coming off a major knee surgery. A lot of people doubt even the greatest coming back from that. I understand it. I don't really concern myself with that because all I'm really concerned about is what happens in this building and this locker room, and when we go out and play on Sundays."
BEREA,Cheap China Jerseys Authentic, Ohio (AP) — Brian Hoyer won't be hanging out at LeBron James' mansion watching NFL games anytime soon.
He's off to a nice start.
Harbaugh knows the value of security at quarterback. Once Joe Flacco settled in and established himself, the Ravens took flight.
Hoyer's 4-1 as a starter. While he may not be able to maintain that winning percentage, he's certainly muted the drumbeat for Manziel.
"I'm a believer," said linebacker Paul Kruger, "and I think the whole team is."
Backed up at his 4-yard line Sunday, Hoyer drove the Browns 85 yards, converting twice on third down and once on fourth. As 70,000 fans shook the ground under FirstEnergy Stadium, Hoyer was unflappable in the huddle. He calmly called plays and then executed them, moving the Browns into position for Billy Cundiff's 29-yard winning field goal with three seconds left.
From afar, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh was impressed.
With every completion and comeback, Hoyer embeds himself deeper as the Browns' starter. This may not be what the general public craved or sponsors or broadcast executives wanted,Cheap Jerseys, but Hoyer, who overcame a serious knee injury, is converting some doubters. And demonstrating to his teammates that he's their unquestioned leader. |
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