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. Custom Buccaneers Jerseys . For the Miami Heat, that was outstanding news. LeBron James scored the last of his 32 points on a layup that put Miami up for good with 11. Jason Pierre-Paul Buccaneers Jersey . James Erskine said Tuesday that Thorpe was "quite sick" in a Sydney hospital but dismissed media reports the swimmer might lose the use of his left arm. "Hes not in the intensive care," Erskine said. http://www.thebuccaneersfansclub.com/Bla...ones-Ii-Jersey/. - The Kansas City Royals are hoping All-Star catcher Salvador Perez will be back in a few days. 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