COLUMBUS, Ohio Brian Hoyer's last prime-time start his only one at the NFL level ended painfully and prematurely after seven snaps.
The Browns quarterback tore an ACL on Oct. 3, 2013 while sliding to avoid a hit from Bills' linebacker Kiko Alonso. The injury robbed the St. Ignatius product of his season and the Browns of an opportunity to judge whether Hoyer could establish himself as their long-term quarterback.
Hard work, relentless preparation and mostly solid performances have afforded him another shot under the bright lights and national spotlight. Thursday's game in Cincinnati against the Bengals (5-2-1) is big for the Browns (5-3). It's even bigger for their quarterback.
If Hoyer leads his hometown team to victory in a stadium where the hosts haven't lost a regular-season game in two seasons and the visitors haven't won in six years it potentially alters perceptions and timetables.
If Hoyer guides the Browns three games over .500 it's hard to imagine him relinquishing the starter's job for the balance of the schedule barring injury or being Nancy Kerriganed by Drake or Biebs.
It's a massive opportunity for Hoyer, but one also laced with danger should he play poorly on such a large stage. We wouldn't see a switch to Johnny Manziel next week against the Texans no matter how much his vocal supporters would call for one.
The Browns, after all, still would get to 6-4 with a win over Houston, a record few would have forecast in August. But falling to 1-3 in the division would seriously wound their playoff chances in an AFC North with no team under .500.
If they fall out of the postseason race you couldn't blame management for wanting to see what they have in Manziel, the No. 22 overall pick, in the season's final month. General manager Ray Farmer was wise not signing Hoyer to an extension right after the quarterback passed his first big test, making so many big throws in the Browns' 31-10 win over the Steelers.
You want to see how Hoyer performs in games like Thursday night, a contest that could turn a nice season into an extended one. The feeling here is Hoyer will need to win this game, not just make some plays at the end of it the way he did Sunday in a 22-17 victory over the hapless Buccaneers.
The Browns' offensive line hasn't played well since losing center Alex Mack to a season-ending broken leg against the Steelers. The running game is a mess, managing a combined 158 yards against Crazy Eights of Jacksonville (1-8), Oakland (0-8) and Tampa Bay (1-8). The Browns are missing three All Pros on offense (Mack, Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron) and their leading receiver, Andrew Hawkins, will be playing on one leg if he's playing at all Thursday night.
Hoyer is considered smart and efficient, code words for game manager. He'll need to be more than that against the Bengals, who are 13-0-1 in their last 14 home games. He might need to be heroic unless the Browns' defense, which has forced eight turnovers in the last three games, enjoys a huge night.
The Browns are stepping up in class against an opponent that's already beaten the Ravens twice this season. Regardless of what you think about the inconsistent Andy Dalton he's better than anything the Browns have faced in the past three weeks.
Hoyer deserves this moment. He's earned it with his three fourth-quarter comebacks, his 10/4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and the mental toughness he's exhibited in dealing with all the Manizel hype.
He doesn't own a contract beyond this season or a guarantee to be the team's starter beyond the next few games. He's lost his once-reliable rushing attack and is still two weeks away from Gordon's return.
But three months ago, when the team gift shop teemed with Manziel merchandise, Hoyer gladly would have signed up to be the quarterback leading his Browns into Cincinnati with a chance to go 6-3 and end a 17-game, road-losing streak in the division.
He's got his opportunity. What he does with it might determine who's taking snaps for this team come December.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/11/what_brian_hoyers_performance.html
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