Browns training camp preview

By Christopher Slack on July 27, 2014

The Cleveland Browns open training camp on Saturday, July 26, and there will be a lot of spotlight, maybe even the most since the 10-6 season back in 2008.

Since the Browns drafted quarterback Johnny Manziel, the Browns have gained more attention from the national media for his play-making abilities and his off-the-field drama.

Eyes will not only be on Manziel, but also retuning quarterback and St. Ignatius High School graduate Brian Hoyer.  As the veteran, Hoyer will have to compete for his starting spot.  Hoyer went 3-0 during the 2013-2014 season, defeating the Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills.  During the Bills game, Hoyer tore his ACL, causing him to miss the rest of the season.

Many teams, such as the defending Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, and New Orleans Saints to name a few, will garner attention due to success in past NFL seasons. However, the Browns should be one of those teams that NFL fans will see and hear about everyday during training camp, as well as during the regular season.

While it’s expected that many fans will be wearing Manziel jerseys, as his jersey is the No.1 selling jersey on NFLshop.com for the first quarter of the league’s fiscal year, it’s safe to say Hoyer is the teams starting quarterback for now.  Head Coach Mike Pettine has publicly made it clear that he is in no rush to name one, and that his starter will not be named until after the third preseason game.

Pettine also said that Hoyer will start the first preseason game and Manziel will start the second preseason game so the quarterback competition game will be fair.

People in the media believe that Hoyer will be starting the season over Manziel as Hoyer deserves a second chance to start, due to his injury. Also, Manziel hasn’t publicly been seen working with the veteran players.  Manziel, however, could start by the end of the year due to the national media’s love for him.  Outside of the media, Browns owner Jimmy Haslem III is also a big fan of Manziel, and was rumored to have encouraged general manager Ray Farmer to draft him.

Regardless of the quarterback competition, fans will be able to see first-round draft pick CB Justin Gilbert from Oklahoma State and OL Joe Bitonio from the University of Nevada.  Gilbert is competing against veteran CB Buster Skrine for the  second starting CB spot, next to CB Joe Haden.  Bitonio has a lead on G Jason Pinkston and G Garret Gilkey for a starting G spot alongside veteran John Greco.

WR Travis Benjamin is also healthy and fans will be able to see him both on special teams again and most likely in the offense, as the team is waiting news on a pending year-long suspension for WR Josh Gordon.

Many unexpected events will occur in the coming months, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens to the team throughout the season.  From suspensions to injuries, this Browns team is one of the most talented group of players since the team returned to Cleveland in 1999.

Prediction: Make one thing certain, baring no significant injuries and Hoyer plays like he did last season, this team will win more than 4 games this upcoming season.

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