Browns coach: It was Hoyer's job

BEREA, Ohio -- Brian Hoyer will start the Cleveland Browns' preseason opener Saturday in Detroit.

"It was [Hoyer's] job," coach Mike Pettine said Wednesday. "He was 'the one' coming into it. We did want to mix the groups up, as we did. But he's done nothing to have that taken away from him, so he'll be out there with the starters."

Pettine added that Johnny Manziel could see time with the starters as well but said it was "fair to say" the decision on who would start the season opener would be based on the first two preseason games because he wants to have his starters in line for the third exhibition.

"I think more weight will be put on those, as I said before, because it's live reps," Pettine said.

Manziel took the decision in stride and said things have gotten better for him with each practice. He has had strong practices the past two days.

"I just need to keep learning the playbook, and hopefully in due time I'll be able to be comfortable with a lot broader region of the playbook instead of the little area that I am now," Manziel said. "It's steadily growing each day. That's what I need to continue to do is get better, expand my knowledge of the playbook and expand my knowledge of this game."

Hoyer said he expected to start all along, and it will not change his approach.

"I think if you go about it that you're trying to be the best quarterback for this team regardless of where you are, things will work themselves out," Hoyer said.

Pettine added that receiver Josh Gordon will be mixed in during the game, seeing time with the starters as well as the backups as he awaits word on his possible league suspension.