Pictured are Cleveland Browns new starting quarterback Johnny Manziel (in grey suit) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (in red shirt)

From the Metro Desk of Cleveland Urban News.Com, and the Kathy Wray Coleman Online News Blog.com, Ohio's most read digital Black newspaper and newspaper blog. Tel: (216) 659-0473 (www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio- Former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, a rookie Browns recruit also nicknamed 'Mr. Football,' will start his first NFL game Sunday, Dec.14 in the showdown between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, taking over a 7-6 Browns team led by quarterback Brian Hoyer.

In spite of breaching the playoffs, Hoyer was left hanging as head coach Mike Pettine chose to start the more popular Manziel.

"This decision is really not about Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel, it is about the Cleveland Browns," said Pettine in a statement on his decision.

A former Texas A&M quarterback, Manziel,  22, who has played but has not started, was chosen as the 22nd pick in this year's NFL Draft. Though some opponents  joke that he is a midget, Manziel stands 6 feet tall.

Hoyer's numbers began to decline last month and Pettine toyed with replacing him before the Browns 25-24 lost to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.(www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com)