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Mike Tomlin Preparing For Browns To Use Johnny Manziel In Opener

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday they will see both starter Brian Hoyer and back-up Johnny Manziel during the season opener on Sunday. "We're going through the process of preparing ourselves for both guys," Tomlin said. "I think that's the appropriate approach for us to take."

The 28-year-old Hoyer was a member of the Steelers in 2012, but never played in a game before being released. "We have a great deal of respect for Brian Hoyer, because we know him," Tomlin said. "We've worked with him. What you don't see on tape is what is most impressive about him. He's a professional, energy bringer, really intelligent, football smarts, great ideas. He's not going to lose games above the neck. It doesn't surprise me at all that's the guy they decided to go with."

This will be only Hoyer's fifth NFL start in his six years in the league that has included stops in New England, Arizona and now Cleveland.

During Steelers training camp, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau was confident Manziel would be named their starter and now Tomlin expects to see him at some point. "Have a great deal of respect for Johnny Manziel and his talents. We fully expect them to utilize him in some capacity in this football game. They didn't draft him in the first round to watch."

"They've got talent and that talent is going to be available to them. When they use it is up to them. Obviously we don't have control over that, but will be prepared for the utilization of that. I don't think necessarily his (Manziel's) presence in the game is going to dictate a difference in schematics."

Mike Tomlin

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