Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW California wildfires destroy hundreds of homes, businesses; one dead ... Oregon homeowners associations, residents clash over watering during drought ... Jackson County Jail becomes a revolving door over the weekend ... California wildfires destroy hundreds of homes, businesses; one dead ... Oregon homeowners associations, residents clash over watering during drought ... Jackson County Jail becomes a revolving door over the weekend ... NFL REPORT Browns make the move, will start Manziel Comment By Wire reports MailTribune.com By Wire reports Posted Dec. 10, 2014 at 2:00 AM By Wire reports Posted Dec. 10, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Social News Johnny Backup can finally return to being Johnny Football. The Browns (7-6) will start rookie Johnny Manziel instead of slumping veteran Brian Hoyer when they face the AFC North-leading Cincinnati Bengals (8-4-1) on Sunday at FirstEnergy, a league source confirmed Tuesday afternoon for the Beacon Journal, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team has yet to make an announcement. Manziel has been notified of the decision. Coach Mike Pettine benched Hoyer after his dismal performances in the past four games played a significant role in the team’s playoff hopes fading. The Browns must win their final three regular-season games to have a shot at qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2002. They’re hoping Manziel is ready to rise to the occasion. He’s on the verge of starting his first NFL game and becoming the Browns’ 21st starting quarterback since 1999. The Browns traded up four spots in May’s draft to select Manziel 22nd overall. The franchise’s decision-makers view Manziel, one of the most popular and polarizing figures in college football history, as their future. But now they’ll get a much better read on how he’ll fit into offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s scheme and how his improvisational style will translate to the professional level. With Hoyer struggling mightily, the Browns have lost three of their past four games. He has completed 75 of 151 passes (49.7 percent) for 984 yards and one touchdown with eight interceptions during the span. He also has posted a passer rating of 50.8 rating and the offense has scored just four touchdowns. 49ERS: With three weeks remaining in the regular season, the 49ers have added linebacker NaVorro Bowman to their 53-man roster. Bowman, who had surgery in February to repair a damaged ACL and MCL, has not yet practiced with the team and there is no guarantee that he will do so this week, either. It’s unlikely Bowman will play Sunday in Seattle, where he injured his knee in the NFC Championship game a little more than 11 months ago. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has said Bowman would need several weeks of practice before he was ready to play. To make room for Bowman, the team placed tight end Vance McDonald on injured reserve. McDonald has missed the last three games with a back injury. He is the second tight end — Derek Carrier (foot) is the other — to go on injured reserve this season. TEXAS: Houston’s Jadeveon Clowney, the top overall pick in this year’s draft, had microfracture surgery on his right knee. General manager Rick Smith said Clowney had the surgery on Monday. The Texans said last week that Clowney would have season-ending knee surgery, but did not specify what that surgery would be. This surgery was the second this season for the outside linebacker. He had arthroscopic surgery on the same knee after being injured in Week 1. He played three games since the first procedure but continued to struggle with pain and swelling in his knee. He saw his most extensive action of the season against the Bengals on Nov. 23, when he was in for about 50 plays and had three tackles, including one for a loss. But he experienced swelling in his knee after that and missed his eighth game of the year a week later. By Wire reports MailTribune.com By Wire reports Posted Dec. 10, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501