Browns will go with Hoyer again
As a boy, Brian Hoyer spent many chilly Sundays with his dad sitting in cavernous Cleveland Stadium rooting for their beloved Browns.
For the youngster, there was no place better even if their seats weren’t so great.
“They were behind one of the posts,” Hoyer said with a smile, remembering the challenge of cheering on idols like Bernie Kosar and Ozzie Newsome. “It was kind of hard to see.”
On Sunday, Hoyer’s family, countless friends and Cleveland fans will have an unobstructed view of the hometown kid, who was always the hero while wearing his No. 19 Kosar jersey in the backyard.
Hoyer, who rallied the Browns to a shocking win last week at Minnesota, will make his second straight start at quarterback against the rival Cincinnati Bengals and in front of 73,000 fans.
“It means a lot,” he said Wednesday. “It will be awesome.”
With starter Brandon Weeden still sidelined with a sprained right thumb, Browns coach Rob Chudzinski will again turn to Hoyer, who threw three touchdown passes, including the game-winner with 51 seconds left, as Cleveland beat the Vikings 31-27.
Former player commits suicide: Former San Diego Chargers and University of Georgia defensive back Paul Oliver committed suicide at his Atlanta-area home, a medical examiner said.
The 29-year-old Oliver was found dead Tuesday night in Marietta, about 20 miles northwest of Atlanta, Cobb County Medical Examiner’s investigator Tim Weaver said.
Oliver died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Cobb County police Sgt. Dana Pierce said.
Flynn replaces injured Pryor: Matt Flynn might finally get another chance to start a game at quarterback in the NFL.
After being beaten out for starting gigs the past two preseasons in Seattle and Oakland, Flynn could start this week for the Raiders with Terrelle Pryor recovering from a concussion
Fines levied against players: Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant has been fined $7,875 by the NFL for a throat-slashing gesture that resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty last week against St. Louis. Bryant made the gesture while celebrating a 2-yard touchdown catch from Tony Romo for the first Dallas score in a 31-7 victory against the Rams Sunday.
• Houston outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus says he’s been fined $15,000 for a hit on Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco.
• Tennessee Titans running back Jackie Battle has become the first running back fined under the NFL’s new crown of the helmet rule. The league fined him $21,000.