CLEVELAND - Johnny Footballs days as a backup are over this season. Chicago Blackhawks Gear .Hes getting his chance to start.Rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel will make his first NFL start Sunday against Cincinnati, replacing the slumping Brian Hoyer as Cleveland tries to pump life into its sagging playoff hopes.After moving up in Mays draft to get him and waiting seven months as he learned and watched from the sideline, the Browns are finally setting one of college footballs most captivating players loose with three games left in the season.Browns coach Mike Pettine made the expected switch on Tuesday after meeting with his staff and general manager Ray Farmer, then informing both quarterbacks. Many Browns fans have wanted the change for weeks as they watched Hoyer fumble away his dream job.Pettine said in a statement that the switch isnt about Hoyer or Manziel, but about the Browns.We are trying to get the offence to perform at a higher level, he said. Johnny has worked very hard to earn this opportunity and it will be very important for every member of the offence to elevate their play for us to obtain our desired result.Manziels debut start will come in Clevelands final home game, against a Bengals team Hoyer beat on Nov. 6. Manziel will try to show the Browns he can be the franchise quarterback theyve coveted for two decades.Manziel is the Browns 21st starting quarterback since 1999.Ive tried to spend my entire season learning what it takes to become a pro and its been great to watch Brian because he knows what it takes, Manziel said. Ive prepared every week to be ready to help the team however possible and my focus has been on improving every day.Even before Manziel was told hell start, the possibility sparked some controversy with Bengals coach Marvin Lewis calling the 6-footer a midget during a radio interview Monday night. Lewis later apologized, but the jab stirred the Ohio rivalry.The Browns really had no choice but to turn to Manziel. Hoyer has been awful in his last four games, throwing just one touchdown pass and eight interceptions. It hasnt been all Hoyers fault as teammates have dropped passes and run pass routes incorrectly, but Cleveland needs a spark and Manziel changed games in college with his legs and right arm.Pettine considered the switch a week ago but stuck with Hoyer, who has gone 10-6 as Clevelands starter. Hoyer had two interceptions Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts rallied from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to win. Hoyer and the Browns offence picked up only three first downs in the second half.Manziels promotion could signal the end of Hoyers time with the Browns. A Cleveland-area kid who grew up attending Browns games with his dad, Hoyer, who battled back from a season-ending knee injury in 2013, is in the final year of his contract. With Manziel around, its likely Hoyer will have to sign elsewhere to remain an NFL starter.Although I am disappointed by coachs decision, I respect him and his choice and will be there to support Johnny, Hoyer said. As always, I will do whatever I can to help this team win.The No. 22 overall pick in this years draft, the popular and polarizing Manziel has been on the field just 18 plays this season. He came off the bench two weeks ago in the fourth quarter at Buffalo, completed 5 of 8 passes and scored on a 10-yard touchdown run.Manziel won the Heisman Trophy at Texas A&M, where his ability to improvise made him a star and earned him his Johnny Football nickname.The Browns are hoping he can perform some of that magic on Sundays.Manziel couldnt beat out Hoyer during training camp and the 22-year-olds off-the-field behaviour, which included weekend trips to Las Vegas, led to outside criticism of his maturity and commitment. The Browns held off on playing him until they felt he was ready, and now Pettine has put the teams season in Manziels hands.Johnny better be good.___AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFLBlackhawks Jerseys 2021 . He made that dream a reality Wednesday night. Olt, who grew up in Branford, Connecticut, attended UConn and made a nearly 2 1-2 hour trek to Boston a handful of times to watch the Red Sox, belted a two-run homer, one of four hit by Cubs in a 16-9 rout that completed a three-game interleague series sweep. Chicago Blackhawks Store .500 were once common achievements for the Dallas Mavericks. Now, both are season highs as Dallas slowly works its way back into playoff contention in the Western Conference. https://www.cheapblackhawks.com/ . -- Ryan Gropp scored in overtime as the Seattle Thunderbirds shut out the Spokane Chiefs 1-0 in Western Hockey League play Tuesday.(SportsNetwork.com) - The San Francisco Giants have apparently re-signed right-hander Jake Peavy to a two-year contract. Although the Giants have yet to confirm the deal, the pact is believed to be worth $24 million and contains a full no-trade clause. Peavy started last season with Boston, but was dealt to San Francisco in late July after going 1-9 with a 4.72 ERA in 20 outings for the Red Sox. However, he flourished with the Giants, as he was 6-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 12 starts. The 33-year-old hurler alsoo made four starts for the Giants in the postseason and was 1-2 with a 6. Chicago Blackhawks Pro Shop. 19 ERA. He tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his NLDS start versus Washington, but his season ended on a sour note, as he lasted just 1 1/3 innings in a Game 6 World Series loss to the Kansas City Royals. A National League Cy Young Award winner with the San Diego Padres in 2007 and a three-time All-Star, Peavy is 139-111 with a 3.53 ERA over 13 seasons with the Padres, Chicago White Sox, Red Sox and Giants. ' ' '