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BEREA, Ohio -- Brian Hoyer spent a long, merciless winter in Cleveland rehabbing his right knee so hed be ready for the day he could run on the field again. Hes never worked harder at anything in his life. The Browns are his team, and have been since he was a little kid. And now that hes back -- not 100 per cent, but getting there -- the homegrown quarterback, whose promising 2013 season was cut short after only two starts by a serious injury, isnt about to let go of his dream of leading an NFL team without a fight. Cleveland can draft a franchise quarterback next week. Hoyer believes the Browns already have one. "I know how I feel about myself," he said. "I know how my teammates feel. Im trying to go out and prove it to these new coaches and all I can really ask for is a chance and I think Ill get that. Im going out there every day, and until someone tells me otherwise, I think Im the starter for this team." Six months after surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Hoyer participated in Clevelands first voluntary minicamp practice Tuesday to rave reviews. It was a significant step for the 28-year-old, who showed poise and potential in winning his first two starts before he was injured while sliding at the end of scramble against Buffalo. Hoyer was sharp during the portion of practice open to media members. He didnt show any limitations while making cuts, and displayed nice footwork while firing pinpoint passes. If not for the brace on his right knee, there would have been no evidence Hoyer had been hurt. Following the indoor workout, Hoyer was upbeat and somewhat relieved. "It was awesome," he said. "I felt really good, which was no surprise to me. I felt like I was prepared for this for a while. Its just good to play football again." Hoyer has been cleared to do individual work, but not take part in team drills. The Browns dont want to take any unnecessary risks with Hoyer. But that didnt stop him from pleading with new Browns coach Mike Pettine to let him jump behind centre during 11-on-11 drills. "He begged me to be able to jump in there for the team stuff and I had to play head coach for a minute and tell him no," Pettine said. "But again, thats the way he is. Thats the way hes made up, ultimate competitor, so I think he firmly believes that its his job." Hoyer spent three seasons sitting behind Tom Brady, then made one start during a year in Arizona before getting his shot last year with the Browns. Hes aware Cleveland could use the No. 4 overall pick next week on a quarterback. Theres a chance in a few weeks Hoyer could find himself competing with someone like Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel. How would he react? "Just be myself," he said. "I have to do what I do on a daily basis and work hard. Thats all I know how to do." Hoyer isnt the only quarterback trying to make an impression this week. Vince Young, who hasnt played in an NFL regular-season game since 2011, has three days to convince the Browns he can help them. The 30-year-old said hes motivated to resume a career after being sidetracked the past few seasons. "The fire is lit always," Young said. "One thing a lot of people dont know, I love this game so much." Young has been given no guarantees other than hell get a chance. He was with Green Bay late last summer, but got released. Young was reluctant to discuss why his pro career has stalled. "Im just happy to have the opportunity playing for a historic team, a respectful team," Young said. "Its a long history for the Browns. "Im just going to make the best of it." Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has admired Young for years. Gordons mom taught Young in elementary school and has looked up to the fellow Texan. From what Gordon can tell, Young isnt done yet. "Oh yeah," he said. "Hes still got it." NOTES: RB Dion Lewis, OL Chris Faulk, LB Quentin Groves and S Josh Aubrey were on the field after sustaining season-ending injuries in 2013. WR/KR Travis Benjamin is on schedule after undergoing knee surgery, but Pettine said the Browns will likely keep him out until training camp. China Shoes Cheap . -- During Kansas shootaround on Wednesday before the Jayhawks faced Oklahoma, coach Bill Self told Wayne Selden Jr. Cheap Shoes China Free Shipping . After losing a shutout bid in the dying seconds of Sundays win over the Colorado Avalanche, Luongo would not be denied against the punchless Oilers and is now just one back of Patrick Roy for 14th on the all-time list. http://www.chinashoescheap.com/. The Marlies centre set up three goals, including the game-winner, as Toronto cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Oklahoma City Barons in American Hockey League action. Cheap Shoes From China Wholesale . If there is one club built to handle an off-field controversy, its the Bill Belichick era Patriots. Even if New Englands offence stumbles a bit out of the gate, their defence can help them stay in games, especially in the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets in the first two weeks. China Shoes Cheap Free Shipping .Y. -- Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff had an opportunity to experience an entire range of emotions in his first trip back to Buffalo to face his former team.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - If Peyton Mannings injury was worse than he let on, his teammates sure didnt see it.In the aftermath of his poor playoff performance in the Broncos 24-13 loss to Indianapolis, Manning said the right thigh bruise he suffered Dec. 14 at San Diego lingered but wasnt bad enough to sideline him.On Monday, ESPN, citing two people it didnt name, reported that Manning played with a torn quad muscle, the severity of which he had tried to conceal.However, two people with knowledge of Mannings health told The Associated Press it was a strain, as the team had characterized it all along. They both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject.They also said the tear-strain debate could be a matter of semantics because a strain occurs when a muscle is stretched too much and tears. Its also called a pulled muscle.After the game, John Fox — who parted ways with the Broncos on Monday — was asked if Manning was healthy and he said everybodys banged up at this time of year, but hes definitely healthy enough to play in the game.Manning was ambivalent about his future after the game but didnt say his health was at issue. He said he just needed time to process Denvers disappointing loss to his former team before deciding whether hell be back for an 18th season in the NFL.He did, however, dispute a report that he had injuries to both thighs, saying that would be news to me. He said he felt he could manage his right quadriceps injury, adding it felt good heading into the playoff game.Manning blamed the injury on dehydration from a stomach bug the night before the Chargers game. He missed the teams next practice, on Dec. 18, although he partticipated in the walkthrough that day.dddddddddddd And he skipped the two days of practices during the teams bye week after Denver earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. He practiced all of last week.Receiver Wes Welker said he couldnt tell if Manning was hiding the extent of his injury over the last month, and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said he got no such indications at practice — although he acknowledged practices werent the best barometer.Practice is easy for a quarterback: you dont have to move, you dont have to run, Harris said. You probably couldnt tell that Aaron Rodgers was hurt until the game and then you could see him running with a limp. But in practice, he probably looked like it was nothing.Manning overthrew his receivers eight times Sunday and came up empty on 11 drives after leading Denver to a touchdown on its first possession. Hes never been a good scrambler — hes had minus-49 yards rushing in his three seasons in Denver — and he threw an incompletion on third-and-5 instead of taking off despite a 20-yard gap between him and any defender.Linebacker Brandon Marshall said Manning looked stronger, if anything, Sunday, perhaps due to the rest, but you knew he wasnt all the way 100 per cent. Nobody was.Backup QB Brock Osweiler told the AP that Mannings playing through the pain was a great testament to his character, his toughness, how much he loves the game, his passion for this game. He did everything he possibly could for this football team and thats what makes him a special football player.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton ' ' '