National Football League

Shanahan: QB decision was 'tough'

Published Dec. 4, 2014 6:02 p.m. ET

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BEREA, Ohio -- The man who calls the plays for the Cleveland Browns said Thursday it was a "tough decision" for the team to keep struggling quarterback Brian Hoyer in the lineup for this week's game vs. the Indianapolis Colts, but offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said he believes Hoyer will bounce back.

"Because he's done it before," Shanahan said. "Brian has shown everybody that he can play. He hasn't had the best games the last few weeks, but it also hasn't been all him. We haven't played good around him. I don't think we've coached our best. I think we've all got to step up our game including myself, and if we do that, then that gives us a chance to win."

Hoyer was benched in the fourth quarter of last week's loss in Buffalo in favor of rookie Johnny Manziel, who played for the first time in anything besides spot duty and for the first time since September. Hoyer has thrown one touchdown pass and six interceptions over the last three games, and Browns coach Mike Pettine admitted the team faced a decision on which quarterback to play this week and into the future.

On Wednesday, Pettine announced the team would stick with Hoyer.

"I always support what Coach wants to do," Shanahan said. "I really do support it genuinely because I feel we're 7-5, we're playing for a playoff game, we've gone through a lot to get to this point and you stick with the guys that got you here. I'd be surprised if Brian doesn't play well."

In a separate quarterback-related discussion Thursday, Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon took responsibility for Hoyer's first interception in Buffalo, saying he made the wrong cut.

"It was going to be a big play, and him and Josh were just a little bit off," Shanahan said. "We had a Cover 2 seam where we're supposed to cross (the safety's) face, and Josh just kept it thin. The quarterback has to let it go there. He threw it on time. He threw it aggressive and thought it was a real good throw. They just weren't on the same page.

"The second one was a bad decision. He kind of forced it in there into double coverage, threw it late on second hitch. They were there. They took it away. He had to check it down to the fullback in the flat. It does happen. We've got to eliminate them, and I think he will."

Manziel completed 5-of-8 passes for 63 yards and ran for a touchdown. On his second series he had a fumble for a Bills touchdown negated by replay review.

Manziel said Wednesday he understood Pettine's decision and appreciated the chance "to knock the rust off" after waiting for two months between appearances.

"All this is going to do is motivate me to come in here to work every day, come to practice and continue to try and elevate my game," Manziel said. "Next time there's a situation like this, maybe there's no doubt."

Manziel's first two appearances this season came in the flow of the game with Shanahan using Manziel and his mobility as a change up. His appearance in Buffalo marked the first time he played for more than two plays. Shanahan said Manziel has done good work in practice, continues to learn and is getting his usual practice reps this week.

"Johnny did stuff in the game that made me excited," Shanahan said. "I liked what I saw from him. He did a good job, but when you decide on the starter -- and Coach decided on it I think on Tuesday -- once that happens, it's business as usual. You rep it that way, and you always try to prepare the starter to have the best chance to win."