Browns QB Johnny Manziel on starting: 'It's a dream come true'

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel said it's "a dream come true" to get his first NFL start.

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel told reporters it's "a dream come true" to get his first NFL start, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer in Cleveland. 

On Tuesday, Browns coach Mike Pettine announced that Manziel will start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. He replaces veteran Brian Hoyer, who has started all 13 games for Cleveland this season. 

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"It was an awesome feeling for me," Manziel said. 

The rookie said he expects the atmosphere at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland to be "nuts" on Sunday. 

Manziel got the first extended snaps of his career during the fourth quarter of a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He led the Browns on an 80-yard touchdown drive on his first series, scoring his first NFL touchdown on a 10-yard run. 

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"I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't excited to see him play,'' said Pettine. "We've seen it in practice. We got a taste of it in Buffalo."

Pettine informed both quarterbacks of the switch on Monday, and said it was "very hard" to tell Hoyer he was benched. 

"It hurts," Hoyer said on Wednesday. "I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I got to live out a childhood dream."

The Browns are 7-6 heading into Sunday's game.

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- Molly Geary