BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns quarterback derby is heading down the homestretch. Bruce Sutter . Coach Mike Pettine said Sunday he plans to name his starting quarterback shortly after the teams Aug. 18 preseason game in Washington. The winner of the competition between Brian Hoyer and rookie Johnny Manziel will start Clevelands third preseason contest -- Aug. 23 at home against the Rams -- and sit out its final game Aug. 28 against Chicago. "I wouldnt say its 1,000 per cent etched in stone, but I would like it decided before the third preseason game," Pettine said. "If we have a starter that gets a lot of time in that game, then has all the practice time after that, we feel like hell be ready to go for the opener (Sept. 7 in Pittsburgh)." Hoyer tops the Browns official depth chart, but he will split first-team snaps with 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Manziel at training camp this week. Pettine declined to say which player would start Clevelands next preseason game, a nationally televised matchup with the Redskins, calling the battle "too close to call." "If there was a clear-cut favourite at this point, it would probably mean one of them was not playing well," the first-year coach said. "Thats not the case here. I think weve got two guys that could be full-time NFL starters. It will all come down to who gives us the best chance to win. Thats the bottom line." Hoyer, who is recovering from reconstructive right knee surgery, started the Browns preseason opener Saturday in Detroit. The Northeast Ohio native completed 6 of 14 passes for 92 yards, leading the first-team offence to two field goals in three drives in a 13-12 loss. Manziel was 7 of 11 for 63 yards while playing most of the second quarter and all of the third. The No. 22 overall draft pick out of Texas A&M drove Clevelands second- and third-teamers to one field goal in four possessions. "Brian got 24 snaps, Johnny got 25, and I thought they both settled in quickly and were solid," Pettine said. "They had different supporting casts, but it was good tape for both of them. Both operated the offence efficiently, but I also thought there were plays they would like back." Neither quarterback was sacked or committed a turnover, while displaying their unique skill sets against the Lions aggressive defensive line. Manziel, who is listed at 6-foot and 210 pounds, was eager to roll out and improvise as he did in college. He scrambled five times for 26 yards, including a 16-yard gain on third-and-8, and avoided most contact. "Johnny does have a certain skill set that we hope to take advantage of," Pettine said. "If he is out there, were going to look at everything involved." The 6-2, 215-pound Hoyer stayed strong in the pocket despite pressure from Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, taking several hits in his first action since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last Oct. 3 against Buffalo. He went 3-0 as the Browns starter before the injury. All things being equal, general manager Ray Farmer and Pettine have said they would prefer starting the season with a veteran -- like sixth-year pro Hoyer -- under centre. It remains to be seen if it is a close call when they have to make a decision on the starter. "Johnny has made some improvement, a lot of improvement since minicamp," Pettine said. "As weve said before, it was him against the playbook, and hes got a pretty firm grasp of it. Hes really gone from one extreme to another. "Brian, on the other hand, has been solid all the way through. Its not going to be an easy choice, but were confident that well make the right one." NOTES: Pro Bowl TE Jordan Cameron (shoulder) and rookie CB Justin Gilbert (groin) sat out the Lions game, but Pettine said both could have played if it was the regular season. "We just didnt feel it was worth the risk," he said. . Pro Bowl WR Josh Gordon made two receptions before exiting with an undisclosed injury. The NFL receiving yards leader, who is expected to practice Monday, is awaiting a decision on his appeal of a one-year suspension for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. Tony Cingrani . -- Desperate to stop Tom Bradys latest comeback bid, the Miami Dolphins sought help from a reserve safety making his NFL debut after being signed Tuesday off the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. Vada Pinson . Chris Heisey followed with a two-run triple and Billy Hamilton added an RBI double, all but sealing Cincinnatis fourth straight victory and seventh in eight games. Brandon Phillips, celebrating his 33rd birthday, hit a go-ahead homer in the ninth for the Reds before pinch-hitter Buster Posey tied it with an RBI double off hard-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman in the bottom half. http://www.custommlbcardinalsjersey.com/custom-carlos-martinez-jersey-large-1031q.html . The Toronto Argonauts signed the veteran linebacker to a three-year deal Tuesday, hours after the start of CFL free agency.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Hi Kerry, This may sound like a silly question but Im watching Anaheim and Vancouver Monday night and during a stoppage of play, I noticed that when the linesman Brian Mach No. 78, had gone over to help Eddie Lack with a small equipment issue with his chest protector - his fight strap was undone! I thought jerseys must be "tied down" properly at all times. Does this rule not apply to goalies? Thanks for all you do - the best to ever ref the NHL!Rachel Tilton Hi Rachel: Thank you for the kudos. All players of each team must be dressed uniformly with approved design and color of their team uniform. Altered uniforms of any kind, i.e. Velcro inserts, over-sized jerseys, altered collars, etc., will not be permitted. Any player or goalkeeper not complying with this rule shall not be permitted to participate in the game. A players jersey must be "tied down" properly at all times as per rule 9.3. It is very difficult to detect if a player is not properly tied down unless he becomes involved in an altercation. The only time that a penalty applies to a player not properly tied down is if he engages in a fight and his jersey is removed compleetely off his torso, in which case a game misconduct is assessed (46. Ozzie Smith. 3). The exception to this application is when the opponent has been identified as the instigator; a game misconduct shall not be assessed regardless as to whether or not the player (non-instigator) was properly tied down. I have seen players who do not expect to fight (typically skilled players) participate in the game without tying down their jerseys. While this makes little sense, it their prerogative as it is next to impossible for the referee to detect (goalkeeper included). Specific to goalkeepers no inserts or additions are to be added to the standard goalkeeper-cut jersey as produced by the manufacturer unless approved by the League. In addition goalkeepers are not allowed any "tying down" of the sweater at the wrists if it creates a tension across the jersey such that a "webbing effect" is created in the armpit area. No other tie downs are allowed that create a webbing effect." The length of a jersey is illegal if it covers any area between the goalkeepers legs. In short, any excessive material that would provide the goalkeeper with added coverage of his net is not permitted. Unless a goalkeeper intended to fight during the game he would likely not snap the tab on the back of pants. ' ' '