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. Dean Wade Jersey . Bayern winger Franck Ribery marked his league return after recovering from a cracked rib by scoring two goals and setting up two more as the league leaders inflicted the heaviest home defeat on Bremen in the Bundesliga. Rodney Hood Cavaliers Jersey . Howard had 17 points and a career-high-tying 26 rebounds in his Houston debut, James Harden added 21 points and the Rockets cruised to a 96-83 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. https://www.thecavalierslockerroom.com/T...Edition-Jersey/. He wants to seize that opportunity. The trouble is, Firus has had more bumps on the road to Sochi than most. Last year, Firus had the skate of a lifetime in the short program at the Canadian championships when he landed his first triple Axel in competition and finished third in a stacked field. Matthew Dellavedova Cavaliers Jersey . - After a back-and-forth battle throughout the season, Alex Guenette has earned the 2013 rookie of the year award for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 by just one point over Ryley Seibert. Alec Burks Jersey .com) - Devin Booker scored 19 points and top-ranked Kentucky put on a defensive clinic in an 83-44 obliteration of UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic.Each week, TSN.ca Fantasy Editor Scott Cullen and NFL Editors Ben Fisher and Mitch Ward discuss three hot fantasy football topics. 1) Considering their surprising starts, who do you think will be more productive the rest of the way, Alex Smith or Colin Kaepernick? Cullen: I like Smiths increasing fantasy value -- seven touchdown passes in four games will do that -- but I couldnt choose him over Kaepernick because the ceiling with Kaepernick is so much higher. Smith is the safer play and the Chiefs are asking him (or allowing him) to do more than he did in San Francisco, but Smith has thrown for 300 yards in a game three times in 79 career starts. Kaepernick has only done it once (Week One this season), but has started only 11 games. I guess Im still on the side of potential. Fisher: Im sticking with Kaepernick. Through the first quarter of the season Smith has far outplayed his 49ers replacement in leading the Chiefs to a 4-0 record. But Kansas City wont stay perfect all season and as the team regresses back to the pack so should Smiths production. Conversely, the 49ers are better than a .500 team so as they climb the standings Kaepernick should likewise climb the fantasy rankings. That said, I could see both finishing the year as borderline QB1s. Ward: Im going to give the edge to Kaepernick, but its close. Smith has been consistently efficient through four weeks with seven touchdown passes against two interceptions. He should easily shatter his previous high of 17 touchdown passes in a season set in 2009. That being said, Smith is limited by his lack of arm strength and the absence of a vertical passing game in Kansas City. Kaepernick meanwhile is just a more dynamic player with the capability of putting up the real big games, Remember what he did to Green Bay in last years playoffs? Smith isnt capable of that kind of game. Smith will likely be more consistently solid, but the chance to go off on and given Sunday makes Kaepernick more desirable in my eyes. 2) Which running backs involved in a time share are worth starting week to week? Cullen: Particularly now that weve hit the point in the season in which bye weeks come into play, a lot of running backs that share time have to be considered. With C.J. Spiller struggling, Fred Jackson has to be considered. Knowshon Moreno, Giovani Bernard, Danny Woodhead and Darren Sproles would be others that I would go with each week. Id be okay with Ryan Mathews and Pierre Thomas (Woodhead and Sproles backfield mates) too, because they get more touches, but their production hasnt been great so far this season. Fisher: There are a couple teams around the league that have two running backs worth consideration for a starting spot. Fred Jackson has been a near Top 10 back through the first quarter of the season and is worth a starting even when C.dddddddddddd. Spiller is fully healthy. Sticking in the AFC East, Stevan Ridley and LeGarrette Blount in New England could both find themselves in starting lineups if teams get desperate. And with the Broncos high-powered offence, any of Denvers three RBs could be worth a start. And while its not exactly a true time share in Detroit, the Lions have two Top 10 backs through four games in Reggie Bush and Joique Bell. Ward: Giovani Bernard in Cincinnati. Hes currently in a timeshare with BenJarvus Green-Ellis but is slowly but surely demanding a bigger and bigger share of the touches. He is simply a better back in pretty much every facet of the game and does more with his opportunities. Green-Ellis currently has 54 touches on the year to Bernards 44, but its Bernard who has picked up 118 more yards. By the end of the season this wont be a timeshare anymore, it will be Bernards backfield and Green-Ellis will only be used for spot duty. Lamar Miller, who shares the Dolphins backfield with Daniel Thomas is another weekly start at this point. He is starting to distance himself from Thomas and should get more and more of the touches as the season goes on. I also really like Darren Sproles in New Orleans, especially in PPR leagues. 3) Has Bilal Powell proven himself to be a solid bet as an RB2 moving forward? Cullen: I say yes. His 400 yards from scrimmage ranks seventh among running backs right now -- ahead of Marshawn Lynch, Arian Foster and Doug Martin -- and while hes not likely to continue ahead of those guys and he only has one touchdown, Powell has to be considered a candidate for an RB2 spot, particularly through the bye weeks that have more than a couple teams off. As long as he remains productive, hes also doing enough to hold off any potential challenges for playing time from Chris Ivory (now hurt) and Mike Goodson. Fisher: Powell spent an inordinate amount of time on the waiver wire for a back ranking in the top 15 of his position in most formats. I dont expect Powell to finish the season that high in the rankings – there is too much inconsistency on the Jets offence and too many better backs behind Powell in the rankings that should eventually find their game and surpass him – but with no real competition in the Jets backfield, it wouldnt be surprising to see the 24-year-old stick as an RB2 all season long. Ward: I had my doubts about his abilities coming into the season, but hes made me a believer. Through four weeks he is averaging a solid 4.4 yards per carry and getting nearly 20 touches per game. While I dont have him on any teams this year, Id be comfortable rolling him out there every week as an RB2. ' ' '