CANTON, Ohio -- As the crowd of football fans bowed their heads before Browns owner Jimmy Haslam spoke, a priest delivering the invocation asked for a special blessing for new quarterback Johnny Manziel. Wholesale Vans Shoes Online . He may need more than divine intervention. "Father, I dont think Ive ever heard a prayer like that," Haslam told the clergy man. "Im not sure what Brian Hoyer thought of that either." Speaking for the first time since the Browns landed Manziel, Texas A&Ms playmaking quarterback in the NFL draft, Haslam made it clear that Johnny Football will have to earn everything he gets and wont jump Brian Hoyer on the depth chart just because he has a Heisman Trophy, celebrity friends or fame. "Hes not the starter," Haslam said of Manziel. Haslam spoke Monday to a packed room of 500 -- most of them hardcore Cleveland fans, who wanted to know how the Browns boss felt the team did in the three-day draft. Clevelands biggest move was picking the polarizing Manziel with the No. 22 overall pick in the first round. His selection has brought a buzz to the Browns and sparked sales of season tickets and No. 2 jerseys. And while Haslam is thrilled at the pick, he said the Browns -- starting with first-year coach Mike Pettine -- have told Manziel not to expect any preferential treatment. "We were very frank with him that Youre the backup quarterback. This is a hardworking, blue-collar town. This isnt Hollywood," Haslam said. "We want you to come in here, work hard and work as hard as anybody on the team. Hes not the starter. Brian Hoyer is our starting quarterback. Johnny is the backup." Haslam called Manziel "ultra-competitive" and feels the 21-year-old will come to training camp with the right attitude. He knows Manziel wants to prove he can succeed in the pros. "I think youll find a guy thats really hard-working, a serious guy that doesnt want to be a three-year-in-the-league flash-and-out who makes a lot of money on endorsements," Haslam said. "Hes a football player. He was a little upset he went 22. He was a little upset he was the second quarterback picked. I think he comes in with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder and wants to show the people hes about winning games and not about all the other stuff, if you will." Following the speech, Haslam also denounced a report that the Browns originally submitted Lousiville quarterback Teddy Bridgewaters name on the draft card at No. 22 before changing it to Manziels. "Thats crazy. Thats nuts," Haslam told The Associated Press. Earlier, Pettine shot down the same report at the teams charity golf outing in Aurora. "Its absolutely false," Pettine said. "I heard that story too. Its beyond laughable." Haslam also tried to clear up any misconceptions that he was the one who orchestrated the pick of Manziel. Haslam complimented general manager Ray Farmer for staying "unbelievably disciplined" during the draft and said it was the GMs choice -- not his -- to move up and take Manziel. "I thought it was very important we take a quarterback this year, because Brian Hoyer -- great guy, great leader -- hasnt played that much and is coming off an injury. "So I thought it was important to take a quarterback. We picked the top-rated quarterback on our board when he was available. That was solely Rays call, not my call. Soley Rays call, not my call. OK?" Haslam was careful not to comment directly on the fluid situation involving Pro Bowl wide receiver Josh Gordon. ESPN reported on Friday that Gordon is facing a one-year ban from the league for failing another drug test. Gordon was suspended two games last season for violating the leagues substance abuse policy but still led the league in yards receiving. Haslam said Gordon is making strides, and the third-year player has the Browns support. "Josh is 22 years old, OK?" he said, "and all of us need to think back to when we were 22 or think back to when our kids were 22, OK? Josh is learning and growing and improving as a person. Hes learning how to work hard. Hes learning how to be a professional. Josh is a smart young man. "All of us have made mistakes when we were that age. Were counting on Josh being a good football player for the Browns for a long time to come. We have all spent a lot of time talking to Josh and Im not going to comment on the situation, but Ill say this, Ive been very pleased with his professional growth over the last year and the way he handles himself." Cheap Vans Shoes Shop .During the week, McCoy told reporters he respected Hoyer for his intelligence, athleticism and how he conducts himself on and off the field. This wasnt an act, some attempt at psyching out Hoyer. Vans Shoes Outlet USA . "Well over 50 (per cent)," coach Claude Noel said Tuesday after practice, where the Jets were looking at ways to cut down the scoring chances theyve been giving away. http://www.vansoutletstore.com/ . This weeks Raptors Report puts a bow on Gays brief, 10-month tenure in Toronto and ponders how his absence will affect the teams offence. Are they a better team without him? In addition to acquiring some valuable cap flexibility, what impact will the four incoming players have this season and beyond? Click here for the Dec.ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Centre Saku Koivu and goalie Jonas Hiller are done with the Anaheim Ducks. Koivu, Hiller and forward Daniel Winnik wont be offered contracts by the Ducks for next season, general manager Bob Murray confirmed Thursday. The Pacific Division champion Ducks are cutting ties with several dependable veterans after the best regular season in franchise history and a second-round playoff exit. Along with Teemu Selannes retirement, the departures of Koivu and Hiller will allow the Ducks young talent to assume bigger roles next season. Anaheim also is in the trade market for an elite centre. "Weve got younger players coming along that we had to move into the lineup," Murray said. "I thought it was best for this organization that we move forward a little bit. It was just time." The 39-year-old Koivu became a fan favourite during five seasons with the Ducks, even while his scoring production dwindled. The four-time Finnish Olympian was the longtime captain of the Montreal Canadiens. Murray said the Ducks decision on Koivu was "the hardest of the three. He had a great career." Murray isnt certain what Koivu will do next, but wouldnt be surprised if he decides to play in Finland. Koivu said last month he was contemplating retirement. The Ducks decision to part ways with Hiller means theyll head into next season with a new starting goalie for the first time since 2009. Hiller made an All-Star team, won a playoff series and consistently backstopped the Ducks through several seasons of frequently terrible defensive play in front of him, going 162-110-32 over seven years. But the Swiss netminder lost his starting job late in the regular season to Danish backup Frederik Andersen, and he played infrequently in the post-season while the Ducks went with Andersen and 20-year-old John Gibson, widely considered the top goaltending prospect in hockey. "Jonas did so much for us," Murray said. "But weve got pretty good kids there, so the writing was kind of on the wall. Discount Vans Shoes. ." The 32-year-old Hiller had hoped to stay in Anaheim, but he joins Ryan Miller as the top goalies available in free agency. Anaheim signed the undrafted Hiller out of Switzerlands top league in May 2007. He beat out Ilya Bryzgalov for a roster spot and swiftly seized the starting job from Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the Stanley Cup-winning starter and franchises winningest goalie. "Its funny how it comes full circle," Murray said. Hiller won 14 consecutive decisions during his final season with the Ducks, and he shut out the Los Angeles Kings at Dodger Stadium in January. Andersen and Gibson both struggled at times in the playoffs, but confirmed he wasnt in the Ducks plans when he got just two post-season starts even after Andersen struggled and eventually got injured. Gibson was mediocre in the Ducks final two losses to the Kings, but Anaheim stuck with its youth over Hillers experience. Winnik spent the past two years with the Ducks, scoring 30 points in 76 games last season. Murray emerged from his post-season meetings eager to retool the Ducks, who finished atop the Western Conference and won their second straight division title at 54-20-8. Anaheim beat Dallas in the first round of the post-season, but blew a 3-2 lead in the second round against the rival Kings, losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champions in seven games. The Ducks also are in the market for a veteran centre after failing to land Vancouvers Ryan Kesler at last springs trade deadline. Anaheim has been linked in discussions for Kesler, Ottawas Jason Spezza and San Joses Joe Thornton. Anaheim has a wealth of assets for a deal, including four draft picks in the first two rounds and an impressive collection of prospects in one of the NHLs best farm systems. "I think were in good shape if the right deal is there," Murray said. "You try to make a good hockey deal, and we obviously have some things that people want." ' ' '