CLEVELAND - Brian Hoyers precarious grip on the Browns starting job — and rookie Johnny Manziels presence — makes it tough to negotiate a new contract for the quarterback. Matt Forte Womens Blue Jersey . His agent thinks it will happen anyway. Hoyer, who is coming back after undergoing off-season right knee surgery, will enter training camp with the lead in his competition with Manziel. But until the Browns are convinced Hoyer is healthy, and providing he holds off Manziel, its difficult for the team to gauge his value. Agent Joe Linta said the sides have had some preliminary discussions, but it may be some time before they get serious about negotiations. "We just had a couple of friendly conversations," Linta said in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday. "They agreed that its very difficult to assess his worth presently. I think that this will all work itself quickly as the season moves forward." Hoyer went 3-0 as a starter last season before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament while sliding at the end of a scramble. He recovered more quickly than doctors expected and he moved well during practices in the teams mini-camp this spring. Hoyer was kept out of 11-on-11 drills to avoid contact, but hes expected to be fully cleared when training camp opens on July 26. First-year Browns coach Mike Pettine recently said Hoyer had the lead in the quarterback competition over Manziel, who was selected in the first round of Mays NFL draft. Manziel could one day supplant Hoyer as Clevelands starter, but thats not guaranteed, so its difficult for the team to decide whether they should pay Hoyer like a starter or a backup. After all, Hoyer had been a career backup before the Cleveland-area native signed a signed a two-year, $1,965,000 contract with the Browns in May 2013. He received a $250,000 roster bonus in March and is scheduled to make a base salary of $1 million next season. The deal can reach $1.15 million with incentives. The 28-year-old Hoyer has waited patiently for his chance to start. Hes paid his dues. He also has impressed the Browns with his determination to return to the field. Linta said Hoyer is committed to the Browns, and hes hoping they feel the same way about him. "Brian wants to be in Cleveland," Linta said. "He loves how the fans rallied around him and the team during his winning streak last year. Hell never forget that. With that in mind and if the Browns want him, we will work something out eventually. (General manager) Ray Farmer and (executive VP) Sashi Brown are good guys to deal with and they, like the fans, want to win regardless of who the QB is." Farmer did not reply to an email seeking comment. Lance Briggs Elite Jersey .Com Tour. The former Canadian Amateur champion, who made his rookie year as a professional a memorable one, has had a long wait to get back on the course and after last season, hes anxious to play. Robbie Gould Jersey . Ausmus says he realized his words were insensitive and in poor taste as soon as they left his mouth. The first-year manager was asked after Detroits 2-1 loss to Kansas City on Wednesday how his mood is when he heads home from the ballpark these days.The NHLs Mar. 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell. Check out todays trade-related reports and speculation from around the NHL beat, including Martin Brodeurs apparent willingness to leave New Jersey. Open for Business? The long-time face of the New Jersey Devils franchise has stated that he might be okay with finishing his career as a temporary face for another franchise. Martin Brodeur told New Jerseys The Record that hed be open to a move that would see him leave New Jersey in favour of more playing time. “Im open to anything,” Brodeur told The Records Tom Gulitti. “I just want to play. So, like I said in Toronto, if theres a better situation for me, Ill take it. If its here or somewhere else, it doesnt matter.” That said, TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie believes that the best fit for Brodeur might well be in East Rutherford for the duration of this season, especially since creasemate Cory Schneider has already opened the door for Brodeur once this season. On Wednesday nights edition of The Quiz, McKenzie said: “If Im Lou Lamoriello, Im not trading Marty Brodeur for a third-round pick. If he wants to walk in the summer, he can go then.” Wait Until Summer? The Dallas Stars find themselves in an interesting position, trade-wise. With Stephane Robidas, Ray Whitney and Vernon Fiddler eligible for unrrestricted free agency this summer, they may have pieces to move should they decide they are out of the Western Conference playoff race. Jay Cutler Elite Jersey. But Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News sees more benefit in waiting for the summer to try to land another impact piece like the team did this past off-season with Tyler Seguin. With the possibility that Robidas may not be healthy enough to deal by the deadline and with Jim Nill reportedly only willing to move prospects of picks in "the right deal," Heika believes the Stars would be best served keeping it simple and keep the focus on stockpiling picks and prospects. The Stars enter Thursday nights games seven points back of eighth-place Vancouver with two games in hand. Youth in Revolt The Detroit Red Wings salary cap obligations may make pre-deadline deals a difficulty in Motown. While Michigan Live speculates that the likes of Steve Ott, Ales Hemsky and Mike Cammalleri could be enticing to the Wings, Ken Holland has stated that hes less willing to part with some of the Wings young talent to get deals for those types of players done. “We like our kids,” Holland told the site. “I dont know that there [are] players available on the market that are better than the kids we got.” The Wings have gotten good contributions this season from young forwards like Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco. ' ' '
