CLEVELAND -- Finally, at long last, the Browns have a date to name their quarterback. Jeff Kent Jersey . Decision day is Tuesday for Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel. Thats when Browns coach Mike Pettine aims to announce his starter for Clevelands Sept. 7 opener at Pittsburgh. His choice could be influenced by how the quarterbacks play in Monday nights nationally televised exhibition at Washington. "Something unforeseen could come up, but were hopeful because I do want to see if I can cut the quarterback questions down by about 90 per cent after next week," said Pettine, a first-year coach who for months has faced questions about his quarterbacks. "The chemistry, the continuity, its important to establish that." On Thursday, Pettine said Hoyer will start against the Redskins on Monday night, with Manziel getting snaps with the first-team offence. Pettine isnt sure how hell divide their time and will see how the game unfolds before determining when each is on the field. His focus is making sure the "reps are close to equal." Pettine also made it clear no decision has been made. "All of our options are still on the table," he said. Does that mean Manziel, the popular rookie who helped the Browns draw record crowds to training camp, can still win the job? "Sure he can," Pettine said. "All of our options are still on the table. He just needs to go out and play, thats the bottom line. They both do. Ive met with both of them and discussed the situation and theyre both comfortable with it and they both know its going to be up to them, when theyre out there, to go out and do their job." As he has stated for months, Pettine will choose the quarterback he feels gives the Browns their best chance to beat their bitter rivals. "Youre looking for the total package -- the quarterback who is best suited to take the field and lead us to a win against the Steelers," Pettine said. "Thats the bottom line decision we have to make. There will be a lot of things going into it." Pettine said he will consult with offensive co-ordinator Kyle Shanahan, quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains and maybe "another guy or two in there." General manager Ray Farmer will be there "to listen and observe." Hoyer started Clevelands preseason opener at Detroit, with Manziel playing exclusively with the backups. Pettine isnt disappointed with the way the quarterbacks have played or that one hasnt taken off and separated from the other to make the decision easier. "They both started camp at a certain point and theyve both made improvement," he said. "I think theyve both made big strides. When you look at it, I feel like were in a good position, we have two quarterbacks that we feel have NFL starter ability, which is why its a difficult decision." Whatever decision is made, Pettine knows its far from permanent. "So much can change over the course of an NFL season, the circumstances," he said. "Thats one position where you probably have to have a little more patience that others whether a guy is not performing at a level you think he can. I dont want whoever the starter is to feel like If I make one mistake, Im out. I dont want them to feel like, Hey, Ive achieved something and this is my team for the year." Pettine would not confirm or deny a report Manziel was late to a team meeting this week. "Thats internal business," he said. "Im not going to discuss stuff that happens. We like to keep stuff in the family." NOTES: After being "tagged" by the Ravens and Jets, Pettine and several players took the ALS "ice bucket challenge" following practice. Manziel had two buckets dumped on him. ... Pettine also had a comment for New York coach Rex Ryan, saying, "Rex, I know you want to punch me in the face. Anytime you want to go toe to toe, you know where to find me." ... CB Buster Skrine injured a thumb during practice. Pettine had not yet met with the training staff to know the seriousness. .... Pettine said DL Desmond Bryant (wrist) is waiting for a second medical opinion. ... WR Josh Gordon, awaiting word on his appeal with the NFL, has "a chance" to play against the Redskins. ... WR Nate Burleson will likely sit out Monday night. ... TE Jordan Cameron has been cleared to play. Craig Biggio Jersey . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. Aledmys Diaz Jersey . Cammalleri scored two goals, Corban Knight netted the winner in a shootout, and the Flames erased a two-goal deficit in the third period to beat the Stars 4-3 on Friday night. http://www.customastrosjersey.com/custom-josh-james-jersey-large-1216y.html . The whole deflation of New England Patriots footballs is like a murder mystery without the violence or significance. On one side, this is a ridiculous issue.PITTSBURGH -- Pedro Alvarez mashed two home runs that travelled an estimated 831 feet Friday night. It was a series of sprints by the burly Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman, however, that ignited a 12-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Alvarez broke open a close game in the sixth by beating out a potential double play, followed it up with the fifth stolen base of his career then scored with a deft slide around St. Louis catcher Yadier Molinas tag that gave the Pirates the momentum they needed to pull away. "I thought the stolen base was key," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He puts a lot of focus on running the bases and hes arguably one of our best baserunners when hes on." It certainly looked like it, as Alvarezs outstretched left arm slid across the plate a split second before one of the games best defensive catchers could nab him. The Cardinals imploded from there as Shelby Miller (0-1) continued to struggle against Pittsburgh. Miller fell to 0-5 with a 5.92 ERA against the Pirates in his brief career after tying a career-high by allowing five runs in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander is 16-5 with a 2.34 ERA in his 33 other major league appearances. "Its not the park. Its not the team. I just pitched poorly today," Miller said. "I guess it just lines up that way where I dont pitch well when I face them." Travis Ishikawa added his first major league home run in nearly two years for Pittsburgh. Gerrit Cole (1-0) gave up two runs in seven innings in his first start since losing the deciding Game 5 of the NL division series to St. Louis last October. Six months removed from a taut NLDS that pushed the eventual NL champions to the brink of elimination, the Pirates sent an early message they have no plans of going away. Cole is considered the ace in waiting after a stellar rookie season in which he was arguably Pittsburghs best pitcher over the final six weeks. Eager to take the next step in his development, the 23-year-old kept the Cardinals in check by mixing a fastball that consistently reaches the upper 90s with improved offspeeed stuff. Nolan Ryan Jersey. He also showcased some of his maturity, working out of a bases loaded situation in the fourth by getting Jhonny Peralta to fly out. His only mistake came in the fifth when Carpenter drilled a shot into the right field stands to pull the Cardinals to 3-2. Otherwise he teamed with catcher Russell Martin to keep St. Louis in check. "I think it was just a really well-played ballgame on our part," Cole said. "I cant say enough about what Russ did behind the plate. Not sure there are any other catchers in the entire world that could handle what I threw at him tonight." Pittsburghs offence -- which mustered all of 20 hits in 35 innings of a season-opening series against the Chicago Cubs -- made sure it didnt stay close for long after pounding out 16 hits in eight innings against the NL Central favourites. Alvarez began the year in a 1 for 15 slump but ended that with a home run to the gap in left-centre for his first home run of the season. He added his second two innings later with a long drive to right-centre that travelled an estimated 448 feet. His hustle down the first-base line in the sixth allowed Pittsburghs rally to continue and the Pirates pressed the advantage. Molina committed a rare error after Alvarezs slide, botching a potential rundown at third base when his throw hit Martin in the back and rolled into the stands. The miscue gave the Pirates a 5-2 lead and Pittsburgh poured it on in the late innings. NOTES: Ishikawas solo home run in the fourth was his first since May 15, 2012 while playing for the New York Yankees. ... The start of the game was delayed 1:05 by rain, the third straight game a Cardinals game was delayed by weather. ... Injured Cardinals 2B Mark Ellis is starting baseball activities but it remains uncertain when hell be ready to return from left knee tendinitis. Ellis went on the 15-day DL on March 27 and is eligible to return on April 11. ... The series continues on Saturday. RHP Joe Kelly will make his season debut for the Cardinals against Pittsburghs Francisco Liriano (0-0, 0.00). ' ' '