Brian Hoyer gets major praise from Tom Brady
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) throws during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Before Brian Hoyer was the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, he was a dependable backup who bounced around with a couple of teams last year in the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. And before that? He was a touted backup quarterback for the New England Patriots behind Tom Brady, and he was on the radar of teams as a potential backup-to-starter promotion quarterback. Hoyer was only released by the Patriots last year for financial reasons, and he found plenty of suitors during the regular season and offseason as a backup. The Browns signed up, Brandon Weeden injured his thumb, and now Hoyer is set to make his second start in a Browns uniform.
Tom Brady gave Brian Hoyer some high praise, and below are some quotes he gave to the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot in an email exchange.
“Brian was a great player who worked hard to develop himself into a starting caliber NFL quarterback. Nobody worked harder or committed himself more than Brian. He’s a great friend and I’m not surprised that he’s succeeded once he got an opportunity.”
“He has everything it takes physically and mentally to play the position. He loves football and works hard at getting better.”
In New England, Hoyer was always praised for his work ethic, so Brady’s comments praising that part of Hoyer’s preparation definitely don’t come as a surprise. Hoyer is one of the more accurate quarterbacks in the league, and his interceptions aren’t the result of poor decision-making. The biggest blemish to Hoyer’s game is his lack of physical tools, as he doesn’t have a reliable deep ball or much arm strength. Hoyer has to work hard and make smart throws to overcome that, and we’ll see if he can try to spearhead an upset against a Cincinnati Bengals defense that is missing three DBs, including key starters Leon Hall (a great No. 1 CB) and FS Reggie Nelson.
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