Speaking with Brian Hoyer a number of weeks in the past, the Patriots backup quarterback instructed the Herald that whereas he loved his function being a mentor and sounding board for Mac Jones, a part of him missed being the starter.
“It’s fun to go out there and be in charge,” Hoyer stated, cracking a smile not lengthy after ending a apply the place he took over for Jones, who was sick that day.
Well, the favored veteran can ditch the backup title for a bit. It’s Hoyer time now.
With Jones injured and prone to miss a number of video games with a “pretty severe” excessive ankle sprain, in accordance with reviews, it’s time for Hoyer to go on the market and have a bit of enjoyable.
“When you’re not the starter . . . you never know when you’re going to go in there,” Hoyer stated a number of weeks again. “You try to prepare the most you can during the week. Whatever happens, happens, and you go from there.”
The veteran quarterback, who has had three separate excursions with the Patriots throughout his 14 seasons, will maintain down the fort throughout Jones’ absence for nonetheless lengthy that takes. That’s what’s taking place.
And following the loss to the Ravens, Patriot gamers all expressed confidence in Hoyer within the occasion they’d have to maneuver on with out Jones, which is now the chance.
“He’s a leader. He’s a vet. He knows the defenses. He’s seen it all,” extensive receiver DeVante Parker stated when requested about Hoyer following the sport. “If anything happens, he’ll come out and do what he can to help the team.”
Hoyer, who turns 37 subsequent month, has seen all of it, enjoying with eight totally different groups. He’s just about been a pseudo-coach for Jones serving to him with the offense.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who performed with Hoyer as a rookie with the 49ers, stated he thought the veteran was an incredible chief and can be “ready” for the problem.
“I have confidence in him,” stated Bourne. “Brian has a good relationship with the Patriots and this team overall, this 2022 team. So whatever happens, next man up. That’s all I can say.”
Tight finish Jonnu Smith agreed.
“Next man up. It’s a next man up mentality. Everyone knows that,” stated Smith. “We’re fully confident in whoever we got out on that field . . . we believe in each other. So we’d have no problem with (Brian).”
Record-wise, Hoyer has misplaced his final 11 begins courting again to 2016. Of course, all of these losses aren’t on him, or the truest indicator of his efficiency. More just lately, nonetheless, Hoyer didn’t fare notably properly throughout a last-minute begin towards the Kansas City. It got here through the 2020 season when Cam Newton had COVID-19.
Hoyer was pulled largely because of having clock administration points within the purple zone. Pundits have been powerful on him. He wasn’t given any breaks for locating out just some days earlier than he was going to begin.
No matter, middle David Andrews isn’t holding that towards him. He stated he had “tons” of religion in Hoyer.
“Brian has been here for a long time,” Andrews stated. “I’ve got a lot of respect for how he comes in, works every day and prepares like he is going to play.”
Special groups captain Matthew Slater, talking on a video name Monday, says it’s powerful to lose a quarterback of Jones’ caliber.
“It’s challenging, but you know, we have confidence in all the quarterbacks on our roster,” stated Slater, who then referred to Hoyer by his given first title. “I’ve been with Axel for 14 years now. I’ve known Axel for 14 years and been a teammate of his off and on over that period of time. We get a lot of confidence in here in him.”
Running again Damien Harris, in the meantime, didn’t need to speak about ‘what ifs” and Hoyer particularly, however was assured the Patriots would cope with no matter adversity they might face.
“We’re confident that any time we step on the field, we have a chance,” Harris stated. “We’ve got great coaches. We’ve got a great scheme. And we’ve got great players.”
Linebacker Matthew Judon was matter-of-fact: “Whoever we gotta play with, is who we gotta play with.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com