Came in for mop up in the closing minute of the last game of last season and got Gronk his record setting catch on one try.
He didn't have to beat Mallett this pre season. He owned him in camp FWIW. Mallett needed to beat him, and that didn't happen. Mallett isn't as bad as he was last season. He also isn't as good as some seem to think that makes him... He's a work in progress. I'm still not convinced he ever progresses far enough to take over here even in a pinch in a real live game situation. I do think Hoyer can. He may never be a franchise QB, but neither may Mallett. And Hoyer is a lot better suited to run this offense as closely as possible to the way Brady would as presently constituted. Mallett said it himself last night when Burton blew smoke up his ass ridiculously. He doesn't like the concept of game manager. He'd revert to form in pretty short order as a result. And that won't fly here.
I hope Bill was doing his very best to prop up the chip. Otherwise, I will again question his capacity to identify the traits he requires at the position absent good fortune... Josh was instrumental in identifying Hoyer and placing a watch on him out of HS in Ohio. Belichicik said they knew the day they brought him in here that he would be the #2 backup as a rookie because he grasped the offense intuitively. Cassel never played a snap at the position in college but a former scout pushed them to consider him based on his widely ignored pro day performance. Norm Chow never forgave that. Mallett will always have the higher generic measurables grade. He outgraded Brady. Rohan probably did too. Not to mention Bledsoe. Lots of guys have. None of whom can efficiently run this offense. Cassel and Hoyer could early on. Go figure.
If it comes down to a money or roster space decision, this OL better come together in a hurry and stay healthy.