OT: Interesting comments from Steelers' Ryan Clark on Brian Hoyer

[Ian]

Brandon Weeden makes Cleveland Browns "definitely an easier team to beat'' Steelers safety Clark says in interview | cleveland.com

Interesting note on Hoyer by Clark:

Clark stressed he'd fear the Browns more if Brian Hoyer had't been lost for the season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament. Hoyer, who went 3-0 including the Bills victory in which he played only a series and a half, will undergo surgery next week at the Cleveland Clinic, and coach Rob Chudzinski said he hopes to have him back for organized team activities in the spring.

"I feel like Brian Hoyer came in and he gave them first of all a spark with his story, but also he was a guy we had in Pittsburgh last year,'' said Clark. "He was running the scout team reps and there were times when you didn't want to try to intercept the ball even when you knew where it was going because it had such velocity. It was always on the mark. We felt like he was a guy going into this year that we would try to sign in the offseason and get back. Obviously he went to Arizona and played there last year, and then Cleveland made a smart pickup by getting him in.''

 

[supafly]

I normally try very hard not to question Belichick's decisions, but I felt like it would have been a better choice to keep 3 QB's.

Hoyer had a good knowledge of the system and was a capable backup, where Mallett could have been used as the typical "developmental" QB.

Obviously, Belichick felt differently--and that's what matters, but I wish that Hoyer were still here myself.

 

[Big-T]

I normally try very hard not to question Belichick's decisions, but I felt like it would have been a better choice to keep 3 QB's.

Hoyer had a good knowledge of the system and was a capable backup, where Mallett could have been used as the typical "developmental" QB.

Obviously, Belichick felt differently--and that's what matters, but I wish that Hoyer were still here myself.

Money issue - is a backup in New England worth the 1m+ Hoyer was getting with his RFA tender?

Hoyer is a good QB and it would have been nice to keep him as a backup but the finances didn't work out to keep him and Mallett.

 

[supafly]

Money issue - is a backup in New England worth the 1m+ Hoyer was getting with his RFA tender?

Hoyer is a good QB and it would have been nice to keep him as a backup but the finances didn't work out to keep him and Mallett.

I'm sure you're right and that ultimately the move was obviously made in the best interests of the team, but the position of QB is one that needs to have some developmental aspect at the moment--especially if Mallett isn't going to be retained beyond next season.

My thought was that one way or another, we're going to be spending a bit more money at the position that we'd like to, or we're going to have to take our chances with starting over at square one.

And anyone who honestly feels that Mallett may be traded between now and next fall either is delusional or just isn't thinking things through, because at the moment we're going to be pressed for an adequate backup for 2015--let alone 2014.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I'm sure you're right and that ultimately the move was obviously made in the best interests of the team, but the position of QB is one that needs to have some developmental aspect at the moment--especially if Mallett isn't going to be retained beyond next season.

My thought was that one way or another, we're going to be spending a bit more money at the position that we'd like to, or we're going to have to take our chances with starting over at square one.

And anyone who honestly feels that Mallett may be traded between now and next fall either is delusional or just isn't thinking things through, because at the moment we're going to be pressed for an adequate backup for 2015--let alone 2014.

They've been comfortable with Brady + untested young'un(s) for five years now, so I'm guessing the plan would simply be to draft a rookie and/or sign an UDFA.

 

[SEA_Pat]

What? Keep Brian "Glass" Hoyer?

I think what we should do is trade some team intelligence on which QB to pick in the draft and get in return intelligence on which DB to pick.

 

[chasa]

What? Keep Brian "Glass" Hoyer?

I think what we should do is trade some team intelligence on which QB to pick in the draft and get in return intelligence on which DB to pick.

I'm really getting sick and tired of everyone calling these guys "glass"

 

[Get it shawtaay]

If Hoyer stuck around, what changes? We haven't needed a 2nd quarterback since we cut him (thank God). And in that scenario, he never gets the opportunity to show what he can do (like he has in Cleveland), so he doesn't build any trade value.

Hard to worry too much about that decision in hindsight.

 

[supafly]

If Hoyer stuck around, what changes? We haven't needed a 2nd quarterback since we cut him (thank God). And in that scenario, he never gets the opportunity to show what he can do (like he has in Cleveland), so he doesn't build any trade value.

Hard to worry too much about that decision in hindsight.

The thought is for post 2014 when Mallett leaves, and/or keeping him would have also made Mallett expendable for trait bait--which he definitely is not while he's here.

In other words, Mallett will be yet another high round wasted draft pick since there's no way he'll stay on after next year. They will have to attempt to start over again. Whether it is successful or not is anyone's guess.

I understand the difference between 1 million dollars obviously, but an argument could certainly be made.

 

[supafly]

They've been comfortable with Brady + untested young'un(s) for five years now, so I'm guessing the plan would simply be to draft a rookie and/or sign an UDFA.

What they've done in the past 5 yrs with Brady and what they'll need to do in the immediate future are 2 totally different things, especially if/when Mallett leaves and they start over from square one again.

5 yrs ago was 2008. Tom Brady was 31 yrs old.

 

[JDot]

5 yrs ago was 2008. Tom Brady was 31 yrs old.

This observation is just crazy. Wow, time flies...

As to Hoyer, so disappointed for him. Such a tough break. Wish him all the best in his recovery.

 

[Triumph]

I'm really getting sick and tired of everyone calling these guys "glass"

Me too glasa.

 

[Triumph]

I normally try very hard not to question Belichick's decisions, but I felt like it would have been a better choice to keep 3 QB's.

Hoyer had a good knowledge of the system and was a capable backup, where Mallett could have been used as the typical "developmental" QB.

Obviously, Belichick felt differently--and that's what matters, but I wish that Hoyer were still here myself.

But Hoyer would still be holding a clipboard except for occasional mop up duty. Roster spots are precious as well.

Im glad Hoyer got a chance to prove himself.

 

[SEA_Pat]

I'm really getting sick and tired of everyone calling these guys "glass"

Uh, I was being ironic. I suppose I should have put some kind of smiley there?

 

[patsfanincleveland]

I'm sure you're right and that ultimately the move was obviously made in the best interests of the team, but the position of QB is one that needs to have some developmental aspect at the moment--especially if Mallett isn't going to be retained beyond next season.

My thought was that one way or another, we're going to be spending a bit more money at the position that we'd like to, or we're going to have to take our chances with starting over at square one.

And anyone who honestly feels that Mallett may be traded between now and next fall either is delusional or just isn't thinking things through, because at the moment we're going to be pressed for an adequate backup for 2015--let alone 2014.

Hopefully somebody burns down your house and destroys your car.

Nobody would ever want to see all those insurance payments "wasted".

Ahhhhh...ya like need a backup QB.......would you prefer the pick not wasted and Brady injured?

 

[supafly]

Nobody would ever want to see all those insurance payments "wasted".

The premise of being able to either:

1. Have a capable backup QB for the future who proved himself capable of knowing and running the system

2. Being able to trade Mallett for that elusive high pick that everyone here seems to feel is such a reality

is much different than your analogy of "insurance."



As I clearly stated in my post, I'm sure that the move was made in the best interests of the team and that is all that matters. In the meantime, it's not a crime to talk about other possible scenarios on a forum where people share their personal (right and wrong) opinions. It isn't like I was boldly claiming that a mistake had been made, or saying that Belichick didn't know what he was doing like so many others do. I was very precise and explained my thoughts well--even if they are incorrect in the end and you don't agree with them.

The truth of the matter is that you have no idea as to whether releasing Hoyer was the best move or not, nor will you be able to tell for awhile. In the meantime, we'll have to hope that another no name came come in and pick up the offense in an efficient enough manner. Eventually that may not happen.

Possibly just as importantly, there is absolutely no scenario where Mallett could be traded, aside from possibly bringing back either Cassel or Hoyer somehow. It isn't like someone is going to immediately step in next season and pick things up to the point where it would make Mallett expendable in the new QB's very first season here.

If you want to go back to your "insurance" analogy, apparently Bill Belichick DOES value having insurance, because he just spent a high 3rd round pick for nothing more than 4 yrs of insurance. Does that make the 3rd round pick wasted then in your analogy? I didn't think so...Either insurance is important or it isn't dude. You can't have it both ways, and just for what it's worth there are plenty of times when insurance pays off nicely when the unfortunate happens--and that isn't even bringing the aspect of the future or the "career backup" into focus, which Hoyer very well could have been just fine.