Brian Hoyer

Brian Hoyer (born October 13, 1985) is an American football quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. He was signed by the New England Patriots  as an undrafted free agent in 2009 where he played as the backup to Tom Brady until he was released on August 31, 2012. He has also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hoyer played college football at Michigan State.

Early years
Hoyer attended Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the Wildcats, the same high school that Brian Dowling, another New England Patriots quarterback, attended. In addition to playing football, Hoyer was a Wildcat baseball pitcher, infielder, and outfielder. In 2002, he compiled an 8-1 record with a 1.99 ERA as a sophomore. He was the winning pitcher in the 2002 Ohio Division I State Championship game allowing 2 earned runs in 6 innings pitched.

Hoyer compiled a 16-7 record (.696) as a two-year starter for Coach Chuck Kyle. In 2002, he completed 131 of 263 passes (.498) for 2,130 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. In 2003, he completed 258-of-412 passes for 5,570 yards, 45 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while leading his team to a 11-1 record. He was named USA Today Prep Player of the Week for his performance against Shaker Heights High School. Hoyer was an Associated Press Division I all-state selection as a senior. Hoyer participated in the 2004 Ohio All-Star Classic and the July 24 Ohio-Pennsylvania Big 33 All-Star Game.

College career
Hoyer was redshirted by Michigan State University in 2004, where he earned Scout Team Offensive Player of the Week honors twice. In 2005, he saw action in five games, where he completed 15 of 23 passes (.652) for 167 yards and two touchdowns. In a game against Illinois, he combined with Drew Stanton to throw seven touchdown passes, which tied the Big Ten single-game record. In 2006, he played in eight games and completed 82 of 144 passes for 863 yards, had four touchdowns and three interceptions. One of those touchdown passes was completed to Javon Ringer. In 2007, Hoyer was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. He completed 223 of 376 throws (.593) for 2,725 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He had six 200-yard passing games. He was listed among 26 preseason candidates for the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top senior quarterback.

2009 season
Despite being invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Hoyer was not selected in the 2009 NFL Draft. He signed immediately after the draft with the New England Patriots.

Hoyer debuted in the Patriots' preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 11 of 19 passes for 112 yards. In the preseason finale against the New York Giants, Hoyer played at quarterback the entire game, leading the team on a comeback after trailing 21–0 in the first quarter to a 38–27 win, completing 18 of 25 passes for 242 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.

Hoyer finished the preseason 29-44 for 354 yards, including one touchdown, with a 98.1 passer rating, which ranked 30th among quarterbacks.

Of the four quarterbacks behind Tom Brady during training camp, the Patriots released Matt Gutierrez, Kevin O'Connell, and Andrew Walter, leaving Hoyer as Brady's only backup when the Patriots made their final cutdowns on September 5.

He made his professional debut on October 18, in the second half of game against the Tennessee Titans. On his first drive, he was 5/5 for 35 yards, concluding it with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, which set a franchise record for points scored in the Patriots' 59-0 win.

2010 season
Hoyer entered the 2010 preseason as Brady's only backup. During the preseason, Hoyer completed 32 of 57 passes for 471 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception and four sacks. He saw his first action of the regular season late in a 34–14 loss to the Cleveland Browns, throwing his first career interception. In Week 17, against the Miami Dolphins, he threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Tate, the first touchdown throw of Hoyer's NFL career.

2011 season
Although the Patriots drafted quarterback Ryan Mallett in the draft over the summer, Hoyer retained his role as Brady's primary backup. In the preseason, Hoyer threw for 296 yards on 25 of 42 passes with one touchdown and no interceptions.

Hoyer saw only limited action during the 2011 season; his only pass attempt was the Patriots' final attempt of the 2011 regular season. The pass, which head coach Bill Belichick asked offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien to call, was a 22-yard pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski to give Gronkowski the NFL record for receiving yards by a tight end.

2012 season
On August 31, 2012, during final cuts, Hoyer was released by the Patriots.

On November 20, 2012, Hoyer signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after injuries to starting Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and backup Byron Leftwich within a week of each other. He served as the backup to Charlie Batch in Weeks 12 and 13 against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens respectively. He was released on December 8, 2012.

He was claimed on waivers by the Arizona Cardinals on December 10. Hoyer replaced Ryan Lindley in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears, and completed 11 of 19 passes for 105 yards and one interception. On December 26, Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt announced that Hoyer will start the season finale against the San Francisco 49ers, making him the fourth quarterback for the Cardinals.