Same old backup plan
Hoyer returns on three-year deal
FOXBORO — When quarterback Brian Hoyer began his Patriots career, Chris Hogan was a Penn State lacrosse player and Rob Gronkowski was recovering from his first back surgery. When his first stint in Foxboro ended, Julian Edelman still was moonlighting as a cornerback. Times have changed. Though Hoyer surely is familiar with the Patriots offense because of his tenure from 2009 through the summer of 2012, the 32-year-old still faces some hurdles in terms of catching back up to speed.
Obviously, the Pats wouldn’t have reunited with Hoyer in the wake of the Jimmy Garoppolo trade if they didn’t think he could handle the learning process.
“Brian is a smart guy,” offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said yesterday. “He’s obviously got some years in our system and our terminology. It’ll be a cram session here, but I don’t expect that to take forever because Brian is an intelligent guy that had plenty of exposure to what we do. I know he’ll work hard, so we’ll catch him up quickly.”
Hoyer debuted yesterday at practice shortly after signing a three-year deal, and he’ll probably put in overtime this weekend while the rest of his teammates throttle down for their bye week vacation.
Hoyer also has to acclimate himself to McDaniels, who rejoined the Patriots before Super Bowl XLVI as a general assistant before taking the reins from outgoing offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. Of course, O’Brien and McDaniels run the same system, and the Houston Texans head coach was in charge of the offense during Hoyer’s three seasons with the Pats.
“The foundation of our system is the same,” McDaniels said. “There are certainly things that have changed since he was here, I’m sure, but I would say it’s just like learning a new language. Generally, they’re not going to change the language entirely. You might have to learn a new word here or there or something like that, which I’m sure Brian will be able to do quickly.”
Hoyer does have time on his side, and maybe more than necessary. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Patriots practice four times next week before traveling to Denver. And as the saying often goes with backup quarterbacks, the Patriots never want to see Hoyer on the field for a meaningful snap anyway.
“He is all about football,” McDaniels said. “He loves the game, cares about playing quarterback the right way, smart guy, works hard, good teammate. There’s a lot to like.”
Honest assessment
No one ever would accuse offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia of mincing words, and he held true to form yesterday.
With Tom Brady on pace to be sacked a career-high 42 times, Scarnecchia knows his group must play better, and he does believe it is headed in the right direction.
“We should protect our quarterback better than what we have been doing,” Scarnecchia said. “We’re trending in that direction over the last two weeks. We’ve seen some good rushers out there. Guys have done a much better job. Tommy seems to be a little bit more upright than he was in the first six games. Hopefully, we are trending in that direction to where we can really throw up a wall in front of this guy and help him.
“We’re eight games into this deal, and no one is satisfied. They’re not, I’m not . . . the head coach isn’t.”
Scarnecchia also is pleased with the progress of the line’s short-yardage run blocking. When faced with 1 yard to gain this season, the Patriots have converted on 19-of-28 runs, an upgrade from their 2-of-6 performance in Week 1.
“It has gotten better, and it needs to continue to be better,” Scarnecchia said. “We were terrible the first two games and got better since then, but that’s an area, situational football, (where) we need to be really good.”
One speed
Wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea laughed at the idea of throttling down Danny Amendola’s workload, or even asking him to avoid some of the bigger hits he has taken.
“I don’t think Danny has brakes,” O’Shea said. “He pedals when he’s going downhill. That’s what his style is. That’s what made him great . . . . He is tough. He’s gritty. He’s a grinder.” . . .
Cornerback Eric Rowe practiced for the first time since aggravating his groin injury in Week 4 against the Panthers. Rowe has missed five games, four in a row . . . .
Defensive tackle Malcom
Brown (ankle), right tackle Marcus Cannon (ankle) and Hogan (shoulder) were not present for the lone workout of the bye week. Brown just missed the first game of his career, while Cannon and Hogan both were injured in Sunday’s win against the Chargers. Hogan’s right arm still was in a sling yesterday . . . .
Kicker Stephen Gostkowski also wasn’t present yesterday, but specialists sometimes practice elsewhere. There won’t be an injury report this week to detail the official reason for his absence, but Gostkowski didn’t indicate he was injured Sunday, and the Patriots obviously didn’t feel compelled to sign another kicker . . . .
On a numbers note, Brandin Cooks said he’ll keep No. 14 despite No. 10 becoming available with the Garoppolo trade. Cooks wore No. 10 during his three seasons with the Saints.