Browns’ Hoyer, Texans’ Mallett got started as Patriots quarterbacks

Browns’ Hoyer, Texans’ Mallett got

started as Patriots quarterbacks

Associated Press

BEREA

There won’t be a parade and there’s not a sponsor lined up, but Sunday’s Browns-Texans matchup will be a pseudo bowl game — the Tom Brady Backup Bowl.

Cleveland quarterback Brian Hoyer and Houston’s Ryan Mallett, who will be making his first NFL start this week, both began their careers as backups with the New England Patriots under Brady, the star QB with the GQ good looks, supermodel wife and three Super Bowl titles.

“He’s the guy I look up to,” Hoyer said. “He’s the guy I always strive to get to his level and it will always be that way.”

Hoyer spent three seasons sitting behind Brady, and Mallett held the No. 2 job for two years. Hoyer and Mallet spent one season together, soaking in all they could from Brady, who is looking forward to seeing his two understudies face off.

“It speaks to their work ethic and what they’ve been able to accomplish,” Brady said. “They’ve both overcome quite a bit in their careers. It’ll be fun to see.”

For Hoyer and Mallett, the opportunity to learn from Brady was priceless. Whether on the practice field, in the meeting room or at the podium, there was no one better for the two young quarterbacks to perfect their crafts. Once Hoyer and Mallett accepted their roles, there was really only one thing to do — be like Brady.

“We both knew at some point that it probably wasn’t going to be in New England because Tom is going to play until he wants to stop,” Hoyer said. “But at some point you just gotta take the knowledge you learned there and put it to use somewhere else. You learn the right way. You learn from a great player. As long as you’re not dumb and you don’t just sit there and not pay attention to anything, you should soak up something.”

Texans coach Bill O’Brien saw it firsthand.

O’Brien was an assistant with New England from 2007-2011, coaching the quarterback for three seasons. O’Brien always felt Hoyer had the makeup to be an NFL starter, he just needed someone to give him a chance. Same for Mallett, whom Hoyer said “has the strongest arm I’ve ever seen.”

“That was a great (quarterback) room — smart, talented guys,” O’Brien said. “Obviously, Brady being in there, those guys took a lot from watching him prepare and hopefully took some things from my coaching. Brian deserves everything that he’s getting right now. He’s just a guy that I’m very proud of.”

There was some awkwardness back in New England between the QBs.

In Hoyer’s third season, the Patriots drafted Mallett in the third round with an eye at him possibly replacing Brady one day.

Hoyer could have been threatened by the newcomer, but instead of rejecting Mallett, he took him under his wing.

“He helped me when I asked questions and he was very welcoming,” Mallett said. “He wasn’t trying to hide anything. He was a good teammate. He’s a good football player, a great guy, a great person on and off the field.”

Gordon set to return from suspension

Josh Gordon’s 10-game suspension has dwindled to a few days. The Browns are on the verge of getting back their troubled big-play wide receiver.

Gordon will be allowed Monday to rejoin the Browns, who have managed to move into first place in the AFC North despite not having the Pro Bowler on the field all season. Gordon had a one-year ban reduced to 10 games on Sept. 19 for repeated violations of the NFL’s drug policy.

Gordon led the league with 1,646 yards receiving, scored nine touchdowns and had consecutive 200-yard games last season. Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Thursday he “can’t wait to get him back.”

The 23-year-old Gordon has only been allowed to work out by himself during the suspension.

Browns safety Donte Whitner said Gordon’s mindset is “come back and do something special in the last six games.”