Posts tagged Brian Hoyer

RSP Flashback-NFL Fastforward: QB Mike Kafka

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What is QB Mike Kafka's game about? Find out below. Photo by MikeFive.

Marty Mornhinweg said 2010 rookie quarterback Mike Kafka is the best first-year passer he’s seen pick up an offense in over 15 years. In training camp this year, the only question about Kafka has been his arm strength. Last Sunday when Mike Vick collided with his own lineman and suffered a concussion and Vince Young was unable to go with a bad hamstring, Kafka was put into the lineup. The second-year quarterback went 7 for 9 for 72 yards and demonstrated good poise and decision-making.

Who is Mike Kafka and is he just a warm body or another Brian Hoyer-Matt Flynn with a Matt Schaub-like future?

I think Kafka has to flash the arm strength and accuracy in the intermediate and deep passing game to warrant the Hoyer-Flynn comparisons. At the same time, the rest of his game shows a lot of promise. Based on my college analysis of Kafka, I think it makes complete sense that he’s in an Andy Reid style offense.

If he starts in Vick’s place I think we’re going to see a lot of plays that fit Kafka’s strengths:

  • Crossing routes and wide receiver screens
  • Play action on early downs
  • Boot legs

Think of Reid and Mornhingweg taking the “Jeff Garcia” chapter from their play book.

Below is my analysis of Mike Kafka against the Ohio State Buckeyes from the 2010 Rookie Scouting Portfolio. Continue reading →

Reads, Listens, Views…and Preseason Takes 8/13

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In case you've been away from NFL news this week, rookie WR Denarius Moore burning up Raiders camp. Just an excuse to use another cool photo by Wade Rackley

Preseason football is underway and before you know it, college football. Thank you to those of you who are making the Rookie Scouting Portfolio Blog a part of your regular reading schedule. As I’ve been saying weekly, if you like what you’ve seen thus far, please consider these three acts of kindness:

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A Few Preseason Takes

Dallas WR Dwayne Harris scores twice, earns over 100 yards: Harris demonstrated his patented open-field skill as a runner, spotting a huge lane up the gut of the Broncos defense in the fourth quarter and put the hammer down for a 76-yard score. Continue reading →

An RSP Flashback: QB Brian Hoyer

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Brian Hoyer wasn’t a top prospect for draft analysts, but his skills revealed a promising player worthy of development. Photo by The Brit_2

An excerpt from the 2009 RSP on Browns QB Brian Hoyer, who I saw as a backup with developmental potential as a future starter.

Brian Hoyer, Michigan State: I think Hoyer has a greater chance to be a success than Brady-in-a-Box candidates Tom Brandstater and Hunter Cantwell. The reasons are pretty clear when you examine Hoyer’s game. He’s a strong-armed passer with no major issues with his delivery and is capable of pinpoint accuracy in the intermediate and deep range.

Hoyer has good pocket presence he’s always looking down field and he can step away from pressure. He throws well while rolling right or left on short routes. He possesses the maturity to throw the ball away. He shows some ability to look off the coverage.

He throws well while rolling right or left on short routes. Hoyer will throw the ball away and he shows some ability to look off the coverage. He possesses decent play fakes and pump fakes. He can take a hit and come back to deliver a good pass on the next play.

He just has to shore up minor footwork issues with his set up to address the problem. Hoyer moves and throws well moving to his left as a right-handed passer, and I think this a very good sign that he’ll be able to refine his other issues.

What I like about Hoyer the most is whenever I watched him experience a bad play, he would frequently follow up with a strong play. He didn’t play with a great receiving corps and I watched two games where he had a total of 13 drops – 10 of them in one game alone. He demonstrated patience and I liked that he didn’t mind throwing the ball out of bounds when he couldn’t spot anyone open. He doesn’t appear to get rattled.  Hoyer makes very good throws under pressure while behind in this game.

He’s a reasonably mature player who plays within himself and was able to guide the Spartans to a winning season in a tough Big Ten Conference. He also impressed with his performance in the East-West Shrine Game practices. I actually considered listing Hoyer as underrated, but I think he’ll be brought a long slower with lower expectations so that makes him a project in my eyes. He’s one of those players that could surprise 3-5 years into his NFL career, if drafted.

For analysis of skill players in this year’s draft class, download the 2014 Rookie Scouting Portfolio – available to pre-order now, and for download April 1. Better yet, if you’re a fantasy owner the 56-page Post-Draft Add-on comes with the 2012 – 2014 RSPs at no additional charge and available for download within a week after the NFL Draft. Best, yet, 10 percent of every sale is donated to Darkness to Light to combat sexual abuse. You can purchase past editions of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio for just $9.95 apiece.