2009 Report Card: Quarterback

The Patriots season has been over for more than two weeks now, and I’ve had time to look back and digest the Patriots season.  That said, I will take one more look at how each player fared in 2009, and what the future projects for each player.  Today, we start with the quarterback position.

Brady and Hoyer Before the Bucs Game | Courtesy Patriots.com

Tom Brady:

After missing nearly the entire 2008 season with a knee injury, Tom Brady made his much anticipated return in 2009, with some mixed results.  Brady started the season with a magical  comeback against Buffalo, but then struggled against the Jets, and parts of games against the Falcons, Broncos, and Ravens.  It seemed that he was struggling stepping into his throws and making the big plays that New England fans were accustomed to seeing.  However, around week six, Tom Brady returned to form.  After throwing six touchdowns in a 59-0 rout over Tennessee, Brady seemed to grow more comfortable in the pocket, showing that pocket mobility that he is famous for, eluding defenders, creating time, stepping up, and making throws downfield.  Brady also continued to connect on the deep ball, finishing the year with 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, including a 96.2 passer rating, good for second best in his career.  Brady also led the Patriots to yet another 10 win season and AFC East Championship, while nursing broken ribs and a broken index finger on his throwing hand.

Season Grade: A-

Future: Brady is entering the final year of his contract in 2010.  While there is no question Brady will be back, it will be very interesting to keep an eye on Brady’s situation.  From the sound of things, I think that Brady will take another hometown discount, and he should be the Patriots’ starting quarterback for the next five years.

Brian Hoyer

Brian Hoyer, a rookie free agent out of Michigan State, was the only other quarterback on the roster behind Tom Brady.  That is certainly saying something about Bill Belichick’s confidence in the rookie.  In training camp, Hoyer beat out the likes of Matt Gutierrez, Andrew Walter, and Kevin O’Connell for the #2 quarterback job.  In limited action this season, Hoyer completed 19 of 27 passes (70.2%) for 142 yards and had a rushing touchdown.  Hoyer showed excellent poise, he stepped into his throws, knew when to run, and had it not been for a holding call, may have led the Patriots on a game tying drive against Houston.  Against Tennessee, Hoyer showed he could play the dink and dump passing game.  In performances against New Orleans and Houston, he showed he could air the ball out well.

Grade: B+

Future: Hoyer is under contract with the Patriots through 2011, and should be the Patriots primary backup for the next two years, at least.  And who knows, sometime, down the line, there might just be a chance that Hoyer could be the Patriots starting quarterback.

FINAL POSITION GRADE FOR 2009: A-