Brian Hoyer: Saya tidak berpikir saya akan berada di sini jika saya bukan pemain yang baik

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keempat Brian HoyerPemain berusia 36 tahun itu diperkirakan akan memulai karirnya yang ke-40 melawan Packers pada hari Minggu, menggantikan pemain Patriots yang cedera. Mac Jones. Bagi Hoyer, ini tidak berbeda dengan minggu lainnya.

“Pendekatan saya selalu sama,” kata Hoyer kepada wartawan, Rabu. “Apakah saya mendapatkan repetisi atau tidak, Anda selalu harus siap untuk bermain. Seperti yang kita lihat pada hari Minggu, Anda hanya tinggal satu pertandingan lagi. Maksud saya, itu adalah pertandingan ofensif terakhir dalam permainan. [when Jones was injured}, so it didn’t really come up that day. But, it’s the nature of your job and the business that we’re in. Always try to be as prepared as I can, whether I’m taking every rep in practice or I’m taking none. It’s just a day-by-day process and how we’re handling it and go from there.”

At one point, a reporter pointed out that Hoyer is still a good player.

Said Hoyer: “I don’t think I’d still be here if I wasn’t, so. . . .”

Jones could still play despite a reported high-ankle sprain. For now, Hoyer is taking the first-team reps at practice, in place of Jones.

“I mean, I did this two Thursdays ago, too,” Hoyer said, in reference to a Thursday practice Jones missed due to illness. “Practiced and ran the whole practice. For me, it’s fun. To be able to get out there and take some reps with those guys, maybe I haven’t done since training camp. I enjoy it. You know, go through and prepare to play, and see how it goes.”

If Hoyer plays, it will be his first start in nearly two years. Replacing Cam Newton (who had COVID) against the Chiefs, Hoyer made a couple of key mistakes against the Chiefs before being replaced by Jarrett Stidham. Hoyer was asked whether he’s anxious to erase that memory.

“I mean look, I’ve played for 14 years,” Hoyer said, “I have a lot of bad memories. I have a lot of good memories, too. One game doesn’t define me, one play doesn’t define me. I’m excited for any opportunity I get to go play. I really could care less about that.”

For now, all he cares about is enjoying the moment.

“At this point, you don’t know how many chances like this you get anymore,” Hoyer said. “So, obviously, it’s a part of the job. You’re always ready to play. So, for me, it’s an opportunity to go out there and have fun, and go out and execute really. Have fun. I really love my teammates, what they do, how hard they work. So an opportunity to go out there and play with those guys.”

That opportunity comes at Lambeau Field, a rare chance for Hoyer to play there.

“Anytime you get a chance to play at Lambeau, I think that’s a pretty cool experience there,” Hoyer said. “I heard Devin [McCourty] saya bicarakan. Ini adalah tempat bersejarah. organisasi sejarah. . . . Ini adalah kesempatan besar. Kapan pun Anda pergi ke sana dan bermain. Mereka jelas tim yang hebat. Mereka telah pergi jauh di babak playoff selama bertahun-tahun. Mereka memiliki quarterback yang hebat di Aaron [Rodgers]. Pertahanan mereka, Anda lihat di mana-mana, mereka sangat solid. Baik itu lini D, gelandang bertahan, gelandang bertahan. Ini adalah tantangan yang unik. Saya pikir saya mendengar hari ini bahwa mereka seperti 13-2 dalam 15 pertandingan kandang terakhir mereka. Jadi jelas lingkungan yang tidak bersahabat untuk masuk. Tapi itu selalu merupakan kesempatan bagus untuk melihat apa yang Anda sukai juga.”

Patriots saat ini berada di posisi 1-2. Dibutuhkan upaya besar dari semua orang – termasuk Hoyer, Jones atau siapa pun yang bermain sebagai quarterback – untuk menghindari penurunan menjadi 1-3.