UPDATE: Steelers sign QB Hoyer

[7willBheaven]

qb hOYER SIGNS WITH sTEELERSJason La Canfora ‏@JasonLaCanfora
From what I can gather, sounds like Mike Kafka and Brian Hoyer the only 2 QBs being worked out by the Steelers Tues. They intend to sign one

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter
A favorite to wind up as the Steelers' backup quarterback is former Eagle Mike Kafka, who will work out for Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2012/11/steelers-to-work-out-free-agent-quarterbacks-mike-kafka-brian-hoyer-on-tuesday/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SteelersDepotBlog+%28Steelers +Depot+Blog%29


Both of those could be decent options...at least they are bringing in some YOUNG guys.

[GBMelBlount]

No love for Johnson.

I wonder if he dropped a dookie in Tomlin's hamper.

[TheRuneMeister]

I really liked Kafka coming out of school. Would be a good choice. Though he might get cut in a couple of weeks.

[steelreserve]

I really liked Kafka coming out of school. Would be a good choice. Though he might get cut in a couple of weeks.

yeah! with a knife!

... ok, I'm way too drunk to be posting now.

[stillers4me]

With Ben Roethlisberger (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/player/benroethlisberger/2506109/profile) -- and now Byron Leftwich (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/player/byronleftwich/2505673/profile) -- sidelined with rib and shoulder injuries, the Pittsburgh Steelers (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/teams/pittsburghsteelers/profile?team=PIT) are on the hunt for more depth behind new starting quarterback Charlie Batch (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000097799/article/charlie-batch-to-start-at-qb-for-pittsburgh-steelers).

To that end, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that (https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/270732990101983232) the Steelers (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/teams/pittsburghsteelers/profile?team=PIT) will host former Philadelphia Eagles (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/teams/philadelphiaeagles/profile?team=PHI) backup Mike Kafka and erstwhile Tom Brady (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/player/tombrady/2504211/profile) understudy Brian Hoyer for workouts Tuesday, according to sources who spoke to the players.

If the Steelers (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/teams/pittsburghsteelers/profile?team=PIT) value experience most, they'll probably pick Hoyer, who played in 13 games for the New England Patriots (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/teams/newenglandpatriots/profile?team=NE) from 2009 to 2011. Kafka played in just four games for the Eagles (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/teams/philadelphiaeagles/profile?team=PHI) last season, although he also was on their roster in 2010. Neither has started in an NFL regular-season game............

Read more @ http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000097955/article/brian-hoyer-mike-kafka-to-work-out-for-steelers?bd_ref=jameyb

[X-Terminator]

I'd have no problem with either one of these guys. As was said, at least they are young guys, and both have seen game action in the NFL.

[86WARD]

Either would be a nice third stringer to hang around. I like Hoyer more son than Kafka.

[NJarhead]

I'd be partial to Jerrod Johnson (looked good in pre-season), Tyler Palko (knows Todd Haley) and David Garrard (had a nice record of not turning the ball over a few years back).

Kordell? :tt02:


lol

[86WARD]

Tyler Palko...Todd Haley knows him as well...

[NJarhead]

Tyler Palko...Todd Haley knows him as well... yep and we will see how he feels about Palko one way or the other

[steelreserve]

Palko? That guy looked like a real piece of shit. The Chiefs got their asses kicked almost every time he played. In fact, they never scored more than 10 points in any game he was in:

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PalkTy00/gamelog/

Not the kind of QB I'd want on the team.

[Psycho Ward 86]

why kafka and hoyer? why not a vet like david garrard?

[steelpride12]

why kafka and hoyer? why not a vet like david garrard?
Because age has become a huge factor. Look at Lefty and Batch. Even with experience and even knowing our playbook they have been ineffective(we'll see about Batch Sunday). The Steelers need to start finding a young and fit QB who can become Bens apprentice and learn under him and not be 800 years old.

[NJarhead]

Palko? That guy looked like a real piece of shit. The Chiefs got their asses kicked almost every time he played. In fact, they never scored more than 10 points in any game he was in:

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PalkTy00/gamelog/

Not the kind of QB I'd want on the team.

its not like they were looking at him as the missing piece on a great Chiefs team. He had a rating of 81.9 in two games where he was only sacked twice. He rated far less in 6 games the following year where he was sacked 11 times. Haley's level of interest is the determining factor for me.

[Dwinsgames]

Josh Johnson ? I know I know he is not the next coming of anything special but is probably as good as anything else that is out there walking the streets this time of year

[Dino 6 Rings]

I lean toward any one under the age of 30 at this point that can hit a 15 yard out and can see a blitz coming at the line of scrimmage.

[Moose]

Because age has become a huge factor. Look at Lefty and Batch. Even with experience and even knowing our playbook they have been ineffective(we'll see about Batch Sunday). The Steelers need to start finding a young and fit QB who can become Bens apprentice and learn under him and not be 800 years old.

I agree ! That's why I was surprised to see the FO drop Jarred Johnson and keep Lefty/Batch. They should have been working on Ben's back-up for a couple years now. With Ben's concussion history he's just a big hit away from parking it, and now with this rib thing who know's what's going to come out of this QB situation. In my opinion this was a real major screw up by the Steeler's organization and future QB planning. As we all know, football is a sport that can end a career with one hit and future planning is a must at every level, especially your franchise player. Again, I feel the front office screwed up with Ben's back up situation, should have some youngster's already in the shadow's.

[polamalubeast]

Sounds like it'll be Hoyer, not Kafka signed by the Steelers today. Working to confirm.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Steelersdepot?p=s

[Dwinsgames]

its official Hoyer to sign http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000098238/article/byron-leftwich-ribs-out-for-steelers-team-signs-brian-hoyer

[polamalubeast]

One year $615 K deal for Brian Hoyer. Non guaranteed. No signing bonus. #steelers

https://mobile.twitter.com/Steelersdepot?p=s

[Dwinsgames]

This should be a very clear message to Vince Young that his days are over in the NFL considering how desperate the Steelers are at this juncture to find a QB to serve as a backup to the backup to the backup and his name never hits print let alone gets a phone call and someone who has never won a game in this league gets not only a call but is signed

[Count Steeler]

This should be a very clear message to Vince Young that his days are over in the NFL considering how desperate the Steelers are at this juncture to find a QB to serve as a backup to the backup to the backup and his name never hits print let alone gets a phone call and someone who has never won a game in this league gets not only a call but is signed

Vince Young was done long ago and proved it with Buffalo. Although being there through the preseason, he still could not learn the playbook. I mean Buffalo?

[7willBheaven]

No complaints here....I'd be happy with either and part of me was leaning towards Kafka...but I trust in the team and they see something in Hoyer that was better than Kafka. Maybe he becomes the young(er) long(er) term backup we've all been wanting. Who knows. Welcome aboard Hoyer!

[Chidi29]

why kafka and hoyer? why not a vet like david garrard?

For Garrard specifically, he's had pretty serious back problems in recent years. Who knows if he could even pass a physical.

[Count Steeler]

For Garrard specifically, he's had pretty serious back problems in recent years. Who knows if he could even pass a physical.

He would fit right in to our MASH unit.

[Psycho Ward 86]

For Garrard specifically, he's had pretty serious back problems in recent years. Who knows if he could even pass a physical.

so he fits right in is what you're saying :chuckle:

[tube517]

I lean toward any one under the age of 30 at this point that can hit a 15 yard out and can see a blitz coming at the line of scrimmage and can go 15 rounds with Todd Haley.

Fixed it for ya. :heh:

[SteelerFanInStl]

I don't really understand the signing of Hoyer. He wasn't even that good in college, let alone the NFL. I would think that we'd be more interested in signing someone who could step right in and play if needed. I don't know who that would be but I've just never been impressed by Hoyer.

[Seven]

Word is Jerrod Johnson was first choice and couldn't get out of his UFL contract.

Hoyer is a good young quarterback. Very excited to have him around.

[steelreserve]

No love for Johnson.

I wonder if he dropped a dookie in Tomlin's hamper.

I bet Tomlin walked in on Johnson banging his wife, and Al Everest was filming it.

[Seven]

I bet Tomlin walked in on Johnson banging his wife, and Al Everest was filming it.

:rofl2:

I wanted to come back and add that I hope Hoyer is a longterm answer. Wouldn't be shocked if he makes it to camp next year.

[steelreserve]

No complaints here....I'd be happy with either and part of me was leaning towards Kafka...but I trust in the team and they see something in Hoyer that was better than Kafka. Maybe he becomes the young(er) long(er) term backup we've all been wanting. Who knows. Welcome aboard Hoyer!

I'm also glad we didn't sign Kafka, just because if he ever played, of how annoying it would be to see every blogger think he was so clever by calling it a "Kafka-esque" game.

- - - Updated - - -


Word is Jerrod Johnson was first choice and couldn't get out of his UFL contract.

Hoyer is a good young quarterback. Very excited to have him around.

How could he not get out of a UFL contract, by the way? The league basically went under and they've cancelled the rest of the season. Actually "postponed" indefinitely, but nobody thinks it's actually going to ever get played.

[LLT]

Here is what I wrote in a different thread.


Brian Hoyer was a name that my buddy threw out when we were having this discussion. What I remember of him when he was drafted was that he had poor mechanics and "happy feet". Not a real cerebral player.

If I had my druthers....I would go with Kafka...who would be a better long-term back up. HOWEVER...Hoyer does show some ability to plink and plunk his way down the field with the short passes, which fits into our offensive scheme this year.



Long term...I think that Kafka could have developed into a better backup...but with virtually NO time to develop...I understand why Hoyer is the choice. He really does have a certain skill set that fits Haley's scheme....just dont ask him to ad-lib or get fancy.

He will be okay with the short and intermediate game....irratic on long passes. He also tends to hurry his throws if the defense can get in his head. If we decide to keep him for the long run...we are going to need a QB coach to work on his footwork and mechanics.

But again...the positive side is that he fits Haleys scheme and can be sucessfull in the underneath routes if our line protects him.

[Seven]

How could he not get out of a UFL contract, by the way? The league basically went under and they've cancelled the rest of the season. Actually "postponed" indefinitely, but nobody thinks it's actually going to ever get played.

:noidea: I guess a contract is a contract, whether anything tangible is coming of it or not. Supposedly all the UFL guys are in this situation.

[LLT]

How could he not get out of a UFL contract, by the way? The league basically went under and they've cancelled the rest of the season. Actually "postponed" indefinitely, but nobody thinks it's actually going to ever get played.

Not sure if it ever happened...but The UFL was working on allowing an escape clauses for all their players which would allow them to jump to the NFL or CFL without the six figure penalty that players were reguired to pay.

It would actually work to their benifit....because the more talented "homeless" players often avoid the UFL for that reason.

[Seven]

Not sure if it ever happened...but The UFL was working on allowing an escape clauses for all their players which would allow them to jump to the NFL or CFL without the six figure penalty that players were reguired to pay.

It would actually work to their benifit....because the more talented "homeless" players often avoid the UFL for that reason.

I don't believe that plan ever came to fruition, unfortunately. Although it's hard to find information on the UFL... so who knows really. But I'd imagine if there was a clause such as that Jerrod Johnson would be a Steeler right now.

[steel striker]

I remember watching Hoyer in a preseason game with the cheats he was so so. I hope Charlie can get us a few wins till Ben gets back. Plus I really hope Charlie can stay healthy.

[Dwinsgames]

Let me go on record to say I have as much faith in Hoyer as I would in my next door neighbor getting under center .... have I told you my next door neighbor is a 75 year old widow that walks really slow and is hunched over ? well I have now http://draftsteel.com/ff/images/smilies/ok.gif

[Dwinsgames]

Hoyer interview http://www.steelers.com/video-and-audio/videos/Brian_Hoyer_1121/500fd52a-05af-4f65-858d-fb5813e18c2c

[steelreserve]

I don't believe that plan ever came to fruition, unfortunately. Although it's hard to find information on the UFL... so who knows really. But I'd imagine if there was a clause such as that Jerrod Johnson would be a Steeler right now.

Everything I've seen looks like it was a $150,000 transfer fee to be paid by the NFL team, not the player:

http://www.businessinsider.com/ufl-commissioner-irritates-nfl-with-extended-transfer-agreement-2010-11
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/19/mark-cuban-supports-ufl-transfer-fee/

So if Johnson was the guy they really wanted, it looks like it would've been pretty simple and inexpensive (by NFL standards) to get past that obstacle. So my money is still on banging Tomlin's wife while Everest had the video.

[tube517]

Hoyer Paranoia! :chuckle:

[Seven]

Everything I've seen looks like it was a $150,000 transfer fee to be paid by the NFL team, not the player:

http://www.businessinsider.com/ufl-commissioner-irritates-nfl-with-extended-transfer-agreement-2010-11
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/19/mark-cuban-supports-ufl-transfer-fee/

So if Johnson was the guy they really wanted, it looks like it would've been pretty simple and inexpensive (by NFL standards) to get past that obstacle. So my money is still on banging Tomlin's wife while Everest had the video.

Haha, well I believe there is something specific to this year in the UFL contracts that are mucked up. It might have to do with the league being frozen right now. I'm not going to pretend to know for certain that they went after Johnson and couldn't sign him, but I've heard several people indicate that (Ed Bouchette being the only guy in the public eye who I can point to). But considering they reportedly went after Dennis Dixon, I think it's safe to say Johnson was at least considered.

[86WARD]

Hoyer >>>> Dixon and Johnson. They are better off...

[steeldawg]

Hoyer >>>> Dixon and Johnson. They are better off...

I agree