Hoyer, backups have big role when it comes to Super Bowl LII preparation

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — If everything goes according to plan on Sunday, guys like Geneo Grissom, Bernard Reedy and Brian Hoyer won’t take a significant snap against the Eagles. But their role out the course of the week — as well as what they were were able to do over the course of the season — will play a sizable role in the success of the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

All three have been scout-team mainstays for New England this year, guys who augmented their spot on the roster with weekly cameo in practice playing the role of a high-profile opponent. That means they not only have to study their own level of game-day responsibilities, but they also have to balance that by watching game film and trying to pick up on the habits of opponents like LeSean McCoy, Marcus Mariota and J.J. Watt.

It can be a relatively thankless gig, but one that can have real long-term implications: In the 2003 postseason, then-backup Damon Huard did such a good job imitating Peyton Manning before a playoff game against Indy, Bill Belichick singled him out with a game-ball afterwards, saying “one of the most valuable players in the game for us didn’t play,” a reference to Huard’s contributions. And in the run-up to Super Bowl XLIX, it was scout team quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who helped prep Malcolm Butler for the goal-line play that turned out to be Butler’s game-changing pick.

This time around, the Patriots are leaning on the likes of Hoyer, Grissom and Reedy to prepare them for Nick Foles, Vinny Curry and Jay Ajayi. Hoyer, who is playing the role of Foles, said there’s a lot of good stuff when it comes to playing the role of scout-team quarterback. While you have to follow the directions that are laid out for you by the coaches — which include player tendencies, schemes and situations that are offered up on cards — you can also work on parts of your own game in something approximating game-like situations.

“The only thing I’ll say when I’m on scout team is that there are no repercussions,” said Hoyer. “You can try things that maybe you wouldn’t try in a game, to see what you can get away with. I remember reading an article about Aaron Rodgers, who said that when he was on the scout team, he learned about the throws he could make and the throws he couldn’t make.

“I think for me, I also look at it, if there’s a play during the scout team period that is similar to something we might run in a game, I try and run it like our own play. If it’s a play I haven’t seen before, I’m going to look at what the card is trying to say, but I’m also going to look for some things: Can I throw here, and then, come back and no look and throw across my body here? Can I do something like that? Just to see what you can get away with.”

Hoyer has had to provide a myriad of looks for the New England defense this season, but Belichick says that he has done a “great job.”

“Brian gives us a great look every week for the opposing quarterback,” Belichick said. “And not just the way the quarterback plays, but the overall style of play of the offense: no huddle or audible at the line, or whatever things they do that are the characteristics of that team. He does a good job of recreating those for our defense and trying to make our defense defend what they’re going to see on game day. He does an excellent job of that.”

Hoyer tries to have a little fun with the job as well. Despite the fact that he’s not known for his quickness, the chance to imitate the likes of Mariota can provide a welcome distraction from the occasional practice drudgery.

“Having to play Marcus Mariota and Tyrod Taylor and those speed guys, that’s definitely not my strength. But I have a little fun with it and try to outrun the defensive guys and stuff like that,” he said. “Any team that throws the ball a lot, I enjoy — there’s nothing worse than having to hand the ball off when it comes to scout team plays.”

Reedy and Grissom have also been able to put the gig to practical use as well. Reedy was tasked with playing the role of LeSean McCoy in the days before both games against the Bills, and he said he spent so much time watching McCoy, he was able to incorporate a few subtle things from him in his own game.

“Try to run like him. Show some cutbacks,” Reedy recalled. “It was fun, because he’s such a great player. To try and imitate some of his moves. I liked that.

“You have to be full speed at all times. It’s like a big part of the play that happens on Sunday. You have to give (the defense) a good look.”

Grissom, who tied for the team this year by being named Practice Player of the Week six times, said he had that same sort of moment this past season. The defensive end/special teamer, who replicates most pass-rushing ends the Patriots game over the course of the season, was able to break down some of what Watt brings to the field.

“When you’re watching J.J. Watt, and you get to rush as he does — freely, you just watch what he does on film,” Grissom recalls. “Then, you try it and say, ‘Oh, that’s why it works.’ So you try and add those moves to your repertoire.”

“When our offense goes out there and does well, I feel like I’ve contributed to that, and it feels good,” added Grissom, who is usually lined up opposite left tackle Nate Solder. “I take a lot of pride in it.”

“I want to make it as hard for them in practice as it’ll be on Sunday,” Hoyer added. “I take a lot of pride in that.”

In the end, scout-teamers know they probably won’t get much time in the spotlight come Sunday. But if history is any indication, their contributions in this week could go a long way toward another successful Super Bowl Sunday for New England.