Why the Patriots backup QB will almost certainly be Brian Hoyer in 2012…

One of the most high-profile offseason questions facing the Patriots involves a player who isn’t a starter. Brian Hoyer, the backup quarterback and security blanket behind Tom Brady, is a restricted free agent. With touted prospect Ryan Mallett waiting behind him, there is intrigue. In today’s Herald, I broke down the situation surrounding the backup QB job, speaking with several sources to do so. What I learned is that the Patriots figure to do everything they can to keep Hoyer as their No. 2 in 2012. That includes the expectation that they will RFA tender him at a high level, perhaps even the highest. If he gets a first-round tender, Hoyer will make about $2.7 million for one season (only about $800,000 more than a second-round tender). That’s not a bad insurance policy for Brady… and considering Eagles backup Vince Young made $5 million last year, $2.7 million for Hoyer isn’t crazy. The Patriots, I’m told, are pleased with Mallett’s progr...