This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns and the Houston Texans will face off at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.
These teams have one glaringly obvious commonality between them; both of their starting QB’s have held the clipboard for current Patriots QB Tom Brady.
Through his 14 NFL seasons, the sixth-round draft pick has had many back up QB’s, some more notable than others. Some who have had success in the NFL after departing Foxboro, while others have been out of the league for some time.
None of the less, let us channel out inner Carmen San Diego and see what these QB’s are up to since leaving New England, aside from Current Prince Aladdin look a like and Patriots back up QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
1. Ryan Mallet (2011 – 2013)
Ryan Mallet was under Brady’s wing since he was drafter back in 2011 all the way until late August when he was dealt to Houston for a sixth and seventh round pick.
After a strong initial start, but a shaky showing over the past few games, Texans QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has had the starter position stripped from him by former NE Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brian. Since being traded to the Houston Texans, Mallet hasn’t started a game for the Texans.
That will change as Mallet faces off against no one other than…
2. Brian Hoyer (2009-2011)
Since being released from the Pats back in 2011, Brain Hoyer has made his way to a few places all over the NFL. After spending brief periods of time in both Arizona and Pittsburgh, Hoyer signed with the Browns in 2013. After winning his first two starts, Hoyer tore his ACL against the Buffalo Bills and missed the rest of 2013.
The Cleveland native has had a strong performance in 2014 for the Dawg Pound through the first 10 games, leading the Browns to an unexpected 7-3 record, without the Browns and the NFL’s leading receiver in 2013, WR Josh Gordon.
Hoyer has posted a fair 10-4 TD to interception ratio, with a QBR of 90.9 so far. Hoyer looks capable of running the offense, and is in the last year of a two-year deal with Cleveland.
3. Matt Cassel (2005-2008)
Many Patriots fans still have a soft spot of former Patriots QB Matt Cassel. After Brady was lost to injury in the season opener, Matt Cassel was able to come in and guide the Patriots to a 11-5 record, surprising many people.
After holding down the fort for New England, many teams expressed interest for the former USC Trojan. The Kansas City Chiefs were able to acquire Cassel, along with Patriots OLB Mike Vrabel, sending the 34th overall pick in the 2009 Draft to the New England.
Cassel was released by KC in 2012 and signed by the Minnesota Vikings. Cassel broke his foot this year against the New Orleans Saints and has seen been placed on IR He would be replaced by rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater.
4. Vinny Testaverde (2005)
Vinny Testaverde, the first overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft, made his way up to Foxboro as a back up for Tom Brady in 2006.
Testaverde was that not so ripe age of 43 when he singed with New England, his seventh NFL team at that point. V.T. went 2 for 3 in the 2006 regular season, with 29 yards and a touchdown to WR Troy Brown.
Testaverde was cut the following training camp, and found his way to Carolina, where he threw five touchdown through seven games played before hanging it up for good.
Testaverde is currently the Quarterbacks Coach at Jesuit High school of Tampa, where his son Vincent, Jr. attended.
5. Doug Flutie (2005)
Another 43-year-old QB on the Patriots, Flutie actually played for the Patriots back in 1987 before returning in 2005.
Flutie played in only eight games for New England, but most notable had to have been his drop kick extra point against the Miami Dolphins in the regular season finale. If you haven’t seen it, it’s well worth the 15-second search on YouTube.
Flutie currently does color commentary for Notre Dame games on NBC, giving his thoughts on the fighting Irish come Saturday’s.
6. Rohan Davey (2002-2004)
Jamaican-born Rohan Davey had eight completions on 19 tries, in all three years with New England.
Davey was on the Patriots for two of three super bowl wins. He was also able to win a NFL Europe Championship, a World Bowl.
Still holding on to his love for American football, the 35-year-old former LSU tiger plays for the San Antonio Talons, where he currently resides on the inactive list due to injury.
7. Damon Huard (2001-2003)
Damon Huard is a name many people do not know, and for good reason. Huard threw one pass as a Patriot, and it was incomplete.
Despite a lack of completions for New England, Huard was able to help the team in other ways. Huard was able to imitate Peyton Manning before the AFC Divisional Championship in 2003, as did such a great job he was given the game ball following the win.
8. Drew Bledsoe (2001)
After signing a then record 10-year, $103 million contract extension just before the 2001 season, Red, White and Drew was on his way to being the Patriots starter for a considerable amount of time. However, as we all know, a man by the name of Tom Brady messed all that up.
Bledsoe was able to come in for a banged up Brady during the 2001 AFC Championship game, and led the team to a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After being traded to the Buffalo Bill’s for a first round pick, Bledsoe spent time with the Bills before moving on to Dallas afterwards.
Bledsoe currently resides in his hometown of Walla Walla, Washington, where he has created his own wine, named Doubleback. Bledsoe was also inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2011.
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