NFL Player News

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer was upset to see general manager Mike Lombardi go since he was a big supporter, but Hoyer's already looking forward to the challenge of impressing new coach Mike Pettine and a new offensive coordinator in Kyle Shanahan, reports the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

Hoyer doesn't know if he'll be the starter next season, especially coming off a torn ACL last year, but he's excited to prove himself once offseason workouts begin.

"For me it’s about coming in here, rehabbing, preparing myself as best I can for when we start back up and go from there," he said. "From my time talking to coach Pettine, I'm excited to play for the guy. He's one of those coaches who you look at him and he's a football guy. He's going to bring some intensity, accountability, all of those things. For me, I can't wait for April to start."

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer is running, lifting and throwing, says the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. He's seventeen weeks removed from ACL surgery and is moving beyond the rehab phase. Hoyer remains hopeful to start for the team in 2014. 

The Jets are expected to be in the market for a quarterback to compete with Geno Smith this season, and ESPN speculates Michael Vick, Matt Schaub and Kirk Cousins are three potential veteran options.

For Vick, who is a free agent, there is a familiarity with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's system when the two were in Philadelphia. Schaub could be cut or traded by the Texans, and he might need a change of scenery after last year's disaster. And Cousins could be someone the Jets target via trade as a young veteran with upside.

Smith is still expected to be the starter this year, but a lot will depend on who is brought in for competition.

Now that the Browns have changed their front office with CEO Joe Banner and GM Mike Lombardi out, the future for quarterback Brian Hoyer could be unknown, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Lombardi was a fan of Hoyer and brought him to Cleveland. The new staff seems to love him too, but the Browns could draft a quarterback at No. 4 overall and decide to move on from Hoyer.

The report says if Hoyer wants a chance to start then Texans coach Bill O'Brien, who coached Hoyer in New England, would probably at least be intrigued. But the Browns would have to decide to part ways with Hoyer to make that happen since he's signed through this season.

Former Chicago general manager Jerry Angelo made a key criticism of Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, suggesting he was asked to do too much and it made him uncomfortable. Angelo reviewed every starting quarterback for TheSidelineView.com. 

"Top character and work habits. Is book smart, with average football IQ," Angelo wrote about Dalton. "He's in his comfort level when everything around him is working. He struggles when it's all on him. His accuracy isn't as sharp as his ability to read coverage. Part of his problem is he was over used. Too many attempts for a pedestrian QB. You can like him, but can't love him."

Dalton had his best season statistically in 2013, throwing for 4,293 yards and 33 touchdowns with 20 interceptions. But he faltered in the playoffs for the third year in a row and ultimately threw six interceptions in Week 17 and the playoff game combined. 

Former Bears general manager Jerry Angelo gave some notes on each starting quarterback around the league and didn't hold back when discussing Matthew Stafford of the Lions. 

"Stafford, in my eyes, not only did not win games for the Lions this year, but also LOST them for his team," Angelo wrote. "Carelessness with the ball, inaccurate throws and poor mechanics will prevent him from ever turning into an elite QB. Calvin Johnson masks a lot of his faults."

Stafford threw for 4,650 yards and 29 touchdowns with 19 interceptions last season. In the Lions' last four games -- all losses -- Stafford threw five interceptions and two touchdowns. 

New Packers quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said he will challenge Aaron Rodgers and try to keep him from getting complacent.

"You definitely have to find ways to stimulate him even on the basic principles of the offense," Van Pelt said, per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "You find ways to challenge and stimulate him. That goes for any great player that’s been in that position for a long time.

"How many times can you hear the coaching points for '200 Jet Dragon'? You’ve been hearing it from Day One of your football life," Van Pelt added. "Now, let’s try to find another way to challenge him, to stimulate your brain to play better."

Eagles quarterback Matt Barkley had a shoulder injury that "bothered him more than he let on last summer, and he's healthy now," reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. While the Eagles remain high on their 2013 fourth-round pick, Barkley "needs a strong spring and summer for the team to believe he can be a trustworthy backup quarterback," the report said.

The paper expects Michael Vick to leave via free agency. Barkley threw four interceptions and no touchdowns in spot duty last year.

The Jets plan to address two areas of need this offseason on offense with receiver and quarterback, reports NFL.com. Receiver is a must, and they also want to bring in competition for quarterback Geno Smith.

The report says it won't be a surprise if the Jets take the best available wide receiver off the board with the 18th overall selection in the NFL Draft. They could also go hard after free agent Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker, who's coming off a career year.

Finding competition for Smith is also a priority, whether that be through the draft or locating a veteran in free agency. Smith is still expected to enter 2014 as the starter, but he needs to improve -- and adding receiver help will definitely help his chances of that happening.

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is expected to get more pressure from coach Joe Philbin this summer to improve his game -- or else. CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora writes that Miami head coach Joe Philbin professed his belief in backup Matt Moore to several general manager candidates, suggesting that he could put Moore in the lineup if Tannehill doesn't improve. 

"He definitely wants to push Tannehill more," a source who spoke with Philbin said, "and if he doesn't see improvement he said he might go to Moore at some point. He definitely has a lot of faith in Moore, and they're paying him a lot of money."

Indeed, Moore is due $4 million in 2014 and counts for $5.5 million against the cap. Tannehill is not due for a new contract until 2016.