A quick explanation during a busy cut-down day on one interesting move… The Patriots pulled off a mild surprise when they released backup QB Brian Hoyer earlier today. That means 2011 third-round pick and uber-talented Ryan Mallett is the backup to QB Tom Brady. (I wrote all about him here in this blog series) So, why did this happen? A few things… Mallett had begun taking the No. 2 reps before the Patriots played the Eagles in preseason, a sure sign he was progressing. While he started the fourth preseason game, I’m told the original plan was to start Hoyer to showcase him for teams that were interested. In case teams faced QB injuries, the Patriots wanted Hoyer to get […]

Patriots QB Tom Brady isn’t expected to take part in Thursday night’s preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium, according to the team.

The top seven quarterback prospects all went early in the 2011 NFL Draft, many of them earlier than expected. But each quarterback enters a different scenario with his new team, with unique circumstances determining how early they will be expected to contribute.

While investigating every quarterback available in the draft, the Patriots did their homework on Ryan Mallett.

Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick is headed to San Francisco. Explaining how it happened shows the wheelin’-and-dealin’ side of the NFL draft.

As we enter Day 2 of the 2011 NFL Draft, here are some topics we’re mulling as teams set their draft boards for Rounds two and 3. Teams change their boards after the first round, adjusting to what happened and re-assessing the players who are left.

The third annual NFL.com mock draft, like its predecessors, was an interesting endeavor in looking at how the first round could ultimately play out, with NFL Network and NFL.com analysts playing the roles of general managers.

The Bengals are looking for a quarterback, that much we know about the draft. But where do the Bengals make the move? Our Gil Brandt told readers on Monday during his NFL.com chat that the Bengals could be looking to move out of the No. 4 spot in the draft, and that the club has its eyes on quarterback down the draft board.

Has Christian Ponder moved into the first round? Our Vic Carucci certainly believes so.

The Seahawks, despite capturing the NFC West last season, are a team with many needs. Especially when using the phrase “capture” is rather generous considering that the Seattle won the division with a 7-9 record. So what do the Seahawks look for with the 25th pick in the draft?

Quarterbacks were the talk of Pat Kirwan‘s weekly Monday chat on NFL.com. Even former Dolphins quarterback Don Strock stopped by to chat about Florida State QB Christian Ponder.

While quarterback Ryan Mallett was the headliner at Arkansas’ pro day on Tuesday, he was not the only player that the 21 teams present wanted a closer look at.

Draft hopefuls from Arkansas gathered at the university’s pro day Tuesday. After not running the 40-yard dash at the combine, it was time for QB Ryan Mallett to go through the drill.

Since the lights are still on at Lucas Oil Stadium, here’s a look back at what we saw, learned and heard on Day 4 of the Combine.

This really is the day everyone at the NFL Scouting Combine has anticipated. We’ve reached Day 4, when quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.