Brian Hoyer benefited from extra coaching behind Tom Brady

Brian Hoyer has spent his career as a backup. But when three of those years are spent backing up arguably the greatest quarterback of his generation in New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, that is time well spent.

Hoyer will start his first NFL game on Sunday when the Cardinals face the San Francisco 49ers, and he will try to bring what he learned playing behind Brady all those years with him. The passion with which Brady approached the game and his attention to every detail is something Hoyer witnessed first-hand and admired about the three-time Super Bowl champion. Hoyer knows that Brady isn't great just because he's Tom Brady. He earned the right to be called great, and continues to do so even after the title of greatness is no longer arguable.

Now, Hoyer gets his chance to show how much that time has improved his own game.

"It will be interesting to see how he stacks up with a week to prepare," Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "I know he's going against a tough defense. It will be a tough situation but it's a great time to evaluate him and see where he is."

Hoyer played well in his one half of play last game, going 11-for-19 for 105 yards and an interception. He will be the fourth starting quarterback for the Cardinals this season but he hopes that, if just for one game, he can use what he learned and implement those lessons.