Mallett has a chance to move up the depth chart with a strong spring.
Tired of being in the shadows, Ryan Mallett (15) is trying to move up the Patriots' depth chart.FOXBOROUGH – The playbook Ryan Mallett was handed this spring felt thinner than how he remember it.
After spending his rookie season lost in a sea of information that left him overwhelmed, this time his playbook felt like a familiar, well-worn novel in his hands.
“I was lost sometimes last year because I wasn’t here from Day 1 of the camp,” Mallett said. “It’s hard to catch up once you fall behind.”
Now he’s determined to never fall behind again. Mallett spent his offseason preparing to audition for a better job after spending last year third on the depth chart.
It paid off.
He arrived to training camp in great shape and has been impressive enough directing the Patriots’ complex offense that the coaching staff openly declared that he could replace Brian Hoyer as Tom Brady’s backup with a strong preseason performance.
“I think it’s been a pretty good competition – Bill (Belichick) alluded to this the other day, I think – the competition between Brian and Ryan has been pretty good,” director of player personnel Nick Caserio said.
Mallett, a top talent who slipped to the Patriots in the third round of the 2011 draft due to concerns about his maturity level, can also feel a shift taking place and has regained the confidence that allowed him to pass for 7,493 yards and 62 touchdowns during two seasons at Arkansas.
The offense can still feel foreign to him at times and there are occasional hiccups when he’s under center, but he’s nearly fluent after spending last season trying to pick up enough phrases to get by while learning behind Brady and Hoyer.
Spending a year in the shadows and observing his teammates was frustrating and at times trying for Mallett, who was used to being always being the most talented player on the field, but he admits that he became a better player serving in that capacity.
“I feel like you can always take the knowledge that they’ve learned over the years and apply it to your game,” Mallett said. “You learn, you work on all the little things, then overall all the big things when it comes to the team drills.
“It’s a process, but I feel a lot more comfortable.”
Mallett understands that he has a long way to go and has no illusions about knocking Brady from his perch, but he admits that he has Hoyer within his sights.
Despite their close friendship, Mallett wants the repetitions Hoyer receives during practices and the opportunity to show the coaching staff what he can do on a daily basis.
“Competition is always healthy,” Mallett said. “Me and Brian are good friends, so we have a lot of fun with it. We’re just trying to make the better and keep the team moving.”
If Mallett is able to seize this opportunity it could allow the Patriots to shop Hoyer, who is set to become a free agent after the season, to teams in need of a quarterback.
But any potential moves won’t be determined until after the preseason.
"When we get into the preseason, they'll have plenty of opportunity and we'll see how they perform in game situations," Caserio said.
Nothing is guaranteed, but at least he has a shot. That’s all Mallett can ask for.
It may also be all he needs.