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AP: 58860c5b-5b47-4205-83bf-f665092eaf8f
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) is pressured by Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije (71) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
For the first time in franchise history Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals will start their fourth quarterback of the season in the team's 2012 finale against the San Francisco 49ers.

The latest winner in Arizona's season-long quarterback shuffle is 27-year-old Brian Hoyer.

Hoyer, who signed with the Cardinals on December 10, will get the starting nod at quarterback against the league's fourth-ranked pass defense. While Sunday will mark his first career start under center, one ESPN Insider thinks the move is a logical one for Ken Whisenhunt and Co.

"I actually have seen a lot of Hoyer in a lot of preseason games with the New England Patriots, and I like what I saw," Ron Jaworksi told Arizona Sports 620's Burns & Gambo Thursday. "I just got done watching the Chicago game...and I thought Hoyer handled [the pressure put on by the Bears defense] pretty well.

"Obviously, he doesn't fully understand the Cardinals' system, where a player's going to be or what the adjustments are, but I thought there was a look of an NFL quarterback."

The look of an NFL quarterback has largely been missing with the Cardinals since Kevin Kolb went down with a season-ending injury in the team's loss to the Buffalo Bills on October 14. Arizona's offense is currently ranked last in the league in yards per game (263.1) and hasn't recorded a passing touchdown since Week 9 in Green Bay.

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Heading into the offseason, the organization has a big decision on its hands regarding what direction to go in at quarterback. However, Jaworski thinks the Cardinals might already have a potential candidate internally.

"I saw a lot of the little things in Hoyer's game [on tape] that leads me to believe that going into training camp and understanding the system, that he could be a starting quarterback in this league," said Jaworski. "I told you a few weeks ago that I couldn't understand that after the Patriots released Brian Hoyer, he wasn't on someone's roster."

Hoyer went undrafted in 2009 and spent his first two seasons in the league with New England. In 2012, Hoyer was released by the Patriots and spent three weeks with the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing with the Cardinals earlier this month. In Arizona's 28-13 loss to the Bears last Sunday, he completed 11 of 19 passes for 105 yards and an interception.

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  • Abuse
    SurpriseMe wrote...
    system?
    "Obviously, he doesn't fully understand the Cardinals' system,??? the coach, players, fans no body understands the Cardinals Offensive System. the system needs to be replaced
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    Agree with SurpriseMe 100%
    Secondly, I was gna say about Hoyer "could be a starting QB", I think anything can happen in this leauge. But, you either have it or you dont. And there is no inbetween that... There is no player in the NFL having potential. There is no project QB in the NFL. You either have it (the IT factor) or you dont... If Hoyer doesnt display a "IT factor" this Sunday, I wouldnt spend the time sticking around to see if he has potential or trying to develop him.
  • Abuse
    seashore wrote...
    I think
    he has a chance. He is throwing the ball well, better than what we have, i just hope he can make a touchdown. I'm rooting for him. I like what i see, he is on point. I don't think it will take much to learn the system although he was only in Pittsburgh for three weeks it's the same system. Good Luck to him! I was on the Skelton bandwagon, but he has proved to be a bad choice, and Lyndly is just not in the same league as RG3 or Cam Newton or any of the great rookie Quarterbacks out there. Give him a chance, what do we have to lose ?
  • Abuse
    hugUhbear wrote...
    Hoyers talent or lack there of
    doesn't matter. Cards need someone that ACTUALLY CAN Evaluate talent. Graves and Whiz absolutely have failed miserably at drafting SKILL positions on the offensive side. Roberts is only OK. Floyd does not look like a high 1st rd pick, yet. Beenie was a terrible pick as was Ryan Williams. Leinart sucked as has all QB choices other than Warner. Our picks on RB, QB and WR by Graves and Whiz have been putrid, showing everyone that we do not know how as an organization to pick talented offensive players.
  • Abuse
    shava wrote...
    Is He any good?
    Probably won't know with one game. I thimk Tod Haley is the offensive cordinator in 2013. Ray Horton is the new head coach. Looks like Haley will be available. Looks like the Cardinals want to start over at QB? Matt Flynn, Alex Smith (goes to Jets), Curt Cousins (Washington)draft Pick-pick (2nd. round).Keep Either Lindley or Hoyer.
  • Abuse
    grimmy01 wrote...
    given the competition
    at QB in arizona right now, I'm pretty sure my mom "could be a starter". I'll reserve any optimism for the draft and possible off-season trades...
  • Abuse
    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    Disappointed!
    In all the articles I've read about Hoyer, I didn't see anywhere Wiz stating that "he gives us the best chance of winning" quote. We've heard it all year, why stop using it now?
    Dale
  • Abuse
    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    Disappointed!
    In all the articles I've read about Hoyer, I didn't see anywhere Wiz stating that "he gives us the best chance of winning" quote. We've heard it all year, why stop using it now?
    Dale
  • Abuse
    CreepyBrian wrote...
    Fine with it
    It's one meaningless game, and the kid throws Larry the ball (a lesson clearly lost on our other QBs). Why not?
  • Abuse
    hm wrote...
    Starting QB?
    I think Tom Brady would look bad on the Cardinals roster if some coaching changes are not made.
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