San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer, who will likely open the 2017 season as the team's starter, joined "NFL Live" on ESPN Monday. In addition to a discussion about Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins possibly coming in and replacing him in 2018, Hoyer discussed a number of other 49ers related topics.
Hoyer sat down for a conversation with Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini. Among the topics discussed were him reuniting with Kyle Shanahan, what stood out about the team during the offseason program, watching Atlanta Falcons film, and the recently concluded "Camp Hoyer."
Reuniting with Shanahan
Hoyer was asked what it was like being reunited with Shanahan, who was once his offensive coordinator and is now the head coach of the 49ers.
"It's been awesome," Hoyer said. "Kyle is unique in the fact that he is a young guy. He relates to the players and, for me, the last time I had him, he was the coordinator. Sure, he had to address the offensive meetings and things like that. Now he's in front of the whole team and to see his leadership really build each and every day with his first time going around, kind of figuring things out, I think the guys really love him. I had already had previous experience with him. To me, he was the selling point when I had the opportunity to go there. That was the main reason I wanted to play for them.
"To see the other guys get used to him, get used to his personality, and to see how he addresses the team, it's been fun."
@ESPNNFL Live guest today @49ers QB @bhoyer7 live in Bristol, CT @espn pic.twitter.com/72DKfaTrXD
— Jaclyn Aronson (@JaclynRAronson) July 17, 2017
What stood out during the offseason program
There are a lot of new faces on the 49ers roster following a purge by Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. Schefter asked Hoyer what stood out during his first offseason program with the 49ers.
"The one thing is it's almost a brand new team," Hoyer said. "I think there's 53 new guys on the roster. So, a lot of new faces trying to get to know each other. The guys that have been there, they just want to win. There's a few guys, Joe Staley, NaVorro [Bowman], these guys were in the Super Bowl a few years ago so they want to get back to that level. And all the new guys with the new coaching staff, new GM, we want to do whatever we can to try and get back and get this team winning."
Watching Falcons film
Hoyer was asked about the amount of Falcons film he has watched and what he has gotten out of it. Shanahan served as Atlanta's offensive coordinator over the past two seasons and was a big reason for quarterback Matt Ryan being named as the league's most valuable player following last season.
"I've watched a lot (of Falcons film)," Hoyer said. "I have an even greater appreciation for Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. There's no doubt about that. Actually, watching a lot of those Atlanta cut ups, I've actually taken some of what Matt Ryan did with his footwork in the shotgun and tried to implement that into what I've been doing in the offseason.
"Being around Kyle, the one thing that I kind of forgotten and quickly remembered is that he's very particular about our feet. Watching the difference with Matt Ryan his first year with Kyle and the second year, it was almost like night and day. So, I've tried to really take what Matt tried to do in his second year and tried to implement with some drills and things like that."
Camp Hoyer
Last week, Hoyer organized and led a three-day passing session at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. 16 players consisting of Hoyer, the team's other three quarterbacks, and a number of wide receivers, tight ends, and a running back took part.
"It was awesome," Hoyer said. "It was a little hot. I forgot, from my one year in Houston, how hot it can be down there. But it was great. It was great to get together, be with the guys, get some good work in, get some comradery. I think it will do us a lot of good going back to training camp, especially, obviously, training in that heat is no joke. So, when we get back up into the Bay Area, it's going to be beautiful.
"The way the NFL schedule is set up, you almost have a six-week period where you're away. So, to get out there and kind of have a refresher before we get back to training camp so we can pick up where we left off, I think that was important."