Buried on the depth chart behind Tom Brady and Brian Hoyer, rookie quarterback Ryan Mallett has virtually no chance of playing in Super Bowl XLVI. While Brady and company get ready for Sunday’s super rematch with the New York Giants, Mallett has a game plan of his own, one that implies wisdom beyond his years.
He’s going to keep a keen eye on his three-time world champion teammate.
“I’m staying out of Tom’s way,” Mallett said during Tuesday’s Media Day. “I’m watching Tom and helping Tom when Tom needs help doing something. But I’m watching him to see how he’s preparing.”
That approach won’t deviate too far from Mallett’s experience so far as a pro, most of which has been spent watching, and learning.
Tabbed as Brady’s eventual successor in New England, the towering, 6-foot-6 Arkansas product hasn’t taken a single snap for the Patriots in a regular season game. A reserve role is something foreign to Mallett, who set or tied 43 school or stadium records during his time as a Razorback.
When Mallett’s collegiate career ended, early draft prognostications had him graded as a first round selection. However, by the time April rolled around, Mallett found himself in a position that foreshadowed what he would be doing during his rookie year in The League – sitting, and waiting.
In fact, six quarterbacks (Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick) were taken before Mallett heard his name called by the Patriots at pick 74.
At the time, he called it frustrating. Nine months later, he’s the last one standing.
“Just being here is awesome,” Mallett stated while standing near the 20-yard line at Lucas Oil Stadium. “Not everybody gets to do this. Especially being my first year, it’s been kind of surreal but I’m definitely excited about it and I’m ready for Sunday.”
