"If the Patriots defense is prepared for Colts quarterback Peyton Manning tomorrow, the unit may want to thank Brian Hoyer.

The Pats backup QB has been playing the role of Manning for the scout team, a job Hoyer admitted was fairly fun. Along the way, he has impressed his teammates.

"No one can really come in and mimic Peyton Manning, but he did do a good job of (trying) to do it," linebacker Adalius Thomas said yesterday. "(Manning) is so demonstrative, and you don't know what some of the things he's doing mean. But Hoyer did a good job."

Coach Bill Belichick went out of his way to praise the undrafted free agent from Michigan State, saying he's done more than simply run the plays that Indianapolis calls. Hoyer studied Manning enough to attempt to call plays at the line like the perennial All-Pro does."