BOSTON (CBS) -- Tom Brady is a man who does not like to spend much time on the sidelines. He's missed time due to injury just once in his career (the 2008 season), and you could recall from memory the rare occasions when he's left one-sided games early.

So while being Brady's backup provides an incredibly valuable experience for a young quarterback, it doesn't often lead to much playing time.

That is, until the backup can move on and find an opportunity elsewhere. That scenario presents itself this Sunday for two former Brady backups -- Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett.

Hoyer has held down the Browns' starting job all year, fending off Johnny Manziel by completing 58.5 percent of his passes for 2,212 yards and 10 touchdowns (with four interceptions).

Mallett, meanwhile, was traded to the Texans just before the regular season began, and with Ryan Fitzpatrick failing to provide consistency for the Texans, Mallett is getting his first opportunity to start in the NFL. It just so happens that it will come against Hoyer and the Browns.

Brady, who grows pretty close with his backups over the years, couldn't let the moment pass by without posting a pretty funny "Throwback Thursday" picture of Mallett.

#tbt to Ryan Mallett carrying Brian Hoyer's and my pads after practice his rookie season," Brady wrote. "Times have changed! Good luck this weekend, guys! #muchdeserved"

Memories of harmless rookie hazing aside, Brady seemed legitimately happy for both Hoyer and Mallett when asked about them this week.

"It's pretty cool. It speaks to their work ethic and I think what they've been able to accomplish," Brady said on Wednesday. "They've both overcome quite a bit in their career, so it will be fun to see. We play at eight o'clock, so I'm sure a lot of guys from our team will be paying attention."

This past summer, after Hoyer was named Cleveland's starter, Brady gushed about his former backup, who completed 27 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown in his three seasons with New England.

"I love Brian. He's just such a great guy, person and friend. We've always kept in touch. I'm proud of him," Brady said back in August. "He's fought through some tough circumstances over the years, being released here, going to Arizona, getting a little bit of an opportunity there, and then really taking advantage of his opportunity in Cleveland. It's great for him, and he's a great player, so I'm very happy for him."

MORE PATRIOTS COVERAGE FROM CBS BOSTON