FOXBORO — The Patriots haven’t publicly totally defined why they made a quarterback change in Week 6, however Bailey Zappe was demoted.
The second-year professional had been Mac Jones’ backup quarterback via the primary 5 weeks of the season earlier than being made inactive because the group’s emergency third QB towards the Raiders with hybrid quarterback/vast receiver Malik Cunningham serving because the backup.
Head coach Bill Belichick would solely say after the sport that “there’s a lot of people that are hurt” when requested why Cunningham was signed to the 53-man roster and made the backup.
“They had an idea,” Zappe advised the Herald this week. “They told me about it. That’s between me and the coaches. So, I’m sure if anything happens this week, we’ll talk about it. I’m not sure what’s going on. I’ll leave that up to the coaches, and they’ll let me know like they always do.”
A supply advised the Herald that the Patriots considered Cunningham as having extra upside primarily based on his athleticism and that the largest threat was the rookie turning the ball over, which the group has already had points with anyway.
“I prepare like I usually do, but of course, it’s a lot different from being an emergency and being a 2,” Zappe mentioned. “Because I don’t know the way the foundations are said. It’s one thing just like the No. 1 and a pair of each need to get injured for the three to go in. And then if the 1 or 2 is in a position to return into the sport, 3 has to come back out. I don’t know.
“I don’t know if it’s just for that one week or whatever, but I’m still preparing like I’m getting an opportunity to go out there and play, and then do my job.”
Zappe has struggled in new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s system for the reason that offseason. There was anticipated to be a contest between Zappe and Jones for the beginning function, however that by no means materialized.
Zappe was lower out of coaching camp and signed to the group’s observe squad earlier than being known as as much as the 53-man roster earlier than Week 1.
Zappe mentioned he was knowledgeable that might be the No. 2 in some unspecified time in the future final week.
“They talked about it,” Zappe mentioned. “Told me it was a possibility. Do whatever I can for the team, whatever I can to help the team win. I’ve been preparing like I’m the starter. Everybody does that. That doesn’t really change my mind of how I prepare during the week.”
Jones was benched for Zappe in two straight weeks in blowout losses to the Cowboys and Saints that noticed the starter flip the ball over thrice in every sport. Zappe didn’t present a prompt of the bench, nevertheless, finishing simply 38.9 p.c of his passes.
Jones threw one other interception in Sunday’s loss to the Raiders. So, does Zappe imagine there’s a better likelihood for a contest?
“That’s up to the coaches,” Zappe mentioned. “Whenever I get my opportunities in practice or the game, I try to take advantage of it, make the throws, try to do my job. Whenever the opportunities come again, I’m going to try to take advantage of it.”
Belichick has talked a number of instances now about how tough it’s for a participant, particularly a quarterback, to maneuver up the depth chart with a scarcity of reps in observe. The Patriots even have Will Grier, nevertheless it’s exhausting for him to compete with Jones or Zappe with 4 quarterbacks on the roster.
Zappe wasn’t complaining a few lack of reps in observe.
“Whatever reps I get, I try to take advantage of it, whether it’s with the first-team offense or with the scout team,” Zappe mentioned. “I feel like every rep for me is like an audition. I go out there and make the throws that sometimes in the game I’m not truly wanting to make. Scrambling around, just doing stuff like that. Just doing stuff that you don’t usually get to do. For me, I try to take every rep whether it’s scout or with the first-team offense like a game rep and choose it as an opportunity for me to show Coach Belichick and OB (O’Brien) what I can do.”
Zappe began and gained two video games final season in reserve of Jones. He mounted a comeback in his first NFL motion whereas backing up Brian Hoyer final season towards the Packers after which struggled whereas relieving Jones towards the Bears.
But there gave the impression to be a professional competitors between Zappe and Jones. This 12 months has been rather a lot totally different for Zappe from struggling in camp and the preseason, getting lower and being demoted. So, how has he considered the final six months?
“I mean, just like every other year. Just trying to get better,” Zappe would solely say.
Source: www.bostonherald.com