When Malik Cunningham was elevated from the observe squad and signed to a three-year deal final week, it was onerous to not be enthusiastic about how the proficient rookie is perhaps unleashed.
Though Cunningham’s debut in Las Vegas was restricted — he performed solely six snaps at quarterback, didn’t try a move and was sacked as soon as for 5 yards — the New England Patriots nonetheless have large plans for the versatile weapon.
Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien mentioned Tuesday they anticipate utilizing Cunningham in quite a lot of roles, along with his utilization evolving week to week relying on the matchup.
“You could see him at different spots throughout the offense obviously other than offensive line, he can play a lot of different places,” O’Brien mentioned on Tuesday. “So it will be week to week based on the gameplan and we’re pretty early in this week so I don’t think we have any idea where that will be this week.”
During the preseason Cunningham demonstrated a knack for making performs all around the discipline. The Louisville product obtained six carries for 35 yards with a landing within the working recreation and was additionally focused 9 occasions within the passing recreation, although he solely accomplished one catch for minus-1 yards.
O’Brien mentioned they’ve already put in a package deal they hope can maximize his distinctive abilities.
“You put together a package of plays and you try not to overload him, and they’re plays within our system, so these aren’t brand new plays,” O’Brien mentioned. “He’s a very bright guy, he does a good job, he knows the plays and he’s gotten better every week.”
Against Las Vegas, Cunningham was instantly elevated to back-up quarterback forward of standard No. 2 Bailey Zappe, who was relegated to emergency QB obligation. O’Brien mentioned that call shouldn’t be considered as an indictment of Zappe and the workforce may go in a special route if the circumstances name for it.
“For that week, for that game that’s what we decided to do,” O’Brien mentioned. “We haven’t lost any confidence in Bailey, we felt that was the best way to go about it for the Raider game based on where we were from an injury standpoint, how do we get Malik Cunningham into the game and that was the best way to get him into the game.”
Is it potential which will in some unspecified time in the future contain Cunningham getting the beginning at quarterback? Maybe, however requested if Mac Jones will stay the starter this weekend towards Buffalo, O’Brien emphatically mentioned “yes.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com