FOXBORO — The Patriots have rifled via No. 3 quarterbacks all through the previous 12 months, however head coach Bill Belichick appears bought on the crew’s new third-stringer.
Including Brian Hoyer, who was launched in March, the Patriots have had 9 quarterbacks on their roster previously 12 months. Nathan Rourke, who was claimed off waivers from the Jaguars early final week, is Mac Jones’ and Bailey Zappe’s newest backup. He’s spent two weeks of follow with the Patriots now.
“Attentive, smart kid, works hard, gets here early, stays late,” Belichick mentioned of Rourke on Friday. “He’s done a good job on things we’ve asked him to do, hasn’t had a lot of reps, really, in our offense, but he’s had some. Been a good guy to work with, no issues.”
The Patriots had Trace McSorley as their third-string quarterback in coaching camp, and undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham was additionally taking reps at QB over the summer season. After McSorley was waived in August, the crew claimed Matt Corral off waivers. After he left the crew with out discover, the Patriots signed Ian Book to their follow squad. Book was launched and Corral was anticipated to be introduced again to the follow squad, however that by no means got here collectively. Will Grier was then signed off of the Bengals follow squad. The Patriots reduce Grier and signed him again to the follow squad, however he was signed away by the Chargers. That’s when the Patriots claimed Rourke off waivers.
Extra factors
Belichick raved concerning the job Jedd Fisch, a Patriots assistant throughout the 2020 season, has carried out because the University of Arizona’s head coach. Arizona beat Oklahoma within the Alamo Bowl on Thursday evening. “I’m happy for him. He’s done a tremendous job down there. In every game. What? Lost three games with eight points? They’ll probably be a top-ten team. It’s unbelievable. The program he took over. I forget how many straight they lost. I can’t keep track. Pac-12 games. Guys never won a game. It’s unbelievable. What a year they’ve had. He’s done a great job.” … Belichick additionally congratulated Boston College and Greg Schiano’s Rutgers crew for bowl wins. “While we’re at it, good win for BC, a really good win for Schiano — great job with Rutgers, bowl win. First time in, whatever it was, 10 years? Greg has done a great job there. There’s another team that had pretty little success when he took over, kind of like when Jedd went to Arizona. Coach Schiano has done a great job, really happy for him. He looked good holding that trophy up there.” … The Patriots claimed cornerback Marco Wilson off of waivers Wednesday. Belichick defined what he noticed from him to make the transfer. “Marco had a good career at Florida, good size, runs well. Experienced.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com