Patriots head coach Bill Belichick entertained the potential of a quarterback competitors into coaching camp this summer time, however backup quarterback Bailey Zappe by no means got here near pushing Mac Jones for the job.
The lack of a QB battle was as evident as ever Friday evening within the Patriots’ third and ultimate preseason sport when Zappe began and performed the vast majority of the sport whereas Jones chilled on the sideline with the vast majority of Patriots starters.
Zappe wanted the additional work within the Patriots’ 23-7 loss to the Titans of their preseason finale.
The 2022 fourth-round choose briefly gave technique to third-stringer Trace McSorley halfway by means of the second quarter. The Patriots made a shock transfer by re-inserting Zappe into the sport to begin off the third quarter. Undrafted rookie vast receiver/quarterback Malik Cunningham took two snaps below heart on the Patriots’ opening drive within the second half earlier than Zappe as soon as once more took over at quarterback till late within the fourth quarter.
Cunningham performed the Patriots’ ultimate drive, getting re-inserted into the sport with 3:01 remaining within the sport.
None of the Patriots’ quarterback play was significantly inspiring within the loss to the Titans. Zappe completed 8-of-15 for 57 yards with a turnover on a strip sack. He was sacked three extra occasions with two extra fumbles (each recovered by Zappe). McSorley didn’t full his solely passing try and was sacked for a 5-yard loss. Cunningham carried the ball as soon as for five yards and didn’t full two passing makes an attempt.
The Patriots’ prime contributors who did see motion have been proper guard Riley Reiff, cornerback Jack Jones, defensive tackles Daniel Ekuale and Carl Davis and edge defender Josh Uche. Reiff suffered an harm early within the second quarter, elevating extra questions for an already banged-up offensive line.
Rookie vast receiver Kayshon Boutte began however barely performed within the Patriots’ ultimate preseason sport, which appears to be a constructive indicator for his roster standing as cuts loom Tuesday.
Jack Jones performed extensively in all three of the Patriots’ preseason video games. His standing is up within the air as he faces gun fees for allegedly carrying two pistols and ammunition into Logan Airport in June. Jones mentioned this week that he hasn’t heard from the NFL a few attainable suspension. A listening to in municipal courtroom was delayed from Aug. 18 to Sept. 15.
The Titans kicked off the scoring with two first-quarter subject targets from Michael Badgley.
An interception by Patriots linebacker Calvin Munson, who made a powerful case for a roster spot Friday evening, put the Patriots in good subject place for his or her lone landing of the evening when operating again Kevin Harris plowed ahead for a 5-yard run into the tip zone. Rookie vast receiver Thyrick Pitts put the Patriots into the purple zone with a formidable 23-yard catch and run that noticed him drag a number of Titans defenders down the sphere.
Munson has been a core particular teamer for the Patriots this summer time. He additionally charged the road of scrimmage for an unblocked 4-yard sort out for loss halfway by means of the primary quarter on a handoff to Titans operating again Julius Chestnut.
Pitts was a late addition to the Patriots’ roster however has impressed on contested catches in coaching camp. He’s battling for a observe squad spot.
Chestnut took over the sport late within the second quarter when he put the Titans on the 12-yard line with a 30-yard catch and run from Willis. He then scored on a 12-yard landing catch from Willis.
The Titans continued their scoring methods early within the fourth quarter when Willis beat Patriots defensive backs Joshuah Bledsoe and Quandre Mosely on a 26-yard landing move to vast receiver Kearis Jackson. Badgley kicked one other subject purpose late within the fourth quarter.
Running again Pierre Strong, a 2022 fourth-round choose, led the Patriots with 29 yards on seven carries.
Best
LB Calvin Munson: An interception and sort out for loss might be sufficient for Munson to make the 53-man roster or get enjoying time as an elevation off of the observe squad. He paced the group with 10 tackles.
DE Ronnie Perkins: The 2021 third-round choose has but to make his NFL debut and missed extra time with an harm this summer time. He made essentially the most of his enjoying time Friday evening with 9 tackles, a QB hit and sort out for loss. He left the sport late with an obvious harm.
DT Sam Roberts: Roberts is one other participant vying for a roster spot. The second-year professional registered seven tackles, a sack, three QB hits and two tackles for loss. Could his emergence imply Davis is left off the defensive sort out depth chart?
Worst
CB Jack Jones: The potential starter started Friday evening’s sport with some spectacular performs within the operating sport. He later was penalized for move interference and let up a 30-yard catch.
LT Andrew Stueber: The second-year professional, who missed this whole rookie season, let up two sacks together with his second strip-sack in as many weeks. It’s exhausting to see Stueber making the roster even with so many accidents on the offensive line and questions at sort out.
QB Bailey Zappe: It wasn’t a promising summer time for the Patriots backup quarterback. He was strip-sacked thrice Friday evening and easily held onto the ball too lengthy on too many events.
Source: www.bostonherald.com