At the very least, the emergence of rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe permits the Patriots time to keep away from pushing Mac Jones again from his excessive ankle sprain.
But if Zappe continues to play properly and ascend, then what? Is Jones in jeopardy of dropping his starter’s job?
During his look on the WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was requested if he envisioned any state of affairs the place Jones is 100% wholesome and Zappe stays the starter this season.
Belichick wouldn’t step on that loaded grenade.
“I’m not going to get into a lot of hypotheticals on all different things that might or might not happen, and all that,” stated Belichick. “To me, it’s a waste of time. I’m not going to sit down round right here and dream up eventualities and all that.
“We’ll take things as they come, and go from there. Honestly, Mac wasn’t active (Sunday), and it wasn’t any part of any decision yesterday.”
Jones, who was listed as “doubtful” for the sport, suffered a excessive ankle sprain Week 3 within the loss to the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Typically, these accidents take 4-to-6 weeks restoration. While Jones was a restricted participant in follow final week, he was nonetheless hampered, transferring with a limp.
If nothing else, the play of Zappe permits Jones to take his time, and never have return too quickly, particularly with the gentle schedule forward. The Browns are on faucet subsequent week, adopted by the Bears, Jets, and Colts earlier than the Patriots bye week.
Zappe, the group’s fourth-round select of Western Kentucky, initially took over for Brian Hoyer (concussion) within the first quarter within the loss to Green Bay and carried out admirably below the circumstances.
He was once more on the helm in Sunday’s 29-0 win over the Detroit Lions, making his first NFL begin.
In the sport, Zappe as soon as once more exhibited large poise, finishing 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards. He threw a 24-yard landing go to Jakobi Meyers, and likewise had an interception.
“Generally speaking, I thought he did a nice job for us, making good decisions,” Belichick stated of Zappe. “He threw the ball and managed the game well.”
Zappe has shortly turn out to be a fan favourite nevertheless it stays to be seen what his position might be when Jones is wholesome sufficient to return.
Source: www.bostonherald.com