FOXBORO — Who would be the Patriots’ beginning quarterback on Sunday?
After three days of observe, all indicators proceed to level to fourth-round rookie Bailey Zappe.
The Patriots formally listed Mac Jones as uncertain on their harm report with a excessive ankle sprain. Jones practiced in a restricted capability every single day this week, per the workforce, and has been pushing to play behind the scenes, a supply instructed the Herald. During transient parts of media entry, the quarterback regarded like he was carrying further weight on his left ankle every time he walked or took dropbacks.
Jones’ ankle stays closely taped, and he didn’t run throughout warmups. As for Zappe, Bill Belichick sounded content material along with his observe efficiency this week.
“He’s gotten a lot more snaps, which is always a good thing for a quarterback with timing and communication,” Belichick stated. “He’s definitely making more progress with more experience and more opportunity.”
So who will begin: Jones or Zappe? Predictably, Belichick declined to say.
“We’ll see,” he stated.
Zappe and practice-squad veteran Garrett Gilbert are the one wholesome quarterbacks on the workforce. Gilbert returned to the Patriots for a second time Wednesday, having spent the tip of his rookie season on their observe squad in 2014 and most of final yr in the identical position. The 31-year-old has performed for eight totally different NFL franchises and logged eight profession recreation appearances.
Gilbert stated he’s been impressed by Zappe of their transient time collectively.
“I think he, obviously being a young guy thrust into this position, I think he’s done a great job with it the first couple days,” Gilbert stated this week. “He’s got good command of the offense, and I think the other thing is he’s been very willing to ask questions and learn and that sort of thing. I think he’s done a really nice job of that as we continue to prepare for Sunday.”
Several different teammates have expressed confidence within the fourth-rounder rookie this week. Left deal with Trent Brown and tight finish Hunter Henry each spoke to his calm confidence on Friday. On Wednesday, Patriots heart David Andrews appeared to point he expects Zappe to begin, saying the 2 should be on the identical web page towards a blitz-happy Lions protection.
Zappe, who confronted a ton of blitz stress final week towards Green Bay, agreed his communication with Andrews could be key on Sunday, if he begins. Zappe additionally added Jones has been supportive in conferences, the place he remained concerned final week regardless of not training. Zappe stated he’s been returning the favor as greatest he can.
“(Jones)’s been very helpful,” the rookie stated. “Same for me, I’ve been trying to do everything I can to help him out when everything’s going on. We’re just trying to be the best for the team.”
Unless Jones makes an unlikely begin or the Patriots roster him as a backup Sunday, Gilbert can be Plan B towards the Lions. For his profession, Gilbert has accomplished 57% of his 75 profession passes for 477 yards, one landing and a choose. Last yr, he made his second profession begin for a Washington workforce down a number of quarterbacks and went 20-of-31 for 194 yards.
Gilbert stated he’s drawn some confidence from his familiarity with the playbook and his teammates, although the offense has modified below new play-caller Matt Patricia.
“That’s been my main focus since I’ve been back here: getting myself refamiliarized with the offense and just what we do schematically,” Gilbert stated. “That’s part of my job, so that’s been my only focus since I’ve been back here — just getting myself comfortable and getting myself ready for Sunday.”
The excellent news for the Patriots is the remainder of their offense stays pretty wholesome. Right deal with Isaiah Wynn was one in all two different starters listed on the harm report with a harm hip. But Wynn might have been at risk of sitting out Sunday’s recreation anyway, contemplating he was benched for Marcus Cannon after giving up two sacks at Green Bay.
Otherwise, Patriots wideout Jakobi Meyers (knee) is the one different starter to look at. Not solely as a result of he’s missed two straight video games, however Meyers ought to be the Pats’ break-glass-in-case-of-emergency possibility below heart.
A former school quarterback, Meyers owns the best profession passer ranking on the workforce, with a profession stat line of 4-of-4 for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
Source: www.bostonherald.com