FOXBORO — Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stated this week that the gamers with the least expertise would play essentially the most within the Patriots’ preseason opener in opposition to the Houston Texans. That meant that Bailey Zappe received the beginning whereas Mac Jones stayed on the sideline within the 20-9 loss.
Zappe was surrounded by Conor McDermott, Atonio Mafi, James Ferentz, Kody Russey and Sidy Sow on the offensive line and operating again Pierre Strong, large receivers Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas and tight ends Matt Sokol and Anthony Firsker on the talent positions because the Patriots’ offense took the sphere. Mafi, Sow, Boutte and Douglas all are rookies.
Patriots offensive linemen Trent Brown, Riley Reiff and David Andrews dressed however stayed on the bench in sneakers and with out helmets. Running again Rhamondre Stevenson, veteran large receivers DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne and tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesick had been additionally within the no-helmet membership. That’s sometimes a superb indication for a participant’s standing on the roster.
Defensively, some Patriots veterans had been a part of the beginning lineup. The crew’s starters had been defensive linemen Carl Davis and Daniel Ekuale, edge defenders Anfernee Jennings and Keion White, linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Mack Wilson, cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Jack Jones, and safeties Joshuah Bledsoe, Jalen Mills and Myles Bryant. Gonzalez and White had been the Patriots’ first- and second-round picks, respectively.
Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones, safeties Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips and Jabrill Peppers, defensive linemen Deatrich Wise, Christian Barmore, Lawrence Guy and Davon Godchaux, edge defenders Josh Uche and Matthew Judon and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley dressed however stayed on the sideline. Rookie security/linebacker Marte Mapu, who’s donned a pink non-contact jersey in coaching camp, dressed however held a clipboard standing subsequent to linebackers coach/defensive play-caller Steve Belichick.
Bill Belichick downplayed Mapu’s task after the sport and stated he was listening to the decision and following the sport.
“Somebody’s going to do it,” Belichick stated. “Player that’s not going to play in the game, that’s a way to keep them engaged and involved.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com