Patriots’ QB situation remains a mystery after reps split in practice originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
FOXBORO — After several days of trying to get a handle on the Patriots quarterback situation, here’s what we’ve learned.
First, as far as players and staff can tell, the quarterback reps in practice this week have been split relatively evenly between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. Will Grier and Malik Cunningham may have been told by the coaching staff to be ready to go — Bill Belichick has said many times this week that he has told all players at all positions to be ready to play — but they don’t appear to be in the running to start.
Second, players have not been told who’s starting and can’t tell who Belichick’s choice will be based on the distribution of the quarterback workload. One starter, curious as to which quarterback would be starting, resorted to asking the quarterbacks themselves. They relayed to him that they weren’t sure. Another starter guessed that Jones would be the choice.
Third, with quarterbacks sharing reps, pass-catchers have acknowledged that the timing and rhythm of the passing game could be impacted on gameday. To establish a more seamless connection with both quarterbacks this week, when the scout-team offense was on the field, offensive regulars went through side sessions with Jones and Zappe to squeeze in additional reps with both.
Additionally, when asked, players did not seem to favor one quarterback over the other. Asked if Belichick choosing one quarterback would provide the rest of the offense a jolt, one starter said no. According to this particular player, it was up to the rest of the offense to elevate its level and as a result provide whichever quarterback was out there some added confidence.
Furthermore, multiple players echoed that which Belichick said at the podium Friday when it came to the inability to “rally” around one obvious starter this week. “I think everyone’s got their own things to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-qb-situation-remains-mystery-213651533.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2023-11-25 00:25:57
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