New England Patriots: Bailey Zappe hype is good hype for Mac Jones
Is there a quarterback controversy brewing in Foxborough? Although New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones hasn’t been officially ruled out in the team’s Week 5 matchup against the Detroit Lions, all eyes this week has been on rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe.
With Brian Hoyer placed on IR and Jones still walking with a noticeable limp, Sunday is trending as the first NFL start for the 2022 fourth-round draft pick who played well enough in Week 4 to help his team stay neck and neck with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Completing 66.7 percent of his passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, Zappe didn’t exactly light things up, but he played well given the circumstances and with a week to prepare as the starter, Patriots fans will be eager to see how he performs, especially playing at Gillette Stadium in those classic red throwback uniforms.
Bailey Zappe preparing to lead the New England Patriots in Week 5 vs Detroit Lions
While Mac Jones is doing everything possible to be able to play on Sunday, Zappe is preparing for the possible start, the same way he has always prepared. When asked about that preparation, the rookie sounded like a vet.
"“The same way I have for the past four weeks,” Zappe told the media. “Just taking it day-by-day, continuing to get better every day. Kind of have the mindset of one percent better every day. Kind of taking it that way and just going to practice every day with the mindset of taking every rep like a game rep. Just getting better every day.”"
In a must win game, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots will just need Zappe to be able to manage the game. They will lean on a strong running game and their defense to slow down a potent Lions offense. Of course, all the hype going into Sunday won’t mean anything if Jones is able to go.
But let’s go with him not being able to go. If Zappe plays well and is more the reason the team wins on Sunday, it will not only give the Patriots a much-needed victory, but put a fire under Jones, who would not only be amped up to get back on the field, but suddenly he will be looking over his shoulder at another young quarterback with some success with the offense.
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Jones, who has had his ups and downs on the field so far this season, obviously knows the offense and is the team’s best chance of winning in 2022, but every Patriots fan should know if Belichick sees something in Zappe with the offense, he will roll that way.
Should we dare go back to 2001 when a second-year quarterback by the name of Tom Brady took over the quarterback role from Drew Bledsoe when Bledsoe went down due to an injury?
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Simmer down, Brady at that point wasn’t the Brady we know today. However, Belichick playing it safe with Brady and then ultimately allowing him to grow that season launched his legendary career. That may not be the exact situation here, but don’t for one second think Jones can’t lose his job due to injury, especially if Zappe shows the ability to move the offense consistently.
At the very least, Zappe’s hype and success should serve as motivation for the competitive nature of Mac Jones. So, on Sunday when the team takes the field in those classic throwback jerseys, it could be a pivotal moment for the team’s future or perhaps just overhyped optimism.