What Invoice Belichick stated about Mac Jones successful Patriots beginning QB spot, waiving Bailey Zappe, and extra

Patriots

“I’m trying ahead to the season right here with Mac.”

It didn’t take lengthy for any speak of a possible QB competitors in Foxborough to dissipate this summer season as soon as coaching camp commenced.

Regardless of Bailey Zappe’s stable exhibiting as a mid-season substitute beneath heart for an injured Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer final yr, the backup QB was repeatedly on the surface trying in at first-team snaps as soon as this preseason started.

Granted, a few of that was a results of Zappe’s personal lackluster play en path to a spot on New England’s apply squad.  

However on Monday, Belichick doled out loads of reward towards Jones for separating himself from Zappe within the early days of camp.

“Mac’s had a extremely stable spring and camp,” Belichick stated on WEEI’s ‘The Greg Hill Present’ when requested about Jones locking down the staff’s beginning QB spot, including: “On the market on daily basis, able to go. 

“In wonderful bodily situation and has made, I’d say, numerous enchancment over the course of spring and coaching camp in reads, choice making, and timing — getting extra timing with the fellows he’s throwing to. [Jones] had a very good camp, works onerous, able to go. I’m trying ahead to the season right here with Mac.”

Regardless of solely taking part in in three complete sequence throughout preseason motion, Jones impressed all through the summer season in Invoice O’Brien’s reworked offensive system.

With the Patriots’ new OC drawing up loads of RPOs (run-pass choices), screens, and brief passes within the staff’s playbook, Jones ought to profit from a gameplan tailor-made to his skillset as a poised, correct passer in a flexible and different scheme.

As famous by MassLive.com’s Mark Daniels, Jones accomplished 77 p.c (204-of-264) of his passes in aggressive full-team drills whereas tossing 4 interceptions.

“Mac’s had a very good offseason,” Belichick added in his Monday convention name with reporters. “Mac’s had a extremely good camp – involves work on daily basis, is available in early, stays late, works onerous.

“Understands the offense – the way it works, find out how to get his teammates concerned, find out how to assist them be productive. He’s had a extremely good stretch right here in coaching camp and had a very good spring to propel himself into this time interval. He’s been fairly constant throughout.”

Zappe struggled to comply with in Jones’ footsteps as a QB in O’Brien’s system. Together with a lackluster exhibiting beneath heavy reps through the Patriots’ preseason finale in opposition to the Titans (8-for-15, 57 yards, three fumbles), Zappe solely accomplished 64 p.c (160-of-252) of his passes to go along with seven interceptions in 11-on-11 drills this summer season, per MassLive. 

Nonetheless, given Zappe’s standing as a second-year professional and the promise he showcased final fall, his incapability to make the 53-man roster stood as one of many prime surprises throughout the NFL throughout cut-down day.

Belichick was requested Monday about what went into the choice to waive Zappe, with the Patriots head coach noting that the staff intends to additional watch him develop as part of the apply squad.

“All of the roster choices are based mostly on what we really feel like’s finest for our soccer staff,” Belichick stated of Zappe. “There’s numerous issues concerned there. However glad to have Bailey to proceed to work with him. Nonetheless suppose he’s a very good, younger, creating participant, so we’ll hold working with him.”

With each Zappe and Malik Cunningham on the surface trying in on the lively roster, it appears like QB Matt Corral may very well be in line for a backup function after New England claimed the sign caller off waivers from the Panthers final week. 

“We claimed him when he was accessible,” Belichick stated of Corral on WEEI Monday morning. “We’ll check out him and see the way it goes. Had an excellent profession at Mississippi, after which hasn’t actually had numerous probability to do a lot within the final two years. Was injured and missed a while, however had a very good preseason. So we’ll see the way it goes. Stay up for working with him.”

Regardless that the 24-year-old Corral does have some upside amid his damage woes, it looks as if the previous Ole Miss product is not going to simply be handed the backup function at QB instantly.

“My understanding is that Corral and Zappe will compete for the backup job,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Thursday on the NFL Network. “Clearly protected to say, contemplating Zappe is aware of the offense so properly, possibly he has the leg up, however undoubtedly an intriguing flier that the Patriots simply took on a younger quarterback.”