(AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Are you Team Zappe or Team Mac?
It’s pretty stunning that we’re even at the point where there is a real discussion as to who the Patriots’ starting quarterback should be on Monday night, but Zappe’s play over the last two weeks and perhaps more importantly, the way he’s carrying himself, is making this a not-so-crazy conversation.
In August, if you had told anyone that watches this team the third string rookie would give the team a spark and win his first two NFL starts when Mac Jones went down, creating a quarterback controversy in Week 7, you would have gotten looked at as if you had four heads. However, after watching Zappe run the offense – albeit against two really bad defenses – it’s hard to ignore the production and the vibe around the team.
Guys clearly play confidently with Zappe. Meanwhile, in his second year, things felt a bit helter-skelter with Mac under center against Miami, Pittsburgh and Baltimore to open the season, while the simpler offense with Zappe has produced far better numbers and the most important thing – wins. It also doesn’t feel like there is a divided locker room on this one. Whoever’s winning is going to get the backing from teammates, Jones hasn’t been in the league long enough to establish that kind of locker room dividing credibility yet.
Zappe continues to take over weekly media duties too, adding more fuel to the fire as he spoke on Wednesday afternoon.
“I think it’s really just taking it day-by-day, every day getting better, getting more comfortable, understanding the plays and understanding the concepts,” Zappe said when asked about how comfortable he’s gotten. “Really just taking it – as we keep saying – day-by-day and really just getting better every day with it.”
The calm, cool, collected demeanor from Zappe has served him well. With all the talk swirling around him and Jones, the two have been able to work together for the betterment of the team, but everyone knows only one guy can play.
“Oh, he’s helped a lot. Of course, he’s been in the league for a whole other year above me,” said Zappe. “I’ve been able to pick his brain. I’ve been able to ask him questions, and he’s been giving me great feedback answering them. He’s a lot of help.”
The other element here is the fact that just because Jones was a first round pick doesn’t mean he’s entitled to get the job back if the Patriots keep winning with Zappe. Turnovers and constantly questioning the coaching staff as a second year guy could actually end up making Bill Belichick’s decision easier if he believes Zappe will continue to simply keep his mouth shut and do what he’s told while playing winning football.
Zappe may be surprised with how quickly everything has happened, but he hasn’t lost sight of how lucky he is, which is something Jones may have forgotten heading into training camp. The “just happy to be here” mindset as a young player is much more productive than the “why am I doing this?” mindset and it could be the ultimate deciding factor for a coach who cares about winning, not draft status or endorsement deals.
“Of course, I had a little confidence that I’d be able to make it in myself. But for me it’s still surreal to be in this position and be in the NFL, be a quarterback in the NFL,” Zappe addd when asked if he believed he could be an NFL QB when at Houston Baptist. “I don’t think it would ever come to me that I’m playing in the NFL. I still think I’ll always take advantage of every day and live this dream that I’ve had since I was five.”