And the 2024 starting QB.Today is the day that Bailey Zappe became President.
Last night (first half especially) feels like a significant data point in the “is it the QB, the skill players, the line, or all of them?” argument. Not going to see too many games with only 3 dressed receivers (let alone three dressed receivers as reviled as Juju, Thornton, and Reagor) and down your #1 RB and they acquitted themselves fine because they got halfway decent QB play.Zeke - carried the load, ran hard, blocked hard, caught the ball well, and had a game saving tackle
Juju, Thornton , and Henry - proving it's a lot more about the QB than him being washed
It works both ways though. Juju came back and made a nice play on that initial long ball that was underthrown. If the defender gets his head around and wrestles it away the whole game could go differently. That was the best play that Juju has made all year and I bet Mac wishes he gotten had that on a few of his throws.Last night (first half especially) feels like a significant data point in the “is it the QB, the skill players, the line, or all of them?” argument. Not going to see too many games with only 3 dressed receivers (let alone three dressed receivers as reviled as Juju, Thornton, and Reagor) and down your #1 RB and they acquitted themselves fine because they got halfway decent QB play.
Yeah, game ball to the zebras here. That head jerk move by the center/long snapper happens very regularly, and is very, very rarely called as a false start. Pats very much got away with one there.Admittedly, I pay very little attention to long snappers on punts. But, do they ever snap the ball without looking up? If they sometimes do, then the offsetting penalty is defensible. If they always raise their head before snapping, then calling a penalty if they raise their head too quickly seems ridiculous to me.
Thornton had a couple nice grabs as well, and Henry's TD's weren't easy catches. Just some competent football all around (special teams excepted).It works both ways though. Juju came back and made a nice play on that initial long ball that was underthrown. If the defender gets his head around and wrestles it away the whole game could go differently. That was the best play that Juju has made all year and I bet Mac wishes he gotten had that on a few of his throws.
Yes they raise their heads, but the rule is you can't do it quickly. I have never seen it called on it's own, but it does get called when it forces a jump. Last night's was a bad call, but sometimes you see guys jerk the head up really fast to try and draw a penalty in the hope the ref misses it.Admittedly, I pay very little attention to long snappers on punts. But, do they ever snap the ball without looking up? If they sometimes do, then the offsetting penalty is defensible. If they always raise their head before snapping, then calling a penalty if they raise their head too quickly seems ridiculous to me.
I think your point that I bolded might be indicative of the fact that the r3ef got the call right.I have never really paid attention to long snapper mechanics, but the fact that whatever he did got two guys to jump makes me think that it was a bit out of the ordinary and the kind of thing the rules might prohibit as simulating the start of the play.
That said, the Patriots have taken some crazy stupid penalties the last couple of years and why they would ever risk a NZ infraction in 4th and less than 5 in the fourth quarter on a punt is a legitimate question.
I'm really impressed with Zeke. Guy is just a pro. He's clearly lost the explosiveness that made him such a weapon, but he's consistently making the right play. And he's a passable receiving back. If he's interested I'd definitely try to bring him back for another year, especially if they add some draftees to the RB room.I think your point that I bolded might be indicative of the fact that the r3ef got the call right.
In terms of game balls, as KH noted last night, I think the coaching staff and veteran leadership deserves some credit for the effort that this team put forth last night. Clearly could have been a phone-it-in game, between the record, the short week, and being on the road, yet it was the Pats who played hard throughout, most notably with Zeke's hustle on the INT.
Much better. Mitch was only 3/5 against him, so now he's only giving up completions at a 79.7% rate instead of 80.0%, and the QB rating against him is only 109.9.The real question on my mind: how did Myles Bryant do?
To the untrained eye, he seems to always be falling forward, too. At a minimum, gets another yard and sometimes several. That's very valuable when yards are hard to come by with this offense.I'm really impressed with Zeke. Guy is just a pro. He's clearly lost the explosiveness that made him such a weapon, but he's consistently making the right play. And he's a passable receiving back. If he's interested I'd definitely try to bring him back for another year, especially if they add some draftees to the RB room.
It seemed that BB and JJ finally heeded SoSH's mandate to just fair-catch everything... avoid fumbles/clotheslines/holdings.Myles also made a few tackles and fair-caught a handful of punts cleanly. That ain't nothing.
His growth as a player kind of reminds me on bruschi when he was younger.Tavai. He almost committed a mind-bogglingly horrible penalty, but otherwise he was everywhere. 15 tackles. Good on him.
Pat McAfee certainly thinks so:I wonder if the Pats had made the Pittsburgh long snapper's head movements a point of emphasis with the officials pre-game? If yes, then the Pats coaches get a game ball for that.
I think Bryant is pretty good at most things OTHER THAN man coverage. Sadly, as the 5th CB elevated to starter, that is a bit of an issue.Myles also made a few tackles and fair-caught a handful of punts cleanly. That ain't nothing.
Watt (and Highsmith) have concussion symptoms now. Unclear why Watt was let back in the game but we should probably grade Onwenu's / the line's performance on a bit of a curve in retrospect.My game ball goes to Zeke for kneeing Watt in the face on the first play of the game. If they could do that to the best opposing defender every week they'd be in great shape.
Yes, against the Dolphins. Two weeks later, the Cowboys used that against the Pats by faking an extra point and throwing behind Schooler for an easy two point conversion.Wasn’t there a FG block earlier in the year based on BB recognizing a head bob and timing Schooler off the edge?
John Fassel is right up there with BB when it comes to special teams.Yes, against the Dolphins. Two weeks later, the Cowboys used that against the Pats by faking an extra point and throwing behind Schooler for an easy two point conversion.