It’s not like this is the first time in history a coach hasn’t named a starter before kickoff.1. I agree with those who say BB is doing this with purpose. We may not understand it, but my strong hunch is that in his mind this is, in the end, in the best interest of the Club. For me, trying to understand it more than that is fruitless, but it’s interesting to think about.
2. I also think that whatever BB’s purpose, it very well could be a case of BB again looking for a way to be smarter than everyone else and zigging where others zag. Like not putting a returner back, or what have you. It could be hubris instead of genius, but it is deliberate and thought out.
So, it could be dumb, but given that the thing that makes Belichick do these things is also the thing that makes him not call time out against the Seahawks, I am ok with it, even when he gets it wrong.
I think this is right. Who will start is about the most interesting part of this week's game so thanks to BB for giving some meaning to a nearly meaningless game.It’s gonna be Mac.
Funny, I was thinking they haven't announced a starting QB because they don't plan to use one.Bill is going to reveal his innovative 2 QB formation on Sunday.
No point in playing Zappe since it sure looks like he won't be on the team next year either.It’s gonna be Mac.
Unless they waive someone else, that spot is surely for McDermott.Any chance they are gonna use the spot to elevate Malik?
No QB would better reflect the Pats' NFL talent at that position than one (let alone two!).Funny, I was thinking they haven't announced a starting QB because they don't plan to use one.
They haven't done anything resembling that in a couple of yearsNo QB would better reflect the Pats' NFL talent at that position than one (let alone two!).
Someone should sponsor a park bench and just put his name on it.On the way home from the in-laws saw an election-style sign in a yard in Goshen, MA: "Bench Mac Jones".
Welp, guess he wasn't all that. FML. Run Mac into the ground I guess.
No? The league can’t compel a team to play certain players.Are there any league requirements to announce a starter? With the league and every team in bed with every casino/betting app there is, it's very bad for (gambling) business to not announce who the QB is. I know for THIS game is doesn't matter because they both suck and probably won't move the lines one way or another but next time and next team it may
Poor C's and B's, both either tied or own the best records in their leaguesWelp, guess he wasn't all that. FML. Run Mac into the ground I guess.
When do pitchers and catchers report?
I mean, they know how those guys are practicing. What, did they think Zappe would outperform Mac in practice this specific week after failing to do so all year? If practice is deciding who plays, just keep Mac on the field and own it. He's your starter because you value practice performance above all else in order to decide who plays, but if he does a dumb-dumb on the field he has to be taken out it order to understand what a bad boy he's been? It's high school stuff.What happens in the Colts game and who starts against the Giants are 2 separate decisions. Not completely uncorrelated, as Mac's horrific outing in Germany needs to be taken into account. But if Zappe or Grier are not showing in practice that they are deserving of a start, then starting Mac may very well be the best decision. It may be that Mac is getting the start but will have a very short leash, and so they want to have Zappe up to speed on the game plan.
Did you read what I said? Because, judging by your response, you did not.No? The league can’t compel a team to play certain players.
How would that even work? ‘Hey, Bengals, you must start and play an announced QB unless he gets hurt or looks pretty bad.’ That’s not gonna hunt. The most the league can do is enforce injury reporting rules; otherwise, whoever is on the 53-man roster can conceivably be active and play.
And while we are on the topic, if the betting community isn’t pricing that uncertainty into their betting, then that’s on them.
The league’s media availability rules require teams to produce a depth chart and update it weekly.Are there any league requirements to announce a starter? With the league and every team in bed with every casino/betting app there is, it's very bad for (gambling) business to not announce who the QB is. I know for THIS game is doesn't matter because they both suck and probably won't move the lines one way or another but next time and next team it may
Every team must produce a credible weekly depth chart for the media beginning no later than the week of its first preseason game and updated weekly through the end of its season. The depth chart must include the 11 offensive positions and the 11 defensive positions a team considers to be in its base units, and it must list expected starters and backups at each of those positions. Listing players at each position on the depth chart in alphabetical order is prohibited.
But there is a lot of leeway granted to teams on who they actually start at game time. The Pats are not in any danger of running afoul of league rules here.The league’s media availability rules require teams to produce a depth chart and update it weekly.
https://www.profootballwriters.org/nfl-media-access-policy/
Beat me to it. With Cunningham they could have done some innovative sets. Not that they would be good, but they’d be differentBill is going to reveal his innovative 2 QB formation on Sunday.
No one every really thought he was all that. He's 28 and hasn't thrown an NFL pass since 2019 for a reason.Welp, guess he wasn't all that. FML. Run Mac into the ground I guess.
A billboard on the way to Gillette would be funny.On the way home from the in-laws saw an election-style sign in a yard in Goshen, MA: "Bench Mac Jones".
I think he won't be either, to me the vast majority of the fanbase has already made their peace with the fact this team will need a new QB and doesn't really care that much about how Mac Jones will look for the rest of the season, aside from the very vocal, but minor, defense force that still believes he's a competent player who was sabotaged and ruined by the most disfuncional organization in the sport or whatever it is they're saying these days.At what point does he become a sympathetic or maybe just a pathetic figure? It’s become painful to watch. I want him to succeed, but no longer think it’s possible. Change of scenery can’t come soon enough.
Pitcher and catchers will report long before Bs or Cs play any meaningful games.Poor C's and B's, both either tied or own the best records in their leagues
I’ll defend Zappe a bit.
A full reboot in the offseason is the only option. Top 3 pick or not, that has to be the plan.I am basically at cut him in the offseason. The dude is clearly going through a crisis of Ankielian proportions. I don’t think he’ll be ready to contribute for a while.
Can we just call him Mac-key Sasser? Or better, Mac-key Passer?A full reboot in the offseason is the only option. Top 3 pick or not, that has to be the plan.
Zappe is a fringe back-up and Mac has gone full Ankiel, as you said.
Also worthwhile just to get some of the stink off the team and have a fresh start. He's not going to contribute to any kind of winning situation here, so just cut the tie.I am basically at cut him in the offseason. The dude is clearly going through a crisis of Ankielian proportions. I don’t think he’ll be ready to contribute for a while.
We could also call him Chuck (No Block)Can we just call him Mac-key Sasser? Or better, Mac-key Passer?
Hey, he actually kind of got in the way on the interception return today without committing a PF.We could also call him Chuck (No Block)
Those yips were maybe the most fun of all to watch.We could also call him Chuck (No Block)
This is it. He sucks. He's always sucked, and the league discovered this by the bye week of his first year in the league. Since then he's been absolutely awful.As much as it may be tempting to blame the coaching, it may be that Mac is simply not cut out to be a QB in this league, no matter the coaching or supporting cast. Tommy Hodson was bad as well.