Patriots 2023 Season

[Donoghus]

It was roster spot manuevering with Zappe & Cunningham.  Not much else.  They gambled a bit there but its clear that Mac is the guy right now.  I don't think there were any psychological games involved or anything.  There was a roster crunch exacerbated by injuries and some depth chart concerns so they gambled with the QB position.

Also, Volin is a jack2ss

[Vermont Green]

It was roster spot manuevering with Zappe & Cunningham.  Not much else.  They gambled a bit there but its clear that Mac is the guy right now.  I don't think there were any psychological games involved or anything.  There was a roster crunch exacerbated by injuries and some depth chart concerns so they gambled with the QB position.

Also, Volin is a jack2ss

I agree that this was just roster maneuvering, I don't get what all the outrage was about.  Now if Zappe had been claimed, then there would have been something to be upset about, but he didn't.  The QB rotation or depth chart is no different today than it was a week ago.  Same for the RB rotation. 

The issue is the OL.  They have 11 OL players right now on the regular roster.  I expect they will cut that down to 8 or 9.  The problem is with injuries and the recent additions, they haven't had enough time to to see all the players to know who to keep, who to cut, who to put on the practice squad.  This maneuvering buys them time to sort that all out.  My prediction that two OL will be "maneuvered" off the regular roster before the season starts and that Zappe and Ty Montgomery are in uniform for Game 1.

[Vermont Green]

Pats claim Matt Corral, 2nd year QB from Ole Miss (3rd round pick).  Maybe Zappe won't be suited up for Game 1 after all.  Hard to believe Corral would know many of the plays with only 1.5 weeks to prepare.

[Moranis]

Pats claim Matt Corral, 2nd year QB from Ole Miss (3rd round pick).  Maybe Zappe won't be suited up for Game 1 after all.  Hard to believe Corral would know many of the plays with only 1.5 weeks to prepare.

Makes more sense that they had someone else in mind, still weird they made the moves without said person already on the roster.  But having a guy on the active roster they like better than Zappe shows why they cut Zappe to begin with.

[kraidstar]

Pats claim Matt Corral, 2nd year QB from Ole Miss (3rd round pick).  Maybe Zappe won't be suited up for Game 1 after all.  Hard to believe Corral would know many of the plays with only 1.5 weeks to prepare.

Belichick is playing 5D chess

1.5 weeks is nothing when you've mastered. the space/time continuum.

In all seriousness tho, the man might be both insane and washed up. I'll be happy to see evidence to the contrary

[celticsclay]

I was commenting on ozgod's post about the Patriots cutting Zappe to make the hierarchy clear.  If that is the reason then that shows a pure lack of faith in your starter.

I’m trying to picture myself on a bengals or ravens forum arguing with people about what guys are on their practice squad after I’ve repeatedly shown my lack of understanding for the team and I just can’t. Cheers to being unique and a Tommy point

[ozgod]

As expected, Zappe is back with the Pats after clearing waivers, with the practice squad. Cunningham is expected to follow. The pecking order has been well and truly set though, with Mac on top and no more media speculation of a quarterback contest or a platoon system.

If your backup QB is on the practice squad, what happens if Mac gets knocked out of a game?

I doubt Zappe will be the backup. They will get another guy to be the backup. A clear No2.

[boscel33]

As expected, Zappe is back with the Pats after clearing waivers, with the practice squad. Cunningham is expected to follow. The pecking order has been well and truly set though, with Mac on top and no more media speculation of a quarterback contest or a platoon system.

If your backup QB is on the practice squad, what happens if Mac gets knocked out of a game?

I doubt Zappe will be the backup. They will get another guy to be the backup. A clear No2.

Does Matt Corral count as a true #2?  It's an interesting get for sure by the Pats, seeing as he was pretty darn good in college.  The better connection is that Corral excelled when Lane Kiffin showed up and oh by the way, Kiffin was OC at Alabama prior. 

[Vermont Green]

Does Matt Corral count as a true #2?  It's an interesting get for sure by the Pats, seeing as he was pretty darn good in college.  The better connection is that Corral excelled when Lane Kiffin showed up and oh by the way, Kiffin was OC at Alabama prior.

I guess Corral was better in College and in a more competitive conference.  I am not sure that means he is any better than Zappe though.  I think we are in big trouble if Mac goes down in any case.

[green_bballers13]

I'm very intrigued by Corral. He was a playmaker at Ole Miss. I could see him playing this year.

[tazzmaniac]

As expected, Zappe is back with the Pats after clearing waivers, with the practice squad. Cunningham is expected to follow. The pecking order has been well and truly set though, with Mac on top and no more media speculation of a quarterback contest or a platoon system.

If your backup QB is on the practice squad, what happens if Mac gets knocked out of a game?

I doubt Zappe will be the backup. They will get another guy to be the backup. A clear No2.

Does Matt Corral count as a true #2?  It's an interesting get for sure by the Pats, seeing as he was pretty darn good in college.  The better connection is that Corral excelled when Lane Kiffin showed up and oh by the way, Kiffin was OC at Alabama prior.

Not sure why you mentioned Kiffin at Alabama.  Kiffin had left Alabama to be the head coach of FAU before Mac arrived on campus as part of the 2017 recruiting class. 

[Vermont Green]

As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots have added wide receiver Jalen Reagor to their practice squad. Reagor was waived by the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday.

Wow, this sounds like a nice reclamation project candidate.  Former first round pick by PHI.  He ran a slow 40 at the draft combine (4.47) but had a good 10 yd split (1.52).  The reporting was that he was overweight for the combine and that he is actually faster than his 40 time would indicate.  Not that big (5'-11") so maybe he can be a coached up for playing as the slot receiver.  I am guessing he is not a great route runner by NFL standards, in spite of his speed, but if he can learn the short routes and get yards after catch, could develop into a useful receiver. 

He has been a bust so far but definitely seems worth putting on the practice squad to see if he can figure it out.  The knock on him is that he lacks physicality.  He can be jammed at the line and out-muscled on contested catches.  Also damaged ligaments in his thumb his rookie season, which may have contributed to his drops.  Also doesn't block well.  Sounds like a lot to work on.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Does it really matter who's the No. 2? I mean, unless New England has the next Tom Brady waiting in the wings (highly doubtful), the Pats (like all teams) are screwed if their No. 1 guy goes down.

[Phantom255x]

I'm watching some college football today and I got to say... some of these teams have much better skill position players and overall offenses than even the Patriots 

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I'm watching some college football today and I got to say... some of these teams have much better skill position players and overall offenses than even the Patriots 

Not that you're wrong, but I also noticed that a lot of these early-season games are nonconference matchups between teams miles apart in talent, so a lot of the games end up being extreme blowouts—there were at least three games yesterday where the winner scored in the 70s and the loser scored in the single digits, LOL.