Patriots QB Bailey Zappe: Playing in the NFL ‘still surreal’
FOXBORO — Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe may have played his final snaps of the season last weekend in Cleveland, with starter Mac Jones now nearing the end of his recovery from a high ankle sprain.
Zappe starred in his three game appearances, helping the Pats to two wins as he completed 73% of his passes for 596 yards, four touchdowns and a pick. Whether or not he makes another Monday night against the Bears, Zappe sounds happy to be along for the ride
“Of course I had a little confidence that I’d be able to make it, but for me it’s still surreal to be in this position and be in the NFL, to be a quarterback in the NFL,” he said Wednesday. “And I don’t think it will ever come to me that I’m playing in the NFL. I think I’ll still always take advantage of every day and live this dream that I’ve had since I was five.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his position, Zappe said he will keep the same approach he followed as a healthy scratch Weeks 1-3 and as the Patriots’ starter the past two games. On Tuesday, the rookie revealed he didn’t learn he would start at Cleveland until roughly 24 hours before kickoff.
“I still study the game plan the same way I would whether I was third-string or a starter. That’s kind of the mentality I take into it every week, that’s the mentality I’m going to take into this week, so I think that’s going to carry on into the rest of the year.”
Zappe later added by reiterating Jones has been part of his support system behind the scenes. Jones was on the sideline for Sunday’s win, the first time he’s been on-field for a game since the injury.
“He’s helped a lot,” Zappe said. “Of course he’s been in the league for a whole year above me, and I’ve been able to pick his brain and ask him questions and he’s been giving me great feedback answering them. He’s been a lot of help.”
As for Jones, Pats center David Andrews was asked Wednesday what kind of support he could lend his fellow captain as he recovers. Jones has been pushing to play for weeks, but the team has sidelined him in favor of Zappe and the hope he returns close to full health before hitting the field.
“I think, one is, ‘Be as ready as you are and make sure you’re where you need to be,’” Andrews said. “I haven’t had a lot of injuries where I’ve kind of missed time during the season … but I think, as a player, I know if I was in that position, I’d just want to be as healthy as I could be. That’s tough because you’re a competitor, you want to go play. So, we’ll see.
“He’ll make that decision, and obviously our medical staff.”
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/8uXKT6e
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