FOXBOROUGH - Bailey Zappe isn't a dancer in the pocket like Patrick Mahomes or a powerhouse like the one you'll see Sunday in Josh Allen. No one moves like Lamar Jackson, not since Michael Vick. All those players are in a class of their own, and for me to type Zappe's name next is a disservice to them and Zappe. He's not that kind of athlete or talent. That's not a rip job. Few are.
But after watching Mac Jones' pocket movements bog down the Patriots' offense almost from the jump this season - with some exceptions here or there - watching Zappe not only capably maneuver in tight quarters but also keep his eyes off the flashes of opposing color and on his receivers downfield has certainly invigorated an offense that was deader than the squirrel I sadly smushed on my trip to Foxborough Wednesday (RIP).
"That's one thing in the game that was very improved by him," said Bill O'Brien. "He was able to, you know, I always call it negotiate the pocket, manipulate the pocket. It's not always perfect, right? And so he does a good job of that."
It showed up a number of times in the game, most notably on the 41-yard completion to DeMario Douglas and later on his touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki. According to O'Brien and Zappe, improved footwork is a byproduct of time spent with assistant QB coach Evan Rothstein.
"Evan Rothstein works a lot on that with him - before stretch and everything every single day," noted O'Brien. "And, I think that that really showed up in the game. Bailey did a really good job of that. Keeping his eyes downfield and negotiating that pocket and he did a really good job there."
"We do it every day," said Zappe, mentioning it's usually 15 to 20 minutes before practice starts. "The more you do it, the more it becomes like second nature to you. So, when you get on the field, you're not worried about it or thinking about it. It kind of just comes natural, and that's what you want. You don't want to be back there worried about the rush. You want to be able to have your eyes downfield. So, that's really helped a lot, doing that stuff before practice."
Jones stopped seeing it, partly because his protection was so bad early on that it clearly impacted his internal clock and created an inability to peer over the rush and remain poised and accurate.
Zappe, on the other hand, didn't spend the first two months of the season getting batted around like a pinata and thus isn't suffering from PTSD. It's allowed him to unlock the talent of DeVante Parker, who has gone for 60 or more yards in two of the last three games and had his two longest catches Sunday on scoring drives, including a 27-yarder that set up the game-winning field goal by Chad Ryland.
"DeVante is one of those guys that I fully believe in when those 50-50 balls - it's kind of how we connected versus the Broncos to where I have the confidence in him to put it wherever I want and that he's going to go get it," said Zappe. "It's either going to be incomplete, or it's going to be a big gain for us. He's been doing that his whole career. To see that again versus the Broncos is a beautiful sight - to see him go up there and make those catches. If we ever get that matchup again - I don't know if we will after the game he had - but if we do, hopefully, we'll take advantage of it, and I'll throw another one up there, too."
Zappe finished the game 5-for-5 for 128 yards on throws of 20 yards or more (hole shot vs cover 2 to Jalen Reagor and a seam ball off play action to Pharoah Brown). That's a sharp contrast to how Jones attacked (and how protection allowed him to attack). Mac had just 15 explosives. Zappe already has 12 in significantly fewer attempts/playing time.
"You've got to trust what you see and go with it," said Zappe. Considering what it's done for the offense, the second-year pro needs to continue to let it rip, and based on what we know about his personality, demeanor, and aggressive nature, it's safe to say he will.
Patriots end season for Stevenson: The Patriots placed RB Rhamondre Stevenson on injured reserve, ending his season. With the Patriots eliminated from playoff contention, there was no sense in pushing it.
New England claimed cornerback Marco Wilson from the Cardinals. The Broncos and Titans also put in a claim. Shaun Wade was injured late against the Broncos in the already short Patriots secondary.
Wilson, 24, was a fourth-round pick in 2021. The 5-11, 191-pound Wilson started 37 of his 43 games.