New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien has expressed confidence in both of the team's quarterbacks, Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones. O'Brien praised Zappe's improvement in pocket manipulation and his ability to keep his eyes downfield, attributing some of this development to the work with Evan Rothstein. He also highlighted Zappe's calmness and poise, while acknowledging that the quarterback is still gaining valuable experience. Zappe's performance against the Broncos earned him an 88.9 PFF grade, the highest for a Patriots quarterback since Mac Jones' 89.9 in the previous season. Despite Zappe's recent success, which has been described as the best game of his career, and a positive reaction from Bill Belichick to a game-winning field goal, O'Brien remains positive about Jones, emphasizing his intelligence, hard work, and good teammate qualities amid struggles this season. The Patriots are preparing for their final road game, with a focus on improving their minus-7 turnover differential. Meanwhile, Zappe has noted the intensity of the Patriots-Bills rivalry and is working on refining his game, including making the correct reads during plays, as highlighted in the Patriots-Broncos film review.
More Stidham: "I can't speak highly enough of Russ, tremendous teammate, tremendous competitor ... I've been around some incredible human beings and incredible quarterbacks ... today is obviously a tough day (for him), but we've had great interactions.''
Kraft conflicted about Belichick and Zappe’s Cloud 9 | @GregABedard Patriots Podcast w/ @NickCRadio - Presented by @FDSportsbook #GregBedardPod https://t.co/ptEM4TAFvn
Jarrett Stidham said it was “tough” day for Russell Wilson but had “great” interaction with him
Jarrett Stidham said it was a “tough” day for Russell Wilson but they have had “great” interaction with him
Bailey Zappe and Bill Belichick Becoming Hug Bros Could Be a Sign Both Will Be Back in 2024 https://t.co/TMr9IG3zNw https://t.co/H5weWVhSKk
Only hugs from now one between Zappe and Belichick. 🤗 https://t.co/LK5oHUeVVJ https://t.co/pIOYEQaoEi
Via @PATRIOTSdotCOM, Bill Belichick's view of some top plays of the week (lots of Christian Barmore; a heads-up play by Myles Bryant; Bailey Zappe-to-DeVante Parker; and Zappe's TD to Mike Gesicki etc.). https://t.co/JKxVcwSLVj
A nugget that Bailey Zappe shared with reporters: This 4th-quarter play was one he pinpointed as wanting to do a better job … as the correct read was Pharaoh Brown (hand raised) up the right side. “Little things like that can affect the game,” he said. “Trying to dial that in.” https://t.co/onjYSoShmO
Bailey Zappe on the photo: “Just in case another video goes viral, we’re hugging it out.” He couldn’t confirm if Belichick appreciated the hug. https://t.co/eBWrpVg3lW
Bailey Zappe on Patriots-Bills: These 2 teams don’t like each other. A great rivalry. https://t.co/cTuArfCcL3
No more awkward post-game celebrations between Bailey Zappe and Bill Belichick. https://t.co/0VyJ6HOFa6
Patriots OC Bill O'Brien is still feeling "good" about Mac Jones. https://t.co/za7WoKFoQi
#Patriots-Broncos film review: How Bailey Zappe has changed the offense in 4 weeks Plus ... ⭐️A defensive star is born 🧨How Pats are creating explosive plays 🏈Payton vs. Belichick ⏪O'Brien going back to the same Xs/Os for TDs https://t.co/TFjX5S208H https://t.co/QF7Nru7mgJ
Patriots Wednesday 🅱️🅱️ 9:15a: Bill Belichick 🧢🔟 11a: David Andrews ⚡️ 11:15a: Bailey Zappe 🏈 1:10p: Practice 🔒🚪3p/4:30p: Locker room NOTES: Davon Godchaux on Christian Barmore: "Starting to separate himself"...Minus-7 turnover differential (T-26th)...Final road game.
Bill Belichick and Bailey Zappe had completely opposite reactions to Patriots' game-winning field goal https://t.co/v7nuT2v7r0 https://t.co/ESqnh2ao3D
The Patriots have moved on to Bailey Zappe under center for now, but that doesn't mean OC Bill O'Brien gave up on Mac Jones and his potential. https://t.co/ueORFlbqJD
Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien still “feels good” about Mac Jones being a solid quarterback in the NFL, despite the signal-caller’s struggles this season https://t.co/Hrs0LiRGEX
🚨QUICK SLANTS POLL🚨 Bailey Zappe had the best game of his career in Sunday night's win over Denver. How should the Patriots be viewing him entering '24? (Slants at 6:30 p.m.!)
In talking about what impressed him the most about Bailey Zappe during Sunday's game-winning drive against the Broncos, Bill O'Brien identified what's ultimately missing from the quarterback's game. https://t.co/eiqx9ccAG9
Bill O'Brien identifies what's missing from Bailey Zappe's game https://t.co/Citc5cPxEl
During his media session Tuesday, Bill O'Brien offered a message to Mac Jones https://t.co/Ypj7RZMuMP
Bill O'Brien says he still believes in Mac Jones https://t.co/V1aNKjWLq0
Bill O'Brien: I think Mac Jones is going to be just fine. https://t.co/1Lujg92bFN
Bill O'Brien on Mac Jones: "I feel good about Mac Jones. I really do. I think Mac Jones is a smart guy. He's a very hard worker. He's really done a good job in this situation here of being a good teammate. Look, these are things that happen in the course of a lot of careers. You…
Bill O'Brien: "That's one thing that was very improved by him. He was able to negotiate the pocket, manipulate the pocket. It's not always perfect. Evan Rothstein works a lot with him on that and I think that really showed up. Bailey did a good job keeping his eyes downfield." https://t.co/O7m3Wm8kvd
Bill O’Brien on QB Bailey Zappe: “He’s calm. He’s poised. He’s got that. What he doesn’t have is experience; he’s gaining experience. You can not discount experience and what that means to your career — if you take advantage of it. That is something Zap has done a good job of …” https://t.co/J89apcEpN1
Giardi: Some love for Zappe, but none for Belichick? https://t.co/37TbwrWcbs
Bailey Zappe's 88.9 PFF grade Sunday night vs. the Broncos was the highest mark for a Patriots quarterback since Mac Jones' 89.9 grade in Week 17 of the 2021 season.
Snapshot that reflects a top theme in Patriots-Broncos review: Bailey Zappe calmness in the pocket. (This was 30-yarder to DeVante Parker at bottom of screen — 3Q/3:41) https://t.co/GDKvL7mSB7