Training Camp QB Dilemma

With Brady's appeal potentially dragging out into fall, there will be uncertainty about the QB situation going into training camp. Brady can potentially be missing 0-4 games, either at the start of the season or some time into the season depending on how long it takes for this to be appealed. How does Belichik handle this uncertainty during training camp and pre-season?

Belichick will have both quarterbacks ready to play, as has always been the case.

Only one QB at any given time can be given 1st team reps so this is a problem.

Get Brady tuned up and ready for another Superbowl run.

Such a overrated issue. Garropolo will play the bulk of the preseason games. Except for Game 3 which they'll split time and if it is nearing the end of August and looking like Brady will miss the opener Garropolo will get enough first team reps to be ready.

Sad that people are acting like Bill Belichick of all people doesn't have this already figured out.

Well I guess it really doesn't matter to me because if its August and Brady is still not going to play those first 4 games then I am officially done with the NFL.

VectorPrime said:

Well I guess it really doesn't matter to me because if its August and Brady is still not going to play those first 4 games then I am officially done with the NFL.

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JMC00 said:

Such a overrated issue. Garropolo will play the bulk of the preseason games. Except for Game 3 which they'll split time and if it is nearing the end of August and looking like Brady will miss the opener Garropolo will get enough first team reps to be ready.

Sad that people are acting like Bill Belichick of all people doesn't have this already figured out.

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Agree that the coach will figure it out as well as anyone could, once the actual suspension length is finalized and the timing becomes clear.

But I don't think preseason games are a significant part of the prep for quarterbacks, other than rookies. It is about practice reps, as pointed out by VectorPrime above, and that's suddenly a more constrained resource for the coaching staff to manage.

JMC00 said:

Such a overrated issue. Garropolo will play the bulk of the preseason games. Except for Game 3 which they'll split time and if it is nearing the end of August and looking like Brady will miss the opener Garropolo will get enough first team reps to be ready.

Sad that people are acting like Bill Belichick of all people doesn't have this already figured out.

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^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^ This is professional football. Everyone will be ready to go, regardless of their position on the depth chart. Don't forget that Brady, Edelman and others spent the summer out in California working out and practicing various routes, etc. Brady knows his WR's and TE's. He can miss some practice time and still be fine. He's been doing this for quite a few years, after all.

VectorPrime said:

Only one QB at any given time can be given 1st team reps so this is a problem.

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Not true.

In TC, all QB's take reps with first and second team, in a variety of scenarios.

Don't expect this to change at all.

PP2 said:

Not true. In TC, all QB's take reps with first and second team, in a variety of scenarios. Don't expect this to change at all.

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Unless the coaching staff has figured out the "hole in the space/time continuum" thing and is working in multiple dimensions simultaneously, the "at any given time" part of the post you quote is what is operative here. Yes, there is some distribution between first and second teams between the QB's. And how that distribution will be managed is exactly what the OP was referring to with a rather innocent and invitational question about it.

I don't see how this is "such an overrated issue" when the OP didn't make a big deal about it at all; it was just a "wondering out loud" kind of post, not one with any real urgency expressed. How is it possible for that to be overrating anything?

betterthanthealternative said:

Unless the coaching staff has figured out the "hole in the space/time continuum" thing and is working in multiple dimensions simultaneously, the "at any given time" part of the post you quote is what is operative here. Yes, there is some distribution between first and second teams between the QB's. And how that distribution will be managed is exactly what the OP was referring to with a rather innocent and invitational question about it.

I don't see how this is "such an overrated issue" when the OP didn't make a big deal about it at all; it was just a "wondering out loud" kind of post, not one with any real urgency expressed. How is it possible for that to be overrating anything?

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I have been to training camp and I have seen how they handle the QB situation which is to rotate all QB's with first and second team in a variety of scenarios. They always plan for all kinds of "what if" scenarios including the possibility that Brady goes down with an injury.

I don't expect any of that to change for this coming preseason.

As for the regular season, I expect the final verdict to be in before it starts so either way, the team will be prepared to deal with it.

Never said this was "such an overrated issue," but thanks for the dislike.

PP2 said:

I have been to training camp and I have seen how they handle the QB situation which is to rotate all QB's with first and second team in a variety of scenarios. They always plan for all kinds of "what if" scenarios including the possibility that Brady goes down with an injury.

I don't expect any of that to change for this coming preseason.

As for the regular season, I expect the final verdict to be in before it starts so either way, the team will be prepared to deal with it.

Never said this was "such an overrated issue," but thanks for the dislike.

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First, the dislike was not intentional; I generally don't do that, so sorry. And, I meant to quote the post above yours, which was supporting a statement that this was "such an overrated issue." I have no idea what happened, which is actually my biggest concern here by far. A little early in the day to be blacking out.

VectorPrime said:

Only one QB at any given time can be given 1st team reps so this is a problem.

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That's not true at all. Garapollo got lots of reps with the first team last year. This is necessary for a backup quarterback. Otherwise, he isn't prepared to play with the first team in a game.

Sorta on topic, how many QBs will be on the roster for games 1-4 if Brady is out? I could see them carrying four total (including Brady) just in case JG either doesn't work out or proves not to be durable.

But then at that point I guess the QB is just going to be handing off the ball and the team may have to be resolved to lose a few.

If Brady is serving his suspension for 4 games (or less), then he technically won't count towards the 53 man roster. I would think that the team would carry one QB to serve as Jimmy G. backup.

For Week 1 it might be a practice squad candidate like Garrett Gilbert. There's a rule that a "vested veteran" defined by 4 or more service years that are active on the Week 1 have their base salaries fully guaranteed.

So... depending on whether:
1. Brady wins appeal, won't miss any games: we'll have two on 53-man and 1 on practice squad
2. Brady misses games: we'll probably try to skate by Week 1 with Garoppolo and Gilbert and then sign a more experience backup for Week 2... and waive Gilbert back to the practice squad.

Team might bring in an extra experienced camp arm like Flynn (Packers/Seahawks). Cut him pre-Week 1. Then bring him back for Week 2, so we only pay the guy week-to-week.

tasmlab said:

Sorta on topic, how many QBs will be on the roster for games 1-4 if Brady is out? I could see them carrying four total (including Brady) just in case JG either doesn't work out or proves not to be durable.

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Ya no-way they are carrying 4.

IF Brady is suspended Garoppolo will be #1 and Garret Gilbert or whoever will be #2 for any games Brady misses. Edelman will be the emergency QB. Which then when Brady comes back Gilbert or whoever will be released and BB will go to the PS is not claimed.


If you believe the reports BB is very high on Garoppolo. Which means if Brady is out, short of Garoppolo just looking absolutely god awful in camp then BB will proceed no differently than he has for the past with only one backup QB.

Blessing in disguise is Brady's cast hasn't turned over at all...maybe they work more to get Dobson integrated and the TE's and RB's have shuffled up a bit. But Brady knows what he's getting with Edelman/Lafell/Amendola/Gronk. He'll get his usual reps and Jimmy G will get 2nd teamer reps and the bulk of the preseason games. Whether or not there's a suspension they'll both be ready, and unlike past seasons Brady knows the receivers he'll be throwing to, no surprises so he can work on basic timing but otherwise there's not much to worry about.

Brady will be under center against Pittsburg anyway, so this is a moot point

PP2 said:

Not true.

In TC, all QB's take reps with first and second team, in a variety of scenarios.

Don't expect this to change at all.

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Yes. In various ratios. The ratios may, in fact, change.

JMC00 said:

If you believe the reports BB is very high on Garoppolo. Which means if Brady is out, short of Garoppolo just looking absolutely god awful in camp then BB will proceed no differently than he has for the past with only one backup QB.

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Somewhat amusingly, I read an article by Rick Gosselin that basically argued that if the Patriots have to play Garoppolo, they're in trouble.

The entire logic of his article? Historically, backups don't play well when thrust into a starting role.