I thought Zappe looked awful, just holding the ball way too long, indecisive in the pocket, happy feet, just a far cry from the see it, throw it player he was when getting playing time last year, which may have a lot to do with an opened up playbook and more responsibilities in terms of progressions, setting protections and calling plays.
Didn't think Mac was impressive either, I'm honestly a bit stunned at the positive reception to his performance. Not that he was bad, he was okay, but he missed Henry down the seam, he missed Parker deep and missed him on the called PI in the end zone that set up the TD (awful placement on the fade) and I'm sorry, if they are going to go five wide a ton and put him in shotgun with a lot of leeway in terms of changing the play and making adjustments at the line, he'll have to be his best pass protector. It's just the reality of playing that sort of game, guys will rush free and it'll take one loss by the OL for the pass rush to be on you. Or he'll have to make a ton of big plays to make up for sacks if he's willing to hold the ball, as Burrow does in a similar type of offense, at least formationally. It's why I thought the ball to Douglas in space was his best play. Recognize where they vacated to rush, get the ball there quickly, first down.
