Will the Patriots carry 4 QBs on the roster to start the season?

[Force Zero Boomer]

I've made the argument over on the Rourke thread that they WILL, but I'm interested in hearing counter-arguments.

Here's a summary of my position: with the question marks surrounding the OL and the absolute necessity to protect Maye's body and confidence, and the team's probable desire to keep Milton off the PS given his potential, they have no choice but to keep Zappe or another veteran backup on the 53-man roster. That gives us 4 QBs. There's no problem with that: this team isn't going on a championship run and keeping Drake healthy and confident is far, far more important.

 

[EMpats]

I agree. Unless they are willing to have Maye come in game 1 if Jacoby gets hurt, they will have no choice but to keep Zappe. If they want to keep Maye off the field for a few weeks no matter what, Zappe is the only option because I don’t see Milton as a viable option to play this year.

 

[Thunderhead]

If they don't move on from Zappe they are beyond incompetent. Sooner the better.

 

[rkarp1]

this staff has no allegiance nor familiarity with Zappe.
if they need a 4th, would they opt for a more familiar player, that they have worked with before?
Thompson-Robinson is #4 on the Browns depth chart. Flacco is on their speed dial. PJ Walker is available.

 

[PatsFan2]

I've made the argument over on the Rourke thread that they WILL, but I'm interested in hearing counter-arguments.

Here's a summary of my position: with the question marks surrounding the OL and the absolute necessity to protect Maye's body and confidence, and the team's probable desire to keep Milton off the PS given his potential, they have no choice but to keep Zappe or another veteran backup on the 53-man roster. That gives us 4 QBs. There's no problem with that: this team isn't going on a championship run and keeping Drake healthy and confident is far, far more important.

Why 4?? It will be Three Maye - Biscuit and Milton in that order Zappe to PS maybe. We don't Ever want to see Zappe Starting he's just too limited the sample size is enough capish.

 

[Clonamery]

No.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I would hope not. Hopefully one of the rookies show enough to at least be trusted as a backup, or maybe milton can come down with the ‘foxboro flu’ this year. Zappe is a pretty reliable backup at a cheap cost

 

[maust]

No.

I, for one, appreciate the brevity

 

[Clonamery]

I, for one, appreciate the brevity

Yes.

 

[Grogan14]

No. They are not carrying 4 qbs. They might offer Zappe a PS designation. If Brissett get hurt rookies have to sink or swim.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

If they don't move on from Zappe they are beyond incompetent. Sooner the better.

That's fine, but are you saying they will go with 3 QBs or that they will sign a veteran QB?

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

No.

You're cool with Maye being thrown into the fire with an unproven OL if Brissette goes down in game one?

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

No. They are not carrying 4 qbs. They might offer Zappe a PS designation. If Brissett get hurt rookies have to sink or swim.

And if Maye suffers a serious injury in game 3 because the OL is still a work-in-progress? You're fine with that risk? In a rebuilding season? Wow.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

I agree. Unless they are willing to have Maye come in game 1 if Jacoby gets hurt, they will have no choice but to keep Zappe. If they want to keep Maye off the field for a few weeks no matter what, Zappe is the only option because I don’t see Milton as a viable option to play this year.

This is a good way to think about it, although they may elect to go with another veteran QB as backup. I agree that Milton is not an actual QB 3 this year. So if you're going to count Milton as a QB then they will go into the season carrying only two QBs who can actually run the offense and play.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

TBD by injuries. (Heaven forbid 100X)

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

TBD by injuries. (Heaven forbid 100X)

Assume no injuries throughout the preseason. Going into game one, what does your depth chart look like?

Mine: Brissette, Zappe/other vet, Maye, Milton. The only way they start the season with 3 QBs is if Milton is released or put on PS. If the OL can really play, that will change everything.

 

[signbabybrady]

I don't see why Zappe would sign to our practice squad there has to be somewhere he could find where he is closer to playing than number 4.

If you want him even as a short term back up just to keep the rooks off the field too early you will probably need to keep 4 then.

I suppose maybe Zappe would see the familiarity and a chance he could be the first called early in the season if Brissett got hurt as his best chance to play and play well. But his best chance at being a real starter anytime soon has to lie elsewhere unless he were to beat out Brissett in camp.

 

[Mike the Brit]

I hope so.

One of the things I liked least about last season was the inconsistency with quarterbacks being signed and released. Quarterbacks take time to develop and need to be experienced in the system. It's not as if the team is crammed with talent and needs every single slot. Let them learn and compete -- and Milton should play on Special Teams.

 

[palialka]

I would say no. The real question will be which 3 QBs they keep.

Barring injury, Brissett and Maye are locks; there’s no real dispute there IMO.

The question is Milton. If he shows enough in TC then he’ll be the QB3 and it’s bye bye Zappe. If Milton needs more development and the Pats org is ok with the risk, then I could see him going to the PS and Zappe stays as the QB3 by default.

The Pats best case scenario is Brissett handling QB1 duties until Maye is up to speed (whenever that may be) and then the reigns being turned over to the kid. Milton stays on as the QB3 to develop his talent. Zappe has no real future in NE other than to be a camp arm.

 

[BobDigital]

The only reason to carry 4 is if we have other developmental guys working carrying. Have hopes for Drake but don't but stop looking for other guys. Jacoby may be the starter for the year and is the vet option if we need it (though i'd rather start Drake. So you carry a 3rd emergency guy who has upside and if you find another guy with upside you carry him too. right now there is no point carrying Zappa. Joe Milton is worth a look.