Time To Move On From Zappe and Shuster

[Real fan 02]

Zappe has had moments where he looked like a legit qb even when Matt was calling plays. His pocket movement was above average and maybe even good enough for Maye to emulate. I like Zappe more than most and see no reason to rush things.

Juju can kick rocks. I've never been impressed by him even when he was a Steeler. Last year was pathetic outside of his one good revenge game. Trade him to the Chiefs.

I know it may seem that I'm down on Zappe but in all reality I'm not trying to be harsh. Last season was hard reality check to how bad we were at the QB position. The thing is you need talent at the most important position on the field. A QB that can throw guys open, that can create off script when the play breaks down. We couldn't do that last season. Zappe should be and will be kept on the roster. No telling who will get hurt. Now zapp showed some promise at times where he was dropping dimes to guys. Once defenses adjusted he got exposed. He's a capable backup nothing more really. I have no problem with him being kept around. Juju needs to show he's healthy wich I doubt.. if not then wolf will trade him.

 

[Real fan 02]

Best they cut him soon. McDonald’s is hiring in the summer.

Or the nearest dairy queen..

 

[Real fan 02]

You keep Zappe. He is the only legit back up to Brisket on the roster. Milton is a practice squad player. Period.

Maye is so far behind the 8-ball, that him starting this year should not be a consideration. Regardless of how "great" he looks in the otas...

I mean, really, you want Maye, with all his un-corrected mechanical flaws, learning a new offensive system, starting in a new offense which hasn't done well in the OTAs, with an OC who's never called a single play in a live game, with a novice head coach who lacks experience, without a legit left tackle, playing in a live game, in a non-mop up role?

if you do, jfc, wtf? You want to ruin Maye already?

I hear you brother! You make valid points. Camp will decide everything! We don't know anything really, until the battles get settled In camp.. each and every position. Speaking for myself I have an open mind. The smart thing to do is have maye day sitting. But we don't know how it's all going to shake n bake out.. all I'm saying...

 

[The Gr8est]

This is a well reasoned post. Compared to last year there are much better options at the position. One way or another Maye and Brissett are on the roster. The two wildcards are Zappe's attitude adjustment to accept the backup role with no realistic chance of earning the starting role out of camp and Milton's ability to prove that he as the potential to be an NFL QB. So far it seems as if Zappe's issues with Mac may have been personal between the two and not reflective of him as a bad teammate who has an unrealistic view of his capability. He is a good safety net to have around if he continues to be a good citizen. He is not worth keeping if he has an attitude that impacts Maye's development.

To me the bigger question mark is Milton. He has proven to be as advertised as the rough prospect with the great arm. The character concerns about him being high maintenance and a partier do not bode well for him putting in the effort necessary to be successful. He may not make the team if he proves to be too much of a distraction. If he does show the right attitude and begins to make progress he may force the team to keep 4 QB's to avoid him from being picked off the PS.

I wasn’t aware of the personality concerns that you mentioned with Milton, but I did note his absence at the OTAs.

Maybe there is a really good reason for his absence, but I’m thinking 6th round draftee Tom Brady, isn’t missing ANY opportunity to impress.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

I think Zappe will have a long career in the league. He’s entering his 3rd year, has had some good games as a starter, good enough arm, handles pressure well, and has above average intangibles. He’s a poor man’s Brock Purdy. He’ll pick up this offense instantly, and is an ideal backup cause he’s always ready to go. I don’t know why we drafted Milton, he seems like the odd man out.

I doubt Milton is in the league for long. If he was 21 with his shortcomings, then I’d think differently. But he’s 24. I agree regarding Zappe. Smart guy, good teammate and he’s better than Brian Hoyer, and it’s been a 14 year career for him.

 

[sb1]

I think Zappe will have a long career in the league. He’s entering his 3rd year, has had some good games as a starter,

Meh.

good enough arm, handles pressure well,

Not really

and has above average intangibles. He’s a poor man’s Brock Purdy. He’ll pick up this offense instantly, and is an ideal backup cause he’s always ready to go. I don’t know why we drafted Milton, he seems like the odd man out.

Milton is definitely a project but has way higher upside

 

[UrbanCowboy]

I think the Zapper is fine as a backup until Maye is ready. The Milton pick is a headscratcher to me. Seems like we have plenty of holes elsewhere to have taken a flyer on.

 

[JohnJH]

There's no rush on any of the above.

Why just think about where Maye will be, why not wait till the end of camp to know where he (and the OL!) will be?

Got to be prepared for the fact that injuries can happen in TC too, so no need to make moves now, presuming you still believe in the players on the roster.

Zappe is decent injury insurance. If he isn't, he should have been let go at the end of last season and some other vet QB should have been signed.

Milton is practice squad material. Some other team would need to give him a roster spot to claim him off our squad, and he ain't good enough to hold such a spot, so he'll be fine on our practice squad. Wait till cut down day when there will be zillions of players in motion, he'll slide onto our PS no problem.

Keep JJSS through camp. If he ain't top 6 on cut down day, cut him. Don't worry about a $2M cap hit. We have $50M of cap space and there aren't $50M worth of FAs worth signing out there.

I agree with Milton and the PS scenario. However (and we've seen it happen before), it only takes one team to believe that Milton is worth signing (which would put him on their 53 man roster), so as to develop him either as a potential solid #2 (which is what I hope he becomes for us), or as an insurance policy. I'm leery of putting Milton on the PS for that very reason.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

I agree with Milton and the PS scenario. However (and we've seen it happen before), it only takes one team to believe that Milton is worth signing (which would put him on their 53 man roster), so as to develop him either as a potential solid #2 (which is what I hope he becomes for us), or as an insurance policy. I'm leery of putting Milton on the PS for that very reason.

Then they have to carry 4 QBs, unless they feel the OL is solid and Maye is ready to be QB2 at the end of the preseason. If they are wrong and Maye gets hurt, some 3 QB proponents here are going to be pretending they wanted 4 QBs all along. I want them to carry 4.

 

[JohnJH]

Then they have to carry 4 QBs, unless they feel the OL is solid and Maye is ready to be QB2 at the end of the preseason. If they are wrong and Maye gets hurt, some 3 QB proponents here are going to be pretending they wanted 4 QBs all along. I want them to carry 4.

I'm fine with them carrying 4 QB's. Especially with this being Year 1 of the rebuild.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

I think the Zapper is fine as a backup until Maye is ready. The Milton pick is a headscratcher to me. Seems like we have plenty of holes elsewhere to have taken a flyer on.

The conventional explanation is that Milton was the best player available late in the draft. I like the subtle message that it sends Maye that he should not get comfortable. Best case is that Milton establishes himself as Brian Hoyer v2 to partner with Maye while providing serviceable play when needed. Developing well enough to be an asset in a trade.

 

[The Gr8est]

The conventional explanation is that Milton was the best player available late in the draft. I like the subtle message that it sends Maye that he should not get comfortable. Best case is that Milton establishes himself as Brian Hoyer v2 to partner with Maye while providing serviceable play when needed. Developing well enough to be an asset in a trade.

Milton is the same physical prototype of Maye, and even Brissett, as a big, strong-armed, mobile QB, so he would be able to run the same offense as the other two.

Long term Zappe would be the odd man out.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think the Zapper is fine as a backup until Maye is ready. The Milton pick is a headscratcher to me. Seems like we have plenty of holes elsewhere to have taken a flyer on.

The Teams just trying to gather talent. We were devoid of talent last few seasons. So better to have as many talented prospects than not.

 

[borg]

Zappe will be Brissette's backup to start the season.

Career record

Zappe 4-4 (.500)
Jones 18-24 (.429)
Brissett 18-30 (.375)

Yet "Brissett is a major upgrade at QB"

 

[Wozzy]

Career record

Zappe 4-4 (.500)
Jones 18-24 (.429)
Brissett 18-30 (.375)

Yet "Brissett is a major upgrade at QB"

Win/loss is a TEAM stat.

Look at production and efficiency. Brissett has been consistently better for longer.

Zappe deserves a shot on a team with a great program.

Mac should sit on a bench and mature for a long time. Maybe he'll grow up one day and become semi-decent.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

Yet "Brissett is a major upgrade at QB"

I never said that. But, I think almost everyone has been assuming that Brissette was acquired to be the starter. I don't really care who is the starter for the season, as long as it isn't Maye (or Milton, mostly because that would be a big "WTF!?" for Maye).

 

[mgteich]

Polk and Baker need to go take those reps by proving to be better and even then Juju has value providing reps to whatever DBs he does match up against even after he gets beat out by Polk and Baker.

Zero cap savings and little draft capital in return then why not still use them in camp and see what happens? Don't let hate and anger cloud your judgement it is not the Jedi way.

Ok so you cutting osborne, or are you carrying 7 instead of the usual 5

 

[mgteich]

Milton is the same physical prototype of Maye, and even Brissett, as a big, strong-armed, mobile QB, so he would be able to run the same offense as the other two.

Long term Zappe would be the odd man out.

Long
term? Do you think that we,’re carrying 4 to start the season?

 

[signbabybrady]

Ok so you cutting osborne, or are you carrying 7 instead of the usual 5

I'm carrying 5 maybe 6 if we want an extra KRer.

Osborne is one of the few who has experience but he's not so good that he can't get beat out for a spot. Point is we don't have to cut anyone until September.

 

[mgteich]

I never said that. But, I think almost everyone has been assuming that Brissette was acquired to be the starter. I don't really care who is the starter for the season, as long as it isn't Maye (or Milton, mostly because that would be a big "WTF!?" for Maye).

Yes , Brisette is being paid $8m to start.

If the team had any confidence in Zappe, we wouldn’t have signed brissett