Patriots Player Departure The dream is dead: Patriots releasing Rourke

[Force Zero Boomer]

we never really got a chance to see Rourke play.
he was very impressive in school, and his season in Canada showed accuracy and mobility.

Zappe had a reasonable sample size last season.
his comp rate was under 60%
his int% was 4.2
his season rating was 68
his sack % was 10.5

in short, Zappe was horrendous.

You throw any backup into that situation, and they would suck. The receivers sucked and the OL was a disaster. If a guy was open, there often wasn't time to move through progressions. The OL couldn't block well, so the run game sucked and play action was ineffective. Again, I am not a Zappe apologist: his ceiling is competent NFL backup. But to isolate his numbers from those critical factors yields a flawed analysis.

 

[rkarp1]

You throw any backup into that situation, and they would suck. The receivers sucked and the OL was a disaster. If a guy was open, there often wasn't time to move through progressions. The OL couldn't block well, so the run game sucked and play action was ineffective. Again, I am not a Zappe apologist: his ceiling is competent NFL backup. But to isolate his numbers from those critical factors yields a flawed analysis.

I am not disputing the facts you presented. I have presented them myself.
Milton may have a much higher ceiling. it behooves the team to find out by properly coaching him.
I see enough physical talent with Milton, to believe he will be scooped up if exposed to the PS>
I do not believe Zappe would be claimed, given his play last season

 

[The Gr8est]

Really? He's won games as an NFL starter. He has shown he is capable of learning and running an NFL offense. His ceiling is "competent NFL backup." Joe Milton has never played in a pro-style offense, which means he's behind Zappe on day one. He also is extremely inaccurate at less than 20 yards, which is exactly the range most of his throws would be if he had to step in as backup. Milton has a higher ceiling by far, but he is not better than Zappe is right now.

If Zappe is dogshit, why haven't they let him go yet, like Rourke?

You mean let him go, AGAIN?

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

I am not disputing the facts you presented. I have presented them myself.
Milton may have a much higher ceiling. it behooves the team to find out by properly coaching him.
I see enough physical talent with Milton, to believe he will be scooped up if exposed to the PS>
I do not believe Zappe would be claimed, given his play last season

I agree that Milton to the PS is a big risk and that Zappe is a small risk. However, without Zappe (or some other vet they acquire) on the 53-man roster, you either send out Maye or Milton if Brissette goes down. If the OL still sucks, that's a terrible position to be in, and completely unacceptable in a rebuild. I just don't see the point in risking the health or development of either of our rookie QBs. Whether it's Zappe or someone else, a cannon fodder backup needs to be on the 53-man roster.

Some folks here are talking about how every position (EDIT: roster spot) is precious this year, as if this team is making a championship run and we can't possibly carry 4 QBs. To me, that's absurd: we are rebuilding. Without proven OL performance (which they won't have a handle on until at least several games into the season), risking Maye or Milton just can't happen, and if they do it, the Pats are foolish. A serious (or even moderate) injury to Maye will have everyone here talking about how dumb it was to go into the season with the QB depth chart as Brissette, Maye and Milton, given the OL line.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

You mean let him go, AGAIN?

Every one of those decisions needs to be evaluated in context. Why, in 2024, did they release Rourke over Zappe if he's "dogshit"? Does Rourke stink more?

They still might release Zappe -- not denying that. But right now, it's clear they value him more than Rourke. I am not a Zappe apologist. At best, he might be a competent NFL backup. And it's very possible they find a backup they like better. But they didn't like Rourke better, and some still like him despite his release. Two teams were vying for him.

I'm not buying the Zappe is "dogshit" argument, unless you can demonstrate that Wolf and Mayo are idiots. And, as I've said elsewhere in this thread, any backup would have been slaughtered last year given the lack of receiver talent and the disastrous performance of the OL.

 

[rkarp1]

I agree that Milton to the PS is a big risk and that Zappe is a small risk. However, without Zappe (or some other vet they acquire) on the 53-man roster, you either send out Maye or Milton if Brissette goes down. If the OL still sucks, that's a terrible position to be in, and completely unacceptable in a rebuild. I just don't see the point in risking the health or development of either of our rookie QBs. Whether it's Zappe or someone else, a cannon fodder backup needs to be on the 53-man roster.

Some folks here are talking about how every position is precious this year, as if this team is making a championship run and we can't possibly carry 4 QBs. To me, that's absurd: we are rebuilding. Without proven OL performance (which they won't have a handle on until at least several games into the season), risking Maye or Milton just can't happen, and if they do it, the Pats are foolish. A serious (or even moderate) injury to Maye will have everyone here talking about how dumb it was to go into the season with the QB depth chart as Brissette, Maye and Milton, given the OL line.

my thought was that Zappe would make it to the PS
or another QB would be available like Flacco.
we might even see Rourke back to the PS after Sept 1 cut downs

 

[Ian]

we never really got a chance to see Rourke play.
he was very impressive in school, and his season in Canada showed accuracy and mobility.

Zappe had a reasonable sample size last season.
his comp rate was under 60%
his int% was 4.2
his season rating was 68
his sack % was 10.5

in short, Zappe was horrendous.

Zappe's had multiple opportunities to seize the role and be "the guy." I was pulling for him last season, as that was ultimately the best chance he had to really do it. I agree with people who talked about who they had for receivers, the lack of viable targets, etc., but there were also other moments where he made some questionable decisions, and the arm strength also didn't improve coming off his rookie year like I felt like it might, given how Mac even improved (as much as he could, anyway). But the last Buffalo game was a massive letdown, as was the Jets game. I mean, he went 28-of-56 (50%) with 0 TDs and 5 INTs over that span to close out the season.

I hope he goes on to have a long career as a depth guy because he's still better than a lot of other #3 guys on teams' depth charts. But as far as being a full-time starter, I've seen enough where I just don't feel like he's ever going to get over that hump.

 

[rkarp1]

Zappe's had multiple opportunities to seize the role and be "the guy." I was pulling for him last season, as that was ultimately the best chance he had to really do it. I agree with people who talked about who they had for receivers, the lack of viable targets, etc., but there were also other moments where he made some questionable decisions, and the arm strength also didn't improve coming off his rookie year like I felt like it might, given how Mac even improved (as much as he could, anyway). But the last Buffalo game was a massive letdown, as was the Jets game. I mean, he went 28-of-56 (50%) with 0 TDs and 5 INTs over that span to close out the season.

I hope he goes on to have a long career as a depth guy because he's still better than a lot of other #3 guys on teams' depth charts. But as far as being a full-time starter, I've seen enough where I just don't feel like he's ever going to get over that hump.

agree
and I am fine with keeping Zappe all summer and if someone gets injured over the summer, Zappe is insurance. I also believe the team can put him on the PS and continue to work with him. and if someone were to claim him, I assume Grier and Corrall and the like will be out there.
I simply don't want to expose Milton until we have a better feel

 

[The Gr8est]

my thought was that Zappe would make it to the PS
or another QB would be available like Flacco.
we might even see Rourke back to the PS after Sept 1 cut downs

If I was Rourke I wouldn’t want to return to the Pats, with two rookie QBs that they apparently like better.

There are better opportunities elsewhere.

 

[PatsFan2]

Zappe's had multiple opportunities to seize the role and be "the guy." I was pulling for him last season, as that was ultimately the best chance he had to really do it. I agree with people who talked about who they had for receivers, the lack of viable targets, etc., but there were also other moments where he made some questionable decisions, and the arm strength also didn't improve coming off his rookie year like I felt like it might, given how Mac even improved (as much as he could, anyway). But the last Buffalo game was a massive letdown, as was the Jets game. I mean, he went 28-of-56 (50%) with 0 TDs and 5 INTs over that span to close out the season.

I hope he goes on to have a long career as a depth guy because he's still better than a lot of other #3 guys on teams' depth charts. But as far as being a full-time starter, I've seen enough where I just don't feel like he's ever going to get over that hump.

Just on the eyeballs test alone Milton already knocked Zappe off the roster.

 

[PatsFan2]

AVP's system is designed for Big Arm QB's we have Two on the Roster can't wait for mini and TC.

 

[Ian]

Just on the eyeballs test alone Milton already knocked Zappe off the roster.

Can't say that yet. Kid hasn't taken a snap in practice, let alone a game. You can have the strongest arm in the world, but it doesn't matter if you can't run the offense. We'll see how he looks a couple of months from now.

 

[PatsFan2]

Can't say that yet. Kid hasn't taken a snap in practice, let alone a game. You can have the strongest arm in the world, but it doesn't matter if you can't run the offense. We'll see how he looks a couple of months from now.

O ye of so little faith Ian...I have plenty in Milton.

 

[PatsFan2]

Can't say that yet. Kid hasn't taken a snap in practice, let alone a game. You can have the strongest arm in the world, but it doesn't matter if you can't run the offense. We'll see how he looks a couple of months from now.

??? Is Rookie camp tomorrow and are you going??

 

[Ian]

??? Is Rookie camp tomorrow and are you going??

I'm not. The media will have one open session, so we'll at least get a slight glimpse when those reports come out.

 

[Patjew]

Can't say that yet. Kid hasn't taken a snap in practice, let alone a game. You can have the strongest arm in the world, but it doesn't matter if you can't run the offense. We'll see how he looks a couple of months from now.

And then the thread became about Rohan Davey.

 

[Ian]

And then the thread became about Rohan Davey.

LOL, excellent recall. Had forgotten about him.

 

[rkarp1]

Can't say that yet. Kid hasn't taken a snap in practice, let alone a game. You can have the strongest arm in the world, but it doesn't matter if you can't run the offense. We'll see how he looks a couple of months from now.

honestly, I saw nothing from Zappe last season that showed he could run the offense either.
at least with Mac, he showed he could, but made dumb decisions that killed the team. but we saw him throwing accurately, moving the team, making good decisions. then bam, he did something dumb.

 

[moosekill]

honestly, I saw nothing from Zappe last season that showed he could run the offense either.
at least with Mac, he showed he could, but made dumb decisions that killed the team. but we saw him throwing accurately, moving the team, making good decisions. then bam, he did something dumb.

Pretty tough to be great when you are the backup through training camp and most of the season, then get thrown into 3 games partway through down a bunch. Then when you finally get to play you end up losing your 2 best wr's, running back, and a bunch of your oline. Im certainly not saying Zappe was anything special, but I don't think he was dog crap like some of you all do. Lets see what he can do this spring/summer. As a backup he may be ok.

 

[sb1]

If Zappe is dogshit, why haven't they let him go yet, like Rourke?

They already did last summer. Difference between Rourke and Zappe is Rourke was claimed on waivers, Zappe wasn't.

They'll probably let him go again with the intention of putting him on the practice squad unless they decide to go with the non rookie at #3 and gamble that Milton will make it through waivers.