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Patriots should follow the Colts plan at quarterback

By Lou Scataglia

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 18: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons is sacked by Matt Judon #9 of the New England Patriots in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 18, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 18: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons is sacked by Matt Judon #9 of the New England Patriots in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 18, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots have a quarterback dilemma on their hands, and they should look to the Colts for how to handle it.  On Monday, the Indianapolis Colts made a bit of a shocking change.  After another loss where the offense couldn’t get going with Matt Ryan under center, the team announced that Ryan would be heading to the bench in favor of second year QB Sam Ehlinger.

Ehlinger is apparently well-liked by his teammates and has a good bit of football knowledge.  He’s shifty and could bring a spark to an offense that desperately needs it.  He’s not overly big and doesn’t have a lively arm.

However, he’s a change of pace from the original starter and has a bit more shimmy to him, which could benefit the team.  The Colts are also apparently giving him the rest of the year under center.  With Matt Ryan appearing to be a failure of an acquisition, the Colts likely want to see what they have in Ehlinger before they try their hands at another quarterback.

If Ehlinger is legit, then the Colts have their man, but if he isn’t, they may have a high enough draft pick to get who they want.  For the Patriots, they should follow this method.  Mac Jones hasn’t been good this season, and his ankle likely isn’t 100%, seeing as he was keeping it warm during the game yesterday.

Bailey Zappe has played much, much better than Jones for the Patriots, and does bring a bit more shimmy and change of pace than Jones does.  Sound familiar?  Zappe and Ehlinger are cut from the same cloth in that regard.

They can make more happen with their legs, which is a requirement for franchise quarterbacks today.  It’s hard to think that Zappe can’t keep at least a serviceable level of play up, and I can’t imagine that Ehlinger would be much worse than Ryan, who was the worst QB in football this year so far.

I’m not advocating for the team to move on from Jones, but I think we’ve all been able to see what Jones can be.  He hasn’t gotten a ton of games under his belt, but no one is going to argue with the idea that Mac Jones can end up in that Kirk Cousins/Derek Carr/Ryan Tannehill tier of averageness, right?

That just seems to be what Mac Jones is as a quarterback.  The Patriots might be able to win with that type of play, but perhaps Bailey Zappe can end up as something more, and since that is unknown, they should hand the keys over to him.

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