CBS Local Sports: Should the Patriots stick with Jacoby Brissett for two more games before Tom Brady returns, or would it be better for them to search for a veteran free agent?
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Belichick had said in a press conference earlier this week that the quarterback could be a game-time decision like any other position, which means Garoppolo could be just that on Thursday. Truth be told, there’s the possibility the Patriots never would have found their future starter if they didn’t decide to take a flyer on a sixth-rounder out of MI who would go on to become a two-time MVP. It’s not a serious injury, but it should keep him out at least for Thursday night’s game against the Houston Texans. The Texans really can’t ask for anything more than a rookie quarterback getting his first National Football League start.
Osweiler said coach Bill O’Brien told him that game went a long way in him wanting to bring the 25-year-old to Houston, and that he certainly gained confidence from it.
But everything kicks off Thursday night, when all eyes will be on the quarterbacks.
“I think organizationally, in our organization I don’t think we would put together a team the way Indianapolis did it when they lost Manning and they go 0-16, 1-15 or whatever it was”, Belichick said soon after the pick was made. The third-year quarterback sat out practice Monday, but returned to the field on Tuesday. They don’t call plays; I don’t do surgery. “Yet again, another challenge playing with the back-up to the back-up quarterback in Jacoby Brissett”. In that situation, Bill Belichick would surely look to protect Brissett.
This Texans defense, with its key components healthy, is playing well. Brock Osweiler was under center last November in Denver when the Broncos overcame a 14-0 deficit for a 30-24 overtime victory to give New England its first loss of 2015. There have even been some whispers Edelman could have a package of plays for him at quarterback this week.
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Perhaps the biggest decider will be the Patriots trying to do what Belchick teams do best – stop big plays. A win isn’t totally out of the question. “Whether I was the backup or I was playing previous year, I wanted to show up and get better every single day.There was a coach that told me ‘If you’re not getting better, you’re getting replaced'”.
