Mac Jones, finally Tom Brady’s successor?
Last season, the New England Patriots suffered from the departure of Tom Brady, their legendary quarterback, to Tampa Bay. For the first time in 20 years, they had not signed a positive record in the regular season. Cam Newton, the new QB of the “Pat” had not given satisfaction and, to remedy it, the franchise of New England had selected in the last draft Mac Jones (23 years).
The latter is one of five QB’s chosen in the first round of the annual selection of the NFL, along with Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville), Zach Wilson (NY Jets), Trey Lance (San Francisco) and Justin Fields (Chicago). And, in late August, two weeks before the NFL resumed, Newton was cut from the New England squad, a move that propelled Jones to the starting position.
Barded No. 10, he began his career last Sunday with a short home defeat against the Miami Dolphins (17-16). His first outing in the NFL was very correct with 29 successful passes of 39 for 281 yards and a touchdown. Importantly, completing 74.4% of his passes, Jones set a new first-game record for a freshman quarterback.
Native of Florida, Mac Jones joined the team of the University of Alabama, a prestigious American football program (17 league titles), in 2018. The first year, he was satisfied with brief appearances, before becoming holder during the 2019 season. And, in 2020, he had a dream championship, taking Alabama to a new title, with impressive statistics (41 touchdowns against four small interceptions). Deeming himself ripe for the NFL, Jones then skipped his fourth and final year of college.
In New England, the young man is rather well surrounded. He can build on a good offensive line already and the Patriots’ offense is fairly comprehensive with solid ground play. The defense is also good and Bill Belichick, seven-time Super Bowl winner, is still in charge of the team. So, will Jones win the first game of his career on Sunday against the New York Jets?
All the Jets’ hopes rest on Zach Wilson this season. (J. Dedmon / USA Today Sports / Reuters)
He cut his teeth at Brigham Young University in Utah. Like Mac Jones, he only completed his first three years, then preferring to make the leap to the NFL. Wilson could afford it. In his last season, he threw 33 touchdown passes and was only intercepted three times.
With Zach Wilson, Brigham Young played three Bowls (the many college finals). Each time, the young quarterback has been named MVP of the game. Wilson was also comfortable on the ground, evidenced by the 10 touchdowns he scored. And, after such a journey, he was the second player selected in the draft last April.
Arriving at the Jets, however, Zach Wilson found himself on one of the weakest teams in the NFL. Last year, the New York franchise had lost its first 13 matches (to end with a record of two wins and 14 losses). She has also not played in the play-offs for 11 years.
Wilson is not really helped in New York. He is not protected by an effective offensive line. Consequence: against Carolina, Zach Wilson suffered no less than six sacks. Apart from Corey Davis, he does not have good receivers and the ground game has been worrying against the Panthers with only 45 yards gained.
Sunday, the New England Patriots will start favorites. But Wilson will try to release his first big performance in the NFL, to start the Jets.
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