Mac Jones looks to control his ‘attitude and effort’ amid QB uncertainty،
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones said the team’s starting decision is out of his control, but he’s doing everything he can to position himself to to get the green light from coach Bill Belichick.
“I hope so,” Jones said Wednesday when asked if he would start against the New York Giants on Sunday. “That’s the plan. I always work really hard at it; I really put a lot of attention and detail into the week.
“A lot of this decision-making is something I can’t control, but I can control my attitude and my effort. I’m really grateful overall to be in the NFL and playing quarterback .At Thanksgiving, it’s a great week.”be grateful for many things. Playing this game together, the game we love, it means a lot to me, no matter the situation.”
Belichick said Tuesday he’s told every player to be ready to go, and when asked what that means at quarterback, he said, “I’ll let you know Sunday.”
Some in attendance at Tuesday’s practice reported that Jones took the first few reps at quarterback, with No. 2 option Bailey Zappe getting a significant share of the snaps behind him. Will Grier is third on the depth chart.
Jones said Wednesday that sharing reps is not a new development.
“We’ve been separating them for a little while here,” Jones said. “So I just try to enjoy the moment when I get there, and when I don’t have the reps, I go to the side and I throw with the receivers and with an equipment manager, and I m ‘makes sure I have all the throws I need.’
Wednesday was the first time Jones spoke to reporters since New England’s Week 10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany, where he was benched by Belichick after threw an interception late in the fourth quarter. Belichick called on Zappe to lead a potential comeback with 1:52 left.
Jones had entered the X-ray room after the game and said afterward that he had a bruise in an undisclosed area.
When asked Wednesday how he was feeling physically, Jones responded: “Obviously when you play half a season there are going to be some bumps and bruises, but overall I feel pretty good. I’m definitely working on some things, but everyone is. … Every week. “It’s a car crash in its own way, so you try to get over it. The week off definitely helped the body recover, and I can’t wait to finish this thing strong. “
The Patriots are 2-8 and enter the weekend with the worst record in the AFC.
