I've seen the suggestion (maybe not here, but across the various media outlets that be) that Zappe has limitations in his game and argue he’s therefore unplayable (or not worth playing). I guess what I’m struggling with is the implication that Jones doesn’t have limitations that are (currently) making him unplayable.
IMO both clearly have a lot to work on, but I’d much rather go with the guy who has demonstrated consistently good pocket awareness, poise, field vision, timing/rhythm, and tight-window-throw ability - but lacks stature and will need to adapt to batted passes - than the guy whose current limitation is his ability to consistently operate with poise in the pocket while simultaneously keeping his eyes downfield and seeing the defense.
When Jones gets a clean pocket and can throw in rhythm, he has the ability to be an elite pure passer of the football. Reminds me a lot of Peyton, actually, in many ways, when he’s at his best. A uniquely talented passer, really high level stuff. But being an elite passer of the football, alone, is not sufficient for being an elite quarterback. Zappe, to my eye, has been the better quarterback.
I'm sure Jones is a good person and a great leader. His teammates have genuine, true affection for him and that is not lost on me. He was voted as a team captain by his peers. I don't mean to tarnish him personally or attack his character. To my eye, Zappe just demonstrates better poise on the field than Jones. To put it a bit more simply, this is what I'd refer to as the "it" factor.
It also seems to me Zappe's primary issue at this point (getting the ball across the LOS on the shorter stuff) is easier to work with/around. Play-calls, route-combinations, blocking techniques, little movements in the pocket to create lanes, and just plain practice (like they'd use the rackets with Brady) can all help Zappe. He also seems to wear a low-sitting cleat that looks like something a skill position player might wear. Compare that to Brady/Jones/Garappolo and they tend to wear a higher-sitting cleat, where you can see they're almost standing on a platform and the ankle is sitting much higher. If Zappe can find a pair of cleats/inserts that give him functional height to elevate his release point, and are also comfortable and allow him good mobility, that would help (not solve, but help) his stature problem.
