No. Patricia called a much simpler (hard to believe, I know) game plan for Zappe and kept more in to block. When he did that Zappe was fine as I am sure Mac would have been too. When Patricia ventured away from that Zappe was not fine.
I've heard that explanation, among several, but why in the wide world of sports would Matt Patricia not look at the positive difference apparent in the offense during Zappe's winning starts
and think "that was nice......but it's time to throw deep balls to guys who can't get separation again" Or "Mac is still gimpy, but he should be way better at dealing with pressure than whatzisname -- let's not worry about the pass rush." I could point out that our missing-in-action TEs (going on memory) fared better during Zappe's two starts even though
we were allegedly focused on protection, which might have involved them. I recall Jonnu catching a couple, a rarity, and Henry catching a pass in stride in green grass which was almost as rare, but....that was a long time ago. I don't claim to remember everything that happened.
I suppose that expecting common sense from a guy proved a total dumpster fire as an OC is a waste of time, but I think the fanbase, led by the media, accepted
some analysis which I found questionable.
I didn't see the rush to get Mac back in the lineup after a serious ankle injury as particularly necessary and after scoring 67 points during Zappe's two starts it seemed like we'd be doing Jones a favor by making sure he was healed up. He sure didn't look it to me when he returned. I thought it was risky, but that Bears game was one of the most depressing of a season that had several and led me to think, for the first time, that all the Offensive worries of Training Camp were not going to iron themselves out after all. And, yes, Bailey looked just as bad as Mac did
in that one as the lowly Bears ran us out of our stadium.
I'm not rooting for Bailey to replace Mac nor do I think that is a likelihood, but I do suspect he might have something going on between his ears that is worth taking seriously and
I wouldn't be surprised if he competes hard for the job and at least closes the gap. We'll know that is the case when the local media sharks smell blood in the water and tell us that we
have a gen-u-ine QB controversy for poor, befuddled Bill to sort out.
I might listen to John Tomase for the first time since he tried to fuck us over and whatever he thinks I'll know the opposite is true. That fat weasel's wet dream is for us to go
0-17 and Bill gets fired.