Bill Belichick On Zolak & Bertrand: Patriots Starting QB Could Be Game-Time Decision
BOSTON (CBS) -- Not sure if you've heard anything about this, but the Patriots have a bit of a situation at quarterback. It's unknown whether Jimmy Garoppolo will be available to the team Thursday night against the Texans, which would leave Jacoby Brissett as the starter and the rest of the QB depth chart a mystery.
The person to ask about the quarterback situation, of course, would be Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Zolak & Bertrand on Wednesday. When asked when he expects to know who will be under center on Thursday, Belichick said:
"That's a good question. It might be as early as this afternoon, it might be as late as when we turn in the inactives [Thursday] night. We'll just have to see how it all comes together. Anytime you have a short week like this, you always have a few players that are banged up, that are working their way back, and where exactly they'll be on game time Thursday night, a lot of times you don't know until Thursday night. So we'll just have to see how all of that goes."
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.
The coach was also asked about the prospects of facing many of his former players, coaches and colleagues on the Houston Texans Thursday night. Does prior knowledge of your opponent give you any kind of advantage preparing for them, or is that an overrated idea?
"I think it's something that's pretty common every week, so yeah, I think it's definitely overrated," said Belichick.
The Patriots are off to a 2-0 start despite missing both Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski in the first two games. They may be without Gronk, and even Jimmy Garoppolo, on Thursday Night Football against the Texans. Despite the wins and the team's uniquely rough injury/suspension situation, they have played well enough to win - but those key absences hasn't stopped Belichick from evaluating the team as it is. He knows full well how crucial the start of the season is to evaluating the team and figuring out how he can make them better with each passing week, regardless of who is and isn't playing.
"September, and really October, are really two critical months to the overall development of your team, to play your best football in the second half of the season," said Belichick. "Of course it's important to win and that's what were trying to do, but at the same time, on a weekly basis, we can't be satisfied with a good result. We've got to work to be better so we can hopefully have a good result in the next game, so that's kind of where we are now."
Belichick also promoted the upcoming third annual Hall of Fame Huddle to benefit the Bill Belichick Foundation, which takes place on Friday, Sept. 23 at the Seaport World Trade Center. Go to BillBelichickFoundation.org for tickets and more information.
Listen to the full podcast below:
