Felger & Mazz: Is there a quarterback competition in New England?

With New England Patriots training camp well underway a key position that many have been watching is the quarterback position. On Tuesday's Felger and Mazz, the guys discussed if there is a quarterback competition between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

Is there a QB competition for the Patriots? 

Felger: So you're still big on Zappe, Murray? This has given you life. This Has given you fresh breath here?

Jim Murray: It has because Bill's talking about it. I mean, he's talking about competition here and Bailey Zappe, again with that sound that we heard with Joe and Leroy on Sunday, I think he's treating it as one as such. And he should, because, you know, again, what's Mac Jones? For the Mac defenders tell me why he is so much greater than Bailey Zappe just from a physical attribute standpoint. I don't think you can. I kind of think are a coin flip type of guy. And so much like last year, I would rather go with the guy who's going to shut up, show up and do his job rather than the petulant child.

Felger: So your scouting report is physically they're the same, Zappe has better intangibles?

Jim Murray: Zappe is at least more professional, I'll say that. I think that was proven last year.

Felger: I think if I'm really breaking it down there, Zappe has a fluidity to his game, a rhythm to his game that I got with him that I don't get with Mac Jones. Mac Jones a little more, I don't know if it's awkward or clunky or non fluid, there is a fluidity and a rhythm to Bailey Zappe's game, I think, that Mac Jones doesn't really have.

Mazz: Zappe might have better instincts.

Felger: It's not really quickness. Maybe it's instincts.

Jim Murray: How about pocket presence? I mean, the game that comes to mind was that game in Cleveland where, granted it was the Browns and they kind of sucked, especially at that point in the year, but he was much more confident and stepped up in the pocket and read the field better in that game. You don't see that much with Mac Jones. At least not last year.

Felger: Something about Zappe's release too. I know he's smaller, so it's going to get batted down, but it feels a little quicker and fluid and right behind the other. Like it's hard to explain with Zappe but there I think a natural fluidity to his game and his release that Mac Jones doesn't have. Mac Jones is bigger, I think Mac Jones actually moves better, like beyond the line of scrimmage of the running for a seven yard first down, Jones is actually quicker and a better runner. Zappe might have a little more shiftyness or a little more fluidity, but I think Mac Jones is a better runner. I think he's got a better arm. I think he's bigger and I'll just take these guys at their word about the pre-snap stuff that Mac Jones is special pre-snap.

Mazz: Is mechanical the word you're looking for? He's a little mechanical.

Felger: Yeah, more mechanical than Zappe. Like Zappe is more of a natural. Zappe feels more natural back there, Mazz.

Mazz: So the only thing I would disagree with you on is that I'm not convinced that Mac Jones has a better arm. I think they're pretty close to the same. Zappe might even have a whisker of an edge, but I don't think they're that different. I think Mac Jones's arm kind of blows. I really do. I have felt that all along. Again, I haven't seen much of this at this camp yet, so maybe it's gotten better, I'll always allow for that. But I just I don't see arm strength with Jones. I don't.

Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!

After holding their first padded practice of the summer on Monday, the Patriots took a step back for their sixth training camp practice of the year on Tuesday. This wasn't unexpected. Over the last few years, the Patriots have had a routine of going into pads, then after watching the film stepping back the following day to make the improvements and changes they feel are warranted following those film sessions.

That's exactly what we saw for most of practice on Tuesday. It was a slower tempo as the team worked through some of the run concepts we saw debut for the summer on Monday. Expect them to ramp those back up when they're back in full pads on Wednesday.

Those teaching periods weren't the full practice, though. Late in practice the Patriots got in more red zone work - a staple of their summer this far. We'll start there with our Day 6 recap...

Early in training camp, the story for the offense was an inability to score in the red zone. They've made progress since, and Tuesday was the best red zone period thus far from the presumed starters. Mac Jones was 3-for-4, including a touchdown pass to Hunter Henry. Overall Jones was 10-of-14 on the day, putting together another solid performance. He's yet to truly flash in camp, but the negative plays have been few and far between.

It was a big of a tougher go for the other two units. Bailey Zappe was 0-of-2 inside the five, and took multiple sacks. Trace McSorley threw the lone interception of the day for any of the three players, missing J.J. Taylor in the middle of the end zone which allowed Joshuah Bledsoe to make a play on the ball for an INT.

Beyond the quarterbacks, it was another tough day for Tyquan Thornton in the red zone. He was held without a catch once again, and at times was out of the top rotation all together.

As was the case on Monday, the offensive line was down three starters in Cole Strange (knee injury on Monday), Trent Brown (limited), and Mike Onwenu (PUP). That had Riley Reiff and Conor McDermott at left and right tackle, and rookie Atonio Mafi at left guard. Just like on Monday, it was a struggle for this group at times. Jones was left throwing off his back foot often in practice.

With padded practices ramping up the next few days, it will be worth watching if they start getting starters back in place. The defensive line dominated the first fully-padded of the year on Monday, and the offense will need more push of front to work on what they need to work on.

As mentioned above, it was another day with multiple absences for the Patriots. Strange was on the field at the start of practice with a knee on his left sleeve, but spent the stretching session chatting with Bill Belichick before leaving the field all together.

Wide receiver Jalen Hurd, guard Chasen Hines, and safety Brad Hawkins were all absent from the session entirely. All three were banged up during Monday's practice. Ty Montgomery and Terez Hall remained out as well. Rookie guard Jake Andrews returned to practice after missing Monday.

There were two highlight plays over the course of practice, both impressive feats of athleticism. The first came early in practice when DeVante Parker was running a go route up the sideline against Christian Gonzalez. Parker was able to high-point a threw from Jones over Gonzalez, then through contact was able to keep his feet in bounds. Contested catches like that have been Parker's bread-and-butter this summer.

The other play came midway through practice, on the defensive side of the ball. In another 11-on-11 session the Patriots defense was in zone coverage. Mike Gesicki ran across the field on an over route, and looked to be open near the sideline. However, Mack Wilson was lurking in zone, and jumped up to nearly make a one-handed interception of Jones.

Day 5 was all about rookie punter Bryce Baringer, but Day 6 saw a couple of notable moments for rookie kicker Chad Ryland. Tuesday saw the Patriots work repeatedly on kickoff and kickoff returns, and Ryland took every rep as the kickoff kicker. That's a good sign for his chances of making the team.

Late in practice, Ryland also got a live field goal session. He knocked through the first five attempts, but did have a miss to close out the day.

The Patriots will be back on the practice fields Wednesday morning for the fourth day of six practices in a row. It is expected to be a fully-padded practice.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.