Frequent losing hasn’t softened Bill Belichick’s approach to closely guarding secrets.
Belichick declined Friday to reveal who the Patriots (2-8) will start at quarterback Sunday against the Giants.
“I’ve told everybody to be ready to go,” Belichick said in response to four different quarterback questions.
Mac Jones has started the first 10 games but has been benched three times, including the most recent game before the bye week.
Bailey Zappe — who threw the loss-sealing interception against the Colts in relief of Jones — is No. 2 on the depth chart, but the competition also supposedly includes third-stringer Will Grier and fourth-stringer Malik Cunningham.
Jones might have spoiled the secret earlier this week when asked if he expected to start.
“I hope so,” Jones said. “That’s the plan, I think.”
Belichick claimed the reason for not disclosing a starter is not about gaining competitive advantage but so that he doesn’t have to go through the depth chart at every position with reporters.
That sounds like an obvious lie.
“Sometimes the execution varies, but I think all of the players that we have are able to execute what we need them to do,” Belichick said. “We just need to do it, obviously, with more consistency.”
The Giants blitz at the second-highest rate in the NFL (40.1 percent of snap), which seems like it could be a factor in leaning toward Jones’ experience (41 career starts) over Zappe (two), Grier (two) and Cunningham (zero).
Giants head coach Brian Daboll — a longtime Patriots assistant — isn’t able to crack Belichick’s codes better than anyone else, so he’s gone as far back as 2019 film in order to be prepared.
“You obviously watch the offensive scheme,” Daboll said. “That changes from week-to-week, too. I’ve watched every game that they’ve all played in pro football and some in college.”
DT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring) did not practice this week and is listed as doubtful on the final injury report.
He said he was injured rushing the quarterback on Isaiah Simmons’ interception return for a touchdown with 17 seconds remaining in last week’s win.
“I turned the corner and I thought I caught a cramp,” Lawrence said, “but I guess it was a little more than that.”
Lawrence only has missed one of a possible 76 career games, when he tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020.
He has been in the pool, the treadmill and the underwater treadmill as part of his rehab.
“I always want to be available and be the one to give my team a chance to win,” Lawrence said. “That’s what I’m fighting to do. We’ll see how I feel leading up to the game. I’ve been getting better. At first it was real tight, and throughout the week I’ve been recovering.”
WR Darius Slayton (neck) is listed as doubtful, and RB Eric Gray (ankle) is questionable. RT Evan Neal (ankle) is out.
CB Adoree’ Jackson was cleared from the concussion protocol and is available to return after missing the last two games.
The Giants flip-flopped kickers, promoting Randy Bullock to the active roster after he exhausted his three practice-squad elevations and re-signing Cade York to the practice after he passed through waivers.
Bullock is 2-for-2 on field goals and 6-for-6 on PATs since replacing the injured Graham Gano (knee).
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