Zappe Come, Zappe Go

By Lorenzo Recupero

Surely there’s an ongoing discussion gong down in the New England Patriots’ executive offices following the dominant 38-15 win over the Cleveland Browns Sunday afternoon.

Patriots rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe against the Cleveland Browns.

You won’t hear it from Bill Belichick in any report or post-game presser, but there IS a quarterback controversy brewing in Foxborough, MA.

And if rookie QB Bailey Zappe continues playing like he has over the past three games, his success may spill over and carry him into the starting gig for the Patriots.

In the win over Cleveland, Zappe’s third game under center and second as a starter, he put up 309 yards through the air to go with two touchdown passes. He completed 24 of 34 pass attempts to cap a phenomenal performance in which he earned a quarterback rating of 118.40.

Now, to gain some perspective on just how special his latest effort was, let’s compare Zappe’s last start to recent performances from a couple NFL legends. On Sunday, Tom Brady (87.8) and Aaron Rodgers (73.8) both combined for a lower rating (80.80) in their losses, respectively.

Week 6 in the NFL was like a revealing of the new guard, chain of command in the league in some regards and Zappe led the charge.

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Everett Alumni Making Good On NFL Opportunity

Isaiah Likely (above) catches a pass during a preseason game for the Baltimore Ravens. (NFL ON FOX photo)

By Lorenzo Recupero

If you’re a fan of football this time of year, you probably noticed on your television recently a couple of former Everett High School football champions strutting their stuff among the NFL ranks.

Tight end Isaiah Likely, of the Baltimore Ravens, and defensive back Lewis Cine, of the Minnesota Vikings, both standout two-way athletes at EHS and recent NFL draft picks, have showcased value for their respective clubs during the NFL’s preseason play.

Cine, an integral part of the 2022 national champion Georgia Bulldogs and first-round NFL Draft choice, finished with 3 tackles (2 solo) in a losing effort against the San Francisco 49ers. Cine remains on track to be a starter in the Vikings defensive backfield.

Likely, a fourth-round pick, who made waves on social media for his nearly perfect play receiving the ball in the Ravens preseason 24-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals, looks like he is ready to compete for a starting job catching passes from the Ravens’ electric quarterback Lamar Jackson.

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A History Of Everett Athletes In The National Football League

*Prior to the inaugural NFL Draft in 1936, teams were allowed to pick available players on a waivers system.

1920, Ray Trowbridge — Cleveland Tigers 1920, Fred Sweetland — Akron Pros 1920, George Brickley — Cleveland Tigers 1920, Pike Johnson — Akron Pros

1920, Al Pierotti — Akron Pros

1929, Art Dorfman — Buffalo Bisons

1934, Johnny Dell Isola – New York Giants

1945, Mario Gianelli — Boston Yanks (round 20, pick 201)

1946, Rudy Ramboli — Boston Yanks (undrafted)

1950, Ralph Pasquariell — Los Angelas Rams (round 1, pick 9)

1960, Rick Sapienza— New York Titans (expansion team)

1960, Robert Marques — New York Titans (expansion team)

1967, Bobby Leo – Boston Patriots (7th round, pick 180)

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A View From The Sideline

By Lorenzo Recupero

Legendary former Everett High School Head Coach John DiBiaso has coached-up many great athletes during his numerous super bowl victories at the helm for the Crimson Tide.

In his final act as head coach at EHS, he helped lead newly-drafted NFL athletes Lewis Cine and Isaiah Likely to back-to-back state championships as teammates in 2016 and 2017.

That’s why watching the duo get picked in the NFL’s 2022 draft class is no surprise to DiBiaso.

“Cine is extremely gifted,” said DiBiaso, who recalled a conversation with Boston Herald reporter Danny Ventura during Cine’s freshman year at EHS in which he declared Cine had a chance to make it to the NFL. “It got a few laughs at the time, but I saw [greatness] then,” said Dibiaso. “Cine is extremely fast, with cat-like reflexes,” he said.

Isaiah Likely garnered equal praise from his former coach.

“He has tremendous potential,” said DiBiaso. “He has such great hands. I don’t think I ever saw him drop a pass, not in practice or in a game,” said Dibs while likening Likely’s skillset to that of another EHS alum turned NFL star, Dan Ross, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals.

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From EHS to NFL

By Lorenzo Recupero

Lewis Cine

The National Football League 2022 Draft culminated on but not without some of Everett High’s brightest football stars being picked for their chance to shine in the big leagues.

Everett alumni Lewis Cine and Isaiah Likely, former teammates and back-to-back Division 1 State Champions in 2016 and 2017, were both called for their opportunity at the next level.

Cine, a hard-hitting safety who helped the Georgia Bulldogs win a national championship in January, was a highly touted defensive prospect and was grabbed in the first round (32 overall) by the Minnesota Vikings. Pegged as a brilliant and pleasant young man with the smarts to lead any defense, the Vikings are said to have signed Cine for just over 12.4 million dollars, which means they realize what he will bring to their organization. His NFL Combine performance of 6.57 three-cone is one of the fastest in Combine history, and it ranks in the 97th percentile, which makes his services a real weapon for the Vikings. His speed and down-hill aggression make him a fearsome defender, especially in blitzing situations.

Likely, a big and speedy tight-end that opened eyes while at Coastal Carolina, was picked in the fourth round (139 overall) by the Baltimore Ravens.

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