'Play Ball!': Can New England Patriots' Quarterback Will Grier Duplicate Josh Dobbs' Success Story?

The New England Patriots could start Will Grier at quarterback on Sunday versus the New York Giants, despite him still being somewhat of a newcomer.

Could Will Grier be the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots on Sunday when they take on the New York Giants? 

The fourth-year quarterback, formerly of West Virginia, seems like an outsider to be the Patriots' starter, mostly because he's been in Foxboro for the least amount of time of the four options. However, as Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs has recently shown, you can still "play ball" and win. 

“You’ve seen guys around the league like Josh Dobbs,” Grier said. “It’s awesome to see what he did. At the end of the day, you’ve just got to play ball. And he’s obviously a testament to that theory that I believe in wholeheartedly. If I get the opportunity, I’m I’m just going to go play and win."

Dobbs was traded to the Vikings before the the trade deadline, and despite having been with the team for a mere five days, managed to come off the bench in their Week 9 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons and lead them to victory. 

That win versus Atlanta only proved to be the beginning for the sixth-year veteran, who previously spent most of his career as a backup. Dobbs has since led them to wins over the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos as their starter. 

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs (left) and New England Patriots' Will Grier (right) / USA Today Network

The comparison between Grier and Dobbs isn't exactly apples to apples, as the fourth-year signal-caller has been in New England for two months now after being signed off the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad at the end of September.

Grier has spent much of his time working with the scout team in those two months, helping the Patriots' first-team defense prepare for their opponents each week. However, that did change during the bye week, as our own Mike D'Abate reported Grier, along with Bailey Zappe, received "increased looks" with the second and third-team offense behind Jones.

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If Grier is the Patriots' choice on Sunday, it will mark his first piece of NFL regular season action since his rookie season, where he started two games for the Carolina Panthers, which resulted in losses. 

Grier will potentially look to change that record with a win on Sunday against the Giants. Kickoff between the Patriots and Giants inside MetLife Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. (EST). 

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