1. While the main focus of the first full week of Patriots training camp has been the quarterbacks, it's worth pointing out second-year wide receiver N'Keal Harry missed the final three sessions last week. As is always the case with the Patriots, they do not say why a player missed practice, so it really could be anything. But, after dealing with lingering ankle/hamstring/foot injuries all last summer, it's quite possible the first-round pick is dealing with something once again. Not being able to practice is certainly not ideal following the rookie season he had — being on IR half the year, and then struggling to really find a role. It's magnified even more with a new quarterback — Cam Newton — joining the team and missing out on opportunities to develop chemistry with him. "I don't think frustration would be the word, because I know whether you're on or off the field, whatever happens to you, everybody's working really hard to try to get back on the field if we're off the field," wide receivers coach Mick Lombardi said Friday. "… (My room is) really just working hard, whatever it is. I coach the guys that are on the field, obviously, and trying to get them better every day, so I have to defer to that. But I know that each player and each person in this building is working as hard as possible to contribute on Sunday. So I know N'Keal is working hard, as are everybody in my room." Yes, it's only three practices, but the longer this continues, the harder and harder it is for Harry to get caught up and be able to contribute like the team envisioned when it selected him in the first round a year ago.
UPDATE: Harry is at practice Sunday, but it's unclear how much he will do.
2. Speaking of quarterbacks, after a week of watching Newton and Jarrett Stidham, it appears Newton is in the drivers seat for the starting job. While he hasn't made any really standout plays, the former MVP has been very workmanlike. It's clear he's still learning the system and is unsure of himself at times, but that is to be expected having just joined the team a little over a month ago. Another thing that is clear is his willingness to take coaching and he's doing whatever he can to learn the offense. It would be a major surprise at this point not to see Newton start Week 1 if he keeps up this current pace and desire to learn.
3. Stidham's struggles over the last week (six interceptions) could be explained by a hip injury, which was reported by NFL Media. The second-year QB did not do much at all Friday, which came a day after his reps were significantly less than Newton and Brian Hoyer. Some thought this was because of his interceptions, but maybe it was more about his hip injury. With that being said, it was interesting following Friday's practice offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said Stidham would be "ready to roll" the next time the Patriots take to the practice field. The injury could be a reason to start to give Newton the majority of the reps instead of splitting them, which has occurred over the last week-plus.
4. One of the best players on the field for the Patriots over the last week has been second-year running back Damien Harris, With Sony Michel and Lamar Miller on PUP, Harris has been getting more reps than he usually would and he has taken full advantage. In addition to showing some speed and athleticism with his runs, he's also shown the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, which is something Michel really hasn't been able to do. Harris seems in line for a much bigger role in 2020.
5. Two other players who have impressed over the first week of full-padded practices have been rookies Kyle Dugger and Josh Uche. Dugger has seemingly been able to quickly pick up the pace of the game coming from D-II Lenoir–Rhyne and shown his versatility when it comes to where he lines up on defense. Uche has been impressive as well. Based on the past week, he likely will be playing a big role for the defense at the linebacker position.
6. One minor observation over the first week has been Josh McDaniels spending more time with positions other than quarterback. With Jedd Fisch taking over as quarterbacks coach and McDaniels just being the offensive coordinator, this has allowed him to spend time with other positions. Similar to Bill Belichick spending time with multiple defensive position groups, McDaniels is now doing the same with the offense.
7. The Patriots are getting into a training camp routine of having practices virtually every day in the morning. With the team having an off-day Saturday, a high-energy session, potentially a scrimmage day, could be on tap for early this week. With no preseason games and joint practices, teams need to do what they can get acclimated to real game situations.
