Cam Newton absolutely needs to get more reps, more opportunities in the Patriots second preseason game of the summer Thursday night in Philadelphia.
If, as some still curiously believe, Newton is actually entrenched as New England’s starting quarterback then Bill Belichick needs to treat him as such. That means more reps in the middle game of the new-look preseason schedule so that he’s preparing properly for the Sept. 12 opener against Miami.
More importantly, if Newton is in a “healthy competition” for the Patriots starting QB job with impressive first-round rookie Mac Jones that is going to end in a “hard decision” for Belichick, then the veteran deserves the right to fight for his role.
He didn’t get that in last week’s preseason opener against Washington in which he played a mere two series – again, normal if he truly is the team’s entrenched starter – as he got the chance to throw seven passes and didn’t run once in a dozen snaps. Meanwhile Jones played 33 snaps over two-plus quarters of action, throwing the ball 19 times in his professional debut.
This actually continued a trend seen regularly on the training camp practice field. Oftentimes this spring and summer behind Gillette Stadium Newton has taken a few reps with the first unit, then given way to Jones’ work with the ones and the twos to pile up more opportunities to show his stuff. And, to be clear, the former Alabama star has taken advantage of many of those opportunities, just as he did last Thursday night to ignite his hype train against Washington.
Those “We Want Mac!” chants from the Foxborough Faithful are what they are. But Newton’s fans should get the chance to fuel their own chants, even if they are on their living room couch this week.
Newton’s history is what it is. He’s a former superstar who was once upon a time an NFL MVP. He also put forth an historically-bad season (insert your preferred excuse for those struggles here as you may see fit) as the Patriots starting quarterback in his first and only season in New England last fall.
But this isn’t about the past. This is about the present.
This about a supposed competition going on in a supposed meritocracy of football team in New England under Belichick’s analytical eye.
If that’s true, then Newton needs more chances to prove himself, to fail even.
Many of us may believe that Newton is no longer an NFL-caliber quarterback, incapable of throwing the ball at even a baseline level at this point.
The best way to let this play out is to flip the playing time script on Thursday night against the Eagles. Give Jones the starting nod – yes, that will certainly magnify the external noise and push the throttle on his hype train – but only give him a series or two before having him give way to Newton. Heck, pull one of those Belichickian preseason tricks and send Newton out unannounced mid drive.
Then, let Newton pile up some actual reps against the Eagles first and second defenses. Let him throw the ball a couple dozen times. Maybe even let him run.
If he, like Jones a week earlier, uses the extended time well, then maybe we really do have a “hard decision” coming down the pike.
If Newton doesn’t look good, doesn’t maximize the opportunity especially against second-unit defenders as the game wears on, then the decision probably grows easier by the play. It also gives the veteran a taste of life in a backup role, a consideration that may be important for him to chew on sooner rather than later.
Either way, if we are to believe that Belichick wants to treat Newton with the kind of respect the former MVP deserves even in the twilight of his career (Roger Clemens he is not!), the only plan for the second preseason game is to allow the veteran to see extended playing time in an effort to extend his supposed hold on the starting QB job.
Make the comparison equal. Make if fair. Maybe even make it obvious.
Allow Newton the time to look like a starter preparing for the regular season opener.
Or, allow Newton the time to look like a once-good veteran losing grip on his job.
Many of us think Newton is tantamount to a fool of a quarterback at this point. Give him the chance on the preseason field to prove it to the world.
Or to prove us wrong.