There is no question, the Patriots' lack of practice time showed Sunday against the Broncos.
Due to COVID, the Patriots had just two real practices over the last two weeks, which led to a very slow start and a lot of struggles in the 18-12 loss to the Broncos Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
Appearing on The Greg Hill Show Monday morning, Cam Newton acknowledged the lack of practice time was evident.
“I think it showed," he said. "I think it was evident, but yet through it all we’re professionals. We had a lot of mental work with Zoom calls this past week and that is what it really comes down to. Nobody really cares. A lot of people are listening to this, and even in the fan base, they just want results and it is our job to give them to them.
"When talking about the whole big picture, I think we will be fine. But yet through it all we just have to do better when given an opportunity.”
As for the biggest impact of having no practice time? Antcipation.
“There was a lack there of of practice being evident and timing was off, and the anticipation was off. I think that was the biggest discrepancy of not having practice," Newton said. "Usually you can throw it way before the receiver is looking for it and be on the money with it, but not having practice for as long as I have had [not] had practice just showed yesterday. Yet through it all, I am about moving forward. We will be moving forward from this point on and I just can’t wait.”
This came up on the final offensive play of the game, when Newton couldn't connect with N'Keal Harry on fourth down. Newton said it was a poor throw, but also noted there was an anticipation issue.
“I would say more so a bad throw, but it goes back to anticipation," he said. "I knew I was going to get hit. I knew what route he was running, but that is just a thing that I didn’t see all week in practice and knowing what he had, but him being faced with different circumstances of the coverage and the leverage of the coverage of the defender.
"I have to be better. I want to make that perfectly clear. I have to play better football for the New England Patriots and I will.”
Newton and the 2-3 Patriots will host the 49ers next Sunday.
