FOXBOROUGH — Obviously, Cam Newton is going to be different from Year 1 to Year 2 just from an experience factor, but speaking Friday after Day 3 of training camp, the veteran gave another reason.
“I didn’t do anything this offseason, as far as any procedures, and that helps,” Newton said. “So, when you got more time with the kids, more time with the family, more time to really focus in on yourself physically and mentally, you feel a little different. More confident.”
Newton made it clear everything that happened last season is in the past.
“I mean, 2020 is over with,” he said. “You know what I’m saying? I’m tired of dwelling on that. My main focus now is just trying to get better, and be the best quarterback I can possibly be for the New England Patriots here moving forward, and trying to come out here each and every day and using this as an opportunity to do that.”
One of the biggest things with Newton is been his throwing mechanics, which led to some inaccurate throws a year ago. Things seem to go better when Newton keeps things simple with them.
“To not overthink things,” he said. “You just have a self-diagnostic check in with yourself. Where you don’t feel certain things are hitting the way they’re supposed to, as far as pop, zip on the ball, feeling your feet on the ground, understanding that you gotta a little more power to uncoil … you still have to check in with yourself and know that, ‘Alright, are my feet planted? Is my shoulders and my feet involved, and not just throwing it with my arm?’ So, it’s a full body type of technique that the arm gets credit for.”
Newton continues to battle with Mac Jones for the starting job.
Day 4 of training camp is Saturday morning at 9:45 a.m.