1. For a few weeks now, and especially following Stephon Gilmore's contract extension this past week, some have wondered if Cam Newton's contract will be tweaked at all. After all, the quarterback only has a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.05 million and is deal has a maximum of $7.5 million. But, what has Newton done yet? Should the Patriots really give Newton more money just because he's done all the right things this summer? The questions with Newton all offseason were related to his health and he hasn't appeared in a game yet. Wearing a red, non-contact jersey all summer, it's hard to 100 percent know that he's over his injuries from the past since he hasn't taken a single hit. It's also impossible to fully know his grasp of the Patriots offense. Giving Newton a raise before he even appears in a game would go completely against how Bill Belichick and the organization do business. If Newton continues on this path and has a good first few games could a pay bump and possibly even an extension be in the cards then? Definitely, but just not before he even plays in a real game.
2. Jarrett Stidham's stock has certainly gone down over the last few months. The second-year quarterback looked like the starter for much of the offseason, then was competing with Newton at the beginning of training camp, but a reported leg/hip injury ended that competition just a few or so days into training camp. It also feels like Stidham's confidence isn't what it was at the start of the summer. With Newton only on a one-year deal, the potential is still there for Stidham to be the Patriots' QB in 2021, but at this point, and realizing plenty can change, it feels like there would be better odds for it to be Newton or someone else.
3. It still seems very surprising the Patriots were not active last weekend when it came to adding players from outside the organization via trade or waiver wire. Two positions in particular that could have been upgraded, or added to, are wide receiver and tight end. With Gunner Olszewski on IR, the Patriots have just Julian Edelman, N'Keal Harry, Damiere Byrd and Jakobi Meyers at wide receiver and then rookies Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene as well as Ryan Izzo at tight end.
4. With that being said, maybe the Patriots feel good about players like Byrd and Meyers. Meyers is an interesting player as it felt like he struggled to get on the same page as Tom Brady last year and could benefit from a new QB. Speaking via video conference Friday, Meyers gave an impression that he's feeling better than he did a year ago. "I feel like I have a better understanding of where I am and what my role is, or the role that I'm trying to carve out," he said. "I wouldn't say comfortable and more comfortable, but I would definitely say I'm getting better and I'm starting to understand. I know I still got a long way to go and I still got a lot of work to put in, but I feel like I'm taking the right steps."
5. Expect a full rotation of players on Sunday as with no preseason games, no players will be in full game shape. This could mean a rotation along the offensive line at times with some players getting a series off to stay fresh. A number of coaches have talked about that this week, as every active player Sunday needs to be ready to go. Both teams catch a break with the game being in New England and not Miami.
6. Defensively, it will interesting to see how several rookies acclimate themselves to life in the NFL. Linebackers Anfernee Jennings and Josh Ache as well as safety Kyle Dugger all figure to see a good amount of playing time. These three players are being asked to fill roles vacated by players who left this season or opted out and a lot of the unit's success is dependent on them.
7. The Patriots catch a minor break next week with their game against the Seahawks and there being no fans in Seattle. CenturyLink Field is one of the toughest places in the league to play and not having any fans is certainly a win for the Patriots. It will be interesting to watch this week, and the entire season for that matter, how the lack of fans impacts home field advantage.
