1. On Saturday, Bill Belichick said Cam Newton is the Patriots’ starting quarterback, but just before that said it would be a hard decision deciding between he and Mac Jones. So, what’s going on? Is Newton the starting quarterback or not? Well, the short answer is as of now he is. It was an interesting sequence of answers from the Patriots head coach as he started by saying it was a competition and he would be looking for consistency and production, only to answer the next question by declaring Newton the starting quarterback. Based on what Belichick said and what we’ve seen over the first four days of training camp, it is Newton’s job right now and he has the clear edge, but it doesn’t mean he definitely will be under center Week 1 against Miami. Jones would need to gain some consistency and pass Newton in terms of production, but he’s certainly not out of the picture to potentially start Week 1. It’s clear Newton has improved from last season and Jones has a ways to go, so if things continue to go like they have over the first week it will be Newton being the Patriots starting quarterback. But, things have the potential to change and if by the time Week 1 rolls around and Jones gives the team the best chance to win, he will be under center. It just seems the more likely scenario right now is Newton will ultimately be the starting quarterback.
2. There is no question Newton is a better thrower than he was a year ago. Friday was arguably his best practice the media has been able to see over his year-plus with the team. His arm appears strong and unlike the first couple days, he was much more decisive with his throws and decision-making. While he still has a few throws each day that make you go, ‘What the heck was that?’ overall, he’s been more consistent than Jones and is making throws that he was not capable of making a year ago.
3. Brian Hoyer had some interesting comments relating to how Belichick conducts training camp, especially in the early going working in the red area compared to other teams when he met with the media late last week. “A lot of teams you just go out there and you start on the field and there’s no down-and-distance, it’s just run plays,” he said. “You go here and the first day you’re playing right down in the red area and you’re trying to figure out who is covering who, the ball has to come out fast. Let’s call it what it is, this is the most difficult play in football — third down in the red area.” While so far the defense has been ahead of the offense, this should only prepare the unit for what is to come once the regular season rolls around.
4. It’s worth mentioning how different it is watching training camp with fans compared to last year when they were not permitted. The energy in the stands has carried over to the field and it’s worth bringing up how Newton is a player who relies on energy. This could certainly help his play come the preseason games and potentially regular-season games.
5. Josh Uche seems primed for a big year in his second NFL season. Players always make big leaps from Year 1 to Year 2 and newcomer Matt Judon had plenty of praise for him last week, but we also noticed something else. Uche was speaking with Judon and a few other defensive players after one session last week and he was the one explaining how things go and are supposed to be done with a certain scheme/techinique. It was notable that a second-year player was helping teach a newcomer with the skill Judon has.
6. The wide receiver position is wide open and really any player on the roster has a chance of making the 53-man roster. Over the spring, Isaiah Zuber seemed like a popular pick for an unknown to make the team, but over the first few days of training camp it’s Kristian Wilkerson. The second-year pro has made a number of plays and seems to be developing chemistry with both Newton and Jones.
7. Looking ahead to this week, the team will have its first off day of training camp Sunday before a busy week ahead. Sessions are scheduled Monday-Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and then Friday night will be the annual in-stadium practice for Foxborough residents and season-ticket holders. Monday-Thursday’s practices are free and open to the public. With the pads coming on, it should be a good time to check things out.