Such a dumb decision to start Cam again. The only explanation is trying to do a solid to a well respected veteran.
That is what I am afraid of. No way Cam takes a job as a backup. If he is back next year, he will be starting which will be horrible.If you had any doubts about what the Patriots think of Stidham, that should answer your question. Still think there's a chance Cam is back next year as the backup.
I think he's going to have to if he wants to continue being employed. Maybe he could be the starter early on next year if they draft a QB that they don't want to send out there right away.That is what I am afraid of. No way Cam takes a job as a backup.
He has been one of the worst QBs in all of football this season and BB keeps starting him.I think he's going to have to if he wants to continue being employed. Maybe he could be the starter early on next year if they draft a QB that they don't want to send out there right away.
If so, then ... again ... why is Stidham even on the roster?If you had any doubts about what the Patriots think of Stidham, that should answer your question.
Who in the league is going to sign Cam to be the starter next season? Everyone, including BB watches film. Clearly, he has no faith in Stidham, so he's letting Cam playout the string. There is no way in hell that this implies that he'll bring Cam back to be a similarly inept starter next season. No f'ing chance in hell. Much more likely he tries to trade for Stafford, Jimmy G, etc. Whether Cam is in NE or elsewhere next season, he'll begin as a backup.That is what I am afraid of. No way Cam takes a job as a backup. If he is back next year, he will be starting which will be horrible.
Cam isn't leading any team to the playoffs.
I agree with everything you said. I said I was afraid for Cam coming back next year (to the Pats) because I don’t think Cam wants to be a backup.Who in the league is going to sign Cam to be the starter next season? Everyone, including BB watches film. Clearly, he has no faith in Stidham, so he's letting Cam playout the string. There is no way in hell that this implies that he'll bring Cam back to be a similarly inept starter next season. No f'ing chance in hell. Much more likely he tries to trade for Stafford, Jimmy G, etc. Whether Cam is in NE or elsewhere next season, he'll begin as a backup.
He's a warm body. Surely he will be gone soon after the season ends.If so, then ... again ... why is Stidham even on the roster?
Can't they just pay him the incentive amount regardless?Does Cam have incentives in his contract for reaching playing time milestones? If so, maybe Belichick is just doing him a solid and helping him to get to those.
If not...¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I love your certitude and want you to be right. Until contrary evidence appears, however, I believe the default position is that Cam will be the starting QB next season as BB counts on a full offseason of prep to fully unlock the Cam-led offense and Cam accepts a cheap deal.Who in the league is going to sign Cam to be the starter next season? Everyone, including BB watches film. Clearly, he has no faith in Stidham, so he's letting Cam playout the string. There is no way in hell that this implies that he'll bring Cam back to be a similarly inept starter next season. No f'ing chance in hell. Much more likely he tries to trade for Stafford, Jimmy G, etc. Whether Cam is in NE or elsewhere next season, he'll begin as a backup.
BB sees that Cam's shoulder is toast. He doesn't have any options he likes during the season, but he'll find someone he likes in the off-season. I'm incredibly confident about this.I love your certitude and want you to be right. Until contrary evidence appears, however, I believe the default position is that Cam will be the starting QB next season as BB counts on a full offseason of prep to fully unlock the Cam-led offense and Cam accepts a cheap deal.
Honestly, what legs? Cam has been a short yardage back for 10+ weeks now, dude hasn't been explosive in a good while.There is like almost zero chance Newton is resigned by the Pats to be the starting QB. We need to remember that the Pats entered this offseason with zero cap space and with Stidham slated to be the #1 QB. We can safely assume Bill figured a 1-15 season would not really benefit the team long term even if they did manage to win the Trevor sweepstakes in the process.
There is an outside (as in very small) chance that Newton is brought in on another make-good contract and is allowed to compete for the job again in training camp. His legs allow him to be a serviceable backup for a small number of games. But his competition would be a lot stiffer than either Stidham or Hoyer this time around.
Finally, the team does have an opening at QB coach....
Agree. Being the contrarian and “smartest guy in the room” works a whole lot better when you have the greatest QB of all time rather than having clowns like Steve Belichick backing up your decisions.Won’t be watching another down this season if Cam is starting. Stupid decision on every practical Level. This is benching Butler in the Super Bowl level stupid
Considering they’re already out of the playoffs this is absolutely NOT comparable in really any way to the Butler benching.Won’t be watching another down this season if Cam is starting. Stupid decision on every practical Level. This is benching Butler in the Super Bowl level stupid
If Stidham plays and is good, maybe we determine he is the guy for next year. Net positive to the franchise. And If we 100% know he isn’t why is he still on the active roster?Considering they’re already out of the playoffs this is absolutely NOT comparable in really any way to the Butler benching.
The reason to start Stidham is to see what he has in terms of in-game talent. But if BB either (a) already thinks he knows for sure that Stidham sucks or (b) thinks starting Stidham now with a banged-up and seemingly tired OL and a bad crop of receivers could hurt his confidence, that’s somewhat understandable. Also, although BB would never admit this, I do wonder if he’s accepted that they are in mini-tank mode now and there’s no benefit to winning - so in that sense starting Cam doesn’t matter.
I do agree that I have no interest in watching them if Cam is playing because we know what we’re getting, so selfishly I would prefer Stidham play, but it’s not really Belichick’s job to keep viewership up in a lost season.
This is the same exact argument I'd have had in June. I never understood this signing aside from a lottery ticket. Cam shouldn't have started after SF.If Stidham plays and is good, maybe we determine he is the guy for next year. Net positive to the franchise. And If we 100% know he isn’t why is he still on the active roster?
if Stidham plays and is not good, and we lose out, we gain a better draft position. Net positive for the franchise. And we then know unequivocally to cut Him.
If Newton plays and is good, we still miss the playoffs and are no closer to figuring out the future of the QB position. And we really hurt our draft position.
if Newton plays and is bad, we lost the same games as we would have with Stidham playing and are that much further away from knowing the future of the position.
can someone explain the actual Upside because I don’t see it.
Hence why this was such a wasted season. You are in the same place you were prior to begin the season. They should have played Stidham and not playing him is one of the dumb decisions BB has made this year.This is the same exact argument I'd have had in June. I never understood this signing aside from a lottery ticket. Cam shouldn't have started after SF.
Josh indicated in his recent interview that pretty much Stidham has had every opportunity to improve in practice and that he's seen what he has to offer, extra games wouldn't change that.They would not and should not just give Stidham the job. He lost the job to a guy who literally came off the street into a new system.
Then he should be cut in the offseason. If he's not good enough to earn playing time now there's no point in him occupying a roster spot next year.They would not and should not just give Stidham the job. He lost the job to a guy who literally came off the street into a new system.
I think they expected a stronger showing in camp than they got.The buzz from reporters covering the team is that they weren’t thrilled about his readiness and willingness to push through the injury he had.If Cam is starting tomorrow, then I expect none of the three QBs on the roster to be back next year. Cam is as bad as any Pats QB I’ve seen since Tommy Hodson. Stidham can’t beat him out. Hoyer’s worse than them both.
I totally understand that if Stidham has been soooo bad in practice that he can’t move ahead of Cam then it doesn’t make sense to start him. Still, it’s disappointing. And also baffling that BB was willing to go into the season with him as his likely starting QB had none of that other 31 teams signed Cam.
Cam really is an incredibly bad passer of the football this year. It's amazing to watch him.If Cam is starting tomorrow, then I expect none of the three QBs on the roster to be back next year. Cam is as bad as any Pats QB I’ve seen since Tommy Hodson. Stidham can’t beat him out. Hoyer’s worse than them both.
I totally understand that if Stidham has been soooo bad in practice that he can’t move ahead of Cam then it doesn’t make sense to start him. Still, it’s disappointing. And also baffling that BB was willing to go into the season with him as his likely starting QB had none of that other 31 teams signed Cam.
I get it. I do recall that some beat reporters were suggesting that Hoyer could start given how Stidham was looking pre-Cam. Just weird that he was that far away. Seemed like BB was comfortable with Jimmy G taking over for Brady, and I mistakenly thought Stidham was in a similar place.I think they expected a stronger showing in camp than they got.The buzz from reporters covering the team is that they weren’t thrilled about his readiness and willingness to push through the injury he had.
I.e., evaluations are dynamic.
And what were their options? Circa March they couldn’t afford to pay a Dalton or Mariota.
Yeah, I think we all figured he was more ready than proved out. Wouldn’t be surprised if he is buried in the depth chart or cut altogether if he has another bad camp.I get it. I do recall that some beat reporters were suggesting that Hoyer could start given how Stidham was looking pre-Cam. Just weird that he was that far away. Seemed like BB was comfortable with Jimmy G taking over for Brady, and I mistakenly thought Stidham was in a similar place.
They've carried two QBs before, why do you say this?If Stidham was better than Cam in practice, then Stidham would have been named the starter either for the Bills or perhaps even earlier. He obviously hasn't been better; he absolutely sucked in training camp according to multiple media reports. Stidham was on the roster this season because the Pats had no other options.
As noted, the Pats learned plenty watching Stidham in practice. He's probably not back, or, if he is, he is fighting for the 3rd string job.
If he can’t beat out Cam 2020, they should probably just cut bait and move on. Trade for Wentz, or some other starting-quality QB, maybe draft someone, and sign a veteran backup. It’s hard to envision Stidham recovering from this disaster of a season.Yeah, I think we all figured he was more ready than proved out. Wouldn’t be surprised if he is buried in the depth chart or cut altogether if he has another bad camp.
I’m not so sure.Who in the league is going to sign Cam to be the starter next season? Everyone, including BB watches film. Clearly, he has no faith in Stidham, so he's letting Cam playout the string. There is no way in hell that this implies that he'll bring Cam back to be a similarly inept starter next season. No f'ing chance in hell. Much more likely he tries to trade for Stafford, Jimmy G, etc. Whether Cam is in NE or elsewhere next season, he'll begin as a backup.
I wouldn't be so sure that Alex Smith won't be the bridge QB in WASI’m not so sure.
Besides the Pats, there are three teams whose 2021 Week 1 starter clearly isn’t someone on the current roster: the Jaguars, the Broncos, and the Football Team. JAX will obviously address the position through the draft (Lawrence), but I don’t think any other rookies are likely to be Week 1 starters. Obviously, DEN and WAS might address the position by signing a free agent like Prescott or Cousins, or trading for someone like Matt Ryan, but each of those moves creates an opening someplace else. So I think you’ll have two teams somewhere in the league that are heading into 2021 with some kind of bridge QB situations, and I’d expect Cam to be in the mix alongside guys like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Nick Foles for those spots. Failing that, there will be no shortage of teams interested in Cam as a backup.
The only way I see Cam back here is if BB addresses the position through the draft, at which point cultural fit becomes more important than short-term production (and in that situation, I might like Cam on a 1-year deal a lot).
Denver could run it back another year with Lock, who they spent the 42nd pick on in 2019.I’m not so sure.
Besides the Pats, there are three teams whose 2021 Week 1 starter clearly isn’t someone on the current roster: the Jaguars, the Broncos, and the Football Team. JAX will obviously address the position through the draft (Lawrence), but I don’t think any other rookies are likely to be Week 1 starters. Obviously, DEN and WAS might address the position by signing a free agent like Prescott or Cousins, or trading for someone like Matt Ryan, but each of those moves creates an opening someplace else. So I think you’ll have two teams somewhere in the league that are heading into 2021 with some kind of bridge QB situations, and I’d expect Cam to be in the mix alongside guys like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Nick Foles for those spots. Failing that, there will be no shortage of teams interested in Cam as a backup.
The only way I see Cam back here is if BB addresses the position through the draft, at which point cultural fit becomes more important than short-term production (and in that situation, I might like Cam on a 1-year deal a lot).
There's no point in starting Stidham because he won't be on the roster next year. Cam might be.Won’t be watching another down this season if Cam is starting. Stupid decision on every practical Level. This is benching Butler in the Super Bowl level stupid
Hard to have the results you’ve had the past two years and not change your head coach or your QB. We know Fangio will be back, so I’m assuming Lock won’t be.Denver could run it back another year with Lock, who they spent the 42nd pick on in 2019.
If Cam is on the roster - he will be given an opportunity to start right? What would be a realistic salary? Anything above the minimum seems like a waste of money.There's no point in starting Stidham because he won't be on the roster next year. Cam might be.
Believe it or not, I think you might have seen worse QB play in the Belichick era. How did folks feel about Drew Bledsoe's 2000 season under Belichick? The backup QB's on that team didn't get a whole lot of starts or snaps under center during the regular season either. There's a method to BB's madness. Some surprising stats:If Cam is starting tomorrow, then I expect none of the three QBs on the roster to be back next year. Cam is as bad as any Pats QB I’ve seen since Tommy Hodson. Stidham can’t beat him out. Hoyer’s worse than them both.
I totally understand that if Stidham has been soooo bad in practice that he can’t move ahead of Cam then it doesn’t make sense to start him. Still, it’s disappointing. And also baffling that BB was willing to go into the season with him as his likely starting QB had none of that other 31 teams signed Cam.
Bledsoe was 24th in the league in ANY/A, Cam is currently 28th. Bledsoe was 12th in DYAR and 18th in DVOA, Cam has ranked 31st in both DYAR and DVOA. He's been worse than Drew relative to his environment.Believe it or not, I think you might have seen worse QB play in the Belichick era. How did folks feel about Drew Bledsoe's 2000 season under Belichick? The backup QB's on that team didn't get a whole lot of starts or snaps under center during the regular season either. There's a method to BB's madness. Some surprising stats:
Completion Percentage:
2000 Bledsoe: 59%
2020 Newton: 66%
Yards Per Attempt:
2000 Bledsoe: 6.2
2020 Newton: 7.3
Offensive Points Per Drives Led (excluding clock-killing drives):
2000 Bledsoe: 1.42
2020 Newton: 2.18
Total TD's:
2000 Bledsoe: 19 (in 16 games)
2020 Newton: 16 (in 13 games)
Total Turnovers:
2000 Bledsoe: 14
2020 Newton: 11
Sacks Taken:
2000 Bledsoe: 45
2020 Newton: 26
Wins/Losses:
2000 Bledsoe: 5-11
2020 Newton: 6-7
I get what you’re saying. However, it has to be noted that (a) the 2000 Pats run game was awful — 3.3 yards per attempt, and (b) the 2000 Pats OL was lousy, hence the 45 sacks. Bledsoe certainly had better weapons at WR, as Troy Brown and Terry Glenn were light years better than the sorry crew we have this season. But Cam has a fantastic run game that keeps defenses honest, and a stout OL protecting him. I had largely soured on Bledsoe by 2000, but put him on this team and it’s hard to not see the Pats being at least 8-6 and fighting for a playoff spot. Especially considering that the expectations for the QB spot have change a good bit in 20 years, so I’m guessing Drew’s completion percentage would be in the mid-60s, and he’d probably throw a few less picks.Believe it or not, I think you might have seen worse QB play in the Belichick era. How did folks feel about Drew Bledsoe's 2000 season under Belichick? The backup QB's on that team didn't get a whole lot of starts or snaps under center during the regular season either. There's a method to BB's madness. Some surprising stats:
Completion Percentage:
2000 Bledsoe: 59%
2020 Newton: 66%
Yards Per Attempt:
2000 Bledsoe: 6.2
2020 Newton: 7.3
Offensive Points Per Drives Led (excluding clock-killing drives):
2000 Bledsoe: 1.42
2020 Newton: 2.18
Total TD's:
2000 Bledsoe: 19 (in 16 games)
2020 Newton: 16 (in 13 games)
Total Turnovers:
2000 Bledsoe: 14
2020 Newton: 11
Sacks Taken:
2000 Bledsoe: 45
2020 Newton: 26
Wins/Losses:
2000 Bledsoe: 5-11
2020 Newton: 6-7