Pats Preseason: QB Edition

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SMU_Sox

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Totally missed that. My bad! I didn't make it far enough down the thread before I started the anecdote. Apologies.
 
Apr 24, 2019
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I had the same question because of the reference to a "club-approved medical appointment." Did they approve of the appointment but were surprised by WHERE he went to have it? Did the team ALSO mess up the protocols and not realize what would result from his going to this medical appointment outside of N.E.? Inquiring minds want to know...
 

joe dokes

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I had the same question because of the reference to a "club-approved medical appointment." Did they approve of the appointment but were surprised by WHERE he went to have it? Did the team ALSO mess up the protocols and not realize what would result from his going to this medical appointment outside of N.E.? Inquiring minds want to know...
Or it was an entity with more than one location?
 
Apr 24, 2019
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That may seem, or even be, an “innocent mistake,” but that’s a pretty inexcusably stupid move, either by Cam and/or the team for not being clear on what the protocols are for testing. Just MAKE SURE it’s clear exactly what you have to do. Unprofessional. Moronic. Embarrassing.

edit: clarity
 

RetractableRoof

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That may seem, or even be, an “innocent mistake,” but that’s a pretty inexcusably stupid move, either by Cam and/or the team for not being clear on what the protocols are for testing. Just MAKE SURE it’s clear exactly what you have to do. Unprofessional. Moronic. Embarrassing.

edit: clarity
Did you say the same thing when Edelman got popped for a failed a PED test a few years ago? Just curious.
 
Apr 24, 2019
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I actually did think that was pretty stupid, but not surprising and certainly not something I’d put ON THE TEAM. That said, I don’t really see them as similar situations. It‘s a really dopey mistake to not know what sounds like fairly basic protocols, to get tested but not at the correct, mandated (by the NFL and his own union) testing facility.
 

johnmd20

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Cam really picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

And I am a Cam fan. I really was hoping he would find a way to being relevant. But he can't really throw and he's unvaccinated, which caused him to miss a week of practice. Sorry Cam, next man up.
 

RedOctober3829

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This is an extension of what Mac did at Alabama. Every time there was a challenge or a hyped up game he stepped up to the challenge. Today was a huge day for him and he knocked it out of the park.

Doug Kyed had him at 48-for-55 combined with 1 on 1's, 7 on 7, and 11 on 11. 18 straight completions at one point in 11v11. He threw a wheel route to White for a TD and a long bomb to Jakobi Meyers. He did take 2 sacks and had a near INT, but an otherwise perfect day for him when he needed it the most.

Let's see how Bill and Josh react to this tomorrow. Does Cam get his starting reps back automatically or will we see a shift?
 

rodderick

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Mac having his best day when he has the most to gain is extremely encouraging. I thought he had no shot at being the Week 1 starter, but Cam opened that door and now we'll see.
 

Rowdy

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This is an extension of what Mac did at Alabama. Every time there was a challenge or a hyped up game he stepped up to the challenge. Today was a huge day for him and he knocked it out of the park.

Doug Kyed had him at 48-for-55 combined with 1 on 1's, 7 on 7, and 11 on 11. 18 straight completions at one point in 11v11. He threw a wheel route to White for a TD and a long bomb to Jakobi Meyers. He did take 2 sacks and had a near INT, but an otherwise perfect day for him when he needed it the most.

Let's see how Bill and Josh react to this tomorrow. Does Cam get his starting reps back automatically or will we see a shift?
Unfortunately, we don’t have any career stats on Belichick’s decision making to reference but we he has demonstrated over and over that he is a personal accountability, detail oriented and reasonable consequence guy. Seems like Newton’s infraction at such a critical time will have some repercussion.
 

Soxy

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Let's see how Bill and Josh react to this tomorrow. Does Cam get his starting reps back automatically or will we see a shift?
I thought he had no shot at being the Week 1 starter, but Cam opened that door and now we'll see.
Sure seems like the next few days and the game Sunday could be extremely telling. If Cam walks right back to the head of the line, then the "Cam was always starting week one, nothing to see here" crowd may end up being proven correct.

I've always thought Mac would get a fair shot at the job from day one and have never really understood the theory that they would sit him just because they can. That seems antithetical to the Belichick we've seen over the years, who seems to have no problem taking things as they come, adapting to whatever he's seeing, and adjusting his plan on the fly. He doesn't strike me as the kind of leader who would set arbitrary endpoints on something when there are so many unknown variables. Like, "We're waiting until after the Brady game to start Mac" may make sense to fans, but it seems like a strange way to run a team. Just play your best players and let the chips fall where they may. If Mac is your best QB, then you play him. Once you strip away all of the BS and get right to the heart of the matter, which Belichick is exceptional at doing, I really don't think it gets any more complicated than that.

Fwiw, the same logic extends to a player like Stevenson. Heading into camp, I assumed he wouldn't play much this season. That wasn't because I didn't like him as a player, but more because the Pats rarely play any rookie RBs who aren't first round picks. I still thought they'd give him a fair shot, same as they do everyone else, and he has clearly taken that opportunity and ran with it (literally and figuratively). Now they trade Michel because they feel like they can afford to do so. They probably didn't go into camp expecting to rely on a 4th round rookie who has never played a down in the NFL. I can't imagine they would do that, at least. But things changed, so they adapted their plan, and Sony Michel gets shipped across the country. Way it goes.

If Cam does not get his seat at the table back immediately, then it would seem to be anyone's game. If he does, then maybe the cake really is already baked here and they just don't want to start the kid right from day one. That would be weird to me, but QB is a weird position. I would sort of understand it, even if I don't really like it, but that kind of thinking is ultimately grounded upon faulty logic.
 

Saints Rest

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Sure seems like the next few days and the game Sunday could be extremely telling. If Cam walks right back to the head of the line, then the "Cam was always starting week one, nothing to see here" crowd may end up being proven correct.

I've always thought Mac would get a fair shot at the job from day one and have never really understood the theory that they would sit him just because they can. That seems antithetical to the Belichick we've seen over the years, who seems to have no problem taking things as they come, adapting to whatever he's seeing, and adjusting his plan on the fly. He doesn't strike me as the kind of leader who would set arbitrary endpoints on something when there are so many unknown variables. Like, "We're waiting until after the Brady game to start Mac" may make sense to fans, but it seems like a strange way to run a team. Just play your best players and let the chips fall where they may. If Mac is your best QB, then you play him. Once you strip away all of the BS and get right to the heart of the matter, which Belichick is exceptional at doing, I really don't think it gets any more complicated than that.

Fwiw, the same logic extends to a player like Stevenson. Heading into camp, I assumed he wouldn't play much this season. That wasn't because I didn't like him as a player, but more because the Pats rarely play any rookie RBs who aren't first round picks. I still thought they'd give him a fair shot, same as they do everyone else, and he has clearly taken that opportunity and ran with it (literally and figuratively). Now they trade Michel because they feel like they can afford to do so. They probably didn't go into camp expecting to rely on a 4th round rookie who has never played a down in the NFL. I can't imagine they would do that, at least. But things changed, so they adapted their plan, and Sony Michel gets shipped across the country. Way it goes.

If Cam does not get his seat at the table back immediately, then it would seem to be anyone's game. If he does, then maybe the cake really is already baked here and they just don't want to start the kid right from day one. That would be weird to me, but QB is a weird position. I would sort of understand it, even if I don't really like it, but that kind of thinking is ultimately grounded upon faulty logic.
So what you are saying is that Bill will do "what's best for our football team?"
I couldn't agree more!
 

soxhop411

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Former New England Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak is known for his unapologetic and brash sports analysis on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zo and Bertrand in Boston. Although his latest hot take might have people requesting an apology or at least an explanation.

With co-host Marc Bertrand off-air on Thursday, Zolak was broadcasting live from Patriots training camp, while Adam Jones and Rob “Hardy” Poole were in studio. Commenting on the highly scrutinized quarterback battle between Cam Newton and Mac Jones, Zolak offered a curious suggestion.

“I’d turn off the rap music first of all,” said Zolak, who played for the Patriots in the ‘90s. “Because I think it’s distracting for Cam here. Because in between every throw he’s dancing.”

Newton has been criticized for not getting vaccinated against Covid, but claiming the quarterback is being hurt by rap music? Hardy and Jones both responded with looks of befuddlement. “I think it’s distracting for you,” Hardy joked.

“He can’t help himself,” Zolak continued about Newton. “Mac looks like he came to work again. Like, he’s here to work. And everything is attention to detail.”

Jones jumped in and tried to bail Zolak out, noting that Newton is doing what he always has. “None of this sounds atypical from Cam,” Jones said. “To me it would be more noteworthy if he was doing something out of character.”

Zolak acknowledged, “that’s Cam’s style.”
https://www.mediaite.com/sports/ex-new-england-patriots-qb-scott-zolak-urges-team-to-turn-off-rap-music-at-practice-because-its-distracting-for-cam-newton/
 

DJnVa

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I read in one article somewhere that the music is turned on to simulate noise in a game situation.

FAKE EDIT: Here, from Jeff Howe

Interestingly, the Patriots turned on the music for this series to increase the level of difficulty.
The music is a feature not a bug.
 

Eck'sSneakyCheese

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I’m growing increasingly speculative of the notion that Cam is going to start the season and if he falters then they’ll hand the job to Mac. That seems wrong on so many levels. How does that help the development of the young QB? Our team is in a hole let’s see you dig us out? Wouldn’t that be a ton more pressure to have to deal with? On the flip side what would that do to his confidence if it looked like the team sucked so who cares what he does. Mac would have to question how he couldn’t beat out a dumpster fire of a QB for the job.

What would be the dream scenario if Cam starts and looks like crap? We bring Mac in at halftime of the TB game, down big, to bring us back but ultimately lose to Tommy at the last second. Then Mac rattles off 13 straight to win the East and get us into the playoffs? It’s a cute movie but not real life.

We know what Cam Newton is. Nothing so far this pre season has shown me any different. He’s a little worse than the middling QB he was in 2018. His 2020 numbers aren’t all that dissimilar to 2018 other than the massive drop in passing TDs. In the past his athleticism has made up for some of the shortcomings he has but that has dwindled.

This offense is built off of accuracy and decision making. Two things Mac has shown he has at an elite level. Cam has neither. This decision isn’t difficult.
 

Old Fart Tree

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Until Mac does it in a big boy regular season game, I’m of the opinion he hasn’t showed shit. No disagreement that Cam is toast though.
 

Eddie Jurak

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My guess is that Cam may start game 1 but he will be on a short leash.

I think it is obvious that Mac Jones opens up the full offensive system that the Patrios want to run in a way that Cam never will. He has the potential to be the second best quarterback to come through here during BB's tenure.

They might decide for any number of reasons that starting Cam in game 1 is the way to go, but I think McDaniels will be itching to run a more Tom Brady type of offense than is possible with Cam and I don't see there being a lot of patience with Cam while a bunch of the offense remains off the table because Cam isn't up to it.

I am intrigued by the possibility that, once Jones takes over, the Pats may install a Cam package to use situationally. For example, imagine the Pats encounter a team that is really really terrible against the run even when they know it is coming. Maybe then you throw Cam in there and crush them on the ground for while leading to some play action opportunities.
 

Cellar-Door

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Until Mac does it in a big boy regular season game, I’m of the opinion he hasn’t showed shit. No disagreement that Cam is toast though.
Yeah, I can see the case for Mac, but he hasn't even really faced any starters in pre-season, he's strictly face backups and guys who aren't making the team. Even against starters pre-season is a big step down from real NFL games, add in not playing vs. the starters and it's even bigger.
 

simplyeric

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I’m growing increasingly speculative of the notion that Cam is going to start the season and if he falters then they’ll hand the job to Mac. That seems wrong on so many levels. How does that help the development of the young QB? Our team is in a hole let’s see you dig us out? Wouldn’t that be a ton more pressure to have to deal with? On the flip side what would that do to his confidence if it looked like the team sucked so who cares what he does. Mac would have to question how he couldn’t beat out a dumpster fire of a QB for the job.

What would be the dream scenario if Cam starts and looks like crap? We bring Mac in at halftime of the TB game, down big, to bring us back but ultimately lose to Tommy at the last second. Then Mac rattles off 13 straight to win the East and get us into the playoffs? It’s a cute movie but not real life.

We know what Cam Newton is. Nothing so far this pre season has shown me any different. He’s a little worse than the middling QB he was in 2018. His 2020 numbers aren’t all that dissimilar to 2018 other than the massive drop in passing TDs. In the past his athleticism has made up for some of the shortcomings he has but that has dwindled.

This offense is built off of accuracy and decision making. Two things Mac has shown he has at an elite level. Cam has neither. This decision isn’t difficult.
On the flip side, having Cam start gives McCorkle a chance to see true NFL game day speed…if he sees how hard a real game is for Cam, he will get a better understanding of how fast and hard it is. If Cam falters, it’s a good reality check for McCorkle…he’ll go in knowing that it’s not as easy as pre-season was.
 

RedOctober3829

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Yeah, I can see the case for Mac, but he hasn't even really faced any starters in pre-season, he's strictly face backups and guys who aren't making the team. Even against starters pre-season is a big step down from real NFL games, add in not playing vs. the starters and it's even bigger.
He's faced starters in joint practices against both Philly and the Giants. He did pretty well against the Eagles and obviously very well against the Giants. Judge said he's playing the starters at least a half tomorrow, so we may get to see him against starters in game action. However, Belichick is known to value the reps in the joint practices moreso than the preseason games.
 

BaseballJones

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Until Mac does it in a big boy regular season game, I’m of the opinion he hasn’t showed shit. No disagreement that Cam is toast though.
Mac definitely hasn’t shown nothing. But he also hasn’t shown he can do it in a real game situation.
 

RG33

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The low risk play here is to let Cam start week 1 and see what happens from there. That way you don’t alienate Cam or anyone else in the locker room, and you don’t put that first week pressure on a rookie QB.

BB does not factor in low risk plays. It is all about competition and what is best for the football team.

I am leaning towards the belief that Mac Jones will be the starting QB for thr New England Patriots in week 1.
 

jmanny24

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Mac definitely hasn’t shown nothing. But he also hasn’t shown he can do it in a real game situation.
This is part of the reason I believe Mac should start tomorrow. He can't show it if he never gets the opportunity. I've said this before, it's kinda like a lefty trying to hit off a lefty or Houck going through the lineup a third time. You can shelter them all you want but if you do, you lose the credibility to say "well he hasn't done it in a real game" if you keep denying him that opportunity.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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Alright.

The team starts Mac week 1. What happens if he stumbles the first few weeks?

You think Cam is going to be psyched watching from the sideline? How does he react coming in to start week 5? How does Mac react heading to the bench? What happens if Cam faulters when he replaces Mac? Are the Pat's going back to Mac after a few weeks? What does this juggling act do to both Mac and Cam? What happens to Mac if Cam succeeds? Shake his confidence? Do fans lose trust in him?

Simplest way to avoid all this shit is to start Cam. If he plays well, he keeps the role. If (when) he doesnt for a few weeks, he goes to the bench and its Macs job for the rest of the season.

Starting Mac week 1 opens up Pandoras box. Theres a whole lot of risk, and I'm all about mitigating risk when it comes to potential franchise QBs.

See ya week 1, Cam.
 
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