Here’s the most shocking news you’ll read today. While some folks expected Jarrett Stidham to start for the Patriots this season, it hasn’t taken long for Cam Newton to blow past him and Brian Hoyer in the competition to replace Tom Brady as New England’s starting quarterback.
According to multiple beat reporters covering the team’s training camp practices, this is now Newton’s job to lose.
7v7s: Newton 8/12; Hoyer 3/6
11v11s: Newton 20/27; Hoyer 10/12, INT
Total: Newton 28/39; Hoyer 13/18, INT
This was Cam Newton’s best day as a Patriot. IMO it’s his job to lose.
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) August 23, 2020
It’s more than just numbers, though. Here’s how Ben Volin at the Boston Globe describe’s Newton’s takeover of the locker room.
“When the three Patriots quarterbacks take the field, Newton is the biggest, baddest man out there, and everyone knows it.”
Belichick is being typical and not making it official. It’s clear where this is headed, though. Newton will be his starter Week 1 against the Dolphins – as if there were ever any question.
Those of us who paid attention in the first half of 2018 knew Newton is more than capable of playing at a high level when he’s healthy. Bill Belichick may have been the only GM who saw it, too.
Belichick stealing Newton like this repeats a familiar pattern.
What has separated New England from the competition over these last 20 years more than anything is that they don’t beat themselves. They don’t make unforced mistakes on the field, they don’t overpay at the wrong positions and they don’t pass on a no-brainer like signing Newton.
Other QB-needy teams like the Chargers, Bears and Washington who allowed Newton to land in New England should get the same treatment as Atlanta blowing a 28-3 lead or Seattle not giving Marshawn Lynch the ball at the one-yard line.
When it comes to the Patriots, so often they win big because their competition implodes.
