The Quarterbacks competition may tarnish the Patriots image.

The Patriots had their first day of Padded Practice and all the talk was how Brian Hoyer looked like 2007 form, Tom Brady. Just kidding, nobody is talking about Hoyer during this quarterback competition.

Adam Weinrub wrote an article about the first day of camp and his take away might surprise some people. Adam wrote, "The Patriots QB competition seems closer than we thought between Jarrett Stidham and Cam Newton."

For some, the battle between the two former Auburn Tigers was expected to be close. Other's just expected Terry Bradshaw to be handed the starting job because he had success as a quarterback in Carolina. 

Sorry, I meant Cam Newton, so many quarterbacks with prior success elsewhere; it's hard to tell them apart.

Belichick said there would be a competition because he wants to know what Cam Newton can do for him now, not what he did for Carolina in 2015. Belichick may have brought Newton in because of 2015 success but that went out the window the day he signed. Newton's achievements no longer matter because he hasn't done them in a Patriots jersey.

I'm not saying not to be hyped about the possibilities Newton brings but to make him earn the job. If he's all that and a bag if chips, Belichick and McDaniels will have the dip on the sidelines for him to dive into.

The expectation for many was that the former Carolina Panthers quarterback would be handed the starting job and Stidham would spend another year in development. That still might happen but Stidham is taking the competition seriously.

At 1130am Monday morning, Doug Kyed of NESN tweeted, "First padded Patriots practice is wrapped up. No real clarity on QB competition. Everyone, at one point, got the first rep in a rotation. I'd say Jarrett Stidham looked the best today, but it was a small sample size." 

That's not what Cam Newton fans wanna hear, and many will dismiss it as "this is just practice." Those in the media and some fans have said that Stidham's time in the system and with the playbook gives him an early advantage, are saying "I told you so."

Right now, we don't have a lot to go on so we have to take everything day by day. That includes with the quarterback competition.

Weinrub wrote, "Small sample size, sure.

But without a preseason, all we really have to go off of is the eye test of the folks who were there, and those who cover the team unilaterally claiming Stidham (and Brian Hoyer!) appear ahead of the curve is worth noting."

A head of the curb? So Weinrub is saying at the moment the eye test says Newton isn't looking like the best quarterback on the field. That's interesting as he has the most accolades. His accomplishments as a former MVP, All Pro, and pro bowler should make him stand out from the pack. Especially early on. 

Mike Reiss, another well respected reporter covering Patriots Nation gave his take on the day, tweeting "Patriots practice concludes. Lots to digest. Specific to arguably the biggest storyline, the QBs, this is my takeaway: Anyone that watched this practice would not have been able to clearly identify QB1. Top 3 all getting equal reps. Experience in system shows for Stidham/Hoyer."

As stated nobody got any special treatment, although some will argue Hoyer and Stidham getting equal snaps to Cam Newton is special treatment. Jeff Howe broke down the snap count.

Howe tweeted, "Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer had a fairly equal share of reps during the training camp opener. Stidham was 14 of 15 with the lone incompletion on his last pass of the day deep to Harry. Newton was 10 of 11. Hoyer 11 of 15."

Cam Newton was signed with the expectations that he would be the clear front runner and dominate camp. Weinrub says the Patriots will have issues if that's not the case and Stidham show's he's equal to or better than Newton in the Patriots system.

There is a split among Patriots Nation between those who were fans of Cam Newton prior to him signing with the Patriots and those who became fans of Stidham after doing research because Tom Brady told the Patriots to politely F'off and left for Tampa. 

This part of the fan base should be able to put difference aside once week one starts and the Patriots face the Dolphins. However, Weinrub says there could be a "Perception Problem."

Then there are those who oppose either Newton or Stidham because of their skin color in the fan base. This is both sick and sad.

The Patriots have been get called racist every time they sign a white tight end, running back, or receiver. How many times over the last two years, have we heard to be a Patriots reviever one has to be "short and white"?

Forget that in 2018 the Patriots had Philip Dorsett, Josh Gordon, Cordell Patterson, Matthew Slater, or in 2019 that they had, Josh Gordon, Sanu, Harry, Dorsett, AB, and even DT in week one. The Patriots we could go back further but people have their perception. 

After decades of fighting for equality, it's depressing that we cannot have a competition for a job without racism being used if the outcome is not what we like. It's sad that race plays a role in decision making period. 

We are in 2020, not 1960, not 1920, not 1880. Race should have no place in determining a person's ability to do a job but like Weinrub said that's a "perception problem" the Patriots will deal with if Newton does not win this competition.