Supercam Returns

Heading into the final day of minicamp and spring practice, the Patriots quarterbacks had put up some interesting numbers. The two young arms were looking like the best quarterbacks on the roster. Could they continue their performances and would Newton and Hoyer show improvement?

Let's recap the numbers going into day three.

Newton 25 of 44 with an Interception (56.82%), 

Jones 46 of 67 with 2 interceptions (68.65%),

Stidham 39 of 54 (72.22%),

Hoyer 22 of 34 with 1 interception (64.7%)

The secondary turned it up a notch for the final day of minicamp and even without Gilmore, they showed they were the best or one of the best units in the league. Dee Virgin would pick off Mac Jones, and someone final got one of Stiddy's passes.

Mark Daniels would tweet, "JC Jackson deflected a Newton pass while covering Gunner Olszewski. Kyle Dugger deflected a Newton pass in the end zone intended for Devin Asiasi."

Cam Newton would lead things and it would go in the order listed above. Newton finally apparently looked like a starter for the first time this spring, reportedly having his best day of the spring. Newton was said to be in command of the offense and performed like a starter. Although he had a high completion percentage on the day his accuracy reportedly still isn't where fans would like it but it was his control of the offense and decision making that shined on the day.

Mark Daniels tweeted, "Cam Newton had his best practice of the week and best we’ve seen this spring. He was the best QB on the field today. Newton was accurate and consistent. Good way to end minicamp for the veteran."

Mark wasn't the only one saying this was Cam's best day this spring. The media was a buzz with compliments for the veteran who had been struggling this far.

Jeff Howe tweeting, "Cam Newton won the final day of minicamp. He was 17 of 21 in competitive team drills, made good decisions and showed better accuracy than the past two practices."

Andy Hart of WEEI wrote, "Today, Newton was far more accurate, efficient and decisive than he’s been at other times this spring. His best throw of the day and maybe the spring came on an over-the-shoulder ball to James White down the right sideline, the pass dropped in perfectly past the tight coverage of Kyle Van Noy."

Henry McKenna wrote, "Newton didn’t exactly wow with a handful of big throws, but he was methodical in moving the ball..."

Evan Lazar of CLNS wrote, "From this vantage point, the competition in training camp between Newton and Jones will still be very real, but Newton remains the frontrunner to start in Week 1."

Before I go on to the rest of the quarterbacks, one thing I've noticed from last year to this year is when Newton's down, everyone knows it and it has to bring the mood down for the entire team. Newton's been said to wear his emotions on his sleeve. Today he was chest bumping Stidham but yesterday he was a shell of himself. Leaders have to show confidence even when things are going bad.

Kyle Love last season said Newton wasn't yelled at in Carolina, and after Newton being a part of the Patriots for almost a full year, I have to say I believe him now. Newton to me is a fragile leader and I believe that's why Belichick shower's him with praise. The thing I now wonder as we head into camp from Newton is can he mentally handle losing his job in the preseason or during the middle of the season.

Mac Jones was reportedly frustrated with himself for his performance. Having his worst day of the spring. With writers noting that Jones was beating his fists on the ground after turning the ball over. Hoyer and others reportedly tried to calm the young quarterback and to get his head back into the game and off his mistakes. Jones showed today that as good as he's been, he's still a rookie with room for development.

Zack Cox wrote, "Jones delivered some nice throws early — his thread-the-needle touchdown pass to Devin Asiasi in 7-on-7s was a standout play — but closed out the spring on a sour note."

Jeff Howe tweeting, "Mac Jones was 11 of 20 (3 drops and a def hold hurt him) with an INT on his final pass."

Andy Hart wrote, "The No. 15 pick seemed to struggle with his protection calls, reads and ability to run the offense. At times he was forced by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to return to the huddle to run plays over."

Lazar would write, " wasn't all bad for Jones, though, who opened team drills with a laser into a tight window during red-zone work to Kristian Wilkerson" for a touchdown.

Jones is going to make mistakes and it was today that showed how fragile young players confidence is. The Patriots may opt to go with Cam or even Stidham until Jones has enough NFL experience to start. Jones may not start a game in 2021 but with how he's performing, he should be the starter by next offseason at the latest. 

Stidham apparently had another good camp and was paired with Newton for part of the day. The third year quarterback was reportedly owning the two minute drills and was solid on third downs and in the redzone. Stidham has put together a solid spring and while he might not be on the radar to start for the Patriots, he's showing that he might be an solid back up option. Will have to see if he can continue the rest of the summer.

Zack Cox of NESN wrote, "Stidham got an extended look at the end of practice and generally looked sharp, though he did throw an interception to cornerback Justin Bethel on a pass intended for wideout Marvin Hall."

Patriots writer Paul Perillo wrote, "Stidham showed great touch a on deep crossing route toward the left sideline, hitting Devin Ross in stride for a big gain."

Henry McKenna of Patriots wire wrote, "Stidham was probably the most consistent passer in minicamp, with Jones and Newton experiencing higher highs and lower lows..."

Lazar would go on to write, "Getting a read on Stidham is difficult. Outside of Hoyer, he’s arguably the most comfortable quarterback in the system heading into year three. But it’s also crystal clear that Newton and Jones are the Patriots’ guys, with Stidham as the #3."

Stidham also reportedly found Tre Nixon at one point. The third year quarterback isn't going down without a fight. He's showing he has an understanding of the Patriots offense and giving reason to why the Patriots should keep him as a long term backup and potentially helping his trade value.

Hoyer got to enjoy a couple of reps from the redzone but was more there to help out with Jones. Hoyer was brought into mentor Jones and the other quarterbacks. While Hoyer might be kept on to continue his mentorship, his usage suggests that he may be cut come September.

The quarterbacks would finish on the day

Newton: 17-for-21 (14-for-17 in 11-on-11s) several near interceptions 
Jones: 11-for-20 (10-for-19) 2 interceptions 
Stidham: 10-for-14 (9-for-12) 1 interception 
Hoyer: 2-for-3 (2-for-3)

This made their numbers for the spring

Newton 42 of 65 with an Interception (64.62%), 

Jones 57 of 87 with 4 interceptions (65.52%),

Stidham 49 of 68 (72.05%) with an interception,

Hoyer 24 of 37 with 1 interception (64.86%)

Meyers and Olszewski have been having a solid spring and minicamp. Should be interesting as while Meyers is being projected as the future number one, this is the second offseason that Gunner has also shined and been ignored. Agholor was limited on day three of minicamp and Zuber had an up and down day.

Something strange happened on special teams. Strange enough that Andy Hart would write about it.

Hart wrote, "In nearly two decades observing practices and workouts, long snapper Wes Farnsworth and undrafted kicker Quinn Nordin provided a first on Wednesday. The duo had a measuring tape on the field early in practice and were using it to seemingly measure the distance between the line of scrimmage and the spot for the PAT/field goal. Nordin, who also discussed the difference in circumference between a college football and the NFL ball, appears to bring a new level of measured precision to the kicking game. If he’s that precise on his kicks, he could be a keeper."

Hart would also add, "Nick Folk had a pretty ugly, short attempt on one of the kicks when he simply didn’t appear to hit the ball very well. He was much better on an ensuing attempt."

While all eyes are on the quarterbacks, the receivers and kickers to serve as a reminder that the quarterbacks aren't the only position battle taking place when the Patriots return to camp in late July. The surprise battle is going to be at long snapper when the team returns. Keep an eye on Farnsworth and Cardona.