The Patriots' Quarterbacks Competition So Far

The Patriots are in the middle of a quarterback competition for the 2020 season. Stidham and Newton were named co-starters and Belichick was open to the possibility of platoon the starters. 

The reps were kept pretty even until Stidham suffered a lower body injury sometime the night of Monday the 17th. The Patriots apparently didn't know about it until the Thursday after and have been limiting his reps. Sources say the Patriots believe that his inability to properly plant his leg and inability to use his throwing Mechanics led to his interceptions spree.

Mark Daniels released the quarterbacks stats as of 2pm eastern time. Here's how Mark breaks everything down.

"Cam Newton: 101/156 (65%), 4 INT, Brian Hoyer: 71/115 (62%), 2 INT, Jarrett Stidham: 44/61 (72%), 7 INT." 

One thing we have heard since Brady left about these three quarterbacks, most recently from Belichick about Newton; is that the three quarterbacks are the first guys in and last guys out type of players. That kinda work ethic is needed to replace the GOAT.

All three quarterbacks are putting up decent numbers, Hoyer's numbers could pass for Aaron Rodgers. Stidham has been near perfect accuracy the past two days, going 6 for 6 during the 7 on 7 drills Wednesday.

Chris Mason wrote about Wednesday's camp saying, "It wasn’t a pretty morning for the offense, as Cam Newton and Brian Hoyer both missed some wide open targets and only completed about half of their passes."

Mason went on to say Newton was putting too much power on the balls and over throwing his targets, that defensive backs were dropping easy interceptions. Thus Newton's interceptions were kept down because he was throwing too hard for even defensive backs to catch the ball. 

Bernd Buchmasser wrote about Cam and Hoyer, "As was already pointed out in the practice recap, Cam Newton and Brian Hoyer struggled at times on Wednesday and did not have their best performances. The two veterans combined to complete just over half their passes in team drills: Newton went a combined 10 of 18 with an interception, with Hoyer completing four of nine attempts. The two were inaccurate at times and simply failed to establish a consistent rhythm with the players around them."

Newton could be looking at double digit interceptions on his camp totals right now, something I am sure Belichick took notice of, regardless if they were dropped. Several writers said Newton's accuracy got better as the day went on. 

Buchmasser also wrote about Stidham, "Stidham did not participate during 11-on-11 work as a passer — he did exclusively hand the football off to the running backs on his lone series — but he still appears to be trending in the right direction coming off a hip injury. The second-year man, who is unlikely to challenge Newton for the starting gig in camp, completed all six of his attempts during 7-on-7s and threw some pin-point passes to tight end Ryan Izzo and wide receiver N’Keal Harry. His accuracy is much improved compared to the end of last week, and so appears to be his confidence."

The injury really did hurt Stidham, as from the way things are looking he is the better passer. Cam is young enough to play another seven to eight years. It's very possible that Stidham could not only lose the 2020 job to Newton but his career in New England. 

With under three weeks left, Hoyer and Stidham have to up the ante if they are going to keep the job from Newton.

Stidham taking reps again

Unless one has been living under a rock for the past five days or so, by now everyone knows Stidham suffered a lower body injury from over use and has been limited at best since Friday.

Stidham wasn't taking place in 11 on 11s or 7 on 7s Friday or Sunday. On Monday Stidham only threw four passes during those sessions although he was throwing during one on one and other drills.

On Tuesday, Stidham made significant progress. His accuracy is looking like it's returning and by friday, he could be making double digit completions.

In Tuesdays 11 on 11 drill, Stidham went a perfect 6 of 6. During the 7 on 7s, he went 1 of 2. The team is still keeping him limited but they're still pushing him also.

There has been talk that the Patriots are upset with Stidham's injury, and they might  be rightfully so. Newton is the frontrunner at the moment and Stidham might be just trying to earn the backup role. 

Belichick made it seem like the competition might not be over, and said he doesn't care about what people did in the past or a few years ago. That all he cares about is the present. 

Ryan Hannable of WEEI said It was clear to him after Tuesday's practice that Hoyer is still the number three quarterback. Which with Belichick saying he had co-starters, sounds like he's pushing Stidham back quicker than expected.

With that Bill may treat September like the preseason among his quarterbacks. The Patriots have an early bye week, so it would not be surprising if weeks one through four were treated like the four preseason games. At least on the offensive side of the ball.

For now it's good to see the Patriots quarterbacks make progress, especially Stidham due to his injury. Only three practice days left this week. Still have to keep an eye on the quarterbacks until Bill calls it. 

The BB PB&J

I have a Facebook group I started to try to bring people together with food. It's called Recipies (making the world better one plate at a time). 

Since This is mainly a sports blog, I decided to share a recipe from Head Coach Bill Belichick. It's a simple recipe and a comfort food. I'm sure many of you have had this plenty of times but not quite like this.

The BB PB&J

Ingredients:

Raisins Bread

Chunky Peanut Butter (recommended)

Grape Jelly (or whatever you prefer)

This was Bill Belichick's mother's recipe. She started with two slices of untoasted raisin bread. The raisins add a nice surprise and the sweet bread will enhance the flavor of the sandwich.

Next spread thick and evenly the peanut butter on both sides. Bill said, "this is to prevent leaking through."

Then spread a generous amount of the jelly evenly across one slice of bread. This insures you get a balanced flavor in every bite.

Close and cut and you're ready to go. By making the Sandwich this way, you can take the Sandwich on the go and it will still be as fresh as when you made it. Pair with a glass of skim milk, coffee, Mocha, or hot chocolate and your good to go. 

Source:

https://youtu.be/zOaGkPXn9LQ

Meyers and Sanu could both not make the Patriots roster.

The was a lot of hype around Muhamed Sanu when the Patriots gave into Tom Brady's demands and traded a second round pick for him. Like Danny Amendola, Sanu had a great first game catching double digit receptions before suffering an injury. 

Sanu had surgery to repair the damage from his injury this offseason, as the Patriots didn't put him on the IR last season. Sanu returned to work out with Cam Newton after he was signed to the team. The hype for Sanu returned.

When the Patriots reported to camp, it was thought Sanu and Meyers would make huge steps forward. So far that hasn't been the case. Gunner Olszewski, Demiere Byrd, and Devin Ross have all stepped up. Which could cost both Sanu and Meyers their jobs.

In 2019 Maurice Harris had a phenomenal training camp and looked like he could be a middle if the pack X-receiver. The while he did okay in the preseason, he had a couple of big drops, suffered and injury and was cut and stolen by the saints. 

Byrd, Gunner, and Ross don't have the preseason for coaches to evaluate their play. Which is what won Meyers his job in 2019. Thus, with limited production out of both receivers, Sanu and Meyers could both not make the 53 man roster.

Youth Movement At Tight End For The Patriots

The Patriots have several tight ends on the active roster. The Ben Watson and Matt Lacosse, played majority of the snaps at tight end last season and were sorely disappointing. Ryan Izzo started to become a target for Brady during weeks five and six but a concussion and the side effects of, saw him eventually get red shirted.

In 2020 the Patriots drafted two third round tight ends that can play anywhere on the line. Asiasi, who's primarily known for his inline blocking, and Keene, who's known for lining up as a fullback in the H-back position. The Patriots also signed a few other free agents.

Asiasi gave his opinion on Keene's and his uphill climb this offseason. “I think it’s a challenge for us rookies coming right now because of the whole situation. I think each and every day we’re taking it day by day. Trying to see and look at the things we can work on and seeing the things we’re doing well in. Keeping those tools sharp, but also putting different tools in the toolbox."

Not having the preseason really does hurt development and evaluation of the players. Fans complain but players and coaches understand the importance of those games. The NFL should really add those games to the regular season for the bubble guys but that's a different story.

The Patriots other third round pick Dalton Keene also spoke with reporters. “To be honest with you, I really don’t know what my role is going to be. I’m preparing to do a lot of different things, so I’ve got to take a step back and learn as much as I can about the offense. And whatever they ask me to do, that’s what I’m going to do. So I don’t know exactly what my role will be.”

Critics have blasted Keene lately for "looking lost". If the Patriots are using Keene all over the place, then he might not have a set role or position on the team. Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski, and James Devlin all played different roles-spots. Keene will be bouncing between all three of their jobs.

Zack Cox wrote, "It remains unclear what the Patriots’ tight end hierarchy will look like in Week 1. It’s worth noting Izzo, the lone holdover from 2019, quietly has had a nice camp, as well."

Ryan Izzo is expected to be the Patriots week one starter. Before injury led to him being redshirted during week six, Izzo was on pace for 18 catches for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns. Which would've been about the equivalent of what all three tight ends put up together last season.

Belichick praised Newton on a radio show.

Bill Belichick went on the Rich Eisen Show and talked about the Patriots. One of the things they talked about was former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. Cam Newton signed with the Patriots late this summer and is in the middle of a quarterback competition.

When asked, Belichick said this about Newton."He's an extremely hard-working player; first guy in, last guy out. He's studied hard and has spent a lot of extra time learning the offense. I've been very impressed with that. He's a very skilled athlete."

Newton has been putting in the work, all three quarterbacks have. While Newton has improved, his accuracy is still sketchy and on Sunday, he showed he's still turnover prone and was made to do laps. 

Keep in mind, Gilmore also has had to miss some time from camp, or things could look worse for Newton. It has not been released why Gilmore has missed four straight practices but he will miss more time with covid protocols when he's ready to return. The rest of the defensive backs are good but beatable.

So what did we expect Belichick to say. Of course he's going to praise him. Did we expect Bill to say he's disappointed that Newton hasn't ran away with the competition or to talk about Newton needing to work on his accuracy and ball security skills? 

Due to the time and importance of this week, Newton will finally start to work largely with Edelman, Sanu, Harry, and Meyers instead of mainly working with the fourth, fifth, and sixth stringers. Those four will elevate Newton and hide Newton's accuracy issues, as Stidham battles his way back from injury and starts taking reps away from Hoyer and Newton. 

From analysts to former players, there has been people who've shown concern about Newton's ability to take criticism. Kyle Love a former Patriots and former teammate of Newton said Carolina was afraid to criticize Cam. So take Belichick's comments with a grain of salt.

There are still those that say Newton wasn't brought in to be a backup. In 2019, we heard the same comments about Michael Bennett. Bennett ended up being a backup who got traded to the Cowboys. Reason being Bill doesn't care about what you've done in the past. The past may get you signed, the present gets you on the field. Until Bill calls it, it's a competition. Bill said that when he was asked about Stidham in an attempt by Ben Viola to get Bill to give Cam the nod during his press conference monday. "2020 is a new season for all of us regardless of experience..."

As far as there not being a quarterback competition, I'll end with Belichick's thoughts on the subject from the Eisen show. “We’ve got a very competitive competition at a very competitive position at the quarterback spot. It will be interesting to see how everybody does.”

Belichick Upset With Stidham's injury

Bill Belichick and the Patriots had said there would be a quarterback competition this training camp.and it appeared they were telling the truth. Hoyer, Stidham, and Newton were all throwing and at one point Belichick declared both Newton and Stidham co-starters.

With talks of the Patriots possibly platooning their quarterbacks, Stidham had gotten injured. Stidham had been the most accurate of the three Patriots quarterbacks, and then he looked off, he wasn't putting the same zip to his balls or power to his balls. 

On Thursday night, Stidham went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a hip/leg injury. He didn't throw on Friday but he did do handoffs. McDaniels said he would be practicing Sunday. Which was a sign that it was not very serious and something that the quarterback could work through.

With Newton's accuracy issues, the Patriots were expecting Stidham to pull away. Belichick has strained the importance of avoidable tissue issues. Stidham's injury was from overuse due to lack of stretching. This supposedly has the Patriots frustrated in the young quarterback as there are only about 12 days left of camp and he has been limited.

Greg Bernrd wrote, “If it’s an overuse injury — and sources believe that’s what this is — that will not be looked at favorably by the coaches. Players have had months to get ready for this camp, to prepare themselves. If you’re trying to be the franchise quarterback of the Patriots after Tom Brady and competing with Cam Newton, you are 100 percent physically ready to go and you do not miss reps for anything short of a major injury,”

This summer we know that Stidham was working out with some of his teammates. We know he threw all offseason and that him and his wife were donating and passing out meals in the Boston area. While the former fourth round quarterback was doing all this, it appears he wasn't taking time to stay limber.

Apparently, the team doesn't know what Stidham did on Monday the 17th to get injured but they've lost a little confidence in him. A lot can happen in the coming two weeks , if Stidham is keeping himself limited and not the coaching staff; then he may have stripped himself of the starting job.

On Monday Stidham went 2 of 3 during 7 on 7s and 2 of 4 during 11 on 11s. Stidham is throwing but not enough to make an impact. Stidham also spent time throwing and working one on one with pass catchers. We'll see what Tuesday has to offer.

Patriots Roundup 08-24-2020

Here are some stories going around the league at the moment about the Patriots that have either been played out or don't have enough for an article of their own.

Players return to camp after false positive tests came from the NFL testing labs. James White, JJ Taylor, Tashawn Bower, and Michael Jackson fell victim and missed Sunday's practice.

Patriots try Joe Thueny at center. We all know David Andrews missed the 2019 season and his experience and leader ship under center was sorely missed. The Patriots are preparing just incase that happens again.

Patriots defense had 11 sacks on the day led by Winovich, who stripped Newton. Uche also had two sacks.

Patriots bring back veteran kicker Nick Folk. Rohrwasser hasn't been doing a lot of kicking. One reporter describing the Patriots rookie as "erratic". Rohrwasser is 5 of 9 so far and is dealing with an injury.

Patriots quarterbacks and pass catchers are starting to show signs of chemistry building.

Sweet feet James White returns to practice and picks up where he left off.

Patriots sign former defensive end Paul Quessenberry to play tight end. The Patriots early this Offseason signed tight end Rashod Berry to play defensive end.

Patriots signed Xavier Williams who had a sack on Monday. Patriots also signed end Michael Barnett.

With Lamar Miller and Sony Michel out, Damien Harris is looking like a number one back.

2019 rookie receivers N'Keal Harry and Gunner Olszewski continue to make progress in development.

Kyle Dugger is looking ready to start and receiving praise.

Ryan Izzo is projecting to be the Patriots week one tight end but the entire unit is showing improvement, including Dalton Keene who has received criticism lately from the media.

Patriots quarterback competition may of been prematurely called by press, as Stidham takes reps and throws again while Newton has bad day.

Patriots receiver Jeff Thomas cannot seem to stay at camp.

Patriots are rumored in the mix to sign Earl Thomas. 

NFLPA upset about what Happened to Blake in Wisconsin and demand Justice. Because contrary to popular belief, football players are citizens and thus are entitled to the first amendment and the liberty to use their spotlights.

Patriots: Newton has bad day, Stidham throws and Hover Shines.

Jarrett Stidham still limited as the Patriots number of practices shrinks. With each passing day, Stidham finds himself that much closer to being a backup. Stidham did his best today to live for another day.

However, it wasn't all bad for Stidham. According to Henry McKenna, Stidham was throwing during 11 on 11 drills. McKenna praised Stidham for leading Devin Ross through a traffic jam for a completion. 

The Associated Press's Gethin Coolbaugh noted Stidham was throwing around 15 yard passes and that he was receiving extra time throwing in passing drills. Something probably being done to make up for lost snaps and evaluation.

Coolbaugh also said about Stidham, "The 24-year-old jogged lightly during warm-ups and did not appear to be favoring any part of his body. He made more aggressive throws than he did last practice, even throwing deep passes to the end zone on go routes."

Bernd Buchmasser chimed in also, noting that Stidham was getting some time during the one on one sessions.

McKenna also praised Hoyer as being the best quarterback of the day. Nobody expects much from Hoyer this offseason, which is the disrespect that fuels the Hoyster. Hoyer is a game manager and a constant professional.

Although McKenna said Newton's day got better, according to McKenna Belichick wasn't pleased early on with Newton. 

His accuracy wasn't there and he was making unnecessary mistakes for a guy with his experience. Newton was far from an elite quarterback today, and Nowhere near Supercam. Game manager Newton eventually would emerge.

McKenna wrote, "After a fair amount of work on the run game in 11-on-11 team drills, Newton overthrew Mohamed Sanu by a sizable margin, nearly throwing to Michael Jackson. On the following play, Newton threw an interception into double coverage on Damiere Byrd. Cornerback Myles Bryant came down with the pick. Julian Edelman, meanwhile, was wide open underneath. Though Newton’s reads looked stronger on a different drive, his unit couldn’t get the ball into the end zone despite a trip to the red area. Things got even worse: Newton had to run a lap for fumbling the ball on a quarterback run. Chase Winovich poked out the ball and returned it for a touchdown."

Newton was starting to seemingly pull away with the competition when this happened. The fact that Belichick made Newton run has to bode well for Stidham. Accuracy has been an issue for Newton for majority of his career.

Those who read my articles know that I expected Stidham to throw on Wednesday or Thursday. The fact that he's throwing now, even while limited, keeps the competition alive. Especially if Newton continues to have days like today.

Newton Takes 39 Reps but shows enough to keep the competition alive for now.

Stidham was ready to compete for the job this year, except he appears to not have been stretching properly. I am not there when the team takes the practice field but I thought that was part of the morning routine. 

On Sunday Newton took 39 attempts and completed 28 of them. Not a horrible as he completed over 66% of his passes. The Patriots even pulled out some plays more designed for his athleticism.

Zack Cox spoke about Newton's performance on Sunday. Zack Wrote, "This wasn’t a perfect day from Newton, as his accuracy wavered at times. We counted seven off-target passes from the former Carolina Panthers star, including multiple overthrows on deep balls. In one instance during 7-on-7s, Newton apologized to Julian Edelman (more on him below) after throwing behind the wideout on a crossing route."

While Newton is taken more reps, Newton's accuracy is good for Stidham but the more reps Newton gets, the more the job slips from Stidham. Even if Stidham doesn't out play Newton, he needs the reps to show the Patriots why they should let Newton walk in 2021.

Stidham did throw during drills according to NBC's Phil Perry but he didn't take any reps. This is because the less Stidham uses his legs the faster he recovers. The only positive to draw from Stidham at the moment is he is still on the field participating some how.

The main receivers are starting to get involved, so if Belichick doesn't call the competition by Wednesday, I expect the team to see if Stidham can throw that morning. I don't think Bill is ready to call it yet but as Newton improves, the pressure is gonna build for him to. Stidham's injury may leave him no choice.