New England Patriots General Thread

[Leonardfan]

https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2...tone-on-the-patriots-quarterback-competition/

Rooting hard for Mac Jones. I also hope Stidham takes a step forward in his development and at the very least cements himself as a good #2 for another team.

 

[Phall]

Cam Newton will need to miss another five days of practice due to the NFL's protocols of the learned scientists of covid. Newton visited an out-of-state, team-approved specialist for rehab last week, which is apparently a no-no for the unvaxxed. Newton has been silent on the issue but wears a mask on-field during practices and takes daily PCR tests, so he obviously has not succumbed to hysteria and injected himself with the deadly vaxx.

This has earned the ire of the first of many media dweebs. Covid obedience currently outranks white racial replacement in the big agenda (as evidenced by the curious disappearance of corporate-sponsored BLM protests). So, the Mac Jones movement gains a little unnatural steam.

Cam Newton's absence opens door for Mac Jones in Patriots starting QB battle and could've been avoided
Newton must sit out half of this week's practices because of a 'misunderstanding'
By Jonathan Jones


The COVID-19 protocols jointly agreed to by the NFL and NFL Players Association this summer made it clear that players — and ultimately their teams — would be at a competitive disadvantage if they didn't get vaccinated.

Cam Newton may be finding that out this week.

The Patriots' incumbent starting quarterback and leader for the post for Week 1 of the 2021 season (for now) must sit out half of this week's practices because of what the team is calling a "misunderstanding" about testing requirements. Locked in a battle with rookie Mac Jones, Newton will miss the first joint practice with the New York Giants on Wednesday before being eligible to return on Thursday prior to their final exhibition on Sunday.

"On Saturday, Cam Newton traveled to a Club-approved medical appointment that required him to leave the New England area," said the team in a statement Monday morning. "He received daily Covid tests, which were all negative. Due to a misunderstanding about tests conducted away from NFL facilities, and as required by the NFL-NFLPA protocols, Cam will be subject to the five-day entry cadence process before returning to the facility. Cam will continue participating virtually in team activities and return to the club facility on Thursday, August 26."

The Patriots don't explicitly reveal Newton's vaccination status in the statement, but the statement also makes clear he is not if you know the league's protocols. Vaccinated players aren't subject to travel restrictions under the protocols. Vaccinated players (and coaches) are only required to be tested once every 14 days and wouldn't have "received daily Covid tests" like Newton did, according to the statement.

It's unclear what exactly was misunderstood but it was likely one of two outcomes: either Newton missed one of his daily tests (which would subject him to a $50,000 fine by the league), or he did not get the Mesa test required by the league but another kind of test. Whether it was his fault or the team's or both is also unclear.

Anecdotally, it's also been obvious Newton isn't vaccinated. He's worn masks to outdoor press conferences and declined to divulge whether he got the shot. At this point nearly nine months into an American society with the vaccine, that usually means one has not been vaccinated.


"It's too personal to discuss," Newton said earlier this month. "I'll just keep it at that."

I am pro-vaccine and haven't hidden that when discussing COVID on air or on this here site. Months ago I decided against spending my days railing against NFL players who opted not to get the vaccine. There are too many of them, speaking nonsense too regularly, for me to fight them. I simply couldn't expend any more energy on Cole Beasley or Kirk Cousins or anyone else who chose to be loud and wrong about the vaccine.

So with the best doctors in the world and experts both from the NFL and NFLPA available to Newton, and with plenty of time to develop a full understanding of the competitive advantages of being vaccinated, Newton made a clear and conscious choice to not get the vaccine.


Here you go, I guess.

Mac Jones has performed well consistently in his two exhibitions for the Patriots. Both he and Newton have been up and down in training camp practices over the past month, but Jones has delivered under the lights against Washington and Philadelphia. He's completed 26 of his 38 passes for 233 yards with no passing touchdowns or interceptions. PFF has Jones as the highest-graded quarterback of the preseason, though I'd posit Zach Wilson has been better than Jones through two exhibitions.

Nevertheless, the rookie Jones is applying pressure to Newton when it matters. Head coach Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels have called Newton the starter, but it doesn't have to stay that way.

Now Jones gets a few days of unquestioned No. 1 reps, followed by a joint practice against a Giants team who looked worse on Day 1 than Day 2 of their joint practices with the Browns last week.


Beyond what Newton's absence may mean for Jones, though, is what his five-day absence may mean for himself. Last year Newton was the first starting quarterback to test positive for COVID-19 during the regular season after starting the season hot through the first three weeks. He missed one game and looked like a shell of himself when he returned, throwing zero touchdowns and five interceptions the following four weeks as the Patriots went 1-3 in that stretch.

"When I came back, it was something that that's where the lack of an offseason, the lack of time really being invested in the system kind of showed itself," Newton said on the "I Am Athlete" podcast in February.

"By the time I came back, I didn't feel comfortable physically, skillfully. A lot of that discomfort came pre-snap. I'm lost. I'm thinking too much. ... The offense kept going, and I was stopped and stagnant for two weeks. By the time I came back, it was new terminology. ... I wasn't just trying to learn a system for what it was, I was learning a, let's be honest, 20-year system in two months."

The latest COVID interruption to Newton's career comes at a time where he was again making gains on the field. Newton dazzled Thursday against the Eagles, going 8 of 9 for 103 yards and a touchdown. He showed a mastery of the pocket, a strong arm and ability to go through his progressions and torch the Eagles (mostly second-string) defense. Even though Jones had a great night himself, Newton was better.

And now for Newton, a reset. Again. Just as he may have been hitting his groove. Missing time for this "misunderstanding" won't impact his body the way the actual virus did last year, but he'll have to stave off any feelings of discomfort upon his return.

This entire episode for Newton was completely avoidable. But he made his choice to be an unvaccinated player in the NFL under these protocols, and this is a consequence of that. He's put himself at a disadvantage in the first true quarterback battle he's had in his professional career.

And for what?

 

[woody39]

Cam Newton released today!! Great news for the patriots in terms of footballing ability Mac Jones is much better and for us here at CF as it's good to see a decision clearly made on merit by an NFL team not seemingly giving the black player another chance for the sake of the caste system.

Now we need to hope for some white linemen and the pats wouldn't be too bad again.

 

[icsept]

Great news. Mac Jones to Gunner looked great in the preseason!

 

[Bucky]

Willie McGinest just called NE's OL Top 5 material. Interesting he's so high on this sumo dominant front. Let's keep tabs on where they end up at the end of this season.

 

[Freethinker]

Willie McGinest just called NE's OL Top 5 material. Interesting he's so high on this sumo dominant front. Let's keep tabs on where they end up at the end of this season.

4 of 5 sumo right? A lot of people predicting NE to bounce back after a rough and off year. I don’t see it. I’d predicted 1 game over or under .500 and no playoffs for the mess of a Caste Squad.

 

[Bucky]

4 of 5 sumo right? A lot of people predicting NE to bounce back after a rough and off year. I don’t see it. I’d predicted 1 game over or under .500 and no playoffs for the mess of a Caste Squad.

Yup looking like 4 out of 5. Perhaps even all sumo. 9-8 sounds about right.

 

[Leonardfan]

Pats brought in Nathan Cotrell for a workout...might be something worth monitoring.

 

[white lightning]

Pats brought in Nathan Cotrell for a workout...might be something worth monitoring.

This is great news. If they sign him I believe they would use him similar to how they used Danny Woodhead. Man would it be great to see a white running
back again on a team with a young stud qb and some other guys to root for. Cotrell is a sprinter playing football. The kid can flat out fly! Hope this happens!

 

[icsept]

Belichick can’t be happy with the fumbling running backs on his roster. He can once again prove his genius by picking up a discarded White talent.

 

[SneakyQuick]

So Nathan Cottrell is a sub 4.4 40 and he went undrafted. Be curious how many running backs and wide receivers were slower Kind of a painful thing to research just more a rhetorical question

 

[woody39]

VanNoy inactive through injury so may be more snaps for Wino this week. Also Smith has been limited all week although active may see more targets for Henry at tight end.

Pats should get a win this week against the weak Jets.

 

[Don Wassall]

Jamie Collins has been a good linebacker at times, but he hasn't done much in recent years, is notorious for playing hard only when he feels like it, which isn't often, and is now 32, but "The Genius" apparently wants him back yet again. Compare this to the way the young and talented Chase Winovich has been jerked around.

ESPN's Field Yates reports the Patriots are "working towards a deal" with free agent LB Jamie Collins.
Collins, 32 in October, was most recently released from Detroit after the Lions found no interested suitors on the trade market. His third stint with the Patriots, Collins is at least familiar with Bill Belichick's scheme and was at his best the last time he was with New England. He'll come off the bench as veteran depth when officially signed.

 

[Extra Point]

The good news is that the Patriots got their franchise quarterback of the future in Mac Jones. He's the real deal.

 

[Booth]

Pats released Stephon Gilmore today. Several teams are showing interest in Gilmore including the Bucs. A reunion with Brady would benefit both.

 

[Leonardfan]

Pats released Stephon Gilmore today. Several teams are showing interest in Gilmore including the Bucs. A reunion with Brady would benefit both.

He ends up being traded to the Panthers for a 2023 6th round pick. Collins to the Pats after flaming out on the Lions makes complete sense

 

[Extra Point]

Gunner Olszewski ranks 3rd all time for punt return average for a season.

https://www.footballdb.com/leaders/season-puntreturns-average

 

[Don Wassall]

Gunner Olszewski ranks 3rd all time for punt return average for a season.

https://www.footballdb.com/leaders/season-puntreturns-average

Nice find, I had no idea.

 

[El Gringo]

Gunner Olszewski ranks 3rd all time for punt return average for a season.

https://www.footballdb.com/leaders/season-puntreturns-average

It would make a lot of sense in my opinion to get a guy this explosive involved in the regular offense! The Genius must have lost a few iq points since the Welker, Edelman etc days.

 

[icsept]

It would make a lot of sense in my opinion to get a guy this explosive involved in the regular offense! The Genius must have lost a few iq points since the Welker, Edelman etc days.

Edelman spent a few seasons as a punt returner/gadget play guy before being allowed to dominate at wide receiver. They should put (RA) by Gunner’s name so everyone knows he’s still serving his racial apprenticeship and won’t be receiving any significant snaps.

 

[El Gringo]

Excellent point and hilarious (RA) analysis!

Edelman spent a few seasons as a punt returner/gadget play guy before being allowed to dominate at wide receiver. They should put (RA) by Gunner’s name so everyone knows he’s still serving his racial apprenticeship and won’t be receiving any significant snaps.

 

[woody39]

Calvin Munson linebacker from the Dolphins practice squad signed to active roster and James Ferentz aswell increasing the numbers for the patriots in the 53.

 

[Extra Point]

Calvin Munson linebacker from the Dolphins practice squad signed to active roster and James Ferentz aswell increasing the numbers for the patriots in the 53.

Is Ferentz related to Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz?

 

[icsept]

Is Ferentz related to Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz?

Son of Kirk. C’mon Bill, trade for Andy Isabella.

 

[Don Wassall]

So despite a mid-season hot streak the Patriots finished just 10-8 after being blown out by Buffalo yesterday. Checking Weenieworld just now, here's how some of the players they threw a lot of money at this past off-season fared:

Jonnu Smith -- 4 years $50 million, with $31.25 million of it guaranteed: a pitiful 28/294/1. On top of that he's a terrible blocker. By contrast, Hunter Henry was signed for 3 years and $37.5 million and far outproduced Smith with 50/603/9, plus he's an excellent blocker.

Nelson Agholor -- the long-time first round disappointment was signed to a 2 year $22 million deal after finally having a pretty good season with the Raiders in 2020. He finished just 37/473/3.

Kendrick Bourne -- had a decent year with 55/800/5, which is his best season so far but he's still at best a third receiver type, not someone to build a receiving corps around.

And oh yes, first round bust N'Keal Harry remained with the Patriots despite demanding a trade in spite of his awful play, finishing 12/184/0. He has 598 career yards in three seasons now.

The Genius still has a lousy eye for talent, except for those of a certain pigmentation who he used to rescue from the NFL trash heap but no longer does.