The absence of Tom Brady’s leadership is, without a doubt, a challenging factor as the New England Patriots begin training camp without him for the first time in 20 years. Without Brady telling everyone how he prefers a route to be run or a play to get executed, the Patriots are working as more of a committee to wade through the fine details of the playbook.
When asked about Brady’s absence at camp, quarterback Brian Hoyer shared his thoughts on how New England is adjusting.
“It all goes back to learn the basics, learning the fundamentals for all of us, really,” Hoyer said Friday on a videoconference call. “We had our virtual meetings but to finally get back in person where you can be in a room with someone and say, ‘This is what we’re doing on this play’ and actually have a conversation.
“Like what we’re doing with this interview, it’s hard for more than one person to speak at a time. In an offensive meeting room, even though Josh might be saying something, I might be leaning over in a conversation with James White on how he’s going to run a route or an adjustment he’s going to make. That was virtually impossible this offseason. We’re all just coming back in, excited to be in the building and have those socially distanced relationships right now and try to work around that a little bit.”
Let’s make sure to note the biggest difference in New England: there is an actual quarterback competition. The Patriots seem to be impressing upon the team (and the media) that Cam Newton has not won this job. Surely, he’s the favorite after signing an incentive-laden one year deal this offseason. But the Patriots intend to let the competition play out.
“It’s exciting for all of us just to get back to being in the building and being with new guys,” Hoyer said. “Obviously, Cam joining the room and me coming back after being gone for about five months. It’s been fun. It’s been exciting and with this offseason that we had just starting from scratch this late in the season, it’s just a different timetable, a different scenario. We’re just trying to adapt and get used to it.”
Though the competition will be fierce, the quarterbacks have said they’re not out for themselves. They’re all learning and installing the team’s offense, so they’re working together not against each other. Not yet, at least.
“Absolutely,” Stidham said Friday. “We’re all in that room together and we’re all there to help each other. That is what it is all about.”
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