All eyes will be on Cam Newton and Mac Jones during the New England Patriots’ training camp.
The 32-year-old veteran is coming back for his second season with the team and Jones, who was selected No. 15 overall, will try to prove why he was a first round pick. Newton’s flaws primarily come from his accuracy as a passer, but his veteran leadership and ability to run the ball make it hard to count him out. Jones clearly doesn’t have any NFL experience and he’s entering a year that leaves high expectations for Bill Belichick.
ESPN’s Louis Riddick spoke about the quarterback battle on Monday and sided with Jones.
“I believe Cam will be much better than he was last year,” Riddick said, transcribed by WEEI. “New England believes the same thing, otherwise they wouldn’t have brought him back. Just common sense leads you to believe Cam will be much better. I do believe though — look, there’s a reason why Bill [Belichick] sat and waited for Mac Jones. I think all the things that make Mac who he is have been things already put on display in the short time that he’s been up there. Now, from a physical standpoint, when the volume becomes even heavier and it becomes 11-on-11 and he starts playing some preseason games, can he take the next step? Does he give this football team the best chance to score points, protect the football, not be the reason they lose games, but contribute to the reasons why they win games. If he does that, he will be the starter Week 1.
“If Bill feels that’s the case. And for me, it’s just a matter of time. It’s a matter of time before they put him in there. I’d like to see it even before they play Tampa Bay. I think that would be a huge story for the rookie to be starting in that game.”
Training camp begins Wednesday and it’ll be the start of a 2021 season that’s extremely unpredictable.
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