Cam Newton impresses Patriots coaches with quick pick-up of offense
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Patriots announced the signing of Cam Newton on July 8. The team wouldn’t have their first practice until Aug. 11. Pads didn’t come on until Monday. At this rate, Newton has been thrown into the fire with a playbook that he didn’t dive into until last month.
It would be hard for any veteran – even a former MVP like Newton – to acclimate to a new system after missing all the spring meetings. As it turns out, Newton is progressing so fast that even his coaches are impressed.
“Cam has been here I think it is officially now 23 days and I think from like July 28 to call it today — 24 days or whatever it might be — the improvement that he is making on a daily basis are sometimes what you could see some other guys that have been in the same system for a few years make on a monthly basis,” said quarterback coach Jedd Fisch. “How quickly the increments have to occur for him because he just doesn’t have a lot of time and he’s coming from learning a brand new system, brand new terminology, brand new drops, brand new players and really when you look at it, you’re not going full speed until call it eight, nine, 10 days ago.
“I think the leaps that he’s taking each day have been really impressive based on the fact that there’s a huge foundational gap from call it not having been here the spring or the season before. I also believe other guys with that are also taking those types of leaps, but you’re just never going to see those huge leaps just based upon one guy came from the day before versus being in the system the previous year.”
NFL RECORD PROJECTIONS: Can Cam Newton push Patriots into playoffs?
MORE: After tumultuous rookie season, Washington QB Dwayne Haskins has put himself a step ahead
With Jarrett Stidham being held back due to a hip injury, Newton has a clear path to the Patriots' starting quarterback job. In practice this week, he completed 31 of 50 passes with two interceptions. On Thursday, he looked like the best quarterback on the field. On Friday, he split reps with Brian Hoyer while Stidham sat out.
Overall, it’s been an impressive week for the 31-year-old considering he’s very new to this Patriots offense.
“Cam, again, we added him basically in July,” said offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. “I think he’s really busted his butt to try and learn and grow each day that he’s been with us. There’s absolutely no shortcut to really going through it and repping it in practice and seeing it, calling it, and reacting in full speed to different situations.”