NFL Notebook: A relaxed, confident Cam Newton is great sign for the Patriots

There are, really, two ways to enter New England Patriots' football organization as a veteran player from another team.

Either you adapt to an environment that is unique to most other places in the NFL, or you expect the environment to adapt to you, especially if you're a big personality accustomed to having your football world catered to you.

There's little question that when Cam Newton came to the Patriots, one of the biggest concerns about the new quarterback was how he would fit in with New England and, specifically, Bill Belichick.

Newton is a mega player, meaning he's spent his whole football life as the sun while others rotated around him. From Westlake High School in Atlanta, to Florida, Blinn College, Auburn and the Carolina Panthers, the man who entered the NFL wanting to be an "icon" was the show, the center of attention, the No. 1 recruit, the franchise player. Everyone and everything was catered to him. If Newton wasn't happy, not many others were happy.

Now, suddenly, at age 31, Newton was going to a team where the 53rd player on the roster is treated the same as the franchise quarterback, and vice versa.

There was bound to be a culture shock. You wondered how that might affect the final on-field football product.

Well, if first impressions count for anything, Newton and the Patriots could fit just fine, thanks.

In his first appearance with the media this week, Newton appeared to be his usual self: confident, at-ease and happy.

"It's just a surreal moment," Newton said. "Nobody really knows how excited I am just to be a part of this organization in many ways than one, just following up such a powerful dynasty that is rich in so much prestige and lineage of success that for me, a lot of people would hide from the notion to do certain things, but for me, I think this is opportunity is something that I wake up pinching myself each and every day.

"It's so surreal coming down One Patriot Place every single day and seeing the whole ambiance. Not only that, but seeing so much support around the city of Boston and Foxborough. It's just such a great environment for not only myself, but players included. It is crazy. I just found myself putting on shirts and say, 'Oh, my God.' I don't know when that moment is going to be, but I'm just going to keep doing what I'm supposed to do while I'm a member of the Patriots, so that somewhere it will click that this is the norm."

It was such a stark contrast to many other free agents who have come in here recently and didn't work out. Specifically, Chad Ochocinco, Michael Bennett and any of the last-leg veterans who entered Gillette Stadium.

Ochocinco basically became a whole other person — and certainly not for the better. He was meek and unsure of himself, and he played exactly like that.

Bennett never seemed to know his place on the team, and that struggle ultimately led to his departure.

All the receivers, from Reggie Wayne to Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, walked around in a constant fog trying to find their way through a new offense. None of them could hack it either.

Some of Newton's confidence is just who he is ... not sure he'll ever admit to struggles about anything. But it feels like Newton is similar to other players who have gone from a players-type coach or situation, to a more structured environment and flourished. Most players are better the more structured the situation and tighter he coaching. It's only been a week, but Newton could precisely be one of those players.

"I've just only been here in a couple hours. Almost a week," Newton said. "My job is to come here, compete, put this team in the best situation to win, do my part, be as accessible to this team and to Coach Belichick as well as Coach (Josh) McDaniels as possible and to just get better each and every day.

"We all have a challenge in our everyday life of trying to be the best particular person as possible and it's no different in a professional realm. My job every single day is just to become the best professional quarterback that I could possibly be. Along the way, I will learn many different techniques and things, especially gear it more towards this particular system. I'm just looking forward to the challenge."

It was just a first impression but, man, it was a very good one if you're the Patriots searching for the next franchise quarterback.

"Listen, listen. There's a lot of things that I say that if there's a perception, but at the end of the day, it's football," Newton said. "I've loved it ever since I've been here. I've been here, going on a week, now and you hear rumors about certain things, but once you finally get settled in on things like that, none of that really matters. It's just all about finding a way to prove your worth on the team."

Now he just needs to be and stay healthy ... and there are some concerns about that.

NICKEL PACKAGE

1. Didn't love Newton's responses to questions about his health, which has been a constant issue the past three years. "Well, just right now for me, the season is not here yet, so I do still have time," Newton said. "As far as how I feel right now, I feel amazing. I feel great and probably not any different than anybody that's in that locker room right now. I'm extremely optimistic about that, but yet through it all, it's just putting yourself in the position to be in the best shape and have your body in the best possible situation when you actually need it."

He still has time, for what exactly? He's a year away from his second shoulder surgery, and months away from his foot surgery. Newton should be ready to go. At least I got him nailed down saying he shouldn't need maintenance during the 14 days of padded practices, with each being vital for season prep — and he showed proper respect to an aging hack (kidding). "At this particular point in time, sir, I’m full go," Newton said.

2. Think Josh McDaniels let it slip that he had some big plans for an athletic fullback like Dan Vitale before he opted out, and they may have to scrap those plans if someone like Dalton Keene (or maybe someone from outside the organization) can't fill that role. "Some teams have maybe a more athletic guy and do some other things with him, kind of like (Dan) Vitale was probably more suited to do," McDaniels said. "I think what we all try to look for is versatility in our players and versatility in our system. And so what that gives us the ability to do is change gears if we feel like the best decision to make would be to change gears and James (Develin) always gave us that flexibility to get into those base defensive looks and try to whatever we were doing, pass it, run it, play action, whatever that might have been, he gave us that ability to do that. And he afforded us the chance to do it because he was durable and he was so tough. And so, we're going to work a few people at those positions this year and we're going to see and evaluate kind of what we can come up with."

3. We got to the bottom of the Patriots QB workouts ... they were a Brian Hoyer production and he's a true pro letting Newton in on them. "I moved back here in January with the idea of moving into a new home and planned on going back to Indianapolis. When I came that I was able to sign back here, I was in the area and Jarrett and I talked. We were having these virtual meetings and said, ‘Look, if anyone’s in town normally we’d be doing this right now and we have to be smart about it.’ So we kind of put that together," Hoyer said. "Once Cam came along we had one or two more sessions with people coming back into town. Now, we’ve been back in the building. It’s been good. Look, this is the NFL and teammates change from year-to-year. There’s always additions, subtractions. People come into the room, you embrace it and you move on. You’re teammates and one day at a time.

4. Have to give Jerod Mayo kudos for keeping it real on the Covid opt-outs as a football lifer. "Initially, I was shocked, disappointed. I can't -- a bunch of emotions went through my head," Mayo said. "And then I stopped and obviously looked at each situation. These are personal decisions. Obviously, Hightower kind of took step back and just with family and his personal situation and so did Chung. I certainly respect it. I know coach (Belichick) already talked about it. But from a football standpoint, we treat it like an injury. We've always -- I know it's cliche -- but we've always had that next man up mentality. And that's how we're approaching it going forward. With that said, even those guys have opted out, those guys will still continue to mentor some of the younger guys, some guys that haven't played as much ball. I can certainly appreciate it. (Dont'a) Hightower is one of the smartest players I've ever been around, and so is (Patrick) Chung. So those guys aren't here with us this year, but they're still around."

5. This probably an unpopular opinion, but I have to hand it to the NFL and NFLPA ... I think they've put the league in the best position they can to succeed during these uncertain times. I think the NFL, if the younger players behave themselves, has a real chance to make it through this season ... even though I still think a shorter schedule and delayed start would be most wise.