FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 4 is in the books, let's run down all you need to know: all the stats, 3 up/down and odds and ends:
TWO THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Belichick says Newton is 'our starting quarterback': That's correct, but it doesn't mean anything. Newton absolutely is the Patriots' starting QB today. He finished the season, Mac Jones hasn't done anything to change that yet. But it could change at some point. Even Belichick admitted there's an ongoing competition,.
"I'm sure it'll be a hard decision," he said. "We'll see how it goes. Let them play and try to do what we feel like is best for the team based on their performance.
You want to know how else you can tell this is a real competition? The Patriots keep throwing Jones snaps with the first-team offensive line. You don't do that with a backup with no shot.
Very light day dominated by defense before day off: I only counted two competitive periods, and they were pretty good, with the background music and everything. Kind of like a final exam after all the red zone chapters this week. And the defense dominated. The offense completed 3 of 11 passes and two of those were screen passes. Cam Newton had the only real completion, and out to Kendrick Bourne. But Newton got seven reps, and Jones 4.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: CB Stephon Gilmore (quad), QB Jarrett Stidham, DE Chase Winovich, LB Terez Hall, DT Byron Cowart, TE Dalton Keene.
Non-football injury list: LB Cameron McGrone (knee), S Joshuah Bledsoe (wrist).
Red non-contact jerseys: QBs, LB Kyle Van Noy.
Returned to practice: LB Brandon King from PUP.
Full participants: None.
Out: Ted Karras (left knee), LB Anfernee Jennings (personal).
Limited: None.
New injuries: None.
DRESS CODE
Shells.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
2:15 under mostly sunny skies.
QB STATS
Cam Newton: 4 of 12. Average snap to pass: 2.9 seconds.
Mac Jones: 5 of 8. 2.3 seconds.
Note: I do not have the number of reps that some other writers have because I do not count when the offense is "working off cards." Those are plays when an assistant coach literally brings out a play on a card and shows it to one side of the ball. They are not running their own plays so since there are so many x-factors — including the receiver running the right route, and blockers executing correctly — so I do not count those reps.
Both Newton and Jones were bad in the initial red zone period with the music on. They weren't really close. That continued for Newton in the final red zone "down and distance" as he was 2 of 5. Jones, however, was a perfect 4 of 4 — with the first team offensive line, with strikes to Kristian Wilkerson, N'Keal Harry, Brandon Bolden (on a playaction pick play) and Jakobi Meyers
HANDS TEAM
Fumbles: None.
Drops: Harry.
Pass breakups: Davon Gaudchaux, Michael Jackson, Dugger.
Interception: Justin Bethel off Dee Virgin's back.
TOP PLAYS
- Cam Newton beautiful tear-drop flag route to Nelson Agholor.
- Jones followed with one of his own to Agholor on the other side of the field.
SHANK IT OFF
Kickers worked on "Toro" the FG with clock running scenario. Quinn Nordin missed a kick wide left, and weirdly came up short on one, and another barely made it in. That's not how he kicked. It looked like a sand wedge of mine.
THREE UP
QB Brian Hoyer: There's one QB on the field with total mastery of the Patriots' system and it's inherent timing, and it's Hoyer.
WR Kristian Wilkerson: No. 17 keeps showing up making plays, but I wouldn't go overboard or anything.
RB James White: Was much more active today and that was good to see.
ONE DOWN
The schedule: The CBA schedule stinks. Let's get on with the real football. Pads still aren't coming for three more days. Ugh.
QUICK HITS
- When periods are very scripted and he has an idea coming in, Newton has improved with his decision-making and accuracy. There's no question he's gotten better since OTAs. But when the plays are called on the fly, and it's a scrimmage situation, Newton struggles, as evidence by his snap to throw time today. Jones was, on average, 0.6 seconds quicker. Newton held one for 8 seconds ... from the 12 yard line!!
- Watch some of Ronnie Perkins today during the slower moments when Hoyer was on the field. Has some good get-off. He's smaller than I thought. He's getting time because Anfernee Jennings is dealing with a personal situation.
- Jake Dolagala actually threw the ball today. He's ... ok.
- Hunter Henry does not get off the ball all that well. Would be a better backside option, with Jonnu Smith on the front side.
- Nelson Agholor gets better every day.
SCHEDULE
Sunday: OFF
Monday: 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday: 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m.
Thursday: 9:30 a.m.
Friday: 6 p.m. (in stadium).