Patriots training camp recap: The Cam Newton Show
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Based on the tweets coming out of Patriots training camp on Sunday, Cam Newton has taken a step toward seizing the starting quarterback job.
Probably the least surprising news of the day. But we had yet to really see it. Now, it sounds like reporters in attendance were treated to The Cam Newton Show™ on Sunday in Foxboro. Jarrett Stidham mostly watched as he continues to nurse an apparent injury, while Brian Hoyer ceded the majority of the reps to Newton.
Here’s a sampling of what reporters saw from Newton on Sunday…
— Cam Newton essentially had double the reps of Brian Hoyer in competitive drills. Newton went 20-for-27 in 11-on-11, and 8-for-12 in 7-on-7.
Jarrett Stidham did not participate in competitive drills today. Cam Newton had a decisive edge in reps over Brian Hoyer.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 23, 2020
7-on-7s:
Newton: 8 of 12
Hoyer: 3 of 6
11-on-11s:
Newton: 20 of 27
Hoyer: 12 of 15, INT
— Newton made a throw over the middle to rookie tight end Devin Asiasi that caught people’s attention.
Nice dig/crosser by Devin Asiasi to beat DMac in 7s. Throw on time and accurate from Newton. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 23, 2020
— Newton completed his first seven passes in a row in 7-on-7.
Great start for Cam Newton today. He hit 6/7 of his throws to begin 7v7s. In 11v11s, he hit his first seven passes in a row.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 23, 2020
— Newton and Julian Edelman appear to be growing their chemistry together, based on Sunday’s reps.
Starting to see the chemistry brewing between Cam and Edelman today. Plan for the offense starting to take shape with Newton taking over reps. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 23, 2020
— Newton is working hard on his handshake game.
Cam Newton has elaborate handshakes with several players. With Devin Asiasi, they stick out their pinky finger and thumb, come in and then pretend to drink.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 23, 2020
Cam Newton Highlights
Cam Newton. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/4eAuo2EXtq
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) August 23, 2020
“Life is Good” by Future comes on and Cam Newton is dancing up and down the team’s warmup line pic.twitter.com/jKCPGJLqrf
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 23, 2020
Cam Newton pic.twitter.com/VFWAGnpgpL
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 23, 2020
If you look closely, you’ll see quarterback drills pic.twitter.com/jixsa7hw0j
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 23, 2020
More Training Camp Notes…
— Absent: RB J.J. Taylor, TE Jake Burt, RB James White, CB Michael Jackson, WR Jeff Thomas, CB Stephon Gilmore, RB Sony Michel, RB Lamar Miller, DT Beau Allen, DL Tashawn Bower, S Adrian Phillips.
— Adrian Phillips briefly appeared at practice without participating.
— Tight end Ryan Izzo made a notable catch in the back of the end zone on a throw from Newton.
Great catch by Ryan Izzo on a corner route in the back of the end zone for a TD. Pass from Cam. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 23, 2020
— Rookie safety Kyle Dugger was limited.
Kyle Dugger riding a stationary bike during initial individual drills. He was a non-participant Friday.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 23, 2020
Not a good sign for his involvement today. pic.twitter.com/Jhf7Xt7FN4
— Second-year running back Damien Harris stood out on Sunday, and it’s not the first time he’s done that in this year’s camp.
Damien Harris continues to stand out, and it's not just as a runner. He did a nice job picking up a block today and looks comfortable in his route tree. He's been the best back in camp.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 23, 2020
— Rookie kicker Justin Rohrwasser returned to participation in practice. He went 2-for-4 kicking at the “skinny” uprights. Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, he did not appeared limited by a reported injury but was nonetheless erratic kicking the ball.
Rookie kicker Justin Rohrwasser practiced some full-team field goals, which marked just the second time he has done so in front of the assembled media at camp. 2-of-4 to the skinny goal posts. He also kicked to the side. Sprayed it around a bit. Did not seem limited by injury.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 23, 2020
— Rookie-on-rookie crime: seventh-round linebacker Cassh Maluia forced a fumble on third-round tight end Devin Asiasi, forcing the latter to run a lap for his error.
Cassh Maluia also forced a Devin Asiasi fumble in 7-on-7s. Asiasi had to run a lap for that.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 23, 2020
Maluia has made a bunch of splash plays in camp. Jerod Mayo praised his athleticism last week but said his knowledge of the defense needed work.
— Fourth-year edge rusher Deatrich Wise got into the backfield for two “sacks” during the final team period, and also had a sack earlier in practice, according to Jeff Howe.
Deatrich Wise was absolutely dominant during the final period of practice. He would have had two sacks, blew up a play and created pressure on another pass. Wise had a sack earlier in the practice, too.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 23, 2020
We’ll keep curating the most notable reports from Patriots training camp as they come in. Be sure to keep checking back for all of our own original coverage here at 985TheSportsHub.com.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].