If and when Cam Newton is named starter and captain, you will......

[DropKickFlutie]

Right, but they also built a solid defense, offensive line and running back corp. so that it could be very friendly for a rookie quarterback. If that wasn’t the biggest hole in this team, I don’t think they would have drafted one at 15.

At the start of the season, I think Cam would be ok as a QB. I also think Mac would be ok. The difference is I think Mac can get better than that over a season.

That's fair. But there were good reasons to keep Mahomes, Brady, Brees, Rodgers on the bench. And those QBs thrived and noted how learning a year helped. Even for a high draft pick like Mahomes.

I guess if the Pats are in the AFCCG I feel good about Cam if he had a good season whereas I get antsy over a rookie QB in the same situation.

 

[BigPeteG]

Could be wrong - but I don't think the Patriots are good enough to win with Cam as a starter. He can run some - but he is not Lamar Jackson. Guys can catch him. He does not throw the ball accurately - or make good reads. He has had losing records most of his career and screwed up the Patriots who have done nothing but win the last gazillion years.

If Bill wants to make it look like it was 100% Brady he will go with Cam. It would be great for Brady's legacy - he wins again - revamped Pats miss the playoffs.. Somehow I don't think Bill wants that.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Could be wrong - but I don't think the Patriots are good enough to win with Cam as a starter. He can run some - but he is not Lamar Jackson. Guys can catch him. He does not throw the ball accurately - or make good reads. He has had losing records most of his career and screwed up the Patriots who have done nothing but win the last gazillion years.

If Bill wants to make it look like it was 100% Brady he will go with Cam. It would be great for Brady's legacy - he wins again - revamped Pats miss the playoffs.. Somehow I don't think Bill wants that.

He passed for 66% last year and would have had more passing TDs if the OC actually called more play action or red zone passes ..... ?? Instead of predictably run 3-4 times in a row in the red zone over and over.

And the Pats have 6 legit pass catchers this year.

 

[mike_usagisan]

He passed for 66% last year and would have had more passing TDs if the OC actually called more play action or red zone passes ..... ?? Instead of predictably run 3-4 times in a row in the red zone over and over.

And the Pats have 6 legit pass catchers this year.

That’s fair, and I can see your position better. I just haven’t seen Cam work his way out of a third and long very often, whereas Mac has, putting together long drives. I think that’s called mental toughness and I think Mac has it and I think Cam doesn’t. So, to me I don’t think Cam gets us to an AFC Championship game but I think Mac might.

 

[woolster22]

Right, but they also built a solid defense, offensive line and running back corp. so that it could be very friendly for a rookie quarterback. If that wasn’t the biggest hole in this team, I don’t think they would have drafted one at 15.

At the start of the season, I think Cam would be ok as a QB. I also think Mac would be ok. The difference is I think Mac can get better than that over a season.

I think Mac was their guy at QB all along. I'd also guess that they thought there was no way in hell Mac was sliding to 15. Even if we had a decent qb signed long-term, I think BB/McDumbass pounce on Mac at 15 regardless.

 

[woolster22]

He passed for 66% last year and would have had more passing TDs if the OC actually called more play action or red zone passes ..... ?? Instead of predictably run 3-4 times in a row in the red zone over and over.

And the Pats have 6 legit pass catchers this year.

Maybe he would have had more RZ opportunities if the coach could trust him to deliver a simple screen on target, nevermind on time.

 

[PScottman]

Maybe he would have had more RZ opportunities if the coach could trust him to deliver a simple screen on target, nevermind on time.

Agree.

The red zone run calls are easily diagnosed.

What is Cam's (remaining) strength? Size and what's left of his legs.

What is Cam's weakness? Accuracy in tight windows.

What gets tighter near the end zone as defenders have TWO extra defenders (the sideline and the back line)? Throwing windows and lanes.

What did Cam struggle with last year more than any other throw - <5 yards and screens

What are the most common throws in the red zone - <5 yards.

Define irony - lambasting a coach for not trending to a player's strengths; while calling for him to not use a player's strengths (what remains of them)

 

[Lagaffe_07]

Second sentence is key. Belichick is GOING for it this year. This is not a rebuild year. He spent a ton of cash in the off-season. This is not some 3-year plan back to ring#7. For this reason, I don't think he's going to ride a rookie QB all the way to a Superbowl win. He's going to see if he can win with Cam. Cam does not have a lot of rope. If it's not working out the first 6 weeks then he's going to do what's best for the team. But Option 1,2,3 is first make it work with Cam Newton. There's also zero chance he's going to allow a Brady vs Mac storyline in week4 when they play the Bucs.

.

Starting Mac is going for it. Starting Cam is being Ok with a losing season. Mac is already the better QB.

 

[Ryan]

If Cam is named the starter (which I'm expecting), I will root hard for him to do well, but my excitement for this season will drop a bit. I just don't have much confidence in him at this point. I hope I'm wrong. Go Pats.

 

[stcjones]

Not sure I understand all the Cam hatred. He had a very good training camp and preseason and has been an outstanding team mate and leader from all I can hear. He has not complained, whined or *******ed about anything. Yes he had a bad year last year, but there were major extenuating circumstances.
It almost seems like some on this board are hoping he will suck.
Give the guy a chance with a full training camp and preseason under his belt. If he sucks after 4 or 5 games, OK he is probably done...

The hate is irrational at this point.

I’d rather not waste those 4-5 games trying to see if he can somehow magically rebuild his shoulder and regain decent throwing mechanics, motion, and outgrow his horrible decision making and reads! Hey I like the guy as a leader, teammate, and how he works with the rooks…..and I know he will be starting so of course I will cheer for him!!! I just hope Bill wakes up if 1 or 2 bad outings happen and get Mac in there! Go PATS!

 

[Pats2000]

I'll suggest Bill take the same test Biden desperately needs to take.

The same one the other guy bragged about passing and how difficult it was?

 

[Pats2000]

Not sure I understand all the Cam hatred. He had a very good training camp and preseason and has been an outstanding team mate and leader from all I can hear. He has not complained, whined or *******ed about anything. Yes he had a bad year last year, but there were major extenuating circumstances.
It almost seems like some on this board are hoping he will suck.
Give the guy a chance with a full training camp and preseason under his belt. If he sucks after 4 or 5 games, OK he is probably done...

The hate is irrational at this point.

Very good preseason? He had an 8.3 rating the last game

 

[Pats2000]

I hope the Bucs slaughter us and it’s an overwhelming home game for Tom.

If Cam is the starter, expect that to be the case for both.

I dont care if it's Hoyer in at QB, I want win every game and I hope they go succesful GOAT hunting all game long.

 

[Pats2000]

Second sentence is key. Belichick is GOING for it this year. This is not a rebuild year. He spent a ton of cash in the off-season. This is not some 3-year plan back to ring#7. For this reason, I don't think he's going to ride a rookie QB all the way to a Superbowl win. He's going to see if he can win with Cam. Cam does not have a lot of rope. If it's not working out the first 6 weeks then he's going to do what's best for the team. But Option 1,2,3 is first make it work with Cam Newton. There's also zero chance he's going to allow a Brady vs Mac storyline in week4 when they play the Bucs.

.

If he was that all in on Cam, why hasn't he been taking the lion share of the reps?

 

[Pats2000]

Look at his throws. He's putting everything he has into the throws. He is young and will get stronger. He could stand to benefit from working with Tom House and also strengthening his lower body on his throws. Let his body develop for a year. Why throw him into the deep end now. This team is set up pretty good this season to play good defense and 2TE ball-control offense with Cam until Cam plays himself out of the job.

Thats the way he throws. I've seen him flip darts too without winding up. He likes to put his body into it. That will save his arm too

 

[fnordcircle]

I'll probably root for him to do well and for the Patriots to win games content in the knowledge that Mac is our future and I'm fine with taking some time to get there if that's what the team deems best for the mid and longterm for both his career and the team.

But I'm an edgelord like that.

 

[Pats2000]

The difference is some here can't mentally believe Cam can ever be a Superbowl winning QB. Last year had so many things impacting the season. I don't think Cam last year is the player he can be. This team didn't spend hundreds of millions of offseason dollars to go play a rookie QB for 17 games. Belichick is going to be on a mission to win it all, knowing full well the BB/Brady narrative totally changed 7 months ago when Brady did the impossible last year.

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Then why wasn't Cam getting the overwhelming share of reps in camp and during preseason games?

 

[Steve102]

I have been thinking a lot about this yesterday and today. Here's what I have come up with, all by myself, based on watching this team and BB specifically for the last 20 years.

It's Mac. It's been Mac since 8/25.

The reason Bill hasn't named him is to deal Cam to a spot where he might have a better chance of seeing the field. Cam has a little value, and naming Mac the starter diminishes Cam's microscopic trade value further. Otherwise, when asked the other day, Bill simply would have said "Cam is our starter" as he's said all along. The fact that he didn't say "Cam is our starter" really says Mac is our starter, but if I can get a mid-late round pick and find Cam a soft landing spot, the team is better off and Cam is better off.

That's my story and I am sticking to it. I am wagering we will find out today. Mac and Hoyer, Cam dealt.

 

[Lagaffe_07]

Then why wasn't Cam getting the overwhelming share of reps in camp and during preseason games?

Completely agree. If Cam was the starter from day 1 why didn’t he get most of the reps? It’s not like he didn’t need them! Why didn’t he play more than 2 drives on Sunday more so after his INT.

i think Mac is the starter. The thing about getting first in practice and in games and working with the starter is just a sign of respect for Cam.

 

[bormio]

Completely agree. If Cam was the starter from day 1 why didn’t he get most of the reps? It’s not like he didn’t need them! Why didn’t he play more than 2 drives on Sunday more so after his INT.

i think Mac is the starter. The thing about getting first in practice and in games and working with the starter is just a sign of respect for Cam.

The more Cam plays, the more his trade value declines