MORSE: Will Having the COVID Vaccine Shot Determine Who Wins the QB Battle?

As far-fetched as it seems, having the COVID vaccination or not having it could determine who wins the starting QB job for the Patriots. The unfortunate violation of the agreed-to protocol between the league and the Players Union has left Cam Newton on the outside looking in at the meetings virtually. He cannot participate in any practices for five days, and after a clean test.

Newton had a medical appointment out of state and away from the Patriots facility, which required Newton to be tested daily. Newton did get tested every day, but not at an approved facility which is a violation. The fact that he had to get tested every day is a direct confirmation that Newton has not been vaccinated.

This will give Mac Jones an opportunity he wouldn’t have had, to run the 1^st team offense against the 1^st team Defense. We are going to see just how good Jones is and how far he has progressed. Jones will also be the starter against the NY Giants on the 1^st day of joint practices. The Patriots coaches will also get an opportunity to evaluate Jones against the Giants 1^st team defense.

Can the Patriots afford to have a starting QB that has not been vaccinated? Last season, Cam Newton was rolling along and looking good until he was felled by the COVID virus. He missed only one game, but he was never the same after the illness. Could Newton be a spreader of the virus because he is not vaccinated? To his credit, Newton was following the team rules and did get tested (all negative). It would be a shame to lose the starter’s job because the team can’t trust an un-vaccinated player at the all-important position of Quarterback?

Get the Vaccination – Why is Newton not vaccinated? A personal choice? That’s a bit selfish as far as I am concerned. His own personal views are more important than the greater good of the team! I am sure that goes over well with Bill Belichick. The Phizer vaccine has been fully approved by the FDA. Of those that have not been vaccinated, 30% state the reason is that it was experimental and not fully vetted. That’s not true anymore.

Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater have produced a video for the team urging them to get vaccinated. The wives of both players are Doctors. Michelle Powell, McCourty’s wife is an Emergency Room MD, and Shahrzad Ehdaivand, Slater’s wife is a Pathologist. Would Newton be so selfish that he would threaten his teammate’s livelihood by putting their paychecks at risk if a COVID spread should cause a postponement? That’s the punishment the league has stated if they have to postpone a game.

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About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.

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