By signing Newton to a 1 year minimum deal worth approximately $7.5 million, the race for the beginning quarterback job in Foxborough now appears to be between two previous Auburn Tigers quarterbacks, Newton and Stidham. Even the main depth chart on the groups website has both Newton and Stidham noted as the beginning quarterback.
Stidham, on the other hand, has the advantage of a year in the Patriots offense under his belt. While the New England offense is expected to undergo some modifications this season, Stidham still has more familiarity with the training staff, his teammates, and the basic terminology of the New England offense That should aid him in his competitors with Newton.
COMMENTARY
While Cam Newton is the odds-on favorite to start at quarterback for New England in Week 1, there are a few factors to think about that might help Jarrett Stidhams case.
Newton, as detailed in our breakdown of his game here, has plenty of experience running the ball out of the zone read, RPO plays, and even the triple option. If he is healthy enough and hasnt lost any explosion or agility, Newtons running capability makes him a better fit for what New Englands offense could appear like in 2020.
The argument over Stidham vs. Newton is a much more amusing one than Stidham vs. Hoyer. Its not a lock yet to declare Newton the runaway favorite to be the Patriots beginning QB in Week 1. In a vacuum, Newton has the skill and the resume to be the exceptional choice to Stidham, however there are a number of elements that will enter play in training camp that could sway the competitors in Stidhams favor.
The finalizing of former NFL MVP Cam Newton, nevertheless, completely changes any discussions about the Patriots plans at quarterback, and considerably elevates the talent ceiling at the position heading into the 2020 season.
It wasnt too long ago that we were discussing who would win the Patriots starting quarterback competitors between Stidham and Brian Hoyer. Post-Tom Brady, the Patriots QB alternatives previously this offseason were a retread veteran backup in Hoyer and a skilled but unskilled gamer in Stidham. Nobody could be blamed for doing not have enthusiasm about picking between them after having seen Brady for the past 20 years.
Do not entirely discount rate Stidham here either. Coming out of high school, in reality, Stidham was referred to as the top dual-threat quarterback hire in the country. At Auburn, Stidham ran a good quantity of RPO plays, and as explained in our breakdown of Stidhams preseason tape from 2019, the second-year signal caller can make plays on the ground too.
Familiarity with the playbook.
Fit in new-look Patriots offense.
There is still much unknown about the timeline for NFL football in 2020 amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The league and its gamers have yet to come to an agreement on health and safety procedures, and while training camps are set to start on July 28, private state mandates and standards might impact teams ability to start training camp if big group events are banned again.
As New England shows signs of ending up being a run-first, power scheme offense in 2020, beginning a quarterback that is simply as much of a danger with his legs as he remains in arm in Cam Newton would include another issue for opposing defenses to prepare for, and would assist the offending transition to a more ground-based attack.
With the capacity for an already-shortened training school to further be lowered due to the coronavirus, this could be a significant impediment for Newtons push to win the starting task this summertime. Newton can spend all the time in the world studying the New England playbook on his own, but without the correct number of on-field reps with his new teammates, he might have a hard time to get up to speed in what makes sure to be a fast-paced training school this summer.
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Health
Newtons most recent injury that sidelined him for the majority of the 2019 routine season, a Lisfranc injury that needed surgical treatment, is a concerning one for an athlete who depends on his mobility to make a lot of plays. Lisfranc injuries tend to take a while to totally recover, and can end up being re-aggravated if professional athletes return too quickly.
Both quarterbacks can make have fun with their feet, however only one quarterback is a previous NFL MVP and someone who has proven he can win at the greatest levels. Newton ought to have the upper hand here.
Its not a lock yet to state Newton the runaway preferred to be the Patriots starting QB in Week 1. In a vacuum, Newton has the skill and the resume to be the remarkable option to Stidham, however there are numerous aspects that will come into play in training camp that might sway the competitors in Stidhams favor.
The biggest question of them all with Newton: at 31 years of ages, are the recent injuries that have sidelined him abnormalities, or indications of degrading health for a gamer who has taken a lot of hits on the football field in his career?
Newton, on the other hand, has taken a group to a Super Bowl currently, has won an MVP, and is a well-liked figure in the locker space. Newton has the edge.
The door opens even more for Stidham to win the job with a strong training camp efficiency of his own if Newton is not at 100 percent. Even if Newton does win the competitors, having a capable backup quarterback waiting in the wings like Stidam will be crucial, as Newton hasnt played a complete season in three of the last 4.
For all the skill that Stidham has, it might be that the 4th-round draft choice from 2019 simply needs some more time adapting to the NFL prior to he is prepared to promote starting position. Much like Newton might be impacted by the reduced training camp, so too might Stidham, who will need all the associates he can get to show his teammates and coaches that he is all set to make the jump and end up being an NFL starting quarterback.
Experience
That ought to aid him in his competition with Newton.
Newton, on the other hand, has actually taken a group to a Super Bowl currently, has actually won an MVP, and is a well-liked figure in the locker room. Theres no competitors here when it comes to the resumes of both quarterbacks. Newton has the edge.
