FOXBOROUGH, Mass .– New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is not ruling out a starting quarterback appointment, including the possibility of a field involving Cam Newton.
Asked Wednesday morning before practice if it might be an advantage to pair up two signalers with varied skills, Belichick said: “It is possible. I always say I will do what I think is best for the team, which gives us the best. Whatever possibility is, I would definitely consider it – run a lopsided line, an unbalanced double line, 23 staff. Whatever, if that helps us win, I would consider n ‘ whatever. “
Newton, who officially signed with the team on July 8, divides the repeats evenly with 11-year-old veteran Brian Hoyer and 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham in practice. Unlike previous years, Belichick will not have the advantage of preseason games to make the decision.
Belichick acknowledged on Wednesday that there will come a time when the rehearsal division will need to be changed – giving the quarterback more than he plans to lead the team in the Sept. 13 opener against the Miami Dolphins – but he doesn’t is not at this point now.
“Right now we want to try to give everyone the opportunity to learn the basics. We really do that in all positions. Everyone is on rotation; we try to give everyone the opportunity to play the basic games, get the basic fundamentals now, ”he said.
How the Patriots ultimately fill the void created by the departure of free agent Tom Brady is being closely watched at training camp, where the team is hosting their third practice. Newton’s presence on the pitch has been notable, as have his efforts to connect with his teammates.
“I feel like he’s got a lot of energy. It’s fun to be there,” said veteran wide receiver Mohamed Sanu Sr.
“He’s a hard worker, a great player. He brings a lot of energy to the pitch,” added second-year receiver N’Keal Harry.
But one point Belichick makes is that Newton – whose mobility offers a dimension the Patriots didn’t have in this position – is catching up to Hoyer and Stidham.
“All shifts have been good,” Belichick said Monday at the launch of ESPN Radio’s “Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin Show”.
“Brian Hoyer has the most experience of any of our shifts in our system. Jarrett Stidham is really coming here in his second year. He had a great year last year in terms of learning and personal and technical development in this role. . And Cam was a late addition but he brought a lot of energy and obviously playing experience to our room. For him, he’s catching up with the specifics of the Patriots system, terminology, etc., which he has worked very hard …
“I just haven’t had any experience working with Cam, but he works extremely hard. He puts a lot into it, as do Jarrett and Brian.”
.
