Letters From Patriots Camp: Volume 2

I'll be going to my first workout of Patriots Camp 2020 in a couple of days. So for this, like the Volume 1 report I wrote last week, I'm relying on trusted sources, published reports, guys own words and actions and confirmation bias to validate my own opinions. Which is more or less what I do when I'm actually there in person. Anyway, here are the biggest takeaways from the last few days.

--The news that casts a mighty shadow over all the other storylines - the spinning headline in the Turner Classic Movie - is "STIDHAM'S  INJURY MAKES NEWTON PATS TOP QB." Followed by the tabloid headline, "STIDHAM OUT! STUD-CAM IN!!!" Stidham has been missing time with a bad hip. And if ever there was a good time for a second year fourth round pick to miss reps with a 31-year-old MVP on the depth chart - and there never could be - Covid Camp most definitely is not it. Jarrett Stidham, Cam Newton and Brian Hoyer had been pretty much splitting the snaps and the pass attempts equally for most of camp, and last week Belichick made it clear that would start to change once one of them emerged as the leader. Which is exactly what has happened with Newton. He's now getting the majority of the snaps.  In addition, he's bringing that hard-to-define but undeniable "energy" every keeps talking about. According to Mike Reiss, "Word is that if you want to beat Newton to Gillette Stadium, you have to arrive well before the sun rises." And while quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch has been blown away and saying "the leaps he's been taking each day have been really impressive" given his steep learning curve. Fisch praised him for running the offense only four weeks after walking in the building on WEEI this morning adding, "When you know what you’re getting every day, you can really make all the necessary adjustments, tweaks and whatever needs to be done to try and help him.” So go right ahead and feel good about taking Newton in your Fantasy draft. Because barring something totally unexpected happening, he's your Week 1 starter against the Dolphins.

--And what Newton has been doing with those reps says it all. Sunday after throwing a pick in 7-on-7s he transitioned into 11-on-11s and completed his first seven attempts. On the day, he had 39 drop backs in all, by far his personal best. More significantly, he's figured out that the cheat code for unlocking this entire offense is figuring out Julian Edelman. Of his first 15 completions, Edelman was the recipient on seven of them. He did overthrow Edelman on a shallow cross, but the timing of their bubble screens has been spot on.

--The next most significant injury setback would be N'Keal Harry, who arguably has even more to prove than Newton. A leg injury in preseason last year basically shot a hole in the boat of his entire rookie season, so missing three practices last week didn't do him any favors. He returned Sunday, dropped two balls and didn't seem to be anywhere close to full speed. Then toward the end of the session, when they were working on hurry-up, 10 teammates stood in the huddle waiting for him while talked to a trainer and took a knee in the shade. It's ridiculous and self-defeating to lose faith in a player in just his second camp. But that's a terrible look for a guy who's already being questioned by the fanbase and the media. And, in kind of a subtle way, Edelman himself who said:

 "I think training camp is extremely valuable, especially this year, when we have such crazy turnover. So regardless of who it is – any time I don't get to practice, or anyone doesn't get to practice, that's definitely very tough. Because this is where, like we were talking earlier, where you begin to gain trust from your teammates. You show accountability. You show them how dependable you are through being able to take things from the classroom to drills, and the drills to the team drills. Team practice.

"It's one thing to go out and do something right for yourself. I think another reason why I like to go out and do something right, or work hard at something, is to show my teammates that you're out here working your tail off for them. Because ultimately it's 11 guys. It's the ultimate team sport."

I don't know how else to interpret that other than a 34-year-old seventh rounder who's accomplished metric tons in this league saying he doesn't have time for a 22-year-old first rounder to figure out how to stay on the practice field. 

--One sophomore who is truly standing out and taking that coveted Year 2 bounce is Damien Harris, who is by all accounts looks like the best pure running back on the team. Sony Michel is likely to start the season on PUP, and the former Son of Saban who was a semi-surprise in the third round (87th overall) last year and was essentially redshirted with four rushing attempts on the season, is making the most of the opportunity. 

--Another second year guy who was no factor last year but is securing a spot for himself is Gunner Olszewski. The converted DB and undrafted product of that legendary Bemidji State football factory barely made the roster last year and played half the season before multiple injuries ended his season. But right now only Edelman has more receptions. He might be the most improved player on the team year-to-year. At least it sounds like it from the way Belichick is talking. “Gunner’s improved tremendously, he said. Both physically and from a football standpoint." Which is practically gushing. And was a reliable punt returner before he went down last year, which is huge for the wear and tear it saves on Edelman. So it would appear at the moment he's got a very legitimate shot at not just a spot on the 53, but to contribute, at least on special teams and in the spread packages.

--As far as the rookies, the standout by far has been Kyle Dugger. The obvious question around him all along has been how he'd make the transition from defending future stock analysts and high school history teachers playing for Lenoir-Rhyne to covering actual NFL athletes. And so far, so good. In one practice last week he had an interception and broke up three passes in five attempts, one each from all three QBs. He's still in a competition for the bulk of Pat Chung's reps as the every down third safety in their base nickel. And he was limited Sunday. But he's doing as well as you could reasonably expect from a DII player.

--The kicker, not so much. Fifth rounder Justin Rohrwasser out of Marshall hasn't been filling the media with confidence the few times they've seen him kick. Working with just a holder and snapper, he nevertheless sprayed the ball all over the place a few times. Picture your buddy who showed up to the course late and had to run up to the first tee and hit a drive without warm up and with his phone and wallet still in his pocket and you'll have a decent idea. With the whole squad on the field, kicking toward the skinny posts, he still missed two out of four, though one was at least close. Nick Folk has been brought back after going 14 for 17 last year and 12 for 12 on extra points for the Pats last year. Either as a precaution or to put pressure on the rookie. Either way, again I remind all you crazy kids who wanted Stephen Gostkowski gone to be careful what you wish for. 

--As far as the rookie tight ends, it's been a mixed bag. Devin Asiasi did something few men do, which is make a great touchdown grab over Devin McCourty. But on another play had the ball stripped loose and had to run a lap. As for Dalton Keene, he's been doing a lot of position work with the backs:

Which actually isn't that uncommon with Pats tight ends, particularly the primary blocker types. There's a lot of crossover there and James Develin used to do drills with the TEs. And besides, that is consistent with how Keene was used at Virginia Tech, lining up at H-back as well as a traditional inline Y. 

Finally, tl;dr: Cam Newton is replacing Tom Brady. What a wild ride this is going to be.