Mac is Cam spelled backwards. Pretty fitting for the QB controversy that is brewing in Beantown.
Mac Jones received a standing ovation on Thursday night, an ovation most thought would be reserved for Patriots former legendary QB, Tom Brady when he comes back to Foxboro on October 3 as a Tampa Bay Buc and defending champion. But no, this ovation was for a QB from Alabama who had never played a down in the NFL and it was the first preseason game in a 3-0 game!
Why such a rukus you ask?
Look no further than a Patriots fanbase clamoring for greatness again from a QB who looks eerily familiar to the former Pats QB who helped deliver six championships over the past two decades. He wears #10 (not #12) but don't let that fool you. He walked into the huddle like he was #12, in compete command, with veteran-like composure. He stepped to the line with an ease in his walk, called out the defense, barked at his receivers, took the snap and delivered precision passes to receivers most fans have never heard of. Sound familiar?
So what's the controversy then, you say? Play the lad. He has the goods. He was picked #15. A national champion. Play him.
Cam is also Mac spelled backwards.
Enter Cam Newton. The Patriots second year veteran player who had an abysmal 2020 campaign, contracted Covid and dealt with lingering shoulder and foot issues. But he is back. Healthier than ever and ready to prove ALL his doubters wrong (most notably the person writing this article). To say, Bill has an affection for Cam, would be akin to saying Tom Brady has an affection for avocadoes. Bill Belichick, always known as Mr. Unsentimental has all of a sudden gotten sentimental in his old age. We don't know why but Cam could do no wrong in his eyes last year as he repeatedly parroted at every presser "Cam gives us the best chance to win."
But now the new buck is in town and already the media is clamoring for Mac. No more Cam they say. Go with the lad!
In all seriousness, there is no football reason for Mac not to start week one if Bill thinks he has enough of the offense down. That really is the litmus test. Does he know enough about what the Patriots want to do and can he execute it? Admittedly, that is not a low bar to clear but if Thursday night was an early indication than this kid has the goods. If he continues to mature this TC and trend upward, it will be very difficult for Bill to sit him but alas, this could cause a locker rook split.
Cam is beloved by his teammates. As a friend of mine recently commented, he showed leadership last year when the team needed somebody to show it. He did step into a pretty awful situation and made it smell like roses off the field even if all the field it was mildew. This isn't just a football decision. None ever are.
But I don't envy Bill. But he has been through this before in 2001 when he was faced with sitting his pro bowl, first pick of the draft, $100 million QB in Drew Bledsoe for a skinny 6th round bean pole from Michigan. Bill made the the right decision going with the bean pole and 6 championships later, here he is again. But Mac Jones is no 6th round bean pole. He was selected to be THE GUY. Here's hoping Bill agrees.
Mac Jones received a standing ovation on Thursday night, an ovation most thought would be reserved for Patriots former legendary QB, Tom Brady when he comes back to Foxboro on October 3 as a Tampa Bay Buc and defending champion. But no, this ovation was for a QB from Alabama who had never played a down in the NFL and it was the first preseason game in a 3-0 game!
Why such a rukus you ask?
Look no further than a Patriots fanbase clamoring for greatness again from a QB who looks eerily familiar to the former Pats QB who helped deliver six championships over the past two decades. He wears #10 (not #12) but don't let that fool you. He walked into the huddle like he was #12, in compete command, with veteran-like composure. He stepped to the line with an ease in his walk, called out the defense, barked at his receivers, took the snap and delivered precision passes to receivers most fans have never heard of. Sound familiar?
So what's the controversy then, you say? Play the lad. He has the goods. He was picked #15. A national champion. Play him.
Cam is also Mac spelled backwards.
Enter Cam Newton. The Patriots second year veteran player who had an abysmal 2020 campaign, contracted Covid and dealt with lingering shoulder and foot issues. But he is back. Healthier than ever and ready to prove ALL his doubters wrong (most notably the person writing this article). To say, Bill has an affection for Cam, would be akin to saying Tom Brady has an affection for avocadoes. Bill Belichick, always known as Mr. Unsentimental has all of a sudden gotten sentimental in his old age. We don't know why but Cam could do no wrong in his eyes last year as he repeatedly parroted at every presser "Cam gives us the best chance to win."
But now the new buck is in town and already the media is clamoring for Mac. No more Cam they say. Go with the lad!
In all seriousness, there is no football reason for Mac not to start week one if Bill thinks he has enough of the offense down. That really is the litmus test. Does he know enough about what the Patriots want to do and can he execute it? Admittedly, that is not a low bar to clear but if Thursday night was an early indication than this kid has the goods. If he continues to mature this TC and trend upward, it will be very difficult for Bill to sit him but alas, this could cause a locker rook split.
Cam is beloved by his teammates. As a friend of mine recently commented, he showed leadership last year when the team needed somebody to show it. He did step into a pretty awful situation and made it smell like roses off the field even if all the field it was mildew. This isn't just a football decision. None ever are.
But I don't envy Bill. But he has been through this before in 2001 when he was faced with sitting his pro bowl, first pick of the draft, $100 million QB in Drew Bledsoe for a skinny 6th round bean pole from Michigan. Bill made the the right decision going with the bean pole and 6 championships later, here he is again. But Mac Jones is no 6th round bean pole. He was selected to be THE GUY. Here's hoping Bill agrees.
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