We Need to Slow Our Roll on Naming Mac Jones the Pats QB1, as Cam Newton Has a Big Bounce Back Day

Steven Senne. Shutterstock Images.

I have to admit, that after seeing Mac Jones throw literally hundreds of dead-balls-accurate passes over the last few days while Cam Newton was FaceTiming into Patriots camp from his self-imposed Non-vaccinated Time Out Chair and with Jones taking Hattori Hanzo steel to the Giants in Wednesday's joint practice. He completed all eight of his passes in 7-on-7 drills. All but three of his 24 attempts in full squad reps. All against Joe Judge's starting defense. He looked comfortable enough in the pocket to make you think he's been wearing it around everywhere he goes for years. He slid away from pressure. Protected the ball. Stepped into deep throws and delivered strikes. Like I mentioned yesterday, he stood his ground against an unblocked blitzer and got the ball out to the sidelines for a nice gain instead of turtling. He joint practiced like the best quarterback in the joint. Because he was. Sorry Giants fans in Daniel Jones jerseys. Not sorry.

So it was hard not to think this week was the moment the rookie took his place in Josh McDaniels' captain's chair. Alabama Jesus, Take the Wheel. If ever a moment was going to come where he passed Cam Newton on the depth chart (and it will come sometime), it's natural to assume this is what it would look like. 

Then again, I've been intoxicated on Mac Jones since long before he fell to New England with the 15th pick. I've drunk him in, and he's always gone down smooth. But today Newton came back. And based on this practice, it would appear Belichick is cutting me off because I've been overserved. First by saying what you'd expect him to say, that any announcement on who'll start against Miami on September 12th is a long way off:

Then by confirming that all his quarterbacks will share snaps against the Giants. And then finally, by putting Cam out with the first team, as he has ever since he plucked Jones out of a basket floating down the Nile. That's a deed, not words. And the most concrete indicator we have of where the Palindrome War stands. 

And Newton responded for the most part. He still didn't get anywhere near the passing downs Mac got, but he showed no sign that the time off set him back:

Jones' interception was picked by Logan Ryan. It came early in practice and was intended for Jonnu Smith, but was called back for defensive offsides. So it didn't count in a scrimmage that doesn't count. So by the rules of double negatives it still counts on the coaches tape and Jones will have his nose rubbed in it during meetings until he learns that is bad. 

Still, it's not as if Jones took a huge step back. He just was not nearly as close to perfect as he was Wednesday. While Newton came back from Protocol Exile Island and won this Survivor Challenge. Under him, the offense was more efficient and moved quicker.

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Whether that won Newton Immunity in the next Tribal Council remains to be seen. And we can assume Sunday night's game in New Jersey will be a much better indicator. All his first time back in the facility tells us for sure is that this is still a contest and it's anybody's guess who's going to win. But we can assume it's a photo finish either way. 

On a related note, in a camp that for a few years was mostly dominated by speculation that the franchise quarterback and his franchise tight end were not having a lick of fun and wanted to be done with this shit, the unmistakable positivity of this QB competition is something we should all appreciate. It continued today, as Jones talked about how Newton gave him veteran tips about how to identify and deal with Mike linebackers:

So I guess it's reasonable to assume that not only has the outcome not been decided, it probably won't be until it has to. The battle between these two has been a good thing. One of those 1-on-1 duels that seems to be bringing out the best in both of them, and it's set a good tone for the team as a whole, as opposed to being one of those polarizing ones where everyone is forced to take a side and it gets all cliquey and disruptive. And while I will continue to sip a tall glass of Jones every day, for now I'm grateful Newton and he make a good blended cocktail. 

Dont'a Hightower, who's opinion counts as much as anyone on the roster, is grateful for Jones:

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Jerry's Final Thoughts: Speaking of Hightower's defense, while the fight for the QB1 belt is dominating the news (as it should) don't take your eyes off how well they've been dominating every opponent they've come in contact with.