How Mac Jones beat Cam Newton for the Patriots’ starting QB job
On July 31, Bill Belichick told the world how Mac Jones could win the Patriots’ starting quarterback job.
“I don’t think you want to evaluate players at any position off of one or two plays, or maybe a day. So from a consistency standpoint that’s always important, and obviously production,” Belichick said. “So hopefully those things will be good, and I’m sure it’ll be a hard decision. We’ll see how it goes.”
Consistency and production.
Through those two ideas, Jones edged Cam Newton in a head-to-head position battle most assumed would result in a split decision for the veteran. Jones threw more accurately in practices and leading scoring drives on 60% of his possessions during the preseason. He was the quarterback the Pats believed they drafted in April.
From draft night through Tuesday’s announcement, here’s how Jones did it.
OTAs/minicamp
May 27: Instant comfort in OTAs
During the media’s first look at Jones, it was immediately apparent the kid was comfortable.
From the Herald’s practice report that day: “Jones’ scouting report came to life, as much as it could in a non-padded practice. He regularly threw with anticipation, worked quickly through his (surely basic) progressions and usually delivered an accurate ball. He once caught tight end Matt LaCosse by surprise, as LaCosse broke up the seams and turned for the ball, which was just shy of his face.”
He finished 2-of-3 in team drills with one drop.
June 4: Bill Belichick: Jones earning respect from teammates, coaches
During an otherwise forgettable morning press conference, Pats coach Bill Belichick revealed Jones had earned immense respect inside the team’s facility within one short month.
“I think Mac has a pretty good understanding of the things that we do. He has to go out there and do them and get comfortable with them, so it’s a process. … He’s working hard, and he puts in a lot of time,” Belichick said. “Certainly giving his very best effort to do everything we’ve asked him to do and do it the way we’ve asked him to do it, which is a great place to start. He’s earned a lot of respect for that.”
June 15: Jones lights up Pats’ second minicamp practice
For a second straight day, Jones out-performed Newton, Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer in team drills. Better yet, the Pats rewarded him with an increased workload, starting with his 13 reps to Newton’s five in the opening periods.
Jones’ growing confidence shone through his downfield aggression, a hallmark of his success at Alabama. He fired 40% of his passes more than 10 yards past the line of scrimmage. After throwing a catchable ball on 85% of his passes the day before, he cooled off to a 66% rate, no thanks to a bad-luck interception at the end.
Two days later, starting right tackle Trent Brown predicted this: “I think he’s going to be special here in the future.”
Training camp
July 31: Jones finishes strong on Day 4
The truth of training camp lies in the trends, and through three non-padded practices Jones was beginning to develop a bad habit: fizzling in the final minutes.
Thankfully for the Pats, he kicked it.
Patriots training camp Day 4: Mac Jones rebounds with perfect final period in strong practice
Wrapping up a steamy Saturday practice, Jones pulled off a perfect final period with two pinpoint touchdown strikes against the Patriots’ starting defense. Overall, he posted an 87.5% adjusted completion percentage in team drills. Now through four days, Jones still hadn’t turned the ball over in 11-on-11s or 7-on-7s, while Newton already owned two picks.
Aug. 4-5: Leveling up, closing the gap
After Newton edged him out over the first week of training camp, Jones made up serious ground with a sizzling two-day performance.
During a shorts-and-shells practice, he delivered an accurate pass on 87% of his dropbacks in competitive periods, while Newton slung two interceptions and nearly tossed another. Jones’ performance stood out again because he proved he could overcome a poor practice the day before. He dropped a 50-yard bomb to Gunner Olszewski in stride for the Play of the Day, after hitting other receivers on curl, post and dig routes as he diced the Pats’ top defense.
The next day, back in full pads under constant rainfall, Jones led three straight 11-on-11 periods and took almost double the snaps Newton received in team drills. Jones capitalized by delivering an accurate pass on more than 80% of his attempts yet again.
Aug. 9: Movement throws and a perfect 2-minute
Jones flourished again in full pads, punctuating practice with a perfect 2-minute drill that started with a 25-yard, back-shoulder completion to Sony Michel. He also completed three passes on the run during a tight red-zone drill, a huge plus in that area.
From that day’s practice report: “Any time you punctuate practice with a perfect 2-minute drill, that’s a good day. After starting with his sideline dime to Michel, Jones returned to the running back for a checkdown, found Gunner Olszewski on a crossing route and fired a pinpoint back-shoulder throw to Marvin Hall for a 20-yard score. Overall, he was less aggressive than Cam Newton downfield, but also registered an 83% catchable pass rate in team drills against a mix of starters and backups.”
Preseason and joint practices
Aug. 12: Pats run different offenses against Washington
During a ho-hum win in their preseason opener, the Patriots split their offensive system in two for Jones and Newton, the clearest evidence yet the rookie could take the keys for Week 1.
Over five drives, Jones split his time evenly between shotgun and under center, while Newton stayed under center. Jones ran empty formations and no-huddle, while Newton went traditional run game and heavy play-action. Jones passed twice as often as he handed the ball off runs, while Newton executed run plays on the majority of his snaps.
How the Patriots ran two different offenses for Cam Newton and Mac Jones against Washington
As the Patriots unlocked a full, primitive version of their offense, not seen since 2019, Jones uncorked a catchable ball on 79% of his passes. He also targeted receivers whose average downfield depth was 7.6 yards per play, almost seven yards more than where Newton’s targets stood at their catch points. Newton was mostly confined to screens, flat throws and a shallow cross, another sign of deteriorating trust.
Aug 19: Jones clips Eagles in preseason blowout
Newton was great that night in Philly. The kid was better.
Four of his five possessions against the Eagles resulted in scores, including a 91-yard march that overcame two holding penalties. Again, he successfully operated a no-huddle offense and called protections from empty formations. Jones threw accurately to all three levels and demonstrated mastery of impressive nuances, such as moving second-level defenders with a shake of his shoulders and his eyes before throwing behind them.
Of Jones’ six incompletions, two were drops and another was a spike. He finished 13-of-19 for 146 yards, and his best was still yet to come.
Aug. 25: Shrinking the Giants in practice
In retrospect, this may have been the final nail in the QB competition’s coffin.
With Newton still sidelined after breaking the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols for players who aren’t fully vaccinated, Jones destroyed the Giants starting defense. Destroyed.
Patriots-Giants joint practices Day 1: Inside Mac Jones’ best practice yet
He went 33-of-39 in team drills, tossing several touchdowns and spreading the ball around without his starting left tackle or projected No. 1 wideout in Nelson Agholor. Four receivers finished with at least five catches. Jones’ accuracy was off the charts again, and his pre-snap commanded impressed even the defenders he’d thoroughly embarrassed.
By the end of practice, Jones owned the same number of interceptions in training camp as Newton — despite making 86 more pass attempts. He had protected the ball, thrown accurately, made sound decisions and earned the trust of his teammates.
There were no more boxes to check.
Aug. 29: Pats complete unbeaten preseason, Jones throws a TD
Now at the finish line, Jones did nothing to trip himself in the preseason finale.
He went 10-of-14 for 156 yards and a touchdown, leading three scoring drives against the Giants. His touchdown pass was a 17-yard frozen rope up the left seam, a perfect pre-snap read given the defense New York had played. At every step, Jones proved he’s the player the Patriots believed they drafted back in April.
Now, he’s something more.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3Bq9YAQ
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