Bill Belichick is notoriously tight-lipped, well – all revealing about the New England Patriots.
So when he addressed Cam Newton’s review by name on Friday, it drew some attention. Even if it involved the least bit of praise.
First-year Patriot Newton began the week behind team veterans Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham in quarterback practice rotation. Belichick had this to say this Friday morning when asked about his performance in practice.
‘He worked very hard’
“We’ve done a lot of meetings, a lot of passing,” Belichick told NBC Sports Boston. “A lot of information has been passed on to all the players. He has worked very hard, I would say, like all our players have. We have a hard working group. Those guys are ready to go, and we have thrown in some long days. They are have been very attentive during the process. “
Belichick then discussed how ‘locked in’ and ‘straight’ the entire quarterback group is before tackling Newton again.
“But again, we have not played anywhere near the speed at which we are going to play, so we will see how it all comes together at that point,” Belichick continued. ‘But Cam is a hard-working child. That he is true. ”
“Hard-working child.”
It’s an early assessment of a 31-year-old NFL veteran. But it’s up to Belichick. And the fact that he publicly owes all his praise to Newton is a sign that things are off to a good start in the early weeks of the post-Tom Brady era.
Will Newton start week 1?
The NFL preseason season was set to begin on Thursday before being canceled on the afternoon of the league’s COVID-19 negotiations with the player’s union. The first glimpse of the public at Newton under center in New England will have to wait.
For now, we rely on practice reports for glimpses about Newton’s progress, as he works in what is billed as a quarterback league. Most expect the three-time Pro Bowler and former MVP to appear on top.
That … so far, so good?
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