In it together
Is a quarterback platoon out of the question?
Two different quarterbacks. Two different offensive styles. And after two preseason games, still no clearcut winner for the Patriots’ top job. In a nutshell, that describes what’s played out for Bill Belichick at his most important position.
Both Cam Newton and Mac Jones made the most of their opportunities in the rout of the Eagles on Thursday night.
Newton, the expected Week 1 starter, is the established veteran with Jones the up-and-coming rookie.
Even though Newton hasn’t put his wheels to much use just yet, he falls into the mode of the new age quarterback. He’s mobile, and his threat to run is perfectly suited to an option-style offense.
Jones is the classic pocket passer in the Tom Brady mold. With his quick reads and quick release, he’s a perfect fit for the offense that was established with Brady at the helm the past two decades.
Both quarterbacks, with their respective styles, also fit well with the players assembled around them.
Based on two dozen practices and two preseason games, Jones has a slight edge; just based on how good he looks operating the traditional Josh McDaniels’ offense. In a timing attack that’s predicated on precision and accuracy, Jones looks the part.
Newton, meanwhile, looked the best he’s ever looked in the Patriots offense Thursday night. He’s still holding off Jones, and we’ve yet to see much of the read-option looks that will be a part of the equation if he starts.
In a perfect world, one of them would be the clear and obvious choice — much like Brady was year after year — and the Patriots would just move on with whatever style offense suited that quarterback.
At this point, the feeling is Newton will start, with no guarantees of how long he’ll keep the job. He’d basically be a placeholder until Belichick was comfortable that Jones was ready to assume the mantle.
Another solution being floated around? Let them both play.
Utilize a two-quarterback system or platoon, similar to what New Orleans used with Drew Brees and Taysom Hill. My view?
While I’m usually a fan of outside-the-box thinking and innovation, I’m not sure this scenario would work in New England. First off, the most effective use of both would be to have the better passer — Jones — in the Brees role, with Newton in the Hill role, coming on situationally almost as a change-up, most often in the red zone.