Newton and Jones pick up where they left off at practice
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Mac Jones hustled across the practice field shortly before 10 a.m. Thursday, and the bleacher creatures slowly built their applause, which was capped by a loud, “Let’s go, Mac and Cheese!”
It was among the loudest fan reactions of training camp and was fully expected after the rookie’s sterling Wednesday practice.
Minutes later, Cam Newton, who missed the last three practices while in COVID protocol, bounced up the stairs to an equally strong reception culminating in a “Welcome back, Cam!” greeting.
Jones, who completed 35 of 40 passes Wednesday — as Newton served the final day of his reentry cadence following a misunderstanding over daily COVID testing — was happy to have Newton back in the fold.
“It was good,” said Jones. “He came in this morning, and everyone was happy to see him. Everyone was glad to have him back.
“Even today, there was something that popped up. He did something with the Mike [linebacker], and then I could kind of learn from what he did, and we talked it through. I got a lot of good coaching from [offensive coordinator] Josh [Mcdaniels], [quarterback coach] Bo [Hardegree], and then [Brian] Hoyer yesterday.
“Having Cam back to, is just good, because he’s always trying to help.”
The crowd noise was an added layer to what has been a competitive and fun battle between the quarterbacks throughout the summer.
The competition was a bit muted, though, during Thursday’s second practice with the Giants, which featured a mini-scrimmage and a situational football.
Newton and Jones each got a series with projected starters, and Jones got extra time with second-stringers. Newton went for 4 for 6 in full-team competition, while Jones went 10 for 20 with four drops.
Consistent with how the summer has gone, Newton took the first reps and ran a hurry-up offense that produced a touchdown. He
hit on his first three attempts — to Jakobi Meyers on backto-back passes (an underneath route and a crosser) and a leaping Kendrick Bourne on a crossing route.
Newton had a pass tipped at the line and was nearly picked off by James Bradbury trying to squeeze a pass to Kristian Wilkerson in tight coverage. His series ended when he hit a wide-open Bourne on an end zone crossing route.
Jones’s first series got off to a rough start. Following a penalty on the Giants, the rookie telegraphed a pass down the seam for Jonnu Smith that was picked by safety Logan Ryan.
Jones said the Giants were “messing around a little bit more” with their safeties and said he’ll watch the tape and learn from it.