What did Cam Newton think of the Patriots selection of Mac Jones?
The New England Patriots used the 15th choice in the NFL Draft on April 29 on a quarterback  Alabama All-American Mac Jones. The Patriots incumbent quarterback, Cam Newton, thinks the team did the right thing, even though he now has a high-profile competitor for his starting spot. It didnt make me feel any type of way because he was the right pick, in my opinion, Newton said. He was the best player available, and thats what the NFL Draft is for. As far as having any chip on my shoulder, stating the obvious, I dont need too much to get myself going, let alone that happening. And its no disrespect to Mac. Its no disrespect to (coach) Bill (Belichick) and his decision. I support it 110 percent because you still have to do whats right for the organization for the long haul.  Jones joined a quarterback room that included not only the former Auburn All-American but also his two backups from last season  Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer. Newton said the rookie has fit right in. Mac and Cheese, hes pretty cool, Newton said. Hes quiet. I think hes trying to figure everybody out, and Ive been there before. Im 32, and Hoys 35 or 36, and so its tough. Hes doing a great job being everything as advertised from a leadership perspective. Hes holding himself accountable, and thats all you can ask from a young player.  On Monday, Stidham said he had been definitely fired up by New Englands selection of Jones in the first round of 2021 NFL Draft. Newton said the competition would make all the quarterbacks better. As a competitor, Id be a fool if I didnt think Brian Hoyer doesnt want to be a starter, Newton said. Id be a fool not to think Mac and Cheese didnt want to be a starter. Id be a fool if Jarrett Stidham didnt want to be a starter. And youd be a fool not to think that I dont want to be a starter.   We all know that nothings going to be given to nobody, and its just that competition each and every day with yourself is going to bring out the best in everybody else, so the better that I am, the better that Mac will be. The better Mac is, the better hell make me be. The better Stiddy is -- and the list goes on, especially with Hoyer. Hoys the person who sets the tone for that room. Hes been here the longest. He has such a great feel. We all learn from each other, so the better off everybody is in that room, the better off we will all be.  MAC JONES LEARNING FROM OTHER PATRIOTS QBS PAST AND PRESENT  Newton joined the Patriots last year after nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, but he didnt sign until July, which left him taking a crash course in New Englands offense without any preseason games to practice in. Belichick said Newton has a much better handle on the Patriots playbook after a season in the system and an offseason of work. New England will conclude its offseason program on Wednesday with the final day of mandatory minicamp. He has a good year of experience under his belt, Belichick said on Tuesday, and hes able to start the process at the beginning and not be in a catch-up mode like he was last year. I mean, he was really just starting at this point last season, but hes well ahead of that just from the year of experience and from the succession of building blocks that hes been able to stack up, like all the players have that have been here since the start of the OTA and the offseason program back in April, that theyve been able to stack those days and those learning experiences together, ask questions on things that they need clarification on and build to the next level when theyre ready to put another brick on the pile, so thats good for all of us. Its good for Cam. Its good for all of the players who can go through that process.  Newton completed 242-of-368 passes for 2,657 yards with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions and ran for 592 yards and 12 touchdowns on 137 carries in 2020, when the Patriots posted a 7-9 record for their first losing season since 2000. Asked during a press conference on Tuesday if he had something to prove in 2021, the NFLs 2015 MVP answered: Double duh.  I have a job and a responsibility to myself to hold myself to a standard that I know I have to play at, Newton said, and its going to come with proper preparation, and thats what its coming down to. Its going to come down to comfort, of understanding the system. My faults, my bads, Im going to get them next time  those are slowly but surely being flushed out of my vernacular, and just the expectations of getting back to the standards of the Patriot Way is important for me to uphold.  The extra time in the offensive system this year should help put last season behind him, Newton said. I have a constant note that I remind myself each and every day, Newton said. Its pre-snap comfort will help post-snap results for me. Last year for me, (offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels) system was something that has worked for decades and decades, so it was up to me to learn it as much as possible, and Im so grateful to have another opportunity to learn it as much as I possibly can. In the latter part of the season, it just caught up to me. I was thinking too much. I was trying to be something when it wasnt enough hours in the day. Its not like we wasnt working.  We was putting in hours and hours. But you cant simulate real, live bullets, and thats what it came down to.  Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1. 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