FOXBOROUGH — Cam Newton flashed the sly smile of a guy with a secret. Actually, a treasure trove of secrets.
The quarterback was asked what has him most excited about the Patriots offense as the team prepares for its season opener Sept. 13.
“The most exciting thing is nobody knows — and you’re still not going to know,’' Newton said with the hint of a chuckle on a video call after Friday’s practice. “That’s what excites me the most because everybody’s kind of having the same questions, like, ‘What are they going to do? Are they going to do this? Are they going to that?’
Advertisement
“I’m not going to tell you. I mean, come on. It’s almost game week. You can’t just let all of the tricks out of the hat.”
Newton has been learning the tricks and intricacies of the Patriots offense over the last two-plus months as he begins his 10th professional season and first in New England. He wasn’t about to spoil any surprises. Stay tuned was his message.
“I don’t think it’s in my best or the team’s best interest to just start reeling off all the things that we’re going to do or what I’m most excited about,” he said.
“I have to be smart and know that it is an everyday kind of learning process and I haven’t mastered it yet. I don’t even think they have to a degree, but at the same time, just having the mentality to continually get better, constantly strive to understand … what your flaws are and get better at [them].”
A day after being named the team’s starter and being elected an offensive captain by his teammates, Newton appeared as though he still hadn’t fully come to terms with either accomplishment.
“That’s another emotion that’s kind of hard to explain in words,” he said. “But I’ve had a plan since I’ve been here just to become the best player I can possibly be. Be coached, and be coachable, knowing that I will be coached by the game’s finest in Josh McDaniels and [quarterback] coach Jedd [Fisch] as well as, obviously, Coach Belichick, and those guys haven’t let me down yet.”
Advertisement
Newton said he has always held Belichick in high regard and their relationship continues to grow. Belichick had high praise for Newton earlier this week, so it’s clear the admiration goes both ways.
“He’s an unbelievable teacher of the game, and I think that’s not highlighted enough, especially for a person of his caliber and status,’' Newton said. “Having the success that he’s had over the X amount of years that he’s been here or even been anywhere coaching.
“You understand why he’s so successful, and not only him, but it’s his coaches that he does a great job with, trusting his coaches to get the job done. And even in his players, too.
“It’s a common theme that you get the job done or if not, they’re going to find somebody to get the job done. And with that type of mantra with him, he knows that he’s going to put everybody in the best position for them to succeed.”
As for being elected a captain, Newton again said he didn’t have the words to describe his feelings. He understands that some might have seen it as a given that he’d receive the honor, but he said that was not the case.
Advertisement
“Ever since I first spoke to any personnel with the team, I wanted to make sure they understood my drive and understanding that I’m not taking this opportunity for granted,” he said. “And whether it’s showing up as early as I do show up or leave as late as I leave, I know people know that my heart is in the right place.
“When it comes to this team, [there’s] nothing that I wouldn’t do besides put their best interests at heart, and to be captain was just something that was just, like, rewarding to hear. But at the same time, now the real work kind of starts for me knowing that I have to prove it each and every day, and I know that I have people looking to me and others in that leadership council to kind of direct the team in the right way.”
…
Receiver Gunner Olszewski, running back Damien Harris (hand), linebacker Scoota Harris, and defensive linemen Beau Allen and Nick Thurman were absent from Friday’s sweats-and-shells practice … Defensive lineman Michael Barnett, who was waived/injured Thursday, went unclaimed and will revert to the Patriots’ injured reserve list for the season … With the expansion of practice squads and players eligible to return from injured reserve, Belichick said, “There’s a lot less shopping of players this year than what there would normally be.” … The first two songs played at Friday’s practice were “Uproar” and “Let Em Know,’' meaning it was Weezy followed by Jeezy.
Advertisement
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.