New England Patriots

Morning sports update: Josh McDaniels talked similarities and differences between Tom Brady and Cam Newton

"Whether it is some version of an adjustment in the running game, some ability to use his legs or his size and strength, we’ve tried to do some of all of that."

Cam Newton Patriots coaches
Josh McDaniels and Cam Newton talk during the Patriots' win over the Dolphins. Winslow Townson/AP Images

The Connecticut Sun lost to the decisive Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals to the Las Vegas Aces 66-63 on Tuesday night. Las Vegas now advances to the finals to play the Seattle Storm.

Elsewhere, the Patriots prepare for a Sunday matchup with the Chiefs at 4:25 p.m., and the Revolution get ready to face Nashville SC on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Josh McDaniels on Cam Newton: Just like everyone else on the Patriots’ coaching staff, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has had to make serious adjustments in 2020. After spending virtually all of his time in New England working with Tom Brady, McDaniels now finds himself calling plays for Cam Newton.

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The results so far in the new season have been promising, with the Patriots out to a 2-1 start.

Asked about working with the 31-year-old former NFL MVP, McDaniels described him in terms that would also be applied to Brady.

“Cam’s been very consistent since I first met him,” McDaniels explained in a Tuesday press conference. “He loves the game of football. He also loves working really hard.”

Still, in terms of specific play-calling, there’s an expansive gulf between Brady and Newton as quarterbacks.

“It’s different,” McDaniels said. “There’s certainly a huge chunk of what we’ve been able to try and do in the past that we continue to try and do. You take certain strengths of each player, and in this particular case, we’re talking about the quarterback. You take the strengths of the players that you have and you try to put them in the positions to be successful that they have the most confidence in.

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“Whether it is some version of an adjustment in the running game, some ability to use his legs or his size and strength, we’ve tried to do some of all of that,” McDaniels said of Newton. “At the same time, the most important thing for us and for Cam is to run the offense.”

McDaniels and Newton face a tough matchup in Week 4 as the Patriots travel to play the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs.

Trivia: During the Bill Belichick era, two offensive coordinators have left New England for head coaching positions in college football. Name those two coordinators.

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: Notre Dame and Penn State.

More from Boston.com:

A Patriots Super Bowl banner made it to space

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https://www.instagram.com/p/CFuZF6dDI8x/?igshid=kaqmy0ochr6l

Still made the putt:

On this day: In 2001, Tom Brady made his first career start. It came against Peyton Manning and the Colts. Brady, who it was assumed was merely a backup filling in for injured Drew Bledsoe, was solid if unspectacular in the game (throwing for 168 yards).

New England, as a team, roared to life, destroying the Colts, 44-13.

Daily highlight: Chelsea forward Timo Werner scored against Tottenham in what was ultimately a losing effort in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

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Trivia answer: Charlie Weis and Bill O’Brien.

Hayden Bird

Sports Staff

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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