Morning sports update: Chris Simms would ‘bet’ the Patriots had Cam Newton followed prior to free agent signing
"That's what I always heard they did with Randy Moss back in the day."
On Monday, the NFL and NFLPA agreed to a COVID-19 testing program that includes daily tests for the first two weeks of training camp. The league also offered to eliminate the preseason in 2020, something that the Players Association has sought.
Elsewhere, the Washington Nationals announced that Dr. Anthony Fauci will throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the team begins its season on July 23.
Chris Simms would “bet” the Patriots went to an extreme in evaluating Cam Newton: The Patriots under Bill Belichick have been known for leaving no stone unturned in player evaluation over the years.
Former quarterback and NFL analyst Chris Simms thinks that New England’s methods are even more intense than the already deep level of standard scouting when it comes to doing their homework on a particular player.
In an episode of his podcast, “Chris Simms Unbuttoned,” the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer explained how in-depth he thinks New England was in its research on recent free agent signing Cam Newton.
“I think they started to do their homework on Cam,” Simms explained. “What is the guy like? Does he work hard? Can he handle our mental grind of stuff we put in in our offense on a daily basis? I think they started to do their due diligence there.
“And listen, New England, again, if you made me bet, I would bet New England had Cam Newton followed for three to four weeks,” said Simms in a startling assertion. “That’s just the way New England works. I don’t mean to be creepy about it, but that’s what I always heard they did with Randy Moss back in the day. When they signed Randy Moss, from everything I know, they sent somebody out to watch Randy Moss every day. They watched him work out. They watched what he did in his life. Knowing New England, they probably did something like that again.”
Trivia: In 2001, Red Auerbach — in a rare misevaluation of talent — reportedly overruled Celtics general manager Chris Wallace in keeping the team from drafting which future NBA All-Star?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He was born in Belgium, but played internationally for a different European nation.
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Pedro Martinez, picking mangos
:
You’ve gotta work a little bit harder to pick a mango than to pick an apple! Fresh fruit always tastes better when you have to earn it 😋 🥭 #mangos #dominican #freshfruit #mangopicking #yeahhh pic.twitter.com/9RkmWHgNn0
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) July 20, 2020
“Too tall” Tacko Fall:
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗼
cc @smart_MS3 @tackofall99 pic.twitter.com/iKHTcHq0UD
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 20, 2020
On this day: In 2004, Manny Ramirez’s inexplicable decision to cut off Johnny Damon’s outfield throw created one of the more humorously iconic plays in Red Sox history.
Daily highlight: Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake reached to make a fantastic save in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Orlando.
https://youtu.be/xc8jB0VySLg
Trivia answer: Tony Parker
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