Patriots quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch on Cam Newton: ‘He’s extremely consistent as a person’

What has surprised quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch about Cam Newton?

It’s a question that Fisch, also in his first training camp with the New England Patriots, took from center Monday morning on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show.

“I don’t know if surprised is the right word, but delighted to see that what you see is real,” said Fisch. “It’s genuine. It’s who he is. The charisma he has every day. He’s extremely consistent as a person.”

Newton’s one-year contract with the Patriots became official on July 8. The gears have shifted since then for the former BCS national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, top overall pick and NFL MVP.

Fisch, 44, has had a seat in the front row for the reps and the reactions.

“And whether it be the boisterous personality, whether it be the way he leads, whether it be really kind of everything he brings – his workout routine, his work ethic – it’s the same every day,” added Fisch, who served as assistant offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams last season. “And I don’t know if surprised is the right word as much as excited that that is the case, because that’s what really you can work with. When you know what you’re getting every day, you can really make all the necessary adjustments, tweaks and whatever needs to be done to try to help him.”

Alongside fellow quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer and undrafted rookie Brian Lewerke, the second week of padded practices behind Gillette Stadium is underway. So are growing odds that the 31-year-old Newton will start inside of it versus the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.

“He certainly loves the game,” Fisch told WEEI. “But it really feels to me when Cam walks on the practice field, it’s truly recess for him. It’s the opportunity to go play. We all remember when we were kids when the bell rang, we got to go outside school and take a break from the work and go play. That’s kind of the feeling I get from Cam every time he gets out here, that it’s a happy place, and I think that’s great.”

Newton started 131 career games, including postseason, during his tenure with the Carolina Panthers. His last came on Sept. 12, 2019 due to a Lisfranc fracture that required surgery.

“The best reflection of his work ethic is that he’s able – and we’re not even on four weeks yet where he’s come into the building – and he’s able to function and run the offense,” Fisch said. “That’s really kind of reflective of how hard he worked to get there.”