Here are a few thoughts on the New England Patriots after a strange two-weeks of fan-free training camp practices, a couple of which yours truly was fortunate to observe:

Starting QB? You’d think it would be Cam Newton – missed Monday practice aside – and it most likely will be. He and Brian Hoyer have gotten the bulk of the snaps, etc. Newton is an energetic guy, certainly livens up practice; you know when he arrives on the practice field, let’s put it that way.

“It’s been fun, Cam brings a lot of energy, Obviously,” Hoyer said. “I’ve enjoyed it.”

— But here’s another question: Will the Patriots keep all three? Belichick gave his standard “We’ll do what’s best for the team” answer on WEEI radio yesterday. Stidham fell behind with an undisclosed injury and even Sunday in practice didn’t seem to be getting as many reps as Hoyer and Newton. Hoyer knows the system, but you’d hate to see Stidham’s progress halted because Newton is only on a one-year deal. And Hoyer would be crushed if he was let go. “Last year, when I went to Indianapolis, I missed these guys,” Hoyer said when talking about the locker room, especially in this time of social awareness. “I don’t know if I’ve been around better leaders like Devin McCourty and Matt Slater.”

—- Now another question. Why haven’t the Patriots named a starter? Asked Monday, Belichick said, “When we’re ready to do it, we’ll do it.” Here’s the thing: He could tell the players, involved, but the last thing he wants to do is tell his opening day opponent, the Miami Dolphins and head coach Brian Flores right away. He’ll likely keep everyone guessing for a bit.

— The smart money may be on Nick Folk getting the kicking job. The 35-year-old showed up in mid-practice after signing last Monday and the veteran was greeted as he stretched alone with one player saying, “How are you doing old man?”. But rookie Justin Rohrwasser hasn’t looked all that great (he, too, was nursing an injury), and Folk seemed to outkick him Monday – but barely. On the flip side, would be hard to waste a fifth round pick. Practice squad? The Patriots could still lose Rohrwasser to another team.

—- Gunner Olszewksi is a tough one to figure out. Well, not really. He’ll do anything – return kicks, play receiver, etc. He’s fast and athletic and goes after it. Just one problem: He can’t catch, as he’s often a drop waiting to happen. So the question is, will he make the team? He’s also fearless, and could be an injury waiting to happen. Guess is he sticks.

—- Mohamed Sanu looks like, besides Julian Edelman, as the most polished receiver in camp. N’Keal Harry made a nice diving catch the other day, and snared a TD pass from Newton last week. Patriots may not be as bad off at receiver as some think.

—- Camp just seemed so strange without fans and just 15 or so reporters at any time in the end zone bleachers on the practice fields. Think of how strange it will be this month when there are no fans for the Patriots two September home games, and perhaps more.

—- Hoyer on Monday talked about the monotony of going up against the same group over and over, as the lack of a preseason is going to make things interesting when it comes time for end of camp cuts this weekend. Who’s made a tackle? Who has tackled? One might have thought when the Patriots held a stadium scrimmage with referees last Friday it would have been a full scrimmage. But it was more of a walk through. Now that the “camp” portion of the preseason is over, the media only has access to watch stretching and one early drill. Perhaps a scrimmage is in the plans. We’ll see. Or then again, now we won’t.

Tom King can be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter @Telegraph _TomK.

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