Patriots No. 1 pick, former Alabama QB Mac Jones, will have all eyes on him when training camp begins on Wednesday. (AP photo)

Believe it or not, as we enter the last week of July, it really means one thing: the National Football League training camp season is about to start, and that includes your New England

Patriots.

As we do every year, let’s try to answer a few questions as camp will be a lot different from what it was a year ago. The first practice will be on Wednesday.

Here goes:

WILL FANS BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND PRACTICE?

Tom KIng

They certainly will – the outdoor sessions, that is. They’ll be able to sit in the bleachers on the side as they have in the past. However, there will be no autographs after practice. A few players used to sign for the fans, but that won’t be allowed due to the pandemic.

In the case of inclement weather and the Patriots have to practice in their fieldhouse, fans will not be allowed to attend. Fans who plan to attend practices are encouraged to check the Patriots website or app for daily updates. Fans also can call the training camp hotline for updates by dialing 508-549-0001. Unvaccinated individuals are encouraged, but not required, to wear masks.

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OK, CAM NEWTON OR MAC JONES AT QUARTERBACK?

The best way to answer this is it’s Newton’s job to lose. And if he performs like he did in mini-camp last month, he might just do that. Everyone has these predictions as to what game Jones will step in, etc. That’s ridiculous to even think that. If the team is winning with Newton at QB, there won’t be any change. If they’re not, there will be – or if Jones simply destroys Newton in the camp competition. And the variables are the work, the understanding of film, the offense, etc.

“I don’t see (Belichick) flip-flopping around, and going back and forth, like you see in other organizations,” former Patriots offensive lineman Matt Light said last week on the NFL Network. “He’s going to make a decision, and he’s going to roll with it.”

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WILL STEPHON GILMORE HOLD OUT OF CAMP?

We think not. But there’s a bigger problem with Gilmore, who obviously as of this writing is seeking a bump in pay from the $7.5 million he’s due to make for this season, his last on his deal, that could come in the form of an extension, etc. He’s not healthy. He had surgery to repair his torn quad earlier this year, and he probably wouldn’t have participated in mini-camp anyway. We think maybe he’ll come, do more rehab, then once he shows he’s healthy on the practice field, he’ll get his extension. The Patriots won’t give him a raise until they know that; it would be foolish otherwise.

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WILL THERE BE ANY JOINT PRACTICES THIS SUMMER?

Yes, that camp tradition is returning after a year’s absence. On Aug. 16-17, New England will be in Philly to practice with the Eagles before their preseason game there on Aug. 19. Giants and former Pats assistant Joe Judge, now New York’s head coach, will be at Gillette on Aug. 25; However, they’ll both head to New Jersey for the final preseason game on Sunday, Aug. 29 at MetLife Stadium.

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WHAT ROOKIE, OTHER THAN JONES, COULD EMERGE INTO A BIG ROLE?

We think eventually it could be the guy the Patriots traded up for to get at No. 38 overall, Alabama’s Christian Barmore. Remember, stopping the run and simply winning the line of scrimmage was a huge defensive problem for the Patriots last season. Barmore is 6-5, 310, and could work in there up front.

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WHAT VETERAN COULD BE IN TROUBLE?

Besides N’Keal Harry, you mean? He’s clearly got one foot out the door. The other player could be linebacker Chase Winovich, playing on the third year of a rookie deal. Winovich is a different kind of guy, and he rubbed the Patriots coaches the wrong way somehow to see his time limited. It’s not a big financial hit, below $1 million in both savings and dead money. Might be more of a trade.

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WHAT BIG-TIME FREE AGENT WILL BE A CAMP FAVORITE?

We think tight Hunter Henry. He’s just a Patriots/Belichick-type player and could really blossom in New England.

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WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING POSITION BATTLE IN CAMP?

You ready for this? Kicker. The Patriots have three viable options. There’s the sure accuracy of veteran incumbant Nick Folk, the past reputation of Roberto Aguayo (longshot) and the potential plus longer reach of undrafted rookie free agent – the only one the Patriots have – of Michigan alum Quinn Nordin. Folk has a lot of guarantees in his $1.1 million salary, but he’s 36 and doesn’t usually kick off. Keep an eye on this one.

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WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU’RE SURE OF BY THE END OF CAMP?

Someone currently on the camp roster will be traded. We think that would be a given.

Enjoy the next three weeks, campers.

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

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