THE DROP-BACK: TUESDAY AUGUST 24 - 'more brady,' screamed nobody

BUCCANEERS

• Because we're not sick of hearing about how great Tom Brady is at his age, he's determined to drill it into our heads even harder. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is heading into his millionth year at the position, and he's determined to make it his best year yet. Like, better than all the times he won the Super Bowls. Brady told Peter King, "It's a totally imperfect game that you're trying to do as perfectly as possible. Every day I come out trying to do it. I'm hoping this is my best year."

patriots

• There's many a quarterback battle around these parts, but one of them seems to have been settled. Cam Newton has apparently told he's the starter for the New England Patriots, with rookie Mac Jones as the backup. Newton has had a good camp (better than last year), but so has Jones. Head coach Bill Belichick says the answer is simple.

Question (via @TheGregHillShow): You’ve said Cam is the starter. What do you have to see, and when, for that to change?

Bill Belichick: “The fact that Cam started last year, and he’s here, somebody would have to play better than him. Training camp is all about competition. …”

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 23, 2021

bengals

• After Joe Burrow was injured late last season, there were questions if he'd be ready to go in time for the start of the 2021 season. Head coach Zac Taylor says that although Burrow hasn't taken any reps in the preseason, he seems to be ready to go Week One. "They've shown us enough to know that they're going to be ready to play." 

-other notes-

• Jalen Hurts returned to Eagles practice Sunday after missing this weekend's preseason game due to an illness.
• Jimmy Garoppolo says he's not worried about the 49ers' QB competition with Trey Lance.
• Jordan Ta'amu among Lions cuts.
• Cam Newton out of Pats' practice this week due to COVID-19 protocols.
• Carson Wentz returned to practice Monday, is optimistic about his status for Week One.
• Jordan Love practiced on Monday after being sidelined with a shoulder injury.
• Daniel Jones planning to start, play first half this weekend against Patriots.
• Rams waived Devlin Hodges.
• Seahawks waived Alex McGough.
• Cooper Rush will start at QB for the Cowboys in final preseason game.