Cam Newton’s incentive-laden one-year contract with the New England Patriots is, above all, a mistake-proof situation in a post-Tom Brady world. So why wouldn’t the Patriots take chances?
If Newton is healthy and performing at a high level, like when he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, leading the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl 50, he could become the Patriots’ starting quarterback and bring them back into the conversation as one. of the AFC elite teams.
If your previously injured foot isn’t responding well, or your offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ performance and accommodation in the system are not up to scratch, then there is limited financial pain for a team ready to move on.
So with Newton willing to accept what the Patriots have to offer – a low-cost opportunity to compete with 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham and eleventh-year veteran Brian Hoyer to replace Brady – – Add a stick of dynamite to what was already an intriguing situation.
The Patriots have been optimistic about Stidham, although some at the club have also admitted that there is always a blind spot with a young passer until he actually plays. So now, they better protect themselves in the game’s most important position, increasing competition while waiting to see if Stidham rises.
Meanwhile, Newton might have considered waiting for an injury somewhere in the NFL with a clearer path to starting. But his decision to come to New England through a trial-type deal reflects a desire to compete, which should appeal to head coach Bill Belichick, who often says nothing is delivered and players eventually win their roles through his performance.
Belichick has always shown respect for Newton as a competitor.
“When you talk about mobile quarterbacks, guys who are hard to deal with, tackle, who can throw, run, make good decisions, I mean, I would put Newton at the top of the list,” Belichick said in 2017 before a game against to the Panthers.
“I’m not saying there aren’t other good players who do that, but I would say that, of all the players we’ve faced recently in the last couple of years, he’s the most difficult to contain. He makes good decisions, he can run, he is strong, he is difficult to knock down. You can do many different things, defeat in many different ways. We saw it in a game here in ’13, so I would put it at the top of the list. I’m not saying the other guys aren’t a problem, because they are, but he is the No. 1 public enemy. ”
Can Newton be that player in 2020, and also accommodate himself in the tough culture of the Patriots?
His new teammates are intrigued to find out, with reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore, tweeting eyes when the news was released Sunday night.
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— The Gilly Lock (@BumpNrunGilm0re) June 29, 2020
Meanwhile, also Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty said on his “Double Coverage” podcast: “I’m excited. Bill always says it: “The goal for any good team is to have as many good players as possible.” Cam Newton is a former MVP of this league, he played in a Super Bowl, that caliber of player. The better players we have in this dressing room, the better we will be able to go out there and play as a team. ”
New England safety and experienced captain Devin McCourty responded with this opinion.
“I totally agree with you,” said McCourty. “When you add a guy like Cam Newton, he improves our group of quarterbacks. We’ve talked about that before: the attitude, and the jump and improvement you expect Stiddy to take. I think it will be interesting at training camp and competing, and all of that, that’s how we all improve. I would think adding it to the quarterback group with B. Hoyer, you have veterans there, you have young guys there, I think it gives us a very good chance to be really good at the position. ”
McCourty added one more thing: “It will be a fun year, if the year goes as we expect and we have a season.”
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