CAM NEWTON QB, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Patriots signed QB Cam Newton, formerly of the Panthers, to a one-year contract. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it’s an “incentive-laden” deal, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport calls it a bare-minimum one-year pact worth up to $7.5 million. The former MVP just recently turned 31 and was released by the Panthers what felt like an eternity ago this offseason. He appeared in just two games last season thanks to a foot injury, and shoulder issues have also plagued him in the past. Still, if healthy, which is the belief right now for Newton, he offers some of the highest upside of any quarterback in the NFL. Newton will compete with sophomore Jarrett Stidham for No. 1 duties when training camp opens next month. Newton should have no problem beating Stidham out, assuming he’s at 100 percent health. The Patriots are suddenly very interesting again post-Tom Brady. RELATED: Carolina Panthers SOURCE: Adam Schefter on Twitter Jun 28, 2020, 7:55 PM ET
I feel like they will need to entirely reinvent their offense if Cam is QB but it's a high upside move.
If I were BB I think I would be excited to try and figure out how to change the offense to fit Cam's skills. I don't think he's consistently accurate enough to play in a Brady-style offense. I'm not a fan of Cam's game, but if I had been a coach for as long as BB and doing the same thing over this long dynastic run, I might be re-invigorated to try and change things up. It might provide me more juice in my efforts to catch Shula.
I bet he's not on the roster week 1. Former star veterans don't like to play for Belichick. He will realize that really soon. See Reggie Wayne, Torry Holt etc.
Having Cam beats the Stidham Hoyer combo. This will depend on Newton being a team soldier who follows directions without complaint.
We may get to find out how our defensive upgrades are looking early. Miami has struggled against big athletic QBs in recent years. That's why Josh Allen looks ehhh against the rest of the league but looks like a star against Miami. IMO Cam is better than Josh Allen.
Since it's a 1 year deal and he barely drew any interest, I feel like no matter what he will or at least should just do whatever they want, look great this year and then find a new home if he doesnt like NE.
I think Cam holds on to the ball too long. sometimes he ends up making a big play with his legs, but if (likely) gets injured again and he has to rely on his arm, I think he's toast. that offense doesn't have great playmakers to help him out like Olsen and McCaffrey
I always thought he did well for the lack of wide reciever talent he had. Took advantage of his weapons.
Its an excellent point. Allen has had rushing games of 135, 95 and 56 yards against the Fins. Newton himself ran for 95 and 51 yards against Miami the last two times we've faced him. Tyrod Taylor had over 40 yards three different times vs Miami. The list goes on. The Fins often struggle against mobile QBs, and have for a long time. And for me, that's the absolute most painful way to lose. To do everything right on defense, put the other team in long yardage, cover all the receivers, and then have the QB run for a long gain and convert. Its agony.
I think that the focus on strong and long DEs rather than the typical speed guys we've had in the past was a planned design. I think they hope to squeeze the pocket leaving no escape lanes for the QB to run through while using our elite secondary talent to blanket the receivers. Those speed rushers too often just let the QB step up in the pocket and then leak out through the lane the rusher vacated.
As a Carolina resident, I've watched a lot of Cam and there's a ton to like. Panther fans are furious they let him walk since he's the face of the franchise! He is arrogant as can be but also a super-nice, approachable person...so I'm guessing that he simply rubs some coaches/GM's the wrong way. When healthy, the dude really is a modern-day Superman on the field. I have a feeling that he will thrive in NE though and fit their offense perfectly- Belichek wants to run the ball and there's no better QB for that kind of offense. I'm guessing he plays 2-4 years in NE and then retires...OR...he has one massive season, takes league MVP and then someone vastly overpays for him. Of course, he has to stay healthy and that's been a problem recently, but from what I hear locally he's as close to 100% as he's been in years. I frickin' hate NE but I wish him luck as well...it's really hard not to like Cam Newton.
Really? I've always really disliked the dude. Both his personality and his play style are both the complete opposite of what I want in a QB. I can't think of anything at all that I like about him.
I've been around him a few times, and he seemed like the "life of the party" type that doesn't take things too serious and just goes with the flow. I'm sure he's different in the locker room, but from watching hundreds of interviews he rarely let's things bother him and he's just likable....almost like a class clown. I have a feeling that some in NFL circles may dislike him since he has that Jay Cutler type mentality- he'll take risks and just shrug it off. He also puts himself in harm's way a lot more than he should but often gets away with it off of talent alone...there were many games where I'd argue he's the most complete QB of all-time. Maybe not the very best at any one thing, but elite at them all and virtually untouchable in the pocket. When he's on fire, there's no quarterback I enjoy watching more.