When quarterback Tom Brady left New England for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bill Belichick and the Patriots seemed doomed to fall from their lofty perch to a new level of mediocrity in the NFL.
The Patriots, perennial Super Bowl contenders, would need to find a quality quarterback to keep winning. Opposing teams around the league were now laughing at the fate confronting New England.
Now, look who has the last laugh. The Patriots have football fans and the sports world in general talking after signing 31-year-old free agent Cam Newton to a one-year contract.
While there are some doubters, there are many who believe the former MVP will fit well into Belicheck’s scheme of things.
Stidham or Hoyer Was Never Likely to be Tom Brady’s Replacement
The signing of Newton makes perfect sense for New England. The two prospects that were expected to fill Brady’s shoes, either Jarrett Stidham or Brian Hoyer, never really were expected to measure up to the Patriots’ expectations.
“Let’s face it,” one observer says, “taking a chance on a resurrected Cam Newton is a good risk. It’s the kind of risk that brings out the gambler in Belicheck who usually seems to hold the right cards.”
The truth is, New England may have made the deal of the offseason by signing the former Auburn Heisman winner.
Newton, while making the minimum salary, reportedly can earn as much as $7.5 million in incentives. It’s a good deal for both parties.
If he can stay healthy, Newton will be the favorite to take over the Patriots’ offense. Even before the Patriots’ signed the ex-Carolina Panther star, the rumor was that New England was making plans to change its offense.
“Stidham was in line to replace Brady,” declared by many sports analysts “but the truth is, there is just too much of the unknown surrounding him. And Hoyer? Well, Hoyer is known as a good backup, and that’s all he will ever be.”
Expect Belichick and his staff to now move toward a more run-happy offense, especially if Newton opens the season as the starter at quarterback.
Newton’s health remains questionable and observers note that the Patriots will be out only some $1 million if Newton is injured or that Stidham just happens to beat him out for the quarterback role.
“That will never happen,” another sports writer predicts.
Newton was in good form and still a premier quarterback in 2017
The Patriots must think a lot of Newton and believe he will report in tip-top shape, even though he hasn’t been completely healthy since the 2018 season. It has been noted that Newton was in good form and still a useful quarterback in 2017 when he guided Carolina to the playoffs
Belichick and the Patriots probably will never forget Week 4 of the 2017 season, when Newton turned in one of the most outstanding performances of his career.
He completed 22 of 29 passes for 316 yards with three touchdowns. He added a touchdown on the ground as the Panthers drubbed New England at Foxborough 33-30.
“Belichick realizes how hard it is for a team to defend a healthy Cam Newton,” one sportswriter says. “He is not likely to base a decision on just one game, but it has to still be aware of Newton’s potential.”
I think the Patriots might surprise you. If Covid-19 wasn’t an issue you might see Cam run less in the offense. He’s a better passer than what people are giving him credit for. Its amazing how analyst Colin criticized Cam when he said he needed better WRs in 2017. He went on to say Brees and Brady don’t cry about it yet in 2018-19 Brady cried about that very thing but you didn’t hear Colin utter a comment about Brady’s attitude.
Cam had to run in Carolina because they got ride of his weapons. Steve Smith, and the two RBs plus Greg Olson at TE. The last O-lineman was drafted in the first round was in 2008. New England has a better OL. You have to remember he was the Panthers offense before McCaffery. The lone season when the Panthers went 15-1 their D was healthy. It was so back when Cam was drafted there might have been 3 starters on D.
I think you will see the WRs are better because of Cam. Plus the D will be better because the offense will be balanced.