No surprises here, but the Patriots have named Cam Newton their starting quarterback, as Jim McBride of the Boston Globe was first to report. Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald adds that Newton has been voted a team captain (Twitter link).
For a long time after Tom Brady‘s abdication, New England insisted that it was comfortable moving forward with second-year pro Jarrett Stidham as its starting signal-caller. But the team managed to sign Newton for peanuts at the end of June, and as soon as that happened, the 2015 MVP became the odds-on favorite to succeed Brady as the Patriots’ QB1.
Newton has undergone three surgeries since the beginning of the 2017 offseason — two shoulder procedures and a foot operation — and he has missed 16 of the last 18 games. His 2019 season was almost completely wiped out by injury, but he looked like his usual brilliant self through the first 12 weeks of the 2018 campaign, and he ended that year having completed a career-best 67.9% of his throws for 3,395 yards, 24 TDs, and 13 picks. He also showed that he can still make plays with his feet – he tallied 488 rushing yards and four scores on 101 carries.
The most recent reports out of training camp suggested that Newton has not been perfect in practices, but he has been plenty good enough to beat out Stidham — who has been dealing with a hip injury — and Brian Hoyer. And he clearly has ingratiated himself with his new teammates, as evidenced by his captaincy.
Things will feel very different in Foxborough this year without Brady, but between Newton and the Pats’ defense, New England may not be ready to give up its stranglehold on the AFC East just yet.
Glad to see it be official. Wish Newton nothing but the best.
I find it hard to imagine Cam doesn’t excel this year. It may take a bit being in a new system with new players, but he’s going to make it exciting. Everything I’ve seen and read leaves me to believe he is a dedicated professional that is committed to aging better considering his vegan diet and early arrival/late departures from Gillette. Would love to see the Pats splurge and get him a stud WR. Hello Cleveland, we have a deal for you…
I don’t know if he’s going to excel by any means. The offensive line is capable, yet the Patriots lack a viable set of receiving weapons. Beyond White and Edelman, there’s not much to look forward to. Asiasi looks promising, yet Harry struggled to separate last season. Even Tom Brady had issues connecting with his wideouts and I’m not sure Newton will be any better.
There’s also the issue of his mobility. I’ll give Newton the benefit of the doubt and assume he’s recovered fully from his shoulder separation. That said, he struggled to scramble early on in 2019 and his ankle issues seem to have taken a toll on his athleticism. I can see Newton performing relatively well, but not necessarily blowing the competition away. I will say, it’s promising how much his accuracy improved in 2018. Perhaps that’s a sign of a successful transition to pocket passing
Whaaaaaaa…..you don’t say!
Cam is better than Stidham and Hoyer? Well I’ll be darned
So shocked, at least now we can all get on with our lives.
I will just add, I hope Cam kills it though.
Love a good comeback.
I am thinking things don’t go well at Gillette Stadium. Cam has not been yelled at by anyone for his whole life probably. He has cruised through life on an easy path. That will stop with Bill. Not sure Cam can handle the stare. Will be interesting to watch it unfold. He is also going to have to do a lot with his legs and he still hasn’t learned to avoid the big hits.
With Newton getting all the media attention, Bill will have more time to plan his next surveillance project.
Facts!
Rory, you seem a bit too optimistic re the Pats 2020 season. Newton doesn’t have much to throw to in the TE and WR departments. The RB is currently a mess. And didn’t scores of Pats opt out?
Buffalo is not to be overlooked, and no, I don’t have a horse in this race.
A running QB will give the a new dimension in the offense . Like Brady last year theres not much to throw to and even less with Sanu gone, Good luck to Cam I have rooted for him and being a NE fan Im thrilled hes a Patriot.
Cam has joined the Patriots “No Weapons for the Quarterback Routine”. He’ll be running so much he’ll be quick over. Coach don’t care, looking forward to the next draft for Qb’s
Poor Cam, no weapons !