Too little, too late from Cam
If this was the Newton the Patriots had all year, things could have been different
FOXBORO — Figures, Cam Newton would save his best game as a Patriot for last.
Sure, it was against the Jets. Or rather, the stinking two-win Jets.
But the Newton that led the Patriots to a 28-14 win in the season finale was more like the Newton we thought the Tom Brady-less offense might be getting when he was brought aboard by Bill Belichick in July at a better than bargain rate for one year.
He was dynamic with his legs, with 11 rushes for 79 yards. He did what was needed with his arm, throwing 3 touchdown passes, which was more than half his total (5) the previous 15 games.
And, he caught a touchdown pass from Jakobi Meyers for good measure.
This was the Cam that was needed all year. This was the Cam that was supposed to be the perfect bridge to the next guy.
“Today everything meshed in ways that we wanted it to mesh,” Newton said via web conference following the win. “Obviously we hit a lull there, but we knew we just needed to keep going and keep plugging away.
“That’s what we did. Success brings a different swagger, a different comfort. Obviously scoring touchdowns, back-to-back touchdowns, will kind of do it for anybody.”
Running the no-huddle most of the game, making his own checks at the line, Newton seemed much more confident, and much more at ease in what he was doing. Yes, he had that swagger and a joy about him we hadn’t seen in previous weeks.
While he still had his usual accuracy issues, and there was a period of five straight punts as the offense stalled, it didn’t completely take away from being able to get the ball downfield or derail him, or his overall performance.
A makeshift offensive line, with starters David Andrews and Shaq Mason out, did him no favors when he dropped back to pass, as he was sacked three times and hit countless other times.
But Newton was undaunted, and clearly in charge in this game. He was the difference-maker in the final analysis.
Newton threw to eight different receivers, finally getting Sony Michel involved as a pass-catcher (3 catches, 60 yards and a TD) along with rookie Devin Asiasi (2 catches, 1 TD).
And yes, as much as it’s been a mutual lovefest between Bill Belichick and Newton, as well as Newton and the players in the room, it’s probably a little too late.
Where the Patriots go from here with respect to the quarterback position is the most important decision Belichick makes during the offseason.
Perhaps if that was the Newton that was on hand for most of the season, as opposed to the indecisive, pass-challenged quarterback that appeared against the Broncos, Niners, Rams, Dolphins and Bills — the Patriots might have made it into the playoffs.
Granted, the overall problems would still exist. Offensively, the team doesn’t have enough playmakers at receiver and tight end. And, defensively, they need help on the line and linebacker.
Those issues were also killers during a 7-9 non-playoff campaign, along with below-average quarterback play.
But as we saw Sunday with Newton’s performance, a better, more competent quarterback would have greatly helped the cause.
Belichick has to decide if the Newton he saw Sunday, with a whole year of offseason work and OTAs added to the mix instead of the helter-skelter nature of what played out this season, is the best choice to move forward, along with adding a top quarterback prospect in the draft.
Before the game, there was a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggesting the Patriots and Newton were likely to part ways. Naturally, Belichick wasn’t about to give that any credence.
And neither did Newton.
“Listen, I have my desires. I know where my heart’s at. I know the things, who I am,” said Newton. “But as far as that, I can’t really speak on it right now. But just my whole time here in New England has been a blessing. I’ve learned so much about myself, about great teammates, unbelievable coaching. Yeah, so I just see how it goes, go from there.”
After the game, Belichick was effusive in his praise of Newton’s leadership. Defensive captain Devin McCourty echoed much of those sentiments.
But is it the right move to keep Superman?
While he’s been an absolute pleasure to deal with, and a great teammate by all accounts, how can anyone — much less the Patriots — bank on Newton consistently being able to throw the ball like he did Sunday against the Jets?
How can anyone think an offensive outburst against Gang Green means much of anything?
Maybe Newton helped his stock going forward, and helped the team end the season on a high note, with hugs all around after the game. Maybe offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels should have let him wheel and deal more from the nohuddle, it’s just hard to imagine that shoulder holding up based on some of the odd-looking heaves he put up this season.
His throwing motion still isn’t right, even if Newton said it was great to be able to play an entire season with no issues from his shoulder or foot.
“I think one of the main things for me this year was a small but yet important thing for me, just to finish healthy,” the 2015 NFL MVP said. “I think that was one of the most frustrating things for me, was that I was healthy but still not getting the results that I was yearning for. Through it all, my shoulder held up, foot held up, mental held up. I had nicks and bruises, but who doesn’t have any nicks and bruises in the NFL? Nothing lingering enough to stop me. I’m going to take that as a blessing.”
He did contract COVID19, which set him — and the offense — back. But again, he was wildly inconsistent both in games, and from week to week.
“I need to get better. That’s what it all comes down to,” said Newton. “For me, I’m such a stickler about ‘did you win, did you win, doesn’t matter what the statistics were, did you win, find ways just to win?’ Yeah, having a game like today is good, but you wish you would have had more games like this.”
Ultimately, that should be the bottom line going forward.