Newton revels in challenge, new start
Former Panthers QB says he won’t dwell in past with Patriots
Cam Newton is the first to admit he’s still getting used to his new life as a member of the New England Patriots.
Everything feels strange, from his morning ride to the stadium, to just putting on gear with different colors and insignia for the first time in nine NFL seasons.
But a week into this latest career stop, the 2015 league MVP says he isn’t as much concerned with replacing Tom Brady or silencing his doubters as he is with proving to himself that he’s still capable of performing at a high level.
“I don’t have to prove nothing,” Newton said in a conference call Friday. “I have to prove (something) to myself. That’s a daily challenge. And I don’t think nobody’s expectations will ever surpass my expectations for myself.”
Newton signed a one-year deal with the Patriots last month and brought more intrigue to who will be New England’s starting quarterback following Brady’s decision to end his 20-year
tenure and sign with Tampa Bay.
“I’ve got my hands full with trying to learn as much as I can in a short period of time,” Newton said, “and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
The 2011 No. 1 draft pick said it’s a fresh start for him after his nineyear tenure in Carolina, the Panthers releasing him in March with one year left on a five-year, $103.8 million contract. Newton insists there’s no ill will.
“I’m not going to dwell on the past,” he said.
The Patriots are more than a week away from putting on pads for the first time as they begin a slow training camp ramp up. Given Newton’s resume, he would appear to be the front-runner to be Brady’s successor
over second-year QB Jarrett Stidham and veteran Brian Hoyer, a former Brady backup.
■ Giants: Cornerback Deandre Baker formally was charged with four counts of robbery with a firearm in connection with a fight at a May cookout in Florida, a prosecutor said. If convicted, the 22-year-old faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in state prison. One of New York’s three first-round draft picks in 2019, Baker had 61 tackles oveer 15 starts as a rookie.
In other Giants news, two-time
Pro Bowl long snapper Zak Deossie retired after 13 NFL seasons — all with New York. The 36-year-old didn’t miss a regular-season game in 11 seasons and was part of two Super Bowl wins.
■ Washington: Running back Derrius Guice was released following a domestic violence arrest. The 23-yearold faces three charges of assault and battery, one count of destruction of property and a felony count of strangulation, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office told the Washington Post. A second-round draft pick in 2018, the Louisiana State product has been limited to five games because of injuries.
■ NFL: Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, said the NFL is establishing a two-step protocol for players and coaches who have no known history of the COVID-19 infection and receive a positive test. He said any individual in that situation who also is asymptomatic will be given two confirmatory tests on the day following the positive test result.
■ 49ers: Free-agent defensive end Dion Jordan agreed to a one-year deal. The 30-year-old has been suspended 32 games for drug violations since Miami drafted him third overall in 2013, and he’s had two knee operations. Jordan had two sacks and 13 quarterback pressures in seven games for the Raiders, his third NFL team, in 2019.
■ Panthers: Two-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Russell Okung, who missed 10 games in 2019 because of a pulmonary embolism due to blood clots, is evaluating whether to retire over COVID-19 concerns, ESPN reported. The 31-year-old has one year left on a four-year, $53 million deal.