Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
NFL NOTEBOOK Newton embraces challenge 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 stop in his career, 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 with reporters 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. I’m just looking forward to the challenge.”
Newton signed a one-year deal with the Patriots last month and instantly brought more intrigue to who will be New England’s starting quarterback.
Stafford’s test false positive: The Detroit Lions removed Matthew Stafford from the COVID-IR list, saying he received a false positive test result.
The list was created for players who either test positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with an infected person. Stafford was listed on it Saturday, but the team said Tuesday his testing sequence for the pre-entry period was: negative, negative, false positive – then the next three tests were all negative.
“To be clear, Matthew does NOT have COVID-19 and never has had COVID-19 and the test in question was a FalsePositive,” the team said in a statement. “Also, all of Matthew’s family have been tested and everyone is negative.”
Stafford’s placement on the reserve/ COVID-19 list was big news because of his stature in the game and because of the health issues his family recently has dealt with. His wife Kelly had surgery last year to remove a brain tumor.
Baker charged: New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker was formally charged with four counts of robbery with a firearm in connection with a fight at a cookout in May, a prosecutor said Friday.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar, who also was arrested, won’t be prosecuted because of insufficient evidence, Broward County State Attorney Mike Satz said.
Baker is accused of stealing cash and watches from four men. The punishment in event of conviction is a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in state prison.
Baker surrendered to jail on May 16 and was released on bond while the investigation continued. His next court hearing date hasn’t been announced.
He and Dunbar were attending the cookout in Miramar, Florida, when a fight broke out, and Baker pulled out a handgun, according to an arrest warrant. Baker and other men began robbing people of thousands of dollars, watches and other valuables, witnesses told investigators.
Baker’s lawyer has said witnesses will clear his client.
Baker was one of three first-round draft picks the Giants had last year. He started 15 games and had 61 tackles.
Buccaneers sign McCoy: Six-time
Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy has finalized a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 32-year-old McCoy agreed to terms last week and is entering his 12th NFL season. He has started 141 of 160 career games, rushing for 11,071 yards and 73 touchdowns.
66 opt out: A total of 66 players have opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to the coronavirus pandemic, nearly half of them linemen. Twenty offensive linemen and 11 on defense opted out before Thursday’s deadline. The Patriots had eight players opt out.
Players who have opted out: Arizona: T Marcus Gilbert; Baltimore: OL Andre Smith, KR De’Anthony Thomas; Buffalo: CB E.J. Gaines, DT Star Lotulelei.
Carolina: LB Jordan Mack, LB Christian Miller; Chicago: DT Eddie Goldman, S Jordan Lucas; Cincinnati: T Isaiah Prince, DT Josh Tupou.
Cleveland: DT Andrew Billings, T Drake Dorbeck, G Drew Forbes, G Colby Gossett, G Malcolm Pridgeon.
Dallas: CB Maurice Canady, WR Stephen Guidry, FB Jamize Olawale; Denver: T Ja’Wuan James, DT Kyle Peko.
Detroit: WR Geronimo Allison, DT
John Atkins, C Russell Bodine; Green Bay: WR Devin Funchess; Houston: DT Eddie Vanderdoes.
Indianapolis: S Rolan Milligan, LB Skai Moore, CB Marvell Tell; Jacksonville: EDGE Lerentee McCray, CB Rashaan Melvin, DT Al Woods.
Kansas City: G Laurent DuvernayTardif, T Lucas Niang, RB Damien Williams; Las Vegas: LB Ukeme Eligwe, CB D.J. Killings, DE Jeremiah Valoaga.
L.A. Rams: T Chandler Brewer; Miami: WR Allen Hurns, WR Albert Wilson; Minnesota: DT Michael Pierce.
New England: RB Brandon Bolden, T Marcus Cannon, S Patrick Chung, LB Dont’a Hightower, TE Matt LaCosse, WR Marqise Lee, OL Najee Toran, FB Dan Vitale.
New Orleans: TE Jason Vander Laan, TE Cole Wick; N.Y. Giants: CB Sam Beal, WR Da’Mari Scott, T Nate Solder.
N.Y. Jets: WR Josh Doctson, OL Leo Koloamatangi, LB C.J. Mosley; Philadelphia: WR Marquise Goodwin.
San Francisco: WR Travis Benjamin, T Shon Coleman; Seattle: G Chance Warmack; Tampa Bay: T Brad Seaton.
Tennessee: OL Anthony McKinney; Washington: DE Caleb Brantley, LB Josh Harvey-Clemons.
NFL officials have until Thursday to opt out. Maybe they can get those guys from the Seattle game as replacements.