Newton: I played ‘subpar’
Blames himself for interception
Given how hard it is to win games in the National Football League, Cam Newton was not about to minimize the fact that the Patriots did in fact defeat the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, 3620.
But he was not completely thrilled with his own performance. Newton started slowly and finished 17-for-28 for 162 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception.
Asked to give himself a grade during his weekly spot on The Greg Hill Show on WEEI, Newton said he’d give himself something in the “mid Cs.”
“(Sunday) was kind of frustrating in itself and I do understand, I’ve played in this league long enough, that in games like
that, you’ve just got to find ways to win. So that’s the optimistic answer,” said Newton. “Me personally? It was lackluster ball security, just a slow start offensively. Just a subpar performance from me. And I know I can play
better, I know I can do better and I know I will be better.”
Late in the first quarter, Newton was flushed out of the pocket and was intercepted by Johnathan Abram on a pass intended
ics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge for not constructing the team well enough. If they were the more talented team, which I agree with, why is this Ainge’s fault?
The Celtics just didn’t execute. It happens. The Bucks also didn’t execute, nor did the loaded Los Angeles Clippers against Denver.
That doesn’t mean they should all blow it up — though the Clippers firing Doc Rivers counts as a drastic move. All three of those teams will come back again next season (whenever that is) and be on the short list of title contenders.
It’s also worth remembering that Celtics forward Gordon Hayward, a starter and key contributor who was coming off a great regular season, went down with a serious ankle injury in Game 1 of the first round and didn’t return until Game 3 against the Heat. On top of not being 100% healthy, he wasn’t home for the birth of his son, so he had some forces weighing him down that were beyond his control.
You can blame head coach Brad Stevens if you wish. He was certainly outcoached by Spoelstra and didn’t adjust well enough. But he’s also taken three different nucleuses to the Eastern Conference finals. I wouldn’t be quick to run him out of town.
The Celtics solidified themselves as one of the premier teams in the NBA. They demonstrated mental toughness by lasting more than two months in the bubble, secluded from their families, friends and society as a whole. They were one of the last four teams standing.
They need to learn from this and become more poised. The roster needs some tweaks as well. Depth needs to be added, and it needs to include a true knockdown shooter, something the Celtics haven’t been able to add for years. Another athletic big man, who won’t be exposed while defending the pick- androll, would be another welcome addition.
Taking that next step when you’re on the cusp of being a champion is extremely difficult. These Celtics have what it takes, they just need to do it.