‘Have to find our identity again’
Cam admits fixing offense starts with him
Patriots quarterback Cam Newton needs no reminder.
Nothing about the past few weeks has been good enough.
Not his play, not the offense’s performance as a whole or the Pats’ record.
Two straight losses have pushed the 2-3 Patriots into losing territory they haven’t crossed in almost two decades. Earlier this month, COVID-19 shoved Newton to the sideline, where he was later joined by several teammates. Now that most of the Pats have reconvened, practicing on consecutive days for just the second time this month, they can get back to work.
To Newton, any progress must start with him.
“I just haven’t been good. I haven’t matched enough good plays together for my liking. That’s what it comes down to,” he said Thursday. “When I mean ‘good plays,’ I mean right reads, I mean ball positioning, I mean making guys miss. The whole gamut of how I play. I know what I’m capable of.
“My standard is extremely high, and I haven’t been meeting it; my personal standard. That’s how I feel.”
Collectively, the Patriots would feel much better with a win over the 49ers. San Francisco’s ascending secondary figures to squeeze Pats pass catchers, just as the Broncos did, which will put more pressure on Newton to move the chains with his legs. The 49ers also rank as the NFL’s second-best tackling team, trailing only the Pats.
Whatever the Patriots gain in yards and points Sunday, they’ll have to earn.
“We have to find our identity again and validate our performance,” Newton said. “We know what they are to a degree. We just have to be prepared for what they want to do.”
Several Patriots came forward this week expressing how thankful they are to practice again. Their offensive line in particular, having suffered injuries to three starters, hasn’t been able to build on any chemistry, and was instead forced to play musical chairs last time out against Denver. Assuming at least one of center David Andrews (hand) or right guard Shaq Mason (calf) returns, a reinforced O-line
should elevate Newton’s play, as well as the running backs.
The absence of James White, however, could prove costly, considering his eight catches far and away led all Pats last weekend. Almost all of the carries will now fall to Damien Harris and Rex Burkhead. But even without White, Newton believes the offense, when right, can slice through San Francisco.
Currently, it ranks 25th in the NFL in scoring at 21.8 points per game.
“For us as an offense, we know that our excuse basket is running
real low. We’re getting guys back that we missed for weeks. Even though we’re missing a couple other guys, but we got enough to compete with anybody,” he said. “And I mean, anybody.”
Any corrections must start with eliminating turnovers. The Pats have ended at least one possession with an interception or fumble in every game this season, including three versus the Broncos. Already, Newton’s thrown four picks and been responsible for two fumbles.
If he can protect the ball from the 49ers, it’ll mean progress.
Beyond that, he must remain an
effective threat on designed option runs. Most of Newton’s rushing yards came on scrambles last Sunday, which followed a 27-yard rushing performance against the Raiders. The Pats are most dangerous when their entire run game is unlocked.
As a passer, Newton also missed several open receivers against Denver, including rookie tight end Devin Asiasi, who has yet to see a target in 81 offensive snaps. If Damiere Byrd and N’Keal Harry — who went catchless last weekend — can’t produce despite taking 92% and 79% of all offensive snaps,
respectively, Newton must look elsewhere.
Change is necessary for the offense to survive. He knows it.
“It’s up to me to get the ball in the right guy’s hands. And not necessarily play favorites; more so, go where the defense is telling you to go with the football. That’s what it comes down to,” Newton said.
“I’m in this position to win football games. The last couple games, that hasn’t been the case. So before I sit up here and try to get people involved — I would love that more than anything — but more importantly than that, we gotta win.”