How do Bill Belichick and the Patriots truly feel about Cam Newton?
Really, that's the essential question when it comes to evaluating whether or not the Patriots think highly enough of Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields to take him with the 15th overall pick, let alone trading up for him.
After watching all of his 2020 tape, and some from 2019, my overriding thought was Fields reminds me — good and bad — a lot of Newton. There's some Russell Wilson sprinkled in, especially off script and with the ball in his hands, which is good. But in terms of operating an offense on schedule and from the pocket, there's a lot of Newton there.
So what? He was the Heisman Trophy winner and first overall pick. He led a team to the Super Bowl and was NFL MVP in 2015. So being like Newton, in many respects, is not a bad thing, especially if you think Newton's career would have reached an even higher level if he was drafted by the Patriots, and coached by Belichick and Josh McDaniels.
But there's also the element of Newton that appears to be a round peg in a square hole when it comes to operating within the Patriots' system. You and the Patriots can say they can adapt their scheme to fit any player, but there are enough factors baked into the DNA of the schemes that everyone just might not fit into what they do.
And ultimately, that's why Fields and the Patriots is really about Newton and the Patriots. Because if Belichick and McDaniels love almost everything about Newton, and what they can now do on offense with someone with his athletic ability, but just need him to be a little bit better with a tad more upside, then the debate is over: the Patriots should go get Fields, if the 49ers pass on him, no matter what it takes. He's the perfect person to sit/compete with Newton for a year, and then take the Patriots to new heights in short order.
But do the Patriots feel that way about Newton?
Everything I know about Newton and the Patriots — and I've been pretty accurate the entire time — tells me their marriage was one of convenience. The Patriots were going to take the last veteran QB standing last year to try to get by in 2020 after Tom Brady, but they had a pretty good idea it was going to be Newton with his injury history and the fact that not every team could bring in that size star power and deal with it should things go sideways. And Newton's running ability and bully ball would help them keep games close and then who knows what happens?
And you're probably saying, "I get 2020, but what about '21. It didn't work great, so why bring him back if they didn't like him?"
This is the key question. My reporting tells me Newton is back because the Patriots did not want to start over again with another veteran quarterback. You may not like Newton, and think he stinks, but the fact of the matter is the same untalented offense that was 2-4 down the stretch with Brady was 7-9 with Newton. More talent should make the Patriots at least two games better if you don't have to start all over with the quarterback.
What other options did they have? The Patriots weren't going to get Sam Darnold from the Jets. Matthew Stafford didn't want to come here. The Patriots wouldn't give up enough for Deshaun Watson before his troubles. Exactly what were their other options ... Mitch Trubisky? Andy Dalton? Alex Smith? Once it became clear to the Patriots the 49ers would not be trading Jimmy Garoppolo anytime soon, they got a stopgap solution and would see if anything shook loose later (cough ... Jimmy ... cough) after the draft, while looking for a young QB in the draft to be the next franchise QB.
That's what I believe. That's what I've been told.
But nobody really knows what Belichick is thinking in the recesses of that beautiful football mind. What if Belichick — who never replaced Newton as the starter last year, by the way — really thought Newton was a viable quarterback for this team, especially with the way his athletic ability can impact the game ... it's just that Newton wasn't surrounded by much and he didn't have a fair shake with that sorry excuse for an offseason?
What if Belichick watched '20 and thought, "You know, if we had a younger Cam and taught him our system the right way and piece by piece, we'd be unstoppable"?
Like I said, if Belichick feels that way — and I haven't heard that and I doubt anyone will — then the Patriots absolutely should find a way to get Fields. I don't really care what the cost is. Because Fields is that younger version of Cam — probably with higher upside.
- Has all the high-level traits you would want in a quarterback.
- Tremendous build, one that is built to last. Stong lower body that can power through tackles in and out of the pocket.
- Great speed in the open field with the ball in his hand, and exceptional lateral ability to make tacklers miss. Can take any carry for a touchdown, on designed runs and scrambles.
- Plus-plus arm strength and displays touch and accuracy to all three levels.
- Tremendous playmaker off schedule and probably reads defenders and his receivers better the more the play breaks down. Great playground player and shows some Patrick Mahomes-ish traits in this regard.
- Good leader. Teammates believe in him.
- Can be slow at processing the defense before and after the snap, unless he's been well-schooled on the opponent and what he will see.
- Doesn't see quicker and better options short. Doesn't see open receivers while he's locked in deep.
- Long strider and a bit of a long motion. Can take a while to get from seeing a receiver open and then delivering the ball.
- Can be affected by the rush of a good team. Saw this in the first half against Alabama and at other times when he was reacting to the rush.
- Can play hero ball and take unnecessary sacks. At times, he doesn't sense pressure and doesn't speed up to beat it.
