Patriots: Bill Belichick’s latest Cam Newton quote proves QB is winning him over
By Adam Weinrib
Bill Belichick heaped praise on Patriots QB Cam Newton this week. Like, seriously heaped it.
Remember when Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was going to clash immediately with Cam Newton because this locker room would never handle an ostentatious personality?
Interesting point until you realized, uh, Belichick was influential in the signing of Newton in the first place. Also, he harbored Rob Gronkowski for a decade. That seemed to work out just fine.
As if we weren’t already confident in the fit for this win-at-all-costs franchise, Belichick heaped praise on Newton this week as training camp draws towards its inevitable close and the coronation of the 2015 MVP as the Pats’ starter inches closer to becoming official.
If you were adamant that Newton would never be able to keep his head down and maintain the grind in New England, we recommend you read every word of this effusive praise, something Belichick isn’t exactly known for.
Any of those quotes stand out to you? They’re all about Newton’s work ethic. For us, that hits the hardest, and one phrase in particular seems worthy of spotlighting.
“Cam is the type of player that works on things that he’s not as good at and really tries to improve on a daily basis and that is something that I really respect about him. That’s not easy for players — really any of us — to do.”
That’s Belichick’s ethos to his core, and yes, it also describes Newton. You would’ve known that if you’d done an effective job of blocking out the noise these past few months.
No matter how long it takes for Belichick to name Newton the “official” starter, it’s clear that the ebullient dancing ex-Panther has made the exact impression he intended to on his HC. Block out the name “Cam,” and every Patriots fan on earth should be overjoyed by these quotes.
No disrespect to Jarrett Stidham, but Newton is doing everything the fanbase expected of Stid, and his head coach has noticed.