Glowing reviews of Cam Newton feel like they reflect poorly on Tom Brady
Patriots coaches and players are loving Cam Newton’s presence in the locker room.
We really do not enjoy furthering this conversation, but doesn’t it seem a little bit odd that every week there’s more and more praise for Cam Newton among those in the New England Patriots organization?
Yes, it’s still early in the year, so this locker room is getting used to their new leader after Tom Brady’s influence for the past two decades, but it feels like some of the discourse and commentary out of Foxborough are serving as indirect shots at the six-time champion.
Like, how many more times do we have to hear Newton is a hard worker and that he’s a good communicator? Don’t get us wrong, that’s commendable on so many levels, but the fact it’s being vocalized this much makes us feel like it’s for a reason.
Bill Belichick says Cam Newton “is in the building more than any player on the team” and “spends a lot of time talking and connecting and building relationships. He has tremendous leadership. It’s very impressive.” pic.twitter.com/TVQvw8WRH3
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 2, 2020
If the “Patriot Way” of working tirelessly, doing your job, and being a team player are already well-documented and expected from those on the roster, then why has the chatter surrounding Newton since day one been nonstop? He’s a former MVP. He’s been to the Super Bowl. This shouldn’t entirely be new.
Perhaps it’s because Brady wasn’t as good as forging relationships with all of his teammates? Or maybe Newton’s work ethic is stronger/more influential? We’ll truly never know, but remember all of those reports about the friction between Brady and the organization? It seems like those are proving to be more and more true every time we hear more about Newton.
Devin McCourty, on @TheGregHillShow Friday morning: "I think we all feel very fortunate that we got a guy like him that has come in and taken time to not just lead us on the football field, but to get to know them, to develop relationships and bonds...It's genuine. Unique." https://t.co/Runkk7o56N
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 2, 2020
Everything being “so impressive” with Newton makes you feel like something was missing with Brady, or else why would there be constant commentary? Then again, Newton is an entirely different character/personality, so his way of doing things might just be a breath of fresh air, especially for the veteran players who are experiencing the change in full force.
Nonetheless, this is a good problem for the Patriots. They got the best of Brady, and now they’re getting a tip-top version of Newton.
