Newton isn't designed for this offense and I'd be really curious if McDaniels could build an offense around him. Kyle Orton was decent in JM's offenses but nothing special. Newtons last time playing fully healthy at the start of 2018 he actually looked pretty damn good again before he hurt his shoulder. He tried playing thru the shoulder injury, and too much cliche, but looked like a monkey ****ing a football. His mechanics were way off, he looked like there was a hitch and that he was throwing the ball downward. It was even reported in the local papers that he could barely get the ball 20 yards down field, but he was still the best option.
Last year he had the ****ed up ankles so could step off right and was not a legit option to run. If you can force him to be a pocket passer without the defense not worried about the risk of running then teams can plan around him easier. The question is... after having the shoulder injuries in 2018 and ankle injuries in 2019.. Yes sure he can come back healthy at 100% but how gun shy is he going to be.
I'm not saying oh **** the Panthers got Cam Newton, but i wouldnt write him off. Heres the things you have to look at...
1) Can he be a quick read QB...I dont think so
2) Who's his safety valve...despite all the weapons he had in Car, Greg Olson was always there to bail him out when needed...do the pats have that.... i dont see one
3) Will Belichek throtting back his personality effect him? When Richardson ran the Panthers he preached to Cam about trying to be professional, after J Rich left is when Cam started showing more flamboyancy... I do see them butting heads at some point
4) How will he adjust to cold weather games. He'll probably play more this season than he has in the past 4-5 seasons....np clue, bothers some, not others.
5) Is he 100% healthy.... i think so
6) Can he beat out Stidham. This will be the most interesting thing I'll keep an eye on. Cam has not been in a QB competition since his Florida days. a 100% healthy and focused Newton has alot more god given talent than stidham (I'm assuming, i know nothing about the kid, just know that newton was blessed with talent) This is 100% going to come down to Newtons brain and his heart.
I honestly thought that he'd wind up in Atl or Jacksonville for a season when i thought the pats had backed out. Atl is his home and despite Matty Ice never getting hurt, Newton would have another year to be 100% healed and be near his home. And with Jacksonville, if Minshew had the sophmore slump then Newton wouldnt been a bad quick trigger.
