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5 potential landing spots for Cam Newton – theScore

Published

5 years ago

March 25, 2020

Cam Newton is officially a free agent. The longtime Panthers superstar becoming available might seem like less of a story after two injury-marred seasons, but he’s not nearly as far removed from elite play as you might think.

Completing a career-high 67.9% of his pass attempts, Newton had been performing at a high level in 2018 before a shoulder injury held him back and eventually ended his season after 14 games.

Now reportedly healthy after a Lisfranc issue limited him to two starts in 2019, Newton will get every opportunity to re-emerge as one of the NFL’s few true game-changers at the most important position. His market won’t be overly competitive, as many teams already have a quarterback in place, but any club facing uncertainty at that spot should be interested.

Here’s a look at five possible fits for the 2015 MVP.

Patriots

The Patriots should be first in line for Newton after Tom Brady’s departure. Recent reports appear to suggest the team is content moving forward with its current crop of quarterbacks after signing Brian Hoyer to join second-year signal-caller Jarrett Stidham. But that’s pretty tough to believe.

As we laid out in our look at the Patriots’ options, Newton is the most sensible choice for a team wanting to maintain its elite status. The club needs to upgrade the supporting cast around its future quarterback, but with his skill set, Newton is the rare passer who can make things happen even without help from receivers. If you need a refresher, Carolina’s wideouts during his MVP season were Ted Ginn, Jerricho Cotchery, Corey Brown, and Devin Funchess.

Brady is still talented, but there was only so much a 42-year-old could do from the pocket to overcome the deficiencies of a receiving corps that couldn’t consistently separate from coverage. That would be less of an issue with Newton because his rushing ability makes him an X-factor.

This Patriots team could actually put together a better formula for success than last year if it makes upgrades at the skill positions, with Josh McDaniels designing an offense around Newton’s rare skill set and a tremendous defense still in place. You’ve got to think Bill Belichick knows that, too.

Chargers

The Chargers boast one of the NFL’s most talented rosters from top to bottom, and they improved further while adding Chris Harris, Linval Joseph, Trai Turner, and Bryan Bulaga this offseason. They’re a quarterback (and probably a left tackle) away from Super Bowl contention.

In almost any other year, that would be a fairly substantial, and daunting, final box to check because top-tier starters don’t often become available. However, everything may be working out in the Chargers’ favor this offseaon, with Newton becoming a free agent so late in the process – a week after Los Angeles missed on Brady – presenting a perfect situation.

Los Angeles is reportedly moving forward with Tyrod Taylor as its starting quarterback, and presumably entertaining the idea of selecting a top passer with the No. 6 overall pick. But why not pivot to Newton and use that selection on one of the premier offensive tackles available this year?

Still young by quarterback standards, the 30-year-old wouldn’t be a short-term solution for the Chargers. His presence could reshape an offense that had been trending in the wrong direction under an immobile Philip Rivers, allowing the team to enter a window of contention. The Chargers would offer the best supporting cast in Newton’s career, including the Panthers team that went 15-1 en route to a Super Bowl appearance in his MVP season.

Jaguars

The Jaguars seem poised to begin a new era with Gardner Minshew after somehow convincing the Bears to take on Nick Foles’ contract and give them a fourth-round pick. But as we know, plans in the NFL are never set in stone. Things can change quickly as better options arise.

Minshew is something of a cult hero in Jacksonville after a surprisingly successful rookie season, so bringing in a clear-cut starter to unseat him wouldn’t be the most popular move. But he’s a sixth-round pick who wasn’t exactly spectacular in 2019 and was even briefly benched after a hot start taking over for an injured Foles. Can the Jaguars really afford to pass up the opportunity to make a major upgrade with Newton suddenly available?

Newton would be the best quarterback the Jaguars have ever fielded. Even if rebuilding the rest of the roster is now more of a long-term project than expected, getting a cornerstone talent under center is always step one. Such a player being available while not tied to draft-pick compensation – and likely willing to sign a low-risk, short-term deal – is a rare circumstance that could force the Jaguars to change course on any strategy they had for the quarterback spot even one week ago.

Dolphins

Miami still holds a ton of cap space following a busy start to the offseason. After most of the big-name free agents signed in the first few days, an organization seemingly set on rebuilding hasn’t had many avenues to flex its financial muscle. Here’s one.

The Dolphins have been positioning themselves to take a top quarterback in the 2020 draft for well over a year now. Identifying this team as a landing spot for Newton isn’t necessarily making the argument Miami should throw those plans out the window. Instead, this is acknowledging that searching for a long-term answer at quarterback – and the first true franchise signal-caller since Dan Marino – should involve taking as many swings as possible. If that means signing Newton and drafting Tua Tagovailoa, so be it.

As we’ve seen in the past, with the Patriots’ Brady-Garoppolo situation being perhaps the most relevant example, having more than one quality quarterback is an enviable position – some teams struggle to get even one. Signing Newton would theoretically allow the Dolphins to take their time developing whichever quarterback they may select in the first round (if that’s Tua, such a scenario is ideal with his ongoing recovery from a major hip injury). The team would also be more competitive in 2020 and then assess where things stand at this time next year.

If the rookie doesn’t show he’s ready to play, Newton is a fine fallback option. And if the young passer is primed to take over, the Dolphins can begin shopping the star quarterback who has hopefully rehabbed his trade value. What’s the downside?

Redskins

Rumors of Washington entertaining the idea of taking Tua with the No. 2 pick will likely prove to be a calculated leak to drum up trade interest. With that floating out there, the Redskins ensure any team looking to move up for the Alabama standout must call them to get their guy, and not the Lions at No. 3.

But let’s also consider the possibility there’s at least some truth to the Redskins weighing their quarterback options, which certainly isn’t out of the question. The new staff under former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera isn’t tied to 2019 first-rounder Dwayne Haskins, and the Ohio State product didn’t do much to impress during a rocky first season.

If the Redskins wish to go in another direction, or at least provide some competition for Haskins, Newton is an obvious fit. Rivera, the head coach in Carolina for every game Newton has played, knows the star quarterback better than anyone.

Turning to Newton would give Washington a far more streamlined path to competitiveness while allowing Haskins to develop at his own pace. Eventually, if one of the two passers becomes the long-term answer at the position, the other can be traded for assets.

Rivera has already brought in several former Panthers in an effort to change a losing culture. Adding another in what would be his most significant move yet shouldn’t be ruled out.

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Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

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AP cricket:

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Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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