So, Cam Newton is reportedly going to be a New England Patriot.
I know how funny that sounds. From the outside looking in, it seems like a forced marriage. Like Newton and Bill Belichick are an odd couple.
Quarterbacks and head coaches have to be on the same page. Think Sean Payton and Drew Brees. Or for a while Belichick and Tom Brady before egos and power struggles got in the way.
Newton and Belichick seem to be polar opposites. The way they handle the media and the way they dress, for example, could not be more different. They don’t really have much in common – except for the things that matter: they are both winners and they both love to win by running the football and breaking an opponent’s will physically.
If Newton isn’t broken himself physically, this is a match made in heaven. Here’s why.
Why the Patriots are a perfect fit for Newton
In New England, Newton will have the opportunity and ability to run the ball even more effectively than he did in Carolina. And that ability could unlock the Patriots offence in ways Brady never could.
While the infamously immobile Brady rushed for a little over 1,000 yards his entire Patriots career, Newton had more than that a year-and-a-half into his NFL career and has rushed for 4,806 yards since 2011, the most among quarterbacks.
In New England, Newton will have at his disposal running backs Sony Michel, James White, Damien Harris and Rex Burkhead. That’s the deepest and most versatile backfield Newton has ever played with, and he makes those runners better just as they do the same for him.
Newton’s running ability and that stable of running backs gives the Patriots an opportunity to use offences they couldn’t under Brady. For example, since Newton entered the league in 2011, the Panthers ran 815 zone-read plays with Newton on the field. The Patriots have only had eight zone-read snaps in that time span, the fewest in the league.
Nobody ever accounted for Brady in the run game, but opposing teams will now have to account for Newton’s rushing threat as he’s been the best running back on any team he’s ever been on. Opponents will have to respect that by bringing an extra player close to the line of scrimmage to defend the run, meaning more 1-on-1 opportunities on the outside for the Patriots’ skill players who struggle to separate and need any advantage they can get.
As much as Newton is a replacement for Brady, he is really a replacement for Rob Gronkowski — someone on the offence who demands so much attention because of their physical nature that they make life easier for everyone else.
Newton will also have the benefit of great play-calling. When he had an effective offensive coordinator designing run-pass options for him in 2018, Newton completed a career-high 67.9 per cent of his passes. Expect the same in New England with Josh McDaniels in his ear calling plays.
New England already has a great defence and a good running game that just got better with the reported addition of Newton. The new-look Patriots are going to be a more sophisticated, more experienced version of the Baltimore Ravens. Their defence is bigger and better than the Ravens’, and now they have a quarterback who is more experienced, bigger, a better thrower of the football and more rested than the reigning MVP, Lamar Jackson.
If Newton plays well and wins, he either earns a more lucrative contract from the Patriots when they have more cap space in a year or he reimagines his branding for the rest of the league, who would be willing to take a shot on him after he produced while doing things “the Patriot way.”
Why Newton is the perfect fit for the Patriots
Once the addition of the 2015 MVP and 2011 offensive rookie of the year becomes official, the Patriots can become the first team in NFL history to both lose and add an MVP in a single off-season.
Belichick, who is 0-2 against Newton, has long been a fan of the 2011 No. 1 pick. Newton, a Heisman Trophy winner and national champion with Auburn, where he gave Belichick disciple Nick Saban fits at Alabama, is a proven winner and Belichick loves to accrue players who have shown the ability to win on multiple levels.
In 2017, Belichick praised Newton in comparison to the other dual-threat quarterbacks in the league: “I would put him at the top of the list. Not saying the other guys aren’t a problem because they are but he’d be public enemy No. 1.”
Newton’s numbers back up Belichick’s praise.
Newton put up 182 passing touchdowns and 58 rushing touchdowns in nine seasons with the Panthers and has had 39 career games with a passing and rushing touchdown, an NFL record.
Newton accounted for 240 touchdowns from 2011-18. Only three quarterbacks accounted for more: Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Brady. During that period, Newton rushed for more scores than Marshawn Lynch. When healthy, Newton has racked up insane offensive production with his unique skill set — something the Patriots have the ability to adapt around.
And that production level is the opposite of New England’s in-house options: sophomore Jarrett Stidham has just four career pass attempts, while Brian Hoyer is the only other quarterback currently on the Patriots roster to start a game in the NFL.
But not only is Newton a better option than what the Patriots have internally, he’s more reliable than the quarterbacks New England has to beat to continue its AFC East dominance.
Entering his 10th season, Newton is 71-59-1 as a starting quarterback. Buffalo has Josh Allen, who is about to kick off his third season and is 15-13 as a starting QB; the Jets’ Sam Darnold is also entering his third season and has a 11-15 record as a starter; and the Dolphins have 15-year veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is 55-83-1 as a starting QB, and Tua Tagovailoa, who is a rookie coming off a major injury.
New England has won the AFC title 11 straight years, and Newton was the best option to make it 12 in the absence of No. 12.
And if Newton’s not a fit, no big deal. He’s reportedly joining New England on a one-year, incentive-laden deal. Newton’s base pay is reportedly just over $1 million and he could max out at $7.5 million. If he gets to camp and isn’t healthy, the Patriots can cut him. They have no commitments past this season.
The Patriots will reportedly be paying Newton $14 million less than Indianapolis Colts backup Jacoby Brissett will make this year. Basically, if Newton hits on all of his incentives, he’ll get paid what the Chargers are paying Tyrod Taylor.
Belichick loves good value at any position, and Newton’s short-term deal provides just that.
The only reason it won’t be a fit is if Newton’s not fit
Newton still hasn’t taken a physical for the Patriots and, because of COVID-19, we aren’t sure when he’ll be able to. His last physical was on March 23 by an independent doctor in Atlanta to prove his health, and Newton passed that physical before being released by the Panthers the next day.
But Newton’s history of injuries is well-documented and his style of play has taken its toll. Newton has taken contact on 1,235 plays since 2011, the most among quarterbacks, and has dealt with shoulder, back and foot injuries – among others – throughout his career.
Newton turned 31 in May, and that type of attrition on the body is why you see a lot of young running quarterbacks but not many veteran ones.
Those injuries had an impact on Newton’s game over the last two seasons. He has a 34.3 total QBR since Week 10 of 2018 and is 0-8 as a starter in that span. That’s the second-worst over that period, ahead of only Josh Rosen. Not only is he 0-8 in his last eight starts, he has nine passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions in those games. Much of that, though, was a byproduct of being on a bad team and not trusting his body to make plays. Neither should be an issue in New England.
Making the move to New England may work out for Newton like it did for Randy Moss, Corey Dillon and Aqib Talib, or it might not, like with Albert Haynesworth, Antonio Brown and Chad Ochocinco.
But, for better or worse, Belichick and New England take chances on talent. Newton won’t be a distraction and the cultural fit isn’t an issue. The Patriots co-existed with Gronkowski, who was a walking reality show.
Talent is something Newton has never lacked. Now all he needs is an opportunity and to be healthy. He’s got the first one and the Patriots are a Super Bowl contender if he proves he has the second.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
