Cam Newton signs with Carolina

Soxy

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 1, 2008
6,095
I think my favorite is the video of Cam trying to clear the air with Kelvin Benjamin before a game at Buffalo. The way he shoos away Thomas Davis just kills me every time.

View: https://youtu.be/84eqY4eXjkk


For those who don't know the back story here, Benjamin had trashed Cam in an interview after getting dumped by Carolina, which is hilarious considering Cam is the only reason Benjamin ever did anything in the NFL. Cam forced him the ball a ton as a rookie, especially in garbage time. Thanks to Cam, Benjamin was able to fool some people into thinking he was actually a good wideout, when he was really just a big guy that ran bad routes, had bad hands, and got a lot of targets.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

posts way less than 18% useful shit
SoSH Member
Nov 17, 2010
14,425
I'd be really surprised if he had anything negative to say about the Patriots. He may be hurt about not getting the starting job, but he and the Patriots both handled the relationship very well.
 

Gash Prex

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 18, 2002
6,823
I assume it will be some vaccination/testing/5 days away from the team “off my chest" stuff - and that media has written him off etc...
 

Ralphwiggum

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2012
9,825
Needham, MA
I woulndt say I don’t care at all about what he says, but I’m just so fucking happy he’s not the QB that I don’t much care. Though I will concede Cam the person grew on me in a positive way even while Cam the player grew on me like a bad fungus.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,840
Wait...
Says he was “absolutely” surprised by his release. Thought it was coming regardless of five-day absence.
Was he surprised or did he think it was coming?
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,840
I didn't listen to him speak directly but I expect he meant that he was surprised but also didn't think the 5-day absence was a factor.
Yeah, there was a clarification

"To clarify my first tweet, Cam was saying, in hindsight, he believes he would’ve gotten cut regardless of the five-day absence "
 

Soxy

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 1, 2008
6,095
That’s a pretty uncharitable way to view his comments. He’s being refreshingly candid, imo. He could have blamed the covid snafu for losing his job. Instead, he’s doing the opposite by saying Mac was winning the job either way.
Wait...


Was he surprised or did he think it was coming?
He’s saying that he’s surprised that he was released, but not surprised that Mac won the job, because he was probably winning the job even if Cam hadn’t missed those five days. Says later that he would have stayed on as the backup, but understands why he was released because he would have “indirectly” been a distraction.
 

rodderick

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2009
12,751
Belo Horizonte - Brazil
Wow, more excuses from the guy who's made nothing but excuses in the last year. I'm shocked.

Always found it funny how some "yeah, I have to play better" quotes in post game press conferences were enough for some people here to talk about Cam's leadership and how he's taking ownership of his bad performances when the guy took to every other avenue to make it known him being terrible wasn't his fault. I mean, he actually said the Patriots changed their entire terminology on offense the week he was out with Covid, and that screwed him up. Glad to not have to deal with this anymore.
 
Apr 24, 2019
1,278
From what I'm reading there, though, isn't that EXACTLY what multiple media sources have said? I mean, it may be inelegant coming out of his own mouth, but that doesn't mean it's untrue.
 

rodderick

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2009
12,751
Belo Horizonte - Brazil
From what I'm reading there, though, isn't that EXACTLY what multiple media sources have said? I mean, it may be inelegant coming out of his own mouth, but that doesn't mean it's untrue.
The "for every 2 reps I got, he got 10" part of it is definitely 100% untrue. From everything we heard reps were split pretty much evenly every day in practice, not anyone's fault Cam chose not to get the vaccine and gave Mac opportunities versus the Giants.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
Look at what happened with Fitz and Tua. It’s exactly why you can’t have a charismatic, starter-level backup or any type of back and forth with the QB1 position when you have a rookie.

Fitz was the starter, said and did all the right things, and was pulled for Tua, which everyone knew would happen eventually. Intentionally or not, that creates a divide in the locker room. It has to. Certain people just love Fitz. I imagine the exact same would be true for Cam.

Even if you said, “Cam you are QB2, you are the backup”, certain players would still gravitate to Cam because he’s such a presence as a player and a person.

Cutting it off at the start of the season leaves no ambiguity and no room for Cam to unintentionally become a distraction. It’s Mac’s team, unequivocally.
 

Jungleland

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 2, 2009
2,351
Look at what happened with Fitz and Tua. It’s exactly why you can’t have a charismatic, starter-level backup or any type of back and forth with the QB1 position when you have a rookie.

Fitz was the starter, said and did all the right things, and was pulled for Tua, which everyone knew would happen eventually. Intentionally or not, that creates a divide in the locker room. It has to. Certain people just love Fitz. I imagine the exact same would be true for Cam.

Even if you said, “Cam you are QB2, you are the backup”, certain players would still gravitate to Cam because he’s such a presence as a player and a person.

Cutting it off at the start of the season leaves no ambiguity and no room for Cam to unintentionally become a distraction. It’s Mac’s team, unequivocally.
Yup. Good decision for the team, and (imo, hopefully) a good outcome for Cam. If the bar is 31st best QB in the league, I still think he can be on the right side of that line even with the shoulder issues. Somewhat a shame that the one team where it's obviously in play (Houston) is likely trying to lose and has no incentive to get marginally better.

I didn't watch the video yet, but reading Cam's comments it seems like he's been a good sport through the entire process. The amount of anger here and elsewhere over a single 7-9 season where the team was in the hunt through Thanksgiving and still walked away with the draft pick they needed doesn't bode well for what it will be like the next time the team truly sucks.
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,055
Hingham, MA
I don't give a shit about all of the jibber jabber, but I find it SHOCKING that he's never had to identify the MIKE or set protections before. Knowing that, I can't believe the Pats ever signed him in the first place, regardless of how bad their QB situation was.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
I don't give a shit about all of the jibber jabber, but I find it SHOCKING that he's never had to identify the MIKE or set protections before. Knowing that, I can't believe the Pats ever signed him in the first place, regardless of how bad their QB situation was.
I believe Josh Rosen said the exact same thing when he came to Miami. He went through college running a “pro-style offense” and said he never identified a Mike or set protections in his life and he was learning to do it at the NFL level.

A little more surprising from Cam who has been in the league quite a bit longer than Rosen.
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,096
Cam's comments are a nothingburger. The haters would still hate him no matter what he said. I don't see him making excuses at all, except perhaps for the MIKE stuff. But that's the system McDaniels has put in place.

Honestly, I'm a bit surprised Cam would say that openly, as it seems like it would limit his job opportunities. But perhaps it's a known thing with Cam among the coaching staffs in the league; after all, the coaching fraternity is an interconnected web when you include the assistants.
 

Deathofthebambino

Drive Carefully
SoSH Member
Apr 12, 2005
41,947
Cam also said that he would have accepted a backup role if it was offered, and would have agreed to be a good soldier, but he wasn't given the opportunity.

Of course, there are reports that other teams aren't interested in him, because he's making it clear he wants to be the starter.

Whatever, it'll all be forgotten by Sunday morning. I wish Cam luck, but I've got very little faith that we ever see Cam playing QB for a team with playoff hopes.
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,055
Hingham, MA
"Let me be honest with you. If they would have asked me, 'Cam, we're going to give the team to Mac, you're going to be second-string; we expect you to be everything and some to guide him throughout this tenure,' I would have said, 'Absolutely,'" Newton said. "But listen, the truth of the matter is this: He would have been uncomfortable."

Literally nothing I have seen from Mac Jones makes me think he would be uncomfortable with Cam as the #2 behind him.
 

steveluck7

Member
SoSH Member
May 10, 2007
3,994
Burrillville, RI
The "for every 2 reps I got, he got 10" part of it is definitely 100% untrue. From everything we heard reps were split pretty much evenly every day in practice, not anyone's fault Cam chose not to get the vaccine and gave Mac opportunities versus the Giants.
I also remember a lot of discussion after one of the joint practices (can't recall which week). Both QB's had a drive with the 1s , against the 1s. Both ended in TDs. Cam's drive was 8 plays, Mac's was 20 or so.
So, the "reps" weren't even but the opportunity was. (at least in that instance)

That example isn't perfect since it ended in a TD but if the plan for a session is to give each guy a drive with the 1s and Cam goes 3 and out and Mac has a 12 play drive....
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,460
I think all of that was pretty reasonable. He's pretty up-front about Mac winning the job, and about some of his own shortcomings. I also think he's right about how he's seen by others in the league. Cam is one of those guys whose rep with other players far outshines his performance, if he was the backup and Mac struggled at all there would be whispers.
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,096
Cam also said that he would have accepted a backup role if it was offered, and would have agreed to be a good soldier, but he wasn't given the opportunity.

Of course, there are reports that other teams aren't interested in him, because he's making it clear he wants to be the starter.

Whatever, it'll all be forgotten by Sunday morning. I wish Cam luck, but I've got very little faith that we ever see Cam playing QB for a team with playoff hopes.
What is not being widely reported is that the Pats are tight against the salary cap ($4.6M as per Spotrac; $1.5M as per Ben Volin, which I find doubtful). While Cam's base of $3.6M was guaranteed, he did have a per-game roster bonus. If he was a backup all season, the Pats would owe him $88K for each game he was on the roster, or $1.5M total. If the team made the playoffs, there may be other incentives owed as well, even if Cam was the backup.

I firmly believe Cam is a far better option talent wise than Brian Hoyer, but unless Mac gets hurt, Cam as backup is luxury the team probably couldn't afford.
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,055
Hingham, MA
I think all of that was pretty reasonable. He's pretty up-front about Mac winning the job, and about some of his own shortcomings. I also think he's right about how he's seen by others in the league. Cam is one of those guys whose rep with other players far outshines his performance, if he was the backup and Mac struggled at all there would be whispers.
He literally said "Mac Jones didn't beat me out". Ok.
 

Captaincoop

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
13,487
Santa Monica, CA
His comments were totally innocuous and pretty in line with how he handled himself off the field the whole time he was with the Pats. Professional, very impressive. Time to move on.
 

rodderick

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2009
12,751
Belo Horizonte - Brazil
"Let me be honest with you. If they would have asked me, 'Cam, we're going to give the team to Mac, you're going to be second-string; we expect you to be everything and some to guide him throughout this tenure,' I would have said, 'Absolutely,'" Newton said. "But listen, the truth of the matter is this: He would have been uncomfortable."

Literally nothing I have seen from Mac Jones makes me think he would be uncomfortable with Cam as the #2 behind him.
I don't get how a guy can say he's open to being a backup and then give this quote on the same breath. It's basically saying "just a warning to all other teams that might be interested, if I'm not playing your starter will be looking over his shoulder for sure, I'm that kind of presence". Setting aside the fact that he has no idea how Mac feels, even if the coaching staff is indeed worried that might be the case, why reenforce that notion?

I like that he pushed back against the "Mac was teaching him the playbook" stuff, though. That smelled like bullshit from the jump.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,460
I don't get how a guy can say he's open to being a backup and then give this quote on the same breath. It's basically saying "just a warning to all other teams that might be interested, if I'm not playing your starter will be looking over his shoulder for sure, I'm that kind of presence". Setting aside the fact that he has no idea how Mac feels, even if the coaching staff is indeed worried that might be the case, why reenforce that notion?

I like that he pushed back against the "Mac was teaching him the playbook" stuff, though. That smelled like bullshit from the jump.
I think whether you care about that has a lot to do with your starter. If you have a rookie, yeah that's bad. If you have a struggling vet or 3 year in guy (say Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor, Teddy Bridgewater) you probably want a guy who the starter is looking over his shoulder for. The other type of team is someone like Pittsburgh, Atlanta, MIN?, where you don't have a good backup, but you have a starter with a lot of experience and success who isn't intimidated by Cam, and has as big a rep or bigger so there is no chance of vets in the lockerroom grumbling.
 

rodderick

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2009
12,751
Belo Horizonte - Brazil
I think whether you care about that has a lot to do with your starter. If you have a rookie, yeah that's bad. If you have a struggling vet or 3 year in guy (say Daniel Jones, Tyrod Taylor, Teddy Bridgewater) you probably want a guy who the starter is looking over his shoulder for. The other type of team is someone like Pittsburgh, Atlanta, MIN?, where you don't have a good backup, but you have a starter with a lot of experience and success who isn't intimidated by Cam, and has as big a rep or bigger so there is no chance of vets in the lockerroom grumbling.
Sure, but why would Cam even want to go the late career Vick route at 32 and be the backup for a guy who's entrenched, thus guaranteeing he'll only play if there's an injury? If I were him these teams with shaky starters are exactly the kind of destination I'd be eyeing.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
34,460
Sure, but why would Cam even want to go the late career Vick route at 32 and be the backup for a guy who's entrenched, thus guaranteeing he'll only play if there's an injury? If I were him these teams with shaky starters are exactly the kind of destination I'd be eyeing.
I guess what I was saying is the only places who would worry about Cam being too big a personality are ones looking for placeholders while they get their rookie ready, and I doubt Cam wants that anyway, he's probably targeting that 1st group (HOU, NYG) but backing up old guys is better than backing up rookies with lots of draft capital invested. Likely he waits on an injury then signs
 

RG33

Certain Class of Poster
SoSH Member
Nov 28, 2005
7,199
CA
I don’t really get all of the “nonsense” reactions here. He was pretty straight up with everything, said he was surprised, but overall handled things well I thought. I mean, he is a former MVP who was just cut and probably realizes it may be over for him now, so I don’t hold it against him to not be super self-aware that he stinks at this point.
 

SeoulSoxFan

I Want to Hit the World with Rocket Punch
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2006
22,089
A Scud Away from Hell
I don’t really get all of the “nonsense” reactions here. He was pretty straight up with everything, said he was surprised, but overall handled things well I thought. I mean, he is a former MVP who was just cut and probably realizes it may be over for him now, so I don’t hold it against him to not be super self-aware that he stinks at this point.
This is where I lean after watching the video. Sure, you can take parts of it and have a different take on them. I think he has handled it as well as I'd expect anyone of his competitive nature.

Watching it does one thing for sure. It really closes out the Cam chapter with the Patriots.
 

Euclis20

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 3, 2004
8,014
Imaginationland
His comments were totally innocuous and pretty in line with how he handled himself off the field the whole time he was with the Pats. Professional, very impressive. Time to move on.
Yeah this is where I am. He's said the right things at every step of this, he's just not good enough to be a starting QB for a team with playoff aspirations. Being a rookie QB is hard enough without having a former MVP who thinks he still has it in the same room so Cam had to go, but I can't help but wish him well going forward.
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,017
Oregon
I don’t really get all of the “nonsense” reactions here.
Oh, sure you do. Anything Cam would have said would be met with knee-jerk commentary, spiced with defensive-aggressive whining.

Anyone who has a problem with what he said went in looking/needing something to push back against. That's what happens when people have been conditioned by the current state of interactive media to twist or misconstrue comments so that they can feed a need to argue.

What Cam said was professional, non-inflammatory and what we should have expected out of him, based on what we saw in his time here.
 
Last edited:

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,055
Hingham, MA
Oh, sure you do. Anything Cam would have said would be met with knee-jerk commentary, spiced with defensive-aggressive whining.

Anyone who has a problem with what he said went in looking/needing something to push back against. That's what happens when people have been conditioned by the current state of interactive media to test or misconstrue comments so that they can feed a need to argue.

What Cam said was professional, objective and what we should have expected out of him, based on what we saw in his time here.
I agree with all of this aside from the “objective” part. He claims Mac didn’t beat him out. If that were the case he’d still be on the team.
 

E5 Yaz

Transcends message boarding
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 25, 2002
90,017
Oregon
I agree with all of this aside from the “objective” part. He claims Mac didn’t beat him out. If that were the case he’d still be on the team.
I guess I was meaning "objective" in the sense of "non-inflammatory," but I get what you're saying. I changed the wording
 

CoffeeNerdness

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 6, 2012
8,713
'Cam, we're going to give the team to Mac, you're going to be second-string; we expect you to be everything and some to guide him throughout this tenure,'
Feels like in order to be a solid mentor you need to not be learning the playbook from the mentee and also need a firm grasp on things like who's the MIKE and how to change protections. I'm sure having Cam's personality looming in the locker room was part of the calculus, but I'm willing to bet a far greater slice of the pie was the fact that he wouldn't have much to offer as a mentor.
 

FL4WL3SS

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
14,913
Andy Brickley's potty mouth
Oh, sure you do. Anything Cam would have said would be met with knee-jerk commentary, spiced with defensive-aggressive whining.

Anyone who has a problem with what he said went in looking/needing something to push back against. That's what happens when people have been conditioned by the current state of interactive media to twist or misconstrue comments so that they can feed a need to argue.

What Cam said was professional, non-inflammatory and what we should have expected out of him, based on what we saw in his time here.
Why did we need an entire video fucking explaining it though? He kind of brought it on himself, yeah? If he just went quietly into the night, nothing would be said, but he can't help himself. He's a great dude that constantly needs attention and the spotlight. This was a dog and pony show for no reason.