From the time the clock hit zero against the Titans until Cam Newton signed, almost every story out of Patriots media was about Buccaneers' quarterback Tom Brady. Add to that a large portion of the fan base jumped ship to "Tompa" because that's what bandwagoners do.
Typically this time of year, there is the debate over who's the GOAT, Aaron Rodgers who's only won one superbowl, or Tom Brady who's won nine AFC Championships and six superbowls. This year, we would also be talking about how one win doesn't make Kansas City a dynasty. Instead, there is a new story.
WEEI tweeted Monday, "Cam Newton has hurt Tom Brady's popularity in New England" —@GlennDOrdway
Like myself, Adam Weinrib of Musket Fire disagrees. "Call me crazy, but any dip in Brady’s popularity likely occurred months before Newton’s arrival, when TB12…ditched this city for Florida?!"
Adam's says those who turned their back on Brady did so the day he decided to announce he wasn't resigning with the Patriots. In fact, there were videos of people burning their Brady merchandise.
Weinrib also noted that everyone jumped on the Stidham bandwagon once Brady left. While it's true, not everyone just jumped on the bandwagon. Some did their research and became believers in the young quarterback. Weinrib points out that Odd makers are still giving Brady's former backup reasonable odds to start.
"Odds for Jarrett Stidham to start Week 1 better now than right after Cam Newton signed dlvr.it/RbkwLD " per WEEI's twitter feed.
For almost three months Cam was feeling disrespected by 32 NFL teams. His ego was telling him he's better than this guy, better than that guy. Better than Hoyer who signed with the Patriots earlier this offseason. Better than Stidham who was projected to be the number one in New England.
Weinrib wrote, "Plus, if you’re a Newton devotee and have now kicked Brady to the curb, what did you particularly like about Brady these past two decades? The two are polar opposites. Brady’s consistent dominance and triumph over his draft status helped define the New England region for 20 years. Newton’s a mercenary sent to reclaim his MVP moniker, who’ll likely price himself out of Bill Belichick’s system if he performs this year."
Brady leaving for Tampa is what caused people to abandon the greatest quarterback to ever play the position. Tom may have tweeted Patriots for life but until he retires, or returns after the 2021 season (maybe), he is no longer a Patriot. We'll always appreciate what he did for the franchise, picking up where Bill Parcells and Drew Bledsoe started in 1996.
Personally, I just want to see Cam compete in preseason games against Stidham but that's not gonna happen. So I am gonna let Weinrib's words close this out.
"If one, strange Cam Newton season makes you think less of Brady, I’m not sure where your thoughts were in the first place.
If you’re already thinking less of Brady thanks to three weeks of hype tweets and Instagrams about WoRkInG iN tHe LaB ~LiKe UsUaL~, then you may be a lost cause," per Adam Weinrib.
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