Why I can say Newton needs to move the ball and defend the pass catchers at the same time.

I've explained my thoughts on the Patriots pass catchers many times. Yet I still get questioned. Supporting cast can be divided three ways, maybe even four but the more it's divided, the better it is for the pass catchers.

1) by thirds, Good-average-bad. Which means every 10.6 is a new ranking. 2) By fourths, good-above average-below average-bad. Every 8 spots is a new ranking. 3) By fifths, Good-above average-average-below average- bad. Every 6.4 spots is a new ranking. 

The Patriots supporting cast were ranked 17th in 2019. They dropped to 22nd in 2020. They were never in the "bad" category, below average but never bad. They played out of their levels at times. Izzo a number two tight end playing as a number 1 was a decent blocker and a top 50 pass catching right end.

The supporting cast as a unit had one of the best true catch percentages and were ranked 3rd in target separation. While at best only 70% of the passes thrown to them were catchable.

I saw too many games where guys were open and the quarterbacks made bad decisions or threw the ball to their bubble at best. To many high, wide, short, or behind passes. I started defending the pass catchers after the Denver game because I had seen enough to know the problem wasn't on them, they were playing at about the same level they played at in 2019.

The quarterbacks weren't playing at the same level. Brady in 2019 played at a 14th to 17th ranked level. While his accuracy or ball placement was slipping he was still accurate getting the ball to where it needed to be for the most part.

Newton was the best quarterback in 2020 for the Patriots, ranking someplace between 27th and 32nd. Unlike Brady, Newton's running ability aided in his rankings. Looking at analytics, Cam was in the backup ranks for many, if not majority of "passing" categories. Hoyer, and Stidham were worse but to be expected, they played less.

Tonight I defended Cam, while at the same time criticizing him. I said "We were hard on Cam because the Patriots didn't put six on the board enough. That Cam doesn't need to throw 20 touchdowns if the running game can make up the difference. All Cam needs to do is move the ball down field." 

I was quickly met with a question about the pass catchers. My answer to how Cam can do it with the pass catchers from 2020 is get them the ball when they're open and put it where it needs to be and not to their bubbles. I put majority of the blame for the lack of production by the pass catchers on Newton when he was on the field, at least 75%.

There were arguements made before and during the season that a few rankings ahead didnt matter much when it came to Newton's ability compared to other guys. Whether it was comparing his 2018 stats to Brady's or whomever. 

That same arguement can be made about the 2019 and 2020 supporting cast of the Patriots, 5 spots while staying in the below average category doesn't make much difference.

The Patriots are still gonna call Dink and Dunk plays, we saw many times, whether it was Buffalo, Arizona or whomever that Newton struggled with short range accuracy. It wasn't just once or a handful of times. Newton whether it's his mechanics or lack of abilities, struggled with short passes. I have no faith that he can be counted on to throw short passes consistently.

The Patriots might add more down field throws but the dink and dunk will still be the bread and butter because the supporting cast is still built for a short to intermediate passing game. Even if they become a more RPO offense.

So when Newton has the opportunity to move the ball on a 3-5 yard dump off, he must take it instead if holding on to the ball. Throwing the ball to a covered pass catcher, throwing the ball poorly so the pass catchers cannot get Y.A.C., or scrambling for up to a three yard gain. 

My criticism and defense of Newton tonight were just. Newton as a passer, must be at least a top 32 across the board in every category or Newton better be a top 5 runner against the likes of Shaquan Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, and other running backs. Because honestly, his legs don't matter if he cannot be counted on to complete a pass when needed. 

I said last year and I'll say it again. Tyrod Taylor would have more success in New England than Cam because while similar, his playstyle and mentality is different on the field. Newton is an aggressive gunslinger and Taylor is more of a conservative dink and dunk quarterback. Newton needs to play like Taylor in 2021.