First I am not saying that Cam Newton isn't the starter. Second this article is not to say that whether or not Cam Newton has improved since last season. This is not a positive article, so please don't expect any pros from the past several days of camp. McDaniels said he has, take it for what it's worth. This article is to show that Patriots media has been criticizing players including Newton, and all one has to do is open Google on any given day and look at the articles that pop up.
I am going to try to give a few examples from various sources like Mike Reiss, Mike Giardi, Jeff Howe, Evan Lazar, Phil Perry, Paul Puerillo, and more, to show that Newton has been getting criticized. Some of it maybe the same things from different reporters, which is a clear sign that there's mistakes that need improving but it will also go to show that the media is pointing out issues at Patriots camp, and fans are ignoring them or are not looking at multiple sources. And also why some fans don't think he's improved.
July 28:
Mike Giardi tweeted, "Adrian Phillips with a nice INT of a poorly thrown ball by Cam Newton. Cam spiked a football into the ground shortly thereafter. #Patriots"
Giardi also tweeted, "Cam’s final 4 reps were bad. Missed Henry in the back of the end zone by throwing ball behind him; wasn’t close on the next throw. Can’t tell you who it was for. Then he was way high on a toss to Bourne and threw behind Henry and got picked by Phillips at goal line. #Patriots"
Jeff Howe Tweeted, "Cam Newton led off all but one period of the initial practice of camp and was 8 of 15 with 2 INTs in team drills. One of the INTs was a James White drop to Raekwon McMillan."
Andrew Callahan wrote, "Newton got off to a slow and conservative start, with his first four targets in team drills all finding running backs and his fifth dropback lasting more than 5 seconds before resulting in an incompletion. Cam Newton’s catchable pass rate in team periods was 66%. His accuracy waned as the end, with two bad throws preceding his pick to Phillips, which was thrown well behind Hunter Henry. Newton started strong — going 8-of-11 — but his first three incompletions were pass breakups; an indication he needs to improve his ball placement in tighter windows. On the plus side, his arm looked more live compared to the spring."
Paul Puerillo wrote, "The results were a mixed bag as the defense still controlled the action, as was the case throughout the spring. Newton held the ball a bit longer than Jones at times, but neither enjoyed much consistent success finding open targets."
Phil Perry wrote, "For Newton, whose effectiveness inside the 20 has long been based on his running ability, an unpadded (meaning no real running-game reps) red-zone practice led to some moments of indecisiveness and a couple of turnovers." "But Newton had moments of hesitancy and inaccuracy that led to a less-than-stellar day, despite his completion numbers above looking relatively similar to his rookie counterpart." "Then came pick No. 2. Newton's pass to the front right corner of the end zone, intended for Hunter Henry, was far enough behind its target that safety Adrian Phillips was in perfect position to reel in a deflection for a pick."
Matt Dolloff wrote, "Newton sailed three passes in a row, one of which was intended for a well-covered Hunter Henry..." (the henry pass is the Phillips interception)
Evan Lazar Wrote, "Newton’s accuracy was up and down, but the zip he puts on the ball consistently stands out above the other quarterbacks. I’m not going to read too much into the first practice, but it felt like a pretty typical Newton day."
July 29th:
Mike Reiss wrote, "And if there's is an area that stands out as one Newton can improve over the last two days, it's on those kinda plays -- he holds on to the ball to long at times. Also, he came in hot on a couple of overthrows early in practice..."
Mike D'abate wrote, "He is still sailing some passes, but also was the victim of a Jakobi Meyers drop on a slant pass that would have earned him a touchdown."
Bernd Buchmasser wrote, "Cam Newton had his ups and downs early during Thursday’s session before coming on strong late."
Mike D'abate wrote, "Newton had his worst period of the day with four consecutive incompletions. He sailed a ball over Agholor deep down the left sideline, though Newton’s hard count did draw Deatrich Wise and Davon Godchaux offside. Newton then badly missed Henry in the left seam and was bitten by a Meyers drop on a slant that should’ve been a touchdown. Meyers ran a good route to beat Jon Jones but couldn’t complete the catch. And Newton closed the period by firing too low for Henry on a hitch route." "He hit Smith with a good, quick throw on a drag route before throwing his lone incompletion, way too far for Meyers on a fade against J.C. Jackson. Newton then held the ball too long, although there wasn’t any pressure, before hitting Bourne."
July 30:
Evan Lazar wrote, "There are still times where Cam holds the ball too long, but he has found more of a rhythm the last two days."
Zack Cox wrote, "Newton overthrew Agholor deep and missed badly on another long heave that landed between Agholor and Jakobi Meyers."
Matt Dolloff wrote, "Newton didn’t start great, with one pass looking like a miscommunication as the ball sailed toward no one in particular. He also overthrew wide receiver Nelson Agholor on a deep ball and had a pass intended for James White tipped."
Dollof continued, "Newton responded, at one point completing seven pass attempts in a row. One of them was a slightly off-target deep ball to Agholor, but the receiver made a nice adjustment tracking the ball in tight coverage. Another went to tight end Matt LaCosse under pressure, as linebacker Josh Uche beat left tackle Isaiah Wynn off the edge and would’ve had a chance at a 'sack.' "
Phil Perry tweeted, "Sound finish to the session for Cam Newton despite some wayward misses sprinkled in." (Wayward meaning poor accuracy)
Andrew Callahan wrote, "Newton posted his highest catchable pass rate of training camp at 70%. His misses were almost all overthrows. Newton’s arm still looks appreciably stronger, but he also takes far too long on three to four dropbacks per practice that would likely result in sacks. The snap-to-throw time is the most glaring difference between him and Jones so far."
Kharl Thompson wrote, "All those highlights did come with a few misses, of course. One errant deep ball in an early team segment begged the question, 'Who was he throwing that to?' "
On July 31:
Dollof wrote, "Newton had to throw one ball away into the turf, which is certainly better than forcing the ball into an interception..."
Andy Callahan wrote, "In the next team period, against first- and second-stringers, both hit walls. Newton went 2-of-6 with two poor reps and a drop." "Newton had an overthrow, slight overthrow and well-defended pass around a couple completions." "Judon could have strip-sacked Newton during one team period had he been allowed to hit him."
Jeff Howe wrote, "Newton was 2 of 7 in that period, opening with a bid to Henry on a slant to the end zone that was broken up by Adrian Phillips. Newton had a throwaway after no one got open and the pressure broke the pocket. Next, he hit Michel on a combo out route, missed Hall with a poor throw on a crossing route over the middle then followed up with a terrific throw on a touchdown to Bourne against Jalen Mills in the back left corner of the end zone. Newton then threw way too far for an open Harry on a post to the end zone and had a fade to Agholor that was broken up by Michael Jackson." "They finished practice against the starting defense in the red zone, and Newton was 2 of 5 in that period. Phillips enveloped Smith on an incomplete fade to the end zone, then Meyers beat Jon Jones on a crosser in the back of the end zone but Newton was too far again."
Evan Lazar wrote, "Newton wasn’t as sharp with his accuracy on Saturday. He sailed a pass high over a very open Jakobi Meyers as Meyers ran a crosser, threw too far in front of N’Keal Harry on a goal-line slant, and was 4-of-12 overall in competitive drills (not counting the one’s versus twos early in practice)." "The process was fine from Newton, but the accuracy was inconsistent."
August 2:
Ryan Hannable wrote, "Bill Belichick declared the play from inside the 5-yard line as a “gotta have it” play and Newton threw an incomplete pass to Nelson Agholor on a slant with Jalen Mills in coverage."
Mike Reiss wrote, "He had a bad miss down the seam to tight end Jonnu Smith. Who was open but the ball sailed by him. That was one Newton would like back..."
Matt Dolloff wrote, "Newton at times overthrew his pass-catcher deep, while on the flip-side, the receivers sometimes couldn't handle catchable balls."
Andy Callahan wrote, "Newton’s catchable pass rate sunk to 61.5% in team drills, well below Jones’ 87%. His first interception was thrown behind Kendrick Bourne on a deep crosser, an easy grab for trailing safety Adrian Colbert."
Evan Lazar wrote, " There are still times when he holds the ball too long, waiting to “see it” before throwing it to an open receiver. In one instance, Newton missed an open Jonnu Smith up the seam because he was late to it. He was also picked off by linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley when Bentley got underneath a Jakobi Meyers dig route."
August 4:
Jeff Howe tweeted: "Cam Newton was INT’d twice in three throws over two periods. Adrian Colbert undercut Hunter Henry on a ball that wasn’t led far enough in 11-on-11s. Then in 7-on-7s, Newton locked in on a blanketed Jakobi Meyers, and J.C. Jackson got the INT. Jackson almost INT’d next pass, too."
Mark Daniels tweeted, "N’Keal Harry bailed Cam Newton out with an amazing diving catch on an inaccurate throw. He might’ve saved a pick there. Great effort."
Henry McKenna writing the same thing. "Cam Newton was off target — and maybe in danger of throwing an interception to cornerback J.C. Jackson. Harry bailed out his quarterback."
McKenna continued, "Of course, there was a play — just a few moments later — where I felt the same way: it seemed Hunter Henry was getting the ball. He was wide open on the exact same route. Cam Newton overthrew him." "Tight end Hunter Henry and Newton were having issues connecting over the middle at the start of practice. On a shallow flag route, Newton overthrew a wide-open Henry. And then on the same route, Newton underthrew Henry for an interception. Safety Adrian Colbert picked off the pass."
Jeff Howe also tweeted, "Cam Newton struggled with accuracy today and was 7 of 13 (one drop) with 2 INTs. He’s now got 5 INTs in camp."
Evan Lazar wrote, "His accuracy overall was spotty on Tuesday. Newton forced a throw to Hunter Henry over the middle that safety Adrian Colbert undercut for an interception, made an ill-advised decision on a pass to a covered Jakobi Meyers that J.C. Jackson intercepted, overthrew Nelson Agholor (wheel) and Kendrick Bourne (crosser), and was bailed out by N’Keal Harry on a slant. Cam didn’t have the same control of the ball as he did on Tuesday..."
Mike Reiss Wrote, "N'keal Harry made a play that sparked the loudest reaction from the crowd, snaring a high-velocity slant from Cam Newton by reaching his arms out on a pass that initially looked like it was too far out in front of him."
Final thoughts
Although Mike Reiss doesn't seem to be printing much critiquing of Cam Newton or any of the other Patriots, the rest of Patriots media is. It's easy just to trust one source, it's also common to look past and ignore things we don't like if it doesn't benefit us. We all are guilty of that at some point. The fact is Patriots media is pointing out mistakes and areas of concern for not only Cam Newton but for the entire roster, every day they have camp. Sure there maybe some players that haven't been picked on yet but that's just a matter of time before the media finds them.
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