Bill Belichick still standing by quarterback Cam Newton
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
Losers of four straight for the first time in 18 years, and now three and a half games behind the Buffalo Bills for first place in the AFC East, the New England Patriots seem like a team in need of change.
Just don’t expect it to come at quarterback, as Patriots coach Bill Belichick is once again standing behind Cam Newton.
This time after Newton fumbled on a play that almost certainly would’ve led to either a game-tying or go-ahead score with 31 seconds remaining in the game, and with the Patriots down by three points.
“Cam’s our quarterback,” Belichick said after the loss. “That’s the way it’s been all year.”
Cam Newton's fumble ices the game for the Bills 😯
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 1, 2020
(via @nflbrasil) pic.twitter.com/6TEUnGmAUV
Belichick’s continued support of the 31-year-old Newton comes a week after he noted that Newton was ‘absolutely’ still the team’s starter despite a three-interception performance against the 49ers. And amid what has been a straight-up horrendous, post-COVID stretch for Newton, with 429 passing yards, five interceptions, and three fumbles (one lost) in three games.
Newton has often been his harshest critic, too, and that remained the case after his latest defeat.
“It’s unacceptable,” said Newton. “I need to protect the ball more.
“I’m jeopardizing this team’s success with my lackluster performances protecting the football.”
Overall, Newton’s one-year chance with the Patriots has resulted in just two passing touchdowns (and seven interceptions), a mild 190.5 passing yards per game, and with New England in third place in the division.
“It’s unacceptable on my part. I know that’s just been kind of like a broken record here of late,” Newton admitted. “But it’s hard to feel sorry for me, and I’m not feeling sorry for myself. I just have to do better and play 60 minutes of premium football.”
Newton and the Patriots will look to rebound in a Monday Night Football meeting with the winless New York Jets next week.
