Tag Archives: Cam Newton

Panthers, Mayfield, Rhule, and panic?

Posted on by
Advertisements

The Carolina Panthers quarterback saga continues. A recent comment from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has linked the team with Baker Mayfield… again. Fowler noted that the Panthers want another quarterback in the mix to join Sam Darnold and Matt Corral. Adding Mayfield to this group does not really solve anything and that begs the question. Are the Carolina Panthers at the onset of panic mode?

Matt Rhule was brought in by Carolina to lead their team and provide solutions to an offense that was sputtering. In two seasons Rhule has a 10-23 record with an offense that was one of the worst in all of football last season. Granted having a who’s who of average to below average quarterbacks during this time has not helped matters. The Panthers have started Teddy Bridgewater, P.J. Walker, Sam Darnold, and Cam Newton the past two seasons. Darnold and Walker remain in Carolina while Newton is a free agent and Bridgewater is a backup in Miami after a brief one year stint in Denver. Drafting Corral has shown they are not settled with their incumbent quarterback options and still being connected to Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo amplifies that further.

So what about Mayfield? Well, adding another first round disappointment to their roster really does not solve anything. There have been a lot of hand wringing about Mayfield’s performance, injuries, and schematic performance while in Cleveland. The point remains that Mayfield is another average to below-average quarterback that Carolina would be taking a chance. Carolina would be repeating their mistake from a year ago when they traded for Darnold and picked up his fifth-year option.

Here’s the reality, Rhule has to know that his job security is on the line should the Panthers stumble again in 2022. That is why the team continues to be linked with other quarterbacks who are not the answer for their respective organizations. Darnold, Mayfield, and Garopplo are all of the underwhelming variety that do not provide long term solutions. The Panthers would be better off playing out this season and if things line up properly be in position for a top quarterback selection in the 2023 draft. Making a panic move by acquiring Mayfield or Garoppolo does not provide any clarity for their roster and surely be an indicator of panic internally.

NFL Week 2 thoughts/observations

Posted on by
Advertisements

Week 2 of the NFL season was quite interesting as there will be several items that are sure to be talking points this week and as the season progresses.

1. Still not sure what the Cleveland Browns are

Sure, the Cleveland Browns looked better against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, but we should not forget the disastrous showing against the Baltimore Ravens just a few days prior. Baker Mayfield looked good when players were schemed open against Cincinnati. Mayfield looked terrible when facing Baltimore and they made him look more like the 2019 version and not the second half of 2018. The next game against the Washington Football Team should provide a bit more clarity in regards to the skill level of Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns. Are they a good, bad, or average NFL team? The answer to that question may come into focus after Week 3.

2. Cam Newton is really good and it should result in firings in other organizations

Cam Newton looks like Cam Newton again and that is scary, Josh McDaniels has put together an offense catered to his particular skill set and is getting the most out of him. Even in a shortened offseason and no preseason games, McDaniels was able to adapt and install an offense for Newton that will make the New England Patriots a legitimate contender this season. The fact that there were multiple NFL teams in need of a quarterback and Cam Newton signed a one-year bargain basement prove-it deal with New England should result in multiple firings across the league.

3. The Falcons special teams debacle is emblematic of the issues in Atlanta

This was an all-time collapse. The Atlanta Falcons let the ball on Dallas’ onside kick attempt roll 10 yards untouched and allowed the Cowboys to recover. If the goal for Atlanta was to practice social distancing in regards to the ball, mission accomplished. The fact that Atlanta did not understand the rules when it comes to an onside kick just shows the lack of attention to detail by Dan Quinn and his coaching staff. Would firing Quinn result in better on-field success this season? Not likely. However, if he is fired at some point this debacle should represent his failure as their head coach.

4. Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn are in a bad place in Detroit

There are so many NFL teams that hire a Bill Belichick disciple and watch them crash and burn. This is why some teams are hesitant to hire others (Josh McDaniels being the most recent example). While there have been issues with what has gone on with Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn, there is a certain set of circumstances in order for someone copying Belichick to be successful. Patricia did not come into a situation where those circumstances existed and that’s why things sit the way they do currently.

The Lions had expectations of playoffs and building upon what Jim Caldwell left after his departure. The problem is what was being implemented is not for teams looking to take the next step, it is for building a foundation and a culture, essentially building from the ground up. Bringing in the duo of Patricia and Quinn is like trying to change a building that has already been constructed. No matter how many changes are made, it will still resemble what was there before any remodeling was done.

A perfect example of what they were trying do succeeding with another NFL team is the Miami Dolphins. Miami was actively tanking and still won games. Brian Flores is building the foundation for a successful organization and was put in the right situation to do so. The Dolphins may have lacked talent last season, but that did not stop them from winning five football games. This is two more than Patricia’s Lions who had a more talented roster and were trying to win. It is a safe bet that if the two teams faced each other that Miami would have come out on top and that just amplifies the issues with the Lions.

Are Quinn and Patricia faultless in their failures? No, absolutely not. Although it is worth mentioning that they have not done a whole lot to prove they should stick around in Detroit beyond this season. When the year is up there could be some major changes coming for an organization that has often been too loyal when it comes to keeping their front office executives and head coaches employed.

This Is Believeland Podcast Ep. 39: Mike D’Abate

Posted on by
Advertisements

This Is Believeland Podcast Episode 39: Mike D’Abate of Locked On Patriots and Full Press Coverage comes on to discuss Cam Newton, Joe Thuney, concerns about the NFL season starting and finishing, possible new names for the Washington Football Team, and the impact of the long term deals in Tennessee for Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill.

Cam in New England and concerns about the NFL season beginning with Mike D'Abate by This Is Believeland

Odell Beckham Jr. states desire to stay in Cleveland

Posted on by
Advertisements

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. responded to some tweets Monday and stated his desire to remain with in Cleveland.

Cam Newton signed with the New England Patriots which led to some speculation and predictions that Odell Beckham Jr. could be on the move. Beckham was quick to respond on twitter to say that he has “unfinished business” in Cleveland.

While it is great that Odell Beckham Jr. says he wants to stay in Cleveland, it really isn’t up to him is it?. If Cleveland struggles to open up this year, Odell Beckham Jr. may be playing elsewhere before the season is over. It is not the most desirable scenario to think about, but it is certainly possible.

All of this comes on the heels of news that Cleveland actually spoke with Cam Newton earlier this offseason. The fact that Beckham was working out with Newton also led to these tweets. Add in that Beckham has previously stated his desire to play in New England and things just sort to add up. The reality is that this is a rumor that will not go away any time soon. People have been trying to trade Beckham out of Cleveland since he arrived. Connecting the dots between Beckham and Newton in New England is the just latest version of this trade scenario that people have been promoting for quite some time.

Cam Newton spoke with Browns

Posted on by
Advertisements

There is one other team that spoke with Cam Newton before he ended up signing with the New England Patriots. The Cleveland Browns. 

Adam Schefter said on his own podcast that Cleveland talked to Newton but they really didn’t go anywhere. Newton would end up signing with New England this past Sunday.

Obviously Cleveland didn’t sign Cam Newton as they wound up agreeing to terms with Case Keenum to be Baker Mayfield’s backup and possible replacement if he struggles. Keenum previously played under new head coach Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota. Having this experience gave him a bit of an advantage as he is familiar with the offense and can step in if necessary.

Signing Cam Newton could have been interesting. There would have been some real competition for Baker Mayfield and Newton could have easily supplanted him as the starter with relatively average play. Instead, Andrew Berry and Co. is giving Mayfield one more go around for him to prove himself before deciding on his long term future with the Browns. This particular regime was not who drafted Mayfield and do not the attachment to him that the previous regime did. If there comes a time to move on from Baker Mayfield this group very well could if he is unable to bounce back from his lackluster sophomore season.