Having a mobile quarterback who can throw on the run, and gain yards with his feet poses a threat opposing teams didn’t have to worry about with Tom Brady under center.
As a Patriot, Tom Brady picked apart defenses as a classic, drop-back passer. He quickly processed what was in front of him, got rid of the ball with a lightning quick trigger, and hit receivers with laser-sharp accuracy.
The cherry on top?
Brady constantly delivered in the clutch.
Cam Newton?
The newest Patriots quarterback, who should win the starting job over Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer, presents a different type of challenge for defenses. But like the GOAT, defending Newton will also be quite a chore for opponents.
Given his extraordinary talent and ability, Newton has always been a handful to deal with. His mobility alone adds a wrinkle that will tax defenses in a much different way than Brady. In turn, that mobility could spur a more effective passing game.
SiriusXM NFL analyst Solomon Wilcots, reached on Monday, supported the notion.
“Tom played the game at such an elevated level, impacting a defense, that his mobility didn’t matter,” said Wilcots. “But if you ever had to move away from Tom, and look at the landscape out there, I think you try to find one that puts a defense in a state of flux. Passing yards don’t come as hard, it’s not as daunting. Bill knows what it’s like to defend against those quarterbacks. Now he gets to use one that’s at his disposal.”
While the Patriots aren’t likely to completely turn their offense upside down like the Ravens did for Lamar Jackson — there’s simply not enough time to make drastic changes — they will still tailor it to Newton’s strengths and adapt concepts that are suited to his skillset.
If Newton quickly learns the playbook, and whatever tweaks Josh McDaniels has installed for him, what will that mean for opposing defenses?
Trouble.
Having a mobile quarterback who can throw on the run or gain yards with his feet poses a threat opposing teams didn’t have to worry about with Brady under center.
And this isn’t just any mobile quarterback. Newton is a chiseled 6-foot-5,245-pound Goliath, who was an NFL MVP and took the Panthers to the Super Bowl in 2015.
While injuries have hindered his career, he appears to be healthy and ready for the next chapter with the Patriots.
