So I guess bill didn't actually believe in Stidham.

Delicate Genius said:

What is political about signing Cam Newton?

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My guess is that he is saying Belichick only signed him because Kraft wanted our QB to be a black person.

Not at all. It is not even guaranteed that Cam makes it out of camp. And even if Cam does win the starting job, it does not mean anything about Stidham either, since he is competing against a former MVP.

Wozzy said:

Stidham still starts IMO.

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I think so too.

robertweathers said:

I think so too.

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If he does, that says a ton about Stidham.

If you can get Cam on a cap friendly deal, you get Cam. It's really not that difficult to figure out.

lusdawg said:

Political signing forced upon BB by Kraft to squelch the league wanting a first round pick for that camera BS. My guess...

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huh?

You think Kraft watched Belichick let Brady walk without any effort at signing him and then forced him to sign Newton?

Ths was a simple value signing. They got a former league MVP QB, who is still well within his prime years, and who has everything riding on a strong showing, for almost nothing. It creates strong competition at QB, and gives them more depth than they would have had the otherwise. It even gives them a much better shot at getting to the play offs and going somewhere if Newton returns to form, or it pushes Stidham to play beyond expectations. I realize Newton has been a diva at times, but he’s also a really talented athlete, and he’s just been through what had to be the most humbling experience of his life, as he’s a former #1 overall that no one wanted. I just don’t see any downsides at all to this signing, as Belichick will cut him like he’s Antonio Brown if any issues develop or his skills disappeared, and it wouldn’t cost them at all.

All that said this also has the benefit of pissing off the rest of the NFL and their fans, who are mostly mumbling “ f>cking Belichick” as they shove their donuts down their throats this morning.

Nicely done Bill, nicely done.

scott99 said:

I’m shocked by the Cam signing. If they didn’t believe in Stidham, why not draft a QB in the 1st round ?

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Exactly. Jimmy was traded in 2017. Bill has had THREE drafts to find the next Qb and he got Danny Etling in the 7th round and Stidham in the 4th. A total embarrassment. So here we are with a completely washed Newton who can't run anymore and is inaccurate as a passer. Bill has turned back into a pumpkin.

lancerman said:

Same here. Typical Belichick signing. A guy who had some injury problems that didn’t have a spot on his old team due to circumstance, historically gave Bill trouble in games they played against each other, due to the market ended up becoming a tremendous value who wants to take a prove it deal.

It was blindingly obvious. There was no reason not to sign him

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So obvious that he waited to June 28.

Ivan said:

huh?

You think Kraft watched Belichick let Brady walk without any effort at signing him and then forced him to sign Newton?

Ths was a simple value signing. They got a former league MVP QB, who is still well within his prime years, and who has everything riding on a strong showing, for almost nothing. It creates strong competition at QB, and gives them more depth than they would have had the otherwise. It even gives them a much better shot at getting to the play offs and going somewhere if Newton returns to form, or it pushes Stidham to play beyond expectations. I realize Newton has been a diva at times, but he’s also a really talented athlete, and he’s just been through what had to be the most humbling experience of his life, as he’s a former #1 overall that no one wanted. I just don’t see any downsides at all to this signing, as Belichick will cut him like he’s Antonio Brown if any issues develop or his skills disappeared, and it wouldn’t cost them at all.

All that said this also has the benefit of pissing off the rest of the NFL and their fans, who are mostly mumbling “ f>cking Belichick” as they shove their donuts down their throats this morning.

Nicely done Bill, nicely done.

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Oh yes. The NFL is just shaking as a washed Newton takes over the worst offense in the NFL.

robertweathers said:

I think so too.

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Even if Stidham starts, can you imagine the kind of Taysom Hill type plays we can pull with Newton? Newton is Hill on steroids.

Delicate Genius said:

What is political about signing Cam Newton?

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Haven’t seen the news lately? Also, I’m guessing they may have lessened the penalty even more if it was Kaepernick. You don’t think these billionaire white guys wanted such a signing to quiet things down a bit?! To each his own opinion..

lusdawg said:

Haven’t seen the news lately? Also, I’m guessing they may have lessened the penalty even more if it was Kaepernick. You don’t think these billionaire white guys wanted such a signing to quiet things down a bit?! To each his own opinion..

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How much vodka did you drink today?

amfootball said:

Oh yes. The NFL is just shaking as a washed Newton takes over the worst offense in the NFL.

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These are difficult times. I chuckled when I read this. Thank you.

I’m also in the « Cam’s not going to amount to much in NE » camp, but your description has more pizzazz.

Bonzo said:

The goat himself was not QB #1 in year two. And as has been well-documented, it obviously had nothing to do with them not believing in him.

But look, if Stidham beats out a 31yo former MVP, then all 8 billion people on earth should believe in him.

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Why? There is only one thing that I believe in and that's God. Atheletes are humans. I don't have to believe in any of them.

A few scattered thoughts and responses:
*One key element of the timing of this signing that has not been mentioned is its impact on the comp pick formula. Signing Newton this late ensures that he does not cost the team a 2021 pick, and, if he returns to form, his departure in FA could net the team a 3rd in 2022.
*How much of this signing is a response to the changing profile of NFL QB? Even as a backup, Newton has value in helping a defense prepare against big, mobile guys like Lamar Jackson.
*Why hasn't Belichick drafted a QB high lately, because, outside of the obvious miss on Jackson, the options have been terrible. I'll take injured 31 year old Cam Newton over Jordan Love any day.

amfootball said:

Oh yes. The NFL is just shaking as a washed Newton takes over the worst offense in the NFL.

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yep, that’s what I said.

amfootball said:

Exactly. Jimmy was traded in 2017. Bill has had THREE drafts to find the next Qb and he got Danny Etling in the 7th round and Stidham in the 4th. A total embarrassment. So here we are with a completely washed Newton who can't run anymore and is inaccurate as a passer. Bill has turned back into a pumpkin.

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Lmao

amfootball said:

So obvious that he waited to June 28.

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You don’t think they were negotiating and Bill wasn’t aware all offseason whet his status was. Everyone knew at least 3 QB’s were getting signed before him and most of the teams that needed QB’s were going draft. Cam wasn’t signing to play back up unless it was a golden situation

vuudu said:

I think the Pandemic had everything to do with this signing. If they could even hold player only practice, I doubt this signing will have happened. Stidham's chances are greatly hurt by COVID. I wish he him but his football life kinda sucks from FNF to Baylor and then bad online in his final year at Auburn. Kid needs a break.

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Tbf Covid was a big problem for Cam. He was coming off an injury and couldn’t work out to prove if he was back to form

amfootball said:

Oh yes. The NFL is just shaking as a washed Newton takes over the worst offense in the NFL.

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If he is healthy other teams have more to worry about from the Patriots QB now than they did last year.