SUPER BOWL PLANS WITH SUPERMAN
Bill Belichick watched Tom Brady win his 7th Super Bowl not from the sideline, but from his couch. Belichick had to wonder what went wrong in Boston. Was it the unrealistic expectations of owner Robert Kraft, or Belichick’s unwillingness to use high draft picks on offensive skill positions? Brady only had two receivers drafted in the 1st round, Randy Moss, and N’Keal Harry. New England only drafted one running back in the 1st round, Sony Michel. Was this the reason for Brady’s departure?
When the Pats’ signed Cam Newton in the late spring of 2020, the expectations weren’t very high, but there were still expectations. Newton, an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and 2015 NFL MVP, was coming off ankle and shoulder injuries. But Cam still had potential to be a Pro Bowl QB. However, those plans did not come to fruition. Newton had a strong start to the 2020 campaign, but after contracting COVID-19, he had a poor finish. Newton finished the season with more INTs than TDs.
Flash forward to 2021, Newton has just received a 1 year, $14 million dollar contract. The rumors of a reunion with current 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo subsided. Newton, despite a disappointing 2020 season in which the Pats’ missed the playoffs for the first time in 19 years, is the man. Newton is reportedly a great locker room leader despite his poor play and questionable wardrobe.
Despite New England’s usual silence during free agency, the 2021 Pats’ have changed that narrative. The first of many 2021 signings was TE Jonnu Smith, with a 4-year, $50 million deal. The Pats signed Matthew Judon, a lethal edge rusher. The next signing was defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, a run stuffer. The Pats’ also signed receiver Nelson Agholor, a deep threat weapon. The Pats’ inked receiver Kendrick Bourne, a fast slot receiver. The Pats’ finished it off with role player defensive tackle Henry Anderson. It remains to be seen how the Pats’ will do in 2021-2022, but this season might revitalize the careers of Cam Newton and Bill Belichick.
Belicheck was arrogant and wanted to prove that he could win without big paycheck talent. In doing so, it cost him the GOAT. Now he has to start over. It’s on him.
Well, he got his big paycheck talent, and a former NFL MVP, but will it last?
Just based on past results, the teams that spend the most in the off-season don’t always have immediate success. A healthy Cam will produce a few more wins and flirt with making the playoffs, but I don’t see this team making a deep run.
Cam will have a average year, but I can see that Pats going 10-6 via the defensive genius of Bill Belichick.