When healthy, new Patriots quarterback Cam Newton gives New England an explosive signal-caller under center. Newton’s mobility and ability to make key throws on the run are just some of the assets he brings to the table. It’s for these reasons that he fits in the Patriots offense.
When you look at a receiver like N’Keal Harry, Harry is a physical receiver who is a deep-ball threat and who can spread the field. Like he showed at Arizona State, the wide receiver thrives on making the big play. Throughout his career, Newton has displayed his arm strength. It was one of the reasons that he was considered such a dangerous quarterback coming out of college, and why he was so highly regarded prior to his injuries.
The combination of Harry’s ability to get down the field, as well as Newton’s ability to throw on the run makes him an ideal fit with this addition of the New England Patriots.
There is no doubt that Tom Brady was great at many things. However, making throws out of the pocket, the ability to throw the ball deep down the field, and making throws on the run were not his strong suits. Particularly in Brady’s final seasons with New England, he struggled to get the ball down the field.
With wideouts like Julian Edelman, Harry, Jakobi Meyers, and Mohamed Sanu, New England has several wide receivers that can make things happen down the field and after the catch.
Edelman in particular is very good at this. He led all Patriots receivers with 320 yards after the catch in 2019.
In a Tom Brady-led offense, receivers could count on his ball placement and his ability to make the tough throws. They could not consistently count on Brady to be able to keep plays alive and scramble out of the pocket while maintaining touch. In a Newton-led offense, he affords these wideouts a chance to get deep down the field and make big plays happen at the start of their routes, rather than relying on yards after the catch.
A healthy Cam Newton accentuates the strengths of these wide receivers, and moving forward, that will fit the Patriots offense. Newton affords this particular group of wideouts the ability to play to their strengths, rather than having to make adjustments to the quarterback.
This line of thinking particularly applies to Meyers and Harry. Worrying about how to get open and making the most of their opportunities, instead of whether the quarterback will be able to trust them and get them the ball, should be a welcome change of pace.
Aside from just Meyers and Harry, it will be interesting to see how the wideouts adjust to a new style of quarterback in 2020.
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