I know y’all haven’t heard from me in a while — a LONG while.
That’s what happens when you have to work from home during this God-forsaken pandemic and have to deal with the likes of life events and a great child who really wants his father’s attention at the same time.
In the meantime, I’ve been keeping up with the sports world from afar whilst getting excited about watching games that were up to twenty years old (I want my live sports back, dammit!).
NASCAR banning the confederate flags at every league-sponsored event (it’s about damn time!). Bubba Wallace’s #BlackLivesMatter stock car, which is also Richard Petty’s old 43 car (he drives for Petty’s team). Noose-gate with Wallace.
The NBA, NHL and Major League Soccer restarting their seasons in Orlando. Players in those sports previously testing positive for COVID-19. NBA players debating whether it’s even worth it to restart the season with the pandemic and protests happening.
Major League Baseball starting its season near the end of July. The minor league season being cancelled.
At least we have the NFL, whose season MAY start on time. And what better way to break the tension caused by the pandemic and police brutality protests than to learn of Cam Newton signing a one-year deal with the New England Patriots.
I should have known that head coach Bill Bellicheat had something up his sleeve during the offseason. He could stand idly by while watching his former QB Tom Brady have all the fun in Tampa Bay. Bellicheat had to take one look at Jarrett Stidham and the lackluster weapons on offense and wonder, “can I really compete in the AFC East with this shit?”
Enter Cam Newton.
Yes, I know Newton hasn’t been the same since his MVP season with the Carolina Panthers. His performance during the Panthers’ loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 and the immediate aftermath has left a lasting sour taste in a lot of fans’ mouths. And yes, he has been banged up the seasons since as well.
But what I have seen out of Newton is that he is hungry, healthy (finally), and VERY motivated, which will pay dividends in New England. Let’s be real, there is no way in hell that he will be backing up Stidham. Besides, you don’t think Bellicheat will keep reminding Newton that the Panthers gave up on him and that he is perceived as an NFL afterthought?
I also can’t help but think that Bellicheat is motivated to win a Super Bowl without Brady. What better way to re-assert his coaching genius than take a former MVP QB who had been left for dead by the franchise that he has taken to new heights?
Listen, if Bellicheat could find a way to get the most out of cats like Corey Dillon, Randy Moss, and Antonio Brown for a game, he could really work wonders with Newton. Look for Newton to really show out in what will be a “prove it” season on a “prove it” contract.
As much as it pains me to say this as a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, but this move will reaffirm Bellicheat’s greatness. And it pains me even more that those damn Patriots will once again be a factor in the AFC East — and maybe the AFC itself…
Leave a Reply