One of the sequences in the Patriots' 24-3 loss to the Rams last Thursday that stands out most is when the Patriots had first-and-goal from the 6-yard line in the first half and ran four straight run plays and did not get into the end zone.
Appearing on The Greg Hill Show Monday, Cam Newton was asked about play-calling inside the 5-yard line when it comes to deciding between run/pass, and the quarterback defended offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
“One thing that is not about to happen, and let me be perfectly clear, you’re not about to create any type of division between me and Josh McDaniels," he said. "You’re talking to a person who, No. 1 respects this opportunity first and foremost and that’s talking Coach [Bill] Belichick, that’s talking in regards of Josh McDaniels, obviously Robert Kraft, and even Jedd [Fisch]. I think that would be selfish of me to kind of indirectly point the finger when here is a person who is putting our team in the best situation to win.
“For the most part, me and Josh’s relationship has grown, obviously, while I have been here. For me to kind of know him and know what his theory and thinking is, it’s been something I have attached to myself even more. He’s a very passionate person that I would never second-guess his theory no matter what it is.
“And there’s been times where as a player you kind of bail your coach out because of the plays you may make, but more times than not Josh has bailed the whole team out because of his theory and his in-game adjustments. It’s give and take."
The quarterback believes some are criticizing McDaniels and his play-calling and he did not want that to continue.
"Yeah, there’s some division right now. I can’t say what’s being said in the fan base, I can only assume and things like that," he said. "It’s [the media’s job] to probe and pick and I respect that. But at the same time, you’ve got guys in this locker room, including myself, that is willing to do whatever it takes to win a football game and when you don’t get the outcome that you’re desperately searching for, yeah it hurts, yeah you take it personal, you need time to debrief. But for me to sit up here and put a person that I admire in Josh under the bus and say he should have called four passes, no, I am not going to do that, man.
"I am not going to do that because I know just as much as the energy that goes into me wanting to win, I know Josh shares that same thing and I know he wants to put this team in the best position to win. That is the only thing you can ask for.”
The Patriots will take on the Dolphins Sunday in Miami.
