FOXBOROUGH -- Obviously, Cam Newton's first season in New England did not go well, both for the player and the team.
After an aggressive offseason there's optimism the team will be better and also signs the quarterback will be as well.
Speaking following training camp Wednesday, Josh McDaniels was asked point-blank why he believes Newton will be better.
“I see it. You can just see it. You hear it," he said.
McDaniels added: “He just knows much more about we’re doing. It’s a lot less new learning everyday, more repetition of things he already understands. That would be true for I think every player I have ever coached in their second year in our system. Things slow down. Things make more sense. There were things I was telling him to do last year that he didn’t quite understand, but I was telling him, ‘Hey, do it this way. Try and do it that way. Make him the Mike, whatever.’ He was trying to do everything I said. Now, he actually understands the why on most things.
"That is really the goal for the quarterbacks — when you’re out there trying to read defenses on a play-to-play basis, if you don’t understand why we’re doing something or why you’re supposed to make the protection slide here or there, it’s a tough position to play. The game has slowed down for him. The offense makes a lot of sense. Like I said, there’s a lot less new learning for him.”
With that being said, a theme since the spring is last year did not live up to the standard that has been set in New England and it needs to be better -- no matter who the quarterback is.
"Look for me, I was here last year, I have to do a better job and the quarterback position in general, they know it, I have told them this since April, we have to play better," McDaniels said. "Our offense has to play better. I have to coach better. To me, we’re all in the same boat, in my opinion. [Newton has] got to do better. Whichever guy is under center who is wearing a red jersey has to perform well. The standard here is high. We want to take care of the ball and score points. Whichever guy is under center, that’s his job.”
