It’s 4th-and-2 all over again.
It’s Malcom Butler all over again.
Cam Newton is a Patriot all over again.
And Bill has lost his mind all over again.
Remember in 2009 in Indy? Bill had Tom Brady dump a pass to Kevin Faulk on well, 4th-and-2, with about two minutes to go in their own territory as the Pats led the Colts 34-28. The Brady pass to Faulk was short, Manning got the ball back, the Colts score and win, 35-34. No one could fathom why Belichick didn’t punt the ball and make Manning march the field.
Super Bowl LII, Bill benches Butler in a Super Bowl loss to the Eagles. Actually, he wasn’t completely benched. Butler did break a sweat for one play on special teams. Bill really showed him!
And now Cam Newton will earn at least $5 million as part of a $14 million deal with the Pats. Bill could absorb the previous decisions of arrogance but this one ... not a chance.
I have heard fans and pundits attempting to explain this behavior.
Bill is keeping the locker room.
Cam is here as a safety net, a Plan B.
And I love this one.
Cam can attract top notch offensive weapons.
No, he can’t. Players like and respect Newton. They are not going to sell him out in public but there is no way any of the top receivers are coming to New England to catch a ball Cam cannot throw to them.
My explanation is simple. Belichick gave Newton a deal because he felt like it. That’s it.
Cam kisses the coach's butt, is liked by his teammates and … ah… ah … I can’t think of a third reason. This is purely an example of Belichick’s arrogance. In the past it didn’t cost him. This one might. Ownership is watching and there is no way they are happy to see their team turning into a joke.
That’s what the Patriots are right now, a joke. Brady gets a Super Bowl ring, and an extension and New England gets a quarterback who can’t throw. And I know, Robert Kraft is not laughing.