Before he even stepped on the field in a Patriots uniform last season, Cam Newton established an impressive legacy in a couple areas in a very short, COVID-controlled time in New England.
It had nothing to do with winning games or even throwing passes.
Upon arrival in Foxborough last summer Newton made an instant impact with his much-talked-about energy and even-more-talked-about nicknames for those around him.
He’s the mastermind of such creative hit monikers as “Dolla, Dolla” Bill Belichick and “Mac & Cheese” Jones.
And who could ever forget the immediate efforts to sleuth out the meaning behind “Dough Boy,” aka N’Keal Harry?
In many ways, giving out nicknames either behind closed doors or during his equally impressive weekly meetings with the media was, unfortunately, some of Newton’s most impressive, productive work a year ago. Maybe not all of them were pinpoint touchdown throws, but most were at least mildly entertaining.
Twin No. 1 and 2 for Devin and Jason McCourty.
Smokin’ Joe Thuney.
Winnie the Pooh, as in left tackle Isaiah Wynn.
Offensive coordinator Josh “Mickey Ds” McDaniels.
Jakobi “MyGerms” Meyers.
Jake “Punter Guy” Bailey” and Nick “Kicker Guy” Folk.
Newton didn’t and doesn’t discriminate with his nicknames. Like it or not, everyone gets one.
Except him.
The former Heisman Trophy-winner, No. 1 overall pick of the Panthers and NFL MVP has been living off essentially the same nickname for himself for way too long – Superman.
And if we’re being totally honest, Newton didn’t really much look or play last season like Superman. From missing time to COVID to missing teammates with too many passes, the harsh professional sports reality is that Newton’s best playing days certainly looked like they’re behind him.
Still, why should only Newton’s teammates and coaches be the only ones with fresh, new, timely nicknames? Why shouldn’t the moniker maven himself get an update in the nickname game?
New year. New season. New teammates.
Time for a new nickname for No. 1 in your program, regardless of where he ranks in your Patriot Nation heart.
We all know, though, that you can’t give yourself a nickname. It just doesn’t work that way. So we can’t consult with Newton for his new sobriquet (Yup, definitely grabbed that one from the thesaurus!).
So, like anything else these days, we turned to social media for assistance. That’s right, one simple trip to Twitter brought back plenty of options for what we could, should and maybe will call Newton as he battles Jones in a true competitive quarterback competition when fans are welcomed back to Foxborough for training camp come July 28.
The responses were, well, interesting. And varied. Maybe even a little too negative if we’re being honest. Don't blame us...but here goes.
More than a few of my Twitter followers – which given my having covered the Patriots for nearly two decades is seemingly made up of mostly New England football fans – went with the most simple response, one paying food-based homage to the “Mac & Cheese” effort from Newton.
Fig Newton
— Art Imhoff (@ArtImhoff) July 1, 2021
Fig
— Erratic.Golfer (@ReGainke) July 1, 2021
Given his unique contributions to an offense at times, particularly early last season against the Dolphins and Seahawks, one response went back a few centuries to the time of King Arthur.
There were also references to a Newton’s running ability.
Some think his original, shirt-ripping celebration nickname is still warranted.
And at least one follower thought Newton’s proficiency with nicknames should be the basis for his own.
Unfortunately, those were most of the positive options. Or at least the ones based on something other than emotional reactions to Newton's struggles throwing the ball for the Patriots a year. Last year’s performances seemed to have scarred some fans and left them lobbing hurtful if potentially accurate barbs across Twitter.
We all know Newton had issues throwing the ball at times in 2020. Fair or not, some (lots!) think that’s what he should be known for. Newton might refer to these people has "haters" and use their "hate" for motivation.
Scam Newton
— JT$ (@TB12_RideOr_Die) July 1, 2021
Others offered up nicknames based on the coming competition with Jones this summer and what the future might hold for Newton, probably not what the affable passer would be looking for.
Benchrider
— Okweda Tiombe (@SuppleWrist) July 1, 2021
Camcel
— James Pettigrew (@MrPettingZoo) July 1, 2021
Whelp, there you have it. Ask and ye shall receive.
Plenty of nickname options for Newton as he embarks on his second training camp in New England trying to hold onto the starting job that Belichick claimed was his as recently as draft weekend.
On second thought, maybe we should just leave the nicknames to Newton.
Let’s head into 4th of July weekend and end this fruitless exercise on a positive note.
How about “Comeback” Cam Newton?
As in NFL Comeback Player of the Year?
It may seem hard to imagine right now but that truly would be, as “Highway 11” Julian Edelman might say, “a helluva story!”
