FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts – Cam Newton largely achieved a positive chord in his first year with the New England Patriots, but after another frustrating performance in which he was pulled in the middle of the third quarter of a loss to the Buffalo Bills, he vented.
Newton was asked about a chart on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast that showed he woke up every day at 4:20 am, left home at 4:30 pm and did not retire to sleep before 11:30 pm.
“This has been my schedule for 90% of the time I am here, so you can understand the frustration I feel when I don’t have the result, because I am sacrificing myself a lot. You are talking to a person who has not seen their children in three months “said Newton.
“Obviously, the contract is what it is. Submitting to this team is something I’ve been doing since day one. Being accessible. Yes, it’s frustrating. It drives you crazy.”
Newton is disputing a one-year contract with a minimum base salary of $ 1.05 million. The contract includes incentives and bonuses that will increase its value by approximately US $ 2.6 million.
On Monday night against the Bills, he finished 5 of 10 passes for 34 yards, while adding four rushes for 24 yards, which included a 9-yard touchdown in a scramble play.
Coach Bill Belichick pulled him in with 8 minutes, 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter, with Bills taking 31-9.
“Cam did a good job for us. I mean, that wasn’t the problem,” said Belichick of the decision to turn to second-year defender Jarrett Stidham. “We were not very competitive in the game.”
To be fair to Newton, he landed receiver Damiere Byrd on the first stroke of the game in which Byrd fell. The move highlighted how the Patriots’ problems go far beyond Newton himself, as his receivers and tight ends are among the least productive in the NFL this season.
But Newton also acknowledged that he can play better too.
“It is extremely frustrating to know what you are capable of, to have faith in yourself. It is not shown when it matters most,” he said.
Belichick said he did not decide his quarterback plans for the end of the season on Sunday against the New York Jets.
Regarding Belichick’s support at this point, Newton said: “The feeling is mutual. I will continue to improve each week, getting more comfortable in this offense for the last week that I can. Let’s see where it takes me.”
But his frustration was palpable on Monday night.
“You are angry to know that in order to be a reliable teammate, you first have to submit to the authority and what the coaches are asking you to do. I feel like I did that. I’m not in the place of blame. less venting now because, yes, I sacrificed a lot this year “, he said.
“I mean, it hurts when you have the ride that you have tonight, just to go home, and then start all over again for another whole week.”