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New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton did a lot of his work on the ground as the Pats earned a Week 1 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Are the Patriots risking exposing their quarterback to unnecessary hits? Not according to wide receiver Julian Edelman:
“I think our coaching staff is going to do the best they can to put him in the best situation to go out and help lead this team, and lead this offense whether that’s running, throwing, that’s up to Coach [Josh] McDaniels,” Edelman said, via Hayden Bird of Boston.com. “Cam’s a big man. He plays smart. If you really watch, he didn’t take any crazy hits. He looks like a really fast defensive end playing, guys are bouncing off of him.”
Newton rushed 15 times for 75 yards and a pair of scores in the Patriots' victory last Sunday. He had plenty of success on run-pass option calls and a slew of designed quarterback runs.
Of course, Cam is also coming off shoulder and Lisfranc injuries, and his body has taken its fair share of punishment after years of lining up under center for the Carolina Panthers.
However, Edelman trusts McDaniels will scheme appropriately in order to allow Newton to make plays outside the pocket while still protecting himself. He also alluded to Cam's physical stature being an underrated element of his ability to absorb contact.
New England will likely continue to lean on Newton's rushing abilities throughout the year. The Patriots have not had a weapon like Cam after years of a relatively immobile Tom Brady at the quarterback position, and Newton offers McDaniels more opportunities to keep opposing defenses guessing.
