The Las Vegas Raiders and head coach Jon Gruden have the tall task of scheming for New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton this weekend, made even tougher given Newton's ability to run the football.
Newton has already rushed for 122 yards and four scores in the first two games, and Gruden has given the former NFL MVP a new nickname to describe his punishing style at the quarterback position:
“I haven’t seen many guys walk through my doors that look like Cam,” Gruden said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. “I call him ‘Slam.’ Slam Newton. That was the nickname He’s a power forward playing quarterback.”
Newton's size, strength and speed make him something of an anomaly at the quarterback position.
There were some questions as to how offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels would use Newton entering the season. It has quickly become clear McDaniels will pull out all the stops: run-pass options, quarterback keepers and gadget plays are all on the table.
But Newton has hardly been “just” a rushing quarterback. Cam completed 15 of 19 pass attempts in Week 1 before throwing for 397 yards against the Seattle Seahawks this past Sunday.
Needless to say, Las Vegas' front seven will have its hands full on Sunday.
The Raiders' defense is allowing close to 5.0 yards per carry while also ranking 29th in passing defense so far this season. Las Vegas has typically relied on a four-man rush, but they might need to stack the box to disrupt Newton's timing and force him to make quick reads.
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