Louis Riddick, one of the smartest football analysts alive, was asked a simple question after news broke Tuesday that quarterback Cam Newton had been cut by the Patriots. The question: Are we seeing the beginning of the end of Newton’s career?
“The end as a regular starter I believe has arrived,” Riddick, who played for four NFL teams and was a scout and front office executive on two others, told USA TODAY Sports. Riddick is now an ESPN analyst and part of the “Monday Night Football” broadcast team.
“I think Cam will have to adjust his expectations at this point. He looks much healthier than last season for sure, but I think we all know he isn’t what he once was. That’s okay. It happens. He still has a role on an NFL roster. I just don’t see it as being the designated, unquestioned starter at this point.”
Riddick isn’t alone in believing Newton’s career is at a critical juncture. Another ESPN analyst, Ryan Clark, who played 12 seasons for three NFL teams and won a Super Bowl with Pittsburgh, echoed Riddick.
“I think we started to see that when the Panthers released him,” Clark told USA TODAY Sports. “Every team passed, and the Patriots were the only team willing to give him a shot. Now, even they have moved on. Doesn’t seem teams believe he is a starter, and I don’t know if he’s the backup they’d want.”
These are blunt words, but they are also likely accurate.
In other words, Newton may no longer possess the physical skills to be a starter. Also, for the moment, he’s…
