Here’s where Cam Newton must get better, even in adverse conditions

A quarterback can be the sum of his offensive parts. And a quarterback can rise above those parts – even if they’re shoddy – and make an offense competent. Cam Newton would qualify for both designations for the New England Patriots in his four weeks of play this season.

Because of his excellent production in Weeks 1 and 2, the offense grew dependent upon his production. But in Weeks 3 and 6, he has folded under that increased pressure — both from offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and the opposing defensive coordinators — and has proven unable to lift up a team that lacks talent at offensive line, tight end and receiver.

Any evaluation of Newton should come with a disclosure: This quarterback missed almost two weeks after contracting COVID-19. This quarterback played behind an offensive line that was without centers David Andrews and James Ferentz and guard Shaq Mason. This quarterback has been working with one of the worst pass-catching groups in the NFL.

And since we’re providing the necessary context for his recent poor performances, we should also remind fans that Newton’s biggest game came against the Seattle Seahawks defense, which is averaging 370.4 passing yards allowed per game. That makes Newton’s 397 passing yards slightly less remarkable. It has been the crowned jewel of Newton’s games for the Patriots. And now that jewel looks a bit fake.

Now that we’ve gotten those disclosures out of the way, let’s dive into an honest evaluation of Newton’s body of work in Week 6 against the Denver Broncos. The good news is that Newton nailed his problem on Monday morning, roughly around the time he stepped into a film study with Bill Belichick, who probably tore into Newton (along with the rest of the team).

“There was a lack thereof of practice being evident and timing was off, and the anticipation was off. I think that was the biggest discrepancy of not having practice,” Newton said Monday during an appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” “Usually you can throw it way before the receiver is looking for it and be on the money with it.”

That issue came up time and time again. Newton’s hesitation led to sacks, pressures and misfires. Rather than throw his receivers open, he waited until his open receivers became covered. There was an unfortunately large sample of examples of Newton doing exactly this on Sunday. He hesitated and the play fell apart, because his offensive line provided zero margin for error.

And perhaps the passing offense was trapped in a vicious cycle. His receivers have had separation issues in the past, so Newton hesitated on his throws. His offensive line was having protection issues all game long, so there was zero room for Newton’s hesitation. And the pressure and sacks led to deeper ineffectiveness from the quarterback — and, in turn, the offense as a whole. But frankly, Newton is the biggest problem.

Perhaps that unfortunate cycle is why Newton fired so far off target for N’Keal Harry on the final play for the Patriots offense, an incompletion and an anticlimax for what seemed like a promising comeback. Newton fired high and outside for Harry, who had gotten open on a stop route on fourth-and-10.

It wouldn’t hurt if offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels deployed a series of plays that are built to reverse New England’s tendencies, read options and designed quarterback runs. New England could use run-pass options or play action built off those option plays that make use of Newton as a runner.

The good news is that Newton was willing to admit he’s got a problem. And he already knows the solution: practice. Those reps should help him find his typically aggressive approach.

Still, there are a few additional problems that he cannot reconcile on his own. His offensive line may continue to deal with turnover and position changes to accommodate injuries and COVID-19. And his receivers aren’t exactly teeming with upside. Julian Edelman appears to be limited, and he has been listed with a knee injury all season. Harry, a 2019 first-round pick, has made a second-year leap, but not nearly to the level of play the Patriots would like. And Damiere Byrd, the team’s top wideout with the most snaps, has just 14 catches for 179 yards in five games.

Newton hasn’t been trigger shy or slow to trust his reads (or receivers) throughout his career. These brain freezes are likely just a product of rust. If they aren’t and Newton cannot seem to throw with anticipation, then he’ll quickly be on the outs in New England. But that’s not a good outcome for the Patriots, who don’t seem to have an answer at quarterback behind Newton. It’s clear that if the Patriots are to win games, he needs to be better, even with players struggling around him.