League reacts as star QB heads to Foxborough
By LORENZO RECUPERO
In March Tom Brady officially left the Patriot’s and signed up to be a Buccaneer and suddenly, the juggernaut of the AFC (and the entire NFL, really) was relegated from a postseason fixture to a playoff wannabe.
Suddenly, all that has changed, and the Patriots are once again hovering closer to the top of the AFC (and NFL) power rankings with the signing of former league MVP, quarterback Cam Newton.
News of Newton’s signing with the Patriots blasted off around the league like the ceremonial muskets fired once the home team scores a touchdown at Gillette Stadium.
According to other athletes around the NFL reacting on social media, the Patriots scored a masterful trick play once they emerged out of the blue to sign Newton to a 1-year, incentive-heavy deal. The pact offers the former MVP a chance at redemption following some recent injury-filled seasons with the Carolina Panthers and gives the Pats a chance to remain the most feared team in the AFC.
“Couldn’t be happier for @ CameronNewton! The Patriots are getting a stud!!” was Newton’s former pro bowl tight end Greg Olson’s response to the news via Twitter.
Even new rivals got in the mix as word of the signing circulated.
“Dangerous” was Jets lineman Calvin Anderson’s twitter response and even Ravens QB Robert Griffin III couldn’t help but join the conversation saying, “They playing chess not checkers” of the Patriots move to secure a viable replacement at the QB position.
The AFC East division now features Cam Newton as the most experienced — and successful — QB in the bunch.
With the addition of Newton, the biggest question in the league this season goes from who will be playing at QB for the Patriots to are they Super Bowl contenders again?