Despite the fact that the term recovery project is used quite loosely, it would be difficult to argue that Cam Newton does not fit that description. The former Most Valuable Player in the league comes from a difficult two-year period during which he started 16 of possible 32 games and held a 6-10 record, shooting 14 interceptions in that span. In the past seven years, he played 109 of possible 112 games, won an MVP, and led the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl. It is fair to say that he is trying to claim that glory.
Bill Belichick, on the other hand, is a man who has a reputation for helping these so-called “recovery projects” get back to their prime. No matter what derailed these players either, Belichick has always found a way to help them find success. You could make a list of all the different types of players he’s remodeled. Lifelong beginners came to the end of their careers like Andre Carter, former “busts” who needed a change of scenery like Kyle Van Noy, and players who wore their welcome elsewhere like Martellus Bennett. No matter what has happened before, once they get to New England they get a fresh start.
He has also had his failures in that department as well. Antonio Brown was unable to steer clear of the tabloids, Albert Haynesworth’s experiment was a disaster, and Jonathan Cooper injured his foot on training ground and was cut a few months after being traded by Chandler Jones. Despite the result, Belichick continues to take on these challenges, and Cam Newton is the last and highest profile in years.
So you have a guy looking to return to his former glory and a man who has made a name for himself by helping players do that. This relationship must be a combination made in heaven. The question here is, can it be the best we’ve seen?
There are three players in particular who stand out from the crowd when they talk about recovery projects, Corey Dillon, Randy Moss and Rodney Harrison. All three arrived in New England and revitalized careers that would otherwise have died in the water. So I’m going to compare their respective situations to Newton’s to see who is the biggest recovery project in Patriots history, and what Cam will have to do to claim that spot.
Corey Dillon as a patriot
Dillon was traded to New England by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2004. He always played well for Cincy, but had a tumultuous relationship with the Bengals while lobbying for exchanges quite frequently. He publicly requested a move throughout the 2003 season, as his carries were cut in half due to the appearance of Rudi Johnson and the arrival of new head coach Marvin Lewis. He even threw his team into the stands after his last game as Bengal. Dillon is the best example for a player who needed a change of scenery.
When he finally got that change in 2004, he exploded in the best season of his career. He ran for 1,635 yards and 12 touchdowns on his way to a Super Bowl title. In Cincinnati, he was viewed as unhappy; In New England, his teammates praised him for his work ethic and his ability to fit into the locker room culture. That’s where the difference lies in Dillon the Bengal and Dillon the Patriot: all he ever wanted to do was win, and when he finally did, he was a model football citizen.
That offseason, he signed a five-year extension worth up to $ 25 million. He played two more years in New England, and eventually retired as a Patriot. His past two years were good, if not unspectacular, and he shared the burden with first-round rookie Laurence Maroney in 2006. He retired as the fourteenth leading running back in NFL history.
Statistics and recognitions:
- 3 seasons (2004-2006)
- 1x Super Bowl champion (XXXIX)
- 1x Pro Bowl (2004)
- 3,180 yards, 37 touchdowns
Randy Moss as patriot
The Patriots acquired Randy Moss for a fourth-round pick before the 2007 season. After spending two off seasons in Oakland during which he caught 102 passes for 1,558 yards and 11 touchdowns, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin sent Moss to New England, where he further solidified himself as the best wide receiver in NFL history (Jerry Rice fans stay away from the comments).
We all know what happened in 2007. Moss caught 23 touchdown passes, breaking Rice’s record of 22, was named All-Pro in the first team and made the Pro Bowl. He combined 152 sacks, 2,272 yards and 24 touchdown catches in 08 ‘/ 09’. Dissatisfied with not receiving a new contract, Moss played four games for New England in 2010 before being traded to Minnisota. He never won a Super Bowl, but he publicly thanked Bill Belichick for helping him revive his career in his 2018 Hall of Fame speech.
The big change for Moss I was Bill Belichick. He played for Art Shell and Norv Turner in Oakland and won six games combined over two seasons. A player with Moss’ skills must have felt he was being wasted on such a horrible show.
Statistics and recognitions:
- 3.25 Stations (2007-2010)
- 1x All-Pro (2007)
- 1x Pro Bowl (2007)
- NFL Record for receiving touchdowns in one season. (23 in 2007)
- 259 catches, 3,904 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Rodney Harrison as Patriot
Harrison signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in the summer of 2003. He was released after spending nine years in San Diego. In his first season as a Patriot, Harrison had an immediate impact, was named to the All-Pro team and won the Super Bowl. He followed up with a better year in 2004, where he was rejected from the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams, but won his second consecutive Super Bowl. In his remaining four seasons in New England, Harrison struggled with injuries, missing 33 games from 2005-2008. However, he always played well when he was on the field.
Harrison’s career really changed in New England because he found someone who would allow him to be him. It was reputed to be a hard-nosed insurance looming in the line of legal and illegal blows. It was 110 MPH 110% of the time, something Marty Schottenheimer didn’t necessarily appreciate in San Diego. Belichick didn’t mind at all and allowed Harrison to be who he was.
Statistics and recognitions:
- 6 seasons (2003-2008)
- 2x Super Bowl Champion (XXXVIII + XXXIX)
- 1x All-Pro (2003)
- 15 interceptions (7 postseason), 9.0 sacks and 446 tackles.
- Patriot Hall of Fame
Cam Newton Comparison
While I would claim that Harrison is the best recovery project in Patriots history, I think Newton’s situation compares better to that of Randy Moss. Seven great years of becoming the best player in Minnesota Vikings history, followed by two disappointing years that made the player available and hardly anyone wanted him. That essentially describes both Moss and Newton. The only differences are their positions and that Moss was changed and Newton was signed. Both arrived in New England with one-year contracts for much less than they are worth, Newton for $ 1.05 million and Moss for $ 1.5 million. The situations are eerily similar.
The question remains what Newton needs to do to become Belichick’s best recovery project. Moss broke records and became a fan favorite, Dillon signed a huge contract extension, Harrison was successful on the team by winning two Super Bowls and became a Patriots Hall of Fame. The easy answer is to win. To be seen as successful in New England, you must win, especially in the quarterback position. Can he and Belichick do the job? It remains to be seen, first you will have to win the initial job.
Tell me what you think Newton will have to do to be placed in a category with Dillon, Moss and Harrison in the comments. follow me on twitter @KeaganStiefel.
