New England Patriots: Time to add weapons to Cam Newton’s arsenal

Now is the time for the New England Patriots to add weapons to Cam Newton’s arsenal to ensure success against the NFL’s elite

The recent influx of cash adding to New England’s cap space presents a good opportunity for the New England Patriots to upgrade their offensive arsenal.

Having incredibly, if not miraculously, acquired the services of one of the league’s elite quarterbacks, Cam Newton, the Patriots should feel obliged to provide him with the offensive skill players to succeed.

Let’s face it, Bill Belichick wants to prove that he can win without that former No. 12 at the helm at quarterback. Somehow, he has been able to fill that position after Brady’s departure with one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Bully for him. But if he doesn’t give him the tools to succeed, it’s all for naught.

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What does he have to do to give Cam a fighting chance to excel? Here are a couple of suggestions to make it a lot easier. Not rocket science, just a couple of practical steps that will likely give the Patriots a better opportunity to succeed.

First, the Patriots need to find a wide receiver who can complement Julian Edelman with more than 25 or 30 catches. Say 60. The good news is that Mohamed Sanu, who got a bad rap last year in New England after he suffered what was probably a high ankle sprain that required surgery post-season, seems healthy.

Sanu played on that bad ankle, the result of his foolishly being placed in punt return duty by the team. An awful and very costly decision. To his credit, he labored on but was too injured to deliver. With Sanu healthy, he adds a solid presence aside Julian Edelman. He certainly has the ability to catch 40-50 passes next year from Cam Newton. A very good start.

In addition, the Patriots need a third reliable receiver to deliver. Last year’s top rookie, first-round pick N’Keal Harry didn’t get the job done due to injury and whatever else intervened. If Harry can justify his first-round status, New England will be well-served in the wide receiver position.

But they should still go out and get another proven guy to fit right in. More is better when you’re building an offense that can compete for all the marbles. Give Cam Newton the tools and he’ll deliver. The other position that needs an immediate infusion of talent is running back.

The Patriots have been without an effective big running back since they decided to part ways with LeGarrette Blount after the Atlanta Super Bowl win. Blount fumbled in that game, and it likely cost him his spot on the team. Not a great decision. It’s necessary to go get one.

I’ve written before, the Patriots have lacked a bulldozing big back to get a yard or two to extend a drive or smash in a touchdown from a yard or two out. Blount had 18 touchdowns in his final year in New England. That’s 18. Last season, they were terrible in short-yardage situations.

I still believe that if New England had signed Blount last season as a free agent, he may have given them all they might have needed to be more than an afterthought in the playoffs. Whatever the case may be, New England doesn’t possess a big running back now who can bulldoze a yard or two when they really need it. They need to go get one.

There is still time to improve the offense before the season or even camp begins. The recent infusion of cap space makes this all the more possible.

The suggestion here for New England is to just get it done. You have been fortunate enough (miraculously) to secure an MVP-quality quarterback for peanuts. Don’t waste this opportunity. Build on it.

Now is the time to give Cam Newton the tools to excel in New England. You have (if healthy) a top offensive line. You have a couple of terrific weapons in Julian Edelman and James White and maybe Mohamed Sanu.

Go and get the two or three players that will complete this New England Patriots offense. Now is the time. The opportunity is there. Just go for it.