Newton has a (very brief) reaction to idea of joining Washington originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The NFL is a league built on over-analysis, and that kicks into over over-analysis when free agency rolls around. This story is the living embodiment of that fact.
Cam Newton was recently on the I AM ATHLETE podcast, along with former pros Brandon Marshall, Chad Johnson/Ochocinco/Johnson/Ochocinco/Johnson and Fred Taylor. In all, the four chatted for more than an hour and a half, but for the purposes of this website, the most important segment lasted just a handful of seconds.
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Near the end of the show — in an exchange you can watch right here — Marshall approached Newton with the prospect of re-joining his old head coach, who's now leading the Burgundy and Gold.
"Ron Rivera said he ain't ruling out you coming to Washington," Marshall said, which is correct.
Newton's response was one word long, but he delivered it loudly.
"Riverboat!" the QB said.
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Marshall then turned his attention to Johnson to discuss one of Washington's top pieces, a guy who'd undoubtedly make Newton's life easier should he end up signing with the franchise.
"And I like that young boy over there. Oooh, McLaurin," Marshall said. "You like him there, Ocho?"
"That boy nasty," Johnson answered.
Unfortunately, that was the end of any Washington-related talk. So, can anything be taken away from the back-and-forth?
Well, uh, Newton didn't shut down Marshall's inquiry about a reunion with Rivera, a man he thrived with consistently in Carolina. Sure, he may have just shouted out Rivera's nickname, but it's not like he countered with a, "NOPE, I'M GOOD."
It's true that just about every other possible QB choice out there for Washington is more attractive than Newton, who's coming off an insipid campaign with the Patriots. Yet it's also true that no one is more familiar to Rivera than Newton.
Maybe, just maybe, this snippet of Newton's interview will eventually prove prescient.
