Cam Newton didn’t exactly offer a warm endorsement of John Harbaugh after the Ravens coach’s viral “New York Giants” speech earlier this offseason.
On his “4th&1” podcast, the former NFL MVP unloaded on Harbaugh’s motivational style after the coach was seen repeatedly shouting “New York Giants” in an attempt to fire up players and staff, whose reactions apparently didn’t match the energy he was bringing.
“Harbaugh, take your behind back to Baltimore,” Newton remarked.
“These are professionals,” Newton continued. “We want the vision.
We want the mission. What are we going to be known for from our leader as a coach?
What are we going to be known for? This ain’t about those New York Giants, huh?”
Newton’s comments were blunt, and that’s hardly new territory for him. He’s built a reputation for saying exactly what he thinks, and that directness has often made him a compelling voice for fans and social media alike.
There’s also a reason his criticism lands with some force: Newton spent years in NFL locker rooms and knows the difference between empty noise and real motivation. He played most of his career under Ron Rivera in Carolina and also spent a season with Bill Belichick and the Patriots. However people feel about his commentary, he understands what actually moves players beyond the obvious answers of winning and money.
At the same time, there’s plenty we don’t know about what Harbaugh said behind closed doors or how the Giants responded to his other attempts to rally the group. Maybe that particular speech missed.
Maybe something else connected better. That’s kind of the point of the “Giants Life: The Offseason” show, which is tracking the team’s process.
Harbaugh has been a head coach for nearly 20 years, and if this kind of message has worked for him before, it’s fair to let the results speak for themselves. Still, if the Giants are in the market for a guest speaker, Newton would probably be a memorable choice.
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