Cam Newton was dubbed "Checkdown King" by Eagles defensive back K'Von Wallace during a practice this week. And not in an endearing way. But Newton, never shy to hand out a nickname himself, gave as good as he got on Thursday night.
For Wallace? Newton dug up a new sobriquet: "Glitter." Why?
"He was cheerleading on the sideline," Newton said. "Cheerleaders usually have glitter on."
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Newton, Jones both impress in Patriots' preseason game vs. Eagles
Following a nearly-flawless performance in New England's second preseason game of the summer -- Newton went 8-for-9 for 103 yards and a touchdown -- the Patriots veteran quarterback seemed to be feeling pretty good.
In the fourth quarter, knowing his night was done, he stood and talked to fellow quarterback Mac Jones. He went back and forth with Eagles fans in the stands. He grabbed a couple of beverages from the Gatorade cooler on the Patriots sideline and handed them to the folks working the chains on the sideline. He danced to Rhianna's "Don't Stop The Music."
Then at the podium after the game, he was willing to share with reporters a reaction to Wallace's taunts from earlier in the week.
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"That's Glitter," Newton said. "Glitter... He was still cheering his team on on the sidelines. (No.) 42? Yeah. He was out there. It was good.
"Tell his coach to play man-to-man then. I'm just doing what I'm told just like he's doing what he's told. You don't want me checking down, taking what the defense gives us then...
"It's no need to kind of feed into this because any time you have a joint practice with a bunch of alpha males, certain things are gonna be said. But we did have fun, we did get better as a team, and we just came out here and sealed the deal as far as you know another notch of moving in the right direction as the season progresses. That's what it's all about."