Patriots gridiron news: Eric Decker never stood a chance in New England

In announcing his retirement from the NFL, Eric Decker became the latest veteran wide receiver not to catch on in the New England Patriots system.

History wasn’t on his side, but there was hope Eric Decker would find one more productive season in him and be a factor in the New England Patriots offense in the upcoming 2018 season.

Obviously on the downside of his career, Decker said before signing a one-year deal with the Patriots that he felt he was a fit in the system.  But, as players like Reggie Wayne found out, it’s easier said than done especially when you are trying to catch up and learn a complicated playbook and get on the same page as Tom Brady.

If the 31-year-old Decker was even a couple years younger, his stint with the Patriots may have lasted longer.  There were just too many factors against him to succeed.  Besides age, the veteran receiver just didn’t look comfortable in the preseason games he played.  Those struggles on the field only compounded the struggles on the practice field.

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Quite frankly, Eric Decker was on the outside looking in to even make the team even with the team’s lack of depth at the wide receiver position.  At the very least, he would’ve stuck around through the first four weeks of the season until Julian Edelman returned.  So, his decision to walk away from the game overall is not surprising.

With a career resume of 439 catches for 5,816 yards and 53 touchdowns, Decker wrote via Instagram:

"“It’s been my childhood dream and my passion to play the game of football.  I was very fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to have those dreams fulfilled and to have played with such extremely talented and hard-working teammates, coaches, and staff.  This has been a passion inside of me since I was a little boy, but I know now it is to hang my helmet up and start a new chapter in my life.”"

Although the words were never written in his chapter with the New England Patriots, he did have an opportunity to see if the passion was still there.  Obviously, the drive wasn’t there and it took a complicated Patriots playbook to find that out.

In hindsight, he never really stood a chance in New England.  Not many receivers come in and pick up the system and earn trust from Tom Brady that quickly.

Let’s just bring on Dez Bryant

While fate seems to be insisting that the New England Patriots give veteran free agent wide receiver Dez Bryant a chance, it appears to be a long shot.

Not only would Bryant have the same challenge Eric Decker did in learning the playbook and finding a consistent chemistry with Tom Brady, the former Dallas Cowboys receiver would bring a baggage that the Patriots locker room does not need at this time.

Yes, Randy Moss came with some issues, but his mere talent and focus attributed to his success in New England.  While Bryant has the talent, one has to wonder if he would have enough focus to sustain within the Patriots offense even when he is not contributing the way he thinks he should.

Calling for the ball doesn’t work in New England.  So, before Bill Belichick even considers giving him that call, Dez Bryant will have to adjust (not change) his approach to the game and put the team before his individual success.