The New England Patriots rocked the NFL world by acquiring talent, but troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon on Monday and here’s how Tom Brady reacted to the news.
Yes, Josh Gordon has only played in eleven NFL games since 2013, but it’s the potential of the offensive playmaker that has the league worried about the New England Patriots adding him as a weapon for Tom Brady.
Just when it appeared the dynasty in Foxborough is beginning to crumble, the Cleveland Browns go and basically gift the Patriots a potential to dominate offensively once again. Though risky (and it’s a very low risk), the high rewards and potential of Gordon gives the most successful quarterback in the league two dominant offensive forces.
If Gordon buys in and looks like the player he was in 2013, how will any opposing defense account for both him and Rob Gronkowski? Never mind Julian Edelman when he returns.
That’s a big “if” given how new wide receivers seem to struggle picking up the Patriots offensive system. So, basically, let’s just see how the talent and commitment of Josh Gordon pans out. That’s how Tom Brady is approaching it.
In an interview with Westwood One Radio, Brady talked about his newest and perhaps most challenging offensive weapon.
"“I hate to make projections and expectations,” Brady said, as transcribed by The Sporting News. “That’s not fair and I have never met Josh personally, just like I hadn’t met some of the guys who have come in the last couple of weeks. “We’ll see how it goes this week. Hopefully he can work hard, put the team first and end up helping us in any role he can find for himself on the team.”"
That’s a pretty fair projection for a player who hasn’t demonstrated any type of commitment to the game he’s truly gifted at. The hope is the Patriots can give him a reason to love the game again and finally put a team ahead of himself.
It was pretty hard to do with the Cleveland Browns, but playing for one of the greatest coaches and catching the ball from one of the greatest quarterbacks to have ever surveyed the field should at least motivate him to make the effort.
At 27 years old, if Josh Gordon can’t do it now, it just won’t happen.
Rob Ninkovich doesn’t believe Josh Gordon is a fit
While the possibility of what Josh Gordon could bring to the New England Patriots offense has fans clamoring, former player Rob Ninkovich has thrown some salt and reality on all the excitement.
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The basic fact is that it won’t be easy to just employ a player like Gordon in a complicated offensive scheme along with the high expectations that comes along with playing for a championship organization like the Patriots.
Appearing on the Dale & Keefe radio show on Monday, Ninkovich offered his concerns about Gordon’s fit (or lack thereof) in New England. Not only did he question his personality, he highlighted how hard it is to adapt to how Tom Brady likes things done on the field.
"“First of all receiver isn’t a plug-and-play position,” Ninkovich said. “It’s not like, OK, here’s the phone book of Tom’s plays and you’re ready to go on Sunday. It’s going to take somebody at least a month to really understand the offense. So if you bring a guy in, you’ve got to take another guy off the roster. At what point does your talent hide everything else?”"
The one head start the New England Patriots may have with Josh Gordon is the fact backup quarterback Brian Hoyer played with him back in Cleveland. Yes, it may take a month or so for him to fully grasp the playbook, but offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is clever enough to keep it simple in certain situations when he is on the field to take advantage of his extreme talent.
Duron Harmon remembers Josh Gordon well
Seven catches, 151 yards and a touchdown are the numbers Josh Gordon put up the last time he played a game in Foxborough and New England Patriots fans and players remember it well.
That’s why obtaining the freakish athlete has fans and haters reminiscing about the Randy Moss and Tom Brady connection back in 2007. Overall in that 2013 season, Gordon caught 87 passes for 1646 yards and nine touchdowns in just 14 games.
Although he hasn’t done much since then due to a number of suspensions, Patriots safety Duron Harmon remembers that performance well and hopes he brings that type of production to New England.
"“If he can help us win, it’s always great,” Harmon said, via NESN. “We all know he’s a great talent. I’m looking forward to meeting him, becoming teammates with him. I’m pretty sure I’ll meet him soon, but I’m excited to have him here and help us win games.”"
While there is a low percentage chance Josh Gordon finds his ways in New England, there are high rewards if he does. It will take the team embracing him and Gordon embracing the New England Patriots way to make it all work out.