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Patriots Gridiron News: Phillip Dorsett has a chance to be a hero

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 25: Phillip Dorsett #13 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Trumaine Johnson #22 of the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 25, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 25: Phillip Dorsett #13 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Trumaine Johnson #22 of the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 25, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots took a blow Thursday with the loss of Josh Gordon, but once closed door opens up another opportunity for Phillip Dorsett.

The NFL is like an unscripted sports reality show, especially for the New England Patriots lately.

In a season in which the team has struggled to keep a fading dynasty shining, the latest drama once again surrounds the team’s receiving depth.

On Thursday, leading receiver Josh Gordon stepped away from the team to focus on mental health issues, which later ended up as another NFL suspension.  The player who the team took a chance on to improve a weakened receiving group, now leaves Tom Brady without a big target on the outside.

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No matter how the team has struggled at times this season, there is no better team at making adjustments than the New England Patriots. With the next player up mentality, all eyes are now on a receiver who entered the season destined for a bigger role.  That player is Phillip Dorsett.

Yeah, remember him?  Prior to the Josh Gordon trade, Dorsett was a player who was developing chemistry with Brady.  But that all faded once Julian Edelman returned from injury and Gordon turned into a reliable receiver on the field.  Suddenly, Phillip Dorsett was the forgotten man.

With 27 receptions for 256 yards and two touchdowns, that receiver has an opportunity to finish the season with the same promise as he begun the season with.  Yes, Chris Hogan will be looked at more, but it is Phillip Dorsett who can stretch the field and catch passes in the middle of the field similar to that of Josh Gordon.

He is not as big, but Brady has had success with these kinds of receivers in the past.  In a Deion Branch type role, Dorsett could take some of the sting off of the loss of Gordon.  He can help change how the offense approaches the game by giving Brady quicker outlets.  With his speed and toughness, the University of Miami product has an opportunity to be an unsung hero as the regular season ends.

Like a reality show, it would be fitting if the New England Patriots ended the season getting production from the players who were already on the team.  Josh Gordon was just a fantasy scenario that came true for a stretch of games, but a player like Phillip Dorsett represents the hard work and building up players that has become a staple of a Bill Belichick team.

Next man up, Dorsett now has an opportunity to really shine.

Gronk not 100 percent again

At this point in the season, fans have grown accustomed to Rob Gronkowski not being fully healthy.

But, on the say day it was announced Josh Gordon was walking away from the team, the last thing fans wanted to hear is that Gronkowski is back on the injured list with the same ankle and back problems he has been dealing with throughout the season.

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Gronkowski was listed as limited on Thursday’s injury report.  While it may not mean much at this point in the week, it is a concern now that the New England Patriots are limited with playmakers now that Gordon is not walking back through that door.

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