New England Patriots: Time to unleash Josh Gordon in Pats’ offense

New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon has started off slow in the first four games of the season, but there are signs he’s ready to explode as a top option in the offense.

It is hard to believe that just three weeks ago, the New England Patriots had Tom Brady throwing to a trio of Antonio Brown, Josh Gordon and a healthy Julian Edelman.

Fast forward to Week 5 and Brown is no longer on the team while both Edelman and Gordon are battling through injury.  In the meantime, Brady put through perhaps his worst performance as a starting quarterback in at least over a decade.

Is the wide receiver position once again a cause for concern?

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When the team has to rely on Josh Gordon (banged up or not) as a top offensive option, there is some concern there given his history of not being able to stay on the field due to personal issues.  Talent wise, we all know what the 28-year-old receiver is capable of.  He showed that last season when he finally got comfortable in the offense.

Even with three catches for 46 yards in the Week 4 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, there was a glimpse of how he can be utilized.  As a big target, Gordon took a short pass and barreled over Bills defenders to gain yardage.

And weeks ago, against the New York Jets, Gordon provided two highlight-reel catches in traffic.  He also showed in that game the type of toughness to be appreciated from any football player.

Willing to do whatever the team asks him to do, Josh Gordon is already showing signs of a reliable football player.  With 14 catches for 221 yards through the first four games of the season, perhaps it’s time to unleash Gordon as more of a top option now that he has become accustomed to the Patriots’ system with no thoughts of being the No. 1 or 2 wide receiver.

Speaking to the media Wednesday, his focus is on playing within the game plan.

"“I don’t know if we have No. 1s and No. 2s or numbers here.  It’s a collective effort from everybody,” Gordon said, as transcribed by WEEI.  “That is how the offense works here.  I think it works, obviously.  It’s a championship program.  Adopt that culture, adopt that philosophy and play my role.”"

One has to figure that as long as Josh Gordon is able to get on the field, his skillset will be utilized.  Though a little more can be expected of Phillip Dorsett, rookie Jakobi Meyers and tight end Ben Watson in the passing game, Gordon has the talent to be a force in many games, especially catching the ball from Tom Brady.

In a perfect scenario

Now, in a perfect world, the New England Patriots ideal situation would’ve been Antonio Brown being that top option along with Julian Edelman.  In that scenario, pressure would’ve been taken off Gordon, which would’ve given him more time to ease back into the offense.

With that option taken off the board (at least for now), Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels need to find creative ways to get the big target involved in the offense even when teams are focused on taking away his big play ability.  McDaniels certainly knows that.

"“Josh is doing well,” McDaniels said during his Tuesday conference call, as transcribed by NESN.  “He’s ready to go, he practices well, he practices hard, he really studies the game plan.  He’s moved into multiple positions this year, whereas last year he was more in one spot most of the time.  And honestly, I need to do a better job of finding ways to get him the ball throughout the course of the game in whatever role or position that we’re asking him to play.”"

What both McDaniels and Tom Brady have to be careful of is forcing the ball too much to Josh Gordon.  As long as the New England Patriots offense is able to spread the ball around, they are successful.  In that, there should be big plays and opportunities in store for Gordon.