The New England Patriots made a much-anticipated move Monday afternoon, acquiring wide receiver Josh Gordon from the Cleveland Browns and a conditional seventh-rounder in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
Gordon is the only player in NFL history to have back to back 200-yard receiving games and amassed 1,646 yards in 2013—the best in the NFL. However, Gordon has had trouble staying on the field. He’s been suspended multiple times for marijuana use and was unable to attend most of training camp this past year because he was in rehab. With the acquisition of Gordon, the Patriots look to return to form and maybe have one of their best offenses since 2007.
Tom Brady had a surplus of weapons last year, and he needed everyone in order to even get to the Super Bowl. Julian Edelman missed the entire year as a result of a torn ACL. Malcolm Mitchell missed the year as well with knee problems. Brandin Cooks had trouble adjusting to the offense and was knocked out in the Super Bowl. Phillip Dorsett also had trouble learning the playbook. Rex Burkhead also missed games as well as Rob Gronkowski and Chris Hogan. In the end, it was a miracle that New England reached the Super Bowl at all. This year though, the receiving corps is much maligned.
Edelman is suspended for the first four games of the season, and Hogan and Dorsett are all that remain from last year. Brady still has James White coming out of the backfield, with Burkhead back and newcomer Sony Michel at running back. The Patriots brought in Cordarrelle Patterson to bolster the wideouts, but he is more of a speed receiver who is best utilized as a jet sweep and screen catcher.
The Gordon trade has the opportunity to transform the Patriots offense. Gordon could be the most talented deep threat in a Patriots uniform since Randy Moss. He can run other routes than just a go route unlike Cooks could last year, but most importantly, Gordon can open up the seam for Gronkowski and the returning Edelman to work their magic underneath, with Gordon taking the top off the defense.
In terms of checking personalities at the door, no one does it better than the Patriots. Guys who were labeled as problems like Moss and Aqib Talib not only came through New England and didn’t make any trouble—they excelled in the system. Time will tell if Gordon can add a much needed layer to this Patriots team, but it is worth taking a shot if he transforms the Pats into Super Bowl favorites once again.
One Response
I wonder if Bill had a “talk” with Gordon prior to pulling the trigger. The reward outweighs the risk so I would have done it, but if Gordon’s head isn’t in this move – you will spend time/resources (roster spot) on a sink hole. Here’s hoping he’s really ready to play some football and can be productive!