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With so much controversy that Antonio Brown has reported at Gillette Stadium this week, the New England Patriots hope that it will provide a spark equivalent to their attack.
Not that they really need it.
Brown was charged with rape and sexual assault in a civil lawsuit on Tuesday. Brown denied all allegations and practiced all week with the Patriots. He will not be placed on the commissioner's exempt list until Sunday, and he is likely to play against the Miami Dolphins when the Patriots enter the second week of their 2019 season.
This is how the Patriots' broad reception depth diagram was superimposed after the addition of Brown and the trading of Demaryius Thomas.
X: Josh Gordon, Gunner Olszewski, Matthew Slater
Z: Antonio Brown, Phillip Dorsett
Slot: Julian Edelman, Jakobi Meyers
If Gordon pulled out, Brown would probably take that role X, then Dorsett would take the Z post. Edelman and Meyers can also play the Z receiver.
The Patriots have on their reserve list two receivers X entitled to return in mid-season. The first round pick Keal Harry is in the reserve of the injured and can return to the 9th week. Cameron Meredith is on the list of people physically unable to play and can return after week 6. Priceless. Gordon has been suspended for more games than he has been active since entering the NFL in 2012. Brown could be on the list of exemptions after the NFL began investigating the charges against him. Edelman is 33 years old.
Even after trading Thomas, the Patriots still have the best body of NFL receivers with Edelman, Brown and Gordon as starters. Dorsett is also a solid number 4. He caught four passes for 95 yards with two touchdowns in the Patriots opening win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. Dorsett would not start until the return of Harry and Meredith.
Edelman had six catches on 11 targets for 83 yards on Sunday. Gordon had three catches on four targets for 73 yards with a touchdown.
ESPN's Mike Clay is making seasonal screenings for fantastic purposes. Here's how he saw the Patriots' offense get worse after acquiring Brown, but before the start of the season.
Dorsett has already exceeded these expectations with his two touchdowns. He will probably take these numbers next to Thomas's name.
It would have been ideal if the Patriots had been able to keep Thomas on top of everyone, but registering an eighth wide receiver is excessive, especially with Harry and Meredith on the reserve lists.
Quarterback Tom Brady should be very happy with his arsenal of weapons. The Patriots must now be careful to keep them all on the ground at the same time as long as possible.
Photo thumbnail via Greg M. Cooper / USA TODAY Sports Images
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