Josh Gordon's Trade: Former Patriots and NFL Journalists Intervene



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Josh Gordon is a patriot.

The NFL's trading ring told officials on Tuesday night that New England will receive Gordon of the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a conditional pick in the fifth round next year. The acquisition of Gordon was a controversial decision, considered low risk, very rewarding by some and desperately useless by others. On one side, the 27-year-old delighted the league in 2014, leading the NFL earning winnings and winning the first-team All-Pro title. On the other hand, he has not been active for a whole season since his freshman year, battling drug addiction and multiple suspensions.

Here's what people say after the trade:

Willie McGinest: "It will be his"

Former Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest said Monday on NFL Network's "Total Access" network that he expects the Patriots to encircle Gordon with the resources needed to facilitate success. McGinest, who spent 12 seasons in New England, said it was Gordon's job to take advantage of this environment.

"As for the Patriots, they have a habit of dealing with guys who are straightforward or maybe [have] some character issues, "said McGinest. "When we have guys like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and everybody and the way they've done things in the past, the way they're doing – treating everybody and taking them to football, is going to do – now it's up to Josh. "

By calling Gordon "phenomenal athlete," McGinest predicts that the 27-year-old will be fine if he "really wants to get to the bottom of things" and "does what he needs to do". "Learn the system and learn the games," but as long as he proves that he is both competent and responsible, McGinest has expressed his optimism about the future.

"It's up to him to play because he's in a great environment," he said.

Eric Mangini: "This is only a lottery ticket"

Former Patriots assistant coach Eric Mangini said Tuesday in his first FS1 interview that he did not know what to expect from Gordon.

"My initial reaction was that it was only a lottery ticket," Mangini said. That's all it is. They give a fifth time he plays 10 games. If he does not, they get a seventh, so they really exchange choices if he does not play in 10 games. "

"We do not know what he can be there because a big part of life in New England is to be a trusted player and to be a player able to line up, manage good roads, [and] can be present every day on a consistent basis, "he continued. "This is not the case with Josh. That said, they need a lot of help.

For Gordon to make an early impact, Mangini predicts that the Patriots will give him "a very small package of coins that he can do very well," whether it's a fade or a message. He stated that he envisioned Gordon being a specialty player, to the new wide receiver and backstroke Cordarrelle Patterson. "For me, it's the best way for them to use it in the short term until they understand who he is, where he is, what he can to do, "said Mangini. Of the more than 20 receivers that the Patriots have covered since March, Mangini has qualified Gordon as more talented, but noted that his gross abilities alone do not necessarily guarantee a smooth transition.

"Here's the difficult part," said Mangini. "When he left Cleveland, he left his best chance to succeed. They helped him, they were patient with him, they did all those things. It goes into an environment where you have to perform. There will be no one who will lead you through this process. There will be no one next to you in this process, in terms of Sherpa. You are alone. You'd better excel in this environment, and it's not easy. "

Mike Giardi: The last few months with the Browns have been "exhausting"

Mike Giardi of NFL Network agrees that Gordon will likely receive a "small package" if he plays Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Giardi m said The addition of Gordon could help create additional avenues for the short wing Rob Gronkowski. Giardi also noted that he had spoken with two people "in Gordon's circle," who both called the last two months in Cleveland "exhausting."

"Their hope is that a change of scenery, especially with an organization like the one with the Patriots, will be something to revitalize his career and get him on track," Giardi said Tuesday.

Peter Schrager: "It's not exactly Randy Moss"

Given Gordon's incredible athleticism and ability to win on the field, some have named him Brady's top receiver since the appointment of new Hall of Famer member Randy Moss.

Peter Schrager, an NFL insider, does not buy the comparison yet.

The Patriots traded against Moss in 2007, having compiled an impressive staging in nine years. Prior to coming to New England, Moss had played in 16 games in seven seasons, three-time All-Pro titles in the first team, three touchdowns in the championship and five pro-Bowls. Gordon showed flashes of a player with the potential to do the same thing, but he did not prove that he was nearly as successful as Moss.

Schrager said that equating Gordon with Moss – who had had his own controversies with marijuana during his career – is "insulting" and "disrespectful." Although Moss was tested positive for marijuana in 2001 subsequent test and was eliminated from the drug program of the league. Unlike Gordon, Moss has never been suspended for addiction.

"Josh Gordon has played 11 games in the past four seasons and he has won one," Schrager said on ESPN's movie "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" on Tuesday. "This is not exactly Randy Moss. Here's what people do not realize: it's not fantastic football. It's a real football. The Browns went out of their way to do their best to give Josh Gordon all his chances. He had his last chances with three different coaches. He was warned after the warning after the warning. "

"You're not dealing with a generational talent that's coming in right now," continued Schrager. "You're dealing with a guy who gave Cleveland Browns a million chances and said no. If you think Belichick will stop this locomotive in New England to make sure this guy has a good chance, get ready. I would just say this … They are on the way to the Super Bowl and if it gets in the way, there will be no place in this team. "

Field Yates: "Give yourself a bunch of throws at the dart board and you will have to land on two balls"

ESPN's Field Yates said on "Golic and Wingo" Tuesday that choosing the Patriots for the Browns in the fifth round was not really an investment to attract Gordon.

"If you go through the fifth round of the NFL 2018 draft, there were some players who made an impact," Yates said. "There is also a [Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson] which is cut especially [on Monday]. "

"If you want to keep that choice for the Patriots, you're going to have a player who can make your list," continued Yates. "If you cut a fifth round pick at the end of the training camp, like [Vikings coach] Mike Zimmer said yesterday, "There is no water in the back of a duck". If you have the maximum potential realized by Josh Gordon, you are talking about the most talented receiver that the Patriots have had – in terms of pure talent.

Although he admitted that Gordon "would get back into shape" is very uncertain – between 5 and 25% chance – Yates has qualified Gordon as the most talented receiver on the team since Moss. He also acknowledged that Gordon has "fought against many inner demons" over the years, but he said that the NFL mentality is often to "get into the dart game and end up on two balls." , "A mantra that he finds directly applicable to Gordon's situation.

"The Patriots are not beating 1,000 with respect to those agitated or risky player moves that they ship for pennies basically on the dollar," Yates said. "We know that Chad Ocho Cinco and Albert Haynesworth have been outstanding examples. But this is not so different from draft choices in some ways. You look at the balance sheet of any team, there will be a lot of puffs and there will be shots along the way. "

Reggie Wayne: "It's not about that now"

Reggie Wayne, a retired Colts home receiver, who also made a brief trip to New England, told Total Access that NFL Network "brings a lot" to the Patriots.

"They'll put it in the week, but they'll give him a little package," Wayne said. "They'll give him 10-15 pieces:" That's what you have to do. Learn these games. "And they will slowly make him beat."

Wayne said the addition of Gordon should help alleviate some of the problems the Patriots faced against the Jacksonville Jaguars during week 2 (ie, connecting with passing catchers). Green Bay Packers retired James Jones acknowledged that Gordon can not only win his own face-to-face duel and "blow him up", but he can also create individual battles that Gronkowski can win. Although Gordon should be able to contribute in the near future, Wayne said he thought the biggest contributions would come in a few months.

"It's not about now," Wayne said. "It's later on the line. [Belichick’s] prepare for the playoffs, and, by then, Josh Gordon will know this game book. Suddenly, when they crossed Jacksonville again, [Belichick will] have a great playmaker out there to face Jalen Ramsey.

Troy Brown: "Whatever his dependence, it's obviously a problem"

Although former Patriots receiver, Troy Brown, said the acquisition was "positive" for the Patriots because Gordon added "some production," he added that he did not think the Patriots should have done the business trip.

"I think it's a high risk," said Brown on NBC Sports Boston. "The guy has not played a full season since 2013. I'm not saying that he's a bad guy, [but] whatever its dependence, it is obviously a problem. You can say what you mean about marijuana, whatever, I do not really care, but in the end it's against the rules. "

Michael Felger: "I hate that"

98.5 Michael Felger of the Sports Hub was surprised by the Patriots' decision to turn to Gordon. As he explained:

I hate that. I hate that. I hate that. I hate that.

This is the typical type on which you can not rely. I think it's a bad sign that you bring this guy. That's so bad? Are you desperate? Are you going to assume that kind of risk and that kind of problem guy? Are you really in the market to take on all that luggage? You are now the one who must control his breath in the morning.

You are the one who has to do it, if he arrives a few minutes late, ask where is this guy? Are you now the team that has to wonder what they are doing and who they are doing it with? And what happens now will discourage you? Are you now the ones who have to do this? All because in Florida, the 90-degree heat loss at the beginning of the season was typical, which happens almost every year. I even think that they panic, as if it was not so bad.

Phillip Dorsett showed a little something.

Rob Ninkovich on Josh Gordon's business: "I think it just sends a bad message"

Former Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich said he would not try his luck with Gordon.

"Personally, I would not do it," Ninkovich told WEEI's "Dale & Keefe" following the report that the Patriots were about to reach an agreement for Gordon on Monday afternoon.

Citing Gordon's long history of drug addiction and multiple suspensions in the league, Ninkovich said the acquisition "sent a wrong message," said Ninkovich, despite Gordon's outstanding 2013 season. He does not think the 27-year-old would be "a good fit" in New England.

"There are guys who match and guys who do not," Ninkovich told WEEI. "You have to consider a certain personality when you play for the patriots. I doubt his love for the game if you have been suspended so often or if you have injured your hamstring by making a video for some type of approval when you have been training all week. Is not it giving up on your teammates?

Although Gordon has injured his hamstrings during a promotional photo shoot over the weekend, he should be in good health to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions, according to several reports. Even though he is active, Ninkovich does not anticipate the transition smoothly.

"First of all, the receiver is not a plug-and-play position," Ninkovich said. "It's not like," OK, here's Tom's phone book and you're ready to go on Sunday. "It will take at least a month for someone to really understand the offense, so you bring a guy, you have to take another guy off the list, how much does your talent hide all the rest like your problems?

Ninkovich emphasized that Belichick's attention is focused on everyone's responsibility – "Bill will always say," It's not your ability. It's: "Are you reliable? Are you reliable? – and he does not expect Gordon to do the work.

"Why did the Browns drop one of their best players when they did not win a match in a year and two weeks? "He tells me that he is not reliable. You can not depend on this guy.

Ninkovich also expects the change of environment to be a transition for Gordon, who only played for the Browns. In Gordon's six years of service – he played only 41 games – Cleveland had a record of 20-77-1.

"I think there is some pressure and some stress to play with Patriots and expectations," Ninkovich said. "He's in a place where, really, if they win a match, it's a party. There is no hope in the playoffs. There is no victory in your division. There is no failure if you do not win your division. The Patriots here, I mean, it's really a stressful environment. It is not easy to play here.

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