Josh Gordon limited with a thigh injury in the first practice of the Patriots

FOXBORO – For defenders of the Patriots who were around five years ago, it's probably a memory they would like to forget.

Josh Gordon caught seven passes for 151 yards and one touchdown. He also had a 34-yard run. He was the best athlete on the field that day, and he was working in a talented corner at his peak, Aqib Talib, all the way through.

"He was a monster at the time and he's still a monster now," said Hightower, a second-year linebacker on Wednesday. "He's a great athlete, a good catcher, happy to have him."

The Patriots had Gordon in training for the first time on Wednesday. He was limited by a thigh problem, a widely reported injury in the days leading up to his trade with the Patriots.

Yet Lions coach Matt Patricia, the Patriots' defensive coordinator on this December day at Gillette Stadium, while Gordon went crazy, knows what kind of threat might be Gordon.

He watched Gordon take Talib and then outscored everyone on the field for a score of 80 yards.

"Obviously a great player," said Patricia. "Again, I think unfortunately, the last time I saw him, he figured out he was probably still running in. Just a really big game for him when he was in Cleveland.

"A dangerous guy, a vertical threat, a big receiver, good body control, good hands, will really be a big challenge for us.Not to have something on the tape for what they are going to do with him, in this aspect is also a bit difficult. "

Time will tell how much, if any, Gordon can contribute when the Patriots arrive in Detroit. But Hightower said he would have the support of his new teammates when he came to them when he was not trying to catch up with the playbook.

"Is your job a great mantra preached here," said Hightower, "and I'm sure he had this conversation with the coach and all those good things.

"No matter what he needs, whatever his questions, we are all here to help you."