Josh Gordon is one of the most incredible talents I’ve ever seen in the NFL. Six-feet, three-inches tall, and 225 pounds of toned greatness, that can run like the wind, and overpower defensive backs on a regular basis. His 2013 Pro Bowl season was nothing short of sensational, and he was the talk of the NFL, as he simply obliterated those who tried to stop him.
What has he done since then the casual football fan might ask?
Unfortunately, very little on the field, as by virtue of drugs and alcohol dependency, it’s been a plethora of league suspensions and rehab stints for a gifted athlete who by his own admission has been enabled his entire life in exchange for his athletic prowess.
Recently, Gordon was given a train ticket to the town of Rock Bottom, as he found himself no longer wanted by the worst team in the NFL, and perhaps all of professional sports, the Cleveland Browns. They too grew weary of his antics and traded him for virtually nothing in return to the New England Patriots, who fancy themselves as a franchise that can turn a player around, and get the best out of him by virtue of their culture and system. They certainly have a track record of doing such, and they desperately need a play-making receiver for Tom Brady to throw to, so there you have it. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Well actually it is, for New England, but not Josh Gordon. He’ll have to conform to an environment that enables no one (other than Brady) and one that is commandeered by a no nonsense coach in Bill Belichick, who by the way, has total control on personnel decisions to boot.
Sure, New England will proclaim it’s a chance for a fresh start for Gordon and he’ll be evaluated fairly. One thing they won’t demonstrate is a tolerance for nonsense, and as all players on their team, the latest reclamation project will have to be on time, work hard, and listen to Belichick or he won’t be a Patriot long enough for the Postal Service to forward his mail to Massachusetts. Then again, no one has ever stood up to Gordon and told him what the rules actually are, and that will happen day one in New England. He’ll be given a chance to earn playing time and show them if there is indeed anything left in the tank.
It’ll be pretty easy. Perform well or we’ll cut you with zero obligation. That’s a far cry from where he was as an all star, but Gordon no longer has that type of “street cred” and will have to conform quickly to survive in Belichick’s simplistic world.
However, there is an even greater opportunity for Gordon here, and that’s the one he should embrace. Yes, a legitimate chance to turn his life around, and develop a plan for what occurs after the playing days are over for a professional athlete. Why be like a great number of players who squander their last chance for success and find out the hard way when the full ride is over?
Those who have enabled Gordon to date are now all gone. They did it in the name of outrunning the defense for the winning score, as opposed to what was in his best interest. New England isn’t another chance, but rather his last chance. Belichick will jettison him quickly if he won’t do things the Patriot way, and that will undoubtedly be the last straw for Gordon. Sure, he’ll play a season or two in Canada and when he’s cut, it’ll be in small type on the back page. No fanfare, no glory and no excuses.
This last chance is real, and it’s all for the taking. A spot on the most revered team in the NFL, catching post routes for arguably the greatest quarterback in the history of the game. All you have to do is be on time, leave the drugs and alcohol alone, and distinguish yourself in practice and on the field. Sounds pretty easy to me for someone as talented as Gordon, but his history would indicate differently. Either way, this superb opportunity is the last chance this troubled young man will get in the NFL. The only question is, what will he do with it?
Danny Bridges, who thinks Josh Gordon still has the goods and wishes him well, can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
Josh Gordon
