Lousy impression
Gordon sees nightmare up close as Pats stagger
DETROIT — Josh Gordon stood next to wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea and practice squad quarterback Danny Etling for much of last night’s game.
After being traded to the Patriots last week, he was inactive for the contest with the Lions. The combination of a hamstring injury and learning the playbook on short notice put off the receiver’s highly anticipated debut. So with another week to prepare, Gordon was trying to gain some knowledge about his new team on the sideline.
After watching the woeful proceedings up close, Gordon might have wanted to head back to Cleveland. That’s how poorly the Patriots played on both sides of the ball. Talk about a no-show, this looked very much like a repeat of the Jacksonville game. This was two weeks in a row where the Patriots didn’t seem to know when the game started. Given that, it’s a bit surprising O’Shea didn’t cover Gordon’s eyes, that’s how badly the team played.
Tom Brady had talked about having a greater sense of urgency, only the Patriots showed anything but that as Detroit outplayed them across the board in a 26-10 win at Ford Field.
The defense couldn’t stop the run or pass. Running back Kerryon Johnson motored through gaping holes up the middle, as did old friend LeGarrette Blount. The linebackers looked slow, as Matthew Stafford picked them apart underneath. That’s where every team takes advantage of the Pats. Why would Matt Patricia be any different?
The Pats also had trouble on third down and getting off the field, which sounds familiar. This is how it was for the Patriots defense early last season.
As for the offense, there was no running game to speak of, even though the Lions were the worst team against the run entering the contest.
If you thought this might be Sony Michel’s breakout game, think again. Like Jacksonville, the rookie did have one decent run (12 yards), but most of his carries went nowhere, or backward. He missed the preseason after having a procedure on his knee, so he’s really not ready to take over. But given the Patriots’ injury situation, losing Jeremy Hill, and Rex Burkhead constantly nursing injuries, he’s been pushed to the forefront.
Brady struggled to put together drives. In fact, he went three-and-out the first three series. When does that happen? The last time he was at Ford Field, he had a perfect passer rating. Not last night.
The Lions, and old friend Patricia, made everything difficult. Brady snuck a few passes to Rob Gronkowski and Burkhead here and there, and hooked up with James White for a touchdown on a perfectly thrown ball, but for the most part, the offense looked almost as bad as the defense.
At different points, O’Shea must have nudged Gordon to remind him how much his presence in the offense was needed. It was right there in front of him. His presence on the perimeter should help open things up for Gronkowski, Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett, as well as Burkett and White.
Gordon has all-world talent. Even if he learns a bit of the playbook, or a small section of plays geared toward his skills, that will help.
But Gordon can’t save the Patriots. Not if they show up and play like they did last night.
He’ll help the offense, but he can’t play defense. That unit has problems that aren’t readily fixed. The guys up front are getting beaten up by whatever opposing line they play. The linebackers also can’t keep up with running backs. The corners and safeties are giving up plays by the droves.
Wonder if Gordon was thinking he had a better defense in Cleveland.