How Josh Gordon has gone from wildcard to a dependable cog in Patriots' passing game

FOXBOROUGH — Tom Nolen coached Josh Gordon for just one season in high school, but it’s clear the receiver made an imprint on the Texas high school legend.

Nolen, who retired this past June after coaching at Lamar High outside of Houston for 33 years, said he’s watching as much of Gordon as he can this season with the Patriots, and he’s keeping his fingers crossed that things work out for the occasionally star-crossed receiver.

“I’m pulling like hell for him, on a lot of levels,” Nolen told BostonSportsJournal.com when he was reached by phone on Thursday. “One, you hate to see a talent like that get wasted. I mean, he walked into the league and he led the league in receptions. I mean, goddamn, there are some pretty good players in that league, and for him to do it on a lousy team like that one ... I mean, it wasn’t like he had (Drew) Brees throwing him the football.

“And two, on a personal level, you hope he can continue to get his life straightened out. He has a chance to be set for life if he keeps playing like this, to take care of himself and his family and brother.”

So far, things have worked out well. The receiver brought his share of baggage to the Patriots on Sept. 17 when he was acquired in a trade with the Browns. Nolen was initially taken aback when Gordon was traded to New England. But then, he took a step back.

“Then I said, ‘Nahhh. They need a receiver,’” he said. “On paper, it was an easy choice. The only question: Can he come in and keep his nose straight? We had Brandon LaFell play here in high school, and he told me how tough practice was. I mean, (Bill) Belichick doesn’t take any (expletive). if Josh (expletives) around, he’ll be gone. Belichick will cut him in two seconds if he starts any trouble. And that’s it. And (Tom) Brady won’t screw around either.”

When Gordon first arrived, there was plenty of fanfare, as well as a lot of curiosity. Labeled as the Patriots’ latest reclamation project, there were questions about his ability to stay out of trouble off the field, his commitment, and whether or not he would fit in the New England system.

But three months later, he’s managed to become just another guy in the New England locker room. According to teammates, he’s distinguished himself as someone who asks the right questions in meetings, hasn’t missed a practice, and has worked diligently to become a dependable teammate, both on and off the field.