Bedard: If you're the Patriots, why wouldn't you bring back Josh Gordon?

I've certainly had my fair share of opinions on Josh Gordon over the years, all of which I stand behind:

• He put out questionable effort on the practice field and behind the scenes when he was a member of the Cleveland Browns;


• The Patriots were so inept at the position -- and had failed in a number of different attempts to stock the position over the offseason -- their desperation at the spot caused them to bring in Gordon, a move they normally would not have entertained (and had turned down in previous years for that same reason — they weren't that desperate);


• Bringing in one of the least dependable players in NFL history put the team at risk if he was suspended again before the end of the season;


• He was good with the Patriots, but that doesn't mean he was the right move. When you go from nothing to something ... a lot of players could have filled that role and been productive. It's similar to the Sony Michel situation: Sure, he was productive. But any number of players would have had the same level of production, if given the chance. Just because Player X got the job done, it doesn't mean Player X was the reason. They were just in the right place at the right time.