Bedard's Breakdown: If the Patriots want to be all in on Antonio Brown, Phillip Dorsett should request a trade

The Antonio Brown circus could end at any time, depending on what the NFL's investigation turns up.

Sure, I advocated for the Patriots to sign Brown if he became available. Of course, that was with me thinking the Patriots would have done a modicum of due diligence on the background of a troubled player before doing so. Silly of me to expect that without stating it. Considering some of their past missteps, that might be an area that needs improvement in the organization.

At this point, I'm kind of hoping the NFL turns something up and puts Brown on ice for the rest of the season. It's obvious his whole being is more than just being a childish diva — there is some serious deviant behavior and while he may be able to tamp that stuff down for a while, it's going to crop up at some point. Even if the NFL doesn't find quite enough evidence to place Brown on the exempt list, the ice he'll be skating on from this point forward will be thinner than the Charles in March.

Something is bound to give; this guy has the feel of a ticking time bomb. And the addition of Brown has taken the feeling around the team from the kind of squad you've enjoyed rooting for — most of the team has been together for multiple years and have basically built this together — to adding a little bit of disgust ... "Antonio just scored. Yay? I'm supposed to root for the guy who, at the least, either a) thinks it's OK to send those text messages to women, b) quit on his last two teams, c) respects other humans about as much as trash? Woo hoo! Stairway to Seven!"

None of it feels right. Even for the organization everyone else loves to hate, this seems like a Zakim bridge too far.

Not to mention, it's going to screw over Phillip Dorsett. Again. He dealt with it last year when Josh Gordon arrived and, if Brown continues to play, Dorsett is going to have to take a backseat again. This time, it's not right. The Patriots were desperate for Gordon last year so you could understand it a little bit, but they are not this time around.

Dorsett has done everything the Patriots have asked and more since the first day he arrived in Foxborough. He should not have to sit behind the mercenary likes of Brown again. The Patriots don't have pay Brown the first installment of his bonus until Sept. 23. Bill Belichick should use that time to decide whether he wants Brown or Dorsett on his team. It's one or the other. If it's Brown, Belichick should have enough confidence in his decision to trade Dorsett to a team that might actually appreciate what he brings to the table in a contract year.

Sunday's 43-0 victory over the Dolphins was just the latest example of Dorsett's understated and, obviously. underappreciated standout play.

The first was obvious: the 3rd-and-17 conversion that went for 18 yards. It was the biggest play in the game and a play the Patriots needed leading just 7-0 at the time. They punt there, you never know what might happen. The cornerback had outside leverage in zone coverage, but Dorsett still found a way to get over the top of him and make a huge play.

The second was the first play of the second half, when Brady showed his unfailing confidence in Brown by sticking it in between three defenders knowing that Dorsett wouldn't turtle as the high-danger catch in traffic.


Do you think Brady makes either of those throws to Brown anytime soon? Of course not.

What else does Dorsett have to do to prove his worth to this team? He's caught every targeted pass to him in the regular season since Week 4 of last season (23 for 23). He caught a 29-yard touchdown in the AFC Championship Game. Dorsett, unlike No. 17, is not afraid to throw his body around in the running game or on special teams when needed.

Dorsett has been everything you've loved to root for about this Patriots team. He came in after a late trade, put his head down and steadily grew in the offense to the point now that he plays with certainty and plays fast in it. He does everything the coaches ask, including block his rear off in the running game or for his receiving teammates. The quarterback has the utmost confidence in him. Dorsett is a gamer with a capital G.

And then there's the other guy.

It's fine if Belichick wants Brown because of the new dimension he could add to this offense in time. But he shouldn't make Dorsett subjugate himself again. If Belichick has the courage of his conviction with Brown, then he should do the right thing and trade Dorsett so he has the best chance to land a big contract next year. Dorsett has certainly earned that much.

Here are the positional ratings against the Dolphins:

Quarterback (4.5 out of 5)

Tom Brady had five throws that were just outstanding in this game, including the touchdown to Brown, the 3rd and 17 toss to Dorsett and the 32-yard pass to Dorsett that was dropped in a bucket. Brady's off to a very strong start.  ... Brady totally stared down Brown on the 3^rd and 7 play that he dropped. And Brady's fade to Brown in the end zone was severely underthrown. Brady will be kicking himself for that one.

Running backs (4 out of 5)

Nice job by James White sorting out the cross dog blitz on the second play of the game. A lesser running back gets the quarterback killed. ... Sony Michel ran harder in this game, but he's still not seeing the game clearly. Leaving yards on the field. Plus he had a fumble. ... If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: Rex Burkhead continues to be the best all-around back on this team — when he's on the field. ... James Develin hasn't been great to start this season.

Receivers (4 out of 5)

Didn’t love Josh Gordon’s route on 3^rd and 3 with 8:32 left. Good coverage by Xavien Howard, but if Gordon comes back to the ball a little, he can shield Howard off. Gordon had his moments in this game, but he largely struggled with three poor routes, a penalty and a stuffed run allowed. ... Phillip Dorsett had the two best catches of the game and maybe they’ll hold up for the whole season. The 3^rd and 17 grab, and then the 18 yarder to start the second half was even better because it was in between three defenders. Standing ovation. … Terrible coverage on Gordon’s 3^rd and 12 conversion. Howard was like 10 yards off. ... Brown's not running Patriots routes yet. ... Want to see more of Matt LaCosse. So far, so good. Two really good catches. They'll take that. ... Julian Edelman was just terrific and drew two penalties.

Offensive line (4 out of 5)

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Bad sack by Shaq Mason on the first play of the drive with 7:30 left in the first half. Looked like he was on skates against John Jenkins. And it was a three-man rush. ... Great blocks by Isaiah Wynn and Matt LaCosse on Sony Michel’s goal-line plunge. … Mason missed on an easy block on Michel’s 3-yard run on 3^rd and 5. … Patriots gave up two sacks on three-man rushes. That’s a little embarrassing. ... Marshall Newhouse looked very rusty, understandably. ... In order of effectiveness: Joe Thuney, Ted Karras, Wynn, Mason, Korey Cunningham, Newhouse.

DEFENSE

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Defensive line (5 out of 5)

Chase Winovich learned a lesson on the third down early in the third quarter. The Dolphins LT easily shoved him up the field to open up a huge hole for 9 yards that nearly converted the 3^rd and 10. Jamie Collins didn’t get off a block either. … Both players were very good again, however, overall. Collins (seven plus plays) did a little bit of everything in this one. ... Kyle Van Noy jacked up the running back to set up Stephon Gilmore’s pick-six. ... Good to see Adam Butler contribute, but this was one bad offensive line. Not surprised the Patriots used him and he was impactful (six plus plays) — the Dolphins have an unathletic line and Butler's athleticism is his best tool.

Linebackers (4 out of 5)

Not much bad, and not much great out of this group. Hardly noticed Elandon Roberts, Dont'a Hightower and Ja'Whaun Bentley in this one between the players up front dominating a weak line, and the secondary making plays.

Secondary (3.5 out of 5)

This group made a lot of big plays, but there was some sloppy play as well. ... Duron Harmon had a great blitz that contributed to an interception, but he was also the beneficiary of a drop and allowed a fourth-down conversion. ... Heads up play by Jason McCourty to jump the slip screen on 3^rd and 14 midway through the third quarter. ... J.C. Jackson had a rough one that would have looked worse without two drops.

THREE UP

Jamie Collins: Not only had his own interception and helped on another, but contributed in every way imaginable.

Julian Edelman: Don't let the No. 17 circus distract you from Edelman being an outstanding football player.

Adam Butler: Both of his sacks came on plays created by other players, but he also got his hand on two passes and was active up front.

THREE DOWN

Marshall Newhouse: Was obviously pressed into action, but he had a tough time sustaining blocks and had two holds as fatigue became an issue.

J.C. Jackson: Was burned on two passes that were dropped by Dolphins receivers.

Josh Gordon: Had a couple of big plays, but seemed out of sorts with Brady and the offense. Also had a careless penalty that was legit.