When available and healthy, Gordon >>>>>> Cooks

[PP2]

Agreed. Maybe it is a difference in wording. Feeling "looked after" and supported in great, but taking refuge in that is not great. He has to stand on his own while being in a supportive environment or he will return to his struggles. Maybe that is more clear. The Pats versus the Browns may be positive, but a secondary consideration. Every little bit helps though.

You're right. I should not use that word "refuge."

 

[Schmo]

His hands are ridiculous (10"). If Brady can throw the slant and not worry about it being deflected by the wr back to a safety, that's a huge weapon.

I feel like he's filling the void that Mitchell left.

 

[PatsFan2]

His hands are ridiculous (10"). If Brady can throw the slant and not worry about it being deflected by the wr back to a safety, that's a huge weapon.

I feel like he's filling the void that Mitchell left.

Dam I forgot about Money Mitch.

 

[HailHydra]

It's almost frightening what hype can do to people. Brandin Cooks is one of the TOP receivers in this league. Josh Gordon hasn't been among the TOP receivers in the league for years. He hasn't even had a really great game yet, and he is healthy. Brandin Cooks has averaged OVER 100 yards a game in the games he's played throughout. At this point, there is absolutely no comparison. Cooks is better than Gordon.

 

[fnordcircle]

It's almost frightening what hype can do to people. Brandin Cooks is one of the TOP receivers in this league. Josh Gordon hasn't been among the TOP receivers in the league for years. He hasn't even had a really great game yet, and he is healthy. Brandin Cooks has averaged OVER 100 yards a game in the games he's played throughout. At this point, there is absolutely no comparison. Cooks is better than Gordon.

I think Gordon has the potential to be a better fit in our offense, but yeah there's no doubt that right now by every measurable on and off the field, Cooks > Gordon.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

It's almost frightening what hype can do to people. Brandin Cooks is one of the TOP receivers in this league.

Maybe in some systems, but not in this one.

Report: Tom Brady 'Not Sad' over Brandin Cooks Trade; WR 'Wasn't a Great Fit'

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Brady is "not sad" about the move. Rapoport added Cooks wasn't considered a "great fit" in New England.

I think it's clear there is more to it than hype, since Brady keeps talking about how he loves having Gordon. It's not like a first round pick is peanuts, but Cooks was traded TWICE, once away from Brees and then away from Brady. I think two Hall of Fame quarterbacks would not have allowed those trades to go through if they really felt like he was one of the top receivers in the league. Brady threatened to retire if Gronkowski was traded.

 

[zoostation]

Gordon - Size, Speed, Toughness, Instincts that allow him to split double coverage, GREAT hands.

Cooks - Speed

Any questions?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Clearly Cooks has had a better career but there is no doubt if Flash is clean and operating at a high-level , he's a better player than him. No question.

 

[Coolade2]

Didn't we cover this already in 125 pages of dimwit doubters,haters, psychologists, therapists, and oh yeah football guys who like to party a bit here and there but also possess talent and intelligence... ?yup..

 

[Uptown]

Both healthy & at the top of their game??....it's not even close. What type of question is this?? Cooks is a fine WR, but cmon..

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

In a vaccum, where we are just comparing on field stuff: Gordon is superior to Cooks in almost every physical category ...

In reality , you have to account for staying on the field and consistency ...both things Cooks has on Gordon by a very wide margin.

Cooks has been one of the most consistent WRs since being drafted ..and consistently finishing near the top of the league. Gordon is 5 years removed from his last good season...his only good season. He has hardly played since.

Its not even worth a debate. Cooks is the better wr when all things are considered. If Gordon can play to his potential for the next 5 years..then we have something to talk about.

 

[Brady6]

Clearly Cooks has had a better career but there is no doubt if Flash is clean and operating at a high-level , he's a better player than him. No question.

We don’t know if Gordon is the same player he was when he was 23-24 years old. We are taking about a guy who spent the better part of the past 2 decades abusing drugs and alcohol. That **** will age you quick. I think there is a question, and if he answers it in the coming weeks I agree he is a better player but I think we should give it some time.

 

[mgcolby]

The guy is 27. His 2nd season in the league he had 1646 yards and 9 TDs being the only weapon on the team catching passess from Jason Campbell and Brandon Weeden. And that was in 14 games. 1646 yards accounted for 41% of the Browns total receiving yards. His 9 TD's accounted for 33% of the TD receptions.

Based on all of that I would argue he is one of if not the most talented WR in the league. And IF he can lay off the drugs two or three seasons with Brady in this offense I would go as far to say that many people around the league would have him in the conversations for the best WR in the league.

The guy's talent is sick and it has barely showed up yet in NE. I hold my reservations because of his drug problems. But man if he can conquer his demons the sky is the limit.

 

[RobertWeathers]

We don’t know if Gordon is the same player he was when he was 23-24 years old. We are taking about a guy who spent the better part of the past 2 decades abusing drugs and alcohol. That **** will age you quick. I think there is a question, and if he answers it in the coming weeks I agree he is a better player but I think we should give it some time.

Agree. I'm talking about right now.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

To be honest, I'm not seeing the speed. He's got quickness and strength at the LOS to break open for slants, but he hasn't been separating like I remember him 5 years ago. At the moment I think a good comp for him is LaFell, but I think he's likely to exceed that soon.

 

[Chevy]

I think the most telling result of Gordon starting to settle in and "get it" - Hogan looked more like the Hogan of two years ago. 4 targets, 4 catches. The theory of the big three opening up opportunities for others is coming true.

Plus we have the awesomeness that is James White.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

To be honest, I'm not seeing the speed. He's got quickness and strength at the LOS to break open for slants, but he hasn't been separating like I remember him 5 years ago. At the moment I think a good comp for him is LaFell, but I think he's likely to exceed that soon.

That deep pass against the Chiefs resulting in an end zone DPI where Gordon practically still caught it despite being tackled...that was probably the best (and fastest) route a wide receiver has run for Brady on a deep ball since Moss. Brady also missed him later in the game (and almost got picked) when Gordon was well behind the defender and getting more separation...it was a great play to break up that INT. One thing that Gordon has that these WRs almost never have in the Patriots offense is closing speed. He beats guys on those last few feet because of his length and long strides, to go along with elite speed. It’s a sight to behold, even if it isn’t immediately paying off like Moss. That’s one thing that bugged everyone about Cooks; he had to have extreme separation to make a play because he couldn’t win contested balls and has such relatively short strides. That’s also where having that ridiculous strength (look at Gordon’s arms and legs compared to Cooks - muscle mass vs twigs) actually matters.

You’ll see the speed soon if you haven’t yet. To me he looks capable of taking a routine slant all the way.

 

[PatsFan2]

That deep pass against the Chiefs resulting in an end zone DPI where Gordon practically still caught it despite being tackled...that was probably the best (and fastest) route a wide receiver has run for Brady on a deep ball since Moss. Brady also missed him later in the game (and almost got picked) when Gordon was well behind the defender and getting more separation...it was a great play to break up that INT. One thing that Foron has that these WRs almost never have in the Patriots offense is closing speed. He beats guys on those last few feet because of his length and long strides, to go along with elite speed. It’s a sight to behold, even if it isn’t immediately paying off like Moss. That’s one thing that bugged everyone about Cooks; he had to have extreme separation to make a play because he couldn’t win contested balls and has such relatively short strides.

You’ll see the speed soon if you haven’t yet. To me he looks capable of taking a routine slant all the way.

The thing with Gordon is he's very route savvy...he's not one dimensional like some Big Receivers. He can go Short - Intermediate and Long. Love his increased snaps I hope him and Brady connect more in the coming weeks. That Back Shoulder throw that Brady made popular with LaFell would also look nice with Gordon impossible to defend.

 

[sean10mm]

I was trying to think of a good parallel to Josh Gordon in terms of on-field ability, and then it hit me. He reminds me of Andre Johnson on the field. A big receiver with the ability to do anything, anywhere on the field.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

That deep pass against the Chiefs resulting in an end zone DPI where Gordon practically still caught it despite being tackled...that was probably the best (and fastest) route a wide receiver has run for Brady on a deep ball since Moss. Brady also missed him later in the game (and almost got picked) when Gordon was well behind the defender and getting more separation...it was a great play to break up that INT. One thing that Gordon has that these WRs almost never have in the Patriots offense is closing speed. He beats guys on those last few feet because of his length and long strides, to go along with elite speed. It’s a sight to behold, even if it isn’t immediately paying off like Moss. That’s one thing that bugged everyone about Cooks; he had to have extreme separation to make a play because he couldn’t win contested balls and has such relatively short strides. That’s also where having that ridiculous strength (look at Gordon’s arms and legs compared to Cooks - muscle mass vs twigs) actually matters.

You’ll see the speed soon if you haven’t yet. To me he looks capable of taking a routine slant all the way.

Brady needs to stop lofting the deep balls, looks like he's afraid that he might overthrow the guy and as a result he's not throwing those with authority. Zing it out there. On the Gordon incompletion, he left it too short. On the Gronk completion on the last drive, same thing but Gronk caught it. He never hits the guy in stride out there. Contrast with Mahomes on his 2 deep completions, he fired those and it's not a question of arm strength.