Well, you knew better than I, I guess. When BB had that presser where he talked about having nothing to do with Gordon, and Brady seemed suddenly cool to the guy a couple of weeks ago, there was speculation that maybe he wasn't coming back.
Ian Rappaport told D&K that Gordon wasn't in the Patriots' plans, and many good members of this forum - Patfanken, SBLIII, and others, were convinced that Gordon wasn't getting a break from Rodger. That was only 2-3 weeks ago.
I had heard that Meyers was standing out in camp, but I've heard that many times about lots of receivers, who then disappear in games. Actually watching the kid play - his technique, the way he catches, the way he uses his body - in a couple of full-speed games passes my eye test. Only thing I can't figure out is how this kid ever went undrafted. I agree with the reporter (Zolak?) who said he looks like a 6-year pro out there. He is a legitimate NFL receiver - no idea of how high he can climb, but he's legitimate.
And I thought Thomas might come back after 6 weeks. Without Gordon expected back, that would have been a long six weeks, to say nothing of the time both Gordon, if he did get reinstated, and Thomas, after not practicing with the team at all, would take to get up to speed.
Thomas is now practicing with the team. He's about 8 weeks ahead of where he'd have been if he had, as expected, not been activated until after week 6.
A team needs 3 WRs (4 and 5 are the luxury guys). The unexpected early additions of Gordon and Thomas go a long way in strengthening this unit. If they keep five, Harris (who was being called the best by a lot in the practices, and Dorsett, who was penciled in as the #2 guy for probably the first half of the season, probably won't even make the team.
I think a lot has changed at that position, and very suddenly.