Huard: Seahawks’ addition of Josh Gordon sent message to DK Metcalf
Nov 7, 2019, 9:05 AM | Updated: 3:53 pm
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The Seahawks have been looking for a solid third option in the passing game ever since tight end Will Dissly’s breakout season was cut short with a torn Achilles on Oct. 13.
Is one-time All-Pro wide receiver Josh Gordon going to be Seattle’s answer, and as soon as next Monday against the 49ers?
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Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard shared his thoughts with 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny and Gallant on what to expect from Gordon, who was claimed last week by the Seahawks off waivers from New England, if he is able to play in Week 10.
Huard noted that Gordon’s playing style is a lot like what Seattle fans have seen from rookie DK Metcalf, something that has to do with their similar builds. Gordon is 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds while Metcalf is 6-4 and 229 pounds, and Twitter had fun after the Seahawks’ acquisition of Gordon by posting pictures of the two noticeably muscular receivers side by side. Metcalf, who is seven years younger than the 28-year-old Gordon, may be a step quicker, however.
“The pictures of (Gordon) and DK Metcalf, there’s some similarities,” Huard said of the pair. “The difference is DK runs (the 40-yard dash in) 4.3 and Josh runs about 4.5. That’s probably the most significant difference, and man, (Sunday against Tampa Bay) when DK caught that shallow cross and broke a tackle [watch the play 46 seconds into this video], you know what you felt? You felt 4.3. You felt him explode away.
“I don’t know if we’re going to feel that with Josh Gordon. He’s gonna have to do it a little bit differently. He’s gonna have to body up, he’s gonna have to elevate, he’s gonna have to use those long arms and he’s gonna have to let his experience come into play.”
That’s only if Gordon plays, which Huard isn’t fully confident will happen against San Francisco. The reason Gordon was released by New England was because he had been on injured reserve with a knee injury, and the Patriots put him on IR with a minor injury designation, which required them to release him upon his return to health. As a result, Gordon hasn’t played since suffering his injury on Oct. 10, and he still has to get up to speed with Seattle’s playbook. Then there’s the fact that Gordon has been sidelined a lot in recent years – he hasn’t appeared in more than 11 games in a season since 2013.
“I still think it’s 50-50 if he plays Monday night. Can he get through the week?” Huard said.
Huard had one good reason to think the Seahawks will have their newest receiver in uniform against the 49ers, though.
“I was chatting with a few folks around the Seahawks – I guess he looked great in his physical. Passed his physical with flying colors.”
Seahawks’ addition creating competition?
Was it a coincidence that Metcalf had a career game against the Buccaneers, setting career-high marks in receptions (six) and receiving yards (123), just two days after Seattle claimed Gordon?
“This gave a little juice to DK. There’s no question about it,” Huard said of the Seahawks’ acquisition of Gordon. “This was (a message like) ‘Hey DK, I know that you’re doing great this year, I know that you’re maybe achieving more than many thought you could, but don’t you ever rest on your laurels in this league.’ And I thought the move may have pushed DK, put a little more fuel in that tank on Sunday. He was awesome.”
Responded Paul Gallant: “And now they’re in a spot where they don’t need something out of Josh Gordon.”
Huard agreed.
“Correct. But should he be better than (Seahawks wide receivers) David Moore and Jaron Brown and Malik Turner? Yes, he should be. Has he hardly played consistently since 2014? Yes. … I think he should be better than those three aforementioned players, but I’m still very hesitant and still about 50-50 on whether he actually suits up and plays come Monday night.”
You can hear Huard’s full conversation with Danny and Gallant in this podcast.
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