Bill Belichick offers no further testimony after Josh Gordon filibuster
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Anyone who’s covered Bill Belichick knows how it goes when he releases a statement: that’s all you’re getting. You may try to pry a little more out of the Patriots head coach, but it will likely be futile.
Monday’s efforts, however, resulted in a moment of humor from Belichick’s press conference. He released a statement on receiver Josh Gordon on Saturday, and it was safe to assume that he’d give reporters some variation of “I have nothing to add” when asked any follow-ups on Gordon.
That’s exactly what happened on Monday in Foxboro, and you can watch the most amusing exchange in the above video via WBZ’s Joe Giza. Clearly Belichick was almost enjoying the line of questioning and predictably swatting them all away. He ends it with “Is there another line of questioning … or can the witness step down now?”
📹 Bill Belichick refers to his prior statement again today when asked about Josh Gordon. "Is there another line of questioning... or can the witness step down now?" #Patriots #WBZ pic.twitter.com/hI7LuIJ5TO
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) August 19, 2019
What is clear about Belichick’s statement and Monday presser is that he’s doing his best to downplay whatever potential Gordon has from a football standpoint. Asked whether there’s any certainty as to his spot on the roster coming out of camp, Belichick replied “Well he hasn’t even been on the field yet.”
Belichick downplays pretty much everyone, so one could take this as a sign that he’s setting a low bar for Gordon so the receiver can leap over it. But it’s more realistic to assume that Gordon is no safer than any other receiver on the roster behind Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry. His football talent remains indisputable, but he’s equally unreliable when it comes to staying on the field in the first place. His reinstatement guarantees nothing as far as his potential in the Patriots offense.
That was the essence of Belichick’s testimony. No further questions your honor.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].
