Pats need Gabriel to catch on quickly

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FOXBORO - Stephen Gostkowski might have it worse following the legend that is Adam Vinatieri, but imagine being Doug Gabriel right about now.

His job is to make everyone forget about Deion Branch, whom the Patriots traded to the Seattle Seahawks Monday after a messy holdout. His job is to give Tom Brady an instant go-to-guy.

There’s no time for him to grow into the role. The situation is raw. It’s current. It’s in his face. Branch just happened to be Brady’s favorite target, his top receiver, his close friend. He was also a Super Bowl MVP.

Karen Guregian: Boston Herald