Julio Jones Likely Out for Season; Josh Gordon to Falcons?
By Peter Smith
Sep 22, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) celebrates his 47 yard touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Browns win 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jay Glazer of Fox and ‘sources’ has reported that Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is likely done for the year with a foot injury. Naturally, with people speculating that the Browns are trying to trade Josh Gordon, even though it is teams calling to ask about Gordon, there is a natural connection to the Browns and Atlanta. Mike Lombari knows Falcons general manager Thomas Dmitroff from their days in Cleveland under Bill Belichick. So is there any chance the Falcons would trade for Gordon? No. Not at all; it would go against everything the Falcons have built.
Since being hired by the Falcons, Dmitroff has put a huge focus on character. If anyone looks at their draft, they do not take anyone with so much as an arrest. They draft a ton of team captains as well. Gordon is one failed drug test away from being suspended for a year. As much as the Falcons might need a wide receiver, they are not going against the foundation of their team’s structure to get one.
More importantly, the Browns are not shopping Gordon. They like Gordon and have simply put out a high price they feel would be too much to turn away. The Falcons would have to give up a second round pick to get Gordon. They have a huge amount of needs to address in the upcoming offseason and they cannot afford to give up a premium resource for a wide receiver, especially when they still have Roddy White and Tony Gonazalez along with supporting players like Harry Douglas. The Falcons need a huge upgrade to the pass rush, offensive line help, replacing Gonzalez after he retires and more at the running back position.
It is something that will be brought up and discussed but Josh Gordon has a smaller chance of landing in Atlanta than Jim Carrey’s character Lloyd Christmas did with Mary Swanson in Dumb and Dumber. This deal sounds like it makes sense on the surface, but in looking at in any depth, it is clear there is no deal to be had here.