Aug 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns face off with the Oakland Raiders tomorrow in a mid-afternoon affair. The Browns are still at .500 and have two winnable games ahead of them but many fans are looking forward to Week 12 and Josh Gordon‘s return.
The Browns will face off with the Atlanta Falcons in Gordon’s first game back from his 10 game suspension. The Browns have played well on offense, except for last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the return of Gordon has fans excited. He is the big play, tall, fast receiver every fan wants. His absence has made many fans crying about the Browns not drafting Sammy Watkins. To be fair some fans would want both on the team.
Many of you have read, and re-read, our piece on why Josh Gordon could struggle upon his return. Most did not agree with that piece. It will be re-posted as the second page of this article for reference if you haven’t had a chance to read over it.
Today we take a look at why Gordon could dominate upon his return:
Healthy
While it may take Gordon some time to get into game shape upon his return, he will return to the Browns fully healthy. While the rest of the league’s players will be nicked up after 10 or 11 games, Gordon will be fresh. Having nagging injuries from a long season could make Gordon’s top end speed even that much faster than the competition. Players coming back from long layoffs often struggle with hamstring issues, so that will be a small concern, but his time in the facilities over the past few weeks should help with that.
Running Game
The Browns, against except for last week, have had a dominate running game. That running game has opened up the play action passing attack that Brian Hoyer has led so well. With the defenders having to take a step up to attack the rushing game, Gordon should be able to cross just behind the linebackers on crossing routes or get a step on the safety on deep routes. Last year Gordon was amazing and the Browns had zero running game. With a running game he will be downright scary.
Brian Hoyer
Gordon has experience with Hoyer and the quarterback has shown improvement this season. Hoyer’s accuracy, decision making and professional leadership will ensure that Gordon gets the ball as often as possible, when he is open. Hoyer showed last season that he trusted Gordon to either catch the ball or make sure that it was not intercepted. This season he has shown a similar trust with his receivers. Having, possibly, the best young receiver in the NFL will only serve to increase Hoyer’s confidence in the passing game.
Other Threats
Last season it was Gordon and Jordan Cameron and nothing else to threaten defenses. Now the Browns have added slot dynamo Andrew Hawkins, savvy veteran Miles Austin and young players like Taylor Gabriel and Marlon Moore to the offense. The Browns have also used Jim Dray as a second tight end in the receiving game, to some success. The Browns running backs have not had a great number of chances but have also shown acumen in the passing game. All of those skill players means that defenses won’t be able to load up on Gordon as much.
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Need
While the offense has looked good it obviously has a need for a bigger receiver with big play capabilities. Running smaller receivers on some routes makes for difficult completions. Deep throws, back shoulder fades, post routes and corner routes all would benefit from the taller Gordon running them. The geometry to complete those passes over and around defenders is much easier with a bigger target. Gordon’s height, speed and overall size also makes him a viable place to force the ball when a play is needed; third downs and redzone. The Browns have a need for Gordon and should exploit him.
Contract
Finally, Gordon has to start thinking about his free agency. He has done a load of damage to his stock by his off the field issues. There is little he can do to dramatically improve that quickly but he can do something to continue to prove his ability to dominate on the field. Gordon should return focused and determined. That has been one area that has seemed to be missing from his game in the past. Whether it was playing for a losing team or just his personality, Gordon often seemed to coast. An aggressive, assertive Josh Gordon should scare everyone.
Which do you think will lead to Gordon dominating?
In case you missed it, on the next page is reasons that Gordon could struggle upon his return or click the box below.
Next: Josh Gordon Could Struggle Upon His Return
Aug 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns have been far more successful on offense than anyone expected following the suspension of Josh Gordon. Instead of struggling to throw the ball at all Brian Hoyer has been efficient and effective in the passing game. The key has obviously been the Browns rushing attack, one that has just been downright amazing.
Gordon is set to return following his 10 game suspension. When he returns the Browns will have six games remaining starting with their Week 12 game with the Atlanta Falcons. At that point, following the Browns upcoming four game stretch that we covered here (New Window), many are expecting Gordon to help the offense take off to the next level.
However Josh Gordon could struggle upon his return to the Cleveland Browns. We will not cover any possibility of Gordon getting himself into trouble again, obviously that would create another set of issues. Instead we will look on the field and things that could lead to Gordon struggling.
Conditioning
The new drug policy gave Gordon a huge help towards his conditioning but nothing can compare to live game and practice action. Gordon, under the supervision of the team’s strength and conditioning coaches will come back in good shape but will be unlikely to be at top speed for two to three games. This could cause Gordon to get frustrated and disrupt timing on offense. QB Brian Hoyer is used to working with a full speed Gordon from last season, anything less could make for a sloppy start to his return.
Target Spread
One of the reasons that Gordon had such a great year last year was that the ball was often forced to him. Last year Gordon was targeted 42 more times than the next closest, Jordan Cameron, and 60 times more than the next closest wide receiver. All while playing in only 14 games. This season Brian Hoyer has spread the ball all over the field, even though Andrew Hawkins is leading the team with 42 targets, 20 more than the next closest receiver. Five different Browns have been target 12 times or more to start the season. When Gordon returns he could get frustrated when he is not targeted as much and those reduced targets could reduce the statistical impact he has on the game.
Decoy
Kyle Shanahan could look to use Gordon as a decoy more often than in the past. With Cameron and Hawkins, as well as running backs who can catch, the Browns can take advantage of all the attention that is sent Gordon’s way. Shanahan is a proven creative play caller who won’t waste Gordon’s value in this role as well. Gordon has seemed to check out mentally if he is not highly involved in games. A fake wide receiver screen to Gordon leading to a delayed counter handoff is one example of how Decoy Gordon is a valuable asset as well.
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Routes Run
The Browns passing game and Hoyer have been successful out of play action passing. Whether off a fake or just in pure drop back passing Hoyer has hit his back foot, while going through his progressions, and unloaded the pass most of the time. The routes that Shanahan has the Browns running are precise routes that help them get open. Gordon has certainly improved as a route runner but he isn’t strong at snapping off his routes quickly. This could cause issues for Hoyer’s timing or cause him to move on from Gordon quickly in his progressions to the next open receiver. Shanahan has always used more small, quick receivers for this reason and could cause some early frustrations and struggles for the star receiver, Hoyer and Shanahan.
We will cover why we believe Gordon will likely succeed upon his return but wanted to first start with out concerns. With the Browns coming off a victory, sitting at .500, only one game behind in the AFC North and an easy looking scheduling coming up, Browns fans have started to plan for Gordon’s return. His return will do wonders for the Browns but it might not be as easy as many expected for these reasons.
Do you think Gordon will struggle upon his return?