Is this the week that Dwayne Bowe shows up for the Browns?
By Thomas Moore
Sep 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (80) can
The Cleveland Browns have yet to see any return on their $9 million investment in wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who has struggled with hamstring issues since early in training camp.
Bowe has been inactive in two of the first three games this season, and in the one game he did appear he put up a Brian Robiskie line of zero catches for zero yards.
In the process Bowe, and by extension general manager Ray Farmer, have caught the ire of the instant gratification crowd that demands results immediately (if not sooner).
“Absolutely, we would love to have him out there helping us.” – Josh McCown on Dwayne Bowe
With the Browns traveling to San Diego this weekend to take on the Chargers, could this be the week we finally see something from Bowe?
Historically the Chargers have been a favorite opponent of Bowe’s, who spent eight years with Kansas City. In 14 career games against the Chargers, Bowe has 65 receptions (the most against any team), 843 receiving yards (second most) and six touchdown receptions (tops on the list).
So, no time like the present to hit the field, right?
“I had great preparation this week,” Bowe said on Friday. “I feel better than I did this (past) week. The coaches are seeing it. I am ready. When your number is called, you have to be ready to perform. I feel good. I feel ready to go.
“In nine years, there is no such thing as catch up. You have seen everything that’s possible. The fact is just getting out there and doing it, I wasn’t behind in the playbook. I was behind in reps and actually going out there and doing it. Right now, I feel better. I feel like my reps have increased and I will be ready come game time.”
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Even if Bowe is active for tomorrow’s game, that doesn’t necessarily mean he will see playing time or be productive. But the passing game, outside of wide receiver Travis Benjamin, has been quiet as a year after catching 63 passes, Andrew Hawkins has only eight receptions (none for more than 20 yards) and Brian Hartline has just seven (only one for 20-plus yards).
“Any time I step on the field, I am trying to step on the gas,” Bowe said. “Whenever the ball comes my way, that is my opportunity to step on the gas. Whatever opportunities I do get in the game, run block or whatever, I am going to go out there to do my job.
“It is a long season. When you have some much invested in somebody, you want to make sure he can go out there and do his job and do it 100 percent, and that is where we were with that.
“Right now, I feel like I am ready to go. That is what we look forward to from today on.”
So if Bowe is healthy and motivated to quiet his critics, having him on the field may not be such a bad thing.
It may only be Week 4, but when it comes to Bowe it is time to step on the gas.