Sashi Brown: Josh Gordon will be welcomed back to the Browns
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns will welcome back wide receiver Josh Gordon if he is reinstated, but the team will hold him accountable once he returns.
Cleveland Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown met with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday and delivered some news that should get Browns fans excited.
The team is prepared to welcome back wide receiver Josh Gordon if he is reinstated by the NFL.
No one from the team is allowed to have contact with Gordon while he is still on the NFL’s suspended list, but Brown indicated that he’s heard positive things about Gordon.
“As I understand as it’s been reported back to me by people who have been in contact with Josh and seen him throughout the offseason, including his representatives, Josh is taking it seriously and he’s learned from his mistakes,” Brown said. “He’s serious about wanting to be a pro and be one of the best wide receivers in the game.
“(Josh) is serious about wanting to be a pro and be one of the best wide receivers in the game.” – Sashi Brown on Josh Gordon
“Everything that we see and hear in talking to his representation and those that have been in communication with him is that he’s eager to get back and contribute. And we feel like if he’s accomplished those things, there’s a spot for him on the roster. He’ll certainly help.”
The quote that Gordon is “serious about wanting to be a pro” is a good sign, if true, as that was not the case when Gordon returned from his last NFL suspension in 2014. Gordon missed the first 10 games that year only to come back disinterested and unmotivated. It was reflected in his play as he reportedly did not bother to learn the playbook and finished with just 24 receptions for 303 yards and no touchdowns.
The difference this time is that Gordon will have the opportunity to be a full participant in the team’s offseason programs and training camp, which should help get him back up to speed after not playing a competitive game since Dec. 21, 2014.
It is probably too much to expect to see the Gordon from 2013, a season that saw him lead the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards on 87 receptions and catching nine touchdowns while earning First Team All-Pro honors. But if he can play at even 85 percent of that level he will offer a big boost to a Browns offense that may need to score some points to keep pace with the Ray Horton-led defense.
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While the Browns are open to Gordon returning to the roster, that doesn’t mean they are going to roll out the red carpet for a player who is one mistake away from an indefinite suspension. Expectations will be set, Brown said, and the team will hold Gordon accountable for meeting those expectations.
“And we make sure that he understands exactly what that means, that you come out and compete at practice, that you’re going to liable and accountable to your teammates,” Brown explained. “I think Josh is wise enough to understand that if comes back, he’s going to have to prove that again and eyes will be on him.
“But I’m confident he can do it. I know him well enough. He’s a good young man. He’s just got to get past a few things and hopefully has learned. If he hasn’t, then he won’t be a part of the organization.”
It’s a positive that the Browns are willing to embrace Gordon if he returns, but the team also needs to continue to do what they can to improve the offense outside of adding Gordon. If he does come back and performs, then it is just icing on the cake. If he doesn’t, then it shouldn’t hurt the team as much as it did in 2014.