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November 20, 2014What is wrong with the run defense: Browns Film Room
November 20, 2014Josh Gordon is back, Josh Gordon is ready to “tear this league up”, and Josh Gordon may have his plays limited on Sunday. Gordon’s return has been an underlying current of the Browns’ season ever since news broke on draft weekend that the NFL’s leading receiver in 2013 may be suspended. It’s been a long eleven weeks, and ten games without Gordon, leaving fans anxious for the star wide out’s return, but just because he’s eligible to play doesn’t mean he’ll automatically be plugged back in and play seventy snaps.
Browns’ head coach Mike Pettine spoke in his Wednesday press conference on Gordon’s return and the plan for Sunday’s game in Atlanta.
“See where he is. We’ll have him on a bit of a pitch-count. I met with [head athletic trainer] Joe Sheehan and [strength and conditioning coach] Paul Ricci and then [wide receivers coach] Mike McDaniel, and we just kind of got on the same page as far as getting him his individual work and seeing where he is. There needs to be a progression through the week. I think the trap to fall into is, hey, he’s back; let’s just go ahead and throw him out there for a bunch of plays. There is certainly danger inherent in doing that. We have to be smart with how we do it and have a plan to progress through the week.”
The Browns are taking a metered, pragmatic approach with Gordon, making sure not to lose their top playmaker for even more time by throwing him out there for more than his body is ready for. Gordon has been working out in Cleveland during his suspension and told media his weight was down from 240 to 230 pounds which is about where he wants to be. While his body and mind may be more fresh than the rest of his teammates, it’s hard to come off the street and jump right into mid-season shape.
Aside from being in playing shape, Gordon will need to be up to speed with the playbook to stay on the field. Pettine continued on in his press conference regarding Gordon and the playbook.
“I think a lot of it is he’s familiar with the terminology and the plays and he gets it, but it’s one thing to be able to look at it but then also to process it whether it’s in a no-huddle situation or whether it’s breaking the huddle quickly and recognizing defenses. I think a lot of it – it comes back in time, but it’s not their instantly. I know it’s a lot of information. We’re aware of that, and we’ll deal with it accordingly.”
Few players in the league can change a game with one play like Gordon can and even if number 12 just sees limited reps on Sunday it’s a massive boost for Kyle Shanahan, Brian Hoyer, and the Browns offense.
20 Comments
Eleven weeks, ten games.
Let’s not overcomplicate this. Josh, go long.
Josh has never been one to shy away from an extra hit or two. 😉
plus, once we get to the 10yd line, back-corner fade
Assuming the OL can protect Hoyer long enough.
641 of his 1646 last year were YAC. Just get him the ball!
If they can’t hold a 5-step drop for Gordon to blow by ATL’s #32 ranked pass D, then we have much bigger issues.
At this point, I assume nothing about the OL.
Nothing good, at least.
“Tear this league up” / “wreck this league” …. hey here’s an idea….. be able to beat teams like Jacksonville and Houston.
^This.
The Cleveland Browns throughout the return have been the World Champions of “1st and 10 inside the 20 that results in a field goal”
Josh. Must. Fix. This.
All this talk is irrelevant. If they need him for any reason, he’s in the game…period. This team is in the playoff hunt with a new coach, and anyone that thinks Pettine will limit his best player on principle with these high stakes is kidding himself.
Sometimes the talent is just too great to try to contain. He’s the best offensive player in the team…I don’t care if he just returned from an 11 week alien abduction, had the playbook erased from his brain with one of those Men in Black scanners, and can’t remember how to say the word “football.” He’s still instantly the most talented player on the field…maybe for either team.
Plus, WR has got to be the easiest position to play, mentally, right? There are only so many routes, and your job is to run and catch…that’s it. No blocking assignments to remember, etc.
Also Hoyer’s going to have to get it to him. If he’s been underthrowing balls to the likes of Gabriel, he’s going to have serious timing issues getting it to Gordon deep. Might as well just chuck it, once he gets back three steps.
I heard the “tear this league up” quote was from the former great ex-Browns Burleson and was never said by Gordon. I mean does it even matter, who cares besides the media who seems to drool over quotes whether true or fictitious.
Bye.
Hi?
Might as well just chuck it, once he gets back three steps.
ah, the Andy Dalton offense
I interpreted your comment to mean you found a discrepancy between 10 games suspended and 11 weeks played. The bye week is the explanation. Apologies if I misunderstood your meaning.
The article originally said “ten weeks, eleven games.” I was just pointing out the error. All good!
If they do the full go with Josh, the Browns know he could risk injury. He hasn’t played in ten weeks, Mike Smith thinks they’ll use him a lot. I think they will do the opposite.
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