A full spring could make a huge difference for Josh Gordon and the Browns offense - 05/31/18 12:45 AM
A full spring could make a huge difference for Josh Gordon and the Browns offense
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2018/05/a_full_spring_could_make_a_hug.html
BEREA, Ohio -- If the Browns' offense has a little extra spring in its step, it is, in part, because Josh Gordon is spending the spring with his team.
It's not that we all forget that Gordon has missed so many offseason programs due to various suspensions, it's just that Gordon makes it look too easy sometimes when he returns from his extended absences.
Consider that last season he played his first real game since 2014 in December and all he did was catch four passes for 85 yards against the Chargers. In five games last season, he posted more receiving yards than all but one Browns wideout and finished fifth on the team overall.
How much of a difference will a full offseason program and training camp make?
"It makes a huge difference," head coach Hue Jackson said on Wednesday. "It is not even just being in the offense, it is just being with your teammates and spending time with the quarterback -- the guy that's got to throw you the ball."
Speaking of that guy who throwing Gordon the ball, Tyrod Taylor finds it hard to believe Gordon has missed so much time.
"No, you could not look at him and guess that," Taylor said.
The ability Gordon brings when he's playing and engaged isn't easy to find. He has displayed it in flashes during the two open practices of OTAs this month. The Browns have targeted him in a variety of ways, including,on Wednesday, which featured a fade into the back of the endzone -- rookie Denzel Ward broke it up -- and two quick throws in space.
"He is one of the bigger receivers in this league, but he is also one of the fastest receivers in this league," Taylor said last week. "His explosiveness is definitely something that you do not come across at his size."
That combination is fuel for an offense, especially one that has failed again and again to consistently score. It was on display the last time Gordon played for an extended period, back in 2013, when he racked up 1,646 receiving yards and 88 rushing yards on five carries.
It's difficult, though, to take all those tools and dump them out of the toolbox two thirds of the way -- or deeper -- through a season, especially when Gordon hasn't been available to practice. So as good as Gordon has been, the lack of rapport with his quarterbacks and the lack of time to integrate him into the offense has limited how he can be used.
This year, though, is different. Gordon is here from the start, the first time that has been the case during Hue Jackson's tenure, and he's learning a new offense just like the rest of his teammates.
"We intend to keep learning each other and building a chemistry each and every day and continue to keep growing as teammates and going out there and doing whatever it takes to make plays on the field," Taylor said.
"Tyrod and that crew are understanding how Josh gets in and comes out of breaks and the things that he does well and the things that he has to keep working at," Jackson said.
Gordon has had a quiet offseason so far, which is good news for all involved. Follow him on Instagram and you'll see stories that involve walks to the practice facility, basketball at a local rec center and plenty of his Flash-branded work. On the field, he appears in shape. That it's not that big of a deal to see him out there is a sign of how on-track he has remained in his comeback.
"I just think that there is a calmness in our locker room because he is in there," Jackson said. "He is in there, and we truly know he is going to be a part of what we do from Day 1. We need to continue to keep that going in that direction."
It's also, probably, how Gordon likes it. Taylor has known him for a number of years and called him a quiet person.
"He is confident person. He knows who he is, but he is kind of shy in a way off of the field. On the field, he is a competitor," Taylor said. "Of course, he is a physical freak."
That helps. So will a real NFL offseason -- finally.
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2018/05/a_full_spring_could_make_a_hug.html
BEREA, Ohio -- If the Browns' offense has a little extra spring in its step, it is, in part, because Josh Gordon is spending the spring with his team.
It's not that we all forget that Gordon has missed so many offseason programs due to various suspensions, it's just that Gordon makes it look too easy sometimes when he returns from his extended absences.
Consider that last season he played his first real game since 2014 in December and all he did was catch four passes for 85 yards against the Chargers. In five games last season, he posted more receiving yards than all but one Browns wideout and finished fifth on the team overall.
How much of a difference will a full offseason program and training camp make?
"It makes a huge difference," head coach Hue Jackson said on Wednesday. "It is not even just being in the offense, it is just being with your teammates and spending time with the quarterback -- the guy that's got to throw you the ball."
Speaking of that guy who throwing Gordon the ball, Tyrod Taylor finds it hard to believe Gordon has missed so much time.
"No, you could not look at him and guess that," Taylor said.
The ability Gordon brings when he's playing and engaged isn't easy to find. He has displayed it in flashes during the two open practices of OTAs this month. The Browns have targeted him in a variety of ways, including,on Wednesday, which featured a fade into the back of the endzone -- rookie Denzel Ward broke it up -- and two quick throws in space.
"He is one of the bigger receivers in this league, but he is also one of the fastest receivers in this league," Taylor said last week. "His explosiveness is definitely something that you do not come across at his size."
That combination is fuel for an offense, especially one that has failed again and again to consistently score. It was on display the last time Gordon played for an extended period, back in 2013, when he racked up 1,646 receiving yards and 88 rushing yards on five carries.
It's difficult, though, to take all those tools and dump them out of the toolbox two thirds of the way -- or deeper -- through a season, especially when Gordon hasn't been available to practice. So as good as Gordon has been, the lack of rapport with his quarterbacks and the lack of time to integrate him into the offense has limited how he can be used.
This year, though, is different. Gordon is here from the start, the first time that has been the case during Hue Jackson's tenure, and he's learning a new offense just like the rest of his teammates.
"We intend to keep learning each other and building a chemistry each and every day and continue to keep growing as teammates and going out there and doing whatever it takes to make plays on the field," Taylor said.
"Tyrod and that crew are understanding how Josh gets in and comes out of breaks and the things that he does well and the things that he has to keep working at," Jackson said.
Gordon has had a quiet offseason so far, which is good news for all involved. Follow him on Instagram and you'll see stories that involve walks to the practice facility, basketball at a local rec center and plenty of his Flash-branded work. On the field, he appears in shape. That it's not that big of a deal to see him out there is a sign of how on-track he has remained in his comeback.
"I just think that there is a calmness in our locker room because he is in there," Jackson said. "He is in there, and we truly know he is going to be a part of what we do from Day 1. We need to continue to keep that going in that direction."
It's also, probably, how Gordon likes it. Taylor has known him for a number of years and called him a quiet person.
"He is confident person. He knows who he is, but he is kind of shy in a way off of the field. On the field, he is a competitor," Taylor said. "Of course, he is a physical freak."
That helps. So will a real NFL offseason -- finally.
