Cutting ties with the second-year wideout from Baylor would be a mistake for a few reasons.
- Gordon’s return factored into win streak
While the spark of Brian Hoyer is viewed as the main catalyst to the Browns’ three-game win streak, Gordon coming back from suspension also played a major role in that. Gordon was a difference maker in the win in Minnesota, kickstarting the offense early with a 22-yard end-around and 47-yard touchdown reception down the sideline in the first quarter.
Since his first game back, the focus on Gordon has inexplicably decreased. Against the Vikings, the Browns made a concerted effort to involve Gordon, targeting him 19 times. But in the four weeks following that win, the targets are: 9, 6, 9, 6.
With those six targets Sunday, Gordon caught just two passes for 21 yards and has received a lot of brush back. Some are saying Gordon didn’t fight hard enough to pull in a crucial 4th and 15 pass in the fourth quarter. Watch it again and you will see the defensive back made a solid play, as Gordon said. It’s difficult questioning a guy’s effort in a single moment like that.
Gordon did not excel against the Packers and it’s a game he will want to forget but who in brown and white did have success? Not the guy throwing the ball, any of the team’s other wide receivers or anyone carrying the ball. The Browns’ offense was a black hole in week 7 and to shift the blame to one of the team’s stronger assets is a deflection in the wrong direction.
- Gordon has not yet reached his full potential
It’s a noted trend that wide receivers have a learning curve upon entering the NFL. Most do not come in and immediately tear it up the way we have seen rookie quarterbacks in recent years.
Gordon, selected by the Browns in the second round of the 2012 supplemental draft, put up solid numbers in his rookie season(50 receptions, 805 yards, 5 TD). Those were among the best for rookie receivers.
Years two and three are notable for receivers stepping up to the next level, as this ESPN piece outlines in detail. Last season, AJ Green, Julio Jones and Randall Cobb had major breakout sophomore campaigns and Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker arrived on the scene in their third NFL season.
In just 21 NFL games, Gordon has shown signs that he has the skills to be a top wide receiver in the league. Those guys don’t just come around everyday and they take time to develop.
He has also played the majority of his games with a quarterback most want benched.
You may not believe Gordon is giving his maximum effort or that his off-the-field problems will catch up to him. The prospect of a one-year suspension for another failed drug test does pose a serious risk. But all of that is projecting at this point.
For a team that has been lacking a consistent dynamic threat on offense for years at a time, you have to take a chance and ride out the risks.
- Whoever the next quarterback is needs help
Looking ahead, most can see that the Browns will have a new quarterback in 2014. With the trade of Trent Richardson for the Colts’ first round pick, the Browns have stocked up on picks in May’s draft. It is pretty clear that Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell are not the future at the position.
Whether it’s Brian Hoyer in the interim to start 2014 or a rookie right out of the gate, the quarterback will need help. If it is a rookie that gets the starting job right away, it would be a major mistake to trot him out there without experienced weapons at his disposal.
A receiver like Gordon, going into his third season, would be an immense help for a quarterback entering the league. To ask a new signal-caller to develop with solely other rookies or mediocre skill players is not an ideal prospect,
When it comes to trades you also have to view what would come in return. Though it was controversial and seemed a concession in the immediate aftermath, the Browns’ trade of Richardson is beginning to look less crazy as the weeks go on. If it’s a truly astronomical offer, you have to at least consider trading most players that aren’t elite superstars. But right now, the idea of parting with Gordon is a hard one to swallow.
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