Cleveland Browns: Josh Gordon’s reinstatement is huge
The NFL has apparently reinstated Cleveland Browns troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon, with the condition of a four-game suspension…
If you’re a Cleveland Browns fan, there’s no better news you could have received this Monday afternoon…
#Browns WR Josh Gordon is being reinstated, source said. He’s suspended for the first 4 games.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2016
#Browns WR Josh Gordon’s reinstatement is conditional, source said. But he can participate in training camp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2016
Josh Gordon will be playing in preseason games, tho he’ll still have to participate in treatment. When he’s suspended, he CAN be in meetings
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2016
The NFL has been very good to Josh Gordon, all things considered. He entered the NFL via the Supplemental Draft, and has since been suspended for one thing or another every year he’s been in the league.
That’s quite pathetic.
He missed the entire 2015 season and was finally granted reinstatement to the league after a failed application in January. The NFL doesn’t ‘need’ Josh Gordon, but he’s certainly a fun player to watch when he’s actually on the field.
And for the Cleveland Browns, this is a very significant development. If they can get anything close to the 2012 version of Robert Griffin III this season, he now has a Pro Bowl tight end in Gary Barnidge, an extremely talented group of rookie receivers led by first rounder Corey Coleman, and now a player in Gordon who once led the league in receiving yards.
Not only that, but these young Browns players will be under the wing of Hue Jackson, who is one of the highest regarded offensive coaches in the NFL today.
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It’s definitely an intriguing combination, but something the Browns just might be able to work with. Their roster was absolutely gutted this season and wholesale changes were made. The return of Josh Gordon could prove to be critical, even with a four-game suspension.
This won’t be the first time Josh Gordon has caught passes from Robert Griffin III, either. In their sophomore season together at Baylor, Griffin and Gordon connected for seven touchdowns and Gordon totaled 42 receptions with 714 yards that year.
Cleveland sports fans already won a title this year, and now there’s ample reason for optimism early in the football season.
Who knew?