With coach Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner installing a new system in Cleveland, Browns receiver Josh Gordon is excited.
Gordon, a speedy receiver who averaged 16.1 yards a catch as a rookie, says he expects to make even more big plays in his second season because the Browns’ offense will be perfectly suited for his talents.
“Defenses will be shocked to say the least with how much we’re running down field,” Gordon told the Akron Beacon Journal. “I’ve never ran this much as a wide receiver ever in my life, and that’s a good thing. And not just me, everyone from the slot guys to running backs, everyone’s got passing plays in the system.”
Last year Gordon didn’t have much time to get ready for the NFL after arriving in July in the supplemental draft, but he still managed to play in all 16 games, starting 13, and catch 50 passes while leading the Browns with 805 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. This year, being with the team from Day One and participating in Organized Team Activities, Gordon believes he’s going to be even better.
“You’re a head up on the game,” he said. “For guys, veterans and rookies, to have all this leading up until [the fall], I was way behind the 8-ball coming into last year. Now it’s a huge advantage for me to learn the offense, get in shape, get in more of a rhythm with whatever you’re doing out there, so you don’t feel as stressed or as new to everything. It’s definitely slowed down a lot.”
Last year, Gordon had a good year despite missing most of the offseason and playing in a bad offense that wasn’t well suited to his skills. This year, Gordon has every reason to believe he’ll be even better.