The Browns shouldn’t be happy that it took more than three months for the NFL to resolve the status of receiver Josh Gordon. And they aren’t.
“While we may have strong feelings on the timing and the process of this decision, we have also consistently communicated that we will focus on what we can control in our day-to-day approach,” G.M. Ray Farmer said in a statement issued by the team. “Right now that is preparing our team for the 2014 season and at the same time, supporting Josh however we are able under NFL guidelines during his suspension.”
That’s a polite way of saying, “We’re pissed that it took this long to get an answer.”
But as the Browns focus on what they can control, the fact remains that the Browns could have controlled trading Gordon last year (they chose not to) or drafting Sammy Watkins in May (they chose to trade the pick).
Without Gordon, the depth chart now features Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins, Nate Burleson, and a collection of no-names. The Browns possibly will find someone who is cut by another team, or maybe swing a trade. Either way, the receiver position quickly has become a weakness.
Although the Browns arguably (if not actually) were jerked around by the league, they knew this was coming.