Josh Gordon's return from suspension started with a bang, but has since fizzled and now there are questions about the reasons for his disappearance. Shortly after finishing with just two receptions for 15 yards against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, there came reports that Gordon isn't physically ready to be his old self.
Josh Gordon criticized for being ‘out of shape’, per report
Gordon finished with just two receptions for 15 yards against the Indianapolis Colts.
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According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, there is plenty of criticism floating about the conditioning of Gordon and many believe the receiver is out of shape.
That flies in the face of Gordon's first game back from suspension in which he finished with eight receptions for 120 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. After that game, Browns' head coach Mike Pettine told reporters the receiver kept himself in "excellent shape" during his time away from the team and Gordon told reporters that he had "been working out nonstop every day" during his absence.
Browns' quarterback Brian Hoyer targeted Gordon just seven times Sunday, but a few were potential game-changing plays that didn't result in a connection. Early in the second half, the All-Pro receiver beat the Colts' secondary on a double-move, but Hoyer just overthrew Gordon for what likely would've resulted in an 86-yard touchdown pass.
With less than 30 seconds to go in the game, there was another opportunity for the pair to connect deep, but Gordon misjudged Hoyer’s throw and a play that would’ve resulted in more than 50 yards ended up going off his fingertips and essentially sealing the fate of the Browns.
While many are pointing at the disappearing act of Gordon, the dropoff of Hoyer has been noticeable as well. With zero touchdowns and seven interceptions in the last three weeks, Chris Pokorny of SB Nation’s Dawgs By Nature said the team has to hand the reins of the offense over to a certain Heisman Trophy-winning rookie soon:
Hoyer was completely ineffective against a Colts' defense that was missing their top cornerback and allowed two wide open receivers deep who Hoyer overthrew. If this is a fair competition at quarterback, you have to make the switch next week -- any mental knowledge that Hoyer might have over QB Johnny Manziel isn't enough to keep the rookie quarterback down any longer.
Now a game back in an AFC North division with four postseason contenders, the Browns face a must-win home game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. The Bengals rank 21st in the NFL at defending the pass, but have allowed a league-low 14 touchdown passes.
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