Report: Raptors to waive former Cavs’ No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett
March 1, 2016Kyrie Irving’s “Brotherhood” makes it back for Nike’s Kyrie 2
March 1, 2016Truth is stranger than fiction, especially when the truth might actually be fiction. What does any of this mean? The Cleveland Browns are the only team in town that can elicit this kind of conversation on a weekly basis.
Here’s the story: Donte Whitner spoke with Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer, saying Josh Gordon was doing well despite hitting “rock bottom” after his suspension. Whitner spoke of seeing Gordon up to 255 pounds, which would be 30 pounds more than Gordon’s advertised playing weight and an amount that raised its fair share of eyebrows. Josh Gordon, however, is saying not so fast.
https://twitter.com/JOSH_GORDONXII/status/704691042373623808
This isn’t a big deal, really. What Whitner said was complimentary of Josh Gordon and him turning himself around. And Whitner’s account of Gordon’s weight was presumably just his own eye test. And even as he said that Gordon had hit “rock bottom” by climbing up the weight scale, he was just propping up the potential for the one-time Pro Bowl receiver’s comeback story that everyone in Cleveland would love to see—including Sashi Brown.1
By all accounts, Gordon has been working his butt off to be the best player he can be. He’s spent time working with Randy Moss at his receivers camp—we learned that from the Terrelle Pryor storyline with the Browns this season. We also recently learned that he’s been working out with Jay Glazer, who’s notorious for his vigorous workouts and awkward coaching interviews.
Regardless of Whitner’s testimony, the baseline of what he’s saying seems correct: Josh Gordon is working hard and it would be one of the best comeback stories in recent NFL history. It would also be one of the best Cleveland Browns stories in recent history if it comes to pass. We could sure use one of those.
- While Gordon has yet to be re-instated, Brown is on record saying that there will be a roster spot open for the receiver. [↩]
15 Comments
Whitner sure likes to give his opinions on his teammates.
Whitner seems to straddle the line between being an in-your-face leader and a blowhard.
Passing multiple drug tests per month and showing the dedication to stay sharp and in-shape over the past year didn’t strike me as “rock bottom” either.
When do we find out if he gets reinstated?
3/20/16.
http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/01/20/cleveland-browns-josh-gordon-files-reinstatement-suspension
I think he meant the rock bottom is what lead to passing multiple tests per month and rededicating himself to his career.
So what is success for Gordon this year? What are some reasonable expectations, or are there none?
I want him to play in 14 or more games with no controversy unless it involves an on-field situation like whether something was a catch or not, for example.
I want him to be top 5 WR FA available next year unless we re-sign him.
Let’s revisit this article in one year.
Hopefully Whitner learns how to tackle again.
Seems to be an inverse relationship between the number of words Browns’ players spew to Mary Kay and their on-field performance. In summer camp Dwayne Bowe was the great pontificator, now it’s Whitner so generously sharing insights.
We’ll know if Hue Jackson is on the right track if he can finally get players to care less about creating quotes designed to paint them as team leaders. Shut up already, Donte. A team leader doesn’t air stuff designed to embarrass a teammate. Stop the posturing, and worry about your own diminishing skills.
hi NATE … i would say playing & contributing in each game … 60 rec. , 1,000 yards & 8 or more TD’s should be attainable if he is in-shape & focused.
hi JM … if he does , it will probably be for another team … he is probably gone.
So far Whitner has publicly commented on Gordon, Gilbert and manziel, of whom I’m aware. As far as I know, 2 have not changed, and Gordon seems to contradict whitner’s story. Is publicly chastising other players whitner’s role? Why not privately lead gilbert and manziel, at least, during the season when he sees them 6-7 days per week?
PS…really pulling for Gordon the Man as well as Gordon the football player….Browns can use a legit playmaker!