When an NFL player’s team is 4-44 over the last three seasons, and he has played in just five games in that span due to multiple suspensions, that player apparently will say anything remotely positive, at least in his mind.
That seems to be Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon's thought process given his boastful statement last week: "I think we're the best receiving corps in the league, in my opinion, already. Just based off of talent alone." Jarvis Landry, a veteran WR who should know not to stoke the flames, then piled on: "He ain't lyin’. I think the capability of what we all can do is endless."
That's the problem — Gordon and Landry are talking about capability and potential. GMs and coaches are looking for production.
My suggestion for Cleveland’s wide receivers, primarily Gordon: First use that talent to make big catches and help your team win a regular-season game after last year's 0-16 fiasco. Help lead the hapless Browns from cellar dwellers to playoff contenders while putting up big numbers. Then you might have something tangible to discuss publicly.
Better yet: How about abiding by the old adage, "actions speak louder than words?" Being humble and letting others sing your praises will result in more Pro Bowl appearances and All-Pro votes.
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Players make stupid statements before the real games begin seemingly every year. It's often a young guy like Leonard Fournette, who as a rookie last year said he was not impressed by the speed of NFL defenders. His proclamation came after the Jaguars' preseason opener against the Patriots, who were not playing their starters.
Gordon and Landry have been in and around the NFL long enough to know better than to act like big-timers on a down-in-the-dumps team, even if its talent level seemingly has been upgraded under new general manager John Dorsey. They need to remember the Browns are breaking in a new starting quarterback in Tyrod Taylor with No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield in hot pursuit. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley also is among the new faces.
Gordon's focus first and foremost should be staying substance-free. He then can focus on returning to top form rather than being a media lightning rod. Gordon has been suspended multiple times for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy with the cumulative offenses costing him all of 2015 and 2016, plus parts of 2014 and 2017. That's a lot of football to miss in the prime of his career, and it seems like an eternity since he led the league with 1,646 receiving yards in his lone Pro Bowl season of 2013.
Gordon has a chance to come out of the gate fast this year. He was reinstated late last season and played in the last five games. He was a full participant in the offseason program. If he keeps his act together, Gordon could have a big contract on the horizon.
But there's a lot of work to be done on and off the field. Talk is cheap.
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As for the rest of Cleveland’s wideouts, Landry is a proven talent as a possession receiver who averaged 100 catches per season over the last four years and is a three-time Pro Bowler. But his career high is 1,157 yards in 2015, and he averaged just 8.8 yards per catch last year. Despite his lofty contract ($75 million over five years; $47 million guaranteed), Landry is not in the class of Antonio Brown, Julio Jones or Odell Beckham Jr. as a game-breaker.
No. 3 receiver Corey Coleman was the No. 15 overall draft pick in 2015 but has missed 13 games in his first two seasons after breaking the same hand twice. His 56 career receptions fail to rid him of the underachiever label, and there have been questions about his work ethic.
Landry (with Miami), Gordon and Coleman combined for 1,627 receiving yards last season. In comparison, the Steelers’ top three of Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Martavis Bryant gained 3,053 yards. Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Taylor Gabriel tallied 2,525 yards for the Falcons. Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs and Laquon Treadwell put up 2,325 for the Vikings.
Premier quarterbacks in Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan and Case Keenum, respectively, helped those wide receivers immensely in 2017. For the Browns this year, It remains to be seen (and is certainly questionable) whether Taylor or eventually Mayfield can play at that level.
Cleveland's talkative receivers have some strong competition to overcome in order to actually be considered the best group in the NFL — there are several other impressive units like those of the Rams and Chiefs, among others.
Beyond the obvious necessity that is a top quarterback, outstanding wide receiver groups benefit from a good tight end and strong running game to keep defenses honest. Cleveland's leading TE David Njoku had 32 catches for 386 yards as a rookie last season, so he needs to step up his game. The Browns’ rushing attack, however, should be improved with the additions of free-agent signee Carlos Hyde and second-round pick Nick Chubb to share snaps with Duke Johnson.
Dorsey and coach Hue Jackson surely were not thrilled with the words from Gordon and Landry. But maybe the silver lining is that they temporarily diverted some attention from the quarterback situation. Taylor has been declared the starter, but fans will start clamoring for Mayfield if Cleveland falls to Pittsburgh in the opener.
Nothing Gordon says would be able to stop that tidal wave from the Dawg Pound.
Jeff Diamond is a former president of the Titans and former vice president/general manager of the Vikings. He was selected NFL Executive of the Year in 1998. Diamond is currently a business and sports consultant who also does broadcast and online media work. He makes speaking appearances to corporate/civic groups and college classes on Negotiation and Sports Business/Sports Management. He is the former chairman and CEO of The Ingram Group. Follow Jeff on Twitter: @jeffdiamondNFL.
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