Players sorry to see WR Gordon leaving
Team said it plans to release troubled veteran today.
On the eve NEW ORLEANS — of the Browns’ heartbreaking, 21-18 loss to the New Orleans Saints, coach Hue Jackson told his players during a meeting at the team hotel the organization decided it would part ways with former All-Pro wide receiver Josh Gordon.
General manager John Dorsey announced Saturday night in a prepared statement the Browns would release Gordon today, but the franchise has received plenty of trade interest from other teams since then. So Dorsey could trade Gordon instead of releasing him. Dorsey also could hold onto Gordon beyond today to work on finding the best deal possible. Either way, Gordon’s days with the Browns will end soon.
“It was shocking ’cause you don’t really expect that, especially so sudden, especially the day before the game,” defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi said. “It’s a tough decision, but it’s a business, and that’s just one of the aspects of it unfortunately.”
The Browns made the decision to move on from the oft-suspended Gordon after he showed up late to their headquarters Saturday morning with a hamstring injury reportedly suffered during a promotional shoot and members of the organization sensed Gordon could be struggling again with his well-documented battle with addiction.
“It’s unfortunate,” left guard Joel Bitonio said. “He’s been around a long time. I’ve been around him for five years now, and it’s tough ’cause he’s a good guy and you hope he gets all the help he can get and he stays out of trouble.”
Several players explained they don’t believe the Gordon situation affected the team’s focus heading into Sunday’s loss to the Saints.
“I don’t think it affected anybody mentally,” running back Carlos Hyde said.
Jackson said “nobody flinched” when he broke the news to the players.
“It could (rock the locker room) if you’re not strong enough,” Jackson said. “I just think we have strong enough leaders in the room, and I think when you’re honest with them and you tell them what’s going on, (it helps).
“If you walk out there (on game day) and you’re not sure why this is happening, then I think that’s different. I think those things could affect a lot of different things, but when you’re honest and up front, you tell them what’s going on, they know, they process that real quickly and understand what we need to get done. We move on.”
Still, losing Gordon presents a major obstacle for the Browns (0-1-1).
“We lose a ton of talent ... since he is a special talent,” quarterback Tyrod Taylor said.
Three-time Pro Bowl receiver Jarvis Landry said he didn’t want to talk about Gordon but emphasized his belief that the receiving corps will overcome the adversity.
“We will be fine,” Landry said.
Rookie fourth-round draft pick Antonio Callaway started in Gordon’s place opposite Landry, who had five catches on seven targets for 69 yards. Callaway had three receptions on four targets for 81 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown that tied the score 18-18 with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter. Rashard Higgins finished with five catches for 47 yards.
“I definitely think we’ll be all right,” Hyde said. “We’ve got some young guys . ... They’re definitely ready for it. Callaway came up big today. (Higgins) came up big.”
Like Ogunjobi, defensive end Myles Garrett and Bitonio said they were surprised by the news.
“It’s hard to see (Gordon) go, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to move on,” Garrett said. “I wish him the best. I hope he finds success wherever he goes.”
Only Hyde said he wasn’t floored by Gordon’s impending departure.
“No shocker, honestly,” he said. “You see crazy stuff all the time across the league. You’ve got to stay locked in. We had a game today we had to focus on.”