Browns sign veteran receivers to add depth
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns are saying nothing about the potential one-year suspension of All-Pro receiver Josh Gordon for reportedly failing another drug test.
The club’s actions in the free-agent market seem telling, however.
The Browns announced the signings of veteran receiversMiles Austin and Earl Bennett yesterday.
While general manager Ray Farmer has refused to comment on Gordon‘s possible season-long ban — as first reported by ESPN last week — he’s at the very least protecting himself by adding depth.
The Gordon matter remains in the hands of the NFL, whose officials also are not commenting. But the addition of two veterans might suggest the Browns are bracing for bad news.
“We’re confident that we have a plan,” coach Mike Pettine said on Monday. “The situation didn’t call for panic. That’s something that we weren’t going to do. The league obviously prohibits me from speaking on that specifically, but just in general, I know that I agree with Ray 1,000 percent— we have to build this team so that no one player drives the ship. That we can be insulated losing players for extended periods of time potentially is part of the game.
“Successful franchises are the ones that have enough depth built and enough options to account for it — coachingwise, schemewise to account for it — I think those are the ones that are successful.”
Neither Austin, who turns 30 next month, nor Bennett, 27, is the caliber of Gordon. Yet each is proven.
Austin was a two-time Pro Bowler with Dallas who has missed 11 games over the past three seasons because of hamstring problems. If he can remain healthy, he should provide a boost for a receiving corps that includes Nate Burleson, Andrew Hawkins and Greg Little. Burleson is recovering from arm surgery but is expected back by training camp.
If Gordon somehow avoids suspension or has the reported one-year ban reduced, the Browns would have a deep group and a significant upgrade from last season.
Both Austin and Bennett, who spent six seasons with Chicago, were waived in the spring.
Bennett refused to take a pay cut after catching 32 passes for 243 yards and four touchdowns last year.
Austin caught 24 passes for 244 yards while missing five games with hamstring problems.
The Browns also announced the signing of undrafted free agent Elhadji Ndiaye. The defensive lineman (6 feet 4, 265 pounds) led Nebraska-Kearney with six sacks last season.