By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills are in dire need of a game-breaking wide receiver. One just hit the market, albeit with some massive strings attached.
The Cleveland Browns informed Josh Gordon their intentions to release him on Monday. The uber-talented wideout hasn’t been able to escape the skeletons which have plagued him throughout his playing career, going back to his days in college.
Gordon has been suspended multiple times for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He played in only 10 games over the course of four seasons due to his transgressions between 2014 and 2017, including being suspended for the 2015 season and sitting out of football during the 2016 season. He was reinstated in Week 13 of the regular season. The Browns started him in each game for the remainder of the season.
Gordon’s suspensions were related to drug and alcohol abuse. Each time, the Cleveland franchise stuck by him. The tipping point occurred Saturday when Gordon arrived late to a team meeting and not acting like himself, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Gordon was ruled out for Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, which seemed to miff the Browns’ brass as well, as the wide receiver was a full participant during practices this past week.
Even with all of his issues, NFL teams will be interested in the talented but troubled receiver.
Let’s go out on a limb and say the Buffalo Bills should at least take a flier on Gordon.
The Bills took a shot on another former Browns receiver, Corey Coleman. As we know, that did not end positively for the club, as it cost them a seventh-round draft pick. The Bills released receiver Jeremy Kerley on Saturday, so the league’s weakest receiving corps lost some more experience.
Kerley was brought in to provide a reliable set of hands to a largely inexperienced group of receivers. His stay lasted one game, reeling in two catches for seven yards, mainly lining up in the slot.
Outside of LeSean McCoy, the Bills’ offense lacks anyone who will put a tremor of fear into defenses. Rookie Josh Allen has been forced into duty much earlier than anticipated due to Nathan Peterman’s inefficiency.
Know what could help Allen? A former All-Pro wide receiver who averaged 117.6 receiving yards per game in 2013 with Jason Campbell, Brian Hoyer, and Brandon Weeden throwing him the ball.
If Buffalo wants to tout their culture and their ability to help people change, there is no better project than Gordon. Head coach Sean McDermott could be the teacher and coach that this misguided young man needs.
Gordon is only 27-years-old. He has been on the side and out of football for much of the past five years. Nevertheless, teams are interested in his abilities.
According to an Adam Schefter tweet, “Teams already calling the Browns, who league sources believe are far more likely to trade Josh Gordon than release him.
Gordon is a vested vet and is not subject to waivers. So if he is cut, he is a free agent and can sign where he wants, for what he wants.
A lot at stake.”
The Bills organization could surround Gordon with the structure that he needs. The roster has gone through massive turnover since the arrival of McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane.
Buffalo has worked to make several longshots become core players in their scheme. The team, once described as “misfit toys,” could add another piece to their puzzle to make them more competitive.
You think Lorenzo Alexander could get across to Gordon? What about Jordan Poyer, a former Brown who could help the receiver see that nothing is guaranteed in this game? How about Kyle Williams?