Earlier this week it was announced former All Pro receiver Josh Gordon would be reinstated back into the NFL.
This was excellent news for two parties the Cleveland Browns organization and the career of Robert Griffin III. The Browns get back their most explosive offensive weapon and RG3 now has a bona fide number one receiving option to connect with. Gordon and Griffin are no strangers to each other the former Baylor teammates will look to bring some of that Waco magic to the starving fans in Cleveland .
It wasn’t to long ago in 2013 when Gordon took the league by storm torching any secondary that lined up against him. He became the first player ever to post back to back 200 receiving yard games, and finished with a league leading 1,646 yards that season according to (pro-football-reference.com).
The man formerly known as Flash racked up these numbers with a trio of average signal callers at best Brian Hoyer, Jason Campbell, and Brandon Weeden, all saw time at quarterback that season for the Browns. We all know the story of what happened next the young star’s off the field activities led to a lengthy year long suspension that temporarily derailed the momentum of a promising career.
Fast forward a few years more mature and now with a solid support group around him there is a prime opportunity for a major comeback. Gordon has been reunited with arguably the most talented gunslinger he’s ever connected with in Griffin.
I have a great support staff here, more so than I’ve ever felt before,” Gordon said, via the Akron Beacon-Journal. “It plays a part on both sides. Me wanting to give in to that support and allow them to help me and me wanting to be helped, as I opposed to before me trying to be selfish and do things on my own.”
RG3 is a few years removed from his spectacular rookie of the year campaign and has lost some of his luster over past seasons. But he may still have some magic left in the tank at only 26 years old there is a lot of room still for growth .Griffin now finds himself with a prime opportunity to turn a troubled franchise around and he’s in position to do it.
A new offense and revamped receiving corps that also boasts the latest Baylor U stud receiver to come through the draft in electrifying rookie Corey Coleman has sparked some optimism. Cleveland snagged the young speedster with the 15th pick in the draft and he could pose a dynamic pair with Gordon or serve as his potential replacement in the number one option role.
If all goes as planned these three Texas natives could lead the transition for a new competitive era for the Browns and head coach Hue Jackson in his first season. It won’t be an easy task by any means, Cleveland remains in the brutal AFC North and will have to contend with two playoff teams from last season as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals both have rosters stacked with established talent.
However there is potential for this young team to be the Cinderella story C-Town and the Dawg Pound desperately deserve. It will take a Texas sized effort to end a 13 year long playoff drought.
