Gordon still shaking off rust

Associated Press

Berea

Some of that orange on Josh Gordon’s helmet may be rust.

Cleveland’s star wide receiver said Thursday that he’s still not fully up to speed with the Browns offense since returning from a 10-game suspension for repeated drug violations.

Gordon has been back for two games, but said he hasn’t quite grasped changes in the terminology to some plays that he hasn’t run before.

“I’ve got a long way to go to be where I want to be,” he said.

The Browns (7-5) don’t really have time for Gordon to catch up. In the thick of the AFC playoff chase with four games left, they’re facing a must-win situation each week, starting this Sunday at home against the Indianapolis Colts.

Gordon followed up an impressive debut against Atlanta — eight catches for 120 yards — on Nov. 23 with a solid game last week, when he caught seven passes for 75 yards in a loss at Buffalo.

However, the statistics didn’t tell the whole story as Gordon ran the wrong route one play that cost quarterback Brian Hoyer an interception and he didn’t finish off other plays the way the Browns need him to.

Late in the first half against the Bills, Gordon and Hoyer failed to connect on a throw over the middle that got picked off. It was clear that quarterback and receiver were not on the same page, and Gordon accepted blame for a turnover that goes on Hoyer’s resume.

“I was supposed to make an in cut, the interception was on me,” Gordon said following practice. “I ran the wrong route.”

It wasn’t the first miscommunication between Gordon and Hoyer. Against the Falcons, Hoyer locked in on Cleveland’s dynamic No. 12, forcing throws and winding up with three interceptions. Hoyer and Gordon have been trying to get back some of the timing they had last season, when the 23-year-old receiver led the league with 1,646 yards.

“We definitely have to get better in sync,” said Hoyer, who has targeted Gordon 29 times in 70 passes over two games. “We stay after practice and talk through things, and we’re trying to work through it. It’s tough when you’re not around for 10 weeks. You can’t put that all on Josh.”

“Not having 10 weeks and then all of a sudden you’re into NFL games, it’s hard to work on the fly.”

Gordon is doing all he can to make up for lost time. He’s been studying harder to familiarize himself with plays that he was unable to work on during his ban. Gordon was prohibited from position group meetings during his suspension, so he’s learning on the go.

Sometimes that’s in practice, sometimes that’s in games. Gordon said he and Hoyer are getting their chemistry right.

“I think we’re real close to where to need to be, but I know in my mind I’m not where I want to be because I’d like for it to be just second nature and for me to not have to think about it,” he said. “I’m playing catch-up.”