Source: Browns’ Gordon asks to return

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Josh Gordon has asked the NFL for another chance.

The suspended Browns wide receiver applied to the league for reinstatement, a person with direct knowledge of the process told the Associated Press on Wednesday. Gordon, who was banned for a year in February for multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, formally asked Commissioner Roger Goodell to allow him back, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Gordon failed an alcohol test last year, wiping out the talented receiver’s 2015 season.

According to league policy, Gordon could apply in writing for reinstatement within 60 days of his suspension ending. For Gordon to be reinstated, he will have to demonstrate sustained abstinence during his suspension.

“In support of their applications, players generally put forward verifiable testing records and/or submit to periodic NFL testing during the banishment period,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email.

Gordon will also be interviewed by the league’s medical director and medical adviser, who will make a recommendation to Goodell on Gordon’s reinstatement. Goodell will make a decision within 60 days of Gordon’s application. If he can return to the Browns, he will be under contract for 2016 for nearly $1.1 million and can become a restricted free agent following the season.

ESPN Cleveland was first to report Gordon’s application.

A big-play threat whenever he touches the ball, Gordon made the Pro Bowl in 2013 when he led the league with 1,646 yards receiving despite playing just 14 games. Gordon had nine touchdowns that season, establishing himself as one of the league’s elite pass catchers.

However, he hasn’t been able to stay out of trouble.

After Gordon pleaded guilty to driving while impaired on July 5, 2014, in Raleigh, North Carolina, he was required to submit to alcohol testing under the third stage of the league’s mandated program. Gordon said he drank on a flight to Las Vegas a few days after the 2014 season ended and failed a subsequent test. Gordon had assumed any restrictions ended after the season, but he didn’t clarify that with the league.

Gordon was initially suspended for the 2014 season after testing positive for marijuana. His penalty was later reduced to 10 games after the league and NFLPA changed their substance abuse policies. Gordon had to sit out two games in 2013 for a failed drug test, which he blamed on taking prescription cough medicine.

Gordon entered the league with questions about his character after testing positive three times for marijuana in college. The Browns took a shot on him anyway, surrendering a second-round draft pick in 2013 to select him in the supplemental draft that year.

Quiet and unassuming off the field, the 24-year-old Gordon’s ability to turn an 8-yard reception into an 80-yard TD has the Browns hoping he can stay clean.

Source: Browns hire Ray Horton as DC

Ray Horton’s coming back to the Browns. They haven’t changed much since he left.

Horton has been hired as new Cleveland coach Hue Jackson’s defensive coordinator, a person familiar with the hiring told the Associated Press on Wednesday.

Horton is returning to Cleveland, where he ran coach Rob Chudzinski’s defense in 2013, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Browns have not yet announced Horton’s addition.

The 55-year-old Horton interviewed to be Tennessee’s coach last week, but when the Titans hired Mike Mularkey, Jackson acted quickly to add him to his staff with the Browns. There were mixed reports following his interview that Horton had felt insulted by the Titans.

In any event, he’s again with the Browns, who have gone 10-22 in the two seasons while Horton was in Tennessee — and undergone another coaching change.

Also, Jackson is bringing in longtime NFL assistant Al Saunders, former Vikings running backs coach Kirby Wilson and Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton to help his offense, said the person.

Under Horton, who played 10 seasons in the NFL for Dallas and Cincinnati, the Browns finished ninth in yards allowed — a jump of 14 places from the previous season — and were 23rd in points allowed per game. Horton’s defense in Tennessee was ranked 12th overall this past season.

A former head coach in San Diego, Saunders was Jackson’s offensive coordinator in 2011 with Oakland. The Raiders went 8-8 in their one season together.

Wilson coached Adrian Peterson and Minnesota’s running backs the past two seasons. His contract with the Vikings expired Tuesday and Jackson wasted no time in bringing Wilson in for an interview that led to a job offer as Cleveland’s running game coordinator.

Jackson is expected to call his own plays in Cleveland, eliminating the need for a coordinator.

However, he will lean on Saunders, Wilson and Hamilton, whose title will be associate head coach/offense. The 41-year-old Hamilton was fired during this past season as Indianapolis’ offensive coordinator.