The Browns won't have suspended Josh Gordon running routes in the 2015 season, but never fear. That's what recently signed Dwayne Bowe thinks, anyway.
"I'm here to fill his shoes," said Bowe of Gordon to the Northeast Ohio Media Group. "It's my job to do that in this offense and I believe I can do that."
OK, it's too easy to pick on Bowe, who didn't score at all last season. You can't really fault a guy for having confidence in himself, and he's right (as we've regularly pointed out) to suggest that part of his scoring drought has to do with the quarterback delivering the ball, or rather not delivering it.
"I never had a quarterback like Josh (McCown) that was that tall and could see the mismatch and really go to it. He's got my confidence level high right now.''
Realistically, Bowe won't be Gordon in his wildest dreams, but he should be better. He's the default No. 1 wideout in Cleveland, and he's not some unaccomplished stumblebum. He's not that far removed from 1,000-yard seasons in 2010 and 2011; he caught 20 TDs in those two years. He's also only 30 years old; no reason to think he's lost a step.
He won't be the next Josh Gordon, but it's too early to write him off. Somebody has to be the No. 1 wideout for this passing offense. It will probably be him.
--Andy Richardson