If you look up wasted talent in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of wide receiver Josh Gordon. Gordon exploded onto the scene in 2013, catching 87 passes for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns as a member of the Cleveland Browns. These numbers were good enough to give him the most in the NFL that year, and he was named first team All-Pro. Unfortunately, as good as Gordon was on the field, he was equally bad off of it. Thanks to several suspensions, Gordon has only played in five games over the last three years, and he was just released by the Browns.
The Oakland Raiders Shouldn’t Sign Josh Gordon
While Josh Gordon is currently in rehab, he has been reinstated by the NFL. That means that when he leaves rehab, he’ll be free to sign with whomever he pleases. Several teams are already being linked to Gordon, including the Oakland Raiders.
History
Once upon a time, the Raiders were known for giving second chances. The likes of Jim Plunkett, John Matuszak, Rich Gannon, and Jerry Rice have all found a second wind, an autumn wind, with the Raiders. They built championship teams with outcasts from other teams. Some of the best players in Raider history started their careers somewhere else.
So why not Josh Gordon? Gordon had a historically brilliant season, and on paper, could only help Oakland’s offense. With Derek Carr already running his passing attack through Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, the stakes are incredibly low for Gordon. So why not?
One Hit Wonder
Why not? Because Josh Gordon hasn’t played since late December, 2014. Who knows if he’s in game shape, or how long it would take to knock the rust off. Frankly, even before Gordon missed a season and a half, he wasn’t living up to his 2014 form. In 2014, he averaged five catches and 61 yards per game. For all anybody knows, Josh Gordon’s 2013 season was an anomaly. It’s not unheard of. Brandon Lloyd led the NFL in receiving yards in 2010, and it was the only season in his 12 year career where he broke 1,000 yards.
If It Ain’t Broke
The Oakland Raiders have one of the best offenses in football already. Carr, Cooper, Crabtree, Latavius Murray, Clive Walford, Seth Roberts, and others are already doing great work. The offensive line is one of the best in the league, they’re running the ball well, and they haven’t struggled to move the ball through the air. If the Raiders were desperate for receiver help, it would be one thing, but they’re not. The passing attack is among the best in the NFL as is. Taking reps away from Seth Roberts and Andre Holmes to give to a guy who can’t get out of his own way is stupid.
