Josh Gordon

There are several reasons to believe Browns WR Josh Gordon, 23, will provide a significant boost for the offense.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan won’t radically change his scheme or philosophy because of Gordon’s return. His offense will continue to be predicated on a running game fueled by zone blocking and a passing attack largely dependent on play-action fakes.

But Gordon, who led the NFL last season with 1,646 receiving yards despite playing only 14 games, gives Shanahan opportunities to ambush defenses in different ways.

“I don’t know how much [the offense] changes,” Shanahan said. “I think it makes things easier. It gives you some different options. Sometimes it can change what coverages you see, and when you see different coverages, then you do have to change schematically with what you’re attacking. You try to get guys who are good players the ball, but also when coverages take them away, it helps other guys get the ball.”

The story went on to say that Shanahan’s plays have been able to get receivers open all season, so the possibilities should be endless with Gordon. One positive note to consider, as the story pointed out, when Gordon returned from a two-game suspension last year, Hoyer targeted him 19 times. The All-Pro receiver responded with 10 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown in a 31-27 road win over the Minnesota Vikings.