Cleveland Browns Rumors: Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins Replace Josh Gordon if Suspension Appeal Fails as Ben Tate, Terrance West Battle to Start for Brian Hoyer

Aug 01, 2014 10:23 AM EDT
Ben Tate
Cleveland Browns running back Ben Tate takes a handoff from quarterback Johnny Manziel in 2014 training camp."

Josh Gordon is ready to fight the NFL on his potential one-year suspension for violating the league's drug policy. The Cleveland Browns are fighting to find his replacement in the offense without having to make any trades or free agent signings. While the team continues to try and ignore the hype surrounding the quarterback competition, the real battle is at the wide receiver spot as head coach Mike Pettine is challenging the players to step up as Gordon's replacement.

The Browns have been linked to almost every wide receiver trade on the market. The team has been mentioned as possible landing spots for players like Denarius Moore, Andre Johnson, Mike Wallace and Danny Amendola. However, all of that turned out to just be talk as the Browns are aiming to find their next leading receiver in the pack they already have. According to Cleveland.com, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is looking for a committee model from his wide receivers rather than trading for another star.

"We expect them all to step up. I expect it to be receivers by committee," Shanahan said, via Cleveland.com. "I rarely go into games and force the ball to a certain player. Obviously, when you go out there and have a guy like Josh, you're going to move him around and try and get him the ball, but you're not going to force it. You hope a guy takes coverage away and you go to where the matchups are. I believe we've got a bunch of guys who can separate. (WR) Miles (Austin) has been really good out here. We didn't have him in OTAs. I've known Miles going against him in the NFC East for four years. When he's been healthy, he's been a good receiver. He's been healthy. He's got his juice back. He's been great. 'Hawk' (WR Andrew Hawkins), as you guys know being in this division, is a tough guy to cover. A lot of these undrafted rookies we have are coming in there and making plays. I have a lot of confidence in our whole group. We're going to have some moving around. I'm really not worried about who we're going to because I believe all of them can help us."

While Austin's last two years with the Dallas Cowboys were filled with more injuries than touchdowns, the Browns have been impressed with what they have seen from the veteran. Hawkins is getting the same praise. Jordan Cameron is also looking to have a big year as he prepares to negotiate a new contract. Those three players pair well with the battle at the running back position with Ben Tate and Terrance West. Losing Gordon will be a blow to the offensive plan, but the Browns are confident they can replace him numbers with ease.

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