Hue Jackson just wants to see consistency from Josh Gordon and the rest of Cleveland's offense.
Gordon just wants to win. And if that's at the sacrifice of his personal stats, so be it.
"I'm hopeful for a win more than anything," Gordon said. "That is my first and main, truly only priority right now is a W. I couldn't care less about individual things at this point because honestly, one favors the other. If one happens then the other one happens. If it is not my personal or individual victory, it is somebody else's and that is awesome."
Gordon has 201 yards and a touchdown in three games, a total that already puts him fifth among Cleveland's wide receivers. His totals, though, have decreased in each of the games. He posted five catches for 47 yards on 11 targets this past week against the Ravens.
Jackson said opposing defenses are scheming to prevent Gordon from catching a single pass, let alone racking up the kind of numbers he produced en route to the league's receiving title in 2013. He estimated Gordon is receiving extra coverage on roughly 60 percent of his snaps.
"Sometimes there is a guy in front of him, a guy over the top and a linebacker running at him. People are not just going to let Josh walk back out there and catch 15 balls for 200-something yards," Jackson said. "People know if he does that we have a chance to win. People are going to do everything they can to slow that down. Do I think Josh is working hard? Do I think he can get back to where he was? Yeah, I see a really dominant football player who is growing each and every week, who has been consistent in our program and who is working hard. The big game will come."
Gordon said he isn't sweating the extra coverage. If defenses devote too many resources his way, the players around him will have golden opportunities come their way. And he's just fine with that.
"I definitely try to take advantage of whatever situation I'm in to try to help DeShone (Kizer) see something as quick as possible or just go all out and try to make sure that I get something done and make something happen," Gordon said.
-- Jamar Taylor (foot) was back on the practice field in a limited fashion Thursday for the first time in two weeks. The veteran cornerback did not practice at all last week and only played on special teams against the Ravens.
Fellow defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun (knee), who has missed the past two games, did not practice after participating in a limited basis Wednesday. Jackson said he did not have a setback.
Mike Jordan filled Taylor's spot in last week's game. Kai Nacua saw some snaps at nickel in place of Boddy-Calhoun.
"At the same time, it is good that the guys that are out there practicing each and every day, you can continue to see guys improve, understand what we are trying to do just a little bit better," Jackson said. "Hopefully, we will be better this week than we were last week."
