CLEVELAND -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Cleveland Browns' 23-7 loss to the Houston Texans.
Gordon in relief: When the offense fizzles, it does so convincingly. Brian Hoyer is 36-of-91 passing (39.5 percent) in the past two losses, compared to 55-of-85 (64.7 percent) in the past three wins. The Browns know what might help that accuracy discrepancy: the return of Josh Gordon on Monday from a 10-game suspension. "You put him on any [of the] 32 rosters, it's a significant upgrade," wide receiver Andrew Hawkins said. "I can't wait to have him back on Monday." Gordon's return should lift the locker room after a loss because Hawkins doesn't think "people realize he hasn't even scratched the surface of how good he can be."
No drastic changes needed: After the Browns' previous, head-scratching loss, 24-6 at Jacksonville, coaches simplified the defense, and it worked. After the Texans rocked the Browns for 213 rushing yards? Just play better. No overhauls necessary, tackle Billy Winn said, because the Browns are already a well-coached team that has gotten this far (6-4). "I don't think we need to change anything," Winn said. "It comes down to us as players. We need to come out and take care of business. Bottom line." Added Hoyer, "You've just got to take it and swallow it and realize that we've got to play better."
Hoyer's all good: Hoyer took a shot from linebacker Brian Cushing on a blitz late in the fourth quarter. Cushing knocked the quarterback to his knees, which prompted backup Johnny Manziel to start to prepare. Hoyer said the hit knocked the wind out of him, but he recovered after a few minutes. "We ended up driving the ball down, and we didn't convert, so it was just a matter of catching my breath."
