The NFL suspended Browns wide-receiver Josh Gordon in August after he failed a drug test.

He was found guilty of marijuana use, which is illegal under the league’s substance abuse policy. This is his second offense.

The league is scheduled to vote on amending its drug policy soon, and an announcement is expected in the next couple of weeks.

If the policy is changed, Gordon is likely to return to the Browns lineup.

Gordon ranked #1 among all receivers last year in receiving yards with 1,646, in spite of missing two games.

Gordon has had prior issues with marijuana. He was kicked off the Baylor football team after being found sleeping in a car with a teammate at Taco Bell. There was marijuana in the car, according to NBC Sports.

Browns fans, including many BHS students, are upset about the decision.

“This year-long suspension will have huge effects on the Browns season,” said sophomore Ben Sternberg.

“This could potentially ruin the Browns record… losing such a dynamic playmaker, but it could also create opportunities for a young receiver to step up and potentially be a star,” added sophomore Alex Orloff.

Many fans feel the suspension was too strict.

“It was very harsh. He should have only been suspended two games like last year,” sophomore Alex Cala said.

Many BHS Browns fans agree.

“Yes, it was harsh and I believe that it should’ve been half a season because Ray Rice only got suspended for two weeks,” said Sternberg [interviewed before Rice’s suspension was revised].

“Now I expect him, (Gordon), to be a good car salesman,” senior Matt Komich said.

While he is suspended, Gordon will be working as a car salesmen at Sarchione Auto Group in Alliance, Ohio.

After Gordon’s suspension there are many questions on how the Browns offensive attack will be without the wide-out threat.

“Jordan Cameron will for sure be the number one receiver,” Sternberg said. Matt Komich agreed.

Cala disagreed, “The number one receiver will be Miles Austin or Andrew Hawkins,” he said.

The Browns, like every other team in the NFL, have many players to throw to, but without the distraction of Gordon, defenses can focus more on players like Jordan Cameron and Andrew Hawkins. This makes it extremely hard for Brian Hoyer and/or Johnny Manziel to find that one guy you can always depend on.

Now that the Browns are 0-1 after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-30 we have a good look at how the defensive-oriented team will play on offense this year. Mike Pettine, the head coach of the Browns, is the former defensive coordinator for the New York Jets. This past week Brian Hoyer threw for 230 yards and a touchdown. Hoyer threw to Andrew Hawkins who caught eight passes for 87 yards as the Browns top receiver. This past off-season the Browns signed Andre Hawkins to a four-year deal for $16 million.

Besides through the air, Cleveland really established themselves on the ground, rushing the ball. Even though starting running back Ben Tate left the game early with a knee injury, running back Terrance West ran for 100 yards on 16 attempts while running back Isaiah Crowell, who was undrafted, ran the ball five times with 32 rushing yard and two touchdowns.

After this game went from a 27-3 blowout, led by the Steelers, the Browns had an incredibly positive second half scoring 24 points to a Steelers three points.

This leaves Browns fans wondering: can they play like they did in the second half? If so, how well can the Browns do this season? Even more positive, Gordon’s suspension may be uplifted if the NFL changes its drug policy rules. Gordon cannot be punished under an old rule. If the suspension is rescinded, how big of an effect will he have coming back onto the roster?

He might just be the X-factor who can lift the Browns to respectability.