The NFL trade deadline has passed and the Cleveland Browns still have their entire wide receiving corps intact. While Josh Gordon was headlining the rumors swirling around the team, Greg Little was getting his fair share of attention. The third-year wide receiver has struggled with consistency this season and now that he remains on the team, the Browns coaching staff expects him to step up for the remainder of the year.
The Browns have a solid No. 1 receiver in Gordon, but they need more from the rest of the supporting cast if the team is going to get more wins out of the year. Offensive coordinator has been very pleased with both Gordon and tight end Jordan Cameron this season, but he believes Little needs to do more to help out.
"Josh's presence is always there whether he's making plays or whether they're aware of him in terms of doubling him," Turner said, via Ohio .com. "We have to find a way to get everyone involved in our offense. Right now, Jordan and Josh are making most of the plays in the passing game, and we need to get everyone involved because at some point, if you only have two guys really making a lot of plays, pretty soon that can dry up."
Little has 21 catches for 218 yards on the season. The receiver has been expected to step up his production on the field, but has yet to really make that jump to a real reliable threat for whatever quarterback is tossing him the ball. According to ProFootballFocus.com, Little has five dropped passes on the year which does not please Turner.
"Greg's [lack of production] is a combination of a couple of things," Turner said. "He's had some bad luck. He's had two or three times where he's been completely open deep, he's run great routes, double moves and for some reason, we didn't get the ball off. We had pressure, whatever, those things, and that's kind of the position he plays, but there are going to be opportunities for him. We're playing against good corners and you've got so many opportunities, so I think when they start doubling Josh and we start having some issues, I think he's going to start having an opportunity to make some plays."
Quarterback Jason Campbell has not lost faith in his wide receiver despite struggling to connect with him multiple times. The backup told Little that he just needs to do more to get open and have the mindset that the quarterback is going to target him on every play. Turner believes if everyone can stay more aware on the field, things will start to turn around for the receiver.
