Josh Gordon's effort questioned

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns did not like what they saw in wide receiver Josh Gordon on Monday night in the 24-23 loss to Washington.

Coach Mike Pettine said there were a couple plays when the team did not see the proper effort from Gordon.

"There were a couple plays where I think -- we just came out of the personnel meeting and talked about it -- that we would have definitely wanted better effort," Pettine said.

Gordon loafed on a couple of throws, dropping one from Brian Hoyer at about Washington's 10-yard-line, and he failed to reach behind him to make a catch he has made countless times in games and practices.

Pettine couldn't say if the looming decision on Gordon's appeal of his one-year ban for a positive drug test is affecting him, but he expects better.

He said the coaches had spoken to Gordon about finishing plays stronger.

"We would want regular season effort to match preseason effort," Pettine said. "I think that's important for all of our guys."

Gordon played into the fourth quarter against Washington, something that is not typical for starters in preseason games. Pettine said it was "not a mistake" to keep him in the game that late.

"He needs the work learning a new system," Pettine said. "That's a room that you don't want to not play him, and then put the other players at risk by increasing their individual workloads."