BEREA, Ohio -- Josh Gordon has a respectable 195 receiving yards since returning to the Browns from a 10-game suspension for failing the NFL's drug policy. But Gordon's timing has been off with quarterback Brian Hoyer, resulting in three interceptions on passes thrown his way despite a team-high 29 targets in two games.

Gordon admits mastering first-year Browns coordinator Kyle Shanahan's offense is taking time. The terminology is different from Norv Turner's sets for Gordon last season, when the Pro Bowl player averaged nearly 118 yards per game.

"You have to master your offense that we're running here," Gordon said. "When you do that, you think a lot less and you move a lot faster.

That's really the point I'm trying to get to. I'd like for it to be second nature, for me not to even think about it. I can hear half the play in the huddle and know what to do. But it's not like that right now."

Gordon was able to attend team meetings during his suspension but couldn't observe position coach meetings, where players learn the nuances of the scheme. The verbiage with some offensive plays has changed slightly since training camp, Gordon said.

A prime example of the disconnect came on Hoyer's first interception against Buffalo, when Gordon cut to the sideline but Hoyer threw inside, toward safety Da'Norris Searcy, who was waiting for the ball without a receiver in sight.

The loss of receiver Miles Austin to an abdominal injury accentuates the Browns' need for Gordon, who does everything coaches ask and works hard, Shanahan said.

He can do more.

"[With Josh] it's more about being more consistent, down in and down out, a grind, being a dog out there, competing for everything," Shanahan said. "I think a lot of things with Josh his whole life, because of how talented he is, has come pretty easily. It's nothing as far as a lack of effort. It's just more you have to be constantly challenging him. I don't think he's been challenged a ton throughout his life. If I was as talented as him, I probably wouldn't be very stressed out either. It's our job to keep him like that so he's on it every play."

Gordon on Thursday addressed the perception he doesn't go hard every play.

"I definitely think I push it just about every play I get out there," Gordon said. "Maybe it's just the way it looks. I look like I'm going slow. But trust me, I'm not. But I definitely think there's a lot more for me to get from the game."