The Josh Gordon Saga: Reinstated Conditionally

[LondonSox]

Think the NFLPA will get all up in arms about this? 

If they don't have a clear case for the suspension they are morons.
1) He could win on appeal.
2) He will certainly be looking to go elsewhere.
3) Why would ANY free agent look on this and think this seems an organization I want to work for and trust.

 

[Super Nomario]

If they don't have a clear case for the suspension they are morons.
1) He could win on appeal.
2) He will certainly be looking to go elsewhere.
3) Why would ANY free agent look on this and think this seems an organization I want to work for and trust.

It's the Browns - of course this isn't an organization any FA wants to work for.

 

[DJnVa]

 
Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider  1h1 hour ago
Source says Browns management thought it was prudent to take this opportunity to prevent Josh Gordon from gaining accrued season toward FA
 

 
Boy, that leaker is going to get canned. You simply cannot frame it like that.

 

[Van Everyman]

Well, it didn't say the leaker was from the Cleveland front office.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Not only wouldn't Manziel think he didn't have to be at practice.....by league rules he's not allowed to practice. Well done trying to create a story Disney.

The story from ESPN noted that players on IR are required by the Browns to attend walk-through days unless receiving treatment for their injury at the time. He was supposed to be there.

 

[Average Reds]

Think the NFLPA will get all up in arms about this? 

 
If the Browns had played this intelligently, Gordon and the NFLPA could have complained all they wanted and there would have been nothing they could have done about it.  Of course, this is the Browns, so playing it intelligently was not an option.
 
By not applying the same punishment to all players who were late/missing from the walk-through, the Browns left themselves exposed.  And if there's any truth to the notion that the Browns took this action specifically to deny Gordon the chance to accrue service time towards free agency, it's like setting a volleyball spike for the NFLPA.
 
Somewhere, Dan Snyder is wondering how any NFL team could be run this poorly ...

 

[j44thor]

 
If the Browns had played this intelligently, Gordon and the NFLPA could have complained all they wanted and there would have been nothing they could have done about it.  Of course, this is the Browns, so playing it intelligently was not an option.
 
By not applying the same punishment to all players who were late/missing from the walk-through, the Browns left themselves exposed.  And if there's any truth to the notion that the Browns took this action specifically to deny Gordon the chance to accrue service time towards free agency, it's like setting a volleyball spike for the NFLPA.
 
Somewhere, Dan Snyder is wondering how any NFL team could be run this poorly ...

 
They also deactivated Justin Gilbert for the same game for being late to a Saturday meeting.  Don't think the NFLPA will have much to argue on this one.  Its not like Josh has been a model citizen and this was his first screw up.  

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Apparently, the Browns and Gordon are negotiating about the lost year:  http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/12/johnny_manziel_josh_gordon_bot.html.  From the article:
 

 
If they do ultimately file the grievance, they'll try to demonstrate that the Browns suspended Gordon to keep him from being unrestricted after next year.
 
The Browns will have to prove that the ban came after a series of violations and sanctions, and that Gordon's transgression was worse than anyone else's on the team this year -- since no one else has been suspended.
 
That's why Manziel's tardiness on Saturday is significant. Gordon's advisors can use him as an example of a player who has violated several team rules and not been suspended, including being involved in the fight hours before the team's walk-through on Nov. 22.
 
Other players, such as No. 8 overall pick Justin Gilbert, have been late for multiple team functions this season and not been suspended. Gilbert and rookie running back Terrance West have been benched or had playing time cut, but haven't been suspended.
 
The Browns, however, felt they had no choice since Gordon missed the whole walk-through.
 

 

[Average Reds]

 
They also deactivated Justin Gilbert for the same game for being late to a Saturday meeting.  Don't think the NFLPA will have much to argue on this one.  Its not like Josh has been a model citizen and this was his first screw up.  

Once again, You are missing the point spectacularly. Deactivation does not have an impact on service time towards free agency.

Unless solved by negotiated settlement, the NFLPA will appeal and win on Gordon's behalf.

 

[Corsi]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  1m1 minute ago
Browns WR Josh Gordon flunked another drug test and now will be subject to a one-year banishment, per league sources. More on ESPN @ 6 pm.

 

[mauidano]

 

[ilol@u]

He is an idiot. Nothing else needs to be said. Millions of dollars to play a game and he can't lay off the weed for a few months.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

When are all the people who said the Pats should trade for him with a second round pick showing up?

 

[timelysarcasm]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx40udwQvZI

 

[Corsi]

PFT says he tested positive for alcohol.
 
https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/559455255046287360

 

[Corsi]

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk  1m1 minute ago
Because of his DUI, alcohol is one of the substances for which Josh Gordon was being tested.

 

[LondonSox]

yeah why is that a problem in the offseason?

I didn't understand for prater and I don't for this. He got drunk and...... He can't play football for a year. Someone might want to tell every college player ever.

 

[EricFeczko]

umm...what?

How do you test positive for alcohol?
 
EDIT: Alcohol can't be detected in a drug test after 80 hours, tops. He would need to have drunk something in the last three days to test positive for it.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Wtf? Because he once smoked weed now he can't even have a fucking beer? That's absurd.

 

[rodderick]

So once you get a DUI you can't drink anymore, even in the offseason?

 

[Turrable]

So once you get a DUI you can't drink anymore, even in the offseason?

 
It's actually more reasonable than prohibiting weed. Still stupid as hell though.

 

[Tito's Pullover]

Getting drunk is 8x worse than assaulting your girlfriend.  Ladies and Gentlemen, the National Football League.

 

[DJnVa]

Seems pretty stupid that alcohol is on the list, but how stupid does Josh Gordon look? Good God man.

 

[Cellar-Door]

If it was before late Sept. he was still on probation for his DUI, though I don't know if avoiding alcohol was part of it, I know he did have court ordered substance abuse assessments.
 
Edit- I don't have a problem with alcohol testing post DUIs by the league. DUIs are ridiculously under-punished in the courts, and athletes tend to get off even lighter than normal people. Also it provides an incentive for guys like Gordon who obviously have significant substance abuse problems to get help.

 

[jsinger121]

So once you get a DUI you can't drink anymore, even in the offseason?

Once you are in the program like Josh Gordon is they can test you whenever they want.

 

[Caspir]

So once you get a DUI you can't drink anymore, even in the offseason?

 
Not if you want to play football. The equivocations for this kid are pointless now. He got a DUI, the league said if you drink and we catch you, you're done. He either 1. was so drunk it showed up on a test days after the fact, in which case he needs help; or 2. went out the night before and has the worst luck in the world. Either way, there's no excusing him at this point.
 
 

Wtf? Because he once smoked weed now he can't even have a fucking beer? That's absurd.
 

 
No, because he got a DUI he was being tested for alcohol. Because he's a habitual offender, he was in the drug program. Because he is as dumb as a bag of rusty nails, he doesn't seem to give a shit. He should just check into rehab, Half Baked style.

 

[Rico Guapo]

He clearly has a substance abuse problem, hope he gets the help he needs.

 

[kenneycb]

Eh, he's an idiot but if was just booze you can't really say that one way or another.

 

[rodderick]

 
Not if you want to play football. The equivocations for this kid are pointless now. He got a DUI, the league said if you drink and we catch you, you're done. He either 1. was so drunk it showed up on a test days after the fact, in which case he needs help; or 2. went out the night before and has the worst luck in the world. Either way, there's no excusing him at this point.
 
 
 
 
No, because he got a DUI he was being tested for alcohol. Because he's a habitual offender, he was in the drug program. Because he is as dumb as a bag of rusty nails, he doesn't seem to give a shit. He should just check into rehab, Half Baked style.

 
Can I say that the rule is dumb without it being construed as a defense of Gordon? Because that's the way I meant it. 

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

He should just check into rehab, Half Baked style.

 

[TheoShmeo]

I'm just glad he didn't deflate a ball before getting behind the wheel.

 

[epraz]

He clearly has a substance abuse problem, hope he gets the help he needs.

 
This. He may be an idiot, but he clearly has an abuse problem.  I don't think kicking him out of the league is likely to help.

 

[SumnerH]

Eh, he's an idiot but if was just booze you can't really say that one way or another.

 
His actions to date are pretty much exactly inability to stop in the face of mounting consequences.

 

[Cellar-Door]

 
This. He may be an idiot, but he clearly has an abuse problem.  I don't think kicking him out of the league is likely to help.

Well, I think for most players losing tens of millions of dollars probably is an incentive to avoid trouble. Problem for a guy like Gordon is, even with between college and the pros at least a half dozen test failures and discipline for them he never really commits to getting himself clean.

 

[Dahabenzapple2]

 
His actions to date are pretty much exactly inability to stop in the face of mounting consequences.

Good chance he's an addict due to the above

If that is the case, this has little to do with him being an idiot or a genius.

As far as the suspension, I've never understood why substance abuse is treated by suspension in any league, business or public service, etc.

It makes so little sense it makes my hair hurt

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

Good chance he's an addict due to the above
If that is the case, this has little to do with him being an idiot or a genius.
As far as the suspension, I've never understood why substance abuse is treated by suspension in any league, business or public service, etc.
It makes so little sense it makes my hair hurt

Not sure about the sports world but real world employment considers it a legal liability for them.

 

[Dahabenzapple2]

Not sure about the sports world but real world employment considers it a legal liability for them.

Normally businesses try to get the employee an opportunity for help.

The problem is that very few addicts stay clean.

So eventually the repercussions from the addiction costs the using addict: jobs, finance, physical health, mental health, jails, institutions and death.

Very rare that suspensions or fines or these types of consequences are enough.

Suspensions from a job should only be after drug use affects the performance on the job. For addicts, I consider alcohol a drug.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

Oh I totally agree. Just a suspension would be asinine. But I'm pretty sure the NFL and other sports leagues have comprehensive programs for substance abuse(ers) beyond suspensions. Not quite a success story, but everything we learned during Vin Baker's stint on the Celts spoke to that.

 

[Soxfan in Fla]

The fact he is getting suspended a year for alcohol seems ridiculous. That said, I'm sure he knew the rules he needed to adhere to. Yet couldn't even follow them. On the hand it seems incredibly stupid on his part. On the other hand he most likely has a major addiction problem and nothing will change until he confronts it for real.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Not if you want to play football. The equivocations for this kid are pointless now. He got a DUI, the league said if you drink and we catch you, you're done. He either 1. was so drunk it showed up on a test days after the fact, in which case he needs help; or 2. went out the night before and has the worst luck in the world. Either way, there's no excusing him at this point.
 
 



 
No, because he got a DUI he was being tested for alcohol. Because he's a habitual offender, he was in the drug program. Because he is as dumb as a bag of rusty nails, he doesn't seem to give a shit. He should just check into rehab, Half Baked style.

I was just surprised that he's prohibited from even drinking. But if that's the rule then sure, he's an idiot.

 

[NDame616]

 
Not if you want to play football. The equivocations for this kid are pointless now. He got a DUI, the league said if you drink and we catch you, you're done. He either 1. was so drunk it showed up on a test days after the fact, in which case he needs help; or 2. went out the night before and has the worst luck in the world. Either way, there's no excusing him at this point.
 
 
 
 
No, because he got a DUI he was being tested for alcohol. Because he's a habitual offender, he was in the drug program. Because he is as dumb as a bag of rusty nails, he doesn't seem to give a shit. He should just check into rehab, Half Baked style.

 
You and I have a much different definition of bad luck

 

[Devizier]

Yeah, at this point, Gordon needs to get himself into rehab. Dude's got a problem.

 

[soxfanSJCA]

I hope he gets the help he needs.
If Josh Gordon is unable to lay off substances at the cost of his employment (and his future employment),
perhaps he can not deal with this on his own and needs help.
Sad, he is a phenomenal talent
 

 

[86spike]

You guys no that a substance addiction drives addicts to use all the time, right?

Gordon was subject to testing constantly and seems to have passed many tests, so it doesn't seem likely that he was using or drinking constantly.

I doubt he is an addict.

I think he is an idiot with self control problems and a lack of respect for authority. He might need professional mental health attention to address those problems, but I doubt rehab is for a guy like this.

His career may be over, all the same. Who would risk more than the league minimum on this guy now?

 

[P'tucket rhymes with...]

You guys no that a substance addiction drives addicts to use all the time, right?

Gordon was subject to testing constantly and seems to have passed many tests, so it doesn't seem likely that he was using or drinking constantly.

I doubt he is an addict.

I think he is an idiot with self control problems and a lack of respect for authority. He might need professional mental health attention to address those problems, but I doubt rehab is for a guy like this.

His career may be over, all the same. Who would risk more than the league minimum on this guy now?

You should probably do a little--and I mean a very little--reading on the nature of addiction before you post something like this.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

" idiot with self control problems and a lack of respect for authority " is an apt description for a person with substance abuse problems as seen by those who haven't experienced what the disease of addiction can do to someone.

 

[Mr. Wednesday]

So once you get a DUI you can't drink anymore, even in the offseason?

Not quite the same due to the under-age aspect of it, but... when he was at Notre Dame, Will Yeatman got a DUI, and subsequently got in trouble regarding his probation when he blew something other than a 0.0 when an off-campus party was raided. I'm not certain what happened to him in the legal system, but it definitely landed him a further suspension at ND (which led to him transferring to Maryland).

 

[Marciano490]

No need to be so Manichean.  Self-control is a hard thing for some people, but that doesn't make them addicts or idiots. I've screwed up many a good thing because of temptation in the moment, and maybe that makes me weak-willed, but nothing more.  He's in his early 20s and he had a drink or two for all we know.  Yeah, it's idiotic because those were potentially million dollar drinks, but, shit, he made a bad decision in a moment how many months after making a couple other dumb choices?
 
The idiots here are the Browns for not babysitting him.

 

[Dahabenzapple2]

" idiot with self control problems and a lack of respect for authority " is an apt description for a person with substance abuse problems as seen by those who haven't experienced what the disease of addiction can do to someone.

All except "Idiot"

Add "severe" problem with self control

Maybe also "no" respect for authority

Very hard for anyone to determine that anyone is an addict except for the addict himself.

And as some of you realize, I didn't get this knowledge from studying it or looking it up.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

All except "Idiot"
Add "severe" problem with self control
Maybe also "no" respect for authority
Very hard for anyone to determine that anyone is an addict except for the addict himself.
And as some of you realize, I didn't get this knowledge from studying it or looking it up.

I was pointing out how some addicts may appear to people who have no experience dealing with addicts. I'm certainly not saying addicts are idiots. If that were the case I'd have to admit half my family are idiots, which they are not.

That came out very Pete King-y and Im not sure why.