The Josh Gordon Saga: Reinstated Conditionally

[pappymojo]

My impression is that the league discipline is run primarily on the league's perception of the public's perception of an issue and there are many components at play including the P.R. value of the infraction and the P.R. value of the perpetrator of the infraction.

Some bad behaviors are disciplined based on a rather random and antiquated P.R. standard. For some reason, getting caught attempting to cheat the tests for P.E.D.s is less of a P.R. nightmare for the league than getting caught smoking weed. Domestic violence used to be slap on the wrist but is now very heavily punished due to the fall out from the Rice video, and the Adrian Peterson and Greg Hardy incidents.

In addition, some players and organizations are viewed as 'bad guys' by the league, and the hammer will just continually fall hard on those players/teams for the slightest of infractions. Other players and organizations, however, seem to be able to skate by for similar or worse infractions.

Once you, as a player, fall into the 'bad guy' category, you have a much harder road to navigate. The league will call this 'repeat offender' but there is much more at play. Some organizations (like the Giants) are probably better able to help a player navigate the fine line of league discipline based on the owner's influence, the media presence for that team's market, etc. A player who plays for an organization like the Browns where the team is perpetually viewed as a laughing stock is going to get less of a benefit of the doubt than a player on another team.

The league's quasi-P.R. shell game when it comes to discipline is at the heart of all of the recent battles between the league and the players union. The league desperately wants to be able to react quickly to incidents based primarily on P.R. damage control. They do not give a shit about player's rights or health nor do they really give a shit about fairness or the integrity of the league.

In short, Josh Gordon's best option to rehabilitate his image and his career is probably to sign with an organization with built-in goodwill.

There is also the continued and bizarre twist of anonymous league sources who continually leak inside information about the incident to the press in advance of league discipline in a presumed attempt to both control the spin and/or to get an initial public reaction upon which they can base their discipline.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

There is also the continued and bizarre twist of anonymous league sources who continually leak inside information about the incident to the press in advance of league discipline in a presumed attempt to both control the spin and/or to get an initial public reaction upon which they can base their discipline.

Josh Gordon for a 6th. Just don't make him share a room with LGBT. Make it so, BB!

 

[pappymojo]

Almost right on cue...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/04/12/gordon-nflpa-could-seek-investigation-regarding-confidentiality-breach/

On multiple occasions over the last 24 hours, someone has violated the confidentiality provisions of the substance abuse policy in relation to Browns receiver Josh Gordon.

The first came when someone leaked to FOX Sports, the Associated Press, and NFL Media that Gordon had failed a drug test last month. The second came when someone leaked to Adam Schefter of ESPN that the NFL wants to see Gordon stay clean over the next two or three months before reinstating him.

It’s clear that a violation of the broad confidentiality requirement occurred.Consider Section 1.2.1 of the substance abuse policy: “The Medical Advisor, Medical Director, Program Administrator, Team Substance Abuse Physician, Chief Forensic Toxicologist and all employees and consultants of the NFL, NFL Management Council, NFLPA (including its employees, members and Certified Contract Advisors), Evaluating Clinicians, Treating Clinicians and NFL Clubs (‘Interested Parties’) shall take all reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of information acquired in accordance with the provisions of this Policy, including but not limited to the history, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, test results, or the fact of participation in the Intervention Program of any Player or the Club(s) employing or having employed the Player (‘Intervention Program Information’).”

 

[pappymojo]

xx

 

[kenneycb]

I had thought that the drug testing schedule was fairly predictable as long as you have not had a positive test and been entered into the "program." Once you've been caught, I was under the impression that they can and will test you randomly at any point during the season or offseason.

I was talking to my buddy who used to be an agent and this is more or less the case. And it sounds like you have to be pretty dumb to flunk a test if you're not in the program. That said, first fail is a warning and second you get entered into the program, and a no-show is considered a fail. Then you are subject to random drug tests basically whenever and wherever. He said it was like the NFL wanted to catch you. Of course he's obviously biased in his view but interesting to hear the perspective nonetheless.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

I was talking to my buddy who used to be an agent and this is more or less the case. And it sounds like you have to be pretty dumb to flunk a test if you're not in the program. That said, first fail is a warning and second you get entered into the program, and a no-show is considered a fail. Then you are subject to random drug tests basically whenever and wherever. He said it was like the NFL wanted to catch you. Of course he's obviously biased in his view but interesting to hear the perspective nonetheless.

Flynn and Zolak have both said a bunch of times on 98.5 that everyone knew when the test was if not in the program. You knew it was during training camp, you had a pretty good idea of right when it was going to be and basically anyone who smoked etc. just laid off for a few weeks then started smoking again the night of the test.

 

[kenneycb]

My buddy said April, so OTAs I suppose, then a chance of a random one during the season.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

I think you may be right in OTA's. Isn't it collectively bargained they can't be tested again?

Edit:

https://pennstatelaw.psu.edu/_file/Sports Law Policy and Research Institute/Drug_Testing_Final.pdf

The National Football League’s collective bargaining agreement established an Intervention Program involving testing, treatment and discipline of the player. Any player who signs the collective bargaining agreement is subjected to preseason recreational drug testing during the months of April and August and beginning in the 2011 season, human growth hormone testing will randomly take place throughout the season. The Major League Baseball Association’s collective bargaining agreement requires every player to submit to an annual drug test; additionally randomly selected players can be required to submit to drug testing throughout the season. Players also agree upon unannounced testing if the club has reason to believe the individual is in violation of the league’s drug policy. Similar to the NFL and MLB, the National Basketball Association has an anti-drug and treatment program geared at either the rehabilitation of players with drug problems or their disqualification.

 

[dcmissle]

Flynn and Zolak have both said a bunch of times on 98.5 that everyone knew when the test was if not in the program. You knew it was during training camp, you had a pretty good idea of right when it was going to be and basically anyone who smoked etc. just laid off for a few weeks then started smoking again the night of the test.

Yup. That is why it's an intelligence test, or maybe an addiction test, but not a drug test. But when you get into the program, you can't use period.

In 10 years, maybe 5, weed may not be an issue in the NFL. Does Josh no good.

Some team will take a chance if he can get squared away this spring and play in 16. I don't see the pats among them. Pure guess, but I think at this point in his life BB does not have time for the bullshit. This is a very high maintenance guy. Too bad.

 

[TSC]

His reinstatement was denied, per multiple sources.

No comment from the NFL, though.

 

[ALiveH]

who was the last US president who would have passed a NFL drug test? by my count, you'd have to go back to at least 1992.

 

[BigJimEd]

Passing a drug test and never using drugs in your life are two separate things

 

[Bowlerman9]

who was the last US president who would have passed a NFL drug test? by my count, you'd have to go back to at least 1992.

I'm guessing they would all have passed the test, given they were smart enough to become POTUS. I would think they could have not tested positive given a month's notice of the testing date.

 

[bakahump]

Who the hell is his agent. THAT dude should be fired.

 

[Myt1]

Drew Rosenhaus. You might have heard of him.

 

[Red Right Ankle]

Passing a drug test and never using drugs in your life are two separate things

Hey, maybe ALiveH knows something we don't know about Clinton, Bush and Obama's drug habits.

 

[djbayko]

Who the hell is his agent. THAT dude should be fired.

Why? Some sort of scapegoat?

 

[mwonow]

Why? Some sort of scapegoat?

From Cris Carter's lips to your ears...

 

[djbayko]

From Cris Carter's lips to your ears...

I was waiting for the "fall guy" joke

 

[dcmissle]

Reportedly with Johnny Football at the trashed rental home with the cocaine and mushrooms.

I want to see if this bears out or not. Then I'll be checking for the Josh Gordon defense team if it does.

 

[Soxy]

Josh Gordon with a short mini-doc about his struggles with addiction and how he's trying to overcome them. Well worth your time to watch as he's pretty candid about everything from the drugs he was using, to his college coaches covering for him, to how his initial stint in rehab was nothing more than a publicity stunt.

I hope he can stay clean for his own sake and for the sake of his daughter.

 

[soxfan121]

That Baylor still has a football program is shameful. Is there something worse than the death penalty? Can we make all the ex-coaches and administrations pick up trash beside highways or something? Good god, I know it goes on everywhere but it seems worse, and bigger, in Texas.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

I hope he makes it. It's so, so tough. He comes across like a good kid. Smart, sincere, and obviously talented. Good luck, J.G.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Good PR piece for him.

Trade a 4th rounder for him right now.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Gordon is Back and can start practice starting 11/20:

 

[johnmd20]

He's on the Browns, so it is a half reinstatement at best.

 

[Sportsbstn]

very talented very troubled. Likely won't finish the season in the NFL

 

[DanoooME]

Now that he's on the verge of coming back, they'll cut him since they can't trade him.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Sashi Brown's statement:

'We've been informed of the league's decision to reinstate Josh. The personal well-being of all our players is of the utmost importance to us. We respect and commend Josh for taking the steps necessary to have the opportunity to return to the league. Josh will be in our building in the coming days and we look forward to having him back and sitting with him to discuss his future on our team.'

Yeeeaaaah...not exactly a vote of confidence.

 

[dcmissle]

I would be very happy if the Pats felt comfortable taking him on. It would be a decent thing to do and would fill a need going forward. Of course, the smartest-kids-in-the-class Browns would probably demand a first rounder. Analytics.

Edit — might fill a need. Nobody can predict his battle with his demons.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

I'm definitely pulling for the guy regardless of where he ends up in the NFL, or just life in general.

 

[dcmissle]

It was bad, really bad.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/11/06/josh-gordon-admits-using-drugs-or-alcohol-probably-every-game/

Full disclosure is smart.

 

[Gunfighter 09]

So why is Aldon Smith still suspended?

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

So why is Aldon Smith still suspended?

Honest question: what has he done to rehab himself?

 

[Willie Clay's Big Play]

Sad, but not finished story. I'm rooting for him. He seems either very self aware about all the damage he's done or great at saying what we all want to hear. I think he's genuine and hope he makes the best of it. Also, hope he somehow ends up in BB's receiver room.