Violence, Salary Caps, and Ugly Shirts: While We’re Waiting…
September 9, 2014Browns and Steelers: Fun with numbers
September 9, 2014One week into Josh Gordon’s season-long ban and it appears his potential reinstatement is no longer up for debate. ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi reports that not only have the Browns not emptied his locker, but speculates that his return to the field is “inevitable.”
Gordon, a native of Houston, had no reason to stay in Cleveland during his indefinite suspension. He was locked out of Browns headquarters and unable to have any contact with the team. So why would he stay in Cleveland? To sell cars?
What does that tell you?
It tells me that that Gordonâs lawyers â probably even the Browns — were tipped that he would be reinstated soon.
Itâs all dependent on the NFL and the players union agreeing to a new drug policy, which could come as early Tuesday. If the union and the league dawdle, Gordonâs return would be delayed.
But his return is inevitable.
A deal between the NFL and the NFLPA on a new drug policy could come as soon as the end of this week. NFL player representatives could vote Tuesday on proposed changes to the sportâs drug policies that, if ratified, would include players being blood-tested for human growth hormone. The changes, if ratified, also could include an increased threshold for what constitutes a positive test for marijuana, and a positive test for amphetamines being covered under the sportâs substance abuse policy instead of under its performance-enhancing drugs policy. As part of said deal, players recently suspended for violations (ones that would no longer warrant suspensions under the new terms) are expected to get their bans retroactively reduced or repealed. Gordon, who reportedly tested positive for marijuana this past offseason, would still be facing a two-game suspension for the DWI he got on July 5, but the union doesn’t want punishment until due process as part of the new agreement.
In addition to the “not if, but when” statement regarding Gordon, Grossi adds that when Gordon is reinstated, if he were the wide receiver, he would sue for total reimbursement of every game check missed, which amounts to roughly $48,000. Here’s hoping that car-sales deal has an opt out clause.
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(Photo: Scott Sargent/WFNY)
32 Comments
He should still be suspended for the DUI…that one is not a victimless crime (or potentially). I hope the new policy drops the hammer on DUI cases (which of course easing off the gas on simple possession and/or consumption).
Should be increased to 4-6 games for DUI (up from 2) and then season for 2nd violation. Should be commensurate with the new policy against domestic violence. No excuses.
4-6 games for DUI is a lot. Frankly, while people potentially can lose their jobs in the real world for such a thing, it doesn’t happen in the majority of cases. In fact, most employees aren’t even punished by work if they are hit with a DUI.
I can’t get behind 4-6 games. I would be happier to see players performing mandated public/community service, as i feel this is a better “punishment.” Placing famous athletes who are offenders in front of teens is a better idea than just suspending them.
Service and a 2 game suspension would be fine with me.
Not all DUI’s are created equally.
That DUI should get reduced to a Reckless Op. For what he blew, with a decent lawyer, any of us could get that reduced. Although the fine could be heavier.
I stashed him in a couple FF leagues, so this can’t come soon enough.
I drafted him. Dropped him when it seemed hopless. And now someone else picked him up. Sigh. Too much tinkering.
And what scrub did you replace him with?
Oh god – like Andre Roberts or something. Failure.
At least I drafted and held on to West!!!
Don’t feel this is all rosy for Gordon or that it’s over. The new policy won’t be “anything is ok and in any amount.” Since early college Gordon hasn’t made it through an entire year without testing positive for a recreational something he knew was banned at least once. And he will be returning without having learned much of a lesson financially. As always, Josh’s talent keeps him from paying much of a price. I really doubt this is anything more than a temporary career reprieve. Best keep scouting those college receivers.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahaha
You make some good points but IF what him and his agent/lawyers have said is true: (him passing 70 tests over the last year and failing ONE by ONE NG/mL) then you have to give him a chance. If he actually has been clean for a year (huge IF and frankly I have my doubts… He coulda just gotten better at cheating the tests) then that would imply that maybe he has moved on. Only time Will tell and obviously I’m biased in how I hope this all works out. I wish the young man all the best moving forward though. If he gets another chance he CAN NOT waste it. Go browns.
if it happened in Atlantic City they might have actually wiped out the DUI and give Gordon $150 for his trouble.
People can differ in their views of harshness–that’s fine. But in this country, unlike most in our class, we have an unreasonable tolerance for DUIs and some of the worst consequences as a result.
Since the NFL has decided to try to use a moral compass and is (rightfully) dropping a hammer of violent crime and domestic violence, my point is that they should similarly crack down on this dangerous aspect of substance abuse–particularly when they’re easing up on the use of recreational drugs.
Amen. The upside on him coming back was worth the roster spot for a couple weeks at this point in the season.
Arrest or conviction?
Busted on DUI since his positive test, knowing the sanctions he already faced. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes, though, one must ask oneself if “doubt” would be present if Gordon showed the on-field talent of, let’s say, a Carleton Mitchell. Since I only know Gordon as an appreciative fan, here’s what’s most relevant to me: do the Browns have an urgent need to address this position, regardless of whether Josh plays 14 games this year? They would be stupid not to, no matter how many friends supposedly get Josh in all this trouble, how many quackie doctors supposedly prescribe codeine for his strep throat, how many dogs eat the paper promises he has given every team he’s ever been on.
He’s already served one game! đ
The fact that Gordon hasn’t taken any legal action (and hasn’t even made a stink or said anything in the press) makes me think that there’s some backroom understanding about how things are going to play out. Even if that is the case, I can’t see how he doesn’t end up serving something like eight games. I mean, the policy may be unfair, but there still should be a penalty for being dumb enough to get repeatedly caught be said unfair policy.
If the drug policy changes, though, then he wouldn’t have technically been “caught” at all. Thus, it’s likely that the punishment will be entirely vacated – as if it didn’t happen. So it’s not so much about the policy being “fair or unfair” as it is about the policy simply being effective. He’ll walk.
That’s what I would argue. If the change in policy doesn’t take place until late this week, he’ll probably miss a second game. If I was his team, I would argue that he gets credit for “time served.”
I can’t see how you can assume that any new policy will retroactively apply to cases already decide. It very well might, but it may just as easily not.
I have to imagine the NFL and NFLPA will agree on those terms as well and, considering the arrogance and heavy handedness of the NFL, I don’t see them simply admitting that they were completely wrong. It takes video evidence and massive media backlash for that sort of thing to happen.
I don’t think it requires an admission by the NFL. I assume what I assume because I assume the NFLPA will make it a condition of the HGH thingy (which they really don’t want to do).
What’s Atlantic City?
All I know is Gordon better be a choir boy if he gets anything less then a season long suspension because frankly he’ll have gotten extremely lucky. The baby most definitely will be thrown out with the bath water on this one.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2d/Boardwalk_Empire_2010_Intertitle.png
There’s some gray area there, though. Someone gets arrested and pleads no-contest? They were never convicted, though they essentially have admitted that they did it in a court of law.
–Comment deleted due to misunderstanding of how the law works–
I was hoping that Grossi had some grounds, whether legal or informational for speculation. But the idea that Gordon would sue AFTER reinstatement shows that he does not. It’s possible – even probable – that Gordon has a claim against the league. The league definitely had a case against Gordon and had solid grounds for suspending him. There is no way they are going to reinstate him without a guarantee that he won’t sue. The reason the NFL has something to gain by reinstating him is just that – he might have a lawsuit and it is therefore worth their while to let him back.
I drafted him as a joke with my last pick…starting to feel like a Mangenius.
I did the same but may be able to pick him back up…on WAIVERS ugh…
There have been many suspensions this year, it will be interesting what agreement the NFLPA will be able to strike up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzNhwipJyww
I have him as a keeper in an auction league. With a $200 cap, I spent $7 on him. Figured it was worth it, just in case. Looks like I was right!