I'm keepin my fingers crossed about #12...It's a huge deal for the Browns, regardless of how Farmer keeps down playing his importance. Josh Gordon is a difference maker with a rare set of skills. Nobody can match up with him. Great WR's alone might not win ya Super Bowls, but having a talent like Josh Gordon on the field can sure as hell increase your chances... I worry that they'll reduce it to 8 games. Browns fans will get excited. Then he'll come up dirty again.... The NFL does need to lighten up on the hard line stance against weed smoking. I'm with Bluez on that one. Pretty harmless....Way too harsh of a penalty, but the rules were in place, Gordon knew them, and the knucklehead couldn't put down the doobie...So now we all have to live with whatever the NFL hands down....All we can do now is hope the Browns catch a break for a change....so it's unlikely.
I can't thank you enough, all veterans who sacrificed any portion of their lives protecting our freedoms. Happy veterans day to all of you and prayers to all who can't be with us to celebrate these special human beings!
So we added a safety in Donte Whitner and we lost a safety in TJ Ward. And in this circumstance, the guy we added, has been nothing but professional....and the guy that left town, is now wanted by the Denver police in connection with some strip club beatdown......Hmmmm. Nice to see it work the other way for a change. Last year, I think every free agent we signed got arrested....
lol! good point Lym.... Uhm, you are correct stopper. Not all of our FA's got arrested. It just seemed that way because several did, plus there were issues with a couple other additions that weren't actually FA signings, such as Devone Bess and Armonty Bryant...The point simply being, it does seem like the Browns execs are making better decisions about who they bring into the mix. Though I must admit, Im on record as being in favor of the Armonty Bryant pick....He showed promise for a late rounder last year. I guess that one depends on how ya feel about his marajuana violations...
Not much of an "update" but...... The Cleveland Plain Dealer says Josh Gordon was in Stage 3 of the league's substance-abuse program at the time of his latest alleged positive test. It's a crucial distinction because a violation while in Stage 3 carries a minimum suspension of one year. Afterward, players must apply for reinstatement to the league. Meanwhile, both Gordon and the league have maintained complete silence on the matter since the story broke in early May. Gordon's camp is appealing, the grounds of which are unknown.
the silence surrounding Gordon is curious. If the NFL was trying to make an example of Gordon, one would have expected a swift and public ousting, but while this appears to be a clear violation of the written policy, not much has been made of it. Gotta figure no one really wants to take Gordon off the field for what is considered a misdemeanor in most of the country, and is all but ignored in the other major sports in America. Having things like "he missed the test" come up weeks after the initial rumors, feels like they may be manuvering their defense and the NFL may be willing to hear and even acquiese to any claim that they think they could present which would save face for them while they re-think their policy regarding "substances" that remain on their list, while the country has moved on. Probably just a prayer, or my conspiracy theory, but the lack of "new" fosters speculation, and that can't be lost on the NFL so the question is why. I am hoping it is because they don't feel their stated rule would be appropriate in this case and are looking for a way to appear tough, but fair. And at the end of any prayer: AMEN
It is curious that the swift judgement even though he is appealing it, has not created more buzz. *SCRATCH* Conspiracy is not a word I use much but it is interesting that with the hoopla around Johnny Football coming to Cleveland, would it not be to the NFL's advantage to simi look the other way or shorten the term. :-X
Not if it is truly the NFL's intent to "clean up" the use of banned substances. Regardless of whatever rule is being enforced, the most important tools in the enforcement of a rule is (1) specify the consequences of breaking that rule and (2) be consistent in the administration of the consequences.
Everything depends on the facts of the situation. IF what has been reported is true about him simply missing a test then I can see some changes to the policy being made and setting a new precedence for that situation. In stage 3, the way it is written, if you miss a test, that is a positive test and immediate 16 game suspension. Reality of that situation should be amended if he submitted a test in a timely manner and then a reduced suspension could/should be implemented. The way it is written, there is no leeway for "excuses" to miss a test. We all know there are situations that could prevent you from making said test. I have a CDL, so I am in a random drug test program. When my name is pulled for that test, my company by law must contact me at their earliest moment and once I have been notified, I have 60 minutes to submit that test. This is a state mandated program, so I can only assume it would be the same protocol for the NFL testing. As you can imagine, someone with means and money could easily be in a situation where they can't make that time frame work, in his case up to 10 times per month. That is somewhat ridiculous of a guideline if it is the case.
In your case, Irish . . . you absolutely know the rule. I can assume if you break the rule (either by not testing or failing a test sample provided) you lose your CDL (if not forever, then for a significant period of time). I can also safely assume you have never missed or failed a test and I'll bet Ya it's because you know the rules and the consequences of breaking the rules.
As you say, Irish, the scuttlebutt around the situation now is that Gordon missed a test -- an unfortunate, but established guideline. What's worse it what was earlier reported -- that Gordon has a second sample tested and came back positive. They obviously keep a tight lid on it, but from what it appears, while I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt in missing a test, he wasn't exactly peeing clear later either it sounds.
if he was smart he should have beat the second test he took . if you missed the first one then not pass the second one there is a problem . BTW you can take stuff to cleanse your system out before submitting a sample
That was good Duff. Yes Lyman, I also have a CDL and have had one since 1973 and when my company gives be that 1 hour here in Arizona time frame, you go and pass. If you don't you will fail to receive a check for the rest of your life with them. My only though about Gordon and Manziel is that the league wants it to work and so do I. If Gordon is such a fool and blew the test off for any reason, then it won't be him catching passes this year. I know the league does need to clean up and with Gordon's last season in the rear view mirror, the NFL can get the message across pretty quick. I personally hope there were circumstances that will lessen the blow to the Browns.
This is what has me puzzled. Why would the NFL take a different stance simply because it's Manziel & Gordon (and, indirectly, the Browns)? Why wouldn't they have wanted Gabbert & Blackmon to work? Or Holmes & Sanchez/Tebow ? The league simply generates too much money on a sport that has it's very foundation built on integrity and fair play to jeopardize it all by looking the other way.
As for Manziel and Gordon, they probably don't care anymore than any other combo but the fact that it is the Browns, I do believe it is in their best interest to have the Browns succeed. Their whole system of drafting is based on getting parity and having the bottom feeders get well as soon as possible. The fact that Manziel is now with the Browns and has created a buzz around the league and social media, that can only help the overall ratings for the league and bring in interest that might not have been there before. I still hope Gordon has a reason and the Browns get to use his services at some point this season but if not, he will pay the price. The old saying "You can't fix stupid" might just have his name on the footnote. We will see.
