i have no problem with it . never have had never will .i do enjoy burning one . i dont wake n bake . i wait till evening . it cuts the edge and is better for you than something out of a pharmacy . been toking since the mid seventies and will toke until my ticket gets punched .nor do i care who knows that i do . i honestly don't want it legalised .just decriminalised . half the fun is doing something illegal O
Yea I've been smoking everyday for years now and dont plan on stopping. Its much safer than even caffeine in my opinion, which I know lots of people addicted to just that and it helps with countless diseases and conditions. Big pharm isnt letting it through. Money ruins everything.
I just think its funny that after he gets in trouble for the first time as a professional athlete all this is coming out about how the browns have been "secretly very concerned"...if you run a hundred million dollar business and you are concerned about an employee you either get rid of the employee or help the employee. I am hoping it is not the latter. Everyone seems to be coming down on Josh due to his past transgressions and no one is giving him the benefit of the doubt. Should he have known better? yes. Could it still have been incidental? YES.
He got two games for taking medicine for strep throat. whats there to help? he should have told them. thats it. He doesnt have a "problem" if thats where youre going with this
Im not saying he has a problem, I just think it is convenient that we hear about concerns e post facto. If they were really "secretly very concerned" then they should have done something about it instead of leaking said concern. Hind sight is always 20/20 and this is just another mark against our team in more ways than one.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- So far, the June weather has been like the Indians, hot and cold. But we're talkin' ... About the Browns... 1. If the season were to open today, Paul Kruger would start at one outside linebacker spot, Jabaal Sheard at the other. Inside would be Craig Robertson and D'Qwell Jackson. The key will be developing depth. Quinton Groves will back up Kruger. Rookie Barkevious Mingo is behind Sheard. At this point, I expect Sheard to start in front of Mingo when the season opens. 2. The Browns will stress it's not necessarily who starts, but how many snaps are played. Mingo could come off the bench most games, but still play 50 to 60 percent of the snaps as defensive coordinator Ray Horton loads up linebackers in his different formations. Sheard can easily drop into the defensive line with Mingo at outside linebacker when Horton wants to dial up the QB pressure. 3. There is more concern with the inside linebackers. This coaching staff is like every coach who has had Jackson -- they absolutely love the guy for his leadership, work ethic and love of tackling. He will run the defense, and help Robertson as the other inside linebacker. Behind them are L.J. Fort and Tank Carder. http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2013/06/t erry_plutos_talkin_about_the_7.html
The unconventional imposition of a two-game suspension plus a two-game fine on receiver Josh Gordon has raised plenty of questions about the potential consequences for his next violation of the league?s substance-abuse policy. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, it?s believed that the next violation by Gordon will result in a one-year suspension. Gordon?s statement subtly but distinctly creates the impression that he was suspended for only one violation, arising from taking cough syrup that contained codeine. But no player gets to the point where one violation triggers a suspension under the substance-abuse policy unless there have been multiple prior violations. The ultimate question is whether Gordon?s two-game suspension plus two-game fine places him in Stage Three of the substance-abuse program. If so (and per Cabot he is), Gordon now rests on the brink of a one-year suspension ? like Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon and Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington. It?s an unwelcome development for the new regime in Cleveland, which lost its second-round pick in the 2013 draft because the old regime used the pick last year to acquire Gordon in the supplemental draft. The chatter in league circles is that former G.M. Tom Heckert and former coach Pat Shurmur lobbied aggressively to use the second-rounder pre-emptively on Gordon. If they had any inkling that the team could be sold within weeks after the 2012 supplemental draft (and their boss, Mike Holmgren, surely did), it makes sense that they would want to go all in with Gordon. To stay employed beyond 2012, they needed a big season. So why not borrow against a draft that they wouldn?t be presiding over if they didn?t turn things around? They didn?t, and they?re gone. Gordon will be gone for at least a year if he can?t navigate Stage Three of the program without another violation of the policy. ?He?s a really talented guy,? one source with knowledge of Gordon?s career told PFT. ?It?s too bad if he can?t figure it out.? If Gordon didn?t isn?t figuring it out via his two-game suspension, he never will. He?ll lose nearly $150,000 in salary, and he faces a possible attack on a portion of his $2.3 million signing bonus. Under the labor deal, the Browns may try to recover 2/17ths of the $575,000 allocation for this year, which equates to $33,823 that he?d have to pay back to the Browns. (Owner Jimmy Haslam prefers not to think of it as a rebate.) Time and again, we hear from team executives who realize that many players smoke marijuana. It becomes a problem only when the player gets caught ? and when the player can?t or won?t choose playing over smoking. For Gordon, the accidental nature of his latest violation (if his excuse is truthful) makes the situation a bit less dire. Either way, he?s now one accidental or intentional violation away from spending a year away from football.
After leading the Cleveland Browns through 10 weeks of organized team activities, coach Rob Chudzinski sees a hunger to win from his players. Prior to April 1, Cleveland Browns coach Rob Chudzinski knew only what he saw on tape about his players. Ten weeks, 10 organized team activities sessions and two weeks of minicamp later, and the head coach sees far more than what he saw on film. Chudzinski sees genuine desire and a hunger from his charges, and left them with the message, ?that we want to stay on the course that we are on.? ?What I know now is that these guys want to win,? Chudzinski said following the final minicamp practice on Thursday. ?They are hungry; they are willing to work, and they are willing to do the things that we need them to do to put them in the best position to win. I love the attitude in the locker room. I think the guys have bought in and really are on the same page with what we want. ?We want to come back and guys need to make gains. Think about the things that they want to do and get done and come back hungry when we start training camp. That?s something I?m excited about already, to see our fans out here on the field and be out here for training camp with them, hooting and hollering. I am excited about that.? During the 10 weeks of offseason workouts and meetings with players, Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner and defensive coordinator Ray Horton installed their respective systems. By the end of the OTAs, the Browns entered their second minicamp of the offseason without needing to install anything new. They focused strictly on running plays that were already installed during the OTA sessions. ?I?m really pleased with the progress we?ve made,? Chudzinski said. ?Going out and starting with (strength and conditioning coach) Brad Roll in the strength room and from a conditioning standpoint, we?ve had some big gains from some guys in there. He?s done a great job with them. ?(It was about) us getting to know them and to see them for the first time on the field and evaluate them as much as you can in this section of time, and them getting to know us and understand the system and what we?re expecting from them as members of the Cleveland Browns, how we practice, how we prepare and what we want from a culture standpoint.? Although he was happy with his players? progress, Chudzinski knows the team is not yet where he wants it to be to kick off the 2013 regular season against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 8 at FirstEnergy Stadium. ?The thing we want to do with training camp that we really haven?t done or have been able to do out here is be able to see the physical part of football,? Chudzinski said. ?Seeing the toughness and pushing through some of those things. Guys getting a chance to really compete physically, that will be the theme, and that will be what we are trying to do along with bring guys along from an execution standpoint. ?We?re on the right track. We?ve got a lot of work to do; we?ve still got a long ways to go. There will be bumps in the road, as we know, but we?ll continue along that course and stay on course.? DEVELOPMENT AT WIDE RECEIVER During the offseason workouts, Chudzinski has seen a marked improvement from his corps of wide receivers, whom he said ?realize they have to be in great shape? to play within Turner?s system. ?They have understood and are more detailed in their routes, which is something in this system from a timing standpoint that is very critical,? Chudzinski said. ?You have seen that growth from that group as well. You look at a guy like Greg Little, who has made huge improvements. ?Everybody has their turn, and again, this is very skewed and geared towards the offense and the skill guys. When pads come on and guys are going over the middle and there is press coverage and some of those other things, that is the next step that they have to take.? LEADING THE DEFENSE For the second time in his career, inside linebacker D?Qwell Jackson is making an adjustment to a 3-4 defense. When the Browns drafted him out of the University of Maryland in 2006, Jackson adjusted quickly and posted 100-tackle seasons in each of his first three years. He also led the league in tackles with 188 total stops in 2008. He has quickly made an impression on his new head coach. ?D?Qwell has been great,? Chudzinski said. ?You guys know from a leadership and character standpoint what he brings to the table, but he has been right at home, adjusting back playing the 3-4. Obviously, he has had that time before in a 3-4, so it has been no problem. It looks like he has been there his whole career.?
Radio days ... The guys at Canton Browns affiliate WHBC laugh about our last two visits to the Sam Bourquin Show. On one, we covered free agency signings. A few minutes after we signed off, the team signed Jason Campbell. On Friday, we covered everything that happened in spring practice. A few minutes later, the league busted Josh Gordon. ? ? ? We?re consolidating a few thoughts for a segment on Cleveland Browns Daily that might air as early tonight on WKNR. Among other things, Vic Carucci wants a take on Gordon. Let?s try one now. Tom Heckert took more chances on ?players with issues? than did Eric Mangini. One example was Phil Taylor, who was overweight and immature when he transferred out of Penn State. His weight, attitude and production have been fine since Heckert spent a Round 1 pick on him. Heckert?s judgment that Taylor righted himself at Baylor and was worth trading up for could pay off with a big 2013 for the guy, we think. Then there was Gordon. The young man appears to have been too fond of the smoke while he was Taylor?s teammate at Baylor. His immense talent did not translate into production. His positive tests for marijuana translated into a transfer. That he did not play college ball in 2011 made him a huge risk or a clear gamble, depending on where he would go in the supplemental draft. He wound up costing the Browns a No. 39 pick in April, translating to ?fairly huge risk.? The five players picked after the Browns would have chosen were Geno Smith, Tank Carradine, Robert Woods, Jonathan Banks and Kawann Short. If Gordon gets his mind right and builds on his mostly promising 2012 season, we think he will be better than any of those five. Getting there, however, is a problem, even if Gordon?s dubious explanation in a statement (the culprit was codeine in prescription medication to treat strep throat) is worth face value. At minimum, Gordon now must deal with the public and personal embarrassment about costing his team production and himself six figures in fines. There?s a lot of precision and finesse that goes into getting open. Easier to do with a clear head, we would guess. Liken it to trying to sink a five-foot putt with something on the line. Would you bet on a good putter with a clear head and one with a clouded brain? It could be worse. If Gordon hasn?t grown up enough to take proper care of his professional business yet, when will he? This could become an instance where Brandon Weeden suddenly isn?t the quarterback who is way to old for a second-year pro. Weeden is the type to sit down with Gordon, look him in the eye, and conduct frank, unpretentious discussions. We?ve seen Weeden bend over backwards to support Gordon. We?re also guessing 31-year-old Jason Campbell will be delivering important messages to the 22-year-old receiver. The kid might need a good swift kick. After that, he had better open his ears and eyes. ? ? ? Not having Gordon or a proven tight end threat is a huge issue for Rob Chudzinski and Norv Turner as they point to the opener against Miami. One wideout to watch is Josh Cooper. Had Gordon stayed clean, there?s no way Cooper would do more than win the last wideout spot available on the roster. Now, the team needs an actual in-game threat. Now, Cooper?s excellent spring might count for something. He got quicker in the offseason. He got open in practice. He made all of the routine catches and a few that drew roars from his coaches and teammates. Tight end Jordan Cameron heads into his third Browns training camp still a suspect. ? ? ? Weeden and Cooper, of course, rarely lost when they were on the field together at Oklahoma State.
Travis Benjamin is looking to improve upon a rookie season in which he caught 18 passes and returned one punt for a touchdown. Travis Benjamin?s rookie highlight with the Cleveland Browns last season was a franchise-record, 93-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 30-7 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 9. Now, the wide receiver/returner has his sights set on higher goals. After 10 weeks of offseason workouts, Benjamin is focused on being ?better than last year.? ?(I want) to be more productive, to be involved in the offense and special teams and to come out and have a great season,? Benjamin told ClevelandBrowns.com. ?I worked on my route-running and continuing to run full speed. ?I want to be healthy coming into training camp, getting training camp over, start the season and look forward to a great season for the Cleveland Browns.? Benjamin, who caught 18 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns (including a 69-yard score in a loss to the Washington Redskins Dec. 16), said he likes everything about the Browns? offense under new coordinator Norv Turner and wide receivers coach Scott Turner. ?From the runs to the passes to the play-action to the gimmicks and gadgets they?ve got, everything is just well played out,? Benjamin said. ?I really see myself doing big things in the offense. ?It?s a great tandem. Those guys are some great guys, and (Scott?s) father is so (much) like a legend, and he has his son. I?m pretty sure he grew up watching his father, so it kind of soaked into him like a sponge. They?re doing a great job.? Like Benjamin for the Turners, quarterback Brandon Weeden had similar praise for the 5-foot-10, 175-pound receiver. ?Travis had at least as many catches, if not more, than anybody in camp,? Weeden said. ?His route-running is phenomenal, and probably because he?s so fast. Guys have to honor him running behind them, so he?s able to get in and out of breaks so well. In-breaking routes or out-breaking routes, he?s really found a knack of getting separated and gives me a chance to complete some balls. He?s had a lot of catches this camp, and he stuck out.? Within the offense is not the only place Benjamin is looking to stand out in 2013. Following the departure of record-setting kick and punt returner Joshua Cribbs in free agency, Benjamin could see an increased role on special teams. He returned three kicks for 76 yards and three punts for 149 yards, including the 93-yard touchdown, last fall. ?When guys leave, certain guys have to stand up,? Benjamin said. ?I?m the starting punt returner right now, so I?ve just got to get that punt return and everybody else on the same page. ?It?s a great position. It puts me in a position where I can show my skills because, on punt return, it?s all about speed and quickness. You see a hole, you see where you?ve got to go, you just hit it and it will be a big thing. Usually, if you make three or four guys miss, you usually get a touchdown.?
the quiet time before training camps open is upon us . not much news out there . lets hope no one screws up between now and the start of camp . get the rest of the draft pics inked . get ready for some football next month . get ready to contend for a wild card which i still think can happen this season . at least the season wont be over in October this year . those days are long gone . or so i hope we have had enough of that . this team almost broke 500 last year .if Shurmur hadn't got in the way it would have happened .that's why i think we will contend for a wild card this year . we have a real coaching staff . health will be key for that to happen .
I have high hopes for Benji . the dood can flat out fly . with Weeds arm strength and Benjis speed i can see some long TD'S from those two this season .
BEREA, Ohio -- For four years, John Greco waited for an opportunity to be an instrumental member of the "orchestra." That's what the Browns guard calls an NFL offensive line, a unit that doesn't include situational players or require frequent personnel changes. It's all about developing a chemistry and rhythm, about knowing where the lineman next to you is going to place his foot in a certain blocking scheme. It's five men working in concert to repel waves of pass rushers and create holes on running plays. There are no third-down specialists in his profession. "That's the way I prefer it," Greco said of five players taking almost all the snaps. "And I think if you asked any offensive lineman he'd say the same thing." Greco finally earned consistent playing time last season after Jason Pinkston was lost for the year to a blood clot in his lung on Oct. 21. The Boardman native performed admirably in his 11 starts at left guard, drawing praise from coaches and critical acclaim for his run blocking from ProFootballFocus.com. But Pinkston is healthy again and the 28-year-old Greco finds himself having to compete for a starter's spot under a new coaching staff. The fight for the two guard jobs will produce the best position battles on offense heading into training camp, which opens July 25. Greco, Pinkston and Shawn Lauvao rotated with the first-string offense throughout spring practices that concluded last week. Coach Rob Chudzinski loves the competition, which could include seventh-round draft pick Garrett Gilkey and, once healthy, undrafted free agent Chris Faulk (knee). Greco has made a favorable impression on his new coach. "He's been really good, very solid ? smart guy," Chudzinski said. "It's tough out here when you don't have the pads on. But he's picked things up well and he's done a nice job." As his coach alluded, Greco will have to win a spot during training camp and in the exhibition games, where the hitting is live and linemen and linebackers often separate themselves. He puts little stock into spring football depth charts or past reviews. "I don't think you can look at it," Greco said of the coaches' tinkering in minicamps and organized team activities. "You start doing that and you dig a hole for yourself. You start thinking, 'Why is this guy taking this rep and that rep?' You just trust that by Week 1 they have the right two guys." Last year was a productive and "bittersweet" one for a guard who had never played more than 289 snaps in any of his first four seasons with the St. Louis Rams and Browns. Pinkston is not only a teammate but a friend, someone who feared his career might be over when he learned of the blood clot. While Greco is thrilled about Pinkston's return, he wants to maintain his starting job. He plans to spend the next few weeks helping his fiance arrange their spring 2014 wedding plans. Once training camp begins, however, talk of DJs, tuxedos and honeymoon locations will be the furthest thing from his mind. "I'm going to have to earn a spot again," Greco said. "We're happy to have (Pinkston) back, he's a really good player. It will be good competition for everyone." The offensive line is one of the team's few strengths, anchored by left tackle Joe Thomas and center Alex Mack. None of the guards are as athletic as former Brown Eric Steinbach, but they are stout at the point of attack. Football Outsiders ranked the Browns 12th best in pass protection and 20th in run blocking last season, while Pro Football Focus rated them fifth in pass protection and 14th in run blocking. Offensive line coach George Warhop was one of the few assistants from last year's team retained by Chudzinski. "We look at ourselves as leaders, maybe not vocally but we try to do it by example," Greco said of the offensive linemen. "We've got a smart crew, starting with Alex Mack, and a lot of talent and veteran talent." Greco knows there's room for improvement in his game. He wants to become more proficient at finishing blocks and giving the second effort that helps turn a 4-yard run into a long gainer. "I have been looking back and finding things I can correct, little things that if I had done better might have changed the play," Greco said. "It's a new year and I'm back to square one trying to help this team win." To do it, he'll need to secure one of those first chairs in the orchestra pit.
An old man on crowded bus has trouble finding a seat. The bus careened down the avenue, shaking the passengers from left to right, and the old man, unable to support himself properly with his cane, fell to the floor. Little Johnny, sitting nearby, looked down at him and said, ?If you put a little rubber cap on the end of your cane, you wouldn?t fall like that. The old man looked up and replied, ?If your daddy had done the same, I would have a place to sit on this stupid bus.?
The Browns are among the teams that have expressed interest in free-agent fullback Vonta Leach, his agent, Ralph Vitolo, told the Beacon Journal this morning via email. Vitolo said he talked to Browns General Manager Mike Lombardi on Wednesday, but the two sides have yet to make plans for Leach to visit Cleveland. If the Browns wanted to sign Leach, he probably would have a visit set up by now. "I spoke with Mike Lombardi yesterday about Vonta," Vitolo wrote in the email. "Don't know about a visit. We shall see." On Wednesday, Vitolo told Fox 26, a TV station in Houston, the Browns are one of seven teams that have shown interest in Leach. The Baltimore Ravens cut Leach on Tuesday after they were unable to work out a trade following failed attempts to restructure his contract. Leach was scheduled to make a base salary of $3 million during the 2013 season and carried a $4.33 million salary-cap figure, according to the Baltimore Sun. Leach, 31, was named to Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams for his work in each of the past three seasons. He is known as one of the best lead-blocking fullbacks in the NFL. The 6-foot, 260-pound Leach visited the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, according to reports. Vitolo told Fox 26 the Houston Texans, New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs are also among the teams that have expressed interest in his client. Leach spent two-plus seasons with the Green Bay Packers and four-plus seasons with the Texans before signing a three-year, $11 million deal with the Ravens in 2011. In nine NFL seasons, Leach has compiled 24 carries for 70 yards (2.9 average) and three touchdowns to go along with 112 catches for 749 yards and four touchdowns. If the Browns want to add a top-flight traditional fullback to new offensive coordinator Norv Turner?s arsenal, Leach would be a logical target. But the Browns have established a trend of signing players in their mid-to-late 20s, and Leach will turn 32 on Nov. 6. Owen Marecic is the only pure fullback on the Browns? roster, and the previous coaching staff benched him last season after he dropped all four passes thrown his way
The Browns need Davone Bess? playmaking ability and leadership more than ever. Bess had been a big part of the organization?s plans ever since it traded for him during the NFL Draft in April, but he?ll certainly be expected to play an even more significant role while Josh Gordon serves a two-game suspension for violating the NFL?s substance-abuse policy. Bess, who spent the past five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, is eager to do his part. ?When they brought me here, I understood that it was another opportunity for me to not only take my game to another level, but to help a team that is quite frankly tired of losing,? Bess said Thursday as the Browns wrapped up their three-day mandatory minicamp. ?Me being in Miami, we had up-and-down seasons as well. I went to the playoffs my rookie year [in 2008] and haven?t been back since. I still have the fire. I still want to go to the postseason.? The Browns have made the playoffs just once since their expansion era kicked off in 1999, earning a wild-card berth in 2002. Losing Gordon for the first two games of the 2013 regular-season ? at home against the Dolphins Sept. 8 and on the road against the Baltimore Ravens Sept. 15 ? won?t help their chances of ending the drought. On Friday, the NFL announced it suspended Gordon without pay for the first two games of 2013 and fined him two additional game checks. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Gordon failed three marijuana tests in college, but in a statement, he blamed prescribed antibiotics and cough medicine containing codeine for triggering the failed test that got him in trouble with the league. The NFL does not reveal how players violate its drug policies because of an agreement it has with the NFL Players Association. Regardless of Gordon?s explanation, the Browns won?t be able to rely on him to help set the tone for the season. Gordon, the team?s No. 1 receiver who had 50 receptions for a team-high 805 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie last season, is projected to start opposite the 6-2, 220-pound Greg Little. But without Gordon in the lineup, Bess will be counted on to step up. The Browns traded picks in the fourth (No. 104) and fifth (No. 164) rounds in this year?s draft in exchange for Bess and selections in the fourth (No. 111) and seventh (No. 217) rounds. They also signed him to a three-year contract extension, which secures him through the 2016 season. Bess? role in Cleveland The 5-10, 195-pound Bess was the Dolphins? primary slot receiver, and he filled that role for the Browns throughout organized team activities and their recent minicamp. Still, offensive coordinator Norv Turner likes to move receivers around to create mismatches, so at times, Bess has lined up on the outside with Gordon or Little working in the slot. ?I?ve been everywhere, and all the receivers have been interchangeable as you can see,? Bess said. ?So it?s just a matter of them putting us in the positions to make plays and we?ll be ready to go. ?It?s an advantage. With defenses as fast as they are becoming, you have to be sharp and know [all the positions]. If you don?t know what you?re doing, you aren?t able to play.? Like Bess, David Nelson is new to the receiving corps. The Browns signed him to a one-year contract in April. He has yet to practice with his new team as he attempts to come back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but he?s expected to be ready for the first full-squad practice of training camp July 25. If he can rebound from his knee injury, the 6-5, 215-pound Nelson, 26, could also be vital to compensating for Gordon?s absence. Travis Benjamin?s role could expand, too. As minicamp closed, the 5-10, 175-pound Benjamin, 23, received praise from quarterback Brandon Weeden. ?Travis had at least as many catches if not more than anybody in camp,? Weeden said. ?His route running is phenomenal, probably because he?s so fast. Guys have to honor him running by them. He?s been getting in and out of breaks so well. Whether it?s in-breaking routes or out-breaking routes, he?s really found a knack of getting separation and giving me a chance to complete some balls. He?s had a lot of catches this camp. He?s stuck out.? Bess, though, is the most established player in the group. He has never had fewer than 50 catches in a season, and he has compiled 130 third-down receptions, second most in the NFL during the past five years. Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White is the leader with 146. ?He brings consistency,? Weeden said of Bess. ?He doesn?t make many mistakes. If he?s reading routes or doing certain things, he doesn?t make many mistakes. He?s a very solid player. He?s a pro. He knows how to prepare. He?s the ultimate pro, and it?s starting to rub off on everybody in the locker room, not just the receivers. He goes about his business in the right way, and I commend him for it.? Teaching the youngsters Bess, 27, knows the Browns value him not only for his ability to contribute on the field, but also for his reputation as a quality leader in the locker room. He hopes to mentor Gordon, 22, and Little, 24. Gordon failed two marijuana tests at Baylor University and another at the University of Utah before former Browns General Manager Tom Heckert selected him July 12 in the second round of last year?s supplemental draft. In accordance with the NFL?s substance-abuse policy, the league doesn?t suspend players for a first offense, so Gordon must have failed another drug test before his most recent one, which he attributed to codeine. Now Gordon must stay clean or risk throwing his career away. It?s not clear exactly how long he would be suspended if he failed another drug test, but it could be for a minimum period of one calendar year if he?s in stage three of the league?s substance-abuse program. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, in his sole discretion, decides whether players may return to the league after a one-year banishment. Gordon is at least in stage two of the program. If he?s still in stage two, he would face a six-game ban for another failed test. Either way, another strike against Gordon would be bad news for the Browns. Although Bess can?t ensure his young teammates will stay on the right path, he can set a good example. ?They?re gifted athletically, physically,? Bess said of Gordon and Little before news of Gordon?s suspension broke. ?They can run, jump, catch. You can tell that they?re hungry. They?re young and hungry. But for the most part, I?m just excited to come in and to be able to share my little experiences over the course of my career to help mold them even more to make them better players.? Bess believes the advice he can give Gordon and Little about how to conduct themselves off the field is just as valuable as his tips for the gridiron. ?The way I approach the game, they go hand in hand,? Bess said. ?You can?t tend to one side more than the other. They both feed off of each other from eating right, getting proper rest, getting massages, taking care of your body outside of the facility.? The Browns? receiving corps has the potential to drastically improve, but Gordon must atone for his mistake, and Bess and Co. must weather the storm early on without him. For the first time in years, the group finally has a combination of legitimate playmakers and a solid veteran presence to provide guidance. It would be a shame to see it all go to waste. ?The sky?s the limit,? Bess said. ?I don?t want to get ahead of myself too early, but we?ve definitely got weapons. With Norv?s track record, scoring a lot of points and racking up a whole bunch of yards, we know he?s going to do his part. We?ve just got to show up and do our part.?
Some of what we think after minicamp that we didn?t think ?then.? ? Brandon Weeden solidified his standing as the current No. 1 QB, but not so much so that the chiefs haven?t agreed to keep an open mind as they assess the preseason games. ? Jason Campbell will need to put up fights more epic than Jason of Argonauts fame to win the job, if Weeden plays at or above the ?OK? line in preseason games. If Weeden doesn?t keep the No. 1 job, there will have been a big problem in wasting all that time with Weeden semi-exclusively bonding with the ones. ? Campbell was sharper than Weeden for a while but could not sustain that edge. ? Barkevious Mingo is big enough to function. ? Among the front-seven guys on whom the Browns have spent high draft picks (Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren, Kam Wimbley, Phil Taylor, Barkevious Mingo), the latter two will have had the best NFL careers. But then, that only really matters if they are a lot better than the others. ? Mingo is bright, determined and confident, but he also seems to know he is entering an unpredictable and mysterious jungle. ? Montario Hardesty has a chance to be a good starter if things go wrong with Trent Richardson. He looked crisp all spring, and he was catching the ball like never before. This prompted us to look up his receiving work at Tennessee. He was no Marshall Faulk, but he did catch four passes for 66 yards in a close loss to Alabama. ? Davone Bess is about my size. Neither of us is built like Megatron. ? Making a call on John Greco as the team?s best guard is based on factors other than the O-line and the D-line playing patty-cake with each other in spring ball. ? Dion Lewis (5-8, 195) is a tough little cuss who brought an intriguing scatback look to certain plays, but we don?t see room for playing time for playing time for backs other than Hardesty behind Richardson. If Richardson runs aground, that?s Lewis? window. ? On a human level, David Nelson is one of the more impressive fellows to have come through Berea. On a receiving level, we can?t know whether he is more than just a guy who got a chance in Buffalo only because he is so tall, and the Bills needed ... somebody. ? It would be a huge help if Nelson can actually play. ? We don?t know who Josh Gordon is. We wonder if Josh Gordon knows whois. ? Bess is a bit younger than yours truly. ? Rob Chudzinski seems to have skipped by those ?first-time head coach jitters.? It?s a combination of this always having been his team, having been a coordinator here for two years, and spending the last five years building a good level of confidence. ? It takes a long time to remodel a building. As minicamp ended, we caught construction workers peeking at practice. Let?s hope this year?s games are more interesting than watching a drywall installation. ? Jimmy Haslam's issues are fascinating and daunting. We're on the lookout for signs of cost-cutting. ? Joe Banner and Michael Lombardi are making a little game of talking about their team. Now you see them. Now you don't. This is heading where Mike Holmgren went , for better or for worse, with Pat Shurmur. The brass wants the head coach to be the face of the team. We surmise that will be more effective with Chud than it was with Pat.
