The meeting Browns receiver Josh Gordon had with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday could bode well for the suspended star’s potential reinstatement to the league, reports Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. Goodell wouldn’t have summoned him to New York if the commissioner didn’t believe Gordon had begun taking the necessary steps toward a return, according to Cabot.
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Various substance abuse-related suspensions have cost Gordon 29 of the Browns’ past 48 games, including all of the 2015 season, and the league denied his previous petition for reinstatement in April after he failed a drug test. Gordon, 25, is next eligible to apply for reinstatement Aug. 1, and he could rejoin the Browns immediately if Goodell allows him back into the league. Goodell will first need evidence that the ex-Baylor standout has gotten past his substance issues, though, and then the Browns will have to show a willingness to welcome back the immensely talented Gordon.
It might help Gordon’s cause that owner Jimmy Haslam has taken an interest in his well-being, per Cabot. But Gordon’s future (or lack thereof) in Cleveland is likely to rest with new head coach Hue Jackson, who will decide whether the wideout fits into his program. If not, the Browns could trade or cut Gordon – who, with three accrued seasons, doesn’t have enough service time to avoid waivers.
The last time Gordon took the field for an extended period of time, in 2013, he performed like one of the league’s best players, racking up 87 receptions, a jaw-dropping 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games. His ability, youth and the rebuilding Browns’ dearth of talent could lead the club to plug him back into its lineup opposite rookie first-round wideout Corey Coleman, who also attended Baylor. It’s worth noting, too, that Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III played at Baylor with Gordon.
“Josh is family. We went to Baylor together. I love the guy,” Griffin said during his introductory conference call in Cleveland in March (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).
In the event Gordon returns, he’ll make a relative pittance this year, $1,068,406, before becoming a restricted free agent next offseason.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Another brain dead loser
Ya you would say that
All you have to do is be at least potentially good in the NFL to make a few million dollars. Then you can go smoke yr weed for the rest of your life living off the interest. These guys r just idiots.
Didn’t he just have another issue a few months ago? With Manziel I think? I mean it’s not like Goodell has never ruled against someone despite a lack of evidence
One of his positives was for alcohol, that’s total B.S. If the Browns don’t want him, trade him to the Bills for about a 5th rounder. He’s worth a flyer at that price, and would look very good on the other side of Watkins. Rex has a history with troubled players, it might work.
Worth noting that Hue is also known for working with problem players. I’d love to see Gordon come back with his head on straight just to see what he could do opposite Corey Coleman & vice-versa.
If everyone stays healthy & learns the playbook, this offense could POTENTIALLY be very exciting to watch with a healthy & hopefully more mindful & knowledgeable RG3 behind center, CC making a living off YAC & go routes, Flash Gordon taking the top off D’s on the outside & providing a much needed big bodied Red Zone target, Hawk running free in the slot, Barnidge doing it all again at TE,
Duke catching balls out of the backfield & being the change of pace back while Crow eats up yards on the ground.
BENCH:
WR – Hollywood Higgins, Jordan Payton, Terrell Prior, Ricardo Louis, TE – EJ Bibbs & Seth DeValve,
RB – Terrell Watson