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Josh Gordon

Goodell To Meet With Josh Gordon, Aldon Smith

July 31st, 2014 at 8:04am CST by Luke Adams

Yesterday, we heard that former Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent will meet with commissioner Roger Goodell within the next week or so in an effort to be reinstated into the NFL. However, that’s not the only meeting with a player on Goodell’s schedule for the next week and a half. According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, the commish will also meet with 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith on August 8, and will sit down with Browns wideout Josh Gordon sometime before then.

Both Smith and Gordon are facing suspensions for off-field actions. In Smith’s case, three felony gun charges, a DUI, and an alleged fake bomb threat loom large, and are expected to result in a multi-game ban. As for Gordon, who is facing a possible one-year suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, his appeal hearing remains scheduled for tomorrow, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter link). Gordon’s reps will argue that his failed test was a result of second-hand smoke, and that if his two urine samples had arbitrarily flipped labels, he would have passed the test.

Goodell, who previously had established a reputation as a strict disciplinarian, has been under scrutiny for the lenient punishment he handed down to Ravens running back Ray Rice, who only received a two-game ban following an ugly domestic abuse case involving his then-fiancée.

AFC Notes: Alex Smith, Gordon, Raiders

July 30th, 2014 at 4:22pm CST by Luke Adams

Alex Smith and the Chiefs have both expressed optimism about reaching a long-term contract agreement before the 2014 season gets underway, but the quarterback indicated today there will come a time when a resolution must be reached one way or the other, so that it’s not a distraction during the season (link via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star).

“You’re finally gonna cross a line where it’s like, it’s just football from here on out and I’m done not only talking about it with you guys, but even behind the scenes as well,” Smith said. “We talk about eliminating distractions and that’s a part of it. The focus needs to be on ball.”

Smith didn’t give an indication of when this deadline would arrive, but it’s probably safe to assume that he doesn’t want talks dragging past opening day, which would give the two sides a few more weeks to work something out. Here’s more from across the AFC:

  • After reports surfaced suggesting Josh Gordon‘s reps would argue that his failed drug test was a result of second-hand smoke, the NFL has countered by pointing out that the agreement in place between the league and NFLPA dictates that players are responsible for what is in their bodies. ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon has the details.
  • Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that Gordon’s potential suspension will be an all-or-nothing scenario, since the appeal hearing officer can’t arbitrarily land on a penalty between zero games and a full season. A compromise could still be negotiated, but once the process reaches the point where the hearing officer makes a decision, that ruling will stick.
  • The owners of nearby franchises weighed in on the Raiders‘ possible interest in San Antonio, with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones not making much of the story (link via Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram), while Texans owner Bob McNair suggested that Texans fans would make up half the crowd at a San Antonio game (link via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle).
  • Perhaps responding to Mark Davis‘ visit to San Antonio, Oakland mayor Jean Quan took to Twitter last night to announce that the city is “seeing progress” on a new stadium for the Raiders as well as MLB’s Athletics.
  • After signing an extension through 2015 today, Bills running back Fred Jackson suggested he’d like to play for three or four more seasons, tweets ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap is a fan of the Colts’ offseason signing of Hakeem Nicks, identifying the wideout’s contract as the best one on the team’s books. Linebacker Erik Walden gets the dubious honor of least team-friendly deal for Indianapolis, according to Fitzgerald.

AFC Notes: CJ2K, Gordon, Raiders, Bills

July 29th, 2014 at 10:25pm CST by Zachary Links

Jets coach Rex Ryan is confident that Chris Johnson is poised for a big season even though the running back underwent arthroscopic surgery in January and sat out the entire offseason, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. When asked why, Ryan didn’t hesitate to respond. “Well, the whiplash that I got from watching him run 92 yards against me; (that’s) one reason. You watch it on tape. Now, did we see the 2,000-yard guy? Maybe not, but I know one thing: He’s still pretty darn effective. That was kind of the guy we saw. He still went for more than 1,000 yards last year,” said the Jets coach. More from around the AFC:

  • Josh Gordon‘s legal team will argue in a hearing this week that its client tested positive for marijuana thanks to second-hand smoke, writes ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. The attorneys for the Browns star will also note that there is some inconsistency in the test results. Gordon’s “A” sample tested at 16 nanograms per milliliter, a bare one nanogram per milliliter above the 15-nanogram-per-milliliter threshold, while Gordon’s “B” sample — which should theoretically be consistent with the “A” sample, as it comes from the exact same specimen — tested at 13.63 ng/ml, lower than the threshold.
  • Raiders owner Mark Davis issued a statement regarding his trip to San Antonio and rumors regarding a potential move. “Former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros is a friend, and Henry suggested I take the opportunity to meet with some city officials while I was in town. I have nothing further to discuss on the topic,” Davis said (via Steve Corkran of the Bay Area News Group on Twitter).
  • The deadline for bids on the Bills came and went this afternoon but a source tells Tim Graham of The Buffalo News (on Twitter) that Tom Golisano is under the impression that he can bid later. Others close to the process, meanwhile, disagree. Graham got a no comment from Morgan Stanley when he asked them about the issue.

AFC Notes: Gordon, Hoyer, Broncos, Bills

July 29th, 2014 at 2:22pm CST by Luke Adams

Josh Gordon‘s appeal hearing is scheduled to take place this Friday, and the Browns receiver appears to have a pretty decent case for having his suspension reduced from the looming one-year penalty, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. Florio goes into detail on Gordon’s failed test, which only constituted a failure by the narrowest of margins, and which the wideout would have passed had the “A” and “B” labels on his two urine samples been flipped.

It’ll be interesting to see what the NFL decides on Gordon, especially after Roger Goodell and the league came under so much scrutiny for what was viewed as a light punishment for Ray Rice. As we wait to see how the case plays out, let’s check in on a few items from across the AFC, including one more note out of Cleveland….

  • The Browns and quarterback Brian Hoyer haven’t had any discussions about a contract extension since exchanging numbers earlier in the offseason, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). La Canfora adds (via Twitter) that perhaps if Cleveland were to include bonuses or incentives based on team or individual performance, something could get done, but that’s not all that likely. Hoyer’s agent suggested a month ago that he and his client would probably wait to see how the season played out, perhaps re-assessing the situation in November or later.
  • While an incumbent option like Ronnie Hillman or C.J. Anderson might win the No. 2 running back job for the Broncos behind starter Montee Ball, that role could ultimately be assumed by a player plucked off waivers before the season starts, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
  • Donald Trump will submit a bid in an attempt to purchase the Bills, but he doesn’t expect his bid to be the winner, as he tells Fox News. Meanwhile, Jon Bon Jovi isn’t making many friends in Buffalo by having aligned himself with Toronto-based investors, writes Eric Edelson of Yahoo! Sports.
  • With this afternoon’s deadline for initial bids on the Bills approaching, New York Senator Charles E. Schumer said today in a statement that he has spoken to several prospective owners who would be committed to keeping the team in Western New York. Jerry Zremski of the Buffalo News has the details and quotes.
  • Asked by Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe (TwitLonger link) about the pay cut he took this offseason, Patriots defensive lineman Tommy Kelly said he didn’t mind reworking his deal, since the changes weren’t too drastic. “Coach asked me for a favor and I obliged,” Kelly said. “I didn’t have no problem with it. At this point in my career, I’ve made a whole lot of money. Money ain’t the problem.”

North Notes: Keisel, Gordon, Franklin, Suh

July 28th, 2014 at 7:23pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Steelers have not ruled out re-signing veteran defensive end Brett Keisel, general manager Kevin Colbert told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “We haven’t eliminated any players from consideration…because we don’t know what’s going to happen over the preseason, even into the season,” Colbert said. “There have been times when we’ve brought back veteran players due to injury. We won’t eliminate anybody. If we eliminated a player, we always tell a player don’t keep us in your thought process.” A reunion between Keisel, 35, and the Steelers has always seemed likely, even if doesn’t come until the end of training camp.

More from the North divisions:

  • Browns receiver Josh Gordon has hired attorney Maurice Suh to assist him in the appeal of his suspension, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). Suh, who helped Richard Sherman win his appeal in 2012, will work with Heather McPhee of the NFLPA in an attempt to lessen Gordon’s ban.
  • Though Johnathan Franklin was forced to retire last month due to a neck injury, the 24-year-old would like to find a non-playing role with the Packers, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.
  • For the time being, Craig Robertson is holding on to his starting linebacker spot with the Browns, despite a challenge from rookie Chris Kirksey, Jeff Schudel of the Morning Journal writes. Robertson graded out as the fourth-worst inside linebacker in the league last year, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
  • The Lions’ decision to table extension discussions with Ndamukong Suh until the offseason is precarious for both parties, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com.

Josh Gordon Appeal Set For August 1

July 24th, 2014 at 8:27am CST by Dallas Robinson

JULY 24: Gordon’s appeal is now scheduled for August 1, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

JULY 3: Gordon’s appeal hearing has been set for late July, a league source tells Florio. That hearing wouldn’t be necessary if the NFL and NFLPA reached an agreement on a reduced suspension before that point.

JUNE 23: Browns receiver Josh Gordon has appealed his looming season-long suspension for repeated violations of the league’s drug policy, but a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that a hearing on the matter has yet to be scheduled. Gordon missed two games in 2013 for drug-related offenses, and is facing his current ban as a result of marijuana use.

As Florio details, the Browns (and Gordon) surely want the situation resolved as swiftly as possible. A full-year ban would mean that Gordon cannot be with the team from the moment the suspension begins. If he loses his appeal in, say, August of this year, he would miss out on almost all training and workouts prior to the 2015 season, leaving him ill-prepared for regular season action.

It remains to be seen if a settlement could be in the works, continues Florio. Gordon was originally slapped with a four-game suspension in 2013, but that ban was negotiated down to two games. Reports have indicated that the league may lessen its penalties related to marijuana use, so perhaps a reduced suspension for Gordon would be a first step in that process. The Browns certainly want Gordon to return as soon as possible, as Cleveland’s depth chart at receiver is currently headlined by Andrew Hawkins, Miles Austin, and Nate Burleson.

Meanwhile, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets that even if Gordon’s suspension is lessened, he may still be banished from the Browns’ facility. While suspended players are not allowed to practice with their team, they are typically permitted to be present at the team’s headquarters, so this would deviate from the league’s standard procedure.

Pettine: Browns Won’t Cut Josh Gordon

July 22nd, 2014 at 8:46am CST by Luke Adams

The Browns and Josh Gordon are still awaiting word on how long the troubled wideout will be suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. However, regardless of the duration of that ban, Gordon’s spot on the roster appears safe, as head coach Mike Pettine tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

“We’re expecting him to report on Friday and be on the field,” Pettine said. “We have no plans to cut him. I know there’s been a lot of debate over that, but I don’t see us having that debate.”

Following Gordon’s DUI arrest earlier this month, a handful of NFL pundits and observers, including Hall of Fame wideout Cris Carter, suggested that waiving the Browns star could be in his best interests. Considering how well he performed last season though, racking up 1,646 receiving yards in just 14 games, it makes sense that the Browns would do everything they can to help Gordon and eventually make sure he gets back on the field for the franchise. For now, Cleveland doesn’t seem to have any plans to acquire another receiver to replace 2013’s yardage leader.

“I don’t think you replace Josh, a guy of his caliber,” Pettine said. “If you just look at what he did last year, he’s arguably one of the top three receivers in the league. You can easily make that argument. You’re not going to find somebody, so you just have to get creative in how you do it. We feel good about where Miles Austin is health-wise, we’re very pleased with how Andrew Hawkins came out of camp, and then Nate Burleson will be ready to go and then we have some guys we think will be ready to battle it out.”

Gordon’s appeal hearing on his pending suspension is expected to take place within the next week or two.

AFC Notes: Watt, Glenn, Gordon

July 21st, 2014 at 6:14pm CST by Matt Feminis

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who will make approximately $3.6MM this year, should be in line for a four-year deal worth nearly $58MM in the opinion of Jason Fitzgerald at OverTheCap.com. Fitzgerald supplements his proposed contract with a thorough evaluation of all the factors involved.

Here’s some AFC news and notes:

  • With the waiving of Brennan Williams, the Texans will get nothing out of two 2013 third-round picks, notes Brian T. Smith in the Houston Chronicle.
  • Bills fans hoping for encouraging news about Cordy Glenn didn’t get any on Monday, as head coach Doug Marrone merely told the media he’s not allowed to go into specifics about the illness keeping his starting left tackle on the Active/Non-Football Illness list. “It’s a medical condition,” Marrone told WGR 550’s Joe Buscaglia. “I’m preparing to go on as if he’s not playing, which he’s not. I’m just waiting for the doctors, and I can’t speak about the condition because it’s something that happened outside of football.”
  • A disciplinary hearing looms for Browns receiver Josh Gordon, and the team does not seem intent on releasing the troubled receiver at this time, writes ESPN’s Pat McManamon.
  • The Titans defensive line is previewed by the Tennessean’s John Glennon, who tabbed defensive lineman Jurrell Casey as the unit’s “offseason star”: “After racking up a career-best 10.5 sacks at defensive tackle in the 4-3, Casey certainly could have been upset about the shift to a 3-4 defensive end – especially in a contract year. But he seems genuinely enthusiastic about the new scheme and new defensive coordinator Ray Horton.” Meanwhile, Jim Wyatt, Glennon’s Tennessean colleague, tweets that the team and Casey are in negotiations for a new deal.
  • Patriots second-year linebacker Jamie Collins “clearly added muscle mass as he prepared for 2014, though he wouldn’t admit how much, and he looks much more the part of an NFL linebacker,” reports Boston.com’s Jeff Howe.

Sunday Roundup: Mauga, Peppers, AFC North

July 20th, 2014 at 12:42pm CST by Rory Parks

More and more beat writers are providing season previews, roster breakdowns, position battles, etc. as training opens (for one team, at least) in just a few hours. So let’s have a look at some links from around the league:

Extra Points: Holmgren, Gordon, 49ers

July 17th, 2014 at 10:11pm CST by Zachary Links

Mike Holmgren indicated to Greg Bishop of MMQB that he’s leaving the door open to an NFL return. “I know guys who coached after 65. I thought I would. The more I’m moving away from it, it’s flattering when you get a call from somebody. It strokes your ego. Then you start to think, Hey, I could do that! I mean, I miss it. I miss the coaching. I miss it,” said the 66-year-old, before adding that he’s “semi-retired.” Holmgren was sacked as Browns president after a three year stint and he still has the itch to get back involved in football. Here’s more from around the league..

  • Josh Gordon‘s agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed that the appeal hearing for the Browns star regarding his drug suspension is coming up soon, tweets Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer.
  • The 49ers are set to move into Levi’s Stadium, but commissioner Roger Goodell indicated that they might not be the only tenants there. “Well, we have two pro teams in the Bay Area. Obviously, the stadium issue in Oakland’s going to have to be resolved, too,” Goodell said, writes Dan Hanzus of NFL.com. “We believe a new stadium is appropriate for the Raiders. They have to make that determination whether they’re in a new stadium in Oakland or whether they feel that it’s best to join this stadium. We’re working on that, and that’s one of the decisions they’ll have to make.”
  • There will be changes coming to the feedback system for college underclassmen, as Chase Goodbread of NFL.com explains (based off of Albert Breer’s report). Underclassmen will now be given one of three grades: first-round, second-round, or neither, which is the equivalent of “stay in school.” In the past, underclassmen had been given five grades: 1) as high as the first round, 2) as high as the second round, 3) as high as the third round, 4) not in the first three rounds, and 5) not draftable.
  • Patriots owner Bob Kraft says the NFL should “work very hard” to have a team in London before the end of the decade, tweets Marc Sessler of NFL.com.
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