he was popped five times in four years and, as much as you may roll your eyes at it, weed IS illegal.  He is a recidivist at best and an addict at worst. 

 

The arguments that the penalty is too strong or that the league shouldn't be testing for street drugs may be valid, but he has too long of a track-record to justify away each instance.  I do think the punishment for marajuna is too harsh and want him to play, too, but he entered into the league knowing the deal and he has failed, multiple times.

 

At best, it is an unfortunate string of circumstances.  He was initially 'popped' for being in a teammate's car who had some weed.  He then fails two (presumably) drug tests in the summer of 2011, the timing of which lends itself to the suggestion that the positive tests could have been from the same smoke session.  Baylor, a Baptist university, and Utah, which is in...well, Utah, were probably not the best choices of schools for this kid.  Nothing in 2012.  Then in 2013, he tests positive for codeine and was suspended 4 games, with the suspension reduced to 2 games due to mitigating circumstances.  Then in late 2013, he tests positive for (reportedly) trace amounts of marijuana.  So, at best, for all we know, the kid has not taken a puff of the wacky tobacci since the summer of 2011.  Again.... at best. 

Sorry, but you're wrong. Don't feel bad. There's a shocking number of people out there who are guilty of malpractice when it comes to coping with an addict.

 

But I'm even more surprised to hear that some are less than thrilled about the Browns' offseason with one asterisk, at WR:

 

LB: Dansby, Kirksey (massive coverage improvement)

OL: Bitonio, McQuistan, kept Mack, returning Pinkston (wow)

RB: Tate, West, Crowell, returning Lewis (5,000% upgrade)

CB: Gilbert, Desir (from weakness to strength), extended Haden

S: Whitner (Pro Bowler, coverage upgrade, team leader)

QB: Oh, some guy named Johnny Football (!)

WR: Hawkins, Burleson, Bennett (Hawkins is exciting, other two are more "dependable"), plus a strong UDFA group.

 

Browns have never had an offseason like this. Ever. Yeah, we need to get Gordon back but the competition to be his supporting cast is getting heated.

 

It's an A+ offseason. I'm baffled how anybody could think otherwise.

Sorry, but you're wrong. Don't feel bad. There's a shocking number of people out there who are guilty of malpractice when it comes to coping with an addict.

 

Thanks for pointing that out.  I'll try not to get too down on myself.  Josh is an "addict" and we must put our personal opinions aside to accept what you are strongly inferring is an indisputable fact.

Thanks for pointing that out.  I'll try not to get too down on myself.  Josh is an "addict" and we must put our personal opinions aside to accept what you are strongly inferring is an indisputable fact.

 

That's the great thing about this country. People are welcome to their opinions even if they didn't earn them.

KJP, that's a great summation. You are absolutely correct. This has been an A+ offseason. Anyone who's even a mild fan should be excited by this offseason.

 

Thanks for pointing that out.  I'll try not to get too down on myself.  Josh is an "addict" and we must put our personal opinions aside to accept what you are strongly inferring is an indisputable fact.

 

That's the great thing about this country. People are welcome to their opinions even if they didn't earn them.

 

I have no idea what that means.  But I do know there is a difference between expressing an opinion, which is given absolute protection under the first amendment, and turning your own opinion (whether 'earned' or not, whatever that might mean) into a statement of fact, which does not have the same protection.

 

So if you say that, in your opinion, Gordon is an addict, that's perfectly fair.  To represent it as fact with the limited information you have is not fair...... In my opinion

^No offense guys, but can we stick to the Browns?

In MY opinion, if Gordon was an addict, he would  test off-the-chart for TCH.  No amount of green tea or herbal vitamins is going to mask the consumption of an addict. 

 

If anything he's guilty of making poor choices in friends, which is sometimes a very human condition.  Especially those that grow up poor and find themselves with a bunch of money (see:  most any lottery winner).

^^The issue with Gordon is a HUGE story concerning the Browns.  It has nearly trumped Johnny mania (at least locally) and that ain't easy to do.

 

^Agreed on the THC levels..... and especially considering how many times he has been tested over the past two years.  I just can't help but wonder what kind of butterfly effect him being in that car at Taco Bell had on his life. 

how many games does the loss of gordon cost the browns?  I find it hard to tell because he is great, but he is also only one player in 22.  Some of his numbers will be absorbed by the rest of the group, obviously not all, though.

 

I have no idea what that means.  But I do know there is a difference between expressing an opinion, which is given absolute protection under the first amendment, and turning your own opinion (whether 'earned' or not, whatever that might mean) into a statement of fact, which does not have the same protection.

 

So if you say that, in your opinion, Gordon is an addict, that's perfectly fair.  To represent it as fact with the limited information you have is not fair...... In my opinion

 

What it means is that if you have no experience or knowledge of a subject and you share an opinion on it, then it is unearned. Your glossing over of repeated drug violations tells me you have no experience or knowledge on this subject.

 

I do.

 

My mother was a drug and alcohol counsel, became an LISW, got her masters degree and other accreditations on the subject, and went on to form her own successful family counseling business with nearly 20 employees. The reason why she got into this business is, in the words of Hank Williams Jr., drugs and alcohol is a family tradition of ours.

 

After my sister moved out, she got into trouble with alcohol and graduated to cocaine. She got into repeated problems with booze and drugs, including arrests where she came to the jail drunk. On Halloween night 1992, she drove home drunk from a party, right into the back of a dump truck parked in the outside lane of Brookpark Road by the airport. The police report showed she was traveling at 45 and wasn't wearing her seatbelt. Her 1989 Geo Storm was destroyed. But the airbag saved her life.

 

A decade later, I was drinking more and more, eventually increasingly my intake to where I was putting away 20 beers every night. I was suffering worsening health problems. My memory was failing. My hands were shaking. I was obese. I was getting infections in my liver and digestive system. I was missing work and getting into repeated trouble with my boss. I was missing family gatherings. On July 19, 2003, I ran out of beer at home after drinking 19 beers. So I got in the car and drove to the store. A Lakewood police car began following me and then pulled into a parking lot across West 117th from the Cleveland store I went to get beer. I stayed in the store and had a conversation with the guy I knew behind the counter to kill time. After about 10 minutes, the police car drove off. So I left but then a Cleveland police car showed up. I wasn't sure if the Lakewood cop had notified him, so I went south on West 117th which put me on the Lakewood side of the street which put me out of CPD's jurisdiction. I then took sidestreets home where I drank three more beers. Now, the point of all this is: I remembered it with 19 beers in me. And I was able to strategize and evade police. After I drank three more beers for breakfast the next day, I broke down and realized I wasn't going to live another five years if I kept going the way I was going. I was addicted and I was powerless over it. I reached out to my family who never knew what I was going through because I was a relatively high-functioning alcoholic. And the consequences of my addiction I couldn't hide, my family wasn't in a position to notice. So my sister took me to the hospital. After doing blood tests and other medical exams, they put me into detox. It was not a pleasant ride back down, but I'm so glad I did it. Why? I'm still alive.

 

Josh is demonstrating all the signs of an addiction, or at least an addictive personality. I would think that if you had a close family member with an addiction, you would see those signs. If you went through these problems yourself, you would be jumping up and down trying to help this kid rather than making excuses for him. To say that it is only my opinion is an insult to me and my family.

 

I hope Josh recognizes he is powerless. It takes a lot of strength to admit it. Maybe someone like Chris Carter can come to his aid.

So. Back to football......

 

Some ask why the Browns didn't draft a WR? I think it's because the Browns want NFL-experienced WRs who can catch what's thrown to them and know how to run crisp, clean routes. That's why they're bringing in WR Earl Bennett. Here is some interesting data.......

 

Brendan Leister ‏@BrendanLeister 1h

And obviously, Nate Burleson & Earl Bennett are not Reggie Wayne. But they are guys with experience that a young QB can trust.

 

Brendan Leister ‏@BrendanLeister 43m

Support for earlier claims: In ’13, Nate Burleson ranked 2nd in catch % at 76.5%. Earl Bennett ranked 3rd in catch % at 76.2%. #Browns

 

Brendan Leister ‏@BrendanLeister 42m

In contrast, Greg Little was 102nd out of 111 in catch % at only 46.6% in 2013. #Browns

What it means is that if you have no experience or knowledge of a subject and you share an opinion on it, then it is unearned. Your glossing over of repeated drug violations tells me you have no experience or knowledge on this subject.

 

Sorry, but you're wrong.  Don't feel bad.  It's unfortunate that me expressing my opinion on the topic, including my opinion on your factual representations, is an insult to you and your family.  I don't feel bad about it.  Every person and family has their own demons..... that certainly applies to me and my family even if I don't choose to share so in depth.  I'm sure Josh has his own.  I suggest we not personalize the issue.  It's a worthy topic of discussion as it applies to this situation, the NFL, the Browns, and Gordon..... and there is a lot of room to have it.  This happens to be an issue I feel very strongly about.   

 

Specific to the topic, do you have any firm evidence that Josh has smoked weed since the summer of 2011 (i.e. 3 years ago)?

OK. I see what kind of "human being" you are. Maybe we'll have a nice little unplanned chat about this someday. So for the 2000th time, back to football........

 

Browns sign Miles Austin

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 15, 2014, 3:07 PM EDT

 

With Josh Gordon potentially facing a suspension, Cleveland needs help at wide receiver. Miles Austin will provide just that.

 

The Browns announced today that Austin has agreed to terms.

 

Austin has spent his entire career in Dallas, and the Cowboys said this week that they were interested in bringing him back. Instead, he’ll head to Cleveland, where he could be the No. 1 receiver if Gordon is suspended. Right now the receiver depth chart after Gordon is thin, with Greg Little, Andrew Hawkins, Nate Burleson and Travis Benjamin as the top four.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/15/browns-sign-miles-austin/

^

 

 

Ladies please.

Channel 3 Sports ‏@WKYCSports  1m

#Browns announce signings of WR Earl Bennett and DL Elhadji Ndiaye

 

EDIT: More......

 

Daryl Ruiter ‏@RuiterWrongFAN  18s

Farmer said Saturday he had a plan - fans & media scoffed at him for not drafting a WR - 4 UDFA WRs, Austin & Bennett later....

I will remind everyone that participation on this forum is a privilege and not a right. I will also remind everyone that the sports discussion sections are offered as a courtesy and if you truly enjoy them, be respectful to each other and to the Admins who have to clean up after your arguments. Thank you.

 

 

Johnny's Manziel's "hurry up and draft me'' text inspires Browns' Jimmy Haslam to say "pull the trigger,'' QB coach says

By [/size]Mary Kay Cabot

 

 

Browns quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains said in a radio interview Thursday that a text from Johnny Manziel during the draft helped inspire owner Jimmy Haslam to trade up for him.

 

 

"We're sitting there and they keep showing Johnny on T.V. and Johnny and I are texting  and he shoots me a text and he says, 'I wish you guys would come get me. Hurry up and draft me because I want to be there. I want to wreck this league together.'

 

 

"When I got that text, I forwarded it to the owner and to the head coach (Mike Pettine),'' Loggains said Thursday on Sports Talk with Bo Mattingly on Arkansas ESPN. "I'm like 'this guy wants to be here. He wants to be part of it.' As soon as that happened, Mr. Haslam said, 'pull the trigger. We're trading up to go get this guy.'''

 

 

The Browns traded up from No. 26 to No. 22 and turned Johnny Football into Johnny Cleveland.

 

 

"It shows you what type of competitor the kid is and I got to spend so much time with him leading up to this process,'' said Loggains, a former Arkansas Razorback. "I feel like I know him very well. I had a good relationship with him. That's the type of kid this guy is. He wants to do well. He's got a chip on his shoulder and he decided to be a Brown.''

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/05/johnnys_manziels_hurry_up_and.html#incart_2box

OK - so we drafted Manziel because a homeless guy told Haslem to and because Manziel told them to draft him?  Ha.

 

WTAM: Greg Little released

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good riddance

 

 

 

least surprising cut, ever

least surprising cut, ever

No, it's surprising. It's surprising it took so long.

least surprising cut, ever

No, it's surprising. It's surprising it took so long.

 

He was a good run blocker.

He slipped right through our fingers...

Little was the best WR that couldn't catch the Browns have ever had.  Another 2nd round gem from Heckert; Hardesty, Schwartz, Little, even Ward was a reach at the top of the 2nd.  At least we still have Gordon, maybe???

Little was the best WR that couldn't catch the Browns have ever had.

 

Better than Braylon?

Little was the best WR that couldn't catch the Browns have ever had.

 

Better than Braylon?

 

Trying to quantify that makes my head feel like it's going to explode...

 

Edit: I also realized it made me sad.

Little was the best WR that couldn't catch the Browns have ever had.

 

Better than Braylon?

Okay, second best

My own contribution to the silliness.....

 

Manziel: when the media thinks it's the story

By KJPrendergast  @KennyPeepers on May 18 2014, 2:04p

 

"When the news breaks, we fix it." "Freedom of the press applies only to those who own one." And, "Never argue with someone who buys their ink by the barrel."

 

All of those are famous quips uttered about the media, sometimes by the media itself. But the gist of each describes when the media gets too full of itself to remember that its job is to report a story. The media is seldom the story.

 

But that little forget-me-not reared its ugly head in a fit of self-importance after the Cleveland Browns decided to block the national media from attending its rookie minicamp, the star attraction of which is new quarterback Johnny Manziel.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2014/5/18/5729076/manziel-when-the-media-thinks-its-the-story

My own contribution to the silliness.....

 

Manziel: when the media thinks it's the story

By KJPrendergast  @KennyPeepers on May 18 2014, 2:04p

 

"When the news breaks, we fix it." "Freedom of the press applies only to those who own one." And, "Never argue with someone who buys their ink by the barrel."

 

All of those are famous quips uttered about the media, sometimes by the media itself. But the gist of each describes when the media gets too full of itself to remember that its job is to report a story. The media is seldom the story.

 

But that little forget-me-not reared its ugly head in a fit of self-importance after the Cleveland Browns decided to block the national media from attending its rookie minicamp, the star attraction of which is new quarterback Johnny Manziel.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2014/5/18/5729076/manziel-when-the-media-thinks-its-the-story

 

A reporter from the NY Post issued a really epic snit that illustrated the entitlement mentality of the NY media in particular. 

 

Just imagine if the Rams had done likewise.  :)

It's a few days old, but this Texans writer for the Houston Chronicle nails it.

 

Cleveland will rock when Manziel takes the stage

By John McClain - Houston Chronicle

May 15, 2014 | Updated: May 15, 2014 11:53pm

 

After all the pre-draft hype, he was a third-year sophomore who began the season as the backup quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.

 

He made his starting debut in the sixth game of his rookie season at the Astrodome, leading the Browns to a come-from-behind victory over the Oilers.

 

He helped the Browns win the AFC Central title as a rookie, igniting a five-year playoff run that produced three appearances in the AFC Championship Game.

 

Bernie Kosar, an Ohio native who played at the University of Miami, entered the 1985 supplemental draft and was selected by Cleveland, where he became the most popular Browns quarterback since Otto Graham.

 

Now, Johnny Manziel has a chance to become the most popular Browns quarterback since Kosar.

 

Cleveland is the perfect place for Manziel.

 

And Manziel is the perfect quarterback for Cleveland.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Cleveland-will-rock-when-Manziel-takes-the-stage-5482441.php?cmpid=twitter-premium&t=14d6f42d29cc308649

Sobo's revenge!

 

Why are we suddenly so touchy about Johnny Manziel?

May 22, 2014

By BRENT SOBLESKI

 

We all knew it was going to be this way with Johnny Manziel, because it’s been this way for two years now.

 

Still, it’s tiring. Every bit of news about the Browns’ rookie QB is being spun and stretched and twirled around, over and over and over.

 

Pundits have gone out of their way to find controversy.

 

The latest incident stems from Browns general manager Ray Farmer saying veteran QB Brian Hoyer is currently better than Manziel “…by a substantial margin.”

 

The comment, as well as others in the past week, were, predictably, blown out of proportion.

 

Let’s take a look.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://q.usatoday.com/2014/05/22/why-are-we-suddenly-so-touchy-about-johnny-manziel/

NFL's most-tweeted about team lately? Dallas Cowboys 2nd to Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns

Dallas Morning News - SportsDayDFW.com

Published: 12 June 2014 10:04 PM

Updated: 13 June 2014 10:33 AM

 

We live in a social media world. If something happens, and it doesn't get mentioned on Twitter, did it really happen?

 

The Dallas Cowboys have long been referred to as America's Team. But are the Cowboys Twitter's team?

 

We did a quick check of topsy.com, a website that tracks Twitter analytics, for a month-long period (May 13-June 12). Numbers may vary just a little, of course, because people are tweeting all the time.

 

There were 45,496 tweets about the Cowboys, with a high of 3,290 on May 27. That was the day Dallas linebacker Sean Lee tore his ACL.

 

If total number of tweets for one month are the measure of America's Team, then the Cowboys are no longer that team.

 

That team is the Cleveland Browns. Boosted by one of the most-tweeted about athletes around -- you know him as Johnny Manziel -- the Browns had a total of 49,645.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20140612-nfl-s-most-tweeted-about-team-lately-cowboys-2nd-to-manziel-browns.ece

The Accidental Coach of the Cleveland Browns

June 19, 2014

Mike Pettine wasn’t the first choice (or second or third or...) to lead the locker room. But the 47-year-old former high school coach is in Cleveland and ready to unleash a shape-shifting defense set to wreak havoc in the AFC North

By Greg A. Bedard

 

BEREA, Ohio — Mike Pettine certainly looks the part. He’s got the bald head, the goatee and the muscular build. He’s a defensive coach who used to go get (bleeping) snacks with Rex Ryan. About the only thing missing from the football meathead ensemble was a T-shirt from Jay Glazer’s new MMA training center.

 

And then the 47-year-old Pettine opened his mouth, laying waste to every preconceived notion you might have had about the Browns’ new coach.

 

Cleveland, you might be on to something here. I must admit I was little skeptical about Pettine getting the job. In my mind, a lot of his success had come from the defensive scheme born of Ryan. And I’m always leery of people who climb the ladder fast and seem a little too eager in the process. Just 13 years ago, this son a of a Pennsylvania high school coaching legend was trying to make a name for himself roaming the sidelines of North Penn High School. Look at him now, sitting in one of the Browns’ Google-like offices with a glass door next to owner Jimmy Haslam. That just doesn’t happen.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://mmqb.si.com/2014/06/19/mike-pettine-cleveland-browns-coach/

Why hasn't Gordon's appeal even been scheduled yet? Because a new appeals process seems to be in the works at the NFL with the league and union -- and all their lawyers. You read it here first....

 

Browns Rumors: Can ELISA Shorten Josh Gordon’s Suspension?

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Ken Prendergast

 

Typically June is the month when the NFL dishes out discipline for violating league rules. For example, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon caught a two-day suspension and a fine of four game checks on June 7, 2013 for violating the NFL’s banned substances policy when he tested positive for codeine. Gordon is facing another possible suspension this year for another violation.

 

But as more time drags on, it seems increasingly likely that the NFL won’t drop a season-long suspension on the league-leading receiver for a repeat drug test violation. Instead, Gordon’s 2014 season may come within a hair of being saved.

 

The delay in announcing a suspension is suggestive of ongoing negotiations between the league office and Gordon, through his aggressive agent Drew Rosenhaus, who may be trying to get the NFL to reduce a suspension. What grounds might Rosenhaus have?

 

READ MORE AT:

http://dawgpoundnation.com/2014/06/23/can-elisa-shorten-josh-gordons-suspension/

They are beginning to issue (free) tickets for training camp today.

 

AFAIK, they did not bother to mention that to get them, one needs to sign up for something called "1iota".

 

Their servers don't seem powerful.

 

You can guess the rest.

Gordon arrested again.  Time for an intervention.  Get this kid help.

 

http://www.wncn.com/story/25946896/nfl-player-gordon-arrested-for-dui-in-raleigh

Yep. When getting high is more important than your career, you are no longer in control. The chemicals are. When that happens, you either get help or you die. Those are the only two outcomes for the addict.

Can we please not talk about Josh Gordon anymore. As of last night, he is suspended indefinitely from the NFL and The Cleveland Browns. What a complete waste of talent.

Well, no one really expected this team to make a deep playoff run, and this pretty much seals the deal.  However I really do like the roster that has been put together and it will be nice to see how they grow and develop this year.  I think they'll be sniffing around for a playoff spot come December but ultimately fall a bit short (maybe 7-9 or so).  Next offseason the front office will know where their focus needs to be and that's on truly strengthening the WR position since it's becoming increasingly likely that Gordon won't be around.

The Browns have pretty much moved on from Josh Gordon. Some of the Browns players are speaking off-the-record that they've moved on.

 

And the Browns' offensive scheme and the players they've accumulated in the offseason also show they've moved on -- well before this latest incident. Of course, that was a change in philosophy caused by the new coaching staff -- not by any expectations involving Josh Gordon. Fact is, this is going to be more of a running team than a passing team, a philosophy which helped make Seattle and San Francisco the two best teams in the NFL (along with great defenses and QBs who could move around a find an open receiver, end or back. The Browns still have many pass catchers even if they aren't mega receivers (BTW, most of the receivers they do have can run a 4.4 or faster, when healthy!). So I don't think the absence of Josh Gordon impacts this year's team anywhere near as much as it would have impacted last year's team.

 

EDIT: BTW after reading Mary Kay Cabot's article that Josh was "substantially" intoxicated, I was all ready to submit an article to Dawg Pound Nation, lamenting Josh's continued fall into oblivion. Then I read that Josh's BAC was only 0.09%. That's not the kind of BAC an alcoholic has at 3 a.m. It's usually double or triple the legal limit. In fact, when I covered the police beat for Sun News, I wrote a news brief about a guy in Westlake who tested for a 0.35 on a Breathalyzer and the cops immediately called an ambulance fearing he would slip into a coma from alcohol poisoning. Amazingly though, the guy was conscious throughout it all because it was a hardcore alcoholic who had built up to that level. Alcoholics usually can have much higher BAC's than amateur drinkers yet possess similar levels of responsiveness. A 0.09 BAC is what an alcoholic would have at the start of each night! A 0.09 is what an amateur has at 3 a.m.

 

So when I saw that Josh had a 0.09 BAC at 3 a.m., I am a lot less concerned. Also, when I first saw Josh's mugshot, his eyes appeared alert and weren't bloodshot. He wasn't slumped over and he wasn't sweating. All of those things would have been apparent if he was drunk.

Sounds like he is equal parts dumb behavior and unlucky. That BAC at 3  AM to me sounds like somebody that had some drinks during the firework/etc and the stopped for a few hours before driving home. Either that or somebody who was drinking slow enough that he didn't think he was over the limit. Either way Not really the behavior of somebody out of control. Josh is apparently a really sh!tty driver.

Maybe Josh Gordon isn't an addict. Maybe he's just really really stupid.

At best, his action was a serious lapse in judgment. I don't know Josh, but some of his fellow players are lashing out at fans, saying Josh needs help, not attacks. He's only 23 and can play another 10-15 years if he sorts his way through this mess. But for him, this isn't about football anymore. He has to get his head on straight first.

The problem, as I see it, isn't about the Browns.  It's about a 23 year old with a drug abuse problem.  Screw his contract, this kid needs some help!

 

He'll only get help when he reaches rock bottom.  Lets hope that this is rock bottom!

 

^ I really don't understand the NFLs policy of no contact with the team while a players suspended. It should be limited to football activities either on or off the field. The teams have made an investment in the player and should be able to try and help the player.

^ I really don't understand the NFLs policy of no contact with the team while a players suspended. It should be limited to football activities either on or off the field. The teams have made an investment in the player and should be able to try and help the player.

 

Agreed. There are those who believe that if Josh is suspended for a year and can't at least be around the training facility and thus have some structure in his life, the kid is done for.

 

EDIT: I was reading about the late Don Rogers, who was the Browns' safety and the 1984 AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year who died of a cocaine overdose the day before his 1986 wedding. I firmly believe that if Don Roger hadn't died that summer and had been on the field for the 1986 AFC Championship, we never would have heard of The Drive. But it was a "family tradition" to quote Hank Williams Jr. Rogers' father was in and out of jail for alcohol problems. His mother had alcohol problems. His sister would disappear for a week at a time to go on benders. And his younger brother Reggie killed three kids while drinking and driving, a year after he was drafted in the first round by the Detroit Lions. He never made it to 50. Reggie died last year of alcohol and cocaine poisoning at the age of 49....

 

http://mitchalbom.com/d/journalism/620/rogers-finally-ran-out-green-lights-innocence-ended-lives-three-teenagers

 

The paragraph from the above article in 1988 that made me think of Josh....

 

It may be this simple: Reggie Rogers, like countless athletes in this land of athletic worship, has lived his life ricocheting from one near-miss to another, someone always there to catch him, excuse him, forgive him. Until that night, at a barren intersection, in the early morning cold of autumn, when two vehicles collided, a car burst into flames, and the days of innocence were over.

The problem, as I see it, isn't about the Browns.  It's about a 23 year old with a drug abuse problem.  Screw his contract, this kid needs some help!

 

He'll only get help when he reaches rock bottom.  Lets hope that this is rock bottom!

 

Hate to say it, but there are lots of 23 year olds with a drug abuse problem* in this community.  The reason we're talking about this one is because he's an all-world football player.  And while I hope that he, like all other folks that are in similar positions, finds the help he needs, let's be clear, it only matters to us personally because he's a member of the Cleveland Browns.

 

 

*I'm not willing to concede that he even has a problem.  He tested positive for a recreational drug that is legal in two of these United States and countless other Western countries and as others have mentioned his BAC while driving does not seem to indicate alcoholism.