May 10, 201411 yr whooping and hollering, buying jerseys, and buying tickets just because the Browns drafted a new QB are all irrational acts regardless of who it is.
May 10, 201411 yr johnny partayyyy! http://pagesix.com/2014/05/09/johnny-manziel-shakes-off-agonizing-draft-and-parties-hard/?_ga=1.207844178.1931019141.1386121495
May 10, 201411 yr I love the Joel Bitonio pick. That selection has Pettine written all over it. Commonly described as the 'toughest' guy in this draft. He is versatile enough to play OG or OT, the latter where he played in college and the former where most scouts predict him in the NFL. His versatility might allow us to dip our feet in the water with switching Schwartz to OG. Bitonio is a Day 1 starter either way. If Bitonio pick was surprising, for not taking a WR, the Christian Kirksey selection was a shocker. I think he has to add some NFL bulk and strength, but he's the type of LB we needed. Great coverage LB. He will compete with Robertson for the weakside ILB job...... which is probably the only position he can play outside of special teams. I fell asleep last night and didn't even realize to this morning that they traded back into the 3rd round to grab a RB, Terrance West out of Towson. Apparently, the Ratbirds really wanted this guy and were coming up on the clock when we jumped them. I had to do my homework on him. He doesn't have breakaway speed, but it looks like he has great burst through the hole and good vision, both essential in the zone blocking scheme. Still wondering when we are going to address WR, assuming the reports on Gordon are accurate. There's a few decent ones still left on the board, including my favorites Jared Abberderis (Wisconsin), Bruce Ellington (S. Carolina) and Martavis Bryant (Clemson). We only have two picks left and traded our first 4th rounder to move up to get West. It seems like the Browns are militantly sticking to their board. whooping and hollering, buying jerseys, and buying tickets just because the Browns drafted a new QB are all irrational acts regardless of who it is. You do know what the derivation of the word "fan" is, right?
May 10, 201411 yr Yeah, maybe this is my official I'm not a fan, but just a follower of the team moment.
May 10, 201411 yr whooping and hollering, buying jerseys, and buying tickets just because the Browns drafted a new QB are all irrational acts regardless of who it is. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nika_riots
May 10, 201411 yr I love the hype machine behind Manziel and the Browns. A boost in season ticket sales after the first round? :roll: It happens after every splashy draft. I heard the same story after Thomas/Quinn and Richardson/Wheedon. I'm happy with the draft so far but the Gordon story is a huge gray cloud hanging over the team until it gets sorted out. And I don't regret for one second not trading him. HoF wide receivers don't come around that often, even if you have to put up with the bullshit.
May 10, 201411 yr Still wondering when we are going to address WR, assuming the reports on Gordon are accurate. There's a few decent ones still left on the board, including my favorites Jared Abberderis (Wisconsin), Bruce Ellington (S. Carolina) and Martavis Bryant (Clemson). We only have two picks left and traded our first 4th rounder to move up to get West. It seems like the Browns are militantly sticking to their board. I remember reading before the draft , that this wr group was so deep that NFL starters would be found as undrafted free agents
May 10, 201411 yr I hope not even 1/10th of this is true. Apparently the Patriots were not very impressed with Manziel. http://www.brobible.com/sports/article/johnny-manziel-scouting-report-new-england-patriots/
May 11, 201411 yr I read that the Browns already new about the failed test. But they still passed on Watkins and went OL with their second rounder. Curious Also curious that the news about the alleged failed drug test -- something that's supposed to be so confidential that the NFL and the front office cannot even tell the Browns coaching staff -- was leaked right before the start of the second round. Now THAT'S curious. If that was intentional, then it was done to throw the rookie GM Farmer off from his plan. It clearly did not. Now I'm even more impressed with him. Regardless of whether the news about Gordon is true (some say the amount of THC was so small, that it is suggestive of second-hand smoke), I do wish the Browns would have picked at least one WR from this very deep WR class. As for those wanting Watkins, he has his own marijuana problems (2012 arrest and suspension). It seems like the Browns are militantly sticking to their board. Agreed. Every player in this draft the Browns selected has a chance to compete for a starting job. Every single one, including their fourth-round and final pick Desir. The later picks offered little hope of nabbing potential starters. So they were traded away to move up this year or next to get players who could compete for starting jobs. All the players they got fit a mold the Browns wanted -- aggressive competitors, with size and speed. Most of these guys are bad-ass bulldozers with a sixth-gear. A drafted WR wouldn't help fill any hole created by a Gordon suspension in 2014. And I don't think you want a rookie WR working with Manziel anyway. You need a WR who knows how to run routes at the NFL level. So between now and the start of training camp, I suspect the Browns will trade for a veteran WR. They might even sign a FA like Santonio Holmes if he's healthy. I hope not even 1/10th of this is true. Apparently the Patriots were not very impressed with Manziel. Lombardi now works for the Patriots. In the past week we've read leaked news about the Browns $100,000 QB analytics study (reported by his old NFL Network buddy Jason LaCanfora), a confidential drug test involving Gordon (Lombardi has friends at the league office) and now this report about Manziel from the Patriots (where Lombardi now works). This A-hole couldn't draft football players to save his life. And like many incompetent/insecure people, they try to bring others down to their own level. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 11, 201411 yr Browns UDFA thus far.... Illinois FB Ray Agnew; Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell; San Jose State WR Chandler Jones; South Carolina QB Connor Shaw; Ball State WR Willie Snead http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...l-32-nfl-teams Article on Willie Snead.... http://www.hustlebelt.com/2014/5/10/5700786/ball-states-willie-snead-signed-by-cleveland-browns Background on Chandler Jones. Looks like his combine snub really hurt him.... http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=109234&draftyear=2014&genpos=WR "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 12, 201411 yr Put on your tinfoil hat, folks. Here it goes. ESPN Outside the Lines published the story about Gordon citing two anonymous sources. The NFL apparently notified "the Browns" in late winter about the failed drug test. The requirement is that the league notify the "top football guy" and can't notify the coaches or anybody else. What if the NFL notified the Browns when Banner/Lombardi were still in charge, albeit lame ducks. What if Banner/Lombardi were those two independent sources for the story, with the agreement that ESPN not release it until the day after Day 1 of the draft. I know that Farmer has said he knew about the failed test in advance, but he really had to say that regardless. Best not to appear like you were driving with a blindfold on. It's a long shot, but it's not totally implausible IMO..... especially with those two. Relative to the suspension, I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, but there are some slight slivers of hope. Slight being the key word there. The appeal has not played out, and Gordon was able to get his suspension reduced through that process last year. Given last year's reduction, there is some chance that he may not even have been in Stage 3 at the time of this latest failed test. There are also some whispers out there that the THC levels were so low that it would be indicative of second hand smoke. I also wonder whether there is any chance that Gordon traveled to Washington or Colorado during the 30 days prior to the test and whether the NFL has had reason to apply its substance abuse policy since the laws of those states were changed. If he does end up suspended, or worse, it will be a tragedy. Looking back at this 30 years from now, maybe even 10 years, it is going to seem so silly and such a waste of talent. Smoking weed has never affected Gordon's on-the-field performance in the league or as a team member of the Browns. There are so many wrong things going on off-the-field in the NFL, it is a shame to lose one of its true, young superstars over something as trivial as pot. I get that rules are rules....... but can you imagine us never getting to enjoy the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Walter Payton, Joe Namath, or any other number of NFL greats who had much bigger substance abuse problems than Josh?
May 12, 201411 yr Put on your tinfoil hat, folks. Here it goes. You and I are of like mind. Please see the thread I started at BarkingHard..... http://www.barkinghard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116897 Sorry to see what may have happened to Josh Gordon (it's still not clear what sort of violation this is or how severe). And I'd much rather have him than not as I consider him to be a top-5 WR. But look at what the Browns did in the draft -- and what they didn't do. Having a game-breaking WR is not part of the Browns offensive philosophy. They want a power game, with a road-grader OL, bulldozer RBs (the Crowell pickup could be a steal), and WRs who's biggest role is to move the sticks and get touchdowns. Sounds a lot like Seattle where their best WR, Percy Harvin, sat out the entire year and Sidney Rice missed many games. And I think the UDFA Jones pickup was awesome. Here's a kid with great hands and runs a 4.34 40 (third best in this draft/UDFA class). But he doesn't have the prototypical WR body and because of that scouts' prejudice he wasn't invited to the combine. Wes Welker suffered the same prejudice because he doesn't have a typical WR body and wasn't invited to the combine either. Is Jones another Welker? I don't know, but it shows how screwed up the draft process can be. And I'm glad the Browns got him. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 12, 201411 yr ^I agree that the Browns want to be a grind-it-out team. That said, having a deep threat at WR, who puts the other teams DBs on their heels, dictates the defense's gameplan, and necessitates a good bit of film study, only helps with that effort. If teams are able to stack the box and walk up their safeties, it doesn't matter how much you want to be a running team, it will be increasingly difficult. It is impossible to downplay the loss of Gordon, if indeed he is lost for the year.
May 12, 201411 yr I've had this conversation many times at BarkingHard. It's still almost four months until opening day and we don't yet know what will happen with Gordon. The Browns picked the highest rated guys on their draft board, and at the time of their picks, no WR was rated higher than the guys they ultimately chose. Furthermore, I don't want rookie WRs working with Manziel. They don't know how to run pro routes in a pro offense or deal with faster, stronger, more savvy pro DBs. Between drafting a WR vs trading for one, I'd rather trade for one. And I'd bring in Santonio Holmes to see what he still has left in the tank. Consider that San Fran, Seattle and Carolina all ranked near the bottom in the passing game yet were tops in the league in rushing. All three were 12+ win teams. BTW..... @spotrac Per @DpShow, #Lions may consider shopping WR Calvin Johnson; A $16M net cap loss in 2014, but just $416,000 in 2015 http://bit.ly/TMul1i "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 12, 201411 yr I haven't had any conversations at BarkingHard or OBR or any other site, but have talked a lot about it with my fellow fans, and I wasn't crushed at all that they didn't draft a WR. Farmer got an A from me for his draft. I was simply saying that you can't totally downplay the loss of Josh Gordon. He is our most talented player and the one guy on our offense who really put the fear of God into opposing defenses. Yes, SanFran, Seattle, and Carolina were all in the bottom half of the league in passing yards. Each one of them would have loved to have had Gordon last year. Weren't SF and Seattle two of the teams reportedly interested in acquiring Gordon mid-season? Even still, each had legit #1 WRs on their rosters to start the season. As for being below average in passing yards per game (not exactly the best way to rate it), so were Tampa, Buffalo and Jacksonville. At or near the top were teams like New Orleans, Denver, and Green Bay. And if you want to get technical, Seattle was #1 in pass efficiency ration, SanFran was #6, and Carolina #9. I'll take that stat over the more traditional method of ranking team passing
May 12, 201411 yr Which is why I said in an earlier post..... "And I'd much rather have him than not as I consider him to be a top-5 WR." "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 12, 201411 yr Put on your tinfoil hat, folks. Here it goes. ESPN Outside the Lines published the story about Gordon citing two anonymous sources. The NFL apparently notified "the Browns" in late winter about the failed drug test. The requirement is that the league notify the "top football guy" and can't notify the coaches or anybody else. What if the NFL notified the Browns when Banner/Lombardi were still in charge, albeit lame ducks. What if Banner/Lombardi were those two independent sources for the story, with the agreement that ESPN not release it until the day after Day 1 of the draft. I know that Farmer has said he knew about the failed test in advance, but he really had to say that regardless. Best not to appear like you were driving with a blindfold on. It's a long shot, but it's not totally implausible IMO..... especially with those two. Relative to the suspension, I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, but there are some slight slivers of hope. Slight being the key word there. The appeal has not played out, and Gordon was able to get his suspension reduced through that process last year. Given last year's reduction, there is some chance that he may not even have been in Stage 3 at the time of this latest failed test. There are also some whispers out there that the THC levels were so low that it would be indicative of second hand smoke. I also wonder whether there is any chance that Gordon traveled to Washington or Colorado during the 30 days prior to the test and whether the NFL has had reason to apply its substance abuse policy since the laws of those states were changed. If he does end up suspended, or worse, it will be a tragedy. Looking back at this 30 years from now, maybe even 10 years, it is going to seem so silly and such a waste of talent. Smoking weed has never affected Gordon's on-the-field performance in the league or as a team member of the Browns. There are so many wrong things going on off-the-field in the NFL, it is a shame to lose one of its true, young superstars over something as trivial as pot. I get that rules are rules....... but can you imagine us never getting to enjoy the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Walter Payton, Joe Namath, or any other number of NFL greats who had much bigger substance abuse problems than Josh? It might be a little bit tinfoilish, but I do believe that the NFL does nudge circumstances (if not outcomes) and that league office decisions are based to some degree on marketing considerations. The league would dearly love Johnny Manziel to be successful. Two players greatly increase the chances of this happening: Joe Thomas and Josh Gordon. I’m thinking if they can find a way to keep him around, they do.
May 12, 201411 yr BTW, I love the selection of LB Christian Kirksey. Lots of talk about him being a candidate for rookie of the year. His position coach at Iowa calls him a "once in a generation" type of player. I'd love to know why he fell so far. Read about him here: http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/football/2014/5/9/5677560/iowa-football-christian-kirksey-tight-end-nfl-draft-2014 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 12, 201411 yr ^He's a bit of a tweener between a cover LB and a SS, although he'll never play safety in the league. I've heard him described by more than one analyst as a 'Ryan Shazier light' type. His numbers from college were not great, but Ferentz said that was totally because his position in Iowa's defensive system did not lend itself to piling up the sexy stats like sacks, TFLs, etc. I like that he was a two-time Captain. One thing I saw on film were a lot of big hits in which he laid his shoulder into the ball-carrier. That's not gonna cut it in the NFL.... they'll bounce right off those big hits. Kid needs to wrap up when playing in the league.
May 12, 201411 yr That's a technique issue, and he'll be taught that just as Gilbert needs to learn to not drop his head when attempting tackles. Kirksey is DB-fast yet bulked up to 235-240. As has often been said, speed can't be taught. BTW, over the draft weekend, the NFL says it has sold nearly as many Manziel jerseys as RGIII, Luck, and Tebow jerseys COMBINED for the same time period in their respective drafts. EDIT: one more tidbit.... In the words of Charley Casserly: While most expect the signing of Tate to signal he will be the lead back, NFL Media analyst Charley Casserly thinks the team's pick of Terrance West in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft could allow West to be the starter in the Cleveland backfield. "This is my favorite player for the round they got him in," Casserly said on "Path to the Draft." "2,500 yards last year and a natural in the zone-running scheme that Kyle Shanahan runs. Here's my prediction: This guy is going to beat out Ben Tate to be the starting running back this year." Read the entire article here: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000349606/article/casserly-terrance-west-will-beat-out-ben-tate-in-cleveland I also love Crowell, if he has really matured. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 12, 201411 yr ^Lebron got one Saw it on twitter...... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 12, 201411 yr toddporter @toddporter 30m HASLAM:of all nfl markets percentage TVs tuned to draft, Cleveland led the league. EDIT: Daryl Ruiter @RuiterWrongFAN 6m #Browns announce QB Vince Young, QB Alex Tanney, DB Brandon Hughes, DL Brian Sanford, & RB Fozzy Whitaker have been released "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 12, 201411 yr ^That was quick with Young. It still baffles my mind, with all the hype about converting basketball players and other athletes who have never touched a pigskin into NFL professionals, that no team has been able to find a fit for one of the most dynamic college players in my memory. It is not like measurable are an issue with him as they are with other college QB Heisman winners who never made it in the league. toddporter @toddporter 30m HASLAM:of all nfl markets percentage TVs tuned to draft, Cleveland led the league. Remember, this means we are a pathetic, perennial loser city :)
May 12, 201411 yr Remember, this means we are a pathetic, perennial loser city :) My comment was related to the Browns (and other cities with chronically bad teams) as being perennial losers. Not the cities themselves. Unless you think I'm here bagging on Cleveland. :roll: edited for snarkiness
May 12, 201411 yr Same Ol’ Browns? Not This Time Around The news of Josh Gordon's reported failed drug test—and potential year-long suspension—might have been a buzzkill, but the Browns still are headed in the right direction. Plus, draft thoughts on the other 31 teams in the league By Greg A. Bedard A Browns buzzkill? Don’t let it be. One day after Browns fans saw their team’s future suddenly look brighter after the draft of cornerback Justin Gilbert and quarterback Johnny Manziel, they were crestfallen to find out top receiver Josh Gordon reportedly failed another drug test for marijuana and was facing a season-long suspension. It’s bad news on two counts. One, Gordon was coming off a Pro Bowl season and is one of the most physically gifted receivers in the game. And, two, the rest of the receiving group is thin and now has Nate Burleson dealing with a broken arm. This is part of the deal with Gordon, whose well-publicized troubles go back to stops at two different colleges. The Browns have known Gordon is one misstep away from a serious suspension for some time now. The team, more than anyone, knows that Gordon has yet to earn the trust that he will do the right thing and fly right. This isn’t a surprise to anyone in Berea. And this should not take away from what general manager Ray Farmer is doing just months into the job. The Browns are really building something. READ MORE AT: http://mmqb.si.com/2014/05/10/josh-g...014-nfl-draft/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 12, 201411 yr That's a technique issue, and he'll be taught that just as Gilbert needs to learn to not drop his head when attempting tackles. Kirksey is DB-fast yet bulked up to 235-240. As has often been said, speed can't be taught. BTW, over the draft weekend, the NFL says it has sold nearly as many Manziel jerseys as RGIII, Luck, and Tebow jerseys COMBINED for the same time period in their respective drafts. EDIT: one more tidbit.... In the words of Charley Casserly: While most expect the signing of Tate to signal he will be the lead back, NFL Media analyst Charley Casserly thinks the team's pick of Terrance West in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft could allow West to be the starter in the Cleveland backfield. "This is my favorite player for the round they got him in," Casserly said on "Path to the Draft." "2,500 yards last year and a natural in the zone-running scheme that Kyle Shanahan runs. Here's my prediction: This guy is going to beat out Ben Tate to be the starting running back this year." Read the entire article here: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000349606/article/casserly-terrance-west-will-beat-out-ben-tate-in-cleveland I also love Crowell, if he has really matured. Someone asked Ben Tate if Casserly should be fired, Ben replied that he was (as a GM) that's why he works for NFL Network. Let's not forget about Dion Lewis either.
May 12, 201411 yr Remember, this means we are a pathetic, perennial loser city :) My comment was related to the Browns (and other cities with chronically bad teams) as being perennial losers. Not the cities themselves. Reading is fundamental.:roll: So is writing. Maybe you should revise your post
May 13, 201411 yr Ray Farmer just locked up Joe Haden for 5 years at $45 million -- more than what Richard Sherman just got. So, assuming Gilbert and Desir are the real deals, the Browns pay them rookie money for 5 years and Haden prime-of-his-career money for 5 years, and the corners on islands are set until 2019. Nice job Ray, solidifying the CLEVELAND NO FLY ZONE! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 13, 201411 yr I think there is a substanital signing bonus on top of that, no? Very excited Joe will continue to be a part of this team. Just as excited that he will continue to be a part of our city. I can't remember a more involved athlete
May 13, 201411 yr And the family that nearly killed the Browns is continuing its awesome legacy of ruinous ownership... Randy Lerner to sell Aston Villa with club still on the road to nowhere American owner's eight years at Premier League club have been a tale of flawed decision-making and misplaced faith When one of the worst kept secrets in football was revealed, Randy Lerner sounded like a man who had long stopped living the American dream at Aston Villa. "I have come to know well that fates are fickle in the business of English football. And I feel that I have pushed mine well past the limit," Lerner said on Monday in a statement confirming his decision to put Villa up for sale. "The last several seasons have been week-in, week-out battles." It is a sad but inevitable end to an era that promised so much but delivered so little. Sad because Lerner had all the right intentions when he bought Villa in 2006 for £62.6m from Doug Ellis with his own cash. Inevitable because there is only so long any businessman, even a billionaire, will keep throwing good money after bad, especially when he ends up back where he started, which is where Villa and Lerner find themselves today. http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/12/randy-lerner-aston-villa
May 13, 201411 yr Say what you want about Jimmy Haslam and his first Browns hires, he cut the cord on Banner-Lombardi when he realized he didn't get the right guys. Now it seems like he picked the right guy in Farmer. Edit: just saw this...... The ManziElf! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 14, 201411 yr Maybe Gordon wont miss the whole year The NFL will revamp its drug policy to “significantly increase the threshold for a positive marijuana test and reduce the punishments for violations involving that drug,” http://tracking.si.com/2014/05/13/nfl-drug-policy-change-regarding-marijuana/?sct=nbar_top_dd
May 14, 201411 yr ^If the rumors are true about the THC levels in his system being lower than what is allowable under the world anti-doping agency, I can see it being the impetus for a change in the rules. But I don't think that the changes would be retroactively applied..... and any changes would need to be collectively bargained. I would expect the league is going to want some quid pro quo for any changes, such as a better system for HGH testing, which the NFLPA will not want to agree to. Just a general comment here, but I am starting to get a little weary of all this talk of the "Seattle model." Yes, Seattle won the SB on great defense and adequate offense. Now everyone wants to model their team after them. It reminds me of the "Baltimore model" or the "Tampa Bay model." It happens every now and then that a team wins the SB on great defense and a ball control offense...... but it is AT LEAST as common that a team wins with a balanced team, without the heavy emphasis on one unit over another. Those Seattle/TB/Baltimore defenses are exceedingly rare...... and keep in mind that none of those teams won more than one using that model.
May 14, 201411 yr ^I view it as more an example to remind management that it is possible to win with a team set up that way and consider it a counterbalance to all the pass oriented teams that get a fantastic QB and receivers but ignore their defense.
May 14, 201411 yr ^If the rumors are true about the THC levels in his system being lower than what is allowable under the world anti-doping agency, I can see it being the impetus for a change in the rules. But I don't think that the changes would be retroactively applied..... and any changes would need to be collectively bargained. I would expect the league is going to want some quid pro quo for any changes, such as a better system for HGH testing, which the NFLPA will not want to agree to. A retroactive change wouldn't be appropriate for making a rule stricter, but if it's being loosened, this is happening for a reason and one would think pending cases would all but automatically be under the looser guidelines.
May 14, 201411 yr The league would have a hard time giving him a year suspension if the league is seriously considering reducing the requirement. I have a harder time with the legitimate use of prescription medication. Using cough syrup with codeine in an abusive way, is definetly different than its normal use. I would think in a sport as painful as football can be, there are legitimate uses for codeine; as in Tylenol #1-3; to relieve pain. Adderall, although it is only an expensive version of amphetamine, (the same as the "greenies" atheletes used to take) is a legitimate drug for those with ADD. Easy to prove if someone has used it for years and each case should be evaluated differently.
May 14, 201411 yr I have a harder time with the legitimate use of prescription medication. Using cough syrup with codeine in an abusive way, is definetly different than its normal use. I would think in a sport as painful as football can be, there are legitimate uses for codeine; as in Tylenol #1-3; to relieve pain. You sure the codeine wasn't from "purple drank"? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 14, 201411 yr Yeah, that's why I said it that way, if he was abusing it, then it's different. The question is, how do you prove it? Its not fair to ban all uses because it "might" be abused.
May 14, 201411 yr Andre Johnson is frustrated with the Texans; should the Browns become possible trade partner for receiver? By Glenn Moore, Northeast Ohio Media Group The Plain Dealer on May 14, 2014 at 11:25 AM, updated May 14, 2014 at 11:28 AM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns may need another wide receiver. Andre Johnson is not happy with the Houston Texans. If the Texans do look to move their star receiver, should the Browns be interested? The veteran wide receiver said Tuesday, following a media event at the Houston Women’s Center, he’s highly frustrated with the state of a franchise that went 2-14 last season. READ MORE, RIGHT HERE: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/inde...trated_wi.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 14, 201411 yr I have a harder time with the legitimate use of prescription medication. Using cough syrup with codeine in an abusive way, is definetly different than its normal use. I would think in a sport as painful as football can be, there are legitimate uses for codeine; as in Tylenol #1-3; to relieve pain. You sure the codeine wasn't from "purple drank"? Nobody can be sure, but it is unfair for everyone to continue to suggest it was absent the slightest shred of evidence suggesting the same other than some cultural prejudices. Josh's story was that he was diagnosed with strep throat and was prescribed a cough medicine that had codeine in it. The NFL has a very strict policy on unintentional indigestion of any banned substances, so he couldn't be totally let off, but I think the reduction in the suspension strongly suggested that Josh had all of his ducks in a row with that argument - i.e. doctor's affidavit, rx papers, pharmacy records, insurance EOB's, etc. Yes, I know the whole angle with Josh's pot 'problems' just being a gateway to bigger issues, but there is nothing to suggest he's went that route. He's certainly no Lawrence Taylor. Hell.... he's not even Ben Roethlisberger or Justin Blackmon in terms of being a substance abuser. With those last two, at least someone else was potentially affected
May 15, 201411 yr In October 2010, during his sophomore year at Baylor, Josh Gordon and teammate Willie Jefferson were found asleep at a local Taco Bell. Police found marijuana in Jefferson’s car. Jefferson, who was driving, was kicked off the team due to it being his second violation, but Gordon was only suspended. In July 2011, Gordon was suspended indefinitely by Baylor head coach Art Briles, for later failing a drug test and testing positive for marijuana. In August 2011, Gordon transferred to Utah, where he sat out the 2011 season after failing a drug test in which he test positive for marijuana. Gordon was drafted by the Browns in the 2012 supplemental draft. On June 7, 2013, the NFL announced that Gordon would be suspended for the first two games of the 2013 season due to violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Gordon was nailed by a drug test announced in advanced and taken by all players in the spring of each year. On May 9, 2014, reports stated that Gordon could be suspended for the entire 2014 season because of a 2nd failed NFL drug test. Five failed drug tests in college and NFL. Nah, no "problem" here. :roll: "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 15, 201411 yr ^^Sounds like he just needs to get traded to the Broncos and tell the NFL that his activities are completely legal!
May 15, 201411 yr Five failed drug tests in college and NFL. Nah, no "problem" here. :roll: Five positive tests for weed between the ages of 18-23. It's a problem from the standpoint that the NFL and NCAA rules for football players and pot are outdated. It hasn't seemed to be much of a problem in Josh's development as a player or teammate. To me, the problem is in the rules. Feel free to roll your eyes all you want. We'll see who's rolling their eyes at this whole situation/trajedy in 10 years. The whole issue is viewed very differently from how it was in your heyday.....
May 15, 201411 yr The problem is that the NFL drug screening date is known well in advance. It becomes random only after you fail a test. The only people who get busted are usually the people who have dependency issues with substances. This is what I worry about with Gordon. It may be unfair because I obviously don't know what his day-to-day activities are, but most people stay sober when they apply for a job that screens for drugs because they know that they'll be tested. When your drug use impedes your ability to succeed and affects you job/relationships, it has become a problem. I don't say this judginly; I just hope that he doesn't have any unresolved issues and doesn't end up like Bess because the league is only concerned about whether or not he can play.
May 15, 201411 yr The NFL (anybody really) should only be testing for performance enhancing drugs. If players want to get high it should be left up to the individual teams to discipline them.
May 15, 201411 yr The problem is that the NFL drug screening date is known well in advance. It becomes random only after you fail a test. The only people who get busted are usually the people who have dependency issues with substances. Unfortunately, Gordon was put in the substance abuse program when he entered the league due to the failed tests in college. Gordon has been randomly tested for the past two years (up to 10 times per month over the last year since being moved to stage 3) and, if the reports are true, the only positive marijuana test was at a THC level that wouldn't have registered under the world anti-doping agency standards because it would be indicative of second hand smoke. Remember, his suspension last year had nothing to do with weed and the reduction in the length of his suspension suggests the offense was not even intentional.
May 15, 201411 yr 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.
May 15, 201411 yr Five failed drug tests in college and NFL. Nah, no "problem" here. :roll: Five positive tests for weed between the ages of 18-23. It's a problem from the standpoint that the NFL and NCAA rules for football players and pot are outdated. It hasn't seemed to be much of a problem in Josh's development as a player or teammate. To me, the problem is in the rules. Feel free to roll your eyes all you want. We'll see who's rolling their eyes at this whole situation/trajedy in 10 years. The whole issue is viewed very differently from how it was in your heyday..... LOL! Watching that movie high has become a college staple at least since the VHS days. Consider the timing. Pot was only made illegal in order to give former Prohibition agents something to do.
Create an account or sign in to comment