Point is, he keeps breaking the rules that he knows are the rules, and thus he has put own career in jeopardy. That makes it a problem for him.

 

To me, Josh has removed himself from being relevant to this team or even the NFL. If he wants to be part of things again, it's on him. The Browns will recover more quickly from Josh being out of football than Josh will.

 

I really do wish him well.

It seems like he has a bigger problem with intelligence than drugs.  If the Browns and the NFL want to ban him for stupidity, then that's their right.  I really don't care how smart he is, as long as he can catch.

Looks like Johnny Football had a fun time in Vegas. Rolled up dollar bills in bathrooms and Playboy playmates is probably the least of it.

Overheard out and about this weekend a conversation about him and the one guy says to the other something to the effect that he thinks the Browns will keep Gordon regardless of if he suspended for 1-2 seasons because at the end of the suspension he will be two years older and two years smarter and still only be 25.

 

 

//end run on sentence

 

Interesting opinion

^His bargain contract (even considering his issues) is tolled during his suspension.  There really is no benefit to cutting him.... at least not to the Browns.  I have no opinion on how the symbolism of being but might help him deal with any personal demons he has.  With that said, an interesting take I've heard is that the way the NFL executes its suspension program is going to be the worst thing possible for Josh because it prohibits him from any contact with his team and will cause him to fall even deeper in with any bad influences.

A few points.  The fact that the NFL suspends players for a set amount of time regardless of which "banned substance" they test positive for is absurd to me.  Public opinion and laws are quickly changing and the NFL should probably revise their substance abuse policy to reflect it.  Marijuana is not a PED and it's not more dangerous to use than alcohol.  The kid smoked a lot of weed while at Baylor (as many college kids do) and that got him kicked out of school.  Since he's entered the NFL he's been on a substance abuse program that requires him to get tested a lot (a dozen or more times a year, right?) and he's failed two of those tests.  One for codeine (which he claims was in cough syrup that he was taking to treat strep throat) and one for literally trace amounts of THC (an amount that can accumulate second hand).  And then he gets busted for DUI for blowing a .09 (something that could happen to a lot of people that just had a couple drinks at dinner).

 

I feel bad for the kid.  I really do.  It seems like he's just hanging out with the wrong crowd and making some poor choices.  You don't drive home at 3 AM if there's any chance you are over the limit because the likelihood of getting pulled over goes up exponentially after 2 AM.  He just needs a mentor to teach him these things.

Under no circumstances should the Browns cut him now.  He will play again in the NFL one day and no other team should benefit from his spurt of immaturity during this point of his career that happens to be with the Browns.

Under no circumstances should the Browns cut him now.  He will play again in the NFL one day and no other team should benefit from his spurt of immaturity during this point of his career that happens to be with the Browns.

 

From what I have heard, he didn't even fail a drug test.  He was out of the country when they sprung a "surprise" test on him and he missed it.  That's a technical violation.

 

As for the DUI, he blew an 0.09%.  I am not sure about NC law, but that was not even "over the limit" in Ohio until the Feds blackmailed us into lowering it. 

 

The idea that he should be suspended for a long time when Ray Lewis was not is sort of ridiculous.  The idea that he should be cut is well beyond that.

.08 is the legal limit in NC.

 

I've heard conflicting reports about whether he missed the drug test or the results were at trace levels.  No one knows for sure, not even the Browns, absent Josh telling them directly.  The NFL is not allowed to speak on it.  The codeine episode is also an utter shame.  I HIGHLY doubt the NFL would've reduced the suspension, especially for someone with Josh's past, unless he had rock solid proof about it being mixed into a prescription a doctor gave him.  Remember, mistake and ignorance are not sufficient to excuse a violation, but they are good reasons to mitigate the punishment

One either has a prescription or he doesn't.  Easy enough for one to show proof of a prescription, not as an excuse, but as mitigating evidence of his stupidity for using a banned substance.

 

The NFL needs to address its rules about banning perfectly legal substances used correctly.

One either has a prescription or he doesn't.  Easy enough for one to show proof of a prescription, not as an excuse, but as mitigating evidence of his stupidity for using a banned substance.

 

Right.  Which is what I inferred from the subsequent mitigation of his suspension from 4 games to 2 games after the NFL was apparently satisfied with the proof Josh submitted.

 

As for the DUI, he blew an 0.09%.  I am not sure about NC law, but that was not even "over the limit" in Ohio until the Feds blackmailed us into lowering it. 

 

 

Whew, thanks for pointing that out, I almost said the exact same thing last night but didn't want to come off as insensitive so I changed my wording.  I was researching whether or not there's a major difference between .08 and .10, and whether such a change was grounded in science or just something being pushed by groups like MADD (who have started a conversation about lowering it even further to .05).  Regardless of all of that line of discussion, the .09 doesn't getting me as worked up as much as something like a .15 or .20 would have, and overall I agree with your larger point.  He certainly broke the rules by the letter of the law/NFL agreement, but he's being made out to be a villain or someone with a serious problem when I guarantee his behavior is no more extreme than a huge percentage of players in the league.  He just happened to get caught, twice, which my seem like it's more than a coincidence, but probabilities indicate not necessarily.

While a blood alcohol percentage is specific, it certainly is no indication of the effect that concentration might have on any given individual.  That affect of that level in a relatively young person in great physical condition would probably be extremely different than in that of a middle aged man in poor health.

 

Regardless, until the NFL bans alcohol, I'd say kudos to the player who ONLY tests 0.9 at 3am!  Certainly doesn't mean the problem will get worse.

On a personal level, I'm MUCH more concerned about rolled up dollar bills showing up in Johnny Manziel's photos than I am Gordon smoking the weed.

On a personal level, I'm MUCH more concerned about rolled up dollar bills showing up in Johnny Manziel's photos than I am Gordon smoking the weed.

 

And in a bathroom.... Yes, that does scares the hell out of me. There's only one reason I can think of why you're rolling up a dollar bill in a bathroom. It ain't to Roll Tide!

 

It was this past weekend at a bar in Vegas where he was partying and bartending....

 

 

Notice he was wearing a chain necklace tucked inside his shirt -- possibly to keep out of the way as he leaned over to snort a line? At a different time that same evening, the necklace was outside his shirt....

 

 

Same night.....

 

Back to actual sports, this is a very good read......

 

Pettine’s Recipe on Offense will Borrow from the Champs

JULY 6TH, 2014

DraftBrowns.com Staff Writer: Justin Higdon

 

After an arrest for DWI in North Carolina, it is obvious that Josh Gordon is incapable of staying out of his own way. The NFL’s reigning leader in receiving yards was already facing a probable year-long ban for repeated violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, before Saturday’s news further frustrated his employers and fans. The Browns were hopeful that Gordon’s suspension might be reduced on appeal, but the 23-year old receiver’s most recent brush with the law is a laugh in the face of that hope, slamming the door on any chances of Gordon playing meaningful football this season, and maybe ever suiting up for Cleveland again. It’s an unfortunate story, written by one of the most (if not the most) naturally gifted athletes ever to suit up for the new Browns.

 

There is no question that the weekend DWI is extremely disappointing to the team’s coaching staff and front office, but the Browns have been preparing themselves for life without Gordon since about two weeks before news of a failed drug test first leaked on Day Two of the draft. There were no reactionary draft picks in rounds two through seven, but the organization did add veterans Earl Bennett (since released) and Miles Austin in an effort to bolster the receiving corps. There is no replacing Gordon, but there are ways to minimize the impact of his loss. In fact, the wheels have probably been in motion to reduce the importance of the number one receiver since the 2013 season ended. After all, despite Gordon’s gaudy statistics, The Browns finished their last campaign with 11 or more losses for the sixth year in a row. For all of the flash on paper, last year’s offensive formula under Rob Chudzinski and Norv Turner was a failure on the field, so Jimmy Haslam hired a new team of chemists for the lab this season. First-year Head Coach Mike Pettine has brought in former Texans and Redskins coordinator Kyle Shanahan, and together they are borrowing a blueprint that should transform the Cleveland offense into something vastly different in 2014.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.draftbrowns.com/2014/07/pettines-recipe-on-offense-will-borrow-from-the-champs/

A few points.  The fact that the NFL suspends players for a set amount of time regardless of which "banned substance" they test positive for is absurd to me.  Public opinion and laws are quickly changing and the NFL should probably revise their substance abuse policy to reflect it.  Marijuana is not a PED and it's not more dangerous to use than alcohol.  The kid smoked a lot of weed while at Baylor (as many college kids do) and that got him kicked out of school.  Since he's entered the NFL he's been on a substance abuse program that requires him to get tested a lot (a dozen or more times a year, right?) and he's failed two of those tests.  One for codeine (which he claims was in cough syrup that he was taking to treat strep throat) and one for literally trace amounts of THC (an amount that can accumulate second hand).  And then he gets busted for DUI for blowing a .09 (something that could happen to a lot of people that just had a couple drinks at dinner).

 

I feel bad for the kid.  I really do.  It seems like he's just hanging out with the wrong crowd and making some poor choices.  You don't drive home at 3 AM if there's any chance you are over the limit because the likelihood of getting pulled over goes up exponentially after 2 AM.  He just needs a mentor to teach him these things.

 

Couple of things I'd like to ask about based on what you wrote above.  He signed a contract and is fully aware of what that contract consists of, yes? I have a certain clauses in my contract and I know damn well what the consequences are, if I violate them. What does public policy have to do with a business contract?  The NFL is a business, bottom line.

 

Why do you feel bad for him?  Would you feel bad for him if he had injured of killed himself or someone else.  Specifically someone you love?  He's a grown ass man and has made poor choices..  Now he must deal with the consequences of his actions.

 

If those under NFL contract feel the substance abuse policy is an issue than they need to do their vice of choice at home.  If they can't do it at home they need to hire a driver.

 

Also, just because a lot of people smoke weed, is that right?  In his situation, was it legal?

 

He needs to learn a lesson.

If Josh has an addiction, I'll feel sorry for him.

 

If he doesn't, then I won't.

.08 is the legal limit in NC.

 

I've heard conflicting reports about whether he missed the drug test or the results were at trace levels.  No one knows for sure, not even the Browns, absent Josh telling them directly.  The NFL is not allowed to speak on it.  The codeine episode is also an utter shame.  I HIGHLY doubt the NFL would've reduced the suspension, especially for someone with Josh's past, unless he had rock solid proof about it being mixed into a prescription a doctor gave him.  Remember, mistake and ignorance are not sufficient to excuse a violation, but they are good reasons to mitigate the punishment

 

Understood about the limit, but was that also lowered due to the federal blackmail?

 

As for including alcohol at all, when the league gets millions both directly and indirectly from the beer companies, that's more than a little bit hypocritical.

.08 is the legal limit in NC.

 

I've heard conflicting reports about whether he missed the drug test or the results were at trace levels.  No one knows for sure, not even the Browns, absent Josh telling them directly.  The NFL is not allowed to speak on it.  The codeine episode is also an utter shame.  I HIGHLY doubt the NFL would've reduced the suspension, especially for someone with Josh's past, unless he had rock solid proof about it being mixed into a prescription a doctor gave him.  Remember, mistake and ignorance are not sufficient to excuse a violation, but they are good reasons to mitigate the punishment

 

Understood about the limit, but was that also lowered due to the federal blackmail?

 

As for including alcohol at all, when the league gets millions both directly and indirectly from the beer companies, that's more than a little bit hypocritical.

 

Directly?  Who does the NBA collect revenue from the beer distributors?  I'm very interested in hearing what you think.

I hope Johnny will score as much on the field as he apparently does off the field. Here he is surrounded by four hotties at the ChiSox-BoSox game tonight in Fenway. Hope that's only a beer spilled on his leg....

 

The thing about Manziel is that he should be taking this time to get to know his teammate, spend some time with them. I follow some of the Browns on twitter and a lot of them are spending time together,  going out to eat, working out, hitting up CedarPoint, Ohio City. These are the guys that will have your back on the field, or then again maybe they won't. When his teammates start to turn him off that will be the real problem.

^i am Channelling my inner George Costanza here, as a bald man he's only got 2 or 3 years left until that receding hairline becomes a real issue. He just trying to make the most of the time he's got left. You you rather spend you nights with big sweaty guys that will keep you from being smashed on the field, or 3 off duty Hooters waitresses, who know your famous but not really sure why.

Haha.  I hope that he ignores his inner Costanza!  Otherwise, he may try to get away with doing the absolute bare minimum.  Maybe he could have a hidden sleeping area built into his locker?

 

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8cTkTEpEYfk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

.08 is the legal limit in NC.

 

I've heard conflicting reports about whether he missed the drug test or the results were at trace levels.  No one knows for sure, not even the Browns, absent Josh telling them directly.  The NFL is not allowed to speak on it.  The codeine episode is also an utter shame.  I HIGHLY doubt the NFL would've reduced the suspension, especially for someone with Josh's past, unless he had rock solid proof about it being mixed into a prescription a doctor gave him.  Remember, mistake and ignorance are not sufficient to excuse a violation, but they are good reasons to mitigate the punishment

 

Understood about the limit, but was that also lowered due to the federal blackmail?

 

As for including alcohol at all, when the league gets millions both directly and indirectly from the beer companies, that's more than a little bit hypocritical.

 

Directly?  Who does the NBA collect revenue from the beer distributors?  I'm very interested in hearing what you think.

 

They co-sponsor league events, Bud Light is "The Official Beer of the NFL",  and the teams make money from concession sales. 

 

NBA?  Hmm, where's Cleveland's collective mind?  :)

Heard on 92.3 that some Browns players don't want Josh Gordon back. And for what it's worth, Gordon has promised the team that he will stay out of trouble.

.08 is the legal limit in NC.

 

I've heard conflicting reports about whether he missed the drug test or the results were at trace levels.  No one knows for sure, not even the Browns, absent Josh telling them directly.  The NFL is not allowed to speak on it.  The codeine episode is also an utter shame.  I HIGHLY doubt the NFL would've reduced the suspension, especially for someone with Josh's past, unless he had rock solid proof about it being mixed into a prescription a doctor gave him.  Remember, mistake and ignorance are not sufficient to excuse a violation, but they are good reasons to mitigate the punishment

 

Understood about the limit, but was that also lowered due to the federal blackmail?

 

As for including alcohol at all, when the league gets millions both directly and indirectly from the beer companies, that's more than a little bit hypocritical.

 

Directly?  Who does the NBA collect revenue from the beer distributors?  I'm very interested in hearing what you think.

 

They co-sponsor league events, Bud Light is "The Official Beer of the NFL",  and the teams make money from concession sales. 

 

NBA?  Hmm, where's Cleveland's collective mind?  :)

I thought you were going somewhere else with this.

Heard on 92.3 that some Browns players don't want Josh Gordon back. And for what it's worth, Gordon has promised the team that he will stay out of trouble.

 

It's not worth anything. He has to prove himself all over again over multiple years.

 

And now Andre's heating up....

 

Examining the options for the Texans, disgruntled Andre Johnson

BY CHRIS BURKE

Posted: Thu Jul. 10, 2014

 

The odds of Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson sporting another team's uniform in 2014 improved in drastic fashion on Wednesday, with Johnson reportedly telling the Texans that he wants "to play for another team."

 

Carolina, New England, New York Jets, Kansas City and.....

 

Cleveland: Again, we find a team in dire need of a game-changer at wide receiver, particularly because former No. 1 option Josh Gordon is facing upward of a year suspension from the NFL. Unlike the Panthers, the Browns have plenty of money to spend, meaning they could fit Johnson under the salary cap -- approximately $24 million -- even if they took on his current contract as is. Cleveland also has an extra first-round draft pick next year after trading down so Buffalo could nab Sammy Watkins.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/07/10/andre-johnson-trade-rumors-houston-texans

Pro Football HOF ‏@ProFootballHOF 13h

This Sunday is @Browns Day at the HOF! Meet #Browns greats @HanfordTopDawgD and @FrankMinni31. Details: http://www.profootballhof.com/40-days-browns-day.aspx … #40GREATDays

Football Gameplan's 2014 NFL Team Preview - Browns

http://footballgameplan.com/fbgps-2014-nfl-team-preview-cleveland-browns/

Jimmy or other employees aren't included in the plea deal, so his fate remains uncertain.......

 

Pilot Flying J strikes deal with government, pays $92M, won't be prosecuted

By Josh Flory

Posted July 14, 2014 at 1:09 p.m., updated July 14, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

 

Pilot Flying J has reached a deal with federal prosecutors to avoid criminal charges against the company.

 

Under the deal made public on Monday, Pilot must pay a $92 million penalty over two years and cooperate with an ongoing criminal investigation into diesel fuel rebate fraud.

 

Federal prosecutors said in a news release that the Criminal Enforcement Agreement “expressly states that it provides no protection from prosecution to any individual” in connection with the case.

 

“We, as a company, look forward to putting this whole unfortunate episode behind us, continuing our efforts to rectify the damage done, regaining our customers’ trust, and getting on with our business,” CEO Jimmy Haslam said in the release.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2014/jul/14/pilot-reaches-agreement-feds/

No comments on Swagger?  I'm surprised.

Well, it's better than Chomps. But given his color (did they paint him??), they should call him Oompa Loompa....

 

No comments on Swagger?  I'm surprised.

 

This is what I picture when I hear the name. I can't help it.

he needs a last name. swagger mcswag.

They should call him 'Hanford' after Dixon

He needs some training.

 

BTW, just in case anyone forgot, it's now just six days until rookies report for Browns training camp. Some teams have already started. Football is back, baby!

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Xfo69KO9--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/771085679316730146.png[/img]

 

"I've got be where? Cleveland? By when? OK OK OK.. I'll be there"

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Xfo69KO9--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/771085679316730146.png[/img]

 

"I've got be where? Cleveland? By when? OK OK OK.. I'll be there"

 

Did you know that picture is from a year or two ago? Not everyone likes Johnny....

Just joking...sheesh.

 

Johnny turns off a lot of people. It will be interesting to see how he looks at a full camp.

Did you know that picture is from a year or two ago? Not everyone likes Johnny....

 

It was?  I thought it was from June.

CBC, just sayin' -- not critiquing

 

The photo was released in June. It was taken well before. He even looks younger to me.

Do you have a link?  That would almost raise more questions/concerns..... such as what he was doing with a wad of cash before signing on with any agency or endorsements.

It's 1 dollar bills if you look closely and the middle of the stack isn't even green. Looks like a well posed photo to me.

It's 1 dollar bills if you look closely and the middle of the stack isn't even green. Looks like a well posed photo to me.

 

Let's not forgot that his family isn't exactly impoverished.

Forbes Says Cleveland Browns Are 35th Most Valuable Sports Team In World

By T.J. ZUPPE, 92.3 The Fan

July 16, 2014 1:48 PM

 

On Wednesday, Forbes released their list of the World’s 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams in 2014 – and one of Cleveland’s franchises made the cut.

 

The Cleveland Browns ranked 35th on the list, coming in at an estimated value of $1.005 billion.

 

No surprise, the article made mention of the Browns’ selection of Johnny Manziel in the 2014 NFL Draft.

 

“The Browns hope first round pick Johnny Manziel can turn around a franchise that has lost at least 10 games in 10 of the past 11 seasons,” Forbes wrote.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2014/07/16/forbes-says-cleveland-browns-are-35th-most-valuable-sports-team-in-world/

^ Imagine if they won consistently!

BTW, this was the last weekend without Browns football until the snow flies in January -- er, February?? :) The circus starts Wednesday when Johhny leads the rookies into camp. Hopefully Justine Gilbert will finally agree to a contract by then!

johnny boy!

 

 

Johnny Football keeping up his party-boy reputation

 

By Emily Smith

July 21, 2014 | 12:20am

 

 

Johnny “Football” Manziel stayed true to his party-boy reputation and mingled with stars including Leo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper and Robert Pattinson in LA on Thursday night.

 

The Cleveland Browns quarterback was introduced to the actors at Hyde Lounge, before they all went onto 1 Oak LA, where boxer Lennox Lewis was hanging with Ryan Phillippe.

 

A witness said Pattinson and Cooper sat with Emile Hirsch while Manziel “jumped from table to table, and hung out in the DJ booth.”