Gordon suspended indefintely

[SantaClaraHawk]

Pete said Gordon would have and has been using "all the league's resources" for SA help.

So what are these resources exactly and who pays for them?

On Googling "nfl drug program," you find testing protocols that mandate someone with Josh's history be tested randomly and frequently for the rest of his career. Is that even in effect during suspensions?

What exact help does the league offer now?

On another subject, a Tacoma reporter ran into Josh after the Carolina win. He, the reporter, could tell something was off.

Josh Gordon was oddly quiet.

With teammates all around him giddily celebrating the Seahawks’ latest win that put them back in first place, Gordon’s head was down as he dressed Sunday. He faced inward, into his locker, away from locker neighbor DK Metcalf. And everyone else...

It was vintage 2013 Josh Gordon. It set up Seattle’s third touchdown in three drives to begin an eventual 30-24 victory over the Panthers. And it suggested he could be a huge piece to the Seahawks’ push for the Super Bowl.

But in the locker room in Charlotte, N.C., following the game, Gordon refused The News Tribune’s request for a postgame interview. Or even a comment.

“I’m not answering questions today,” Gordon said Sunday, politely but firmly.

https://amp.theolympian.com/sports/arti ... 38978.html

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Given JG talent for playing football, it seems such a waste and a barbaric move by the NFL to just discard him when this is a opportunity for them to improve their public image by helping him. A real b!@ch move in my book,given their resources. :242735:

As much as I agree with you, there's no gray area when it comes to the league's drug policy..........and Gordon knows that, and has known that for a very long time.

IMO it's one of the more antiquated and way too strict drug policies, and needs to get with the times like the NBA and MLB has done over the past decade. But never the less, this IS the drug policy the NFLPA negotiated, and has to abide by.

 

[kidhawk]

Given JG talent for playing football, it seems such a waste and a barbaric move by the NFL to just discard him when this is a opportunity for them to improve their public image by helping him. A real b!@ch move in my book,given their resources. :242735:

As much as I agree with you, there's no gray area when it comes to the league's drug policy..........and Gordon knows that, and has known that for a very long time.

IMO it's one of the more antiquated and way too strict drug policies, and needs to get with the times like the NBA and MLB has done over the past decade. But never the less, this IS the drug policy the NFLPA negotiated, and has to abide by.

This pretty much says it all in a nutshell.

This is something like his sixth suspension under the same policy. He was already indefinitely suspended about this same time last year but was allowed back yet again.

It would be good for the NFL and the NFLPA to update this policy for the upcoming CBA, but as long as it's the rules agreed to, then if you want to work, you have to follow them.

 

[Chawker]

Roger Goodell could employ him in the head office and set forth a strict scripted daily routine with the right people that would give him the right kind of help. Remember, Roger is god when it comes to NFL decisions.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Roger Goodell could employ him in the head office and set forth a strict scripted daily routine with the right people that would give him the right kind of help. Remember, Roger is god when it comes to NFL decisions.

Pete said yesterday that the NFL has one of the best support systems there is when it comes to helping these players deal with their issues, whether it be legal or substance abuse.

So as much as we all feel sorry for Josh, it's not like the league hasn't gone over and above the scope of support to try and work with and help him deal with whatever he's dealing with.

Yes, the rules are antiquated and rigid, but the process and support is not............again, just puking up what Pete and others have said about the Gordon situation.

 

[SantaClaraHawk]

Again, what exact help is the NFL offering at this point?

Does it matter if he's with a club?

Since he's probably on commissioner's exempt, do we just keep him there and is there any downside to doing so?

 

[TwistedHusky]

Not saying I know something, but throughout his past you generally see weed as the primary substance he had problems with.

Generally, most people don't think of weed as addictive or at least massively addictive like cocaine, heroin, alcohol, or even nicotine. But yet, with all he has to lose - he seems to need to do this.

Clearly he gets paid well. It's doubtful a reasoning person would be flippant after losing all he has already because of this. He very likely isn't being arrogant, stupid, etc as I have seen suggested elsewhere.

Sometimes some people need to self-medicate. Something is wrong internally and drugs can help, at least for a while. You have to wonder how bad things must be in order to make the choice to self-medicate knowing the cost. I don't even know if it is addiction so much as a need to escape from their 'normal'. But it would have to be awful to feel you had to make that choice.

Not taking that is the circumstance but it sure seems to check the boxes.

So it sucks, but I am not going to blame him. He helped us to be better, contributing to a win or 2. It is disappointing as we are better with him - but he never would have been available but for those problems in the first place. Hopefully, it gets better for him.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Again, what exact help is the NFL offering at this point?

Does it matter if he's with a club?

Since he's probably on commissioner's exempt, do we just keep him there and is there any downside to doing so?

At this point? There's been numerous points of Gordon going in and out of the NFL drug suspension program, which consists of treatment facilities, mental well being help, etc etc.

Here's the entire program explained if you want to read for yourself just how extensive the testing and treatment programs are for players who get caught.

https://nflpaweb.blob.core.windows.net/ ... icy_v2.pdf

I know you're trying to paint this narrative that the league is just tossing Gordon out and not doing anything to help him. But that's just not true, he's been helped every step of the way to try and kick this thing........and he's failed.

And since he was employed this time, he will again go into the drug program to get help if he wants to try and get reinstated again in the future.

Or I guess he could just officially retire and do whatever the hell he wants.

 

[TreeRon]

This am's Pat McAfee show has a segment on the NFL's enforcement of their drug policy. It's quite onerous and once caught or suspected you can and will be tested constantly for a long period of time. If you can find today's show online have a listen.

 

[Uncle Si]

A weed legal state signing was a disaster waiting to happen.

Sad story.

It didn't happen while he was here

But if not, sooner or later it may well have. That said, how do you know this? My guess is this is correct, but it's a guess.

Two things here...

Weed being legal doesn't make much of a difference to a guy that wants to smoke weed all the time. He's going to find it, pretty easily, either way.

I do not know for sure, but speculation and all signs point to him being released by the Patriots because this was coming down the road.

 

[SantaClaraHawk]

I read the blob document, and all I still am seeing is testing and enforcement for active players, as opposed to spelled-out diversion programs, who pays for that and how "progress" is monitored.

It really sounds like Gordon might have been using MJ at least in part for pain relief like many but got caught, put under more surveillance and a cycle.

People have clamped down on opiates. Med staffs are starting to do so with Torodol. People are being left in pain unnecessarily. His past history is cough syrup, alcohol and pot. It sounds like it could be a pain management issue.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

I do not know for sure, but speculation and all signs point to him being released by the Patriots because this was coming down the road.

Mike Garafolo was just on with Cliff and Puck and said the incident was here, not in NE, and happened about a month ago.

Which makes it more disappointing to me. I really thought our team culture would help Gordon not feel the need to use, but I guess not.

He also was busted for substance and PED's. But remember "PED" according to the new collective bargaining agreement could be something like Adderall, like Shermy Sherm was busted for and got overturned.

So doesn't mean something hardcore like steroids, etc.

 

[Uncle Si]

I do not know for sure, but speculation and all signs point to him being released by the Patriots because this was coming down the road.

Mike Garafolo was just on with Cliff and Puck and said the incident was here, not in NE, and happened about a month ago.

Which makes it more disappointing to me. I really thought our team culture would help Gordon not feel the need to use, but I guess not.

He also was busted for substance and PED's. But remember "PED" according to the new collective bargaining agreement could be something like Adderall, like Shermy Sherm was busted for and got overturned.

So doesn't mean something hardcore like steroids, etc.

Wonder why the Pats dumped him then? or if the incident here was just the last one.

About a month ago is barely a blip from when he arrived, no?

Im not disappointed in him, per se. I wish he was still playing, disappointed in that.

The league's rule on this is archaic, however, and that is unfortunate.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

I do not know for sure, but speculation and all signs point to him being released by the Patriots because this was coming down the road.

Mike Garafolo was just on with Cliff and Puck and said the incident was here, not in NE, and happened about a month ago.

Which makes it more disappointing to me. I really thought our team culture would help Gordon not feel the need to use, but I guess not.

He also was busted for substance and PED's. But remember "PED" according to the new collective bargaining agreement could be something like Adderall, like Shermy Sherm was busted for and got overturned.

So doesn't mean something hardcore like steroids, etc.

Wonder why the Pats dumped him then? or if the incident here was just the last one.

About a month ago is barely a blip from when he arrived, no?

Im not disappointed in him, per se. I wish he was still playing, disappointed in that.

The league's rule on this is archaic, however, and that is unfortunate.

My buddy in Boston said Belichick was tired of the soft injuries and babysitting Gordon. I guess he required a lot of team help in making sure he was at all the meetings, practices, met curfew, whatever........and they got tired of it.

I wish him the best, but I can't imagine any scenario where he's reinstated, and if he ever is it's going to be after a very long suspension.

 

[scutterhawk]

I was thinking the same exact thing.
Some guys just can't get the hell out of their own damned way.
Why not give Ursua "Flash In The Pan" Gordon's opportunities.

Pretty sure they'll continue to roll with some combo of David Moore, Malik Turner, and Jaron Brown like they have been all season.

I totally get wanting to see what Ursua can do out there, but have you guys considered that maybe there's a reason that Ursua isn't getting playing time? Like, maybe he just isn't ready yet?

He cant be that much worse than Jaron Brown could he?

You'd have to ask the coaches. They're the ones that have seen both of them practicing on a regular basis since July.

Why do you think Ursua isn't getting any playing time? I have a hard believing that they wouldn't play the guy that they thought was the better option.

It's likely because Brown, Turner & Moore all have experience playing in the NFL, but now that Gordon is no longer there, why wouldn't Ursua be a fill in option?
Because he isn't a RB, he may not have gotten the chances to flash in practices, or maybe he's not had enough time to meld with the first team, I guess like 2_0_6, I 'm just anxious to see whether or not the kid can contribute.

 

[Seymour]

A weed legal state signing was a disaster waiting to happen.

Sad story.

It didn't happen while he was here

But if not, sooner or later it may well have. That said, how do you know this? My guess is this is correct, but it's a guess.

Two things here...

Weed being legal doesn't make much of a difference to a guy that wants to smoke weed all the time. He's going to find it, pretty easily, either way.

I do not know for sure, but speculation and all signs point to him being released by the Patriots because this was coming down the road.

It may not make much difference to someone wanting to smoke it, but it sure as hell makes a difference to someone trying NOT to smoke it. Like any addiction, the more you are around it, the more difficult it is to abstain from.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

It didn't happen while he was here

But if not, sooner or later it may well have. That said, how do you know this? My guess is this is correct, but it's a guess.

Two things here...

Weed being legal doesn't make much of a difference to a guy that wants to smoke weed all the time. He's going to find it, pretty easily, either way.

I do not know for sure, but speculation and all signs point to him being released by the Patriots because this was coming down the road.

It may not make much difference to someone wanting to smoke it, but it sure as hell makes a difference to someone trying NOT to smoke it. Like any addiction, the more you are around it, the more difficult it is to abstain from.

Recreational weed's been legal in Massachusetts since 2018.

 

[Seymour]

But if not, sooner or later it may well have. That said, how do you know this? My guess is this is correct, but it's a guess.

Two things here...

Weed being legal doesn't make much of a difference to a guy that wants to smoke weed all the time. He's going to find it, pretty easily, either way.

I do not know for sure, but speculation and all signs point to him being released by the Patriots because this was coming down the road.

It may not make much difference to someone wanting to smoke it, but it sure as hell makes a difference to someone trying NOT to smoke it. Like any addiction, the more you are around it, the more difficult it is to abstain from.

Recreational weed's been legal in Massachusetts since 2018.

Exactly making my point once again! He was busted in late 2018 for weed as well while with the Patriots.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Two things here...

Weed being legal doesn't make much of a difference to a guy that wants to smoke weed all the time. He's going to find it, pretty easily, either way.

I do not know for sure, but speculation and all signs point to him being released by the Patriots because this was coming down the road.

It may not make much difference to someone wanting to smoke it, but it sure as hell makes a difference to someone trying NOT to smoke it. Like any addiction, the more you are around it, the more difficult it is to abstain from.

Recreational weed's been legal in Massachusetts since 2018.

Exactly making my point once again! He was busted in late 2018 for weed as well while with the Patriots.

Gordon got busted for weed in Texas, cocaine in Utah, weed and other drugs in Ohio, DUI in North Carolina........so your assertion that him being in a weed legal state made it easier for him to fall off the wagon (if he was ever on the wagon) is ridiculous.

Ask any stoner, if you want to get weed, it's as easy as buying groceries at the corner supermarket.

 

[Seymour]

It may not make much difference to someone wanting to smoke it, but it sure as hell makes a difference to someone trying NOT to smoke it. Like any addiction, the more you are around it, the more difficult it is to abstain from.

Recreational weed's been legal in Massachusetts since 2018.

Exactly making my point once again! He was busted in late 2018 for weed as well while with the Patriots.

Gordon got busted for weed in Texas, cocaine in Utah, weed and other drugs in Ohio, DUI in North Carolina........so your assertion that him being in a weed legal state made it easier for him to fall off the wagon (if he was ever on the wagon) is ridiculous.

Ask any stoner, if you want to get weed, it's as easy as buying groceries at the corner supermarket.

You don't get it. It is not about "if you want to get weed". It is about "if you want to quit" or abstain weed (or any addiction) and what is the path of greatest success. Being around it more makes it more difficult to quit....period! Why do you assume that for millions of $$ that he wasn't at least trying to quit? Saying being around it more and it being more accepted doesn't make any difference is just plain ignorant. :roll: