How many players have been suspended 2-4 games for drug use?

How many players followed that up by being suspended the entire year following another test?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_players_and_coaches_suspended_by_the_NFL#Suspensions_for_violating_the_substance_policy

Almost zero. Barely anyone.

We are worrying about lightning strikes right now. If Gordon is suspended for an entire season it will be a massive deviation from the norm. It never happens. And odds are heavily favoring it not happening to Gordon.

Keep him around and let him do his Randy Moss impersonation on the field as long as he can IMO.

@dab7291993 said:

Not what I heard... up to the point when we said we had an interested party.

@hoorta said:

It's basically what I told T2M in another thread- there are untouchables on any team- or this team- and not just Gordon. I would put Joe Thomas and Joe Haden in that category.

Rumor was the Donkeys dialed up the Browns about Thomas' availability after Clady went down for the year- and were told to take a backwards run down a ski jump in Breckenridge.

So now we can disagree in two threads...

I like Josh. Love his potential, but he is not an untouchable IMO. Not saying give him away, but...

Ya gotta take the calls...

@slowburn said:

I think it's going to be tough for any FO to offer fair market value for Gordon with his baggage.

The baggage is part of the value determination...

I agree we won't get offerred what he showed Sunday he is worth if he plays.

It's a tough call... tougher than the TR decision by far...

@slowburn said:

exactly.

@miktoxic said:

and that sir is why i'm not joining you all at the tail gate this weekend. i know i'd piss away (literally) a grand at the bar(s) the night before and probably end up in east cleveland hanging on on some corner and getting shoved into a body bag before game time.

the cost of travel, the melee that would be a saturday afternoon into a saturday night into a sunday morning etc. strippers and hookers. i'd be lucky to afford to get a one way bus ticket back to NY.

i prob saved myself 3k, easy.

You could get one of your buddies from the Browns Board to keep you in line.

Well, on second thought..........

@sisky-fringo said:

Thanks for explaining it quite a bit clearer than I was. You are right on the money. His suspensions in college and NFL clearly fall into the problems. Anyone that can't see that is simply in denial.

@dab7291993 said:

I am with you on taking the risk. I would keep him around for sure. Don't minimize his screwed up behavior though. He burned through two colleges because he couldn't follow the rules. he sat out a full year due to his issues. He DID fail two drug tests as a Cleveland Brown last year. The policy on rec drugs is essentially a warning with no suspension on the first fail and a four game suspension on the second. He was given a reduction to 2 games. Keep in mind the suspension policy is a bit different between rec and ped's.

dude makes putting up epic numbers look ridiculously easy. burns defenses like AD. gets open by 5 yards regularly.

if he fucks up i'll be devastated. he singlehandedly makes Greg Little viable.

without him it's their #1CB on our #2WR, their #2CB on our #3WR etc. it all starts w JG.

he is without a doubt the lynchpin.

@ballpeen said:

and that sir is why i'm not joining you all at the tail gate this weekend. i know i'd piss away (literally) a grand at the bar(s) the night before and probably end up in east cleveland hanging on on some corner and getting shoved into a body bag before game time.

the cost of travel, the melee that would be a saturday afternoon into a saturday night into a sunday morning etc. strippers and hookers. i'd be lucky to afford to get a one way bus ticket back to NY.

i prob saved myself 3k, easy.

clinical definition of abuser vs addict:

you can do as much of whatever you want and as long as there are no problems in your life from it your qualified as an abuser.

if your substance use creates problems in your life--any problems--(late for work, lie to cover-up, puke on kid's math book, get dui, get violent and hurt peeps, slut it up and get disease etc etc etc) and it doesn't make you stop...your qualified as an addict.

everything is good until trouble. they say when those without addictive behavior run into trouble they are like "fuck this, i'm done!"

...whereas addicts just keep on rollin (see Von Miller).

@richiswhere said:

LOL cough syrup with codeine = Purple Drank

@jcam222 said:

Maybe.......just some of my experience talking here.....most of my best trips to Vegas were when I was up several thousands and decided a show and dinner were best and I didn't throw dice.

I rolled out of town up 22k and 15k another because I refused to walk in to a casino with over a five hundred the pocket the last day. The point is if you can get lucky, you can get unlucky faster. I won't mention the times my 5k steak was gone real quick.

Just saying.

@dab7291993 said:

Very good point. It's not like he has the "Thug" attitude. Hell, some teams stick with knife murderers!

@jcam222 said:

I'm pretty sure the failed tests were while he was still under College rules and not an NFLer yet, otherwise he'd have been out some games like Haden was.

I've had Codeine Cough syrup prescribed a few times for a cough, probably more of a Doctors' preference in how they treat or how bad it (cough) is.

This last issue doesn't concern me as bad since the NFL actually reduced the penalty, but Josh not reporting or going through the proper channels is more of a concern.

Of course he was a Rookie and came in late (Supplemental Draft), so he didn't get the Rookie orientation like the other Rookies.

Still, I can see concern, but there also seem to be circumstances.

@jcam222 said:

He said it was medicine with codeine in it.

Let's not act like Josh Gordon is getting DUI's and fighting in night clubs.

If he doesn't learn, we cut him loose..and if he does..we have a possible Top 10 WR in the league.

I take that risk 10 out of 10 times if that's my reward.

@letsgojackets said:

So he's an addict cuz he smokes cannabis? Some people need a reality check. Alcohol is far more dangerous...

You can be addicted to anything. Doesn't have to be dangerous.

@ballpeen said:

I totally get the concern. Hell there is a high probability he will be an issue. We will never however get anywhere near his talent value in trade. He is a first round talent. I think you have to roll the dice

@dab7291993 said:

He failed drug tests TWICE last year. The first is not made public and carries a warning and some counseling. The second is a four game suspension. Because he did have a doctors prescription it was reduced to two games. If he had reported the prescription to the league when it was given he would have been clear.

It is also safe to assume the doc was a "friend" of Josh's. Unless its just me I have actually had strep about 7 times and have never been prescribed codeine cough syrup.

@hoorta said:

I don't give a shit about the Broncos, they can do what they want....I only care about the Browns.

I am not saying i know the right course. All I am saying is i would ship him for the right offer.

@letsgojackets said:

Try reading my post. I think its pretty clear i understand smoking weed once and awhile isn't indicative of being an addict. As I said its not as much what you do its what the results. If you ate nuts and they put you in the hospital with a severe allergic reaction it can happen. If you did it several more times despite knowing the risk you likely have some friggin issues.

Not being able to follow the rules as it relates to cannabis and risking million dollar salaries YES that would indicate addictive behavior or pure stupidity you choose. I will take a wild guess that maybe you enjoy it occasionally (just a guess not an indictment). If I am right could you refrain from it in order to protect a million dollars?

@poeticg said:

I can see banning any substance that may be a PED. But pot? They afraid some one may float over the line?

@dab7291993 said:

That's the story anyway.