Josh Gordon

The Place for BC Lion Discussion. A forum for Lions fans to talk and chat about our team.
Discussion, News, Information and Speculation regarding the BC Lions and the CFL.
Prowl, Growl and Roar!

Moderator: Team Captains

User avatar
The_Pauser
Legend
Posts: 2494
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2004 12:36 pm

Just saw a report that Josh Gordon is looking into playing in the CFL this year. Thoughts?
Roar you Lions roar!
User avatar
MexicoLionFan
Legend
Posts: 2051
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:10 pm

Not happening...he is suspended and the CFL honours NFL suspensions...it would only be for the remainder of the season anyways...but it would have been a great addition for ANY CFL team...
"Condemnation Without Investigation is the height of ignorance."

Albert Einstein
South Pender
Legend
Posts: 2779
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:24 am
Location: Vancouver weekdays; Gulf Islands on weekends

I think you're right, MLF, but this could get interesting. It looks as though it's partly up to the Browns, but I've highlighted a sentence in the following piece (by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk) that suggests that the CFL may have brought in a policy against suspended NFL players playing in Canada:

Gordon asks Browns for permission to go to CFL
Posted by Mike Florio on August 28, 2014, 10:38 AM EDT

Receiver Josh Gordon is suspended from the NFL. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t be playing football this year.

Per a league source, Gordon has asked the Browns for permission to play in the CFL for the balance of the Canadian league’s season. Permission is required because Gordon remains under contract with the Browns.

Here’s the relevant language, from paragraph 3 of the NFL Player Contract: “Without prior written consent of the Club, Player will not play football or engage in activities related to football otherwise than for Club or engage in any activity other than football which may involve a significant risk of personal injury.”

In 2007, the Titans actually sued cornerback Pacman Jones, who wanted to do a little pro wrestling during his one-year suspension. Jones ultimately agreed to not actually do anything that could risk injury.

But the Browns may not have the last word, if they agree to let Gordon go to the CFL. After the Dolphins allowed then-suspended running back Ricky Williams to play for the Toronto Argonauts, the CFL reportedly adopted a policy preventing suspended NFL players from playing in the CFL.

Then again, receiver LaVon Brazill remains suspended by the NFL, and he recently joined the Toronto Arognauts’ practice squad. Being cut by the Colts means that he needs no permission to play in Canada. But Brazill’s NFL suspension remains in full force and effect.

So whatever the CFL’s current policy is or isn’t, it’s apparently sufficiently malleable to allow the league to do whatever it wants to do. Why wouldn’t it want Gordon?
________________________________________________________________

And this, indicating that the Stampeders would like Gordon (and hold his CFL rights):

Calgary Stampeders want to sign Josh Gordon
Posted by Mike Florio on August 28, 2014, 11:12 AM EDT

If Josh Gordon gets permission to play in Canada, he has a suitor.

Per a league (NFL, not CFL) source, the Calgary Stampeders hold the rights to Gordon. Per the source, the Stampeders badly want to sign him.

Whether the Stampeders can sign Gordon during his NFL suspension remains incredibly vague. The CFL has a variety of rules that may or may not apply to a player who is under contract and suspension from the NFL.

Ultimately, like any private business, the CFL will do what it wants to do. And since success hinges on getting people to pay for tickets and/or watch games on TV, it’s good business to find a way to get Gordon to the CFL.

If the Browns will allow it. Ultimately, that may be the biggest impediment to Gordon playing football this year.
_________________________________________________________________

No question the guy's a huge talent--big, strong, and fast--but this is probably not going to happen, and, even he lands on the Stampeders' roster, MLF is right in wondering how much he'd add coming in for just the last half of the season. And with no TC behind him, having to learn the Canadian game, the waggle, etc. Recall the trouble Chad Ochocinco (oops, sorry, that's Chad Johnson) had in adapting to the CFL and how little he's added to the Alouette offense....
User avatar
WestCoastJoe
Hall of Famer
Posts: 17721
Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 8:55 pm

http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/nfl/re ... ering-cfl/
Browns’ WR Gordon ineligible to play in CFL

Josh Gordon (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Arash Madani

August 28, 2014, 10:43 AM

Josh Gordon has Ricky Williams to fault for not being able to play in the Canadian Football League this season.

Both ESPN and NFL Network reported Thursday morning that the Cleveland Browns receiver, suspended for a full year by the NFL on Wednesday, was exploring options to play the remainder of the 2014 season in the CFL.

But Gordon is actually ineligible to play in Canada.

In the aftermath of Williams signing with the Toronto Argonauts in 2007, while under serving one-year NFL drug violation, the CFL implemented a new rule whereby players still under contract to another pro league are ineligible to play north of the border while suspended. The ‘Ricky Williams rule’ has prevented others in similar situations to Gordon from playing in the Canadian league.

Former Colts receiver LaVon Brazill just signed a practice roster deal with the Argonauts on Wednesday. But the difference with Brazill is that he was released by Indianapolis in July, following his second violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, making him a free agent.

Regardless, Gordon was unlikely to receive permission from the Browns to play in Canada, what with being one of the NFL’s top players.

The CFL’s drug policy doesn’t issue discipline for marijuana and other recreational substances that are deemed not performance enhancing.
It seems very unlikely the Browns would give him permission to play in the CFL.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11423 ... all-league
A CFL official said that, under its rules, Gordon would not be eligible to play because teams are prohibited from signing a suspended player of any league who is under contract with his league.
Does that close the door? Two conditions: Suspended and under contract.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/08/josh-go ... -misguided
Gordon has now failed multiple drug tests in both college and the NFL. The positive NFL test led to a two-game suspension at the start of last season. In order to be on the field for the Browns’ Week 1 game against the Steelers, he had to do one thing: pass every drug test in the offseason. He didn’t do that. The penalty is a year-long ban. It was enforced properly.
Despite playing in just 14 games last year, and while catching passes from Hoyer, Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell, Gordon still managed to lead the NFL in receiving yards, with 1,646 – an average of nearly 19 yards per catch.
Very, very productive. Big guy. 6'3" 225. Has been timed in the 4.3's or 4.4's in the 40.

Scary if he got to play for the Stampeders. The Stamperders hold his CFL rights, and will no doubt explore all avenues to make it happen.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ay-in-cfl/

The Browns close the door.
Browns won’t let Josh Gordon play in CFL

Posted by Mike Florio on August 28, 2014, 1:09 PM EDT

The question of whether the CFL would welcome suspended Browns receiver Josh Gordon is complicated, convoluted, and ultimately irrelevant.

As Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer said during Thursday’s PFT Live, the Browns won’t give Gordon permission to play in Canada. A league source tells PFT that the Browns already have informed Gordon that he won’t be permitted to take his talents to Saskatoon. Or anywhere else in Canada.

That should end it.

Even though it would give Gordon a better support structure and despite the fact that it seems unfair to prevent a guy whose contract has been tolled from playing football due to his suspension, Gordon won’t be playing in the CFL this year.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
South Pender
Legend
Posts: 2779
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:24 am
Location: Vancouver weekdays; Gulf Islands on weekends

And this just in--Browns deny Gordon permission to play in the CFL:

Browns won’t let Josh Gordon play in CFL
Posted by Mike Florio on August 28, 2014, 1:09 PM EDT

The question of whether the CFL would welcome suspended Browns receiver Josh Gordon is complicated, convoluted, and ultimately irrelevant.

As Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer said during Thursday’s PFT Live, the Browns won’t give Gordon permission to play in Canada. A league source tells PFT that the Browns already have informed Gordon that he won’t be permitted to take his talents to Saskatoon. Or anywhere else in Canada.

That should end it.

Even though it would give Gordon a better support structure and despite the fact that it seems unfair to prevent a guy whose contract has been tolled from playing football due to his suspension, Gordon won’t be playing in the CFL this year.
_______________________________________________________________

So, as Mike Florio states, "that should end it." Love the reference to Saskatoon! :wink:
South Pender
Legend
Posts: 2779
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:24 am
Location: Vancouver weekdays; Gulf Islands on weekends

And, in the same vein (sort of), here's the story (by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk) about LaVon Brazill, now on the Argo PR, who's mentioned in the Arash Madani story earlier.

LaVon Brazill lands in Canada after NFL suspension

Posted by Josh Alper on August 28, 2014, 7:41 AM EDT

Wide receiver Josh Gordon was finally suspended by the NFL for the entire 2014 season on Wednesday, leaving him with a long stretch away from the football field in the coming months.

LaVon Brazill is in the same suspension pot as Gordon, but he’s going to be back on a field a lot sooner. Brazill was dropped by the Colts following his suspension, which left him free to head to Canada to continue playing the game.

Brazill has signed on to the practice roster of the Toronto Argonauts and could move up to the active roster if the team likes what they see from him in practice in the coming days and weeks. Should that happen, Brazill will get a chance to put some things on tape for NFL teams that might be interested in bringing him aboard for the 2015 season or start carving out a longer career in Canada.

The same option isn’t open to Gordon, who remains under contract to the Browns. That limits your ability to engage in physical activities, as Adam Jones found out when the Titans balked at his attempt to become a pro wrestler during his own long suspension from the league.

Brazill had 23 catches for 347 yards and three touchdowns in 25 games for the Colts over the last two seasons.
_________________________________________________________________

The big difference is that Brazill was cut by the Colts after his suspension, whereas Gordon wasn't. And, of course, another big difference is in the performance potential of the two guys.
User avatar
notahomer
Hall of Famer
Posts: 6258
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2002 12:09 pm
Location: Vancouver

Stamps don't need him, IMO. As a Lions fan obviously biased that they get access to another weapon but the Stamps are doing just fine, unfortunately.....
User avatar
cromartie
Hall of Famer
Posts: 5004
Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2002 2:31 pm
Location: Cleveland, usually

If you think the Browns will release Gordon so he can play in the CFL, then get nothing for him when his suspension ends, you're kidding yourself.
User avatar
WestCoastJoe
Hall of Famer
Posts: 17721
Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 8:55 pm

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=460445
LEGAL LOOK: GORDON'S SUSPENSION, CFL AND POSSIBLE LAWSUIT

ERIC MACRAMALLA, SPORTS LEGAL ANALYST

On Wednesday, NFL hearing officer Harold Henderson upheld Josh Gordon's one-year suspension after the wide receiver violated the league's Program for Substances of Abuse Policy by testing positive for marijuana.

The Positive Test

Gordon barely failed his drug test. In order to test positive, a player's urine sample must have a concentration of more than 15 nanograms per milliliter. As per the NFL Policy, Gordon submitted two samples for testing: Samples A and B. Of the two, only Sample A tested positive at 16 nanograms/milliliter, which was only one milliliter over the allowable limit. Sample B tested negative at 13.6 nanograms/milliliter.

On appeal, Gordon argued that the positive test was the result of second-hand smoke. Gordon also pointed to testing irregularities given that Sample A was over the allowable limit, while Sample B was under it.

The Statement

Gordon released the following statement on his suspension, via the NFLPA:

"I'd like to apologize to my teammates, coaches, the Cleveland Browns organization and our fans. I am very disappointed that the NFL and its hearing office didn't exercise better discretion and judgment in my case. I would like to sincerely thank the people who have been incredibly supportive of me during this challenging time, including my family, my agent, my union, my legal team, and the Cleveland Browns staff."

The Policy

The NFL substance abuse policy provides that a player cannot engage in the "use, possession, acquisition, sale, or distribution" of banned substances. So the conclusion that the Policy directly covers second-hand smoke is not accurate.

The clear implication of the language is that a player must himself be using the banned substance. If second-hand smoke were captured by the Policy, you would expect to see language like "exposed to" in the Policy. For that reason, Gordon introduced the second-hand smoke defence. Ultimately, however, the NFL didn't buy it.

Next Steps For Gordon

Gordon is losing a lot with this suspension. Apart from being out a full year, he won't be paid his 2014 base salary of $825,604. So expect Gordon's legal team to consider all its options, including filing a lawsuit with a view to overturning the suspension. As part of the defence, Gordon's lawyers could bring in a toxicologist to support the position that second-hand smoke could result in Gordon's positive test. His lawyers would also argue that the test results are unreliable given that they are inconsistent.

Here's the problem for Gordon: a Court will not interfere with an arbitrator's decision unless a very serious mistake was made. Judges generally defer to the expertise of arbitrators. As well, the NFL Policy provides that all decisions are "resolved exclusively and finally", which means decisions are final and binding. Again, even if a decision is final, it can still be challenged in Court, but absent a clear error, it will not be overturned.

So if Gordon does take this to Court, he will face an uphill battle. As well, expect the NFL to vigorously defend the case.

The CFL

According to one report, Gordon may try and take his talents to the CFL. However, a suspended player under contract to an NFL team is ineligible to play in the CFL. In any event, even if the CFL elected not to honor the suspension, Gordon is still under contract with the Browns and would therefore need the team's permission to play in the CFL. The Browns, of course, would not allow it.

Rice v. Gordon

There has been a lot made of Ray Rice only getting two games for knocking his fiancée unconscious, while Gordon got 16 games for allegedly smoking marijuana. While that reaction is completely understandable, it is important to note that drug suspensions are collectively bargained and agreed to by the players' union, the NFLPA.

On the other hand, domestic violence is governed by the Personal Conduct Policy, which was not collectively bargained and unilaterally imposed by the NFL (it's noteworthy, though, that the late executive director of the NFLPA, Gene Upshaw, publicly supported the Policy, and Commissioner Roger Goodell did consult with some NFL players before it was implemented.)

Of course, the absence of a collectively bargained punishment for domestic violence did not preclude a harsher suspension for Rice. However, from a legal standpoint, Rice's reprehensible conduct is irrelevant when determining Gordon's suspension.

A Shame

Gordon is a stud wide receiver. Since 1970 NFL-AFL merger, only Randy Moss and Jerry Rice have recorded more receiving yards in their first two seasons. Gordon also led the league in receiving yards in 2013, had the most yards-per-catch among receivers with over 1,000 yards and became the first receiver with two consecutive 200 yard regular season games.

Amid all this controversy, one thing is clear: fans lose by not getting to watch Gordon play NFL football this season. And that's a shame. Rules are rules though.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
South Pender
Legend
Posts: 2779
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:24 am
Location: Vancouver weekdays; Gulf Islands on weekends

The staggeringly hypocritical (some would say ironic) statement by Gordon (or more likely his handlers), "I am very disappointed that the NFL and its hearing office didn't exercise better discretion and judgment in my case" has generated no end of guffaws from NFL fans (although probably not so many Browns fans).
User avatar
Lions4ever
Hall of Famer
Posts: 3430
Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2002 7:25 pm
Location: Vancouver Island

South Pender wrote:The staggeringly hypocritical (some would say ironic) statement by Gordon (or more likely his handlers), "I am very disappointed that the NFL and its hearing office didn't exercise better discretion and judgment in my case" has generated no end of guffaws from NFL fans (although probably not so many Browns fans).
I agree with him 100%. This is a silly and inconsequential breach that warrants no more than a $100 fine and fuggedaboudit.
User avatar
Lions4ever
Hall of Famer
Posts: 3430
Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2002 7:25 pm
Location: Vancouver Island

cromartie wrote:If you think the Browns will release Gordon so he can play in the CFL, then get nothing for him when his suspension ends, you're kidding yourself.
Is the suspension with or without pay? If it's with, then no problem. If it's without, as I assume it would be, I'd think he could legally challenge this as it prevents him from being able to earn a living at his chosen profession. Is there another line of work where this could happen? It's not like he's a lawyer/accountant/banker/broker who stole/embezzled trust funds or dentist/doctor who committed malpractice, etc. The infraction had zilch to do with the profession itself. Not sure, but if it were me and I were rich, I might be lawyering up and taking a run at it.
User avatar
Hambone
Hall of Famer
Posts: 8173
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 10:25 pm
Location: Living in PG when not at BC Place, Grey Cup or Mazatlan.

notahomer wrote:Stamps don't need him, IMO. As a Lions fan obviously biased that they get access to another weapon but the Stamps are doing just fine, unfortunately.....
I doubt the Stamps believe he'll wind up in their laps this year. All they're really doing is taking a flyer and securing his negotiating rights should he fail to screw up again after his current suspension ends and he is reinstated by the NFL. If I'm reading the NFL policy correctly Gordon is now at Stage 3 and has some criteria to meet to be reinstated, The old adage one foot in the grave and another on a banana peel seems to sum up where Gordon is today. Another transgression doesn't necessarily earn him a permanent NFL banishment but it certainly gets him closer. Theoretically Gordon will be under suspension for 12 months but if he were to fail tests while under suspension he puts his NFL career further in doubt. He's only 23. Given his track record to day it's certainly not out of the question that he could burn his NFL bridges before he even hits his prime as an NFL receiver. And if he does Calgary has his rights for the price of a fax or email to CFL HO.

3. Stage Three.

a. Procedures.

(1) Term: A player in Stage Three will remain in Stage Three for the remainder of his NFL career.
(2) Compliance with Treatment Plan: A player in Stage Three must comply with the terms of his Treatment Plan, as required in Stage Two and as may be developed and/or amended in Stage Three.
(3) Testing: A player in Stage Three will be subject to unannounced Testing. At the sole discretion of the Medical Advisor, a player may or may not be tested; however, if he is tested, he may be tested up to 10 times during any calendar month. Such Testing shall include Testing for the NFL Drug Panel and alcohol, but in addition Tests for other substances of abuse will be conducted if the player’s
Treatment Plan requires abstention from and enumerates testing for such substances. After being in Stage Three for three seasons, a player may request of the Medical Advisor that the number of tests that he is subject to be reduced. The Medical Advisor may, but is not required to, agree to the request. A player in Stage Three may not make this request more often than annually. The Medical Advisor, after consultation with the Medical Director, may extend or resume this period of Testing.
(4) Evaluation: A player, while undergoing Stage Three Testing, may be required to submit to further evaluation and subsequent treatment at the discretion of the Medical Director.


b. Discipline.

(1) Discipline for Failure to Comply in Stage Three: A player who fails to cooperate with testing, treatment, evaluation or other requirements imposed on him by this Policy or fails to comply with his Treatment Plan, both as determined by the Medical Director, or who has a Positive Test, will be banished from the NFL for a minimum period of one calendar year.
(2) Banishment: A player banished from the NFL pursuant to subsection (1) above will be required to adhere to his Treatment Plan and the provisions of this Intervention Program during his banishment. During a player’s period of banishment, his contract with an NFL club shall be tolled.


c. Reinstatement.

(1) Criteria: After the completion of the one-year banishment period, the Commissioner, in his sole discretion, will determine if and when the player will be allowed to return to the NFL. A player’s failure to adhere to his Treatment Plan during his banishment will be a significant consideration in the Commissioner’s decision of whether to reinstate a player. A player seeking reinstatement must
meet certain clinical requirements as determined by the Medical Director and other requirements as set forth in Appendix B.
(2) Procedures After Reinstatement: If a player is reinstated, he will remain in Stage Three for the remainder of his NFL career, subject to continued Testing and indefinite banishment. A player allowed to return to the NFL following a banishment must participate in continued treatment under this Intervention Program as required by the Medical Director.
You're as old as you've ever been and as young as you're ever going to be.
User avatar
DanoT
Hall of Famer
Posts: 4309
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:38 pm
Location: Victoria, B.C. in summer, Sun Peaks Resort in winter

Since marijuana is not a performance enhancing drug, I don't think it is on the CFL's banned substance list. Kinda makes the not being able to play in the CFL for Gordon very ironic.

What makes it even more ironic is that with the legalizing of marijuana in Colorado and Washington bringing in millions of dollars in tourist spending and taxes it is only a matter of time before many more cash strapped States follow suit. My prediction is that California is next to legalize weed.
User avatar
Hambone
Hall of Famer
Posts: 8173
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 10:25 pm
Location: Living in PG when not at BC Place, Grey Cup or Mazatlan.

Lions4ever wrote:
cromartie wrote:If you think the Browns will release Gordon so he can play in the CFL, then get nothing for him when his suspension ends, you're kidding yourself.
Is the suspension with or without pay? If it's with, then no problem. If it's without, as I assume it would be, I'd think he could legally challenge this as it prevents him from being able to earn a living at his chosen profession. Is there another line of work where this could happen? It's not like he's a lawyer/accountant/banker/broker who stole/embezzled trust funds or dentist/doctor who committed malpractice, etc. The infraction had zilch to do with the profession itself. Not sure, but if it were me and I were rich, I might be lawyering up and taking a run at it.
Plenty I would think. In the mining sector passing a pre-employment drug tests is mandatory. At the Tumbler Ridge mine I worked at from 2009 until early 2012 we had a zero-tolerance policy that included a "metal to metal" rule. If you were operating a piece of equipment be it a pickup, haul truck, dozer or shovel and made "metal to metal" contact with another piece of equipment, enough so as to cause some damage to one or the other it was off to the lab for a mandatory tinkle test with you. The only way to get out of it was to quit. Pass and you keep your job although further discipline (i.e. suspension) could still occur depending on the results of the investigation and your actions that led to the incident. Fail and your options were again to quit or participate in the employee assistance programs that were available.
You're as old as you've ever been and as young as you're ever going to be.
Post Reply