Regarding Josh Gordon: Not If, But When
By Mark J
Oct 20, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) breaks up the pass intended to Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) during the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL trade deadline is fast approaching, and the chatter in Cleveland Browns-land revolves around two topics: Brandon Weeden and trading Josh Gordon. With Brandon Weeden finally on the bench, the Browns should focus on cutting ties with Josh Gordon.
There are plenty of arguments for and against trading Josh Gordon, but I would argue that virtually none of them matter. The only issue, in my opinion, is that Josh Gordon cannot stay clean and the NFL drug policy is too heavy handed to take whatever chance there is that Gordon will turn his life around.
Here is Josh Gordon’s football history since high school:
2009 – Baylor – Played 4 games
2010 – Baylor – Played 13 games
2011 – Utah – Transfer year
2012 – Cleveland Browns – Played 16 games
2013 – Cleveland Browns – Suspended first 2 games
Here is Josh Gordon’s drug history since high school:
2010 – Baylor – 1 failed test and 1 drug arrest
2011 – Baylor 1 failed test
2011-12 – Utah – 1 failed test
2013 – Cleveland – 1 failed test
Look at that list. He fails tests yearly. This is why the Browns should jump at any “high pick” that has been offered by whatever mystery teams Adam Schefter was referring to in his tweet. Josh Gordon has 5 years of football post high school and in that time he has 4 failed tests and one drug/alcohol related police incident. Going a little further, in the 3 years since Gordon was put on notice for his arrest at Baylor: he has 3 failed tests, he has been kicked off of 2 college teams, and he has 1 suspension in the NFL.
So the Cleveland Browns community can continue to rehash arguments about Josh Gordon’s ability, or about spinning their wheels by replacing Gordon with a wide receiver at whatever pick he’s traded for, or about the chances he stays clean, but really these arguments are all pointless. Fans don’t need to guess about what will happen in Josh Gordon’s future because Josh Gordon has already told you what he’s going to do. He’s going to party, he’s going to take banned substances, he’s going to fail another test, and then he’s going to be suspended for a year. Any argument based on Josh Gordon staying clean seems to be wishful thinking.