Report: NFL Drug Policy Vote Not Tonight; Josh Gordon Impacted?

Reports were out starting yesterday that the NFL would present a proposal to the NFLPA and that the player representatives would vote on that proposal tonight. While it wasn’t a slam dunk certainty that it would pass, what is in the NFL right now, the idea that things would be moving forward would be hopeful, especially for Josh Gordon and the Cleveland Browns. Instead, according to this report from Rand Getlin, there will be no vote tonight:

NFL player reps will not vote on the new drug policy tonight, according to a league source.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) September 10, 2014

That means the earliest a likely vote is to take place is tomorrow night. If players, like Gordon, Wes Welker and others, on the Balitmore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers could be impacted by the vote it could be pushed off until next Tuesday for fairness purposes. If the new policy would not impact those two teams it is possible it could be passed for this week.

Josh Gordon is getting yet another chance, this time with the XFL

Factory of Sadness

This recently cut former All-Pro can help boost the Texans' passing attackToro Times

Josh Gordon's NFL career might be finished after latest releaseArrowhead Addict

Tennessee Titans will have Josh Gordon vs Buffalo BillsTitan Sized

Looking at the Tennessee Titans 53-man roster one week laterTitan Sized

Josh Gordon chose the Titans over another opportunity with the ChiefsFanSided

For Gordon and the Browns time is of the essence. The team has a huge game against the New Orleans Saints this week and a rivalry game against the Ravens the following week. Gordon still may have to deal with some type of punishment from his DUI this summer, though the league could consider time served for Gordon.

Getting Gordon in for practices on Thursday and Friday only would likely limit his time on the field the following Sunday. Obviously the earlier the better for everyone possibly involved but the league and the Players’ Association has to figure out what is fair to all players impacted.

The delay also means that there is likely some negotiations that still will take place. The league seemed to delay getting the proposal to the players today and a non-vote by the players likely means they weren’t satisfied with the contents of the proposal. The longer the negotiations play out the more problematic for the Browns and Gordon. With the league and Roger Goodell looking bad in light of the Ray Rice situation it is possible the players try to swing a heavy hammer in these negotiations. Goodell doesn’t like to back down.

It could be awhile before we get resolution on this matter.

What is your best guess for when they come to an agreement?

Schedule