Josh Gordon pulled over for speeding and pot found in the car

[OffensivelyPC]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11009140/josh-gordon-cleveland-browns-caught-speeding-passenger-had-marijuana

 

Looked and didn't see this article posted.  This guy is unbelievable.  All the talent in the world and just can't stay out of trouble.  Regardless of your feelings on pot, if you are in a substance abuse program and can't dissociate yourself with weed, regardless of whether it's yours or your passengers, you've got an addiction and/or abuse problem.  I just don't understand guys like this.  I don't think people care if you smoke, but when you're under close scrutiny, just stay clean man.

[CR91]

Gordon is gone for the year

[OffensivelyPC]

Gordon is gone for the year

As well he should be.  He clearly needs help and if you can't trsut the guy to take care of the problem, perhaps the suspension will cement how severe his actions are affecting his career.

[SteelCityColt]

Gordon is gone for the year

 

At this rate gone for his career! Pot or not, the NFL isn't going to put up with repeat offenders any more I think given some of the recent issues they've had with player behaviour. 

 

As a small aside, if you or anyone is carrying drugs in the car I can't think of anything stupider to do than speed...

[PrincetonTiger]

Unbelievable

[BlueCollarColts]

What an *, could easily be the best receiver in the NFL, yet can't stop with his addiction, even when under pressure about it, costing himself millions right now. 

[Qwiz]

He'll be out of the league soon. Stupid is as stupid does.

[Valpo2004]

The Browns were so close to having a special player that could make them legitimate contenders.  

 

I think that city really is cursed as far as sports franchises.  God really doesn't want Cleveland to have a winning team in any sport ever.  

[Valpo2004]

What an *, could easily be the best receiver in the NFL, yet can't stop with his addiction, even when under pressure about it, costing himself millions right now. 

 

I agree he certainly had an argument last year for being the best receiver in the NFL.  Had more yards then Calvin Johnson by far with worse quarterbacking.  Granted Megatron was out for a couple games, but still I would say Gordon had the better season especially when you consider the quarterback situation.  

[Patagonia Chris]

Josh Gordon is about to get the Pacman Jones treatment from the NFL.

[OffensivelyPC]

The Browns were so close to having a special player that could make them legitimate contenders.  

 

I think that city really is cursed as far as sports franchises.  God really doesn't want Cleveland to have a winning team in any sport ever.  

I agree.  He's a player that can really help push the team to another level.  You still need the above average QB before you ever sniff the superbowl, but Gordon was a key cog to that equation. If he does get suspended for the year, he'll be in a contract year.  Even if he did perform well, this is really going to hurt his chances at landing a bigger contract - which probably works in the browns favor assuming he doesn't land himself another violation during the time he's in the NFL drug program. 

 

I agree he certainly had an argument last year for being the best receiver in the NFL.  Had more yards then Calvin Johnson by far with worse quarterbacking.  Granted Megatron was out for a couple games, but still I would say Gordon had the better season especially when you consider the quarterback situation.  

Maybe for the 2013 season, but there's no WR I'd rather hvae than Megatron.  He was playing through injuries all last season - knee and finger I believe.  Healthy, no one creates bigger mismatches than Megatron. 

[Valpo2004]

I agree.  He's a player that can really help push the team to another level.  You still need the above average QB before you ever sniff the superbowl, but Gordon was a key cog to that equation. If he does get suspended for the year, he'll be in a contract year.  Even if he did perform well, this is really going to hurt his chances at landing a bigger contract - which probably works in the browns favor assuming he doesn't land himself another violation during the time he's in the NFL drug program. 

 

Maybe for the 2013 season, but there's no WR I'd rather hvae than Megatron.  He was playing through injuries all last season - knee and finger I believe.  Healthy, no one creates bigger mismatches than Megatron. 

 

With a superstar WR like Gordon, a good line, and a good defense you could probably do it with an average QB.  Cleveland with Gordon had 3 of those things, it just needed a QB that could be average.  Hoyer probably could fit the bill if he plays as well this year as he did last year.  

 

If I was looking at one year I'd take Megatron.  However in the long run I'd rather have a Gordon that wasn't addicted to drugs mostly because Gordon's 5 years younger then Megatron.

 

That said since he is addicted to drugs his value is extremely low.  Unless the Commish decides he's gonna stop suspending players for smoking weed, Gordon has almost no value to the league despite his abilities.

[OffensivelyPC]

With a superstar WR like Gordon, a good line, and a good defense you could probably do it with an average QB.  Cleveland with Gordon had 3 of those things, it just needed a QB that could be average.  Hoyer probably could fit the bill if he plays as well this year as he did last year.  

 

If I was looking at one year I'd take Megatron.  However in the long run I'd rather have a Gordon that wasn't addicted to drugs mostly because Gordon's 5 years younger then Megatron.

 

That said since he is addicted to drugs his value is extremely low.  Unless the Commish decides he's gonna stop suspending players for smoking weed, Gordon has almost no value to the league despite his abilities.

I'm not really sold on Hoyer.  3 decent games isn't much of a track record that I'd hang my hat on.  If Manziel comes along like they hope and they keep the core players in place, then there's definitely a possibility that they at least give the Pats all they can handle for the division title by the next 2 or 3 years.  I just don't see Hoyers as the answer for right now, evne though he's the only option at this point I think.

 

I hear you on the Megatron assessment.  I don't know how many dominant years he has left.  Certainly, a drug free Gordon has the most productive years left of the two.  But since Gordon is not drug free...I'd give a 5 year deal to Megatron.  I think he'd be dominant over the next 5 years (turns 33 in Sept. 2018) and has no character issues (barring some unforeseen incident).  Of course, once you start toying with how much money you'd be paying to either receiver, it's really impossible to say.

[Andy]

The guy can become a multi-millionaire in the next few years, but would rather throw it all away for a few small dumb things.

 

Talk about a guy who doesn't see the big picture. Don't need dummies like him in the NFL or even in society lol.

[Valpo2004]

I'm not really sold on Hoyer.  3 decent games isn't much of a track record that I'd hang my hat on.  If Manziel comes along like they hope and they keep the core players in place, then there's definitely a possibility that they at least give the Pats all they can handle for the division title by the next 2 or 3 years.  I just don't see Hoyers as the answer for right now, evne though he's the only option at this point I think.

 

I hear you on the Megatron assessment.  I don't know how many dominant years he has left.  Certainly, a drug free Gordon has the most productive years left of the two.  But since Gordon is not drug free...I'd give a 5 year deal to Megatron.  I think he'd be dominant over the next 5 years (turns 33 in Sept. 2018) and has no character issues (barring some unforeseen incident).  Of course, once you start toying with how much money you'd be paying to either receiver, it's really impossible to say.

 

Yeah I don't know that anyone is really sold on Hoyer, if they were then the Browns probably would not have drafted Manziel.

 

That having been said his performance in the games he did play in last year certainly warrants a 2nd look at him.  (And I've personally made it very clear I don't believe in Manziel at the NFL level.)

 

My main point was with Gordon they had 3 of the 4 elements that you need to compete for a SB.  But he's addicted to drugs and so they are not likely to compete for a SB. 

 

As far as elite WR's like Megatron, I have to say they are great when on rookie deals.  But if you look at the money they are paid, it's frightening and you are probably better off in the long run without them.  Calvin Johnson has a 16.2 million APY.  That's franchise QB money there.  In 2015 through 2017 his cap numbers exceed 20 million going as high as 24 million in 2016.  

 

In the long run a receiver like that IMO hinders your salary cap.

[OffensivelyPC]

Yeah I don't know that anyone is really sold on Hoyer, if they were then the Browns probably would not have drafted Manziel.

 

That having been said his performance in the games he did play in last year certainly warrants a 2nd look at him.  (And I've personally made it very clear I don't believe in Manziel at the NFL level.)

 

My main point was with Gordon they had 3 of the 4 elements that you need to compete for a SB.  But he's addicted to drugs and so they are not likely to compete for a SB. 

 

As far as elite WR's like Megatron, I have to say they are great when on rookie deals.  But if you look at the money they are paid, it's frightening and you are probably better off in the long run without them.  Calvin Johnson has a 16.2 million APY.  That's franchise QB money there.  In 2015 through 2017 his cap numbers exceed 20 million going as high as 24 million in 2016.  

 

In the long run a receiver like that IMO hinders your salary cap.

Yeah, I won't disagree with you there.  As much as I would love Megatron to be in blue and white, the amount of money he'd be getting would be enough that I just don't think I'd ever feel comfortable having him from a salary cap perspective.  Granted, he doesn't miss many games, but with the risk these players take every single game, it only takes one awkward hit and then you're potentially stuck with an enormous contract with one giant questionmark on it.

[Superman]

Wow. Can't give him any kind of benefit of the doubt on this one. Let's assume that the weed really wasn't Gordon's. If I were already facing a big suspension for marijuana, I would not have someone in my car who had marijuana on them. Point blank, period.

 

I wonder about the circumstances of the traffic stop. I don't really care that he was pulled over for doing 74 in a 60. That's a non-issue. But usually, the police don't search the passengers in a vehicle for a routine traffic stop. Makes me wonder how they knew it was in the car in the first place. Was it out in the open? Was the passenger caught trying to hide it? Did the car smell? Just a strange situation, all the way around...

[OffensivelyPC]

Wow. Can't give him any kind of benefit of the doubt on this one. Let's assume that the weed really wasn't Gordon's. If I were already facing a big suspension for marijuana, I would not have someone in my car who had marijuana on them. Point blank, period.

 

I wonder about the circumstances of the traffic stop. I don't really care that he was pulled over for doing 74 in a 60. That's a non-issue. But usually, the police don't search the passengers in a vehicle for a routine traffic stop. Makes me wonder how they knew it was in the car in the first place. Was it out in the open? Was the passenger caught trying to hide it? Did the car smell? Just a strange situation, all the way around...

Yeah it's tough to say without the police report.  Apparently the passenger admitted to owning the bag and the drugs, but usually those police reports all have the same line or two in them - "eyes were bloodshot," "I could smell cannabis coming from the car," "subject seemed disoriented," etc.  Whether or not he actually observed those things is tough to prove otherwise, since it's the officer's own sensory perceptions.  You'd have to catch him in a lie or something, not easy to do.  If there was a 4th amendment problem, that'll be discovered in the coming days and Gordon's lawyers will be all over it. 

 

Nevertheless, I think from the NFL's perspective, that's all irrelevant.  The NFL has Josh Gordon, with 2 infractions in the NFL (plus those happening prior to his being in the league - 2 or 3 more I believe), and an admission from the passenger that he owned marijuana in a car with Gordon.  And if there's anything that I have learned about the NFL (which you already touched on), it's that you are responsible for what's in your system - and by extension of the same logic - what is on or in your personal possessions.  The weed shouldn't have been in the car, regardless of whose it was.  EDIT: And the league is in a position where it doesn't have to give Gordon the benefit of the doubt that "Gordon simply didn't know it was in the passenger's bag." There's procedural rules for admission of evidence into hearings like the one Gordon will be facing over this and the previous failed test, but they don't adhere to the same set of rules for the introduction of evidence.  They are far more relaxed (even heresay is admissible). 

[Bluefire4]

I thought he didn't get in trouble for this. Didn't the passenger have the marijuana?

[Superman]

Yeah, I won't disagree with you there.  As much as I would love Megatron to be in blue and white, the amount of money he'd be getting would be enough that I just don't think I'd ever feel comfortable having him from a salary cap perspective.  Granted, he doesn't miss many games, but with the risk these players take every single game, it only takes one awkward hit and then you're potentially stuck with an enormous contract with one giant questionmark on it.

 

Calvin Johnson's cap hits the next three years will average $22m. For a receiver. That's insane, even though he's the best receiver in the league. They can get out of it with only a year or two of cap penalties. The guaranteed money is done. 

[Superman]

Yeah it's tough to say without the police report.  Apparently the passenger admitted to owning the bag and the drugs, but usually those police reports all have the same line or two in them - "eyes were bloodshot," "I could smell cannabis coming from the car," "subject seemed disoriented," etc.  Whether or not he actually observed those things is tough to prove otherwise, since it's the officer's own sensory perceptions.  You'd have to catch him in a lie or something, not easy to do.  If there was a 4th amendment problem, that'll be discovered in the coming days and Gordon's lawyers will be all over it. 

 

Nevertheless, I think from the NFL's perspective, that's all irrelevant.  The NFL has Josh Gordon, with 2 infractions in the NFL (plus those happening prior to his being in the league - 2 or 3 more I believe), and an admission from the passenger that he owned marijuana in a car with Gordon.  And if there's anything that I have learned about the NFL (which you already touched on), it's that you are responsible for what's in your system - and by extension of the same logic - what is on or in your personal possessions.  The weed shouldn't have been in the car, regardless of whose it was.  EDIT: And the league is in a position where it doesn't have to give Gordon the benefit of the doubt that "Gordon simply didn't know it was in the passenger's bag." There's procedural rules for admission of evidence into hearings like the one Gordon will be facing over this and the previous failed test, but they don't adhere to the same set of rules for the introduction of evidence.  They are far more relaxed (even heresay is admissible). 

 

Yup. Whether the police violated his right to privacy or not, the NFL knows that there was weed in the car. And there should not have been weed in the car, in his situation.

[Superman]

I thought he didn't get in trouble for this. Didn't the passenger have the marijuana?

 

There's a looming suspension due to a failed drug test. While we wait on that suspension, he's caught with weed in his car. Whether it's his or not, it puts him in a bad situation.

[OffensivelyPC]

Calvin Johnson's cap hits the next three years will average $22m. For a receiver. That's insane, even though he's the best receiver in the league. They can get out of it with only a year or two of cap penalties. The guaranteed money is done. 

Two QB salaries puts you at such a disadvantage at the other 20 (not even counting specialists) positions and you've only got so much money.  The dead money only make sense if you keep him through 2016 (if I'm reading spotrac right anyway).  And at that point, you've already taken the biggest hit, he's an affordable receiver who would have probably played at a higher level than what he was paid in 2017 and 2018.  It's just such a big contract, you're stuck with it for better or worse.  They've done a decent job drafting and putting the pieces together over the past few years while the cap hit was smaller, but like you said, the cap hit over hte next few years, they will have a hard time paying those guys over the next couple years without a restructure. 

[akcolt]

Wow. Can't give him any kind of benefit of the doubt on this one. Let's assume that the weed really wasn't Gordon's. If I were already facing a big suspension for marijuana, I would not have someone in my car who had marijuana on them. Point blank, period.

I wonder about the circumstances of the traffic stop. I don't really care that he was pulled over for doing 74 in a 60. That's a non-issue. But usually, the police don't search the passengers in a vehicle for a routine traffic stop. Makes me wonder how they knew it was in the car in the first place. Was it out in the open? Was the passenger caught trying to hide it? Did the car smell? Just a strange situation, all the way around...

[akcolt]

They probably asked for permission and he said yes most people don't know their rights. I didn't see the state but in a lot of states all the police have to do is say they smelled it auto probable cause. Really once they get you to the curb they can do what they want could've said they smelled alcohol thought they saw a weapon anything. Josh has money we will see if the search holds up in court.

He just isn't very smart

[Superman]

They probably asked for permission and he said yes most people don't know their rights. I didn't see the state but in a lot of states all the police have to do is say they smelled it auto probable cause. Really once they get you to the curb they can do what they want could've said they smelled alcohol thought they saw a weapon anything. Josh has money we will see if the search holds up in court.

He just isn't very smart

 

You can't put the toothpaste back in the tube, though. This has already damaged Gordon's standing in the NFL's eyes, I think. If his rights were violated and he brings a case against the PD and wins, everyone still knows that he had marijuana in the car. Which is why he shouldn't have had marijuana in the car.

[akcolt]

I totally agree I have the bonehead in 2 dynasty leagues was my sleeper 2 years ago he's been sleeping all right Already had Megatron my WR's should've scared people looks like I got one yr out of him

He was a fantasy machine last yr without a qb

[akcolt]

You can't put the toothpaste back in the tube, though. This has already damaged Gordon's standing in the NFL's eyes, I think. If his rights were violated and he brings a case against the PD and wins, everyone still knows that he had marijuana in the car. Which is why he shouldn't have had marijuana in the car.

[akcolt]

They aren't violated if they smelled it or he was dumb enough to consent to a search really beyond dumb almost unbelievable some one is that dumb

[Synthetic]

O.V.E.R.R.A.T.E.D.

 

Does anyone remember when he was bragging on Twitter a few years ago about getting stoned?

 

This kid has wasted his talent.

[Qwiz]

O.V.E.R.R.A.T.E.D.

Does anyone remember when he was bragging on Twitter a few years ago about getting stoned?

This kid has wasted his talent.

He had a very productive year in 2013 with Weeden and Hoyer at QB. I think people acknowledge that he could get better, but yes, he is wasting talent by acting like a complete buffoon. He's not overrated though because no one is willing to call him a great receiver yet.

[oldunclemark]

was his QB's name really WEEDEN

[Qwiz]

was his QB's name really WEEDEN

A match made in Heaven

[jvan1973]

isn't it oxy moronic to get a speeding ticket white smoking weed

[SteelCityColt]

You can't put the toothpaste back in the tube, though. This has already damaged Gordon's standing in the NFL's eyes, I think. If his rights were violated and he brings a case against the PD and wins, everyone still knows that he had marijuana in the car. Which is why he shouldn't have had marijuana in the car.

 

Indeed, correct me if I'm wrong but the league hasn't decided his punishment as yet? Point being even if he walks away from any criminal charges, the ahem narrative () of events is already out there and surely will have an influence on the league's decision. Now we all expected it to be a season long suspension, question I have is can they make it even longer than this?

 

All the talent in the world, why would you throw it all away like this?

[NewColtsFan]

Indeed, correct me if I'm wrong but the league hasn't decided his punishment as yet? Point being even if he walks away from any criminal charges, the ahem narrative ( ) of events is already out there and surely will have an influence on the league's decision. Now we all expected it to be a season long suspension, question I have is can they make it even longer than this?

 

All the talent in the world, why would you throw it all away like this?

 

I do not believe a suspension can be longer than the prescribed amount.   This time around for Gordon is one year, so that's the maximum.    But, should some type of extenuating or mitigating circumstances be found it could be reduced to say,  8 games.   But so far,  that is not expected.

 

I'm sure if I'm wrong on this, someone here will come along and correct me.   But this is all my understanding of things.....

[SteelCityColt]

I do not believe a suspension can be longer than the prescribed amount.   This time around for Gordon is one year, so that's the maximum.    But, should some type of extenuating or mitigating circumstances be found it could be reduced to say,  8 games.   But so far,  that is not expected.

 

I'm sure if I'm wrong on this, someone here will come along and correct me.   But this is all my understanding of things.....

 

Thank you for clearing that up, does that mean once you know you you're suspended you can almost tear it up without having to worry about further punishment? 

[Poster X]

Self destruction.

[amfootball]

I remember Gordon making Talib look like a rented DB all game when the Pats played them last year. And that was with the Browns 2 or 3 back up at QB - I think Jason Campbell.

 

What a shame really. I love his game.

[PhillyColtfan]

i think players should be publicly embarrassed and put on display to show how stupid he is.