Josh Gordon may be reinstated by the start of Training Camp

[n6249c]

Again weed being illegal under any law is irrelevant, the NFL are not enforcers of the law, that is the role of the police
[…]
As a business their focus should be on production and public image. They hurt their public image by popping players for something insignificant like weed and they've basically pushed players out of the league who have only ever done weed but were highly productive players and good teammates

If a player shows up to practice or a game blatantly high and is negatively impacting the program, then you deal with that player internally as an organization. That is exactly how any other organization would handle something like that, just like if someone showed up **** face drunk at work... there would be disciplinary action taken towards them, likely even termination.
…

The league has made a business decision that players are role models for others in society who are their fans, and that the public image of violating Federal law and sometimes getting popped for it in highly visible arrests is not a good image for the league. It’s why they have conduct clauses in contracts and include alcohol abuse and spousal abuse as items of concern.

Other organizations aren’t dealing with the same public and political(*) profile, so if a warehouse laborer comes to work after beating up his wife the employer can handle it internally because nobody cares. A running back beats his wife or kid and even though it was off the job and had no effect on performance the league will publicly discipline them.

(*) keep in mind if you compare to other organizations you should compare to only those that enjoy exemption from Federal antitrust laws. So not affronting Federal authorities is a key factor in the public image equation.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

No offense taken but I would point out that a user of a substance that affects mental state is seldom the best judge of that substance's effects either. Addiction or no, we have a tendency to view our own decisions with a strong positive bias, including the decision to take a substance.

I agree with that, but people who have taken a substance in the past, then got off that substance and are no longer under the influence of it I would argue have a more holistic perspective on its effects

 

[PatsFanInVa]

The league has made a business decision that players are role models for others in society who are their fans, and that the public image of violating Federal law and sometimes getting popped for it in highly visible arrests is not a good image for the league. It’s why they have conduct clauses in contracts and include alcohol abuse and spousal abuse as items of concern.

+ you could also make a case for any NFL bust to be part of a high-visibility enforcement equation. If it's la-di-di, la-di-da, another NFLony, he missed 2 games, the fan would see that as the takeaway.

Now let's see some acknowledgement of attempts at game-fixing at the top, and punishments that fit the crime.

You realize with all the **** the league has pulled, this team has only won 1/3 of the total super bowls since 2001????

Yawl cheat too much NFL.

 

[Wingy]

At the end of the day you pencil him at worst 5th receiver I think you need at the very least 3 guys you can count on in front of him.

Yup, I know the whole story. PR or not, I fully hope the org supports him off the field whether he's with the team, or not.

This one part of your post is the key. That's the only way I'd want him back. As long as we prioritize multiple legit weapons at WR, and he's a luxury, then of course give it a shot.

If we're talking the current crew, or its equivalent + Josh - then heck no.

Josh can't be relied on, and can't be anyone's idea of a plan. We barely got by this year. As I said, a ton broke right. It's not sustainable for another season if another SB win is the goal.

 

[50-yard-line]

We are going to disagree here.

The NFL is a private business and have put policies in place it feels it best protects it's image and the quality of the game on the field. Clearly they feel it is important to their brand not to foster a perception of NFL players smoking dope. Quite frankly, I think the NFL has turned the other cheek on this matter as they know a great number of players smoke/injest it consistently.

The NFL has chosen not to deviate it's policy from federal law. Your and my opinion on the matter is irrelevant. Its the law. Full stop.

Correct. The NFL does not proactively audit a players finances but if there is wrongdoing they will suspend them- see Mychael Kendricks.

I'm with JarofMayo on this, probably even more strongly in that camp.

I have an awful knee/leg. No ACL, repeated surgeries years ago - even a blood clot a couple of years back. I'm 60 and still play softball, do Orange Theory, don't want to slow down. My knee hurts every single day. I wake up sometimes and it takes me 5 minutes to straighten my leg if I slept at a bad angle. It hurts.

So, I was popping ibuprofen whenever I had an activity coming up - 800mg. Then 800 more before bed that night...after a while, my stomach took a beating.

Enter CBD spray or lotion. CBD is cannabis without the THC, essentially - doesn't "stone" you. I'll bet it would set off the test alarm bells, though (put too much lotion on and the leg feels weird afterwards). but here's the thing: IT WORKS. Beautifully. No more ibuprofen (or a lot less) and the aches and pains disappear.

The NFL isn't the police. If a guy arrives to a game or a practice stoned, that's one thing (for the team to handle), but if he's doing pot at home or drinking at home (DUI is different) or with friends, then the NFL should just stay the hell out of it. Their product is dependent upon them policing drugs that give benefit on the field, not enforcing laws broken in victimless crimes on a player's personal time.

I also find it horribly inconsistent and harmful to shoot players with an opiod or allow them heavy-duty painkillers, but somehow pot is going to ruin the league. I knew an ex-professional athlete nearing the end of his career who was routinely popping enough oxy to sedate a horse, prescribed to him by the team doctor. And that wasn't even in a brutal physical sport like football.

Off-topic a bit and as an aside, after discovering CBD, I understand why pot remains very illegal. It's not because it has a similar effect to alcohol, nor public safety (alcohol is way more dangerous). It's because there is a multi-billion $$$ industry that knows pot would dramatically hammer its bottom line, and I'm not talking about the NFL.

I have a friend who lost her daughter. She takes medical marijuana to sleep at night, and it WORKS, beautifully, no side effects. She's continuing on because of this, not Xanax or some other heavy duty psycho-numbing prescription. Pot is illegal because it would eliminate or greatly reduce major types of pharmaceuticals.

 

[italian pat patriot]

yeahhh...i hope the Patriots will give him another chance...

 

[Patriot Missile]

If Josh Gordon had the skills of Josh Boyce would we be entertaining the idea of bringing him back? If this was Eric Rowe would be calling for him to be canned? Some want him released without any sign of a drug problem and by all accounts is well liked by his teammates but as fans we see him as an average to below average football talent?

I have empathy for addicts, been dealing with one in my family for years and it’s a heartbreaking, anger filled and hopeful experience to say the least. No matter how hard you try, it’s always on the individual.

I’m ok with bringing him back, he seems like a nice person, and he’s a helluva a football player. That’s just an honest answer.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'm with JarofMayo on this, probably even more strongly in that camp.

I have an awful knee/leg. No ACL, repeated surgeries years ago - even a blood clot a couple of years back. I'm 60 and still play softball, do Orange Theory, don't want to slow down. My knee hurts every single day. I wake up sometimes and it takes me 5 minutes to straighten my leg if I slept at a bad angle. It hurts.

So, I was popping ibuprofen whenever I had an activity coming up - 800mg. Then 800 more before bed that night...after a while, my stomach took a beating.

Enter CBD spray or lotion. CBD is cannabis without the THC, essentially - doesn't "stone" you. I'll bet it would set off the test alarm bells, though (put too much lotion on and the leg feels weird afterwards). but here's the thing: IT WORKS. Beautifully. No more ibuprofen (or a lot less) and the aches and pains disappear.

The NFL isn't the police. If a guy arrives to a game or a practice stoned, that's one thing (for the team to handle), but if he's doing pot at home or drinking at home (DUI is different) or with friends, then the NFL should just stay the hell out of it. Their product is dependent upon them policing drugs that give benefit on the field, not enforcing laws broken in victimless crimes on a player's personal time.

I also find it horribly inconsistent and harmful to shoot players with an opiod or allow them heavy-duty painkillers, but somehow pot is going to ruin the league. I knew an ex-professional athlete nearing the end of his career who was routinely popping enough oxy to sedate a horse, prescribed to him by the team doctor. And that wasn't even in a brutal physical sport like football.

Off-topic a bit and as an aside, after discovering CBD, I understand why pot remains very illegal. It's not because it has a similar effect to alcohol, nor public safety (alcohol is way more dangerous). It's because there is a multi-billion $$$ industry that knows pot would dramatically hammer its bottom line, and I'm not talking about the NFL.

I have a friend who lost her daughter. She takes medical marijuana to sleep at night, and it WORKS, beautifully, no side effects. She's continuing on because of this, not Xanax or some other heavy duty psycho-numbing prescription. Pot is illegal because it would eliminate or greatly reduce major types of pharmaceuticals.

To be clear, my position is to/not legalize marijuana. I'm not touching that one in this forum.

I understand- and agree with its medicinal value. It's a hell of a lot healthier than some of the crap big pharm shoves down out throats and in our blood streams.

My point is right or wrong the NFL has made the decision for reasons around PR to not allow marijuana use and aligned itself to federal law.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Report: Pats giving Gordon a Super Bowl ring

 

[DarrylS]

Addictions are a *****, dual diagnosis's with depression are a real *****... from what I read the players hold no animosity, if anything they are sensitive to his needs...

He is a guy who will need a lot of support when he leaves whatever program he is in, if any team can help him out it is the Patriots with their core of quality players and existing infrastructure (Jack Easterby).. would love for this to be a great story in 2019.. not as much for the Pats, but for Josh Gordon.

Seems as though Goodell has a soft spot for him as he allowed him to practice with Cleveland when he was on suspension, he did not allow that for #12 when the "Ideal Gas Law" issue was in vogue..

 

[Patstastic]

If Josh Gordon had the skills of Josh Boyce would we be entertaining the idea of bringing him back? If this was Eric Rowe would be calling for him to be canned? Some want him released without any sign of a drug problem and by all accounts is well liked by his teammates but as fans we see him as an average to below average football talent?

I have empathy for addicts, been dealing with one in my family for years and it’s a heartbreaking, anger filled and hopeful experience to say the least. No matter how hard you try, it’s always on the individual.

I’m ok with bringing him back, he seems like a nice person, and he’s a helluva a football player. That’s just an honest answer.

Pending Gordon goes through all of the proper training, and doesn't relapse, I'd have no issues welcoming him back. But the Patriots can't rely on him to be their only deep threat receiver. Tate is a guy who can stretch the field too. A WR core of Edelman, Tate, and Gordon (Potentially) would be deadly. Even if its just Tate & Edelman, that's still a damm good receiving core too.

 

[Patstastic]

If Josh Gordon had the skills of Josh Boyce would we be entertaining the idea of bringing him back? If this was Eric Rowe would be calling for him to be canned? Some want him released without any sign of a drug problem and by all accounts is well liked by his teammates but as fans we see him as an average to below average football talent?

I have empathy for addicts, been dealing with one in my family for years and it’s a heartbreaking, anger filled and hopeful experience to say the least. No matter how hard you try, it’s always on the individual.

I’m ok with bringing him back, he seems like a nice person, and he’s a helluva a football player. That’s just an honest answer.

Pending Gordon goes through all of the proper training, and doesn't relapse, I'd have no issues welcoming him back. But the Patriots can't rely on him to be their only deep threat receiver. Tate is a guy who can stretch the field too. A WR core of Edelman, Tate, and Gordon (Potentially) would be deadly. Even if its just Tate & Edelman, that's still a damm good receiving core too.

 

[Raymond]

................ Some want him released without any sign of a drug problem and by all accounts is well liked by his teammates but..............

I am all for second, third, fourth, fifth chances etc.

But really, any sign? Bill has to be ready to bring him into camp and have him work on really nailing down the O. All the while Flash is taking up a spot someone else was on the bubble to possibly get.

If all that water goes over the bridge and come weeks 12-14 a relapse happens let us all hope come playoff time we are not down one critical weapon.

We dodged a bullet this time, we may not again. I'll defer to Bill on this one. But lets not paint Flash as a victim.

 

[1960Pats]

If any team can carry a player with Gordon's problem it's the Pats. They just proved that. I hope he comes back all the way.

 

[Deus Irae]

The scenario many considered worst case - that the Patriots would come to depend on Gordon, and Gordon would get popped right at the end of the season and screw up the playoff situation, is pretty much what happened last year. And the Patriots won the Super Bowl.

So can we please not go down the "can't afford" kind of roads on this? Can we just accept that it would be much less than optimal if he returned and got popped again, and go from there?

In sports, need is not necessarily meant as NEED, and can't afford need not necessarily mean CAN'T AFFORD.

 

[Joker]

discussions like this one only underscores the apparent fact that we live in the United State of Hypocrisy.The legality of nicotine and alcohol for the past 90 years, while waging a relentless jihad against the "marywanner and them despicable marywannerers!" is a stark example of this.

 

[Deus Irae]

discussions like this one only underscores the apparent fact that we live in the United State of Hypocrisy.The legality of nicotine and alcohol for the past 90 years, while waging a relentless jihad against the "marywanner and them despicable marywannerers!" is a stark example of this.

And we're now flipping the hypocrisy, by basically trying the slow outlawing of tobacco while pushing for marijuana legalization at the same time.

 

[farn]

Agree . Low risk, high reward situation here. He certainly would’ve been better than the 0-6 on throws to “no-separation” Hogan.

“Hogan’s been healthy all year” - BB

 

[patsinthesnow]

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Gordon shouts out Brady, TB12 on Instagram