DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Josh Gordon

Exactly. We're now forced to wonder if he slipped up again and is out for the year, but being proactive about an incoming suspension. Or that he is doing his best, participating in self-care by getting himself out of potentially risky situation and getting his head straight. I'm sure he used weed as a pain reliever his entire career like most players and might want to relapse with the season coming up. Either way we have no idea. Just have to sit and see what happens.

I cant judge how their handling it until we know exactly what happend and in what sequential order ... not sure why u guys have a clue how their handling it ....

Odd odd odd is all i can say about this ... not enough details ... we just have to wait and see ... plausible reasons ...

- one poster mentioned he may be “feeling weak” in his recovery and needed some help ASAP ...

With the timing thats the most feasible to me ...

- it could be worse case scenario ... he failed a test and their waiting to take the 2nd one or are waiting on the results ... hence why at the last moment he can’t go to camp but he’s not banned for life ...

Cause one things for sure ... if it was a done deal on the fail ... the NFL has zero reason to wait with the lifetime ban ... its coming if he failed ...

For his sake I hope he went to get help before relapsing ... if he did relapse ... it would be a bummer for us .. but its DUDES LIFE ... for his sake and his KIDS ... i really hope he didnt relapse ...

All we can do is wait and see ...

GET OFF THE LEDGE GUYS ... if he’s done .. there’ll be plenty of time for that when its confirmed ...

Anyone want to clarify as to why the NFL is involved at this time? Leads one to suspect that a drug test was performed or missed. Hope that's not the case...

just my stupid thinking on this matter maybe the Browns,his support team and the NFLPA did not want Josh on Hard Knocks.

Wasn't he in one of the trailers? I could be remembering wrong.

Josh Gordon to miss start of Browns training camp, cites 'health and treatment plan'

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24174...-treatment-plan

Josh Gordon announced he will not be with the Cleveland Browns when they open training camp Thursday, citing his "health and treatment plan" as part of his return from multiple substance-related suspensions.

League sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Gordon is seeking additional counseling before camp opens to deal with his mental health and anxiety. The wide receiver has said that he typically used alcohol or marijuana when he was anxious, something he cannot do without another violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Gordon has regularly been in touch with his counselors and was told to take the extra time in a proactive move, sources said.

The wide receiver has missed most of the past three seasons because of suspensions stemming from violations of the substance abuse policy. Gordon said Monday that he is "doing great" physically and mentally, emphasizing his treatment plan "will help me maintain the progress I've made for not only today but for many years to come."

Gordon announced his plan in a series of tweets before providing his complete statement in a single tweet.






Link

Shortly after Gordon's tweets, the Browns announced that he will be placed on the non-football illness reserve list "until he is ready to return."

"We will continue to support Josh as he receives the care needed to maintain his progress," Browns general manager John Dorsey said in a statement. "We are going to respect his privacy while he is away from the team."

A league source told ESPN that the Browns expect Gordon to return, as he vowed, but there is no exact timetable given the nature of the treatment. The Browns believe that Gordon is doing all he can to ensure there are no setbacks, according to the source.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy also said there is no timetable for Gordon's return, saying in a statement that the league will "address the matter at an appropriate time." McCarthy also noted that Gordon has not been suspended.

Gordon has missed 43 of the Browns' past 48 games because of suspensions and has played in just 10 games since the 2014 season, including five when he returned late last season.

Gordon had said during organized team activities that he would stay in the Cleveland area to prepare for camp, but he left a few weeks ago as part of his

I always thought it was dumb how the NFL made a player who was suspended for substance abuse a "persona non grata", allowing no contact with or direct support from the team. The NFL, in effect, chases the player towards the circle of people who are the worst influence in his life, and deprives him of contact with those who would be the most positive influence.

If, as Shefter's tweet suggests, this is a planned, proactive approach to reinforce what has been accomplished by Josh at this stage of his recovery, then it might be a positive development in how the league treats addiction/substance abuse issues. Hopefully, it means that instead of turning the majority of these guys into throw-aways, the league is trying to actually help them remain viable NFL players .

I agree with you Dave, it's stupid of the NFL to not allow the team to help the troubled player by him having access to that type of support.

If there is anything here that precludes Gordon from enjoying a full NFL season,

I'd say his drug use is just a symptom. (if illicit drugs are involved at all)

The problem is mental/behavioral illness.

OK, let's roll with that explanation barring further information. The timing is 'curious' however. I certainly hope that this is just a pro-active measure to deal with his anxiety issues...

Season gets closer, pressure gets higher, anxiety gets worse. Schefter is credible enough to believe in this instance.

Hats off to you Josh. Better to build on your foundation, rather you were here for the full season than part of it...and then never again.

Looks like Josh might not be a 'meathead' after all.
I believe there is one meathead that got suspended today, but his name isn't Josh Gordon.

Great Job Josh !!! Do it the only way..the right way.

What bothers me is that the NFL felt the need to make a statement. Why did they have to say "there's no timeline for his return". Shouldn't that come from the team or Gordon's camp?

I agree.

Once again, I am not speculating on the situation even though I would love too...LOL........however, I don't think the timing of this is such a "good thing."

IMO, it sounds to me like Josh may be having some weakness realized it and called his support people to help him get through it. He has come a long way and I would hate to see him go backwards. Best of luck Josh. I'm still pulling for you!!!

I would totally get "anxiety issues". I used to wonder how people could even get addicted to certain drugs, until I had my own issues with anxiety. It's really a terrible crushing feeling that you want to go away. It can feel like anything from a heart attack, to a sensation that you're on fire to numbness across your entire body. It's just a horrible feeling. After experiencing some of that I could completely see why some people would want to turn to drugs as a temporary solution.

The start of the football season could be a big source of anxiety for Josh. If he's having any sort of anxiety issues (Kevin Love has dealt with the same thing), then I give him huge props if he's actually getting himself help, when in the past he would of just turned to drugs.

A good friend of mine has anxiety issues and deals with them through prescribed medication, and he works out six days a week, which he believes helps him cope with it.

OIC Boys and Girls.

Excellent way to look at it... I guess being in a pro sport and having to perform well for so many people would create anxiety for some.

Thanks for sharing that.

This kinda looks bad. but it feels like he called his sponsor when he was supposed to.

I agree w/that. I'm just saying that Josh missing the start of TC and not knowing when he will return is NOT "good news."

Josh has sounded different this time .. way different .. to me, it was the first time he sounded like someone in recovery that wanted to recover and wasn’t just trying to get off suspension ...

His letter this time was different ...

This entire thing is different in that U have multiple sources saying he’s worked hard and this isn’t a relapse ...

We still have NO CLUE whats going on ... but this is definetly different in as good a way news like this could be ...

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Josh first and foremost and i’ve got my toes crossed for us ...

Good luck Josh .... your kids and your browns family need u ... GOOD LUCK SIR!!!

Yes, let's stand down and not discuss.

That was kind of what I was thinking earlier in the day. Upon reading his statement later, it sounds like a schedule type of thing.

No doubt it isn't good news, but it may not be bad news either.

I am going to wait for bad news to come down and not assume it is bad news.

Move along then . . . with fingers crossed and holding your breath.

How bad can ESPN make this out to be?

Simple things are seemingly so hard to understand.

Here is what I meant by "it's not good news."

At the very least, Josh Gordon is going to miss the start of TC. A TC that begins w/a brand new offensive coordinator. A brand new QB. A brand new running mate at WR. New terminology. New route trees. New responsibilities. New nuances in blocking assignments. We are beginning a new season after coming off of a winless season. The guy has barely played in the last several years. Having a full TC would certainly aide in his ability to play in real games.

I was NOT saying anything at all about a possible failed drug test. I don't know if he did or didn't. It looks like he reached out for support, but I'm not sure if that is the case. I don't know anything about WHY he is missing the start of TC and have said this twice: I won't speculate!

However, I don't think it's a "good thing" that he is missing the start of TC w/no specific return date because of the "football" reasons I mentioned.

Not sure what is so hard to understand about that?

good news is they'll focus on Tiger and Lebron for the forseeable future

Yep, let's blame ESPN for Josh missing the start of TC. LOL

This offense is hardest to learn for the WR's more than any other players on the team. I'd have a hard time believing this is a planned thing but I'm more inclined to believe that Gordon thought he was going to slip.

Still I agree with Vers that this is horrible timing.

I have to clarify something. I said I wouldn't speculate, so I omitted something.

I agree that "if" Josh was dealing w/anxiety issues, it was good that reached out for help instead of relapsing into his past ways.

I just chose to not speculate. And I made that decision when some others were saying he might have failed another drug test.

I do think [if the anxiety thing is true] that it's good and bad. He reached out for help. That's good. Not so sure if having anxiety issues and being a former user is such a "good" thing.

I've pretty much stayed out of the speculative part of this. I'm just making this post so I don't appear mean or uncaring. I just don't think Josh missing time during TC is good for the football team.

j/c
I can't point to any similar handling of a potential drug violation ever in my lifetime of being an NFL fan. No similar declaration by a player seeking preventative treatment, no citing involvement of the team, the league or NFLPA and the timing is just...Brownsonian.

Although Gordon has a track record of failure the whole entire handling of this specific situation is surreal to an extreme. So odd I find it hard to believe that he concocted this with or without the help of handlers. If it is a contrived plan, to what end? If he's dirty he can't possibly think this can produce but in one result.

I just have to reserve judgement until the outcome is clear.

There is nothing to not understand,. It is bad news he isn't going to be here from the start.


By bad news, I mean real bad news.....like he will miss out on a NFL career.

I am not disagreeing with you. Just trying to remain neutral until we know more of the facts and implications.

Considering what JG has put the Browns through and the Browns have stuck with him... I can only think that if the Browns were aware that this was going to end poorly, I can't imagine they wouldn't have given such a supportive endorsement.

Schefty is the one reporting that he's dealing with anxiety issues. As far as reporting goes in the NFL, that's the best kind of source you'll get. Much better than some of the hacks reporting that he failed a drug test, especially when everyone else has shot those rumors down. It also makes the most sense. If he's dealing with anxiety then he's probably dealing with addiction urges.



Of course not. Just like getting a sprained ankle and missing a few weeks isn't exactly good for the football team either. But it's way better than missing extended time because he's suspended. If he is in fact getting help for anxiety before going the drug route, then that is good news in the sense that he's not taking the destructive path anymore.

Messages often get twisted on here. Just forget it. I'm tired of trying to explain.

In the past, this is where Gordon usually messed up. He may be in a fragile mental state with expectations many are putting on him. Funny how many here who are doubting that this is a scheduled thing, usually defend Schefter for anything he reports.

He has not been suspended or failed a test per the reports, and I will believe them until something different is stated. I have to believe that this being where he usually screws up, that the pressure to not repeat is weighing on him. Add in the Hard Knocks aspect of him being under their microscope all thru camp, and the huge expectations put forth from the fan base, I can see where he might be feeling tempted to return to the thing he always did in the past to deal with it.


As for the timing, I can see why it wasn't talked about before this point. He would have been under the scrutiny of the media and fan base, causing more anxiety. As for the timeline for return, I find it a good thing to not put more pressure on him by setting a specific time for return.

I am basing my opinions on the reports so far that there was no failed tests or suspension. It appears to me that He, Jarvis, Tyrod, and Njoku have been working on the chemistry, and I'm sure they have been exposed to the new offense all summer. Yes, missing precious time in camp is not a good thing, but many players have missed substantial time in TC due to hold outs and injury, I wouldn't make it out to be deciding factor on what the season could be for him.


Time will tell, but all those doubting the statements from Dorsey, and Schefter, need to think about why would they even put it out there given Josh's past. Anxiety, is a horrible thing. My wife suffers from these attacks, and they are horrible. To deal with them without some sort of medical assistance from prescription drugs and therapy would be very hard. I'm hoping, for a young man's sake, that he did this as a preemptive move, not just for his career, but for his life.

j/c

A few other points to consider. Although the league's statement is vaguely ominous, I think it might be designed to conform to HIPPA regulations related to revealing personal medical information.

What I took away from an NFL Network report on the situation was that upon reinstatement last year Gordon was placed in stage 3 of the Drug policy. He can be tested up to 10 time per month. So, if he's feeling as if he might violate the policy the option to re-enter formal treatment is his surest and best option to avoid relapse.