Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon suspended by team for finale
Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon said all the right things after he was suspended for 10 games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, so at least he has figure out how to help his image that way.
But following through with his claims that he wants to change his image? Well, maybe not so much.
Gordon was suspended for the team's regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens for violating team rules, the Browns announced. It's a really bad way for Gordon to go into the offseason. The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot reported that Gordon was suspended for missing a walk-through practice on Saturday.
The suspension could be very costly for Gordon. The NFL Network's Albert Breer and ESPN.com's Adam Schefter both reported that Gordon's suspension will cost him an accrued season toward free agency. Gordon will finish the year active for just five games, and he needed six to make 2014 an accrued season. Therefore, Schefter reported, Gordon will be a restricted free agent after next season instead of an unrestricted free agent.
The news is good for the Ravens, who have to win Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive. Already the Browns were going to be shorthanded, as it appears rookie Connor Shaw will start at quarterback due to the Browns' top two quarterbacks being injured. But the Gordon news is way more important for Cleveland than just losing their top receiver for a Week 17 game.
Talent has never been an issue with Gordon, an All-Pro receiver in 2013. But he just can't stay out of trouble. Gordon missed the first two games of the 2013 season due to a league suspension, then missed the first 10 games this year due to a suspension. He bookends that with his suspension for Week 17.
It wouldn't be a surprise if the Browns tried to move Gordon this offseason. And some team would likely take a chance on him, though not at a positive return on investment for the Browns. Gordon had 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in just 14 games last season. His production this year was down, with just 303 yards and no touchdowns in five games, though the Browns' quarterback issues had some part in that.
Gordon is a fantastic talent and should be a centerpiece of the Browns' rebuilding efforts. But can they trust him going forward?
Browns fine Johnny Manziel for being late for treatment
Josh Gordon isn’t the only high-profile player in trouble with the Browns.
Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has been fined by the team for being late for treatment on his injured hamstring, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
That news was broken just hours after the Browns announced that Gordon is suspended for the regular-season finale for missing today’s walk-through practice. Manziel is on injured reserve and was not expected at the walk-through, but the report that he didn’t show up on time for treatment is concerning.
Manziel’s tardiness today comes just days after he vowed to take his work more seriously. Apparently taking work seriously doesn’t include showing up to work on time.
So now the Browns, at the end of a season that showed some promise, are ending the season on a low note: Their best offensive playmaker is such a troublemaker that his future with the team is in question, and their franchise quarterback doesn’t show up to work on time.
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