NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has been reinstated for the 2016 NFL season, although he will be suspended for the first four games. The team made room for Gordon on the 90-man roster by cutting defensive back A.J. Stamps Tuesday morning. Despite being suspended for the first quarter of the season, Gordon will indeed be able to practice with the team at training camp in Berea, Ohio.
Gordon had originally applied for reinstatement this past April but was denied by the NFL for failing another league-administered drug test.
Goodell and Gordon met last week regarding the future of the wide receiver and made it clear to the 25 year-old that he is responsible for his success in the NFL.
“I want nothing more than to see you turn your circumstances around and succeed,” Goodell wrote to Gordon. “Countless others including your agent, teammates and coaches, Mr. Haslam and the leadership of the organization, the Program professionals and Jim Brown also have pledged to provide you with every resource at their disposal. But as you acknowledged, ultimately, your future is your responsibility. I have every belief that you can make the right choices, but it will be up to you to do so.”
Gordon hasn’t seen the field since December of 2014 due to his repeated suspensions, and isn’t eligible to play in the regular season until Week 5. It just so happens that’s the same time Cleveland Browns play the New England Patriots in Tom Brady’s return from his four-game suspension amid the “Deflategate” ruling.
There are several significant factors that now arise for the Cleveland Browns: First, they can allow Gordon to practice with the team. He’s can also participate in the preseason pending confirmation on arrangements with “local resources” as Goodell referred to it.
Gordon hasn’t been with the team in nearly two years so the additional time practicing in training camp and getting back into the flow of the NFL in preseason games is quite significant. This will enable Gordon to build chemistry with the new wide receivers as well as his new head coach, Hue Jackson, who has coached some of the NFL’s best receivers in Terrell Owens, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and A.J. Green.
Second, this bolsters a young and inexperienced receiving core for the Cleveland Browns. With Gordon being suspended the first four games this upcoming season, that leaves Cleveland with rookies Corey Coleman, Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins and Jordan Payton while only having Andrew Hawkins and Terrelle Pryor as veterans. Hawkins is the only one of the six Cleveland receivers to have an impressive individual season – not to mention it was under now Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson when the two were with the Cincinnati Bengals together. This is also critical for the younger receivers to see and understand what it takes to excel in the NFL, at least at a talent level. Sure, the fact Gordon has been suspended numerous times is without a doubt a real concern for the Browns, however you can’t deny the talent level that “Flash” Gordon possesses.
Don’t forget he set the NFL record for consecutive 200-yard games back in 2013, becoming the only player in NFL history to do so two games in a row. The rookies get an extra step-up now having to practice and compete with a player of Gordon’s caliber, only increasing the level of competition for likely starters Corey Coleman and Rashard Higgins especially. So while the younger players get to learn from the electrifying star, they also get to show Gordon what he gets to play with in his return Week 5 against the New England Patriots. The first four games will be a good learning experience for the receiving core and they’ll be even more excited once Gordon can officially rejoin the team in the regular season.
Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown issued a statement amid the news that Gordon has been reinstated on Monday evening speaking about the team’s plans with Gordon moving forward.
“With the league’s decision to afford Josh the opportunity to resume his career, he will be with us for the start of training camp. At that time, we will discuss directly with Josh the direction of our team, our expectations of our players and a plan to support him on and off the field.”
Cleveland Browns Joe Haden and new quarterback Robert Griffin III also voiced their appreciation for their teammate returning to the gridiron. Griffin texted Josina Anderson stating “He is family. I am happy for him.” On whether Griffin believes the former Pro Bowl wideout can remain on the right track his Baylor teammate responded with, “I believe he can if he wants to. We will all be there for him.”
Let’s get right back 2 work @JOSH_GORDONXII!! Welcome back!!
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