Football Josh Gordon faces season long suspension - Page 9

KC Hawks · 05-09-2014, 04:06 PM

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/...ong-suspension

Just when Browns fans were feeling good...

-King- · 07-29-2014, 09:06 PM

Report: NFL Drug Testing Is Screwed Up And Screwed Josh Gordon
75,0766

Barry Petchesky

Today 2:59pm

Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk has some very interesting details about Josh Gordon's failed marijuana test that has him facing a full-season suspension. And if it's true, the NFL's drug testing procedure is more messed up than we could have imagined—and Josh Gordon doesn't deserve a suspension.

Gordon's appeal of his 16-game suspension, which is scheduled to be heard on Friday, will reportedly hinge on inconsistencies in measurement of his urine sample, which was split into two containers. Florio:

Urine samples routinely are split into two bottles, the "A" bottle and the "B" bottle. If the "A" bottle generates a positive result, the "B" bottle is tested. Amazingly, the "B" bottle doesn't have to independently show a violation. Instead, the substance abuse policy states that the "'B' bottle Test need only show that the substance, revealed in the 'A' bottle Test, is evident to the 'limits of detection' to confirm the results of the 'A' bottle Test."

[...]

For Gordon, the "A" bottle showed a concentration of 16 ng/ml, only one nanogram per milliliter above the limits of 15. The "B" bottle showed a concentration of 13.6 ng/ml — less than the threshold.

To emphasize, Gordon's "A" and "B" bottles came from the same urine sample. The "B" was only tested to confirm that the "A" wasn't tainted or wildly out of bounds—it doesn't matter that the "B" wouldn't have been a violation had it arbitrarily been labeled the "A" bottle, or that there was a sizable discrepancy between the two tested bottles. It's tough shit for Josh Gordon, despite the fact that his urine averaged out to be below allowable limits.

But, this is how the NFL's Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse (the renegotiation of which has more or less been going on for three years) dictates testing should go. It's the same document that mandated Gordon, a repeat offender, be tested every few days.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Gordon landed in Stage III of the program last year as part of a negotiated two-game suspension for the use of cough syrup that contained codeine. Once in Stage III, a player never leaves. And he must pass up to 10 drug tests per month.

According to the source, Gordon has passed at least 70 drug tests.

The NFL's marijuana policy is a retrograde embarrassment. It's not technically on appeal here, in what sounds like a pretty strong case for Josh Gordon, but maybe it should be.

Update: Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gordon's appeal will also maintain that his drug test was so marginally positive that it could have been the result of second-hand smoke.

Update No. 2: Bomani Jones has a different way to look at how screwed up the NFL's policy on marijuana is:

here’s what’s lost in this josh gordon story: the nfl threshold for marijuana is 15 ng/nl. the wada standard? 150. ONE HUNDRED FIFTY.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) July 29, 2014

Hootie · 07-29-2014, 09:09 PM

they shouldn't even ****ing test for pot

**Buck** · 07-29-2014, 10:08 PM

If the suspension isn't repealed after the Rice fiasco, the NFL is going to face so much scrutiny. But they will still make billions, so they probably don't care.

**LoneWolf** · 07-29-2014, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck

If the suspension isn't repealed after the Rice fiasco, the NFL is going to face so much scrutiny. But they will still make billions, so they probably don't care.

How does the Rice suspension, which dealt with conduct detrimental to the league, have any bearing on Gordon's suspension? You seem to have your panties all bunched up over the Rice suspension.

**Rausch** · 07-29-2014, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

they shouldn't even ****ing test for pot

I don't see the point.

It's not like pot is going to enhance your performance...

Just Passin' By · 07-29-2014, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

I don't see the point.

It's not like pot is going to enhance your performance...

The players were stupid enough to accept this as part of the CBA. They should never have accepted any testing for anything besides PEDs, they should never have accepted discipline for any non-football related incidents, and they should only have accepted discipline for football related incidents either from a neutral 3rd party or with a neutral 3rd party as the method of appeal.

But, they're idiots.

**Baby Lee** · 07-29-2014, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck

If the suspension isn't repealed after the Rice fiasco, the NFL is going to face so much scrutiny. But they will still make billions, so they probably don't care.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

How does the Rice suspension, which dealt with conduct detrimental to the league, have any bearing on Gordon's suspension? You seem to have your panties all bunched up over the Rice suspension.

Damn right Buck. You better straighten those panties and stop provoking the menfolk.

BigBeauford · 07-29-2014, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

How does the Rice suspension, which dealt with conduct detrimental to the league, have any bearing on Gordon's suspension? You seem to have your panties all bunched up over the Rice suspension.

Sends the message that in terms of penalties that Marijuana Use > Domestic Violence. Shouldn't have to even justify anyone making that argument that Rice got off easy for something infinitely more heinous.

**LoneWolf** · 07-29-2014, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

Sends the message that in terms of penalties that Marijuana Use > Domestic Violence. Shouldn't have to even justify anyone making that argument that Rice got off easy for something infinitely more heinous.

Nobody was arguing that domestic violence is less heinous than marijuana use. To my knowledge a player can't be suspended for their first positive drug test. It sounds like Gordon is getting a bum deal, but this isn't the first time he's been in trouble. Rice did something stupid and he admits that, but we also don't know what led to the incident in the elevator. Rice's incident should have no bearing on how Gordon's suspension is viewed.

BigBeauford · 07-29-2014, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Nobody was arguing that domestic violence is less heinous than marijuana use. To my knowledge a player can't be suspended for their first positive drug test. It sounds like Gordon is getting a bum deal, but this isn't the first time he's been in trouble. Rice did something stupid and he admits that, but we also don't know what led to the incident in the elevator. Rice's incident should have no bearing on how Gordon's suspension is viewed.

It's a pretty complicated situation. On one hand your employer told you not to do something, and he did it, but the penalties are way too harsh. And while two unrelated situations shouldn't have a bearing on one another, this really magnifies how outdated these rules are when it comes to "substance abuse".

**LoneWolf** · 07-29-2014, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

It's a pretty complicated situation. On one hand your employer told you not to do something, and he did it, but the penalties are way too harsh. And while two unrelated situations shouldn't have a bearing on one another, this really magnifies how outdated these rules are when it comes to "substance abuse".

Completely agree that the penalties for marijuana use are outdated. I'm to the point to where I don't think marijuana should be on the list of banned substances.

**Mav** · 07-30-2014, 06:39 AM

I am giving more and more hope to the idea that josh gordon could get off light here.

Eleazar · 07-30-2014, 06:52 AM

Gordon isn't really getting a season ban for weed, he's getting it for a long history of being a **** up

TEX · 07-30-2014, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

Gordon isn't really getting a season ban for weed, he's getting it for a long history of being a **** up

Exactly, dude has shown he does not have the maturity to learn from his mistakes. The weed thing was just the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

**SAUTO** · 07-30-2014, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

I am giving more and more hope to the idea that josh gordon could get off light here.

sorry mav, I believe they are gonna **** him in every hole he's got. especially after the dui while waiting for his appeal.

05-09-2014, 04:06 PM
KC Hawks Veteran Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The West Side Casino cash: $1554310	Josh Gordon faces season long suspension http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/...ong-suspension Just when Browns fans were feeling good...
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07-29-2014, 09:06 PM	#121
-King- ▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓ Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $2535743	Report: NFL Drug Testing Is Screwed Up And Screwed Josh Gordon 75,0766 Barry Petchesky Today 2:59pm Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk has some very interesting details about Josh Gordon's failed marijuana test that has him facing a full-season suspension. And if it's true, the NFL's drug testing procedure is more messed up than we could have imagined—and Josh Gordon doesn't deserve a suspension. Gordon's appeal of his 16-game suspension, which is scheduled to be heard on Friday, will reportedly hinge on inconsistencies in measurement of his urine sample, which was split into two containers. Florio: Urine samples routinely are split into two bottles, the "A" bottle and the "B" bottle. If the "A" bottle generates a positive result, the "B" bottle is tested. Amazingly, the "B" bottle doesn't have to independently show a violation. Instead, the substance abuse policy states that the "'B' bottle Test need only show that the substance, revealed in the 'A' bottle Test, is evident to the 'limits of detection' to confirm the results of the 'A' bottle Test." [...] For Gordon, the "A" bottle showed a concentration of 16 ng/ml, only one nanogram per milliliter above the limits of 15. The "B" bottle showed a concentration of 13.6 ng/ml — less than the threshold. To emphasize, Gordon's "A" and "B" bottles came from the same urine sample. The "B" was only tested to confirm that the "A" wasn't tainted or wildly out of bounds—it doesn't matter that the "B" wouldn't have been a violation had it arbitrarily been labeled the "A" bottle, or that there was a sizable discrepancy between the two tested bottles. It's tough shit for Josh Gordon, despite the fact that his urine averaged out to be below allowable limits. But, this is how the NFL's Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse (the renegotiation of which has more or less been going on for three years) dictates testing should go. It's the same document that mandated Gordon, a repeat offender, be tested every few days. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Gordon landed in Stage III of the program last year as part of a negotiated two-game suspension for the use of cough syrup that contained codeine. Once in Stage III, a player never leaves. And he must pass up to 10 drug tests per month. According to the source, Gordon has passed at least 70 drug tests. The NFL's marijuana policy is a retrograde embarrassment. It's not technically on appeal here, in what sounds like a pretty strong case for Josh Gordon, but maybe it should be. Update: Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gordon's appeal will also maintain that his drug test was so marginally positive that it could have been the result of second-hand smoke. Update No. 2: Bomani Jones has a different way to look at how screwed up the NFL's policy on marijuana is: here’s what’s lost in this josh gordon story: the nfl threshold for marijuana is 15 ng/nl. the wada standard? 150. ONE HUNDRED FIFTY. — Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) July 29, 2014 __________________ 🏁
Posts: 63,870

07-29-2014, 09:09 PM	#122
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	they shouldn't even ****ing test for pot
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07-29-2014, 10:08 PM	#123
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $8329900	If the suspension isn't repealed after the Rice fiasco, the NFL is going to face so much scrutiny. But they will still make billions, so they probably don't care.
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07-30-2014, 06:39 AM	#132
Mav XBOX GT MAVS ACE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Wisconsin Casino cash: $10019303	I am giving more and more hope to the idea that josh gordon could get off light here. __________________ Resident Browns fan I’m not here to argue about Alex Smith. Fastest Ignore user on CP
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07-30-2014, 06:52 AM	#133
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Gordon isn't really getting a season ban for weed, he's getting it for a long history of being a **** up
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