Well, so much for the optimism generated in Cleveland by the drafting of Johnny Manziel.
According to a report from ESPN.com’s T.J. Quinn and Don Van Natta Jr., Browns receiver Josh Gordon could be facing a year-long suspension after failing a test for marijuana.
Gordon was suspended two games and fined two additional game checks last year, saying that test was the result of codeine-based cough syrup. But the report says that this punishment would stem from a failed marijuana test, and that he received a letter from the league telling him he faced a 16-game suspension but had the right to appeal. Gordon has a track record with marijuana suspensions from his days at Baylor as well.
Reached by phone Friday afternoon, Gordon told ESPN: “That’s something you’re going to have to talk to [agent] Drew Rosenhaus about. I really don’t know anything about it.”
Asked about an appeal, Gordon said, “I’m going to have to find out about that later. You need to call Drew,” before hanging up.
Rosenhaus declined comment but said the information was “not true.”
Gordon had 87 catches for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns last year, and would have ostensibly been a big part of the reason for some optimism in Cleveland.
But as usual, that seems to be short-lived.