Should the Cowboys have traded for Josh Gordon?
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is going to New England so will the Dallas Cowboys come to regret not making a play for him?
Josh Gordon is in the news again—no, not for a suspension. Actually, more of the opposite. The Cleveland Browns are trading him. When the news broke, Gordon offered up his top two possible destinations; one is the San Francisco 49ers, the other is none other than, you guessed it, the Dallas Cowboys.
Wehere is he going?
Why New England of course!
Patriots land Browns WR Josh Gordon in surprising trade https://t.co/nFypZjQ0dr
— HUGE (@Hugeshow) September 17, 2018
The Dallas Cowboys are currently without any sort of pedigree at the wide receiver position, making Gordon a reasonable option to many of us. The fact that Dallas showed zero interest is more surprising that the Patriots made the trade.
Do the Dallas Cowboys have this right or do the Patriots? Let’s take a peak:
There has been controversy surrounding Gordon and his conduct off the field. Here is a timeline of Gordon’s collegiate and professional football history courtesy of Sporting News and The Football Girl.
October 7, 2010
Gordon and Baylor teammate Willie Jefferson are cited on misdemeanor drug possession charges after weed was found in a car where the two were found asleep in a Taco Bell parking lot. Jefferson was kicked off the Baylor football team (as it was his second violation), and the charges against Gordon were dropped.
July 25, 2011
Gordon was suspended indefinitely by the Baylor football team for violating team rules. Following reports concluded that he failed a drug test, showing positive for marijuana.
July 16, 2012
The second-round pick signs his first NFL contract with the Cleveland Browns.
2012 NFL Season
Gordon plays all 16 games for Cleveland. He recorded five touchdowns and 805 receiving yards.
July 7, 2013
Gordon is suspended by the NFL for breaking the league’s substance abuse policy. He would miss the first two games of the 2013 regular season.
December 2013
Gordon is named to the Pro Bowl for the first time of his career. He led the league with 1,646 yards.
July 5, 2014
Gordon is arrested in Raleigh, North Carolina, on suspicion of driving while impaired. Gordon was speeding and had a blood-alcohol level of .09, which was above the legal limit.
August 27, 2014
Gordon is suspended one year after violating the league’s substance abuse policy for the second time in his career.
(Note: Gordon would only be suspended for ten games of the 2014 season as the NFL changed it’s suspension policies)
December 27, 2014
Gordon is suspended one game by the Browns for violating team rules.
February 3, 2015
Gordon is suspended again for another year by the NFL and isn’t eligible to return until the beginning of the 2016 season for testing positive for alcohol use in late January.
January 20, 2016
Gordon applies to be reinstated by the NFL.
April 12, 2016
Gordon’s petition is denied due to another failed drug test.
July 25, 2016
The NFL reinstates Gordon for training camp, but he is unable to play in the Brown’s first four games of the 2016 regular season.
September 29, 2016
Gordon enters a rehab facility instead of returning from suspension.
October 30, 2016
30 days later, Gordon is released from rehab but remains on the NFL’s suspended list.
March 1, 2017
Gordon applies for NFL reinstatement once more.
May 11, 2017
Gordon’s petition for reinstatement is denied.
November 1, 2017
Rodger Goodell, the Commissioner of the NFL, reinstates Gordon.
July 23, 2018
Gordon is placed on a restraining order by a Cuyahoga County (Ohio) judge after Gordon refused to make child support payments during his suspensions.
July 23, 2018
Gordon announces that he’ll miss the start of the Cleveland Browns training camp.
August 18, 2018
Gordon returns to the Browns.
September 15, 2018
The Browns traded Gordon after he arrived late to a Browns’ facility and was tagged for possible substance abuse.
So, it seems to be the case that Gordon’s history with suspension, drugs, and alcohol is longer than a laundry list. With that said, he’s a solid wide receiver… when he’s on the field.
In 41 games, Gordon has racked up 180 receptions for 3,106 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Gordon, who is 27, is a good receiver and would have fit a need for the Cowboys’ offense. However, considering the fact that he’s been suspended time and time again, it would have looked bad on the Cowboys to take in a player who has a repeated history of league violations.
The Patriots have some much goodwill in this league (unfounded) they can get away with risky moves like this.
Next. Cowboys: How Tavon Austin Became the Missing Piece. dark
Only time will determine whether or not passing on Gordon was wise or not, but it says a lot when the most successful NFL in the past decade is willing to gamble on him. What do you think?
- Published on 09/18/2018 at 17:00 PM
- Last updated at 09/18/2018 at 14:05 PM