NFL Suspends Gordon for at Least a Year

Browns WR Josh Gordon was suspended by the NFL for at least a year on Tuesday following his latest violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Gordon tested positive for alcohol shortly after the regular season finale and admitted to drinking on a flight with teammates from Cleveland to Las Vegas following the Browns’ season-ending loss to the Ravens.

The strict ban on alcohol was a stipulation special to Gordon, resulting from his three league-mandated suspensions, including one for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Gordon, who was also suspended by the Browns in Week 17 for missing team activities, has pushed Cleveland’s patience as far as it can go.

“As we have conveyed, we are disappointed to once again be at this point with Josh,” said Browns GM Ray Farmer. “Throughout his career we have tried to assist him in getting support like we would with any member of our organization. Unfortunately our efforts have not resonated with him. It is evident that Josh needs to make some substantial strides to live up to the positive culture we are trying to build this football team upon.

“Our hope is that this suspension affords Josh the opportunity to gain some clarity in determining what he wants to accomplish moving forward and if he wants a career in the National Football League. We will have no further comment on Josh as he will not be permitted in our facility for the duration of his suspension.”

The Browns will control Gordon’s rights for at least one more season after his return from suspension, assuming he is able to be reinstated in time for the 2016 season. He missed the chance to accrue a season in 2014, which would have moved him closer to free agency, because of his multiple suspensions.

Gordon is one of the most productive receivers in the game when he’s on the field, as he showed in 2013 by catching 87 passes for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. But he was never able to parlay those numbers into a big contract, and given his latest suspension, it is doubtful he ever will.

Gordon’s 2015 salary ($1.07 million before the suspension) will not count against Cleveland’s salary cap. In 2016, he will enter the final season of the four-year, $5.34 million deal he signed as a rookie. It remains to be seen how much of his $2.3 million signing bonus the Browns attempt to recoup as a result of this latest infraction.

It is unfair to blame Johnny Manziel for any of Gordon’s struggles, but the young quarterback-receiver tandem had way too much fun together this season. Manziel has already checked himself into rehab as a result, although Gordon has no plans to do the same; instead, he has lashed out at anyone who has insinuated he has a drinking problem.

Gordon has deflected blame for his latest suspension, insisting he believed he was allowed to drink again once the regular season was finished.

The Browns hoped Gordon would finally figure things out and emerge as the next Brandon Marshall. Instead, he appears destined to be the next Justin Blackmon.

Quinn to Have Last Word on Atlanta’s Roster

Falcons owner Arthur Blank clarified his team’s new power structure on Tuesday, including the revelation that first-time head coach Dan Quinn will have the final say on the team’s roster and practice squad.

“To be specific, Thomas [Dimitroff], as a general manager, will have final authority over free agents and draft picks, Scott [Pioli] now has responsibility for running free agency and the draft,” Blank said. “Dan will have final authority over the 53- and 46-man rosters and practice squad.”

It continues the offseason trend of stripping power from Dimitroff, who was once believed to be on the chopping block along with former coach Mike Smith. Dimitroff was able to keep his position, although it is clear Blank has put in place a system of checks and balances to prevent Dimitroff from having an overbearing thumbprint on the direction of the team going forward.

It will still be weeks before any roster changes are made, but changes to the coaching staff are ongoing. Quinn confirmed on Tuesday that Kyle Shanahan will be his offensive coordinator and Richard Smith will be his defensive coordinator. Keith Armstrong, Atlanta’s incumbent special teams coach, will remain in that role.

Another significant addition to the coach staff is Raheem Morris, who will serve as assistant head coach/defensive game passing coordinator. Morris, the former head coach of the Buccaneers, spent the last three seasons coaching defensive backs in Washington.

Titans Agree with LeBeau

Dick LeBeau backed out on one former Steelers comrade to join another. After nearly joining Bruce Arians and the Cardinals as a defensive assistant a few weeks ago, LeBeau finally settled on his next coaching destination by agreeing to become the assistant head coach/defense of Ken Whisenhunt’s Titans. Both Arians and Whisenhunt served as offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh during LeBeau’s time in the Steel City.

The Titans will retain defensive coordinator Ray Horton, one of LeBeau’s former assistant coaches in Pittsburgh who served as his secondary coach from 2004-2010. Both LeBeau and Horton favor the same kind of attacking 3-4 defensive system.

The decision to choose the Titans over the Cardinals apparently had more to do with geography than coaching personnel, as it was important for LeBeau to remain as close as possible to his family in Cincinnati.

An official announcement has been delayed as the Titans wanted to let LeBeau enjoy an award ceremony in his honor on Tuesday, when the Pittsburgh City Council passed a proclamation that February is Dick LeBeau Month in Pittsburgh.

“Whatever happens next, we’ll embrace it,” LeBeau said after the ceremony. “Coaching’s been good to me. I’ve been blessed.”

When the move becomes official, LeBeau will be charged with turning around a defense that ranked No. 27 overall last season (373 yards per game). He inherits some talented players, though, including DE Jurrell Casey, NT Sammie Hill, MLB Wesley Woodyard and CB Jason McCourty.

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