http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/03/24/suspended-josh-gordon-trains-with-ex-olympian/
Suspended Josh Gordon trains with ex-Olympian
Posted by Michael Gehlken on March 24, 2017
AP
There is little sense in speculating as to whether or not this will be it, whether this comeback attempt from
Josh Gordon will be the one that returns the uber-talented deep threat to the field.
That will come down to Gordon, if the NFL allows it.
But before potential reinstatement, it seems he’s putting in the work.
The suspended Browns wide receiver, who hasn’t played an NFL down the past two seasons, reportedly is training with speed coach Tim Montgomery, a former Olympian, in Florida as part of his effort to resurrect his career.
Violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy have cost the 2012 supplemental second-round pick 44 games the past four years. He was suspended a 45th game in 2012 for a violation of team rules.
Gordon caught 87 passes for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in 2013.
That came despite missing two games to a league suspension.
There is some off-the field relevancy in Gordon’s partnership with Montgomery. The latter is in position to mentor Gordon, having overcome his own pitfalls.
As cataloged by ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Montgomery “served prison time after pleading guilty to possession and distribution of more than 100 grams of heroin in 2008 and was stripped of his medals and suspended in 2005 for using performance-enhancing drugs based on evidence gathered in the criminal investigation of the BALCO steroid scandal.”
Graziano cited sources who expect the NFL to determine Gordon’s status for 2017 “by late April or early May.” Gordon will turn 26 on April 13.
