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Browns Potentially Improve Defense in Trade For Safety Calvin Pryor

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The New York Jets continue to make up for past mistakes, while the Cleveland Browns keep kicking tires to see what sticks. Both sides lived up to their new mantras on Thursday, when the Jets handed over star safety Calvin Pryor in a trade for Cleveland linebacker, Demario Davis:

New York had long been threatening to move on from Pryor, who entered the league as a hard-hitting playmaker but disappointed when it came to high expectations and also struggled in coverage. The writing was officially on the wall when the Jets spent two draft picks on the safety position in the 2017 NFL Draft, making the 24-year old Pryor expendable. The deal brings back former Jet Demario Davis, who spent his first four years in the NFL with the Jets before signing with the Browns ahead of last season.

Good Deal For Both Sides

On the surface this trade doesn’t register as an offseason blockbuster deal, but it’s bigger than some NFL fans may initially think. Pryor was a big time prospect coming out of Louisville, as he’s always shown the ability to lay hard licks on receivers over the middle of the field and in theory can provide his defense with strong run support and an impact ball hawk secondary. Pryor really never lived up to expectations in either category, but used in the right setting with a Browns defense that added a ton of talent in free agency and the draft, there is a reasonable chance to could actually thrive.

It’s worth wondering how much anyone can get out of a guy who failed to deliver under two bright defensive minds like Rex Ryan and Todd Bowles, but Pryor is still just 24 and has the ability to further develop with the change of scenery. More importantly, it’s quite likely he will be used differently in Cleveland than he was in New York. Precisely how remains to be seen, but with the Browns drafting star safety Jabrill Peppers out of Michigan, the team could be looking for the right mix of talent at the back of their pass defense.

While Pryor could end up being a great fit for the Browns if all goes well, Davis returns to his old stomping grounds in this same trade. Davis was solid enough in his lone season with the Browns, and will come back to New York starting out as a rotational piece. Davis projects best on the inside of New York’s 3-4, but with David Harris and Darron Lee both likely operating ahead of him, it could be difficult to point out an obvious role for him initially.

That may be the case at first, but the Jets will certainly find a way to use a talented linebacker who knows their system and has shown well in the past. Davis isn’t a stud by any means, but he’s been more than passable and is a solid depth pickup considering Pryor was a player the Jets were probably eventually going to release for nothing.

Playoff Impact?

At first glance, this trade does very little for either side when it comes to Super Bowl odds or playoff expectations. The Jets are likely headed in the wrong direction after struggling in 2016, while the Browns really have nowhere to go but up after handing in an awful 1-15 run a year ago. The Browns are on their way to improving, however, as they drafted huge defensive assets in Myles Garrett and Jabrill Peppers and could potentially get some help from the hard-hitting Pryor if all goes well.

Neither team deserves a Super Bowl flier bet right now and betting on the Jets or Browns to make the playoffs doesn’t feel like a great bet, either. There could be money to be made if you feel either team is in the upward swing, however, as the Browns have a projected win Over/Under at 4.5 and the Jets enter 2017 with a projected win Over/Under at 5. Both teams remain solid bets to stick the Under in these bets over at Bovada, but Cleveland is the one adding talent in spades right now. They play in a tough AFC North division and have to deal with three viable playoff contenders in the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, but with added talent and a lower win total, they might make the better bet between these two bottom feeders.

Of course, even that bet feels like a mild reach, as these teams still aren’t good and won’t be contending for anything of merit in 2017. The Calvin Pryor trade could be a nice get for the Browns down the road, but it’s unlikely to translate into a big boost in wins in year one.

NFL Betting: Browns in Bad Shape After Corey Coleman Injury

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The Cleveland Browns can’t catch a break in 2016. Already down their top two quarterbacks thanks to injuries to both Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown, the Browns were looking at tough sledding heading into week three with raw rookie Cody Kessler under center.

Another Injury

Consider their chances to upset the Miami Dolphins even worse.

Per reports, star number one wide receiver Corey Coleman, who busted out with two scores against the Baltimore Ravens in week two, broke his hand during practice and is set to miss significant time. Coleman was shaping up to be one of Cleveland’s few remaining bright spots for a team that has started out at 0-2 and probably was headed for a rough 2016 season, regardless.

Offense Takes Hit

Coleman was expected to help keep things interesting, however, as his big play ability down the field could at least help keep defenses honest and allow for the Browns to attempt to get their running game going. It would have been an especially useful component considering Kessler makes his first start this week, but with Coleman’s injury, the team will now be severely depleted when it comes to the passing game.

Coleman faces an extensive absence, but fortunately will not require surgery to repair the break. Coleman is looking at a 4-6 week absence, but there is optimism he could potentially return earlier if he heals quickly.

Next Man Up

The Coleman injury is especially troubling considering Cleveland’s talent at wide receiver. With Coleman gone for at least a month and Josh Gordon (suspension) still not due back, the Browns will be forced to go to quarterback-turned-receiver Terrelle Pryor even more, starting in week three.

Pryor had displayed some promising chemistry with RG3 during the preseason, but Griffin is now likely done for the year and there’s no telling how Kessler and Pryor will fare together. Pryor has certainly been involved in the passing game with 17 targets through the first two weeks, but has been unable to produce consistently and has yet to find the end-zone. That being said, Pryor does have the size and speed to make plays all over the field, so it makes sense for him to now step up as Cleveland’s go-to wide receiver.

Whether or not Pryor can actually take advantage of a bigger role remains to be seen, but the absence of Coleman should also give way to extra snaps for the likes of Andrew Hawkins, Rishard Higgins and Jordan Payton. Who steps up and produces could be anyone’s guess, but starting out in week three, logic suggests Cleveland’s passing game could struggle mightily.

With the wide receiver position so depleted and Kessler being a huge question under center, the Browns will undoubtedly try to keep things simple, if not controlled. That could mean trying to set the the tone on the ground early, as well as short to intermediate plays involving pass-catching back Duke Johnson and tight end, Gary Barnidge.

Betting on Browns

Overall, this is a situation to avoid for NFL betting purposes. No one is surprised that the Browns are 0-2 to this point, and when you take away the team’s best two quarterbacks and top receiving weapon, their chances of winning any game are naturally going to drop dramatically.

Cleveland’s awful luck is going to cripple their chances starting immediately in week three, where they’ll try to get their first win in Miami against the Dolphins. Miami’s been a mixed bag through two weeks, but in week one exhibited a strong defense and in week two displayed a resilient offense. It’s likely they finally put a complete game together and take down the Browns, making them one of the safer NFL bets this week.

For the year, Cleveland’s betting prospects don’t get much better. Had they been healthy and gotten off to a hot start, they would have been somewhat appealing, given their super playable +6600 odds to win the AFC North, as well as their ridiculous league-worst +50000 odds to win Super Bowl 51.

Cleveland wasn’t really a sleeper playoff team going into 2016, of course, and these brutal injuries only add to the belief that they’re one of the poorest overall bets this year. Betting against the Browns in every way is the way to go in week three and beyond.

2016 NFL Predictions: Will Browns Trade Josh Gordon?

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The Cleveland Browns don’t seem like they really know what they want to do with star wide receiver Josh Gordon. Recently reinstated by the NFL, Gordon finally has a chance to redeem himself for past failed drug tests, following a four-game ban to begin the 2016 season.

Josh Gordon Trade Rumors

The big question, of course, is if Cleveland cares to see if he’ll actually make good on what figures to be his final chance.

Just this week reports emerged that the Browns were taking in trade offers for Gordon, and not too look after, there were whispers that the team itself sparked the Josh Gordon trade rumors by releasing the info, themselves.

Shortly after, the team came forward and declared they now are not interested in trading Josh Gordon, and probably never seriously considered doing so.

Can Gordon Be Trusted?

The Browns are a tough organization to believe here, for a couple of reasons. For one, Gordon is impossible to truly trust. This is a kid who was a red flag coming into the league and has been suspended two games or more every year since 2013. He missed all of 2015 with a year-long ban and even still hangs out with fellow headcase, Johnny Manziel.

On paper, Gordon is a major liability.

There’s more to hate. New head coach Hue Jackson comes in with a whole new system and approach and his fresh start had the Browns cleaning house in a massive way. The team cut ties with most of it’s previous receiving talent, cut Manziel and numerous other high profile talent and then drafted four new receiving options in the 2016 NFL Draft. The big one was first round wide receiver Corey Coleman, while Terrelle Pryor’s heavy inclusion in camp and preseason play suggests he could be in for a huge role, as well.

Very quickly, the excitement around a Josh Gordon return has turned into hesitance to fully bring him back.

So Much Upside

That being said, if Gordon can keep his head on straight and get back to being the player that dropped a ridiculous 87-1,646-9 line on the league back in 2013, the Browns would be foolish to pass on him. Right?

Perhaps, but if the Browns already love their other receiving talent, don’t trust Gordon for the long-term and think they can get something of value in return, it’d actually make even less sense not to cut ties with him.

Josh Gordon Prediction

So, what happens with Gordon, then?

This probably says it best: Josh Gordon has a price.

It’s true that’s probably the case with most players, but guys like Aaron Rodgers and J.J. Watt simply aren’t getting traded. Gordon very well could.

There are without a doubt a long line of interested teams that both have a serious need at wide receiver and also may be willing to part with the right draft picks to make a deal happen.

If Cleveland is smart, they make a play for the best available offer and deal Gordon. Not only is he a liability to get suspended again, but after this season he is due for a new contract. Is that a situation the Browns really want to be in – one way or another losing a star talent potentially for nothing? That’s very doubtful.

Again, the list is long, but the teams that need wide receiver help or could be willing to throw caution to the wind the most are the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers and the St. Louis Rams. Cleveland would be wise to deal Gordon outside of the division, as well as the entire AFC, putting the likes of the Eagles, Panthers and Rams largely under the microscope. It’s also possible Gordon doesn’t get dealt, thrives in Cleveland, re-signs to  a massive deal and ends up being one of the best receivers ever. Cleveland has to know all of that is a longshot, however.

2016 NFL Odds: Can Browns Push For Playoffs With Robert Griffin III as Starter?

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The Cleveland Browns are officially moving forward with Robert Griffin III as their new starting quarterback. Head coach Hue Jackson announced the decision early on Monday, suggesting “it’s time” for RG3 to lead the team in a position he has “earned”.

RG3 Era Begins

The move anoints Robert Griffin III as Cleveland’s starter months after the franchise started over in the front office and parted ways with former first round draft pick, Johnny Manziel. Not long after cutting ties with Johnny Football, RG3 was signed on to compete with 36-year old veteran, Josh McCown. Despite mixed reports in regards to both quarterback’s performances throughout camp, the Browns have opted to roll with the former #2 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Right Move?

There’s little arguing that now is the right time to announce the team’s starter with week one of the preseason coming later this week, but it’s still worth wondering if Jackson and co. picked the right guy for the job. Per numerous reports out of camp, RG3 was inconsistent at best and had the same issues with pocket presence, timing and awareness that he had when with the Washington Redskins.

McCown also wasn’t perfect, but he exhibited much more polish and by most accounts, was the team’s best passer all summer.

Upside could be the name of the game here, however. Hue Jackson is operating in his first season on the job, he has a young receiving corps and for the most part, expectations are low. RG3 gives the offense more potential with the deep ball, he’s a more explosive athlete than McCown and at just 26 years old, there is still room for him to grow as a natural pocket passer.

At least on the surface, going with RG3 is a win-win proposition. if RG3 succeeds, the Browns look like geniuses and Cleveland’s offense could very well be one of the more unpredictable and dangerous units in the league. Should he struggle or get hurt, the Browns could always turn back to McCown or even hand the offense over to rookie passer, Cody Kessler.

Browns’ Playoff Odds

No matter who the Browns put under center, they were facing an uphill battle in the deep and competitive AFC North. The Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers are set to be as good as ever going into the 2016 NFL season, and after a ruthless bout with injuries a year ago, a now healthy Baltimore Ravens squad could also be out for blood.

No one is shocked to see Cleveland start the year as vast underdogs to steal the division, while Bovada gives them +2000 odds to win the division. There is just too much competition to even have that look like a fun bet, and judging on what we’ve seen from RG3 in the last few years, it’s increasingly dangerous to generate much optimism.

The division is probably off limits here, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Cleveland has no shot at the playoffs. Their ridiculous +10000 Super Bowl odds have them as one of the weakest title threats around, but if RG3 can regain his rookie form and Cleveland’s defense can come to life after a down year, there is sleeper appeal in the Browns.

Everything needs to break right, of course. That doesn’t make the Browns a good bet to do many positive things in 2016, but it at least keeps them relevant for the moment. RG3 could potentially play a huge hand in that, too, and at the very worst keeps things interesting in Ohio.

Bovada has a bet going currently as to whether or not Cleveland will make the playoffs:

  • Yes +600
  • No -1000

The “yes” bet offers some solid payout potential and if you believe RG3 can be his old self again, there is some reason to go for it here. On the flip side, the odds are certainly against Cleveland cracking the AFC’s top-six teams and betting against them doesn’t exactly go against the grain. Needless to say, they probably won’t make the playoffs, but you’d have to lay down a ton of cash for a bet against the Browns to actually end up being worth it. Ultimately, the Browns are probably a bet to stay away from in 2016.

Why the Cleveland Browns Shouldn’t Trade Josh McCown

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The Cleveland Browns are increasingly in a better situation as the 2016 NFL season inches closer. Not only was star wide receiver Josh Gordon reinstated by the league this week, but the team also brought in four rookie wide receivers, signed Robert Griffin III and drafted Cody Kessler as a potential long-term option under center.

The maturation of the offense hasn’t been amazing, but the progress has been slow and steady under new head coach Hue Jackson’s watch. It also, unfortuately, has left solid journeyman passer Josh McCown with the impression that he’s out of a job.

End of the Line?

Despite faring quite well with the Browns in 2015, McCown couldn’t stay healthy and ultimately lost his job to a now released Johnny Manziel and eventually RG3. The big question for McCown, who can arguably still play at a fairly high level, is where does he go from here?

The arrival of two new quarterbacks may suggest McCown is on the outs with Cleveland, while a new head coach and management probably pushes that notion over the edge. It is possibly only a matter of time before McCown is cut loose or dealt, and it may simply come down to what the Browns feel they can get for him via a trade.

That could indeed be the writing on the wall, but reports earlier from camp suggested McCown “was the best quarterback” for Cleveland. Despite being 37 years old, McCown still exhibits strong mobility and above average arm strength, while there is little doubt he has better awareness in the pocket than the man trying to take his job – RG3.

Major Asset

There is a strong argument for Cleveland keeping McCown, as he’s at worst a great mind in the quarterback room, as well as a strong insurance policy on the bench. At best, he’s a quality starter that could help the Browns win games again in 2016, much like he did in spots in 2015. Cleveland wasn’t an overly successful team in terms of getting wins with him at the helm, but McCown mastered Cleveland’s offense and had the Browns in just about every game he appeared in.

The same may not be able to be said about Robert Griffin III, who has looked inconsistent at best since joining the Browns. RG3 has always been an erratic player, while his injury history could also be troubling for the Browns. If the Browns don’t feel confident in rolling with Austin Davis or rookie Cody Kessler in the event RG3 gets hurt or falters, keeping McCown certainly has its perks.

Possible Suitors

As much of a luxury as McCown looks to be on paper, he also might cost too much for the Browns to keep as a backup. Due to count over $4 million against the books in 2016, McCown could be on the move merely due to financial reasons.

If McCown ends up getting dealt, the Browns are looking at one of two realistic trade partners: the Denver Broncos and new York Jets.

The Broncos and Jets are both potential playoff teams with strong supporting casts in place, so there is an argument trading for a stable veteran like McCown could potentially put either one of them over the top. Both are currently heading into 2016 without last year’s stater, too, as Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to hold out from the Jets and Denver lost both Peyton Manning (retirement) and Brock Osweiler (free agency).

The Jets are arguably in the worse spot, as they have Geno Smith as their main backup plan, and don’t seem particularly excited about turning to him or youngsters, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. Their ideal situation would be to finish a deal to bring Fitzpatrick, or burn that bridge by trading for McCown.

The same goes for Denver, who are coming off a Super Bowl win and feel they have the defense, coaching and supporting offensive pieces to shoot for a repeat. Quarterback is their lone glaring issue, with Mark Sanchez looking like the only option under center at the moment. Rookie Paxton Lynch doesn’t seem ready and Trevor Siemian, though generating praise, has never been regarded as a prospect worth shoving into a big role.

Suffice to say, both New York and Denver should be giving Cleveland a call.

What Should Browns Do?

Signing Robert Griffin III probably looked like a fun, splashy move on paper, but Hue Jackson and co. probably learned quickly what the Washington Redskins found out: RG3 isn’t an NFL starter. He simply lacks the pocket presence, awareness and consistency to get the job done.

RG3 looked like a good get on paper, but Cleveland made a mistake here and instead should be moving forward with McCown as the starter with Davis and Kessler working to improve behind him. Ideally, Kessler is the future and in a season or two, he’d get his chance. For now, however, the Browns would be foolish to trade McCown, who was their best quarterback in 2015 and still is going into 2016.

2016 Fantasy Football: Is Josh Gordon Worth the Risk?

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With the news breaking on Monday that Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Josh Gordon had been reinstated by the NFL, many wondered what it meant. How soon could Gordon rejoin the Browns, what would Cleveland’s intentions be with him, and of course, what did this news mean for Gordon’s 2016 fantasy football outlook?

Gordon’s Return

Per reports, Roger Goodell approved Gordon’s reinstatement, which allows him to practice and play in preseason games, but will suspend the star receiver for the first four games of the 2016 NFL season. Gordon will, however, be able to practice and maintain communication with the Browns throughout his suspension, while he will also be at risk of being suspended should he fail another drug test.

Cleveland’s Plans

While exciting news, it’s unclear how the Browns regard Gordon’s NFL return. The team has an entirely new regime running the show and just this past NFL Draft added four new wide receivers. The passing game has been completely remodeled, with Johnny Manziel and Brian Hartline released, Travis Benjamin now in San Diego and Robert Griffin III assuming the starting role under center.

With so many changes and Gordon’s constant poor decision-making in the past, it’s easy to see why a new regime would hesitate to trust Gordon going forward. On top of that, Gordon is set to be a restricted free agent in 2017, which puts Cleveland in an awkward spot. Not only do they have to trust Gordon this year, but they’d quickly have to decide whether he’s worth big money and a long-term investment.

2016 Fantasy Football Value

All of that is certainly interesting and needs to be figured out eventually, but it really doesn’t matter to fantasy football league managers. One way or another, provided he doesn’t fail another drug test or mess up in another way, Josh Gordon is set to return to the fantasy football realm in week five.

There are still red flags to consider, of course. Gordon could be in a weird situation with the Browns, he could mess up again, or he could be in a completely different situation if traded.

Because of all of that, Gordon is an obvious risk and you simply can’t invest a high draft pick on him. He did crush the league in 2013 with over 1,600 receiving yards, but we need to consider his surrounding talent, his current shape and how reliable he is going forward.

All of that mixed together makes Gordon certainly worth drafting, but somewhere in the middle rounds or later.

The good news is there is a steep drop off at wide receiver right around round six or seven in standard 12-man leagues, depending on who you value and how you wide receiver rankings look. Right around round six is where you’ll see guys like Larry Fitzgerald, Eric Decker and Emmanuel Sanders hear their names called. There are still interesting shots worth taking in that range (Tyler Lockett, Kevin White, etc), but an active and dialed in Gordon has to trump them.

That is about the range you’ll want to be targeting Gordon. However, the risk is real and you’ll need to gauge yourself just how much you currently trust in Gordon and how likely you think it is that he stays clean, stays out of any other trouble and also can crush it like he has in the past.

The latter is important, because even that wasn’t the case when he last played in 2014. Still, the idea here is upside, and in the sixth or seventh round, Gordon possesses it in spades. He’s worth the gamble there and just might be one of the top steals in fantasy football drafts when it’s all said and done.

Does Josh Gordon Have a Chance to Play in 2016?

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Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Josh Gordon may have a chance to suit up in 2016.

Past reports regarding more failed drug tests suggested Gordon could be looking at yet another ban, but a reported meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sparked new optimism that Gordon could play against this season.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapopport, Gordon and Goodell met on Wednesday to discuss the troubled receiver’s future. The meeting didn’t include a decision either way from Goodell, while reports suggest Gordon should be able to reapply for reinstatement on August 1st.

Troubled History

The future still remains murky for Josh Gordon, as the league doesn’t always reinstate players despite their attempts to reapply, while Gordon’s multiple failed drug tests will naturally be taken into consideration when the league considers Gordon’s future.

Gordon burst onto the seen as a rookie in 2012 and then stepped up his game and looked like an elite weapon during a massive 2013 campaign. Although Gordon’s star was rising steadily, his career hit a wall when he was suspended two games for substance abuse in 2013 and then another 10 games for the 2014 season. Gordon’s career took a dark turn for the worse again in 2015, when more negative drug tests resulted in a year-long ban.

Gordon looked to be set to return for the 2016 season, but reportedly yet again failed league mandated drug tests and now faces the possibility of further suspension. Gordon’s meeting with the commissioner figures to be a step towards possible reinstatement, but no such action by the league is imminent.

So Much Talent

The story of Josh Gordon is especially troubling, both because of the frequency of his trip-ups with the league, as well as his top shelf talent that is being wasted. Gordon went into the 2012 Supplemental Draft largely due to character concerns, and he didn’t waste much time before making the Browns regret acquiring him.

Most of Gordon’s off the field issues have come following his enormous success, which began during his rookie season, when he caught 50 balls for over 800 yards and five scores. Gordon’s big play ability made him the focal point of the team’s offense the following season, where he would amass 1,646 receiving yards and nine touchdowns off of 87 catches – all in just 14 games.

Gordon’s suspensions began to take a toll on his development, however, as he didn’t appear to be the same player upon returning from a 10-game ban in 2014, when he posted a weak 24-303-0 stat line.

Odds of Reinstatement

The biggest thing working against Josh Gordon is his failed drug tests after spending an entire season away from football. That may show that he has not been taking the proper precautions in living drug free life. For the league, Gordon’s constant infractions suggest he’s not taking his professional football career seriously and there has to be worry that he may never appreciate what is at risk.

Gordon isn’t out with recourse, here, as the diluted sample that put off his reinstatement could still be discarded, should the league decide to give him a break. Gordon’s sit-down with Goodell could easily allow for that to happen, depending on whether or not Gordon can convince the league commissioner that he’s serious about staying clean and working his way back into the league.

From there, Gordon will likely apply for reinstatement and still potentially could find his way back into the league this year. That being said, applying for reinstatement and conversing with Goodell individually and together don’t mean anything. A discussion with Goodell could lead to nothing and Gordon’s application to be reinstated could still very well be denied. And should Gordon’s recent failed drug tests or any future failed drug tests be used against him, Gordon may not be looking at 2016 as his main roadblock; he could be looking at a completely derailed NFL career.

Two harsh realities exist. Not only could Gordon’s own team decide not to activate him (they could also trade him, if reinstated), but the league itself could opt not to believe, trust or hand out another chance to a player who has routinely broken their rules. That has already been the case with the likes of Justin Blackmon and Daryl Washington, while other players such as Ray Rice have seemingly been blackballed by the league for their actions away from the field.

Josh Gordon Prediction

The NFL has been making a name for itself when it comes to making an example of players that break rules. Players that abuse drugs, use steroids or banned substances or commit acts of violence do not usually get the benefit of the doubt – even when they’re not actually convicted of a crime in the court of law.

Johnny Manziel, who hasn’t been convicted of anyhing yet, was suspended four games this year for drug issues. Numerous players have received bans for substance and drug abuse issues this summer already, as well. Due to his lengthy history of failed drug tests and existing suspensions, a 2016 reinstatement still feels like a reach.

For Josh Gordon to be reinstated immediately, the league would have to throw out any of his recent failed drug tests, trust blindly that Gordon is reformed and won’t relapse and in a sense also forget any of his past infractions.

This is all assuming Gordon is close to being allowed back in the league. Even if Goodell throws out the drug tests and does randomly give Gordon another chance, there is the huge elephant in the room: what are the odds Josh Gordon makes good with what would surely be his last chance in the league?

The simple reality is players do not come back from year-long suspensions very often and they surely don’t come back after another suspension after the fact. One way or another, Josh Gordon is on his last legs in the NFL. Whether or not he gets reinstated in August shouldn’t be the concern. The concern is whether or not his next reinstatement will last more than a month. Considering his history, Gordon will have to prove Goodell, the league, the Browns and everyone else that he’s a changed man and that he can be trusted. Judging by things have gone so far, it’s tough to buy it working out.