Scoopage: NFL reinstating Josh Gordon from suspension, eligible to return for last 2 games @@NFLONFOX
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 3, 2020
This basically means Gordon has served a year-long suspension. The NFL’s thought-process has been unclear on this issue. At least there appears to be some clarity at last, with the news that he will soon return.
He was originally suspended on December 16th last year. If he’s able to return on the same date this year, that would be four days before the Washington game. Presumably the need to go through Covid testing is why Jay Glazer is reporting he will return for the last two games only — because four days won’t be enough to gain clearance.
The NFL has since released a statement discussing a set of events for Gordon’s return. Although they note he can go through Covid testing tomorrow — basically everything is set up for him to safely commence practising after the Washington game on the 21st December.
The dates might be a coincidence but I doubt it.
It’s pretty clear the Seahawks could really benefit from a third dynamic receiving option. D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are both performing at a high level and the other receivers have been able to chip-in. However — the ability to line up a third weapon that a defense really has to plan for is a tantalising prospect. It makes life even more difficult for an opponent.
With Gordon slated to return for the Rams game — it’ll also make it harder for LA to put Jalen Ramsey on D.K. Metcalf and then just match-up everyone else. If they have to account for Lockett and Gordon too — that’s a big challenge.
The Seahawks have also struggled to convert third downs this year. Gordon had a positive impact in that regard last season, especially in the dramatic win against San Francisco.
You need a lot of weapons in the modern NFL. Kansas City are proving that. It’s why I’ve said a few times it’s regrettable that the Seahawks didn’t take full advantage of two fantastic receiver drafts in 2019 and 2020. Yes they landed Metcalf, a genuine NFL star, but look at some of the other names who were also available (and players we talked about a lot as viable targets). They had a chance to acquire cheap, brilliant skill players for Russell Wilson for the key years of his prime.
Nevertheless, Gordon now has a chance to fill the void for the two most important remaining games of the season and a playoff run. It’s a big test for him to come in and contribute from the cold. He also needs to make sure he remains available.
This is great opportunity for him and a big boost for the Seahawks.
If you missed yesterday’s new podcast previewing the Giants game, check it out here:
You can now support Seahawks Draft Blog via Patreon by clicking the tab below.
So happy to see him back, hope he can take advantage of the opportunity and ball out (and stay available). Go Hawks!
Sorry to be a downer, but is there not a 2 game suspension still to fulfill? After re-instatement he has to sit out 2 games? Right?
is gordon a jet sweep threat?
I don’t think so, maybe in his early days but he’s not the explosive threat he used to be. Hopefully we can find someone that can run them in the draft
I’m more excited about the guaranteed conversion on the 3rd down slant. And anything he does to stretch the field.
The diving catch on third down when he cupped the ball while falling to the ground sealed it for me.
This.
3rd down has been a huge disappointment this season. Olsen was underwhelming, but he made some key conversions, and not having him really elevated the need for Gordon.
Depth cant be understated either. Lock hasnt quite had the separation since getting banged up a couple of weeks ago, DK missed a few plays Monday and you could tell. Having another weapon will be critical if Lock/DK miss a game, or part of a game.
Spread the load out, keeping the WRs as fresh as you can.
Thank goodness. So glad to have him back. Looks like he has been keeping in shape and hopefully he is still in the playbook. But also, screw you Goodell. Is it so hard to say 1 year suspension? Can’t even follow their on rules on laying out suspensions.
This was music to my ears! Can’t wait to get JG back! He should be ready to go by the playoffs and hopefully gives the Rams and 9ers a challenge for the last 2 weeks of the regular season.
This is great for several reasons. Not the least of which is it takes some pressure off of Tyler Lockett.
I don’t think he’s been right since the Arizona all-time-explosion game. The knee has been sore and it may be affecting his production.
noticed that too – agree
thank god.. less of Moore’s slow dance.
I was listening to the Niners local station today and they were analyzing the NFCW teams. After heaping praise on the Hawks and calling them the best team in the division who is getting healthy at the right time and has a loaded roster they mentioned Moore and called him one of the best 3rd receivers in the league. Being in NorCal I hear more positive comments about the Hawks (even though they hate us with a passion they respect us).
Great news! I don’t think we should expect a ton from him but giving the Hawks opponents more to think about & game plan for is a good thing.
I’ll just leave this here, start a fire and then bolt.
DK Year 2 currently through 11 games:
58/1039/9
DK Year 2 projected through 16 games:
85/1511/13
Julio Year 2 in 16 games:
79/1198/10
Now Cha, you know that DK doesn’t want to be Julio, or Megatron, but himself…Quick, tweet that to DK so he’ll have an additional chip to work with this weekend! 😉
JG Year 2 in 14 games:
87/1646/9
; )
DK is like being gifted a free top 5 pick. It almost doesn’t seem real.
I’ve thought that many times this year. Maybe even a top 3 pick. Depending on who the drafting team was, who would go #1 overall from last year? You can make a good case of DK over Murray or even a healthy Bosa. It’s just insane what a gift he has been.
I have been critical of the drafting these recent years because they deserve criticism, but if you could go back to last year and if the Seahawks would have picked DK with their 1st rounder and gotten Collier later, I think people would look back to that draft a lot differently. Instead of being one of the many teams to pass on DK twice, they’d have been the team smart enough to scoop him up. Crazy.
Falcons got Julio Jones for:
2011 pick #27, #59, #123
2012 pick #22, #118
Seahawks got DK for:
2019 pick #77 and #118
he reminds me a bit of TO. but, it has to be said, and it’s not hyperbole, a bigger and faster TO.
While I agree with you on the poor offseason and the lack of addressing the pass rush. I also feel they should’ve targeted other players with their early picks in the recent drafts, but I’m comfortable and fine with the fact they didn’t draft other receivers even though the drafts were deep at that position. Had they drafted a receiver earlier I don’t think they would’ve moved up to take DK, probably thinking they had already addressed that need. I think it’s one of those “things have a way of working out” deals. Either that or “it’s better to be lucky than good.”
If they addressed the pass rush they could have used their 1st pick on Deebo Samuel and still drafted Metcalf.
After all they drafted Metcalf, yet they still felt the need for both Jennings and Ursa.
So if they took Deebo 1st why wouldn’t they have felt the need for a 2nd receiver in Metcalf.
I think they felt like they had to take a DE with their 1st pick. Could you imagine Deebo & Metcalf. I know I would happily swap Collier for Deebo.
That would be a scary combo for years to come
I see Gordon as good depth behind a healthy david moore. Seems to be more hype than results unless it’s a random. I do think he can present a match up problem for opposing teams in the playoffs…ala chris Mathews. Russell “wanted” stars…well he’s got them… though with Olson hurt… will he even bother to look to his other tight ends? I’m not putting the lack of tight ends in the offense on schotty, this is Russel’s problem when he goes through his progressions. He can see the deep third…the sidelines well…but the middle to the shallow he just does not see…of course this is where freddy swain and the tight ends make their bread and Russ is leaving it unbuttered. The Rams whole defensive plan was based on this blindness.
When Gordon’s available — you better believe they’re going to use him.
He isn’t depth for Moore. He’s going to be on the field.
Agree. Gets open readily and has awesome hands. Definitely a boost to the O.
And this news makes me wonder if we will see Dorsett on the field this year. Or ever?
Probably not. I forgot he was even here.
Crime and punishment. It remains to be seen if we’ll ever get the complete story as to why it took so long for reinstatement. On the surface, it sure did seem that certain other players got shorter sentences.
But all that aside, it’s nice to have him back. I’m just not sure how much production we might get out of him in the scant time left to work him back into the swing of things, even if it’s mostly as a weapon that has to be paid attention to more than any other 3rd receiver currently on the roster. I’d certainly like to think so, but that could end up being wishful thinking.
At least the possibility of it gives me a little rush of excitement. Good news in that way.
Might be that the roster is going to get healthy and rounded out (relatively of course) in time for week 16…
Rob, thanks as always for the community here. Looking forward to the rest of the season!
+1
Rob is the man.
Sweet! Finally some good news on that front. Curious to hear in what kind of football shape he’s kept himself.
Gordon is a difference-maker. He’s a big physical WR with soft hands.
Penny is, by far, the RB on this roster with the most explosion or big play ability. Not saying he’s better than Carson. He isn’t. Just his explosion and game changing speed (pre-injury).
If you can add two talented dudes like that to this team – that’s a heck of a late-season boost. Normally, injuries deplete teams throughout the year, but it’s possible this offense will be better than ever (more talented) come the end of this month and into the playoffs. Especially when Shell returns to the lineup.
One thing I am a bit surprised about is that Britt hasn’t signed to back-up Pocic, unless he’s made his money on that last contract and is done with the NFL. Because if he wanted to continue his NFL career next year, you’d think he’d be okay being a back-up now and being able to use an NFL training facility to get ready to compete for a job somewhere next year. Oh well.
If this ends up being a Super season (I hope), I will look back to the Dunlap trade (not Adams) as being the game changing acquisition of the season! The entire dynamic of the pass rush changed upon his arrival. Personally, even if he plays this week – I’m okay with them giving him the Jets game off. He’s too valuable to risk.
Rob – Not to bring up the negative clowns who swear and bring the blog down, but if the Seahawks win the Super Bowl this year… there’s a few things where you hit the nail on the head…
1. Pete Carroll is the master “buy in” coach. The culture created by him is second to none. What he may lack in “youthful creativity” to some in terms of scheme or whatever – he makes up for it in other ways. You’ve highlighted that many times. You’ve given him that credit he deserves. So if an idiot says you’re stupid for not believing in this team – they’re actually the idiots because you’ve highlighted that fact quite well.
2. The Dunlap trade greatly altered the fortunes of this defense. No way am I saying it’s anything close to a Top-10 unit (it’s not), but when you’re over a half way through an entire season and you’re on pace to be one of the worst statistical defenses in the history of the NFL – there is validity in raising questions when it sucks so bad. This is especially true when even a circus monkey knew this defense had no choice but to suck based on the “talent” they had acquired this off-season. As we have seen, that’s obviously why they went out and got Adams and traded all those future draft picks to make it happen.
3. I’ll admit that I thought you were a Seahawks “homer” for quite some time. Now, for you to receive emails saying things like, “Hahaha, the Seahawks won and you suck” is really quite ridiculous and I am sorry for that. It’s clear you like/love the Seahawks just as much as anyone. I know it’s easier said than done, but the only people you need to answer to is your family and the guy who looks back at you in the mirror each day. It’s pretty obvious you’re one of the biggest Seahawks fans I know. If you weren’t – you’d have a Cowboys Draft Blog or Giants Draft Blog. But you don’t and it’s pretty obvious why you don’t! Peace out!
On Britt, I have no information to back this but I suspect he didn’t come back from his knee injury as healthy as hoped. Other teams need centers too and he is still available. So my guess is there are health concerns. I know the Hawks brought him for a physical then nothing happened after that beyond some speculation he might re-sign. Perhaps he wanted too much money but if I were betting I’d bet on health concerns.
Are the Seahawks going to a 4 WR offense, otherwise there are not enough footballs to toss around the field to get everyone involved, especially if they start going to a more run centric offense in the last few games and playoffs. I look out of him as #4 WR day 1.
As for Ramsey, he will sit on DK….. you neutralize the most dangerous play maker on the opposition with him. If you allow any other player to try to 1 v1 with DK…. the Rams will get burnt like toast. I also don’t know if Gordon will be up to 100% speed. Counting on any major contribution in game #15 or #16… would be slightly foolish. Playoffs (week #17) he should be back in the flow…. Gordon could also be a viable blocker in the running game, he seemed to be very willing and capable…..
Gordon would become your #3 WR? Moore, Swain and whoever else is on the bench would be relegated to riding the pine….. and how are the TEs ever going to get in the offense in a meaningful way????
Let Josh smoke!!!!
🙂
Or maybe eat… a Mr. Moxey
Love it
That’s V funny! thank you
Should we call DK
Devastator
or
Galvatron
He needs his own catchy nickname
He’s the Mandalorian…with baby Yoda guiding him.
I second that. Ever since Russ was baby Yoda I’ve called Metcalf “Metcalf Mando”
freekay deekay
D-Kaf. Cuz he aint regular.
As corny as it is, I have to admit I kinda like it just from how it originated from the announcer mis-pronouncing his name on live TV. And he has already turned it into a sponsorship opportunity as well.
These Transformers, Star Wars, etc. references are getting a bit stale for me.
But, tbh, does absolutely everyone “need” a nickname? Isn’t DK already his nickname anyways, otherwise we’d be calling him DeKaylin?
On one of his touchdown catches, he did something that looked like a street fighter or dragon ball Z move…. truly elite players get nicknames, normally they are fan driven…. however, being named D Kaf would be an organic nickname. And with being in Seattle, coffee references might not be a bad thing.
DK makes me think of that stupid robot football player on the Fox broadcasts. Same physique.
The thing with the Collier draft was that was supposed to be the year of the pass rushers. Too bad the draft didn’t land the way the Hawks wanted.
very happy to see him back. in some small way, I think it will add even more positive chemistry to a team that already seems to get along well.
you could tell everyone liked him on the last go-round, and wants to see him succeed. Feels like a good kharma thing for the rest of the season.
Plus .. at least based on last year, he can still be a valuable contributor.
Can someone just clarify, he was suspended for testing positive for weed after several other positive tests. What happens if he tests positive again? Did the NFL loosen the rules for marijuana?
My understanding is that they raised the amount you could have in the sample above (old) 0.2 to (new) 0.8 or something approximating this increase in the minimal amount you can have and not be in violation. You can’t smoke out and be lit, you could still get banned. This could be wrong, but this is the way I recall how all it played out prior to the last CBA.
it was for p.e.d. as well
Can you please source that? A lot of people throw that around. Its a dangerous accusation.
My understanding is he only had a positive weed sample, but it’s the same rule as PED being violated
It’s here Kenny: https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/story/_/id/28314109/josh-gordon-banned-indefinitely-nfl-peds-substance-abuse
He violated the PED rules and the substance rules:
Rob, I think the idea that Sherm coming back next offseason will be even stronger. We’ve seen how big of a fan of Robert Saleh he is and Tony Pauline said on his podcast that he is hearing that Saleh is the favorite to get the Lions job. And that that he’ll take one of the personnel men under Lynch to be the GM. Would Sherm want to go to the Lions during probably his last contract? Probably not. As much as we want the Seahawks to invest in the DL, they won’t do it. They prefer to invest in the back 7.
Glad to hear this news. I think those last 3 games are going to be difficult wins, so this gives a little more hope.
Thanks Rob for every word you write. I continue to be impressed by the quality and frequency of the content and find the realistic analysis therapeutic during this team’s frustrating stretches.
Posted this earlier. I was listening to the Niners local station today and they were analyzing the NFCW teams. After heaping praise on the Hawks and calling them the best team in the division who is getting healthy at the right time and has a loaded roster they mentioned Moore and called him one of the best 3rd receivers in the league and the addition of Gordon will give the Hawks one of the best receiver sets in the NFL. They also mentioned adding Dunlap and Adams has made the D better and they are coming together. Seemed like they were going on and on (must say I enjoyed every minute of it). Being in NorCal I hear more positive comments about the Hawks (even though they hate us with a passion they respect us).
Happy to see Gordon coming back. 1. He is absolutely a difference maker. 2. He is almost absolutely going to be misused or underutilized.
But I’m really curious about something else…. Does anyone see Blair, Reed (29) or Amadi as a replacement or possible improvement upon Diggs’ lackluster showing at free safety?
Sure probably. When you look at who is signed, the cap space, the pending big contracts, you need one of those guys to be a cheap FS.
Diggs has been left in space with the blitzing Adams. He’s actually NOT playing poorly, he’s being asked to do way too much because of the lack of a front 4 to generate pressure. That however is beginning to improve. Collier is actually playing better as is Green. Both results of Dunlap being there.
I have actually come round to this way of thinking. Especially since Carroll gave Diggs a glowing review recently. I think PC knows that having to blitz Adams more than any other player in the league regardless of position is putting a lot on Diggs’ plate — too much.
I think the problem w/ Diggs has more to do with the D itself than just him. Look at his play with Mcdougald who was great in coverage and Adams who is not good in coverage, then throw all the blitzing on top of that.
If two of your LBs next year are Brooks and Jamal Adams, then you’ve done a ton to improve on that LB speed and you still have two safeties behind them.
Adams isn’t a linebacker though. He might’ve been called a glorified linebacker by Greg Cosell but in no way shape or form is he a WILL or MIKE or SAM in Seattle. Cosell is merely referring to the way you have to use him playing downfield and his weaknesses in coverage.
He’s a blitzing safety. That’s purely what he is in Seattle.
Agreed! He isn’t a traditional LB in any way, just not big and strong enough to take on blockers consistently or set the edge when necessary.
I wonder though, if the Hawks could still play four DB’s in addition to Adams, primarily against teams without a strong ground game? This leaves him free to do what he does best, which is blitz and make plays behind the LOS. This also frees him from having significant coverage responsibilities ala most safeties. Obviously this plan doesn’t work against teams with good running games.
Just looking for the ways Seattle can more effectively use Adams, as I suspect they are going to try to keep him beyond this year.
It’s dangerous though if you’re essentially playing him as a nickel. He’s not good in those coverage situations and if he’s only ever blitzing in those situations, an offense can target his area time and time again.
Rob, Do you think Adams issue with coverage is a lack of lateral agility, diagnosis, or is it his freelancing style? Was he also poor in coverage in NY?
Probably a bit of all three.
He was considered a good matchup vs TE’s in New York. We’ve not really seen him do that so far in Seattle. But Adams has and always will be better off playing downfield and attacking. The problem is, it creates stresses and strains at the second and third level that are simply not natural to this scheme.
he’s still in the process of learning the defense and his teammates, and the team is still figuring out how to get the best ratio of risk/reward from the way they use him. both processes seem to be going very well as his performance in the scheme has been far better during the past 2 weeks than early in the season. it’s expected that he will continue to fit better over time.
You’re just making excuses.
It’s nothing to do with learning anything. It’s everything to do with what he is. An effective blitzer and a run and chase attack dog who struggles in coverage.
Before the last game he was blitzing ten times a game. That was easily more than anyone in the league. He’d blitzed three times as much as McDougald blitzed a year ago in six games compared to McDougald’s 15 games!
Kam Chancellor had two sacks in 2010 and 2011 combined and zero sacks between 2012 and 2017.
This is all about how you have to use him to justify his existence and the stresses and strains it places on the other second and third level defenders because your safety has to constantly be attacking the LOS.
There will never be a time when Adams is suddenly an orthodox SS. That would be like asking Russell Wilson never to scramble. He has to blitz all the time. He is not good in coverage. No amount of learning will change that.
Given his use to cover TE in NY, could Seattle justify his future asking price by using him as a big nickel with Digs and a better coverage SS on the back end? Could that scheme be used as a base defense given Carroll’s Defensive principles?
No because you’d still have to blitz him all the time to justify it and what happens when someone puts a quick receiver and not a TE on him?
I just think the guy needs to be coached. Part of it is the free lancing style. I think that it was maybe Brock last week who was talking about Jamal realizing that he doesn’t have to extend himself and make all the plays like in NY. Needs to play more team ball. Once he gets that down he can become more of a focus of the defense. Gotta walk before you run
Well if SEA decides to do a 3-4 front and if Adams puts on another 10-15 lbs he could the 2nd ILB alongside with Wagner or Brooks depending on what they do though. If we stick with the cover 3 defense, then Adams has no place on that defense and should be traded away.
Jamal Adams can’t put on another 10-15lbs.
I’m not sure where people who suggest this think the extra 15lbs is going to go!!!
Well Jordyn Brooks weighs 240 at 6’0, Ben Burr Kirven weighs 230 at 6’0, and Shaquem Griffin weighs 225 at 6’0. It’s possible for Adams to get to at least 225 but again it depends if we stick with the cover 3 scheme.
And Snacks Harrison is about 360lbs. Just because other players are that weight doesn’t mean anyone can just slap on 15lbs of muscle.
Adams’ frame is already stocky. There simply isn’t the capability to add another 15lbs. Do you know how much weight that is???
He has a completely different body type to Jordyn Brooks.
Rob, speaking of Brooks, how did you like the lad so far? I’ve watched a couple of Ravens videos and I find him better than Patrick Queen, the obvious comparison. Hard to follow KJ and Wagner but he seems promising.
I can’t say I’ve been blown away to be honest. Looks quite a lot like Kendricks last year.
Balls and teeth!