CLEVELAND - Browns receiver Josh Gordon said on Thursday that his latest trouble with the NFL results from having a few drinks with teammates.Gordon said in an open letter on Medium (
http://bit.ly/1tzbTik ) that he accepts responsibility for a failed alcohol test that could bring another suspension from the league. The 23-year-old receiver said he had two beers and two other drinks with teammates on a flight to Las Vegas on Jan. 2, after Clevelands season ended.The former Pro Bowler was suspended for last season after testing positive for marijuana, but the penalty was reduced to 10 games. Gordon said that as part of the reduction, he agreed not to drink alcohol. He said he was tested for it when he got off the plane in Las Vegas.As a strict condition to my reinstatement in Week 12, I had to agree not only to abstain from drinking for the rest of the season, but also to submit to an alcohol screen as part of my in-season drug testing under the leagues substance-abuse protocol, Gordon said.The receiver said he thought the requirement no longer applied when the season ended, but he was mistaken. The Browns missed the playoffs with a 7-9 record, finishing last in the AFC North.It doesnt matter if I thought that the league-imposed restriction on drinking had expired at the end of the regular season; what matters is that I didnt confirm whether or not that was the case, Gordon said. Now, that oversight has further jeopardized my relationship with my team and our fans, my reputation, and maybe even my career.Gordon rejected criticism from media commentators, saying they dont know him well enough to form opinions about him.Gordons absence was noticeable on a team that struggled on offence last year. Cleveland hired Joker Phillips as wide receivers coach on Thursday, Phillips first full-time NFL coaching job. Phillips was most recently in college football as a wide receivers coach for Florida in 2012-2013.Gordon led the league with 1,646 yards receiving in 2013. The following May, it was revealed that he failed another test for marijuana. His representatives unsuccessfully argued to an arbitrator that his failed drug test was the result of second-hand marijuana smoke.The one-year suspension was shortened as part of the NFLs overhaul of its disciplinary system. The NFL has not yet announced punishment for the failed alcohol test.Gordon also was arrested for drunken driving in North Carolina last July.___Online: AP NFL website:
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www.twitter.com/AP_NFL . Mike Ribeiro had a goal and an assist as Phoenix held on to snap a two-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. .com) - The Carolina Panthers won for the first time in seven games last week, were without Cam Newton due to a car accident this week, but somehow sit atop the much-maligned NFC South.
http://www.senatorsauthority.com/authen ... rs-jersey/. The Blue Jackets got goals from Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno, Boone Jenner and R.J. Umberger and Curtis McElhinney posted his first shutout since 2011 in a 4-0 victory on Friday night. . Those cheers seemed more special this time because the captains run on Broadway could soon be over. The adoration surely sounded much nicer to Callahan than all the recent trade talk. . "Weve given ourselves now a tougher task," said Carlyle after the Friday practice, the Toronto head coach notably chipper and upbeat throughout. "But the bottom line is we just have to win our share of games [and] not worry about what anybody else is doing.If Jonathan Bernier is forced to miss a sixth straight game on Tuesday night with a groin strain, the Maple Leafs will be forced to decide between starting James Reimer or Drew MacIntyre in net. Reimer has started five straight games since relieving an injured Bernier against the Kings on Mar. 13. However, after a strong performance against Los Angeles, Reimer has struggled mightily. Through his five games started, Reimer has allowed 12 goals on 75 shots (.840 save percentage) with his team losing every time out. Starting back-to-back nights for the second time in less than week, Reimer allowed three goals to the New Jersey Devils on 10 shots SSunday night.ddddddddddddMacIntrye entered in relief of Reimer early in the second period and stopped all 12 shots he faced. Still, the Leafs fell 3-2. Unless Bernier proves ready for action, the Leafs will be forced to decide whether to turn back to Reimer or to give MacIntyre the first start of his NHL career against the best team in the Western Conference, the St. Louis Blues. Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle said on Monday that hes not certain when Bernier will be ready to return, but said that hes making progress. With their playoff hopes slipping, who should the Leafs turn to Tuesday night, Reimer or MacIntyre? As always, its Your! Call. ' ' '
