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BEREA, Ohio -- Josh Gordon has a new, high-profile teammate to help him fight the NFL. Randy Bullock Jersey . Facing an indefinite suspension for marijuana use, Clevelands talented wide receiver has hired attorney Maurice Suh to represent him at his appeal hearing with the league this week, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. Suh, who helped Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman win an appeal for a suspension in 2012, will be with Gordon in New York on Friday, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks. ESPN first reported Suhs hiring. Gordon is facing an indefinite ban under the leagues substance abuse policy. While he awaits his hearing, the Pro Bowler has been at training camp with the Browns. He has declined interview requests. Suh helped Sherman win his appeal of a substance abuse violation on the grounds of a faulty test. According to the person who spoke to the AP, Gordon will contend failed test results were caused by secondhand marijuana smoke. Gordons attorney also is expected to point out that Gordon only tested positive once despite being tested over 70 times, and even then two samples taken did not match. ESPN and profootballtalk.com were first to report Gordons plans to clear his name. Gordon, who failed at least three drug tests in college for marijuana, was suspended for two games last season for what he claimed was for a prescribed cough medicine. Despite the suspension, he still led the league in yards receiving and broke several team records. The 23-year-old reportedly checked into rehab following a recent DWI arrest in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Browns are eager to find out if they will have Gordon at all this season. Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron said the uncertainty has weighed on Gordon as he waits to learn his fate. "Hes trying to be positive," Cameron said after Mondays practice. "Its one of those things, he doesnt know. Its up in the air right now. Its hard for him to have a say either way, so hes just grinding. Hes out here every day and hes working hard and thats all you can ask of him." If Gordon loses his appeal, hell have to wait one year to apply to Commissioner Roger Goodell for reinstatement. Gordon could be helped by the public outcry over the leagues handling of Baltimore running back Ray Rices case. Rice was suspended two games by Goodell for violating the leagues personal conduct policy. Rice was arrested following a Feb. 15 altercation in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in which he allegedly struck then-fiancee Janay Palmer. Kendrick Lewis Jersey .S. Cellular Field on Saturday night, hell not only be returning to where his career began. Brian Cushing Jersey . It kind of breaks up the week for me and sets the stage for the upcoming week.Andrew Wenger played defender, midfielder and striker en route to Major League Soccer. Now a member of the Montreal Impact, the rookie is still wearing two hats as he juggles school and pro soccer. The 21-year-old native of Lancaster, Penn., has been commuting between Montreal and Duke University in Durham, N.C., going back to school Saturday night or Sunday mornings, returning late Tuesdays to rejoin the team. Schools out this week, however. The Impact (0-3-1) played in New York last Saturday, losing 5-2 to the Red Bulls, and then flew directly to Utah where they face Real Salt Lake (3-1-0) on Wednesday. After that, its back to Montreal for a date Saturday with Toronto FC. "Then Ill take a week or so just to finish school and then Ill be back with the team full time," said Wenger. Eventually with a history degree in his back pocket, after some correspondence courses in the off-season. "Obviously it hasnt been ideal soccer-wise because Im with the team a couple of days, then I have go back and kind of do my own thing and then come back again," the well-spoken Wenger acknowledged. "But its been nice in other ways that Ive been able to gradually integrate myself into the team -- the coaches have kind of let me take my time to get set." In three years at Duke, Wenger started all 63 games. So far in the pros, the six-foot 185-pounder has come off the bench in three of Montreals four games for a total of 65 minutes of action. But he understands his circumstances. "Certainly. Especially going back and forth to school, I dont feel that Im in any place to be looking at any more playing time than what Ive really achieved so far," he said. "But over time that will change." He is still learning the game at the MLS level. "The game is just much quicker mentally," he said. "Its much more important to make the correct runs, be in tune with everyone else on the field -- especially defensively, just being in the correct spot and forcing people the right way. "Theres much more of a mental aspect to the game than ever before." That leaves little time to take in the scenery -- like playing on the same pitch as Red BBulls star Thierry Henry -- while on the job. Ryan Fitzpatrick Elite Womens Jersey. "That was pretty cool. Unfortunately it wasnt as cool because he scored three goals against us," he said dryly. Wenger has good memories as well, like last months home opener before 58,912 fans at Olympic Stadium. "That was something special -- something I never experienced before, playing in front of that many people," he said. "We have fantastic fans in Montreal." Wenger arrived at Duke as a midfielder but was converted to defender for his first two years with the Blue Devils. He was switched to forward as a junior last year, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference with 17 goals and eight assists for 42 points. Amazingly he was named ACC rookie of the year in 2009, defensive player of the year in 2010 and offensive player of the year in 2011. He enjoys playing in the backline but says he relishes scoring goals and trying to figure out defences. The Impact has used him at forward so far, a role he enjoys, but Wenger says he could also play wide midfield or another position as needed. "Ill be happy wherever Im playing," he said. The Impact also has former Italian international Bernardo Corradi, Gambian international Sanna Nyassi and American Justin Braun at forward, amongst others. Away from the pitch, Wenger has been staying at a hotel in Montreal but is in the process of moving. "It will be nice to finally have a place to live," he said. "And especially as the weather gets warmer, it just gets even more and more pretty." Most expected the first pick in the January MLS SuperDraft to come down to Wenger, winner of the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy as the top NCCA soccer player, and University of Akron forward Darren Mattocks. The Impact used the first pick to take Wenger, leaving Mattocks for Vancouver. Wenger said he was happy to go to Montreal since it was closer to his family. "Its a great team, a fantastic organization," said Wenger, who grew up supporting Manchester United. "I have no complaints whatsoever, thus far at least. Im just excited." And hes clearly getting into the Canadian way of life, tweeting about Timbits. ' ' ' |
