The Pro Bowl went off without a hitch last night, with no injuries largely because no one really tried to tackle anyone. And thank heavens for that. But it was still only the 2nd-biggest NFL story on the day.
Most people have moved on from the whole inflated footballs thing, realizing there's nothing more left to say or read that anyone wants to hear. But Josh Gordon stole some thunder with the story that he flunked a drug test and will be suspended for all of the 2015 season.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has plenty on the story, including this collection of reactions on Twitter and links to various columns. Gordon should have been traded when they had the chance, should now be cut, etc. All true, as is the prevailing them: what a waste of great talent.
I feel somewhat bad for Gordon, maybe because I can remember being young once. Yes, I know, for millions of dollars and the dream of playing in the NFL you'd think you could just not drink alcohol. Easy to say, and for the vast majority of us shaking our heads at him, easy to do. But when I was younger I did plenty of dumb things. I was good at some things that I didn't take full advantage of. I acted foolishly without regard for consequences, because I didn't care and felt immortal, or indifferent to my mortality. When you're in early 20s, you can't always conceive of being in your late 20s. Or caring if you get there.
Gordon won't play in 2015, probably won't play for the Browns ever, might not play in the NFL again. And I don't really feel like sitting here condemning him for being an idiot, because really, it has nothing to do with me -- it's his own life that he's messed up, not anyone else's. It's a shame, and it's his shame. Drifting over into the fantasy football world, if you have him in a dynasty league and can get anything for him, do it. Because investing in him or waiting for him just doesn't seem to be anything more than a sucker's bet.
The irony of the story of a talent like Gordon imploding making the news yesterday is that it happened as we all got yet another glimpse of what is arguably the league's best wide receiver talent right now. If you watched any of the Pro Bowl, it's unlikely you saw a better play than the diving downfield grab by Odell Beckham Jr., who ran a circle around his defender and got into position for a deep ball from Matthew Stafford. Beckham ended up catching 5 passes for 89 yards, also remarking that the hamstring injury that plagued him all preseason and at the start of the year never fully healed.
So basically if you believe Beckham, he turned in one of the most incredible seasons by a rookie wide receiver in NFL history while playing hurt.
He also put on a show in pregame warmups, catching a slew of passes with one hand, as with his memorable reception against Dallas this season. I mentioned in passing a while back that you could make a case for him as the top wide receiver in drafts next year. I'm now thinking he will be; in fantasy drafts, in dynasty leagues, anywhere you have a chance to grab him. A week from now in Ask the Experts people will share their preliminary top 10 for the 2015 season. I'm wondering how many lists Beckham will make.
As we often say, fantasy football is about difference-makers. For most of the season, Andrew Luck was one; so was Beckham. With those guys on your roster you won fantasy leagues, and may again next season. They're not franchise running backs, but they're difference-makers you can't really draft early enough.
Two years ago, that was Josh Gordon. Next year it won't be. I know it's a source of amusement or disgust for many, and that's fine. Tough to have sympathy for guys wasting their talent. But, I do.