Being a professional NFL player is a full-time gig. Even in the offseason, they’re expected to be in top shape in time for the new season, which, in case you hadn’t noticed, is getting ever closer. But they’re also just humans, with their own distractions and issues that sometimes keep them from doing their jobs.
These three players in particular have had especially notable off-seasons, but for less than positive reasons. All three are critical to their teams and as the official odds for NFL Week 1 have been released industry experts are anticipating the impact that further hijinks will have on the beginning of the season.
Josh Gordon
Yeah, Josh Gordon couldn’t care less about his NFL career at this point. Already facing a one-year ban due to multiple drug-related offenses, the Browns wide receiver is in even more trouble after getting arrested for a DWI in North Carolina.
His latest offense just about guarantees the Browns’ offense lines up for Week 1 without their All-Pro receiver who led the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards last year. If only Browns GM Ray Farmer had just drafted Sammy Watkins at no. 4 like he was supposed to…
Johnny Manziel
In light of the Gordon issue, at least the Browns finally have their quarterback of the future, diligently working out and perfecting his passing ski… wait, what’s that? Johnny Manziel is in Las Vegas partying again? Uh oh.
Well at least Johnny Football’s getting in his partying and selfies with Money Mayweather and Justin Bieber before he really gets to work, right? Browns management better hope so. But, Manziel’s BFF, LeBron James has decided to take his talents back to Cleveland, so all bets are off.
Jimmy Graham
Instead of misdemeanors or celebrity pals, the only thing keeping the New Orleans Saints’ Jimmy Graham occupied is some good ol’ fashioned hardball negotiation. If the Saints can’t come to terms on a long-term contract, Graham gets stuck playing for the tight end franchise tag money he’s unhappy with or he sits out the season.
Drew Brees has already said he wants his no. 1 option – who led the Saints with 86 catches, 1,215 yards and 16 TDs last year – taken care of, and with good reason. The sooner Graham settles his future, the faster he can fully focus on being the league’s best tight end/a well-above average wide receiver.
The days towards the opening week of the NFL season are numbered and all will be watching the above story lines unfold through to the dog days of summer. The off-season is an interesting one indeed.
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