The druggie can be suspended with his team but the deflator can’t?

What is wrong with this picture? Josh Gordon, the talented wide receiver but repeated drug offender on the Cleveland Browns, can serve his four-game suspension with his teammates but Tom Brady can’t have any contact with the Patriots during his 4-game ban.

This is just another example of the unfair, uneven and heavy handed discipline by the National Football League, which is becoming the Donald Trump of contradiction on how it handles its punishment. While Gordon can practice with his team but not play in the first four games, Brady’s absurd suspension for something, if anything, far worse than substance abuse turns out to be more punitive than missing one-fourth of the regular season. He can’t even attend the game as a spectator. Will they confiscate his 80-inch flat screen, too?

If Gordon keeps his nose clean and remains drug free, he will be reinstated for the Browns’ fifth game of the season after preparing with them over the first month. The NFL’s reasoning is that Gordon’s rehabilitation will be enhanced by having the support system of his teammates and coaches around him to encourage and, yes, police him. Very noble of the league, which can’t seem to make up its mind on how to treat drug abusers and woman beaters.

Meanwhile, Brady lost his appeal for his alleged involvement in the deflation of footballs, akin to a parking ticket, and accepted the four-game ban, then learned that he cannot have any contact with players and coaches on the Patriots while they prepare for and play their first four games. But the time Brady gets back up to NFL speed, half the season will likely be over for the 39 year-old quarterback.

Brady can work out at training facilities that have no association with the NFL. He can be the scout team quarterback for Boston College or for his alma mater Michigan. But how much help will that be to get ready for a pro game plan. He can even play pitch and catch with unemployed former teammate Wes Welker, which will do little more than keep his arm warmed up.

Do you see anything wrong with this picture? I certainly do.

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