re: How in the hell has the NFL not finalized a decision on Josh Gordon?

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Spin: One theory as to why the appeal is dragging on for so long was offered by Dawg Pound Nation, a Browns blog, speculating it may be due to the arbitrator stalling to give the NFL time to settle with Gordon's legal team. If Gordon's team is confident in its chances, it could have refused to settle thus far, putting the NFL in a tough spot. Because the arbitrator must make an all-or-nothing ruling, the NFL risks getting no suspension if it doesn't settle, and even a 16-team suspension is probably not optimal from a public relations standpoint given Ray Rice's two-game suspension for a much more serious offense. Moreover, even if Gordon loses, he might have grounds to sue the NFL in the state of Ohio to stop the enforcement of the suspension. In which case, it would make sense for the NFL to seek a settlement, Gordon's camp not to settle for more than a very short, if any, suspension, and for the case to drag out as a result. Of course, no matter how logical, it's only a theory, and until we have a verdict, drafters will have to speculate on Gordon's availability.

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