BEREA, Ohio -- As his teammates sweated through another training camp practice, Josh Gordon was in a New York office building where his career -- and Clevelands season -- were in jeopardy. Gordon met Friday with NFL officials to appeal a possible indefinite suspension for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. Gordons attorney, Maurice Suh, and other members of his legal team were expected to argue that Gordon tested positive for marijuana because of secondhand smoke, a defence they planned to augment with witnesses. No decision on Gordon is expected for several days, and the Browns are keeping their fingers crossed the outcome will be favourable. According to ESPN Cleveland, it is believed a verdict may be reached on Monday, once commissioner Roger Goodell returns from Canton, Ohio. "Im an optimistic guy," said wide receiver Nate Burleson. "Im a glass half-full guy, so Im always hoping and expecting the best-case scenario." Until they hear from the league, the Browns are going about the business of getting ready for the upcoming season. Theyd love to have Gordon for as many games as possible. After all, hes the clubs top playmaker, one of the leagues elite receivers and an offensive threat who keeps defensive co-ordinators awake at night. To be without him for any time will drastically change Clevelands offence. Gordon has not been at training camp the past two days, and Browns coach Mike Pettine said he didnt know if the Pro Bowler will be on the field for Saturdays scrimmage in Akron. Gordons situation is one of many cases on the leagues legal itinerary. Commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking at the Hall of Fame in Canton, addressed the leagues recent decision to suspend Baltimore running back Ray Rice two games for domestic violence, a ruling met with public outrage. Goodell defended the leagues actions and said each case must be judged on its own merits. "You have to deal with the facts," he said. "We have a drug program that is collectively bargained and it has a step process. It takes four incidents before you actually reach a suspension in a drug-related case. You have to respond to facts here. You have a lot of people voicing their opinions, but what you have to understand is that this is a young man (Rice) who made a terrible mistake -- its inconsistent with what were all about. "We have dealt with it in a serious manner, and were very confident that this young man understands where he is and what he needs to do going forward." Goodell did not offer much information on Gordons case, saying a decision will be based on the information at the hearing. "Josh is going through a process right now, and Im not part of that process," Goodell said. "At some point in time I may have an opportunity to be involved, and when I am, I look forward to meeting him." Gordons list of off-the-field issues is lengthy, which may hinder his argument. He failed at least three known drug tests in college and he was suspended two games last season for a drug violation. Separate from his appeal, Gordon could still face league discipline under the leagues personal-conduct policy for his arrest last month on a DUI charge in Raleigh, North Carolina. Gordon reportedly checked himself into a rehab clinic in California following the arrest. Pettine has said the Browns will have to go with a receiver-by-committee approach if Gordon cant play. Slot receiver Andrew Hawkins is confident he and his teammates can pick up the slack. "We have a bunch of hard-working guys with chips on their shoulders who are going to come out here and bust their butts every day," he said. "And Ill take that 10 times out of 10." NOTES: Starting free safety Tashaun Gipson walked off the practice field with an apparent left knee injury. Pettine said Gipson, who started 15 games last season, was being evaluated. ... Pettine ended practice by having members of his staff catch punts. Pitting the offensive assistants against the defensive assistants, the competition energized the players, who engaged in some spirited trash talk and finger pointing before offensive intern Mike LaFleur caught the final punt, meaning the offence will wear orange jerseys Monday. "I would of lost a lot of money if you would have said wed put eight coaches out there catching knuckle-ball punts and seven of them would catch it," Pettine said. "Those guys stepped up. It was impressive." ... Several offensive players celebrated touchdowns, none more demonstratively that Anthony Armstrong, who threw the ball into the second level of the VIP hospitality tent. "It was strictly spur of the moment," he said. "Your emotions take over." Hurricanes Jerseys 2021 . Chan captured two silver medals at last months Sochi Winter Games — mens singles and the inaugural team event. But he doesnt have the urge to resume training to defend his world title when the event is held in Saitama, Japan, later this month. Carolina Hurricanes Store . In this space, I will be writing new and unique pieces about the team that you wont be able to find anywhere else. So naturally, in an attempt to come up with a fresh topic about the Ottawa Senators, I am going to start with a piece about their goaltending. https://www.cheaphurricanes.com/.com) - Coming off a pair of tough losses last week, the Syracuse Orange will try to put an end to their first losing skid of the season when they pay a visit to the Maryland Terrapins at the Comcast Center on Monday night in Atlantic Coast Conference action. Fake Hurricanes Jerseys .com) - Jimmy Butler made four key free throws down the stretch to lift the Chicago Bulls over the Boston Celtics, 109-102, on Friday. Carolina Hurricanes Pro Shop . The Los Angeles Clippers showed them just how ugly that life could be. Jared Dudley scored a season-high 21 points, Chris Paul added 16 points and 17 assists, and the Clippers jumped all over the Bulls in Roses absence for a 121-82 victory Sunday.Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon and Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat have been named the finalists for the 2013-2014 Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the NHLs top rookie. MacKinnon led all rookies in points with 63 and tied for the goal-scoring lead with 24 goals. H suited up in all 82 regular season games for the Avs. This marks the third time in the past five years that an Avalanche player has been named a Calder finalist, with Gabriel Landeskog having won the award in 2012 and Matt Duchene having finished third in 2010. Palat finiished second in rookie scoring with 59 points in 81 games and finished one goal behind the goal-scoring lead amongst freshmen with 23.dddddddddddd Johnson tied MacKinnon for the goal-scoring lead while also playing a full 82-game schedule. His 50 points were good for third amongst NHL rookies. This marks the first time two teammates have been among the Calder finalists since the Blackhawks Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews both finished top-three in 2008. Palat and Johnson are the Lightnings first Calder finalists since Brad Richards finished second in voting in 2001. ' ' '