Leadoff with Lee 9.1.15: #Indians #KirkCousins #TomBrady #Buckeyes

By @cleeverizon

- The Indians confirmed yesterday that Mark Shapiro will be leaving the organization after 24 years to become President/CEO of the Toronto BlueJays.

Shapiro says at this point, he's not looking to bring anyone with him from the Indians to Toronto. Indians principal owner Larry Dolan also added, "I'm confident Terry Francona will be the manager for the Indians for a long time." Once the season is over, Indians CEO Paul Dolan will seek internal candidates for the job of President of the Indians. Dolan will serve as interim President until the position is filled.

- Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett has been named a captain of the 2015 Buckeyes. Joining him are senior H-back Braxton Miller, senior center Jacoby Boren, junior safety Tyvis Powell, senior offensive tackle Taylor Decker and senior linebacker Joshua Perry.

- Long time Buffalo Bills staple, Fred Jackson was cut by the Bills on Monday. Jackson, who has rushed for 5,646 yards in his Bills career, will finish as the Bills’ third-leading rusher all-time, behind Thurman Thomas (11,938) and O.J. Simpson (10,183). The New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns are early front runners to land “Fred-X”.

- Kirk Cousins has been named the week one starter for the Washington Redskins over Robert Griffin III. Jay Gruden says Griffin lost his starting job not because of his injury, but due to Kirk's performance. Griffin's clearance from the concussion is still entirely up to the league protocol and he’ll see his doctor on Friday. It seems that the RG3 and Redskins relationship is nearing an end.

- Over the weekend, the Atlanta Falcons & receiver Julio Jones agreed to a 5-year deal worth $47.5 million guaranteed & $71.25 million over 5 years.

- Ric Bucher, of Bleacher Report, is reporting that Tristan Thompson will only re-sign long-term with the Cavaliers if he is offered a max deal. If no offer materializes, he would take the one-year qualifying offer, which agent Rich Paul has already threatened the Cavaliers with. Per Bucher’s source, Paul believes that he could get Thompson a max deal with the Toronto Raptors in 2016.

- The Browns cut the roster to 84 Monday as the waived WR Shane Wynn and TE Anthony Ezeakunne. The team also terminated the contracts of LB Everette Brown, LB Moise Fokou, RB Jalen Parmale & DB Aaron Ross.

- No settlement has been reached in The Tom Brady/DeflateGate case. The is Judge expected to make decision today or Wednesday. Speculation is he will either stand with the four game suspension, or no at all. An appeal is expected by the losing party.

John Mara was apart of the talks yesterday at the judge's request. Jay Feely, union executive and one of Brady's best friends, was also in attendance. The NFL previously have turned down the judge's request to have Mara in settlement talks. This case conceivably could go to Supreme Court if the parties are not satisfied with the courts ruling. The NFL has never made formal settlement offer, but indicated they were willing to cut the suspension to 3 games if Brady admitted guilt. Brady refused to sign the document admitting any wrongdoing. He was willing to take a fine for not cooperating. If the NFL loses, why appeal and drag this out? Because it doesn't want players going to court whenever they object to discipline.

- Former Browns running back and 2012 NFL Draft 3rd overall pick Trent Richardson was cut by the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders guaranteed Trent Richardson $600,000 this year. The Raiders were Richardson's 3rd team in 4 seasons. Richardson was drafted by the Browns, traded to the Colts and now finally, signed, then released with the Raiders.