Leadoff with Lee 8.27.15 #Browns #Manziel #NoahBrown #Cowboys

By @cleeverizon

- Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel was in pads yesterday but did not throw. The Browns decided to rest his sore elbow for a third straight day. Coach Mike Pettine stated, "He's still experiencing a little soreness. It hasn't bounced back. Err on side of caution."

Manziel underwent a MRI and it showed no structural damage. He is not expected to play Saturday night when the Browns travel down to Tampa to face the Buccaneers. The Browns may look into signing another quarterback for the final preseason game.

- Yesterday's Berea bike brigade at Cleveland Browns practice included OL Michael Bowie (shoulder), OL Karim Barton, DB Justin Gilbert (hip), DB K'Waun Williams (abdomen), DB Robert Nelson (hamstring) and DL Ish Kitchen (groin).

- It seems as if the Browns are doing their due diligence on a prospect who could be their quarterback of the future.

No, finally… For real this time.

Browns scouts have been seeking background information on Michigan State's Connor Cook. The Cleveland native attended Walsh Jesuit High School and his former coach Gerry Rardin spoke to the Browns about Cook. I'm not going to put a lot of stock into these preliminary talks as there are other prospects I'm sure Cleveland will look at. Cardale Jones with Ohio State, Christian Hackenberg at Penn State, Trevone Boykin of TCU, Dak Prescott of Mississippi State, and Cody Kessler at USC. Cook may be the most NFL-ready quarterback in 2016 as Michigan State runs a pro-style offense.

- Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick tore his ACL and MCL in his right knee on Tuesday in practice and was placed on injured reserve. He is expected to be out for the season. Scandrick had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one sack for the Cowboys last season. He recently signed a 5-year, $19M contract extension last spring.

- Michael Vick signed a 1-year, $1M contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski had surgery on his dislocated finger and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List (PUP).

- Rex Grossman signed a 1-year, $1M contract to backup Matt Ryan for the Atlanta Falcons. It was speculated that if the Browns placed Connor Shaw on the practice squad, former Browns and current Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan would attempt to sign him. The Browns have recently placed Shaw on injured reserve after injuring his thumb that required surgery.

- Osi Umenyiora signed a one day contract to retire with the New York Giants, after spending his final two season playing with the Atlanta Falcons.

He finishes 49th on the All-Time sack list with 85. His 75 sacks with the Giants places him fourth on the franchise sack list behind Michael Strahan (141 ½), Lawrence Taylor (132 1/2) and Leonard Marshall (79 1/2). In 2007 he set the team single game sack record with six against the Eagles.The New York Jets reached out to Omenyiora about possibly playing for them but he only wanted to be with the Giants.

- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks has been charged by the California Grand Jury with misdemeanor sexual battery. Brooks faces a maximum of six months in jail. He was sent back to California and will not play in the Saturday’s game against the Denver Broncos.

- Mercedes Benz will be the official sponsor and have earned the naming rights of the Atlanta Falcons’ new football stadium. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set to open in 2017 and Falcons owner Arthur Blank plans to bid for the 2019 or 2020 Super Bowl. The venue will also host the 2017 Peach Bowl and be the home to the Major League Soccer team, Atlanta United FC.

- Buckeyes wide receiver Noah Brown suffered a serious leg injury that sounds like it will be season ending for him. According to Urban Meyer, Brown suffered a broken leg that will require surgery. He was attempting a catch when he awkwardly fell on his leg and a pop sound was heard. Ohio State abruptly cancelled interviews and people in the building looked like they got the wind knocked out of them, according to reports. This was the first sign that something wasn't good within Buckeye Nation. Later the tweets started pouring out from players and coaches praying for Brown. He has had a breakout spring and was expected to be an opening day starter for the Buckeyes when they visit Virginia Tech on September 7.

- TMZ is reporting that Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is being sued by an ex-girlfriend, accusing him of gang rape and drugging her. The victim listed as “Jane Doe” says they dated from 2011-2013. Rose allegedly invited “Doe” to his home where he slipped a drug into her drink with the intention of raping her. She escaped the home but Rose and his friends broke into her home and gang raped her while she was unconscious. “Jane Doe” states that she waited two years to file the charges because she was embarrassed. As of now, Derrick Rose has declined commenting about the alleged incident.

- Former Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez retired yesterday at the age of 29. Perez was most recently signed by the Baltimore Orioles and is serving a 50 game suspension for recreational drug use. He ends his career with 379 innings pitched, a 3.51 ERA and 133 saves.

Leadoff with Lee 8.13.14

-Tuesday's Indians/Diamondbacks game was postponed and will continue the game today at 4:05 PM in a traditional double header. The second game will be at it's regularly scheduled time of 7:05 PM.

-The sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, was completed Tuesday. The sale was reportedly worth $2 billion dollars. Donald Sterling, who was found mentally incapacitated, will appeal the sale of the team. Sterling was banned from the NBA for life after audio recordings were heard of him making racist remarks which promoted the sale of the team. Doc Rivers threatened to resign as head coach if ownership did not change. Also, the Clippers would be hard pressed to sign any free agents, regardless of race, which would have hurt the team and league.

-As I reported on Monday, reports surfaced yesterday that the Cleveland Cavaliers will play in Miami on Christmas Day. The time isn't yet known, but the NBA schedules will be released at 6pm today. The NBA and ABC are pushing for a 5pm start time, which is the prime slot for the NBA's biggest game on Christmas Day. It will probably happen.

-The Browns signed QB Rex Grossman and waived QB Tyler Thigpen yesterday. Grossman played for offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in Washington and with the Houston Texans. I have heard a few rumblings coming from some of my peers in Houston, but I think they are speaking from the "if I was the owner" point of view.

-Josh Gordon was back on the bike as we wait to hear if he won his appeal. Just remember, Gordon and his lawyers may sue the NFL and request a temporary restraining order against the league. If granted, he will be eligible to play. Keep your eyes and ears open folks, this is just the beginning.

-Mike Pettine says he plans to have his starting QB set prior to game 3 of the preseason. So that means Johnny Manziel has to really woo the coaches if he wants to be the opening day starter. The Monday night game with the Redskins will determine who's going too be the man, as both QBs will see time with the other starters.

-I don't talk high school sports at all on here, but this needed to be discussed. The Steubenville school system and football coach have agreed to let convicted rapist Ma'lik Richmond back into school and back on the team. Now my thoughts or writings may not express everyone who represents the Triple Threat Podcast or @triple3xthreat on Twitter. And I understand and respect that. But this kid did his time in jail or juvie jail and was released. Everyone deserves a second chance. For one, you can't deny the kid his education. Secondly, if he was accepted as a student of the school, he is eligible to partake in all school activities. If he was to be denied, I'm sure his parents would have sued the district. And did the district want to face a lawsuit and pay lawyers? Nahh... they did the right thing. But if you would like to hear what Tim Stried, a representative from the Ohio High School Athletic Association, had to say here you go: Tim Stried Says OHSAA Is “Appalled” By Steubenville’s Actions, Decision To Allow Student Back on Team

-I guess Dallas Cowboys CB Orlando Scandrick was on vacation popping Molly. I wonder if he was sweating, whoooo!