Leadoff with Lee 8.13.15 #Indians #Phase2 #Browns #Cavs

By @cleeverizon

- The Cleveland Indians announced that Phase 2 of the Progressive Field renovations will start in October. The renovations include extending the "Right Field District Themes" throughout the ballpark. Which includes adding more local themed restaurants to the district. Also, a new club will be added behind home plate for season ticket holders that will include a full glass front to watch the game, concessions and a customer-service center. The club will stay open after games and provide season ticket holders a place to go while everyone else clears.

- Court was adjourned yesterday in the NFL’s “Deflate-Gate” case, that many see as Roger Goodell vs. Tom Brady and NFLPA, with no resolution.

Judge Richard Berman stated, "I have not made up my mind on which side will prevail”. Judge Berman continues emphasizing hope for a Deflate-Gate settlement.

"Everyone is of a view that this case can be resolved expeditiously." The Judge seemed skeptical of Ted Wells's dual role as lead investigator and attorney hired by the NFL. Berman also added civil cases of this nature typically last 2 years. "I think it’s safe to say nobody here wants to wait that long”, ”I think there are strengths and weaknesses to both sides here”.

So with this all being said its back to the drawing board to reach a settlement between Brady and the NFL. The biggest hang up is that the NFL wants Brady to admit guilt. But Brady can't accept Wells’ report in settlement since his testimony refutes it. The union and Brady's position remains same: A fine, no games suspended and no admission of guilt. Looks like a long road ahead and we will likely see Brady Week 1 versus Pittsburgh.

- One day after breaking Geno Smith's jaw, IK Enemkpali finds himself with the Jets former head coach, Rex Ryan. The Buffalo Bills claimed Enemkpali off of waivers yesterday. Ryan was the Jets' head coach when the team drafted Enemkpali in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. Contract terms are not known at this time.

- The NBA released the Cavaliers regular season schedule last night. The Cavs open the season October 27, on the road against the Chicago Bulls. The home opener will be October 30, as they host the Miami Heat. Cleveland has a league high 34 national televised games, with ten on ESPN, nine on TNT, six on ABC and nine on NBA TV. The Cavs will play 19 back-to-backs during the course of the season and play 4 games in 5 nights, from December 25-29. One of the highlights of the season is the Christmas Day game that will see the Cavs on the road playing the Golden State Warriors, in a rematch of the 2015 NBA Finals.

You can click on the picture to enlarge, or download the schedule HERE.

- Tonight’s uniform combo for when the Browns host the Washington Redskins will be white on white. 

- Browns Injury Report
The following players did not practice Tuesday:

WR Dwayne Bowe (hamstring)
DB Pierre Desir (hamstring)
RB Shaun Draughn (hand)
DB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (knee)
RB Duke Johnson Jr.(hamstring)
RB Luke Lundy (concussion)
RB Joe Madsen(concussion)
OL Andrew McDonald (concussion)
LB Barkevious Mingo (knee)
DB Robert Nelson Jr. (hamstring)
WR Terrelle Pryor (hamstring)
DB De’Ante Saunders (calf)
TE Randall Telfer (foot)
OL Joe Thomas (rest)
DL Billy Winn (knee/ankle)
RB Glenn Winston (knee)

Leadoff with Lee 1.12.15 #Packers #Colts #Bills #RexRyan #CBJ

By @cleeverizon

- From East Rutherford, New Jersey to Orchard Park, New York? The Buffalo Bills have hired former Jets head coach Rex Ryan to become their next head man.

The Bills signed Rex Ryan to a 5-year $27.5 million deal which will have him stay in the AFC East. A few things concern me though. Who will Rex hire to fill out his coaching staff? After sending out some tweets and text messages early yesterday morning, this is what I found out. The offensive coordinator will be Greg Roman from San Francisco while the defensive coordinator will be Dennis Thurman, from the Jets. The Bills also have said they would like to keep Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator. Ryan already has spoken to Schwartz about staying with Buffalo, but Schwartz runs a 4-3 defensive scheme with a wide-9 front while Ryan prefers a hybrid 3-4 scheme. 
Also, if Roman does accept the job in Buffalo, that means back to the drawing board for the Browns and Trestman moves ahead of the pack. I personally am intrigued by Raiders QB coach John DeFlippo.

- Ohio State are in discussions to hire former Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck to replace Tom Herman. Beck was not retained after the Huskers fired head coach Bo Pelini. The Ohio native is a Cardinal Mooney grad and will serve as the Buckeyes quarterbacks coach and will be the primary recruiter in Texas. Beck is a former Texas high school coach in the Dallas area who had been recruiting the state for Nebraska.

- The Green Bay Packers rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Dallas Cowboys 26-21. Aaron Rodgers threw 316 yards and 3 touchdowns. Green Bay receiver Davante Adams caught 7 balls for 117 yards and a touchdown and Randall Cobb added 116 yards on 8 grabs. The Cowboys running game was on "Fleek" as DeMarco Murray rushed for 123 yards on 25 carries and 1 touchdown. Tony Romo was sacked 4 times in the game while going 15/19 for 191 yards and 2 TDs. Dez Bryant scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but only had 38 yards and 3 catches. Bryant would've had another big time catch down the field, BUT after further review the officials said he did not maintain control of the ball as he crossed the goal line.

Without getting into depth about the rule, here is what the V.P of officiating Dean Blandino had to say about it: 

Bryant going to the ground. By rule he must hold onto it throughout entire process of contacting the ground. He didn't so it is incomplete.

— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) January 11, 2015

-Andrew Luck took the horseshoes off the Colts for a 24-13 upset of the Broncos. Peyton Manning had a extremely quiet game, throwing only 211 yards, 1 touchdown and was sacked twice. Andrew Luck threw for 265 yards, 2 touchdowns but also threw 2 interceptions. The Broncos weren't able to capitalize on the turnovers. Manning didn't have his magic in the fourth quarter and had two "3 and out" series. Will Manning return for his 18th NFL season? Will John Fox return as head coach next season? Will offensive coordinator Adam Gase get a head coaching job elsewhere or in Denver if John Fox is canned? Only time will tell, but this next month of the coaching carousel will be interesting.

- Three Columbus Blue Jackets were named to the NHL All-Star team. Forwards Nick Foligno, Ryan Johansen and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. The game will be played January 25th at Nationwide arena in Columbus.

Leadoff with Lee 12.30.14 #Harbaugh #Michigan #Manziel #BlackMonday

By @cleeverizon

- Former 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh will become the head coach of his alma mater, the University of Michigan. He'll be signing a reported 6-year, $8 million dollar annual contract and becoming the highest paid coach in college football history. Michigan will also pay the consulting firm of Korn Ferry $80,000 for helping conduct the "search" for the new coach. This is the same firm that was used when they hired Brady Hoke, and we all know how that ended. The official press conference is scheduled at Noon today and I also expect Harbaugh to address the Michigan fans prior to the men's basketball game, ala Urban Meyer. The average Big Ten head coach salary in the 94-95 season was $132,800. Harbaugh made $50,000 in 2002 as quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders.

- Johnny Manziel had a "social gathering" at his apartment Friday night. Saturday morning he was set to seek treatment for his hamstring injury and was not able to be reached via phone. Browns security staff went to Manziel's apartment to search for him after he didn't return calls or show up to the team facility. Ultimately, Manziel was fined a undisclosed amount of money for his tardiness. In a season ending interview yesterday, "Money Manziel" apologized to Jimmy Haslam and his teammates. It was initially reported Justin Gilbert and Josh Gordon attended Manziel's "social gathering". Manziel shutdown rumors yesterday and told reporters neither of the players were in attendance. Justin Gilbert was inactive Sunday because he was late for a team meeting. The Browns suspended Gordon after he failed to show up for Saturday's walk-through. He'll finish with just five games active this season, which could prevent him from being eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2016. The Browns nearly traded Gordon prior to the 2013 deadline and could shop him again this offseason. This means the Browns now have control of Gordon as he will then be a restricted free agent in the 2016 season and can match any offer made to him by any other team.

- Yesterday was #BlackMonday aka the time when most teams inform their head coaches they have been fired. The following #NFL head coaches and general managers were fired: Chicago Bears fired head coach Marc Trestman, offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer and general manager Phil Emery. They hired consultant Ernie Accorsi to help them in the search of a new coach and general manager. The New York Jets fired Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik. Ryan is rumored to be the leading candidate for the Atlanta Falcons head coaching job, which became vacant after firing head coach Mike Smith. The Falcons hired, you guessed it, Korn Ferry to identify potential candidates for the position.

- Per Eric Garafalo, 49ers assistant Eric Mangini is slated to interview with the Raiders for their head-coaching job, source says.