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 9.11.14

By @cleeverizon

-A law enforcement official says the Ray Rice video of him punching his now wife, Janay Rice, was sent to NFL offices back in April. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell claims he, nor anyone at the NFL had seen the video until Monday when TMZ Sports put it on their website.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the law enforcement official played a voicemail from a phone number coming from NFL offices that stated, "Your right, that's terrible". Ray Rice was initially suspended by the NFL for two games, until Monday when the video leaked and was ultimately was suspended indefinitely by the NFL and cut by the Baltimore Ravens. Roger Goodell and the NFL order a independent investigation into who was on this voicemail and who this law enforcement official is. Former FBI director Robert S. Mueller III will lead the investigation in the handling of evidence in the Ray Rice domestic violence case for the NFL. Apparently 25-30 casino staff members saw the video, with a dozen or more members having access to the recording. To Be Continued...

-Browns head coach Mike Pettine officially labeled running back Ben Tate out for Sunday's game versus the New Orleans Saints. Tate suffered a sprained knee in last Sunday's loss against the Steelers. He's expected to miss about two weeks. Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell will see plenty of playing time this weekend. Monday, the Browns worked out tight end Kellen Davis, but ultimately signed Gerell Robinson on Tuesday off of the Broncos practice squad. Robinson is a former wide receiver turned tight end who can stretch the field. Jordan Cameron has a injured A.C. joint in his shoulder and is listed day-to-day. With this signing, it seems as if the Browns will give Cameron a rest this weekend.

-The NFL and NFLPA are a mere day or so away from increasing the marijuana threshold, modifying DUI penalties and HGH testing. If the two sides can come to a agreement, approximately 20 players could be able to play for their teams sooner rather than later. The most notable players are the Denver Broncos' Wes Welker and Cleveland Browns' Josh Gordon.

-The Cavs officially announced they signed "The Matrix", Shawn Marion on Monday. The 17-year veteran power forward will come off the bench for the first time in his career. He averaged 10.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last year. The 6'7", 228lbs forward will offer increased depth for the bench.

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