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.

Leadoff with Lee 1.28.15 #Browns #Colts #DunkContest #Cavs

By @cleeverizon

- What will the Browns do with Josh Gordon? What should they do with Josh Gordon? What is Josh Gordon's future with the Browns? What is Josh Gordon's future in the NFL? Should the Browns cut him? There are a lot of questions, but not enough answers at this time. The initial shock of Gordon's failed drug/alcohol test by me was cut him. But then I started thinking to myself "Why cut him?" The Browns should be in no rush to make such a move. The NFL hasn't officially given notice to the Browns, the actual results or notification that Gordon has failed a drug/alcohol test. The league may wait weeks to make the results official to the Browns. It's not certain if top brass have made any attempts to talk to Gordon or his agent about the situation.

Now with that said, what if Gordon and his agent decide to appeal the positive test? What if Gordon's camp argues that he tested positive because he used mouthwash before he took the test? Maybe the league called him at the crack of dawn and told him he needed to test? Gordon simply took a shower, brushed his teeth, used some mouthwash and went straight to the testing location. This may all seem ridiculous and crazy but, remember Gordon tested positive for nano grams of marijuana from second hand smoke. Now the appeals process is exactly how it sounds, a process. It will only take a day or two to complete, but when will the appeal, if it happens, be scheduled? So if he wins the appeal, no harm, no foul. It's business as usual. But if he loses the appeal, do the Browns release him? My answer is NO! Gordon will not be collecting his salary from the Browns, he will not take up a roster spot on the team. He will still be apart of the substance abuse program in the NFL. No team will likely pick him up until the 2016 season. The Browns should retain his rights and see what happens in the 2016 season.

This year's crop of top wide receivers is very shallow. See what's out there for the next year or so. Gordon is still playing under his rookie contract, which is dirt cheap. The last thing I want him to do is sign with the Patriots and live that Patriot life like LaGarrette Blount. So there is no need to make any roster moves with Gordon at this time. R-E-L-A-X

- Former Cleveland Browns and current Colt running back Trent Richardson's suspension for conduct detrimental to the team voids the guarantees of his $3.1 million dollar base salary. Richardson was inactive the last two Colts playoff games and missed the walk through prior to the AFC championship game against the Patriots, due to family emergency. Colts general manager Ryan Grigson told reporters that "Richardson was suspended from the game". "He’s suspended for two games, for personal reasons, so I can’t go into that, but he was suspended". The suspension would void the $3.2 million in guaranteed money that Richardson is owed in 2015, allowing the team to cut him without penalty. Richardson will likely file a grievance.

- Andrew Luck should have a new target to throw the ball to next year in Duran Carter. WR Duron Carter, son of Hall of Fame WR and ESPN analyst Cris Carter, is closing in on an agreement with the Indianapolis Colts.

- In other former Browns moves, The Colts have agreed to a new contract naming Rob Chudzinski Associate Head Coach. Chud was rumored to be a candidate for a number offensive coordinator openings. His deal is for one year.

- At Super Bowl Media Day, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch said, "I'm just here so I won't get fined," to 21 questions & left after 5 minutes. It's said that Marshawn Lynch could have been threatened with a $500K fine if he failed to be available for Media Day. "I'm just here so I don't get fined."

- The Cavs won their 7th straight with a 103-95 over the Detroit Pistons. Kyrie Irving scored 38 points, with 6 assists and 3 steals. LeBron James added in 32 points, 6 boards and 7 assists.

- Finally, the NBA listens to it's fans about the Dunk Contest. They will return to the classic format of the dunk contest at NBA All-Star Weekend (Feb. 13-15) with a two-round event (3 each round) with each dunker performing any dunk without time limits. Fatigue was a real issue making the event a drag on players and fans.

- The Indians announced their non-roster Spring invites yesterday: Francisco Lindor, Jake Lowery, Tyler Naquin, James Ramsey, Will Roberts, Ryan Rohlinger and Jordan Smith.

"I just wrote this so I don't get fined"