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- Browns will introduce OBJ on Monday (cleveland.com) - The start of something dangerous begins on Monday. Odell Beckham Jr. will arrive in The Land and be introduced to Cleveland at the start of the Browns’ offseason program Monday afternoon, a team spokesman told cleveland.com.
- Dawg check might be your new favorite Browns phrase (WEWS) - Odell Beckham took to social media and posted a video of him in a weight room wearing a Browns hoodie to his Instagram story. At the beginning of the video, Beckham can be seen smiling and dancing to the song playing in the background. Then, Beckham shouted the words the Dawg Pound is sure to be chanting throughout the upcoming season: “Dawg check!”
- Freddie Kitchens unflappable in face of mounting expectations (USA Today) - Freddie Kitchens knows what everyone’s thinking — both the good and the bad. The first-year Cleveland Browns head coach is well aware of the massive expectations that now rest on the shoulders of every one of his players, thanks to his team’s promising finish to the 2018 season and another round of aggressive offseason moves — most notably the acquisition of three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
NFL:
- CU coach Mel Tucker drops SEC insight, lauds QB Drew Lock (Denver Post) - Mel Tucker’s two decades of combined coaching experience between college and pro football gives the new Colorado Buffaloes head man an insider’s perspective for the NFL draft. His prior three seasons patrolling SEC sidelines as Georgia’s defensive coordinator prompts a specific question on the minds of many in Broncos Country. What’s your take on Missouri quarterback Drew Lock?
- Saquon Barkley bothered by criticism of Eli Manning (NFL.com) - The new face of the franchise in East Rutherford with Odell Beckham out the door, New York Giantsrunning back Saquon Barkley said earlier this month that he wanted to ”grow as a leader” in Big Blue’s locker room. That role entails standing up for the other veteran leader in the clubhouse. Barkley defended Giants quarterback Eli Manning in a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, amid criticism of the aging QB.
- Super Bowl or bust for the Rams (ESPN) - Last year, the Los Angeles Rams identified a window to go all-in, acquire the best players available to round out a talented roster and make a deep playoff run. As the Rams prepare for the 2019 season, the window remains wide open, even as coach Sean McVay emphasizes the difficult nature of a repeat run to the Super Bowl.
- Punter Shane Lechler holds retirement party (Houston Chronicle) - Former Texans Pro Bowl punter Shane Lechler held a retirement party Friday night. Lechler was cut by the Texans last year and replaced by Trevor Daniel. Lechler didn’t sign with another team last season, ending his NFL career after 18 seasons.