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- Andrew Berry is driven to succeed (Beacon Journal) - Ten years ago, before rideshare services became ubiquitous in the United States, Andrew Berry drove with a purpose as he chauffeured a future Hall of Famer recovering from surgery.
- Baker Mayfield tweets he’ll stand for national anthem, will respect teammates’ decisions (cleveland.com) - Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield tweeted on Saturday he has decided to stand during both the playing of the national anthem on Sunday and during the playing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
- What can the Browns deliver this season? (Terry Pluto) - I was talking to a friend about the 2018 Browns team, especially how they played in the final eight games. Most of all, it was a fun, hustling and perhaps even overachieving group. Bottom line: I enjoyed watching them play. That’s what I want to see again this season.
- After months of uncertainty, start of season brings relief and excitement (Browns Zone) - The NFL closed its buildings March 25 due to the coronavirus pandemic and spent much of the next four months working entirely remotely. Browns players didn’t report to the facility until late July after strict safety guidelines and testing protocols were negotiated and enacted. But six weeks later, the season is starting. The Chiefs and Texans kicked it off Thursday, and the Browns get underway Sunday in Baltimore against the AFC North champion Ravens and MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.
NFL:
- Alvin Kamara and Saints agree to terms on $75 million contract extension (nola.com) - The New Orleans Saints and star running back Alvin Kamara agreed to terms on a five-year, $75 million contract extension that will make Kamara one of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs, a league source confirmed.
- Vikings reach deal with Dalvin Cook on five-year, $63 million contract (ESPN) - The Minnesota Vikings have signed Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook to a multiyear deal, the team announced Saturday. It’s a five-year contract extension worth $63 million, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
- 49ers place Deebo Samuel on IR (NFL.com) - At one point, there was hope the San Francisco 49ers would have wide receiver Deebo Samuel for Week 1. Now, they’re hoping he’ll be back by the fourth week of the season as the 49ers placed Samuel on injured reserve Saturday, the team announced. Samuel is dealing with a Jones fracture he suffered in June.
- Can NFL defenses solve Lamar Jackson? (The Ringer) - The NFL had few answers for Lamar Jackson in 2019. The first question that comes to mind after listing off all of those incredible numbers, though, is an obvious one: Can Lamar and the Baltimore Ravens do it all again this year?