The NFL drama literally everyone saw coming
THE DRAMA LITERALLY EVERYONE SAW COMING
Antonio Brown started Saturday on the Oakland Raiders and is now a member of the New England Patriots. Seriously.
How did we get here?!? A breakdown: First, Brown posted his fine letter on Instagram. This drew the ire of GM Mike Mayock, and there was reportedly a kerfuffle at practice. It was expected Brown would be suspended. Brown's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, insisted Friday that the star receiver wants a good relationship with the Raiders. Then, Brown apologized, and he was expected to play Monday.
Just when you thought, "OK, that was all weird but I guess it will work itself out," things took ANOTHER turn. Brown posted a bizarre video that appeared to include a conversation between him and Jon Gruden. Then, Saturday morning, Brown asked to be released. On Instagram. And then he was released without ever having played a game for the Silver and Black.
And now he's on the defending champs on a one-year, $15 million deal. After all the drama, this represents an incredible opportunity for Brown, our Mike Jones writes. And it could be a lot of fun to watch.
NFL WEEK 1: EVERYONE'S A SUPER BOWL CONTENDER!
Well, not really. But the season starts anew, hope springs eternal, all that jazz. And you know what team has some real, legitimate buzz? That's right, the Cleveland Browns! Our experts don't see a champion in Cleveland, but there will be an improvement. Here are their picks for Super Bowl champ, rookie of the year, and more. Be sure to gently harass them for being way off.
But back to Week 1:
- Bill Belichick: Excited (?)
- Le'Veon Bell: Ready
- Kyler Murray: Also ready
- Some NFL coaches: Nervous
- Games: Picked
- Fantasy players: Ranked
30-SECOND TIMEOUT
- Julio Jones is getting PAID.
- Some Australian guy has some big football-watching plans!
- Drew Brees defended his participation in a video that was released by the religious organization Focus on the Family, a group that is widely recognized as anti-LGBTQ.
- Brother whiffs brother.
- A Reds player did something no one has done since Babe Ruth.
- Jim Irsay doesn't seem particularly interested in selling the Colts.
SERENA STILL SEARCHING FOR GRAND SLAM NO. 24
Serena Williams' bid for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title fell just short Saturday in the US Open women's final. Instead it was Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu who was making history. This is now the fourth time in 14 months that Williams has entered a Grand Slam final with the chance to tie Margaret Court. And all four times she could not close the deal when it mattered most, this time against an up-and-comer whom Serena probably sees quite a bit of herself in.
LSU SENDS A MESSAGE
In the biggest game in college football's Week 2 slate, LSU delivered a simple message: its new-look offense is legit, and so is the Tigers' quarterback. Joe Burrow's 471 yards led the way as No. 6 LSU secured a 45-38 win over No. 9 Texas in Austin.
No. 1 Clemson also showed its just in a different class than pretty much everyone else with a decisive win over No. 11 Texas A&M. Oh, and that was the hardest on-paper test the Tigers will face this regular season.
Elsewhere, a quartet of overtime thrillers highlighted Week 2:
- Michigan needed double-OT to beat Army. Jim Harbaugh got lucky on this one.
- Colorado stormed back from 17 points down to beat No. 25 Nebraska in OT.
- Florida State won in OT when Louisiana-Monroe's kicker missed an extra point.
- Tennessee lost in double-OT to BYU to start 0-2 for the first time in 31 years.
Exclusive to the Paste BN Sports Network
From original reporting to some of the nation's best columns, these are stories you can only get from the Paste BN Sports Network:
- Maybe the Colts will be just fine without Andrew Luck.
- A former All-American linebacker has found his place as a high school coach.
- Lengthen the NFL regular season? Not so fast, says one well-known doctor
- Ever wonder where Nick Saban ranks on a list of best-dressed SEC coaches? Of course you did. So did we.
ICYMI
- Twins pitcher Michael Pineda was suspended 60 games for PEDs.
- Brian Hoyer's been everywhere, man.
- Zeke got his extension. But he was in a dark place beforehand.
- Bummer, dude.
- Cam Newton is good at lots of stuff.
- As everyone knows, great things typically happen in bars.
- Lonzo Ball learned about his trade the way you learned about his trade.
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