Browns brass issues warning to rookie Callaway
Rookie wide receiver Antonio Callaway has been warned by the Browns to run straight routes off the field.
Callaway, who came to Cleveland with a troubled background, was cited last week for marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license.
The fourth-round pick didn’t inform the team for several days, but in a meeting shown on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” on Tuesday night, coach Hue Jackson and general manager John Dorsey cautioned Callaway to change his behavior. After Callaway explained details of the traffic stop, Jackson told the 21-year-old that things have to change.
“Now listen, you’ve got talent but talent ain’t everything I’m looking for,” Jackson said. “I want you to become a man here, and responsible and accountable to John and me, this organization and your teammates — or else I wouldn’t keep you on this team. I’m just being very honest with you. If (stuff ) comes up, you have my number and you got John’s number. You call us ASAP. That’s what I expect from you from here on in.”
Callaway was suspended last season at Florida for his involvement in a credit card fraud scheme. He had other transgressions in college and he fell in the NFL draft after providing a diluted urine sample at the combine.
Steelers: Rookie thirdround pick Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs, Pittsburgh’s fourth-round selection in 2017, will see all of the playing time at quarterback when the Steelers visit the Packers tonight for their second preseason game.
On Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin ruled out veterans Ben Roethlisberger and Landry Jones for the game. The announcement came before Roethlisberger left Tuesday’s practice with a possible concussion.
Saints: Defensive end Alex Okafor is dealing with another lower leg injury as he tries to come back from an Achilles tear that sidelined him much of last season.
The specific nature of his latest injury at practice Wednesday is not clear. He was able to walk off the field, but coach Sean Payton has not provided specific information about his condition.
Okafor’s setback comes as first-round draft choice Marcus Davenport returns to practice to resume his work at defensive end. Payton says Davenport will be “ramping up and accelerated” following his return to practice on Wednesday.
Raiders: Activated tackle Donald Penn off the physically unable to perform list. Penn took part in practice Tuesday, his first since injuring his right foot in Week 15 last season. The 35-year-old Penn has been voted to the Pro Bowl the past two seasons at left tackle. He worked at right tackle at practice instead of his usual spot, which was occupied by firstround pick Kolton Miller.
Broncos: Prosecutors in Atlanta are dismissing a rape case against defensive end Adam Gotsis over an alleged assault more than five years ago while he was at Georgia Tech. Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard Jr. said in a statement “after a careful and thorough investigation” his office had decided not to proceed.
It’s not too early in the season for team-bonding activities as part of the Westlake volleyball program.
And the results on the court show it.
A day after Chaps seniors “kidnapped” the underclassmen on the team for breakfast Monday morning prior to practice, Westlake looked clinical at times Tuesday as the Chaps swept New Braunfels Canyon 25-23, 25-15, 25-22 to improve to 7-2.
“I think we’re gelling really well this year,” said senior Jada Birkel, who was one of four Chaps with at least nine kills. “We’re all friends and play club together and that helps. And (Monday) was good for the team.”
While team chemistry doesn’t seem to be an issue for Westlake, neither is talent.
Birkel marks one of several Chaps who has already committed to play in college, and first-year coach Marci Laracuente used an 11-player lineup Tuesday.
“Our hitting looks great,” Laracuente said. “We have some good power hitters and we’re deep. Honestly, I think in all of our rotations we can trust all of our hitters to put it away.”
Casey Campbell had 12 kills, Brennan Haralson knocked down 11 and Katie Hashman added nine kills to join Birkel in leading Westlake’s hitting attack.
Setters Rory Williams and Rylee Baptiste — both playing their first full matches of the season — combined for 35 assists to spur an efficient offense.
“This is a good preview of what we can be this season,” said Williams, one of six seniors on the team. “We’re a lot younger than we were last year, but we have a lot of energy. I thought we did a good job of bringing power, but then we had placement shots as well. We did a good job of reading their defense to see what shots were open.”
Canyon (5-5) used strong hitting from Kylie Trefflich to keep a slight lead during the early part of game one, but Westlake eventually took control and used two kills and an ace from Campbell to pull away.
“It was 5:45 in the morning when we got people (Monday), so that was extra team-bonding in itself because you got to see everyone at their grumpiest. It was fun,” said Williams with a laugh. “Off the court, everyone is close and there are no cliques. We’re just one big group. On the court, that shows because we work well together.”
Vista Ridge def. Plugerville: Ava Dahl, a sophomore, put down 11 kills while teammate Skylar Warde added nine to lead Vista Ridge past visiting Pflugerville 25-13, 20-25, 25-14, 25-13.
The Rangers moved to 10-1 on the season while Pflugerville dropped to 3-8.
“It was really a good match and the girls were really pressed when we lost the second set but they came back and really finished with two good sets,” said Vista Ridge coach Holly Lamb.
Vista Ridge was second last weekend in the Jason Landers Invitational where
Hendrickson def. Cedar Creek: Hendrickson made quick work of visiting Cedar Creek, defeating the Eagles in straight sets, 25-13, 25-14, 25-11 Tuesday night.
Katherine Neille had nine kills while Logan Stanhope dished 15 assists to lead Hendrickson.
The Hawks moved to 5-4 while Cedar Creek fell to 2-8 in the early season.
Justice Gabaldon led the Eagles with six assists, eight digs and two service aces.
Bastrop def. Stony Point: Sarah Ghormley had 11 kills and Abby Valderrama added nine as Bastrop (8-3) defeated visiting Stony Point in straight sets, 25-20, 25-23, 25-17 Tuesday night.
The duo also provided backup defensively. Ghormley had 14 digs and Valderrama had 12. Felicity Kelly and DeMoNaye Rector each had two.
Tessa Marshall and Brittany Garcia had seven kills apiece for Stony Point. Garcia also had two blocks.