Mayfield contacts Giants QB after biting remarks

BEREA, OHIO >> Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield did some scrambling off the field.

Claiming he was taken out of context in an interview conducted four months ago, Mayfield said Wednesday that he reached out to New York Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones after making some biting comments about the firstround draft pick from Duke.

In a GQ article published Tuesday, Mayfield, the confident and charismatic former No. 1 overall selection, said he was shocked the Giants drafted Jones with the No. 6 pick this year and questioned why the team would take a player without a proven track record of winning.

Mayfield acknowledged he told GQ that he was stunned by the choice of Jones — “blows my mind” — but that he didn’t mean any disrespect toward Jones and that other comments in the article were pieced together.

Mayfield said he texted Jones to make sure he understood he didn’t mean any harm.

“I reached out to Daniel because all that stuff was blown way out of hand, and I wanted him to know how I felt, and I’ve heard nothing but great things from Saquon (Barkley) and Sterling Shepard, guys that have a lot of respect for him and respect their opinions,” Mayfield said.

“I just wanted to clear the air with him.”

Mayfield, the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner who has built his reputation on being outspoken and unapologetic, said Jones appreciated the gesture.

“He was very nice,” Mayfield said as the Browns wrapped up training camp. “Everything that people have said about him, he was cordial. He said, ‘no worries, man.’”

Mayfield said a quote about Jones’ college record came from a conversation about himself — not Jones.

“It seemed very disrespectful, and I can understand that,” Mayfield said. “But what people didn’t realize, the conversation entailed of me saying I was surprised I was drafted No. 1 overall, and then me going on a rant after that about QB evaluation and the frustration from the college recruiting process.

“And so it had nothing to do with Daniel specifically about the winning and stuff.”

Jets’ Copeland suspended

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. >> New York Jets linebacker Brandon Copeland was suspended by the NFL on Wednesday for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Copeland can still participate in the team’s preseason practices and games. He is eligible to return to the active roster on Oct. 7.

In a post on Instagram, Copeland explained that he used a supplement that he believed adhered to NFL rules.

“This offseason, I began taking a supplement AFTER multiple verifications that it was safe for me to use,” Copeland wrote. “Unfortunately, this supplement was contaminated with a banned substance — NOT on its label. Regardless of the reason, League policy says I am responsible for what is in my body.”

Copeland hinted that he would appeal the suspension.

Source: Lions agree to extension with Harrison

DETROIT >> A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that defensive tackle Damon Harrison and the Detroit Lions have agreed to an $11 million, oneyear extension, giving him three years left under contract with the franchise.

The Lions acquired Harrison from the New York Giants in the middle of last season for a draft pick. Harrison, who turns 31 in November, was a 2016 All-Pro selection.

Harrison is entering his eighth season. He’s started 16 games in six straight seasons while playing for the Jets, Giants and Lions.