Browns trade former No. 1 pick to Patriots
Barkevious Mingo never really fit in with the Browns.
The Patriots will try to find an ideal spot for him.
A major disappointment in Cleveland, Mingo, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2013 draft, was traded to New England Thursday.
The Browns received a fifth-round pick in the 2017 draft for the linebacker.
Mingo, a former LSU standout, recorded just seven sacks in three seasons and spent much of last season on special teams.
Mingo’s size (6-4, 240 pounds) and speed have made him intriguing, but Cleveland’s coaching staff couldn’t find the best way to utilize him. The Browns moved the 25-year-old Mingo from outside linebacker to inside earlier this summer.
Cleveland declined to exercise the fifth-year option on Mingo’s rookie contract in May. With the trade of Mingo, left tackle Joe Thomas and cornerbacks Joe Haden and Justin Gilbert are the only first-round selections by Cleveland from 2007 to 2014 that are still with the team.
The Browns now own Philadelphia’s 2017 first-round pick, Tennessee’s 2017 second-round pick, New England’s 2017 fifth-round pick, Indianapolis’ 2017 seventh-round pick and Philadelphia’s 2018 second-round pick. Cleveland has conditionally surrendered its 2017 fourth-round pick to Philadelphia and its 2017 sixth- or seventh-round pick to San Francisco.
Pierre-Paul suit can continue: A Miami federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by New York Giants lineman Jason Pierre-Paul against ESPN over disclosure of his medical records from a 2015 fireworks accident.
Pierre-Paul attorney John Lukacs said Judge Marcia Cooke issued her ruling Thursday after a hearing on ESPN’s motion to dismiss. The case is set for an August 2017 trial.
Pierre-Paul was hospitalized in Miami after the Fourth of July accident, which caused serious injury to his right hand. The lawsuit claims ESPN and a network reporter violated his privacy and Florida medical confidentiality laws by posting the records on social media.
The network argued the records merely bolstered a news report. An ESPN spokeswoman did not return a call seeking comment.
Dolphins, Marlins say steps taken against Zika: The Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins said they’ve intensified mosquito-control treatments at their stadiums because of the Zika virus.
The Dolphins’ stadium is more than 10 miles from the nearest area of the virus outbreak. Even so, the Dolphins said they decided weeks ago to undertake additional treatments as a precaution.
Construction workers are at the site daily completing the latest phase in a $500 million renovation. The first home preseason game is next Thursday against Tennessee.
The Marlins and Miami-Dade County have stepped up spraying in and around Marlins Park “in an abundance of caution,” team president David Samson said Thursday. Treatments targeting the mosquito that transmits Zika are being used even though the Marlins play most of their home games indoors under a retractable roof.
Marlins Park is about 2 miles from the nearest area of virus outbreak.
Treatments at the 265-acre Dolphins stadium site include the parking lot and follow recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention using chemicals approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Those treatments are expected to continue through the football season and beyond.
Backpack foggers will be used every two weeks, with treatments timed for a few days before games. The Dolphins’ pest control provider also has removed standing water and treated larvae.
The University of Miami opens its season at the stadium Sept. 3 against Florida A&M.
Lions cut RB Ridley: The Detroit Lions have cut running back Stevan Ridley.
They made the move Thursday before practice.
Detroit signed Ridley in April, hoping he would bolster its depth in the backfield after releasing Joique Bell.
Ridley started in one game and played in eight more for the New York Jets last season and ran for just 90 yards. He had 1,263 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns in 2012 with the New England Patriots. Ridley has run for 2,907 yards and 22 touchdowns over his five-year career.
WR Williams among Chiefs’ cuts: The Chiefs released veteran wide receiver Mike Williams and safety Stevie Brown on Wednesday.
Neither had played much during training camp and the preseason.
Williams was trying to rejuvenate his career in Kansas City after his career fizzled with Tampa Bay and Buffalo. Williams had three straight 60-plus reception seasons with the Buccaneers after he was chosen in the fourth round out of Syracuse.
Brown was also trying to make a comeback. He had eight interceptions with the New York Giants in 2012, but has only appeared in 16 games over the past three seasons.