Brown out on a ledge literally

Once again, Antonio Brown's status for Monday Night Football is in doubt.
Brown told ESPN's Jeff Darlington in an email Saturday that there is "no way" he plays for the Oakland Raiders.
The talented wide receiver said this is his stance after the team "took away my (contract) guarantees." He added: "no way I play after they took that and made my contract week to week."

The Raiders fined Brown $215,073.53 for conduct detrimental to the team, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday. This is just the beginning of a long season for the Vegas bound Raiders.

By fining Brown, the Raiders voided the $29.125 million worth of guaranteed money in his deal, sources told Schefter.
In addition, the Raiders sent Brown a letter that he no longer will be entitled to termination pay in the event that they release him, sources told Schefter.
As a result, Brown is playing on a week-to-week basis with both his guaranteed money voided and lack of termination pay.
A source told ESPN's Ed Werder on Friday night that Brown was fined an unspecified amount for a confrontation with general manager Mike Mayock and the wide receiver was "not happy" about the fine.
Brown took to Instagram on Saturday morning and said, in part, "I have worked my whole life to prove that the system is blind to see talent like mines.Now that everyone sees it, they want me to conform to that same system that has failed me all those years. 'I'm not mad at anyone. I'm just asking for the freedom to prove them all wrong.' Release me @Raiders."
The latest turn in this saga comes a day after coach Jon Gruden said the plan was for Brown to play in the team's Week 1 opener on Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos .
Brown and the team became at odds after Brown received a letter from Mayock outlining a series of fines levied for missing time during training camp that totaled $54,000.
Sources told ESPN's Josina Anderson on Friday that Brown initiated the confrontation with Mayock on Wednesday and in the process unleashed a barrage of "cuss words" at the GM and called Mayock a "cracker." Brown spoke with ESPN's Dianna Russini later Friday and denied he used the word "cracker."
Sources told Anderson that Brown issued an "emotional apology" to the team Friday and he had the support of the Raiders' captains. Later Friday, Brown addressed the media and made a public apology.

On Friday night, Brown posted a video on YouTube of a private phone call he had with Gruden.
In the video, which lasted 1 minute, 57 seconds, Brown is heard taking a call from Gruden, who asks the receiver: "What the hell is going on, man?"
Brown answered: "Just a villain all over the news, man."
Gruden then called Brown "the most misunderstood" person he has met, before asking him: "Do you want to be a Raider or not?"
Brown answered: "Man, I've been trying to be a Raider since day one. I've been f---ing working my ass off harder than anyone. I don't know why it's a question of me being a Raider. It's like do you guys want me to be a Raider?"
Gruden then asked the receiver to stop the off-the-field stuff and "just play football."
"How hard is that?" Gruden could be heard saying. "You're a great football player. Just play football."
Brown then told his coach it's not that simple.

"I'm more than just a football player, man," he said. "I'm a real person. I'm a real person. It ain't about the football, I know I can do that. I show you guys that on the daily. This is my life. Ain't no more games."
It wasn't immediately clear when the call between Brown and Gruden took place. A Raiders source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Friday night that Gruden was truly amused by the video and even thought it was "awesome."
That sentiment has likely changed with the team now two days away from its Monday night opener and the status of its franchise wideout as uncertain as ever.
The latest twist in the soap opera has led Ceasars Sportsbook to adjust its line. Denver is now -1 after being -2 and the total has moved from 43 to 42.5.

Stay tuned, I am convinced we have not heard the last from Antonio Brown.

Well, it was not long, Raiders release Antonio Brown.

Wow. AB requested his release Saturday morning and was granted it before noon. It's unclear what type of market he'll have after back-to-back breakdowns with both the Steelers and Raiders, especially considering the lack of guaranteed money he'll likely draw on the open market. Brown's time with the Raiders might be over, but we haven't heard the last of this story.

First Week Fun Begins

What a day! We knew Thursday would bring us the official kickoff of the 2019 NFL season as the Bears played host to NFC North rival Green Bay, but before kickoff, there was a serious appetizer.

The never-ending off-field issues involving Raiders WR Antonio Brown took another turn yesterday and we probably should’ve seen it coming. On Wednesday, Brown took to social media, sharing a letter from Oakland GM Mike Mayock informing Brown he’d been fined for previous absences from practice. This is a clear policy and Brown has been in and out of camp all summer long. Brown added text overlaying the image of the letter, claiming his “own team want to hate,” along with the phrase “devil is a lie.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Brown and Mayock “got into it” on Wednesday and had to be separated. Because of this, the Raiders are reportedly planning to suspend their star receiver. Despite the widespread discussion that took over the football community, the Raiders decision-makers did not make an official announcement about the suspension, so the length of any possible absence is still unclear.

If the Helmet Fits

Schefter later added to the report, saying that some around the league expect the Raiders will attempt to void Brown’s $30.125 million guaranteed money, which would essentially end his time in Oakland and make him a free agent. When Brown was a no-show to Thursday’s practice, the team labeled the cause as “conduct,” which opens the door to suspending Brown for conduct detrimental to the team.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport later added more details to the Brown saga, including the receiver threatening to punch Mayock, punting a ball and daring the team to fine him again. Rap Sheet also confirmed that we should not expect to see Brown in uniform against the Broncos this week. Beyond that is anyone’s guess.

Julio, too?

As if the Brown storyline wasn’t causing enough angst for fantasy players, Falcons star WR Julio Jones hinted on Thursday that he is unhappy with his contract and said he didn’t know if he would play in Week One against the Vikings. A longtime Falcons beat writer called the entire exchange bizarre and said Jones was “battling something physical or emotional.” Along with the contract concern, Jones seemed to allude to a possible injury he’s dealing with, though he hasn’t shown up on the injury reports. In the end, the Falcons blamed Jones’ Thursday practice absence on “rest,” though that is hard to believe following his earlier comments. Hopefully, this situation is cleared up before Sunday’s kickoff.

Backfield News

Redskins HC Jay Gruden confirmed RB Derrius Guice would be the team’s starting back and see the majority of the touches. Surprisingly, veteran RB Adrian Peterson is in danger is being pegged as a healthy scratch. … Baltimore OC Greg Roman admitted veteran RB Mark Ingram is the team’s starter but “everybody is going to contribute.” Roman also used the term “hot hand.” Other key members of the Ravens backfield include rookie Justice Hill and Gus Edwards. … If Baltimore becomes a running back by committee, they won’t be alone. Coaches from Buffalo, Philadelphia and the Chargers also suggested their teams would implement the RBBC, using multiple backs early this season.

Injury Updates

Rookie WR DK Metcalf (knee) was a full participant in practice. … 49ers WR Dante Pettis (groin) practiced fully and is good to go for Week One. … Bears TE Trey Burton (groin) was inactive for last night’s game as he continues to recover from hernia surgery. … Veteran Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery popped up on the injury report with an arm injury but was able to get in a limited practice. … Titans RT Jack Conklin (knee) returned to a full practice. … WR Keke Coutee (ankle) was limited at Texans’ practice. … Ravens rookie WR Marquise Brown (foot) is practicing in full…Browns WR Odell Beckham (hip) says he still hasn’t “opened up” while running. That is not good. … Vikings WR Stefon Diggs (hamstring) was limited for Thursday’s practice. While he is expected to play, Diggs has a long history of struggling when showing up on the final injury report. Look out for that prior to inserting him into your Week One lineups. … Redskins TE Jordan Reed (concussion) took part in practice but is still in the league protocol. … Jets HC Adam Gase said WR Robby Anderson is ready to go for Week One.

Quick Hits

Now that they have RB Ezekiel Elliott wrapped up for the long-term, the Cowboys have to make a plan to retain QB Dak Prescott and WR Amari Cooper. Owner Jerry Jones suggested that signing Prescott to a new deal remains a top priority for the team, while talks between Cooper and the team have reportedly been quiet. … The Rams signed TE Tyler Higbee to a four-year extension, paying him over $31 million.