Sports
Browns' defense looking to build on turnover-focused mindset in 2026
The Browns' defense views the football as oxygen. And they need to force turnovers to breathe.
That mentality has resonated throughout the entire unit, from the defensive line to the secondary. With that, when Cleveland's defense takes the field against the Jaguars in Week 1, forcing turnovers will be one of its top priorities.
"You can see that it's on guys' minds," LB Carson Schwesinger said. "That's what happens when you preach that type of mindset. It gets drilled in and when guys are out there it doesn't matter, maybe you miss your assignment (and) all this, but at the end of the day, at the end of the play, all you got to be thinking about is the ball."
Forcing turnovers is critical to success for a defense in the NFL. That is why the Browns are building on their turnover-focused mindset that they have established over the past three years. In 2023, the Browns tied for the fifth most total takeaways in the NFL, helping lead them to an 11-6 record. But in 2024 and 2025, they were tied for 30th and 22nd in total takeaways.
The Browns' defense and coaching staff have a firm understanding of the impact that forcing turnovers has on the outcomes of games, which is one of the reasons they are continuing to establish their attack-the-ball mindset.
"One of the keys to winning in this league is taking the ball away," defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg said on Aug 11. "But that fits into our style of defense, the ball is oxygen. Our intention is, no matter what, we want to finish on the ball, celebrate the interceptions, and everything we do is about finishing on the ball to help this team win."
During training camp and the preseason, the Browns' focus on takeaways was on display. The defense recorded an interception in at least nine of the 19 practices during camp, including seven days with multiple picks. During the preseason, the Browns tallied one interception against the Bears and two against the Patriots. Cleveland also forced fumbles in at least three training camp practices, including one during its joint practice against the Bills.
One the reasons for the number of turnovers, along with the defensive mentality, has been the increase in secondary disguises implemented by Rutenberg. From his time as the defensive pass game coordinator with the Falcons last year, Rutenberg has brought expertise in secondary alignment and coverages.
clevelandbrowns.com
Undefeated Jackson State, Edward Waters Meet in HBCU GO Primetime Clash
Jackson State University and Edward Waters University put their unbeaten starts on the line Saturday night (09-95-26) when the Tigers meet in the HOPE Labor Day Classic, Jackson State’s 2026 home opener at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Jackson State enters the Sept. 5 matchup at 1-0 after rallying past Tennessee State 26-24 in the John Merritt Classic. Andrew Ivaniciuc kicked the go-ahead 21-yard field goal with 2:31 remaining, while Nate Blount IV rushed for a career-high 101 yards.
Edward Waters also arrives at 1-0 after opening its season with a 42-28 victory over Florida Memorial.
The matchup gives Jackson State its first home appearance since completing a 9-3 season in 2025 and winning its second consecutive SWAC East Division title.
eurweb.com
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed center Khalifa Diop (hah-LEE-fuh JYOP), Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.
Diop (6-11, 231), who was selected by the Cavaliers with the 39th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has spent the past three seasons with Saski Baskonia of Spain’s Liga ACB and the EuroLeague. In 2025-26, the 24-year-old appeared in 47 total games (38 starts) for Baskonia and averaged 3.8 points on .670 shooting from the field, 4.2 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 16.4 minutes per game. He helped Baskonia capture the 2026 Copa del Rey title, the club’s first in 17 years, after also contributing to the team’s 2023 EuroCup championship.
The Senegal native represented his country at the youth level, including the 2019 and 2021 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cups. Prior to being drafted in 2022, Diop earned 2021-22 EuroCup Rising Star honors while playing for Gran Canaria (Spain), an award presented to the best under-22 player in the EuroCup. He was also a member of the Cavaliers’ 2023 NBA Summer League championship team.
Diop will wear No. 18 for the Cavaliers.
clevelandcavs.com