http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/06/sports/tom-bradys-return-buoys-spirits-in-new-england.html 2016-10-06 07:22:30 Tom Brady’s Return Buoys Spirits in New England Brady had been barred from the Patriots’ practice facility during his suspension but New England will face a weak Cleveland defense on Sunday. === New England quarterback Brady had been barred from the “I know he’s been working hard wherever he’s been,” receiver Danny Amendola said. He added, “I’m sure it will all come natural for him.” Or, as tight end Rob Gronkowski put it, “it’s just like any other week, except Tom’s back at quarterback, baby.” AROUND THE N.F.L. A former Title IX coordinator at The former coordinator, Patty Crawford, resigned from her position on Monday. Crawford said she had filed a complaint with the federal Education Department. Baylor has been criticized over its handling of sexual assault allegations, a scandal that led to the dismissals of the football coach Art Briles and the university’s athletic director. Ken Starr was removed from his post as university president and later resigned as chancellor. The hitting coach The Marlins were fourth in the majors in batting average but fourth lowest in runs and next to last in home runs. The Marlins also announced a three-year, $40 million contract for third baseman Martin Prado and exercised a club option on the contract of outfielder Ichiro Suzuki. CAN-THROWER SOUGHT Tyson Fury, the British heavyweight boxing champion declared unfit to fight last month, said he had been bingeing on cocaine and alcohol to deal with manic depression. Fury Fury, who holds the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization titles, has twice had rematches with the former champion Wladimir Klitschko postponed. Josh Samman, an Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight, died of a probable drug overdose after nearly a week in a Florida hospital. A friend found Samman, 28, and Troy Kirkingburg, a mixed martial arts announcer, and dialed 911. Kirkingburg was pronounced dead at the scene. Samman began his U.F.C. career with a knockout of Kevin Casey, Muhammad Ali’s son-in-law. The Edmonton Oilers made Connor McDavid the youngest captain in N.H.L. history, bestowing the title on him after just 45 games. McDavid was named captain at 19 years 266 days — 20 days younger than Gabriel Landeskog was when he was named Colorado’s captain in 2012. McDavid had 16 goals and 32 assists last season. ISLANDERS TOP DEVILS David Blatt, who was fired by Cleveland after 41 games last season, has accepted the team’s offer of a championship ring for winning the N.B.A. title last season. Blatt was dismissed when the Cavaliers were 30-11 and replaced by Tyronn Lue, who led the Cavaliers to a comeback in the finals against Golden State. Blatt said he recognized that the championship was not his, but that he accepted the offer because he felt that he and the franchise believed he had earned it.