It's always been an uphill battle for Nick Latimer, but the former Kent State player keeps chugging away.

PD photoThe teams are set for next month's annual private-public golf battle for the Shaw Cup.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's always been an uphill battle for Nick Latimer, but the former Kent State player keeps chugging away.

Latimer, of Brooklyn, shot a course-record 8-under 63 on Monday at the West Palm Beach (Fla.) Golf Club to win the 18-hole Palm Beach Shootout. It was his third victory and his 18th top-10 finish in the last 10 months on the Fuzion Minor League Golf Tour.

Latimer, who earned a spot as a walk-on and was a member of the KSU team that won the 2009 Mid-American Conference championship, made three birdies and a bogey on the front nine. He added an eagle and four birdies for 30 on back. He earned $650 from the $2,790 purse.

"Nick is a grinder," KSU coach Herb Page said of the 2009 Greater Cleveland Amateur champ. "Don't count him out."

Holding our own: In a recent survey conducted by the National Golf Foundation, Ohio and Cleveland are maintaining their levels of play relative to other areas around the country.

The survey compared the first half of 2010 to a year ago. Play is down 2.8 percent in Cleveland and 3.2 percent across Ohio, but that is minor compared to some cities and states.

Taking the biggest hits are Wisconsin -- site of this year's PGA Championship -- where play is down 15.9 percent, followed by Texas (15.4), Colorado (15.2), Hawaii (13.7), New Mexico (13.2) and Oklahoma (12.6).

Denver (13.3), Sarasota, Fla. (11.2) and Tampa, Fla. (10.7) are among the cities where play is spiraling downward the most. Play in Columbus is down 4.7 percent.

The draw on Shaw: Rosters for the 16th annual Shaw Cup, a charitable event patterned after the Ryder Cup that has raised more than $300,000 for the Challenge Golf Program at Akron General/Edwin Shaw Rehab, are set. Joe Ungvary Jr., whose father, Joe Sr., was one of the founders of the event, will captain the Public team, which has a 7-5-3 edge. His team consists of Aaron Crewse, Danny Marr, Chris Minear, John Bernatovicz, Chris Carney, Mike Simpson, Dave Trier, Jim Krivanek, Pete Skirpstas, Rob Schustrich and seniors Jim Niskanen, Jimmy Cea, Ron Bell and Fred Miller.

Private team captain Tim Edwards has chosen Mike Riley (Fairlawn), Dave Pulk (Lake Forest), John Oyster (Lake Forest), Ross Beal (Prestwick), Don Padgett III (Firestone), Anthony Yacovazzi (Lake Forest), Ben Cavey (Medina), Jeff Mallette (Canton Brookside), Kurt Peterson (Shady Hollow), Brian Belden (Canton Brookside), Mike Arnold (Firestone) and seniors Barry Terjesen (Sharon), Mike Cassell (Firestone), Jim Harless (Barrington), Bill Downing (Fairlawn) and Brian Eichler (Fairlawn), who will serve as assistant captain.

The event will be played Sept. 25-26 at Rosemont and Fairlawn.

Senior moments: Akron's Rick Merrow shot rounds of 70-73 at Barberton Brookside and Good Park, respectively, to win the Summit County Senior Amateur championship by one shot over Hudson's Dave Pulk. Joe Hedrick, also of Akron, won the Super Seniors (ages 60-69) with a score of 149 and Akron's Vic Kline won the Super Super Seniors (70 and over) with a 158.

Zastudil, from Bay Village, says he'll always be a Brown, even though his five-year contract expires this season. Meanwhile, Floyd Womack is out for the rest of preseason with a knee injury.

PD filePunter Dave Zastudil will miss the rest of the season while recovering from off-season knee surgery.

BROWNS TRAINING CAMP LOG: AUG. 17
What happened: Punter Dave Zastudil was placed on injured reserve with a right knee injury and the Browns re-signed tight end Joel Gamble. Guard Floyd Womack underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, a source said, and will miss the rest of the preseason. Rookie guard Shawn Lauvao is excused for the week for personal reasons and is headed home to Hawaii, a source said. Players were given practice off Wednesday for a good showing.

TDs aplenty: The offense scored TD pass after TD pass in situational drills Tuesday night, including red zone, goal line, fourth down and the like. Highlights included five-yarders on fourth down from Jake Delhomme to tight end Evan Moore, and Seneca Wallace to Bobby Engram. Engram had a great night overall, also catching a 20-yard TD from McCoy and a 40-yarder from Wallace. Practice ended on a 2-yard TD pass from Wallace to Jake Allen.

Turnover machine: Cornerback Sheldeon Brown, who recovered a fumble in the Green Bay game, picked off Delhomme twice on Tuesday, once in the morning at the end of a two-minute drill and once at night on a fourth-down pass in the end zone intended for Ben Watson.

Injury update: The following players were idle Tuesday; RB James Davis, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, CB Brandon McDonald, RG Lauvao, LB David Bowens, RG Womack, RT Tony Pashos, RT John St. Clair, OL Joel Reinders. RB Peyton Hillis returned to action.

Wednesday’s schedule: No practice. Final day of camp is Thursday, from 8:45-10:45 a.m. and 5:45-7:45 p.m. Call 877-6BROWNS for updates.
— Mary Kay Cabot

BEREA, Ohio -- Dave Zastudil said the hardest part about going on injured reserve for the season with a knee injury is knowing that his career with his hometown team could be over.

A native of Bay Village, the veteran punter is in the final year of his five-year deal with the Browns. He was placed on IR Tuesday after his surgically repaired patellar tendon in his right knee flared up on him at the start of camp.

"Obviously, it was tough contract-wise, the timing of it, because I love Cleveland," said Zastudil, who signed in 2006 as a free agent who had played in Baltimore. "I'm from Cleveland. I love the fans in Cleveland. I'll always be a Cleveland Brown. When my career is over, I'll still be going to Cleveland Browns games. That's one of the hardest things for me, is knowing that there's a chance I may not be here and how much I love the city and how much I love the fans."

Zastudil, 31 and a ninth-year pro, said he intends to play again next season.

"My No. 1 goal is to get healthy," he said. "My No. 2 goal is to get back on the field and do what I love to do. I'm going to do everything I can to come back and try to help a team somewhere."

Zastudil, who eight games last year before being sidelined, had surgery in December after enduring the tendon issue for about two years. He said he wishes now that he would've gone on the physically unable to perform list at the start of camp, which would've enabled him to return sometime in late October or early November.

"But at the time, I got cleared," he said. "I did my running test and I was punting. We all felt it was time for me to keep progressing through camp and go right into the season. Sometimes you have these setbacks that you're very unprepared for and not happy about."

Zastudil said the knee flared up after a couple of days of training camp. That's when he flew out to Colorado to see his surgeon, Dr. Richard Steadman, who told him he needed more rest and rehab.

"The organization obviously has to make a decision and I just can't give them a time frame of when I'll be ready," he said.

Coach Eric Mangini said he's comfortable with Reggie Hodges, who punted in Zastudil's absence last season. Hodges punted 45 times for the Browns, placing 15 inside the 20 and netting 36.4 yards.

"He did a good job last year," said Mangini. "Not only did he a good job punting, but he did a good job as a holder, which is also another critical job for the punter to take care of. We had him in New York as well. I think Mike [Holmgren] had him in Seattle in their camp for a while so we've all kind of known him for quite some time and seen his development professionally. He had an extended chance to punt last year and took advantage of it."

Zastudil was in the midst of a career season last year. He was leading the league with 25 punts inside the 20 and had a phenomenal game in Buffalo, booming a career-high seven inside the 20, tied for third-highest in the NFL. Three were downed inside the 5 and he had a long of 57 to earn AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Zastudil is one of three hometown players who signed in 2006 to help return the Browns to glory -- only to suffer serious knee injuries. The other two were center LeCharles Bentley and Joe Jurevicius.

Womack scoped: Right guard Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, but could be back by the opener in Tampa, a source said. Mangini said he'll miss at the least the rest of preseason "and then we'll take it from there."

If not, there's a good chance third-round pick Shawn Lauvao will get the nod. Lauvao was excused Tuesday for the rest of this week as he went home to Hawaii for a personal reason. But Mangini said it's nothing to be concerned about.

"There's nothing physically wrong with him," said Mangini. "He and I talked a long time and we all have these things that come up in our lives. I expect him back in a couple of days or early next week. He did a really, really good job for his first opportunity against a high level of competition being thrust into the starting lineup. That's not easy to do."

The right side of the line is in a state of flux, with right tackle John St. Clair sitting out Tuesday and projected starter Tony Pashos missing his second week with a shoulder injury. At right guard and right tackle Tuesday were Billy Yates and Scott Kooistra.

Mangini said St. Clair should be back Thursday and Pashos is close to returning.

Lawson back: Defensive back Gerard Lawson left midway through the morning session to attend his court hearing on DUI charges, but returned for the evening practice. He pleaded no contest to the DUI, and three other charges including hit-skip were dropped.

Lawson will most likely also be entered into Phase I of the NFL's substance abuse policy, which includes possible testing and counseling.

"I don't shy away from taking the Tribe to task - and the team and management always provide plenty of reasons to do so - but I don't see any downside to the [draft pick] signings. Management picked who they thought were the best players available, so let's see what they got. Let their performances decide." - vineman

View full sizeChuck Crow | The PDOnly time will tell if the final draft picks signed with Mark Shapiro as GM will pan out.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians sign No. 1 pick Drew Pomeranz at deadline; top four picks all agree to deals, cleveland.com reader vineman is taking a wait-and-see approach to judging the Tribe's draft picks. This reader writes,

"I don't shy away from taking the Tribe to task - and the team and management always provide plenty of reasons to do so - but I don't see any downside to the [draft pick] signings. Management picked who they thought were the best players available, so let's see what they got. Let their performances decide."

Ohio State's defensive line could be very good, but one injury is showing how quickly that could change.

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerJunior Nathan Williams (43) is expected to have a big role on the Buckeyes' defensive front this fall. Williams is currently nursing a leg injury, one of several defenders currently dealing with bumps and bruises.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nathan Williams walked toward his teammates during Ohio State's practice Tuesday, limping with his left knee wrapped in ice, his action limited to rehab work on the side after injuring his knee Saturday.

The junior is ticketed to replace Thaddeus Gibson as Ohio State's Leo defensive end, where he'll rush the passer, stop the run and drop into coverage.

"He's definitely matured a lot from last year and I think he's ready to take that next step," OSU senior defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said of Williams before his injury Saturday. "Thad did some great things for us, but I'm expecting even more out of Nate.

"He definitely has to keep growing as a person and a player. He always had a knack for getting to the quarterback, so we're going to see what he can do against the run now."

With what Williams has shown, playing important passing downs during his first two seasons at Ohio State, it's reasonable to expect he's ready for more. His teammates believe his knee won't keep him from doing that, with the season just over two weeks away.

"Obviously, it's not good to have a guy go down," senior defensive tackle Dexter Larimore said. "I don't think we're too concerned about how long he'll be out. I think he'll be back a lot sooner than a lot of people think."

While Larimore, as he should as a senior leader, expressed faith in Ohio State's depth on the defensive line, frankly, it's just not there, at least compared to a year ago. Junior Solomon Thomas steps in for Williams, and while he's been a standout in off-season scrimmages, he hasn't had the chance to show much when it matters.

Though the Buckeyes' lineup on both sides of the ball is stacked with seniors and experienced juniors, Williams' injury, even if it's minor, is a reminder of the Buckeyes' inexperience on parts of their second unit, especially the defensive line.

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerA pleasant surprise as a freshman, John Simon (54) is being counseled against a sophomore slump by veteran teammates such as Cameron Heyward.

Minor injuries throughout camp helped show that Tuesday, as at one point five defensive starters were on the sidelines -- Williams, linebacker Ross Homan [he says he's almost ready to return from a minor hamstring pull], safety Orhian Johnson [icing a left leg injury], cornerback Devon Torrence [a lingering hamstring issue] and cornerback Chimdi Chekwa [left partway into practice with a hamstring tweak].

It's part of the game, and nothing that should bother the Buckeyes against Marshall on Sept. 2, but even redshirt freshman Melvin Fellows, expected to be a leader on that second line, was out of practice and on the sidelines Tuesday. He was stretching his left leg after a knee injury kept him out last year.

So the options may be limited. But if healthy, the potential top four is worth watching.

"It's far-fetched to say right now," Heyward said, "but at the end of the season I want to be able to say we had the best defensive line in the country."

Williams fits Ohio State's ideal Leo mold. Heyward is an All-American candidate and future first-round draft pick who was probably the main reason Tuesday's practice was stacked with NFL scouts. Larimore has the ability to penetrate in the middle of the line and fits the nose guard role the Buckeyes require when they go to more of a 3-4 look. He was playing very well before going down halfway through last season.

"I do think he gets overlooked a lot," Heyward said, "but he's a great talent."

But the player who could take the line from good to great is sophomore John Simon, who forced his way into a deep rotation as a freshman and has established a reputation as a workout warrior.

"Just knowing you put that work in gives you that extra drive on the field," Simon said. "I think that helps more than the strength itself."

Heyward has spoken to Simon about avoiding the sophomore slump he felt he went through in his second season. What's unspoken is the need to stay healthy.

Everything with Ohio State's defense starts up front. That should be a good thing. Throw in an injury or two with this group, and everything could change.

Michigan reminder: The Buckeyes end every practice with what coach Jim Tressel calls the Maize and Blue period, a short session in position groups where the players do one last thing to make themselves better with the Wolverines on their minds.

One addition to the session came across the sound system Tuesday -- Michigan's fight song "The Victors" blasting as the Buckeyes went about their work.

The competition for last place in the AL Central is nip and tuck. The Royals, thanks to Tuesday night's victory, are one game ahead of the Indians.

UPDATED: 12:23 a.m.

John Sleezer / Kansas City StarYuniesky Betancourt provided Kansas City with its first run against Jeanmar Gomez with a leadoff homer in the fifth inning Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium. An inning later, Wilson Betemit's solo shot provided the Royals with the winning margin in a 2-1 victory.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Since the end of last season, the Indians and Royals have been shadowing each other. Wherever one goes, the other soon follows.

The two teams entered Tuesday night's game with identical 114-166 records since the start of the 2009 season. They were tied for last place in the AL Central until Wilson Betemit hit a leadoff homer in the sixth inning off rookie Jeanmar Gomez to give the Royals 2-1 victory over the Indians at Kauffman Stadium.

The loss gave the Indians sole possession of last place.

"No one wants to finish last," manager Manny Acta said before the game. "Obviously that's on everyone's mind. That being said, we still have a month and a half of baseball left."

The Indians and Royals will meet 12 more times this year, but Tuesday's game might not have ended as it did if not for plate umpire Kerwin Danley retiring Shin-Soo Choo and Travis Hafner on called third strikes with the tying run on second base against Joakim Soria in the ninth inning.

"It's easier to see after the game on replay," said Acta. "Both were way off the plate. Those guys do a good job and you're not supposed to criticize them, but sometimes you wonder.

"That's the No.3 and clean-up hitter. Basically, they took the bat out of their hands. They should have let the two guys battle -- the closer against one of those guys. I hope he sees it after the game or someone lets him know about it because it's not fair."

Michael Brantley started the ninth with a single. He took second on Asdrubal Cabrera's grounder. Choo worked the count to 3-2, but was called out on a pitch that looked outside for the second out.

Hafner, who reached base in his four previous plate appearances on two hits and two walks, was called out on Soria's 2-2 pitch that appeared to be in the same location to end the game. Soria earned his 34th save.

"You can't do anything if the umpire calls a strike," said Choo. "If I swing at that pitch, I hit a foul ball. Umpires are human. They make mistakes. But games can change if he calls ball, you never know what can happen in a one-run game.

"But you can't change anything now. It's past."

Gomez (3-1, 1.84 ERA) lost for the first time in five-big league starts. He turned in his third quality start, but the Indians could do little against Zack Greinke (8-11, 3.90) and the Royals bullpen.

In his first four big league starts the homer didn't hurt Gomez. He allowed just one in 23 1/3 innings. The situation changed Tuesday as the Royals erased the Tribe's 1-0 lead on homers by Yuniesky Betancourt and Betemit.

Betancourt homered with one out in the fifth to make it 1-1. He hit Gomez's first pitch down the left-field line for his 11th homer. Betemit's tie-breaking homer was his sixth.

Gomez did run into homer problems at Class AAA Columbus, where he allowed 16 in 116 innings. Gomez was 8-8 with a 5.20 ERA with the Clippers.

Greinke is 5-0 in his last eight starts against the Indians. Last year's AL Cy Young winner is only 8-8 against the Indians lifetime, but they haven't beaten him since 2008.

He's 2-0 against the Indians this year. His 26 appearances (21 starts) against the Tribe are the most against any team.

The Tribe, 15-16 since the All-Star break, scored its only run in the second. Following a Hafner double and a Jayson Nix single, Matt LaPorta sent a high bouncer to second hit too slowly for a double play so Hafner scored for a 1-0 lead. LaPorta, 0-for-20, was credited with an RBI.

Gomez stranded two runners in the first and a runner at third in the second. He allowed two runs on five hits. He struck out three and walked two in 106 pitches.

"My sinker was good, but I made a couple mistakes on the home runs," said Gomez.

The loss ended a five-game winning streak for the right-hander. Starting with his big-league debut on July 18 against Detroit, he was 5-0 in six starts, including two at Columbus.

Phelps has split the season between Class AAA Columbus and AA Akron, producing even more for the Clippers after starring at Akron.

FARM REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 5, Yankees 1: RH starter Carlos Carrasco (10-5, 3.71) held Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) to one unearned run on five hits in seven innings, and the Clippers won the International League game Tuesday in Columbus. Carrasco walked none and struck out six.

CF Ezequiel Carrera (.279) had three hits and scored twice, and RF Jose Constanza (.309) had two hits, two stolen bases and two runs scored. Constanza has 32 steals on the season.

Notes: Going into Tuesday night's game, OF Matt McBride (.382) was on a 12-game hitting streak. McBride was 21-for-55 with three doubles, two home runs and just five strikeouts after being promoted from Class AA Akron, where he hit .364 (36-for-99) with 13 homers, 11 doubles and 32 RBI in his last 26 games. ... 2B Cord Phelps (.333) was on a six-game hitting streak, going 9-for-25 (.360) with two homers, a double and eight RBI. Phelps had 15 doubles, three triples, six homers, 37 runs and 26 RBI in 52 games at Columbus. He played his first 53 games this season at Akron, batting .296 with eight doubles, three triples, two homers, 25 runs and 23 RBI. ... RH reliever Vinnie Pestano (1-2, 11 saves, 1.83) was 1-2 with 10 saves and a 1.20 ERA in his last 20 games, striking out 36 in 30 innings. ... OF Jose Constanza (.306) was third in the International League with 30 stolen bases (in 34 tries). He was batting .318 (34-for-107) in his last 27 games. ... Tuesday night's starting RHP, Carlos Carrasco, was 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in his last five games, striking out 24 and allowing just 15 hits and six walks in 26 innings. Carrasco had given up one home run in his last seven starts, spanning 37 innings, after yielding 15 homers in his first 91 2/3 innings this season.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 8-7, Phillies 7-9: RF Jerad Head (.314) hit two home runs and had five RBI, and visiting Akron beat Reading (Pa.) in the completion of a suspended Eastern League game from July 25. Head has 12 home runs on the season. 1B Beau Mills (.239) had four hits for Akron.

Lefty Nick Hagadone (4.71) pitched 2.2 innings of hitless relief to earn his first save.

Mills hit his ninth home run of the season and drove in three runs in Tuesday’s regularly scheduled game, but the Phillies shelled LH starter Matt Packer (0-1, 4.74) for nine runs in five innings en route to the win.

Notes: Going into Tuesday night's game, 2B Jason Kipnis (.339) was on a nine-game hitting streak, going 14-for-37 (.378) with two doubles, one triple, two homers and 10 RBI. He was hitting .398 (45-for-113) with eight doubles, four triples, five homers, 29 RBI and 26 runs in his last 28 games. ... RHP Alex White (7-6) was first in the Eastern League with a 2.39 ERA and owned the second-best walks+hits/per innings pitched ratio (1.09), allowing 80 hits and 23 walks in 94 1/3 innings. ... OF John Drennen (.299) was 14-for-35 (.400) with two doubles, a homer and six RBI in his last eight games. ... CF Jordan Henry (.292) was 7-for-14 with one double, one triple, six runs, three RBI and two walks in his last three games. ... 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (.273) was 7-for-14 with one double, one homer, eight RBI and five walks in his last four games. ... OF Jerad Head has been sent to the Aeros from Columbus. Head had a 13-game hitting streak going with Akron before he was promoted to Columbus on July 31. With the Clippers, Head hit .233 (10-for43) with four doubles, one home run, six RBI and seven runs. Head had an earlier stint with the Clippers this season, going 7-for-20 (.350) with three doubles, one homer, six RBI and five runs. Between his stays in Columbus, Head batted .299 (53-for-177) in 49 games with Akron, hitting 15 doubles and 10 home runs, with 28 RBI and 32 runs.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Indians 3-5, Nationals 1-3: K-Tribe CF Donnie Webb (.244) had two hits and two RBI, RH starting pitcher Austin Adams (4-0, 1.40) allowed one earned run in five innings in the opener. Kinston (N.C.) completed the doubleheader sweep when Juan Diaz's two-run homer keyed a four-run first inning over visiting Potomac.

Notes: Going into Tuesday night's games, RHP Joseph Gardner (10-5, 2.86) was tied with teammate and LHP T.J. McFarland (10-4, 3.05) for second in the Carolina League in wins, and was fourth in ERA. Gardner was also fourth in hits+walks/per innings pitched ratio (1.08), allowing 74 hits and 42 walks in 107 innings, and was tied for fifth in strikeouts (94). ... 3B Kyle Bellows (.262) was 14-for-38 (.368) with four doubles, seven RBI and seven runs in his last nine games. ... RHP Cory Burns (0-1, 23 saves, 1.76) had struck out 43, walked 12 and allowed 22 hits, including one homer, in 30 2/3 innings over 31 games. Counting his time with Lake County, Burns was 0-1 with 35 saves and a 1.94 ERA in 45 games. Pitching 46 1/3 innings overall, he had struck out 68, walked 13 and allowed 35 hits, with just the one homer....RHP Matthew Langwell (4-2, four saves, 2.23) had fanned 48, walked 13 and given up 38 hits in 48 1/3 innings. Not counting the one game in which Langwell allowed five earned runs in 1/3 inning, his ERA was 1.31. ... IF Justin Toole has been sent to Kinston from Akron. Toole played in three games for the Aeros, going 1-for-7. Hampered by an early-season injury, Toole has played for Columbus, Akron, Kinston and Mahoning Valley this season, but had been in just 23 games going into Tuesday night, batting .185 (10-for-54). He had played 14 games for Kinston, going 8-for-34 (.235).

A Lake County Captains

The Captains were idle on Tuesday.

Notes: 1B Adam Abraham (.259) is batting .372 (42-for-113) with eight doubles, six home runs and 28 RBI in his last 28 games. ... OF Greg Folgia (.258) is 8-for-10 in his last two games, and batting .333 (44-for-132) since the All-Star break compared to .192 (29-for-151) before it. ... OF Jason Smit (.264) is on an eight-game hitting streak, going 12-for-32 (.375) with three doubles, one triple, one homer, seven RBI and five runs. ... OF Delvi Cid (.256) is 12-for-34 (.353) with two doubles, eight runs, four walks and 5-for-5 in stolen bases in his last eight games. Cid leads the Midwest League with 61 steals (in 74 tries). ... RH reliever Antwonie Hubbard (2-0, two saves, 3.05) has not given up a home run in 44 1/3 innings this season. In his last three games, Hubbard has pitched six scoreless innings and earned one save. ... LH reliever Francisco Jimenez (7-1, one save, 3.97) has pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innnings in his last three games, getting one win and fanning nine while allowing three hits and two walks. ... The Captains (68-51) will host the Bowling Green (Ky.) Hot Rods (52-67) on Wednesday night.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

The Scrappers were idle on Tuesday, while the New York-Penn League All-Star Game was played in Staten Island, N.Y.

Notes: Scrappers all-stars are RH starting pitchers Alex Kaminsky (5-3, 1.95) and Owen Dew (1-2, 2.64) and 2B Dan DeGeorge (.264). ... OF Jonathan Burnette (.292) is batting .345 (20-for-58) in August, with four home runs and six doubles. ... OF Carlos Moncrief (.241) is batting .378 (14-for-37) with three doubles, one triple, one homer and eight walks in his last 10 games. ... RHP James Ehlert (0-2, five saves, 4.07) has struck out 35 in 24 1/3 innings. He has saves in each of his last three games, fanning six while allowing one hit and one walk in 3 1/3 innings. ... RHP Casey Gaynor (4-2, 3.89) is 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA in his last 26 2/3 innings, making two starts and eight relief appearances. ... The Scrappers (24-33) host the Batavia (N.Y.) Muckdogs (31-24) on Wednesday night.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

CornBelters 3, Crushers 2: Lake Erie had three hits and two errors in losing the Frontier League game to Normal (Ill.) in Avon.

Notes: Going into Tuesday night's game, LH reliever Ronnie Morales (1-2, 3.18) was 1-0 with an 0.92 ERA in his last 14 games, allowing two runs on just five hits in 19 2/3 innings, while striking out 16 and walking 11. In 40 games this season, Morales has given up just 30 hits in 51 innings. His problem has been his 30 walks, compared to 38 strikeouts. .. .IF Lee Huggins (.246) was 10-for-28 (.357) with one double, two triples, one homer and five RBI in his last seven games.

The Indians feel they ended a good draft on a high night Monday by signing five key players, including their first four picks.

Bruce Newman / Oxford (Miss.) EagleThe Indians went over their expected budget to sign their top draft choices -- including Mississippi lefty Drew Pomeranz -- but team officials were pleased with their incoming talent after Monday's signing deadline.

• Draft must finally pay off for Tribe: Terry Pluto

INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: The word in Detroit is that the Tigers are seriously considering exercising Jhonny Peralta’s $7.25 million club option for 2011. Peralta isn’t hitting much since the Indians traded him on July 28, but manager Jim Leyland likes his steady play at third base and the presence he gives to Tigers’ battered lineup.
There have been rumors that Detroit, hounded by injuries and poor play, may trade regular third baseman Brandon Inge to a contender before the Aug. 31 trading deadline.

Change is coming: The current agreement between players and owners expires in December, 2011. One change that will almost certainly be made to the basic agreement will be altering the deadline for signing players taken in the June draft.
It’s currently at midnight on Aug. 15. It was on Monday (Aug. 16) this year because the normal deadline fell on the weekend.
“Everyone I’ve talked to would like to see it moved up,” said John Mirabelli, Indians director of scouting. “We’d like to see the deadline be as soon as possible after the draft. We’d go for two weeks.
“We’re all for getting guys out and playing and starting their professional careers.”

Stat of the day: Closer Chris Perez, in his last 23 games, is 1-0 with eight saves and a 1.64 ERA (four earned runs in 22 innings).
— Paul Hoynes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- It's over and the Indians are happy. They haven't always been able to say that following the final signing day of the June draft.

The Indians did just what they wanted to do in signing their top four picks -- Drew Pomeranz, LeVon Washington, Tony Wolters and Kyle Blair before Monday's midnight deadline. They added catcher Alex Lavisky from St. Edward High School.

In signing 27 of their 50 picks, Brad Grant, director of amateur scouting, said the Indians spent over $9.3 million. John Mirabelli, director of scouting, said that was probably over the budget the team set in October.

"But ownership encouraged us to be aggressive in this draft," said Mirabelli.

The Indians came to terms with Blair and Lavisky early Monday. Blair, from the University of San Diego, signed for $580,000. Lavisky, with a scholarship to Georgia Tech, signed for $1 million.

Pomeranz, Washington and Wolters didn't get done until right before the midnight deadline.

"We didn't get Pomeranz and Wolters done until about 11:55 p.m.," said Grant. "We had Washington done a little earlier."

Pomeranz, the fifth pick in the country, signed for $2.65 million. It was the largest signing bonus for a college pitcher in the draft. Pomeranz, from the University of Mississippi, will report to Class A Mahoning Valley with Blair.

They'll begin a throwing program and should be ready to pitch in games when the Arizona Instructional League season starts in mid-September.

Washington, a center fielder/leadoff hitter from Chipola Junior College, signed for $1.35 million. Wolters, just graduated from Rancho Buena Vista High School in Vista, Calif., signed for $1.3 million. Washington, Wolters and Lavisky all report to the Indians' Arizona Rookie League team in Goodyear, Ariz.

Grant said Pomeranz will go to big-league camp with the Indians next spring, but will probably open the season at Class A Kinston. Look for him to follow the developmental path of Alex White, the Tribe's No.1 pick from last year. White started at Kinston this year and is currently pitching at Class AA Akron.

Another chance: Manager Manny Acta isn't looking for the next Brooks Robinson or even the next Brook Jacoby.

"What's we're trying to find out here is if these internal guys can be a stopgap at third base until someone takes over in a year or two," said Acta.

The potential seat warmers are Jayson Nix, Andy Marte and Luis Valbuena. They've been competing for the job since Jhonny Peralta was traded on July 28. Lonnie Chisenhall or Jared Goedert could be the guys who take over the job on a more permanent basis in the upcoming years.

Acta said before Tuesday's game that Nix is once again going to get a chance to be that guy based on his recent offensive output.

"He's swinging the bat the best of the three guys," said Acta.

Nix is hitting .313 (20-for-64) with three homers and eight RBI in his last 18 games. He's hitting .265 (36-for-136) with six doubles, nine homers and 17 RBI in 37 games since the Indians claimed him on waivers from the White Sox on June 24. Overall, he's hitting .238 (44-for-185) with 10 homers and 22 RBI.

Take a break: Rookie right-hander Josh Tomlin was skipped in the rotation to limit his innings. Scheduled to pitch Tuesday, he won't pitch start until Saturday in Detroit.

"I've already made 21 starts this year and they want to make sure I don't get fatigued toward the end of the season," said Tomlin.

Acta said the Indians could do the same with Justin Masterson and Jeanmar Gomez over the last six weeks of the season.

"We don't want to shut these guys down with three weeks left in the year," said Acta. "We want them to keep pitching. So this is what we're going to do."

Tomlin, who has thrown 134 2/3 innings, says he's not hurt or tired.

Indians fall victim to good, solid starting pitching ... from a team with a 50-69 record.

View full sizeOrlin Wagner,
Associated PressJason Kendall looks a little sheepish, honestly, as Travis Hafner reacts to a called third strike that ended the Tribe's 2-1 loss to the Royals in Kansas City on Tuesday night.

"Solid starting pitching" and "Kansas City Royals" aren't words normally paired in the same sentence. But they are, in a blog post from cbssports.com describing the Royals' latest victory, a 2-1 win over the Indians Tuesday night.

That win puts the Royals in the passenger seat, right along the Indians behind the wheel, in the drive to last place in the AL Central. The Indians are 49-70 as of right now; the Royals, 50-69. The teams have 12 more games against each other, including tonight's contest at Kauffman Stadium, and 43 in toto before the 2010 season comes to an end. Plenty of time for the draaaaaaaama to unfold.

Kansas City (50-69) has totaled three runs but allowed one while winning its last two games. The Royals have won three consecutive games four times this season.

"We kind of go in spurts," said ace Zack Greinke, who pitched six solid innings in a 2-1 win over Cleveland on Tuesday night. "We've been pitching good lately. Most of the year, we've been hitting and not really pitching good. Right now, we're pitching good."

After Brian Bullington allowed two hits over eight innings in a 1-0 win over the Yankees on Sunday, and Greinke's effort in Tuesday's series opener, the Royals turn to Chen (7-6, 4.50 ERA) to help secure their first winning series since taking three of four from Baltimore July 29-Aug. 1.

The responsibility for that third win rests on the left arm of Bruce Chen. He gave up three runs in five innings in a 4-3 loss to the Yankees in his last start. Overall, his ERA is 4.50, but in August, it's 3.18. Chen, whose season record is 7-6, is up against Fausto Carmona, whose record is 11-10 with a 3.87 ERA.

That's what starter Zack Greinke and closer Joakim Soria did, even before beating the Tribe Tuesday night.

Here's how Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star tells it:

The running joke between Zack Greinke and Joakim Soria resumed Tuesday night after Soria secured another victory for Greinke when the Royals beat the Cleveland Indians 2-1 at Kauffman Stadium.

"I always tell him how bad he is," Greinke said. "About how he's not good enough to be a starter and stuff like that. How he doesn't throw hard, and he signed a bad contract. I never give him credit for anything."

Not even, apparently, for saving seven of Greinke's eight victories this season.

. . . Soria hears this and laughs.

"We always mess around with each other," he said. "He got me into the game (by pitching well), so I can't complain about it. He's a great pitcher. We just mess around all of the time. That's why he says stuff like that."

You know, Starting Blocks would love to be around the Old Pitchers Home in, say, 2065, when the story changes. We can just hear the conversation:

"Aren't you Zack Greinke?" wheezes an 86-year-old Joakim Soria.

"Cranky? No, I'm fine, regular as a clock," bellows his 87-year-old ex-teammate.

"No! I said GREINKE. You used to tell me all the time how bad I was. Big talk for a guy who went from a 16-8 Cy Young year to an 8-11 year where he could only beat Cleveland."

"Cleveland? They're in last place. Why?"

MLB.com for some reason is covering the Indians-Royals series. Maybe they have to. Maybe it's part of someone's community service. Anyway, the story on Tuesday's game centered on Joakim Soria back-to-back strikeouts of Shin-Soo Choo and Travis Hafner to put away the Tribe.

Now (Michael) Brantley was at second base with the tying run and coming up were the Nos. 3-4 hitters in the Indians' order. The 13,258 fans at Kauffman Stadium stirred uncomfortably, but still, Soria was on the mound and he zipped a called third strike past Shin-Soo Choo. That brought out Royals manager Ned Yost for consultation: pitch to Travis Hafner or walk him?

"He asked me what I wanted to do -- if I wanted to walk the guy because [Jayson] Nix was on deck," (Joakim) Soria said. "But we chose to face Hafner and try to make good pitches to him. If I walk him, I walk him."

There would be no walk. Soria got the count to 2-2 and also threw a called third strike past Hafner. Game over and Soria had his 34th save.

Those called strikes, though, did not rest well with Indians manager Manny Acta.

"Both were way off the plate," Acta said. "[The umps] do a good job and you aren't supposed to criticize them, but sometimes you wonder. It's the No. 3 and cleanup hitters. Basically, you feel like they took the bat out of their hands. They should let those two guys battle -- the closer against one of those guys. I hope [home-plate umpire Kerwin Danley] sees it after the game. ... It's not fair."

You hope he sees it after the game? Gee, Skip. Are you suggesting he didn't see it DURING the game?

Columnist Terry Pluto also tackles the draft, looking ahead to what Pomeranz, Lavisky and their draft classmates can do while noting the success of the draft choices of Brad Grant's picks since he took over draft responsibilities in 2008. Tribe fans just may have some reason to hope.

Washington and Doran Grant from St. Vincent-St. Mary compete in ESPN Gridiron Kings Championships in Orlando, Fla.

View full sizeScott Shaw/The Plain DealerShaq Washington competed for the Midwest team at the ESPN Gridiron Kings Championships in Orlando, Fla., last month.

Editor's note: Maple Heights quarterback and Cincinnati recruit Shaq Washington is continuing his blog during his senior season, taking readers inside his team's huddle by writing a blog for cleveland.com.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- On July 23 me and Doran Grant from St. Vincent-St. Mary hopped on the plane and took off to Orlando, Fla., for the ESPN Gridiron Kings Championships.

This was a passing 7-on-7 tournament consisting of four teams: Southeast, Southwest, West and Midwest. Me and Doran were on the Midwest team along with a couple other Ohio top players such as Pickerington Central's Eilar Hardy, Columbus Eastmoor's Ron Tanner and fellow Cincinnati Bearcat commit Patrick Coyne from Hamilton Badin.

Everything was set up nice down there. We walked into a room and got a duffle bag full of Gridiron Kings Championships gear and Nike gloves and cleats. We also had seminars about coming better men and outreach programs with kids later in the week.

We also had time for fun with a trip to Disney World with all the teams.

The next day was strictly business when we got a chance to play each team. It didn't turn out too good for us on the Midwest team because we lost every game. The Southeast team ended up winning the championship.

But their was plenty of great things done and I feel I performed very well with four touchdowns in five games as a receiver. I was named as a Top Performer by Rivals.com.

It was a great experience down there. I think I definitely represented The C [Cleveland] very well, and now I'm ready for my upcoming senior season.

Favre practiced less than 24 hours after the Vikings sent three of his closest friends to Mississippi to bring him back following another summer of indecision. "I owe it to this organization to give it one more try," he said.

Minnnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre throws a pass during NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010 in Eden Prairie, Minn. After staying away from training camp, Favre was practicing less than 24 hours after the team sent three of his closest friends to Mississippi to bring him back following another summer of indecision. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

The aging boys of summer want one more time in the sun before becoming the men of winter.

View full sizeChuck Crow,
The Plain DealerOmar Vizquel is chasing his dream and even, at the age of 43, is helping his latest team with his glove and his .308 average.

They were the headliners. The faces of their franchises. The ones fans came out in droves to see, and the ones who at times carried the weight of an entire 25-man roster on their backs.

Now, previous stars like Lance Berkman, Jim Edmonds, Jason Giambi, Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel and Kerry Wood are on contending teams as smaller pieces to a bigger puzzle -- one they hope can assemble into a World Series champion.

But before that happened, ego had to be checked and a reality needed to set in -- the reality that they're not the players they once were. And now, in the latter parts of their baseball careers, they have to accept lesser or specialized roles in hopes of winning it all.

Who wants to let go? Not me. Not you. And not them.

Mixed martial arts takes on boxing -- sort of -- when MMA champ Randy Couture battles fighter James Toney in UFC 118.

View full sizeAP FileBoxer James Toney, shown after a 2007 fight, takes on mixed martial arts legend Randy Couture in the co-main event of UFC 118 on Saturday, Aug. 28.


MMA PREVIEW

UFC 118

Main event: Frankie Edgar defending the Ultimate Fighting Championship Lightweight title in a rematch with the man he took it from this past April, B.J. Penn.

Co-main event: International Boxing Association heavyweight title holder James Toney vs. former UFC heavy weight and light heavyweight champion Randy Couture.

When: 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28.

Where: Boston TD Garden.

Tickets: $75 to $600, available at Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticket master.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Satellite/Cable: $44.99. Contact your local provider for ordering details.

Web: ufc.com.

Boxing vs. mixed martial arts. That's how the Aug. 28 UFC 118 fight between two-time UFC champion Randy Couture and boxing champ James Toney is being billed by UFC.

It's how fans of each sport desperate for validation may be looking at it, too.

But it's not how Couture and Toney see it. Even if Couture, 18-10-0, is 47 years old, and Toney, 72-6-3 (with two no-contests) will turn 42 four days before the fight.

Speaking to reporters in a conference call last week, the two fighters discussed their different sports, and came across -- honestly -- as strikingly different men. Couture, currently starring in the movie "The Expendables," speaks articulately, using phrases like "rules of engagement" and Toney drops lines like "I've been a bad guy all my life, so ain't nothing new for me. . . . I just love violence."

At the same time, it's clear that this is hyping a fight that UFC President Dana White wants to sell. Perhaps White is tired of listening to critics of mixed martial arts decry it as a lesser sport than boxing.

But as I said, Couture for sure isn't buying into being the salvation of MMA.

"I don't think there's anything riding on this. . . . The sport is still a mixed martial arts competition," Couture said. "Boxing is a great sport. I've enjoyed boxing all my life, but this is still the octagon and still MMA. There's cage tactics. There's ground fighting. There's a lot of things that don't happen in boxing that are going to happen in the cage."

Not all of them sit well with Toney, the reigning IBA heavyweight champion. Take for instance that grappling part.

"Now he's talking about he's going to lay on top of me," said Toney. "God bless him, . . . I ain't going down like this, so put it away. . . . He's getting knocked out, straight up."

As a matter of fact, Toney even said that while he's trained a bit with grappling experts, Couture will go down from a punch. Even if it means he goes down a couple of times. Toney will let him up just to knock him down.

Couture acknowledged the fighter's forte as a puncher, and plans to work around it. Instead, he'll use the wrestling skills he's been developing since he first stepped on a mat at the age of about 10.

"I have no illusions that I'm a world-class boxer, or going to stand and trade with James," Couture said. "That would be pretty stupid. Given the rules of engagement of mixed martial arts, I can tie him up, I can take him down and put him on the ground and do a lot of other things to kind of neutralize his strength, which is, of course, his striking, most definitely."

Which may be even stronger, considering that MMA gloves are 4 ounces, not the 10-ouncers pro boxers use. But that creates more problems. Those bigger gloves add some protection for a fighter's hands, said Toney, who quickly added that he wouldn't spend time worrying about that.

"So it's like this: Hey, I'm ready. I'm excited to put the small gloves on," Toney said. I want to let everybody know what a real fighter does, a real fighter who really knows what he's doing with his hands."

OK, this is just opinion, James, but I have a feeling what one "real fighter" is going to be doing with his hands is "tapping out."

Terry Pluto is trying not to talk about LeBron James...

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerThere's plenty of enthusiasm for Josh Cribbs and the Browns as the team prepares for its first home preseason game against the Rams on Saturday. So there's no need, Terry Pluto says, to spend any time with ...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Trying not to talk about LeBron James, how about those Browns?

Question: Did you read the magazine story where LeBron James said he may want to play in Cleveland again?

Answer: I'm not talking about him.

Q: Isn't it strange, how he just signed a 6-year deal with Miami, and now he's talking about one day playing for the Cavs?

A: I thought the Browns looked pretty good in Green Bay. I really like how their receivers (Brian Robiskie and Mohammed Massaquoi) caught the ball. They could have a real weapon in Evan Moore at tight end. That part of the team was much better than I expected.

Q: But if LeBron wants to play with Cleveland, why didn't he just sign with Cavs?

A: T.J. Ward was impressive at safety, and the Browns need that. They are so weak there. Abe Elam can tackle, but can't cover a tight end. Not much depth at the position, except veteran Michael Adams. Rookie Larry Asante apparently hasn't showed much...

Q: LeBron said people in Akron hate Cleveland, what about that?

A: OK, you got me. Growing up, I lived in Parma and Northfield. I went to Benedictine and Cleveland State. Then I lived in Newburgh Heights for nearly five years in the early 1980s. Since 1985, I've lived in Akron. People in Akron view themselves as a separate city, and sometimes they do feel ignored by Cleveland. They do think their high-school sports don't get the credit they deserve because Cleveland is a bigger media market.

Q: So LeBron is right?

A: Not what he's talking about. People in Akron love the Cleveland pro teams as much as those in Cuyahoga County. My goodness, for nearly 20 years, the Cavs played at the Coliseum in Summit County. He says he hates Cleveland, but maybe wants to come back to Cleveland before he's even played a game in Miami? Not much of what he says makes any sense.

Q: Wonder how the Heat feel about that after signing him to the $120 million contract?

Stephen Chernin / Associated Press... this guy, who has left Northeast Ohio but can't seem to stop talking about Cleveland, Akron, coming back, his former team's owner. All the drama? It's all in South Florida now, says Terry.

A: Welcome to LeBron's World for Miami. They'll find out that he now believes he never has to admit he did anything wrong. He still thinks how he announced his move to Miami on the ESPN special was just terrific, even those who still back LeBron say it was disrespectful.

Q: How do you think it will be when LeBron comes back to Cleveland?

A: I'm back on the Browns. They seem like a team of guys who actually want to play here. After the LeBron debacle, they are ready to embrace the Browns. They want a disciplined team that can win at home, especially in cold weather. We saw hints of that at the end of last season.

Q: LeBron said in the story: "Cleveland fans are awesome. But I mean, even my family gets spoiled at times watching me doing things that I do, on and off the court."

A: That's why I want to talk about the Browns. They don't seem to be interested in coddling players. Their biggest star is Joshua Cribbs, the anti-LeBron from Kent State. He wants to play everything -- offense, defense, special teams. Eric Mangini said Monday: "It doesn't matter how much [Cribbs] makes. It doesn't matter how many accolades he has, he's working every day."

Q: LeBron also said of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert: "I don't think he ever cared about LeBron."

A: I just hope none of the Browns starting talking about themselves in the third person. I also hope they find some depth on the right side of the line. Porkchop Womack has a knee injury. John St. Clair was shaky last season at right tackle. Shawn Lauvao has promise, but he's a rookie. Tony Pashos has to prove he's healthy. They need to develop another offensive lineman.

Q: Do you think LeBron is having second thoughts about leaving Cleveland?

A: I think most fans have far more interest in what the Browns do at home against St. Louis on Saturday night than anything else LeBron may have to say this summer.

David Jones, a 42-year-old amateur dirt bike motorcycle rider from Cleveland, won one of 35 divisions in the annual AMA National MotoCross Championships in Tennessee.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Forgive David Jones if the smile on his face is a bit wider lately. The 42-year-old amateur dirt bike motorcycle rider from Cleveland won one of 35 divisions in the annual American Motorcyclist Association's Loretta Lynn National MotoCross Championships held in Tennessee on Aug. 2-7.

"It is the Little League World Series of motocross," said Tim Cotter of MX Sports out of West Virginia. He has organized and run the event since its beginning in 1982. There were 1,386 amateur racers who qualified for events from ages 4 to a masters division for racers over 50.

Jones, who works for the City of Cleveland Streets Department, used his furlough days to participate in the event held in over 100-degree heat at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. He has participated in the event for over a decade, but said his best finish prior to winning it all was fifth in 1999.

"The heat index was like 123 degrees," Jones said. "The actual temperature was 105 degrees. You then have the issue of your uniforms, which adds another 10 degrees, plus the heat coming off your bike. So we were racing about 140 degrees when it is all said and done."

Winners are determined by the best combined finishes in three motos, which are 20-minute runs over a one-mile closed course circuit, plus two more laps after that.

Jones finished fourth, fifth and seventh in his motos in the Vet B/C 30 and over category. Another Northeast Ohio racer, Randy Salamon from Brunswick, placed third with finishes of third, 10th and eighth in the sweltering conditions. For Jones, the win was equally sweet and unexpected.

"My previous four years were disastrous," said Jones, who practices at dirt courses in Medina and Canton. "I either wrecked, crashed out, or just couldn't get around turn one, two or three."

AMA Loretta Lynn National Motocross Championships

Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Northeast Ohio finishers

250 C Stock: 11. Mario Testa, Lodi.

250 C Modified: 16. Clinton Schaffer, Medina; 37. Mario Testa, Lodi.

450 B Modified: 35. Shane Waite, Cleveland.

Vet B/C 30 Plus: 1. David Jones, Cleveland; 3. Randy Salamon, Brunswick; 30. Darin Zaremba, Avon.

Senior Plus 40: 39. David Jones, Cleveland.

51 (4-6) Stock Shaft Drive: 11. Josh Lord, Brunswick; 24. Garrett Baker, Shelby.

51 (4-6) AMA 1 Stock: 9. Austin Johnson, Mantua.

65 (10-11) Stock: 36. Adam Almon, North Royalton.

85 (9-11) Stock: 19. Austin Stigman, Tallmadge.

85 (9-11) Modified: 16. Austin Stigman, Tallmadge; 19. Michael Hand, Mantua.

85 (12-14) Stock: 31. Jeremy Hand, Mantua; 36. Darren Walsh, Hamilton.

Schoolboy 2 (13-16) B/C: 37. Todd Krieg, Elyria.

The player to watch in the crowded Browns linebacker group is Marcus Benard. The coaches have been watching him grow as a complete player for a year.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerMarcus Benard has gone from an undrafted free agent scrambling to draw some attention a year ago into a projected starter for the Browns' linebacker corps and the recipient of some praise from Eric Mangini. "Where Marcus is now versus Marcus a year ago, it's night and day," Mangini said. "He was about as raw as you can get, in terms of a college player, and his development as a player and as a person has been tremendous."

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns selected linebackers in the second and fourth rounds of Eric Mangini's 2009 draft, but the player making the biggest strides is one they did not draft.

Marcus Benard, signed last year as an undrafted free agent out of Jackson State, is navigating his way through a crowded position group. After leading the Browns in tackles in the Green Bay game, Benard was promoted to the No. 1 defense this week in practice.

The reconfigured linebacker alignment in the wake of D'Qwell Jackson's pectoral injury has Scott Fujita moving inside to join Chris Gocong, and Matt Roth and Benard at the outside spots. This grouping essentially replaces Eric Barton's smarts with Benard's speed.

Benard burst out of the anonymity of the practice squad last year when he sacked Ben Roethlisberger two times in the Browns' slump-busting win over Pittsburgh on Dec. 10. He has been on the coaching staff's radar screen ever since.

"Where Marcus is now versus Marcus a year ago, it's night and day," Mangini said. "He was about as raw as you can get, in terms of a college player, and his development as a player and as a person has been tremendous."

At Jackson State, Benard played defensive end and just chased quarterbacks in the historically black Southwestern Athletic Conference.

"They all run 4.3s [in the 40]. They're glorified running backs," Benard said. "At college, all I did was rush. When I came here, I had no clue. I was out of my element. I just ran hard. I ran hard and fast as I could and I did what I was supposed to do.

"This year, the game has slowed down. And I've slowed my body down. I'm not breathing as hard. My heart's not beating because I was [worried about] 'where am I supposed to be?' Now I know what I'm supposed to do and I'm trying to be a technician."

There is no room in Mangini's defense for a specialist. So for Benard to work his way into the starting unit, he had to develop his game as a complete linebacker. Evidence of his growth in the first preseason game was his seven tackles -- one for a loss -- to go along with a sack, forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.

"I'm working every day on becoming a complete linebacker because you have to be in a 3-4," Benard said. "Yes, you rush the quarterback, but you have to cover in a 3-4. You can't rush every down. So that's what they're working with me on, becoming a complete player.

Thomas Ondrey / The Plain DealerMarcus Benard caught the fancy of Browns fans with his strong work in last year's home victory over the Steelers and QB Ben Roethlisberger, who was sacked on this second-quarter play by Benard.

"I'm making a lot of progress. I'm growing each day. Each day I write down what I need to work on in practice and I go and do it."

Benard's rush ability, however, was his ticket to the Browns. He was rated the 44th-best defensive end in the 2009 draft by NFLdraftscout.com. He weighed 270 pounds. Knowing Benard would not be drafted, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan contacted him before the draft to plant the seeds of a free agent contract.

"Rob's the reason I'm here," Benard said. "He kept telling me, 'Come pass rush for me. Get on the passer.'"

Benard is down about 14 pounds to 256 during his progression as a linebacker. His other responsibilities won't take away his innate sense for getting to the quarterback.

"It's something I have a knack for," he said. "You have to be relentless, high motor. You can't describe any great pass rusher as being OK, not being intense. It's an intense craft.

"If you're beating blocks, coming around the corners, you're getting double-teamed, getting chipped. You're gonna get blocked. Somebody's gonna get a hand on you. You can talk to the great pass rushers, it's not the first move, it's the second, or third move. And to have a second or third move, you have to be relentless."

Benard's description of the intensity of his position belies his off-field personality. He is a peaceful man who was surrounded by musicians growing up in Michigan. His mother played the organ in church and his brother the drums. His grandparents played orchestra. Benard learned to play five instruments by ear.

"I enjoy life," said the father of two sons. "Life is fun. Football's hard."

His growth in one year has been so dramatic that Mangini asked him during the off-season program to speak to the team's 2010 rookie class.

"He was thoughtful and eloquent and it was a powerful message from a guy that came from a small school and had to fight each day to stay in the building," Mangini said.

In that regard, Benard demonstrated the relentlessness he saw in the great pass rushers. Now he is striving for completeness.

"I want to be great," he said. "I feel I can be great. If I do what I'm told and follow the path, then I will be great."

That's a wrap: Thursday marks the final time the public can see the Browns practice. Training camp officially closes after two sessions at 8:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. ... The Browns did not practice on Wednesday and spent the day in meetings and body maintenance.

While some of OSU's seniors remember the pain of a BCS defeat, Jim Tressel is concerned that success may have softened his Buckeyes' mindset.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerAs the confetti rained down on the victorious Florida Gators, Ohio State's Heisman QB Troy Smith was consoled by Florida counterpart Chris Leak while offensive lineman Steve Rehring looked for an exit in the 2007 BCS title game in Glendale, Ariz. The disappointment of that game (and a year later against LSU) is fueling this year's seniors to avoid overconfidence in the 2010 season.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Walk-on linemen Scott Sika and Chris Malone, then red-shirting as freshmen, watched Ohio State's BCS Championship Game loss to Florida from the stands in Glendale, Ariz., four years ago. It soon haunted their dreams.

"We both looked at each other the next morning," Malone said, "and we both asked if that game really happened. We thought we had a nightmare."

Long snapper Jake McQuaide still can't shake that loss to the Gators after the 2006 season, or the loss to LSU the next year.

"Those two national championship games are something I can't forget," McQuaide said. "As much as I try, it's with me every day, what a huge opportunity that was and we let it slip."

Safety Tyler Moeller can conjure up the feelings he had on the sideline after Ted Ginn Jr. returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown against Florida, and then everything else that followed in the 41-14 loss that ended what had been an unbeaten season.

"[I remember] just thinking, 'We made it.' The first 30 seconds of the game was like, 'Ahh, we got this in the bag,'" Moeller said. "Then [Ginn] got hurt and everything went downhill.

"It's definitely different going through that. You hear about things, but you can't really learn from something unless you really go through it. And we have guys on this team who have gone through it."

So Jim Tressel's main concern with his 2010 team may not apply to the 13 fifth-year seniors who opened their OSU careers with consecutive national championship losses. Tressel fears that his team, which is aiming for a sixth straight Big Ten title, a sixth straight BCS bowl and a seventh consecutive win over Michigan, hasn't suffered enough.

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerJust a redshirted freshman who stood on the sidelines against Florida, offensive lineman Bryant Browning is one of the 13 seniors on this year's OSU team who know title disappointment.

THEY LIVED IT
There are 13 fifth-year Ohio State players who remain from the 2006 season, who lived through the title game loss to Florida in their first seasons in the program.
Expected or potential starters: LB Ross Homan, CB Chimdi Chekwa, OL Bryant Browning, DT Dexter Larimore, S Tyler Moeller, OL Andrew Miller.
Backups: WR Grant Schwartz, S Aaron Gant, OL Connor Smith, OL Josh Kerr, C Jake McQuaide, OL Scott Sika, OL Chris Malone.
— Doug Lesmerises

"I've always believed it's hard to progress naturally," Tressel said. "When you suffer, it's a little easier to progress. Now, that sounds a little fatalistic, but I think it's true. I can think of many different teams over the years, you didn't really see them get it until you suffered a little.

"The guys in our locker room, they haven't had a whole lot of suffering, which makes me nervous."

The Buckeyes suffered on a smaller scale in last season's upset loss at Purdue. But that's nothing compared to when an expected coronation turned into one of the greatest embarrassments in program history on Jan. 8, 2007.

Soon, "41-14" will be part of the history books, a Buckeye tale told just like the 1969 loss to Michigan. It happened to someone else. But for one last season, it can serve as a first-hand lesson for some of the leaders on a team again predicted by many to play for the national championship. Few of these fifth-year seniors played in that game, but they were part of the preparation and they absorbed the shock and sadness on the sidelines and in the post-game locker room.

"You start to think you're very good, and you think back to the '06 year where we were unbelievable in the preseason and we stuck together and then guys started to sense they were better than maybe they were, and it just kind of all fell apart," starting defensive tackle Dexter Larimore said. "I think in '07 we were kind of humble, but we didn't get it done. But as players, that kind of stuff always goes with you.

"So I never think I'm too good, because all you have to do is think back to those years, all the things they said on ESPN and everything. You can do so well and all it takes is one day for four hours and you're the worst thing that ever happened."

For players such as junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor and his classmates, the championship losses are what they've been aiming to make up for, though the recruiting class of 2008 had no connection to the actual games. Senior cornerback Chimdi Chekwa said the coaches have emphasized that the recent success should mean nothing to this team either.

"You don't inherit anything from Ohio State," Chekwa said. "You don't inherit winning."

Instead, Chekwa said a theme for the seniors "is to go get what we want." And while Chekwa said the Rose Bowl win to end last season was a valuable lesson in what to do, he'll never forget his experience in what not to do.

"We went undefeated during the [2006] season, so I came into that game kind of spoiled," Chekwa said. "When you lose, it takes you back to reality. You see what you did wrong and what kind of attitude will make you lose, and I think that helped a whole lot for the rest of my career."

Linebacker Ross Homan thought the Buckeyes were invincible in 2006. He never thought that again. He'll never think that this season, no matter how many games the Buckeyes win. Sure, he's been part of a program that has gone 44-8 since he arrived on campus. But it's two of those losses, and one in particular, that gave him a taste of the suffering Tressel is looking for.

"You never want to repeat how you felt during that game," Homan said. "You're just so depressed. You had such high hopes, and you don't want that to happen again. So that's always in the back of your mind. You don't want that to happen again."

Another new look: For the second consecutive season, Ohio State will not wear its regular uniforms for the Michigan game, a revelation that may not go over well with traditionalists.

The Buckeyes, and nine other teams including Alabama, Florida and Miami, will wear Nike Pro Combat uniforms for one game instead of the usual Nike gear. Last season, the OSU uniforms were modeled after Ohio State's 1954 team for the game at Michigan. The design for this year's home game with Michigan will be unveiled on Sept. 1.

Brett Favre and LeBron James are vying for America's Top Diva. Bud Shaw picks the winner in his Spin column.

Jim Mone / Associated PressThis may come as a surprise to those who believe they're a Worldwide Leader in Sports, but it's just possible that Brett Favre was enjoying the melodrama surrounding his return to the Vikings. But Bud Shaw says Favre shouldn't feel guilty about being a tease ...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ah, the mysteries of the summertime sports spin ...

Come to think of it, I cannot remember ever seeing them in the same room.

LeBron James always called himself a football player. He'd say that after games spent moaning on the ground like a soccer player.

I'll give him this much. If he were a football player, he'd be Brett Favre.

Without the championship jewelry.

The Summer of LeBron has been pre-empted by the The Summer of Brett's Winter Years. People are debating which guy's image took the sharper turn south.

The last time we could accurately say this about two celebrities, I believe Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell were threatening to settle things in a mud wrestling ring.

Clearly, James is the winner. His dumping of Cleveland is fresher than Favre's revenge on Green Bay. And James is making sure it never gets old.

He lands on the September cover of GQ pointing at his biceps. Or his near fatal elbow injury. It's hard to say which. He rips the same owner he didn't have the courtesy to call, chastising Dan Gilbert for a lack of character. Beautiful. You can't make this up.

Favre must've sensed he was losing the spotlight. The same day, three Vikings go to Mississippi to tell Favre how much they need him. Last year, Minnesota head coach Brad Childress picked Favre up at the airport. This year, three Vikings go on a recruiting mission.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer... because no one can be a Drama King like The Chosen Narcissist and Third Person Namedropper. In a duel between Brett and LeBron for self-centeredness, this is a slam dunk.

Next year, the Vikings pick up Favre at port and hold camp on Royal Carribean's Freedom of the Seas.

After the visit, Favre decided to come out of retirement for the 29th time. This week. He says he did it for his teammates.

I say he did it because he know James was outworking him at Diva School.

Favre has some catching up to do football-wise and even more in his competition with James, who told GQ he doesn't regret saying during the playoffs that he had spoiled Cleveland fans with his play.

"Cleveland fans are awesome," he said. "But I mean, even my family gets spoiled at times watching me doing things that I do, on and off the court."

Wow. Favre will have a hard time topping that.

James considers himself "The Chosen One." He has the tattoo across his back so it must be official.

There's only one way to compete with him and I'm told Favre is already looking into it. Sources say Favre will attempt through cryogenics to become the first athlete to play in three different centuries.

Only then will The Chosen One have met his match: The Frozen One.

HE SAID IT

"I don't think he ever cared about LeBron. My mother always told me: 'You will see the light of people when they hit adversity. You'll get a good sense of their character.' Me and my family have seen the character of that man." -- James, to GQ Magazine, about Gilbert.

Moral of the story: When you hit adversity, son, quit and go to South Beach.

The Browns' hope is that if Roger Goodell takes up this cause, he'll be too busy to get around to disciplining Shaun Rogers.

Former Colts' coach Tony Dungy thinks NFL Commissioner Goodell should take a look at the language used by Jets' head coach Rex Ryan on HBO's "Hard Knocks."

"I don't know that [Goodell] will or not, but I would hope that he does because I just don't think the league needs that," Dungy told Dan Patrick. "I don't think our young people need to hear that that's the way it's done to be successful. Because it doesn't have to be that way."

I don't think Ryan or anyone else would suggest bad language is the key to success. My guess is if Ryan were a preacher, he wouldn't curse.

At least not on Sundays.

In the meantime, if your kids already know what channel HBO is, it's too late.

SPINOFFS

Tom Olmscheid / Associated PressThank goodness that Jim Thome fellow was washed up and a bad investment avoided by the Indians back in 2003.

Headline on an Internet site: "Indians spend big on top picks." Hey, they had me at "spend"...

According to a report, New Orleans point guard Chris Paul toasted Denver's Carmelo Anthony and his new bride last month at their wedding by saying he'd join Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire in New York to counter the Heat with James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh...

And David Stern would like to reiterate that there will be no summit this time either...

Jim Thome's chronic back sure was his ruination, wasn't it? ... Only 247 home runs and counting since he left the Indians...

YOU SAID IT

"Bud:

"Seen Papa John's TV ads? He's got to be Dan Gilbert's twin brother. If so, wouldn't pizzas be a better deal than chalupas?" -- Bill Royse, Rocky River

In a bold statement dripping with emotion, Papa John guarantees a pizza delivery to your house before the Miami franchise delivers you one.

"Dear Bud:

"After seeing that the Browns finally gave up the 'hospitality defense,' and the 'chorus line offense' (one, two, three, kick) am I too euphoric in thinking that losing (punter) Dave Zastudil isn't all that bad?" -- Michael Sarro

If it helps validate your hopes any, Gilbert also guarantees the Browns will not need to punt during the 2010 season.

"Bud:

"If you give me a T-shirt, I won't tell LeBron what you have been saying about him." -- Paul Schmidt

You would've had me at "will."

"Bud:

"With all of the miles Shaun Rogers has logged on the stationary bike in the last two years, do you think he will try the Tour De France next year? I forgot. He would have to fly over there." -- Charlie, North Ridgeville

For that image of Shaun Rogers in cycling shorts, sir, consider yourself banned.

"Bud:

"LeBron James said he feels very motivated by what Dan Gilbert said about him after The Decision. It's too bad Gilbert didn't say those things before Game 5." -- Angelo, Cleveland

According to the GQ article, James says he wouldn't change anything over the past couple months. I suspect that means the Miami Heat underwear he wore during Game 5.

"Bud:

"Will the Cavs' next season be considered a success if they only beat Miami at home?" -- Regards, Tom Hoffner

No, Cavs fans are not that easily satisfied. But throw in a Carlos Boozer sprained ankle or a serious thumb wrestling injury to Big Baby Davis and you have the start on a Season of Dreams.

"Dear Bud:

"How did they ever convince that model to dress like Jiminy Cricket and pose on the cover of GQ while pointing to a biceps that is clearly not bigger than Dwyane Wade's?" -- Michael Sarro

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"Will Manny Acta be glad when the easy part of the schedule is over?" -- Jay S

Repeat winners receive a tag-team beat down from the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners.