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Cavaliers' approach shouldn't be clouded by LeBron James' future - Comment of the Day

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"The Cavs have to make moves as if LeBron isn't coming back. He might, but I doubt it. What the Cavs should do is add a difference-maker like Nikola Pekovic and ink him to whatever it takes to get an in-his-prime, 16-10 guy on your front line." - ldbrownsnut

In response to the story NBA free agency news and rumors: Cavs have interest in Chauncey Billups? Dwight Howard to make decision, cleveland.com reader ldbrownsnut doesn't think LeBron should cloud the thinking of the Cavaliers front office.


"The Cavs have to make moves as if LeBron isn't coming back. He might, but I doubt it. What the Cavs should do is add a difference-maker like Nikola Pekovic and ink him to whatever it takes to get an in-his-prime, 16-10 guy on your front line."


Do you think there's any chance LeBron James would come back next offseason?


On-field performance is all that matters for most players - Indians Comment of the Day

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"It's fascinating to me how we make all sorts of moral judgments on our sports heroes. I don't care what Perez or any of these guys do on their personal time (exception for guys like Aaron Hernandez). When they punch the clock, which for Perez is the 9th inning, I want him to be great. Everything else is none of my business." - ThisField_ThisGame

In response to Bud Shaw's column, Chris Perez can save his way to a better reputation, cleveland.com reader ThisField_ThisGame isn't concerned with most players' off-field actions.


"It's fascinating to me how we make all sorts of moral judgments on our sports heroes. I don't care what Perez or any of these guys do on their personal time (exception for guys like Aaron Hernandez). When they punch the clock, which for Perez is the 9th inning, I want him to be great. Everything else is none of my business."


Do you care what Chris Perez does when he's not playing, or is on-field performance all that matters?

Pilot Flying J customer sues after receiving fuel rebate shortage check

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Pilot Flying J sued by trucking company that says it got check this week for fuel rebate shortages

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two more lawsuits claiming fuel rebate fraud were filed late yesterday against Browns' owner Jimmy Haslam's Pilot Flying J, one of them from a trucking company that received a reimbursement check from Pilot this week. 

R&R Transportation, based in the town of Audubon in central Minnesota, said it received a letter from Pilot dated July 1 in which the truck stop chain said it had found a "potential discrepancy" in the accounts of R&R, which purchased about 140,000 gallons of fuel from Pilot each month.

R&R said Pilot enclosed a check to cover the fuel rebate shortages. The amount was not disclosed, but it apparently wasn't enough to quell R&R's concern that it got everything it was owed: The trucking company sued Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis. 

Pilot Flying J., Pilot Corp., parent company Pilot Travel Centers, CEO Haslam and four top sales executives of the nation's biggest seller of diesel fuel are named as defendants.

Haslam has said he had no knowledge of any rebate shortages and became aware of them only after the April 15 raid by federal agents on Pilot headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn., and at the homes of several sales managers. Haslam has said Pilot Flying J will pay trucking companies for any amounts they are owed for fuel rebates, plus interest. 

R&R Transportation raises fraud and racketeering claims in its lawsuit, and seeks to get its complaint certified as a class action that would cover other trucking firms.

The lawsuit cites the FBI affidavit used to search Pilot offices. R&R says the affidavit details systematic cheating of trucking customers who bought diesel fuel from Pilot  fuel stations and travel plazas across the country. The scheme was executed by Haslam and the other defendants  to boost corporate profits and executive compensation and lasted for at least eight years, according to R&R's complaint.

R&R says the defendants "regularly taught the fraud scheme" to "all of their sales personnel both in causal or one-on-one mentoring and in formal sales meetings."

Separately, Townes Trucking, a company based in Coffeeville, Miss., sued in federal court in the Southern District of Louisiana, also claiming it was defrauded by Pilot Flying J.

The lawsuits bring to at least 18 the number of complaints filed against Pilot Flying J.

Cleveland Browns' 100 best all-time players: No. 24, Michael Dean Perry (video)

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Perry was a stout but remarkably quick defensive tackle for the Browns from 1988-94, earning numerous first-team all-NFL honors.


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A countdown of the top 100 players in Cleveland
Browns history. Players must have spent at least four seasons with the
Browns. The ranking is based only on players' careers with the Browns.



No. 24, MICHAEL DEAN PERRY, defensive tackle, 1988-94



Opponents preparing to play against Michael Dean Perry for the first time could watch all the game film they wanted.



Still, they'd be stunned when confronting him face-mask to face-mask.



Perry's remarkable quickness, so uncommon for a man of his girth, and natural strength made him a force that was usually too much for even the best of blockers to contend with by themselves.



Not long into his Browns career, opponents began to adjust their blocking schemes in mostly futile attempts to neutralize Perry. Cleveland has not had a defensive player since who commanded such respect.



The Browns got quite a bargain when they got Perry in the second round with the 50th overall pick of the 1988 draft. He would make significant contributions as a rookie and then be one of the NFL's most decorated defensive linemen over the balance of his Cleveland career.



Perry, listed at 6-1 and usually estimated to be around 285 pounds, joined a Browns team that played primarily a 3-4 defense under coach Marty Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Dave Adolph. Perry had been drafted as a defensive end and backed up Carl "Big Daddy" Hairston and Sam Clancy in the early part of his rookie season, often employed as a pass-rushing specialist.



As the campaign went on, the Browns began employing a 4-3 defense. Perry's playing time increased as he was used at tackle and also still at end in pass-rushing situations. Cleveland, which used four quarterbacks due to injuries -- including those that limited Bernie Kosar to nine games played -- went 10-6 then lost to the Houston Oilers, 24-23, in a wild card playoff game at Cleveland. The week before, in the regular season finale and also at home against the Oilers, Perry recovered a fumble and ran 10 yards for a touchdown in the Browns' 28-23 victory, a win they had to have to make the playoffs.



Browns owner Art Modell and Schottenheimer were unable to resolve differences at season's end, prompting Schottenheimer's departure. Modell named Bud Carson as coach. Carson had been an NFL defensive coordinator for 16 years, achieving fame when he guided Pittsburgh's defense in the Steelers' first two Super Bowl championship seasons, 1974 and 1975.



Carson brought his 4-3 defense to the Browns and put Perry at right tackle to stay. Perry created constant havoc from there and earned near-consensus first-team all-NFL honors. Various publications would name him first-team all-pro over the next four years, too. Also in 1989, Perry made the first of his five Pro Bowl teams with the Browns and six overall.



The 1989 Browns won the Central Division with a 9-6-1 record then defeated the Buffalo Bills, 34-30, in a playoff game at Cleveland Stadium. For the third time in four years the Browns fell a game short of the Super Bowl by losing the AFC championship game to the Broncos, this time by 37-21 in Denver.



It was a last hurrah for a team that strung together five straight playoff seasons. The 1990 Browns were an aging team with several injury-prone regulars accustomed to winning but no longer having the wherewithal to consistently do it. The Browns slid to 3-13, the second-worst record among the NFL's 28 teams, better than only the New England Patriots' 1-15. Cleveland allowed 28.9 points per game, most in the league, and scored 14.2 points per game, more than only New England. Carson was fired with the Browns 2-7 and replaced on an interim basis by offensive coordinator and former Browns cornerback Jim Shofner.



Modell hired Bill Belichick as the coach following the 1990 campaign. Belichick had been the New York Giants' defensive coordinator the previous six years, including their 1986 Super Bowl championship season. Belichick brought on University of Toledo head coach Nick Saban as his defensive coordinator.



Though the Browns posted mediocre win-loss records in Belichick's first three seasons, he and his staff were able to restore respectability to the team's defense. Perry's continued dominance as a run-stopper and inside pass rusher was a primary factor in the defense's habit of keeping the Browns in games while their patchwork offenses often stumbled.



Ironically, Perry's most ordinary season with the Browns occurred when the team had a surprising one-year resurgence. The 1994 Browns went 11-5 and qualified for the postseason as a wild card. They defeated the Patriots, 20-13, in a playoff game at Cleveland Stadium. That remains as the last playoff win for a Browns team. Cleveland's season ended the next week at Pittsburgh with a 29-9 loss to the Steelers.



Despite performing somewhat below his standards, Perry was still a fine player and a big reason the Browns gave up the fewest points in the league, a stunning 12.8 per game. Perry was again voted onto the Pro Bowl team -- though his reputation probably had as much to do with it as his play. He was somewhat slowed during the campaign by nagging knee and ankle ailments and sat out one game -- just the third missed game of his Browns career.



Events that negatively impacted the Browns' future began even as the successful 1994 season went on. Saban was announced as Michigan State's next head coach on Dec. 3, though he stayed with the Browns through the playoffs. Saban, of course, has coached Alabama to three of the last four national championships, including the last two, and coached Louisiana State's 2003 title team.



The off-season featured some difficult personnel decisions. Among them was the release of Perry. The Browns were concerned there would be ongoing physical problems such as those with his knee and ankle. And, the Browns would have to pay Perry $3.19 million to play for them in 1995, when NFL teams would have a salary cap of $36 million. He had made $2.86 million in 1994.



Perry signed a three-year/$7.2 million contract with Denver on Feb. 24, 1995, a few days after he was released by Cleveland. The previous day, the Broncos had signed another Browns defensive tackle, James Jones, to a three-year/$4.75 million deal. The Browns had wanted to keep unrestricted free agent Jones but not at that price. He had started 49 games in four years with Cleveland but just five in the last season.



Perry totaled 51 1/2 sacks with the Browns, quite a number for a tackle usually drawing the attention of multiple blockers.



The 1995 Browns, with changes including Perry's departure, gave up 152 points more than they had the previous season. The team was stumbling along at 4-4 when it was learned that Modell was planning to move it to Baltimore following the season. The Browns lost seven of their last eight games to finish 5-11.



With Denver, Perry played in 29 games, all starts, in 1995-96, and made the Pro Bowl in the second season. He played and started in nine games for the 1997 Broncos but was inactive in a few games with leg problems. With one game left in the regular season Denver released Perry, claiming in a statement that Perry didn't want to stay with the team without the assurance "that he would be active and would play in the club's remaining games. The club would not give him that assurance and agreed to release him from his contract."



Perry signed almost immediately with Kansas City, coached by Marty Schottenheimer. The Chiefs won their regular season finale to finish 13-3, a game ahead of Denver in the AFC West and with the conference's best record. After a first-round bye, the Chiefs lost at home to the Broncos, 14-10, in a divisional playoff game. Denver went on to win the Super Bowl, 31-24, over the Green Bay Packers.



Perry, now 47, retired after his short stay with the Chiefs. His brother, William "The Refrigerator" Perry, 50, achieved fame as the hefty defensive tackle who during his rookie season for the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears was sometimes used at fullback by coach Mike Ditka, and gained some popularity in various entertainment and commercial ventures.



(The Browns' all-time top 100 players so far)



Video: From NBC's WCMH/Channel 4 in Columbus, early action in the Browns' 26-7 win over the Eagles on Nov. 13, 1994 in Philadelphia. About 5:20 in, Browns right defensive tackle Michael Dean Perry (92) sacks Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham:




NBA Free Agency News and Rumors: 'Mutual interest' between Earl Clark and the Cavs; Dwight Howard's decision and more

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What's happening in NBA free agency? Get the latest news and rumors.

All is still quiet on the Cavaliers front when it comes to free agent signings, but at least one visit that has been made could pay dividends.


The Sporting News reports that, while no contract offers were made, there is a mutual interest between the Cavs and free agent forward Earl Clark, who played for the Lakers last season.


Of course, things are never that easy in NBA free agency. ESPN's Chris Broussard reports at least one other team is interested in Clark.







Elsewhere in the NBA:


Kobe Bryant made his pitch to Dwight Howard, according to Yahoo! Sports:


KOBE-DWIGHT.JPGView full sizeKobe Bryant believes he has some lessons to teach Dwight Howard. 
"When Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant spoke to Dwight Howard on Tuesday, his words to the free-agent center resounded an unmistakable and unflinching message: Let me teach you how to be a champion.


"'You need to learn how it's done first, and I can teach you here,' Bryant told Howard during the Lakers' presentation, witnesses in the room described to Yahoo! Sports."


As for when Howard could make his decision, we turn to an NFL beat writer:







TYREKE-EVANS.JPGView full sizeTyreke Evans has reportedly signed an offer sheet with the New Orleans Pelicans. 
Tyreke Evans wants out of Sacramento. He's reportedly agreed to sign an offer sheet with the New Orleans Pelicans that could be worth $44 million over 4 years. The Kings will have to make a decision on whether to match the price for the restricted free agent. From USA Today:


"It remains to be seen if the Kings will match the Pelicans' offer, but they will likely explore sign and trade possibilities in which they may be able to net New Orleans point guard Greivis Vasquez."




The Knicks have retained one of the pieces of the conference semifinal team. J.R. Smith will re-sign with the team for four years and $24.7 million. From ESPN:


"[Leon] Rose [Smith's agent] said Smith had other offers, but he wanted to stay in New York. Earl Smith Sr., J.R.'s father, said Wednesday that his son had drawn interest. A league source said the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks were among those to show interest in Smith earlier in the week."




Another player staying with his current team -- Kyle Korver. From CBS:


"Korver averaged 11 points and 4 rebounds last season for the Hawks on 46 percent shooting, 46 percent from beyond the arc, an absolutely insane number. The Hawks are looking at a bigger rebuild in the event Dwight Howard does not choose them in free agency. (The Hawks are considered a long shot at this point.) Does Korver help that rebuild process? Yes and no."

Brandon Weeden Tweets photo of himself in best Fourth of July outfit ever

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No matter what you're wearing to celebrate the Fourth of July, we're pretty sure Brandon Weeden has you beat.

CLEVELAND -- No matter what you're wearing to celebrate the Fourth of July, we're pretty sure Brandon Weeden has you beat.

The Browns quarterback Tweeted a photo of himself in a stars and stripes tank top, complete with red, white and blue shorts, backwards visor and an American flag. His wife, Melanie, also appears to be wearing a similar outfit, but was conspicuously cropped out of the photo. The Tweet was shared or favorited about 1,000 times in the first hour of it appearing online.

And in case you'd like one, American flag tank tops are available at Macy's for $25 and Urban Outfitters for $28.

Happy Fourth of July, Browns fans.


Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals - Get udpates and post your comments

Jason Giambi is getting hits at the right time for Cleveland Indians

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Terry Francona is looking for production from Jason Giambi and he's getting it.

Cleveland Indians: Jason GiambiJason Giambi is greeted by manager Terry Francona after hitting a home run. 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jason Giambi isn't hitting .300. Then again, he doesn't have to where manager Terry Francona is concerned.

What Francona wants from the 42-year-old Giambi is production. He's getting it.

Giambi is hitting only .208, but 12 of his 22 hits have gone for extra bases, including six doubles and six homers. He's driven in 22 runs in 106 at-bats.

"I've always said, it's when you get the hits, not how many hits you get," said Giambi. "That's the most important thing, to try and be productive. I'm excited about the production I'm getting."

In the Indians' 6-5 victory over the Royals on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium, Giambi hit into an inning-ending double play in the first base with the bases loaded.

"He was so furious with himself," said Francona. "He was beside himself."

Francona believes Giambi is a better hitter with runners on base.

"He bears down so well in those at-bats," said Francona. "Very seldom do you see him leave the strike zone until he gets a pitch to hit. He gets into deep counts. The more pitches he sees, the more dangerous he becomes."

Which is why the double play made Giambi so upset.

Late in the same game, with two out in the seventh and runners on first and third, Giambi hit a double to right to score Jason Kipnis for what proved to be the winning run.

Giambi is hitting .360 (9-for-25) with runners in scoring position and .308 (4-for-13) with runners in scoring position and two out.

"Those years (2009-2012) in Colorado really helped me out," said Giambi, when asked about his situational hitting. "Not only was I in a pinch-hitting role, but I wasn't playing every day. You learn little things to try and help yourself out when you do get an opportunity to get some hits.

"You just try to make a difference in a ballgame. Like Tito (Francona) always says, one swing can help swing the game. That's the most important thing, when I get the opportunity. . .I want to try and help the ballclub out."

Giambi is a five-time All-Star, who has hit 435 homers. He was the AL MVP in 2000 and the runner up in 2001 with Oakland. He said learning to become a bench player after being a regular for so long was difficult.

"It was probably the hardest part of the game I had to learn," he said. "You go from playing every day to not playing for four or five days or a week. Coming to Cleveland has been great because DHing has given me a chance to get more consecutive at-bats.

"There are just little things that your learn to keep you sharp. You can do things in the cage. You can hit off the batting machine to keep up with velocity."

Thursday's starting lineups:

Indians (45-39): CF Bourn, DH Cabrera, 2B Kipnis, LF Brantley, C Santana, 1B Reynolds, SS Aviles, 3B Chisenhall, RF Stubbs, P Jimenez (6-4, 4.63).

Royals (39-42): LF Lough, SS Escobar, 1B Hosmer, DH Butler, 3B Moustakas, RF Cain, C Kottaras, 2B Giavotella, CF Dyson, P Shields (3-6, 2.99).

Umpires: H Barksdale, 1B Carapazza, 2B Cederstrom, 3B Danley.

 

 


On Deck: Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers

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Indians and Tigers to play four games in fight for first place in AL Central.

When: Friday through Monday.

Where: Progressive Field.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; WMMS FM/100.7, WTAM AM/1100.

1100-AM/WMMS 100.7-FM.

Pitching matchups: RHP Justin Masterson (10-6, 3.48 ERA) vs. RHP Rich Porcello (4-8, 5.21) tonight at 7:05 p.m.; RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-3, 8.l7) vs. RHP Anibal Sanchez (6-5, 2.76) at 4:05 p.m. Saturday; RHP Corey Kluber (6-5, 4.33) vs. RHP Doug Fister (6-5, 3.80) at 1:05 p.m. Sunday; and LHP Scott Kazmir (4-4, 4.86) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (13-0, 3.09) at 7:05 p.m. Monday.

Season series: The Tigers lead the Indians, 6-2. The Tigers lead, 1077-1040, overall.

Indians update: They've lost five straight to Detroit, getting outscored, 33-18, in the process. Asdrubal Cabrera is hitting .444 (8-for-18) against the Tigers, but as a team the Indians are hitting only .229 against them. Masterson, Carrasco and Kluber are a combined 0-4 against Detroit this year.

Tigers update: They entered Thursday night's game against Toronto having lost six of their past 10. They're hitting .303 against the Tribe with Miguel Cabrera (.290, 3 HR, 9 RBI) and Andy Dirks (.343, 2 HR, 6 RBI) showing the way. Scherzer is 2-0 and Porcello 1-0 against the Indians this year.

Injuries: Indians -- RHP Zach McAllister (right middle finger), C Lou Marson (right shoulder), RHP Brett Myers (right elbow/forearm), RHP Josh Tomlin (right elbow), RHP Frank Herrmann (right elbow) and RHP Blake Wood (right elbow) are on the disabled list. Tigers -- RHP Octavio Dotel (right elbow), RHP Sanchez (right shoulder) and 3B Matt Tuiasosopo (left rib cage) are on DL. 2B Omar Infante (left shin) is day by day. Sanchez expected to be activated to start Saturday.

Next: Toronto arrives to open three-game series Tuesday.

Cavaliers reach agreement with forward Earl Clark for 2-year deal

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Clark is 6-10 and can also play small forward, an area of need for the Cavaliers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Earl Clark's time with Mike Brown was brief, but apparently meaningful.

After two days of wooing by new Cleveland coach Brown and the Cavaliers, the 6-foot-10 free agent Clark has agreed to sign a two-year deal with the Cavaliers, an NBA source confirmed. The contract, first reported by The Sporting News, is for $9 million.

Clark can sign the contract July 10, at the conclusion of the NBA's free-agent negotiation period.

waiters-drive-lakers-2013-ap.jpgEarl Clark, left, is viewed as a strong defender, something on which new Cavaliers coach Mike Brown places a strong emphasis. 

Clark played for Brown and the Los Angeles Lakers last season, though Brown lasted only five games before he was fired.

Still, Clark's agent, Kevin Bradbury, said via email Thursday that his client "is very excited about the team and being reunited with Coach Brown."

Last season, Clark averaged 7.3 points and 5.5 rebounds while starting 36 of 56 games he played for the Lakers.

More intriguing, Clark attempted 104 3-pointers -- after attempting a combined 15 in his previous three NBA seasons -- and sank 34 percent. The Cavaliers view this, coupled with his defensive agility, as potential for Clark, 25, to play small forward for them.

He is expected to compete for a starting spot. The Cavaliers' starting small forward last season was 6-6 Alonzo Gee, who averaged 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

Clark originally was drafted by Phoenix in 2009 out of Louisville. He also has played for Orlando and the Lakers in his brief career.

Series with Detroit Tigers is crucial for the Cleveland Indians -- Terry Pluto

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The Cleveland Indians four-game series against Detroit at Progressive Field this weekend is crucial to their bid for the Central Division title.

drew-stubbs-congratulated.jpgThe Cleveland Indians' Drew Stubbs is congratulated after hitting a two-run homer against Kansas City on Thursday. 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For the Indians, these four games with Detroit at Progressive Field are more than a big series.

It's huge series. It's a series that can set up the entire second half of the season.

I write those words knowing that Terry Francona loathes every single syllable. He is a classic "play 'em one at time" manager.

While he knows much about the Tribe's recent history of late-season collapses, he refuses to discuss it.

This year. This day. This game.

That's all that matters to Mr. Francona, who has done a terrific job this season.

Francona knows more about the personality and motivations of his players than any of us do.

But I go back to the original thesis: These four games with the Tigers comprise the most important weekend of the Tribe's season.

Part of the reason is the last two games, losses by scores of 6-5 and 10-7 in Kansas City.

Bullpen blowouts, both times.

Would you have signed up for the Tribe having a 7-4 record when they began this 11-game trip to Chicago White Sox, Baltimore and Kansas City? In five of those games, they came from behind to win.

The Indians are 45-40. Before Detroit's game Thursday, the Indians were one game  behind Detroit in the Central Division.

I realize some fans fear a repeat of last season, when the Tribe was 44-41 at this point in the season -- and finished 24-53.

Maybe that's the reason ticket sales have been rather mediocre for the homestand, other than about 35,000 expected Friday. For the rest of the games, it's in the "20-something" thousand, according to a Tribe operative.

Since I don't pay to cover games, I refuse to insist fans should buy tickets. But I will say that this is Tribe team is fun and easy to like. I've enjoyed watching them most nights this season, and I sense that is true for at least the hard-core fans.

Do I think they WILL win the Central Division? No.

Do I think they CAN win the Central Division? Maybe.

That's important . . . keeping the "Maybe" alive in the minds of those who care about the Tribe.

In these four games, the Tigers can remind the Tribe why they have owned the Central Division in the last two seasons. It was only a month ago that the Tribe was swept away in a three-game series at Detroit.

At that point, they were 5 1/2 games behind the Tigers.

Then something remarkable happened -- the Tribe went 15-8 after that series to climb right back into the Central Division race.

The last two games leave a sense of baseball heartburn. The Indians have bullpen issues.

Cody Allen has served up homers in the last two games. None of their lefty relievers have any sort of consistency. Bryan Shaw has been solid most of the season, but suddenly he's been shaky. Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano are still trying to return to their excellence of 2011-12.

The Indians are 2-6 vs. Detroit.

For the Tribe to keep on the Tigers" tail, that trend has to stop. And that also means the bullpen has to shape up.

To reachTerry Pluto: terrypluto2003@yahoo.com; 216-999-4674 

Kansas City Royals' Alex Gordon recovering: Cleveland Indians Chatter

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Clubhouse confidential: Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon didn't play Thursday and could miss a couple of more games after banging the back of his head on the outfield fence at Kauffman Stadium in pursuit of an inside-the-park homer by Jason Kipnis on Wednesday night. The Royals will watch Gordon for a couple of days and run him through...

Clubhouse confidential: Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon didn't play Thursday and could miss a couple of more games after banging the back of his head on the outfield fence at Kauffman Stadium in pursuit of an inside-the-park homer by Jason Kipnis on Wednesday night.

The Royals will watch Gordon for a couple of days and run him through MLB's concussion test. At the moment, it doesn't look like he'll have to go on the seven-day disabled list created especially for players with concussions.

"The ball was carrying on me and I kind of got lost and I looked back at the fence and then just kind of got off balance and that's when I just fell and hit the wall," Gordon told reporters. "I just remember laying there."

Bonus talk: The Indians, according to Baseball America, have the fifth largest bonus pool in the big leagues for signing international league free agents at $3,636,000.

They have already reportedly signed Junior Soto, a 16-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic for $600,000. The signing period started Tuesday.

Stat of the day: Drew Stubbs likes July 4. He drove in a season-high four runs Thursday. On July 4, 2010, he hit three homers and drove in a career-high five runs for the Reds at Wrigley Field.

-- Paul Hoynes

Vincent Nobile returns to Norwalk looking for his NHRA magic

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Pro Stock drag racer Vincent Nobile looks for a return to his winning ways at Summit Motorsports Park.

vincent-nobile-celebrates.jpgVincent Nobile had cause to celebrate last year in Norwalk after capping a $100,000 weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.  

NORWALK, Ohio -- When Vincent Nobile left Summit Motorsports Park last July he looked like a Pro Stock dragster about to take the series by storm.  The college student had pocketed $100,000 in winnings sweeping not just the Pro Stock event, but also the K&N Challenge for a huge holiday weekend payday.

 But in the year since, Nobile, 21, the native of Melville, N.Y., just has not had the same karma.  "Last year, once we won at Norwalk, I was pretty confident about the championship," Nobile said.

 Yet he ultimately finished last season third in the Pro Stock standings. Then, after winning the opening race of the season at Pomona, Calif., the Adelphi University student has finished no better than the third round of Sunday's eliminations, heading into his return for the seventh NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals.

 Unlike most of his peers, Nobile has a bit of a handicap, considering much of the early season he is winding up his school year, and much of the late season his school year is just beginning.

 "I'm done for the summer, which is good,'' the business management major said. "But I have one more year left, then I will be completely done.''

 Normally, however, Nobile said he has missed the first day of school in August due to racing, and the potential is there to miss a class date in the spring as well.

 "It is what it is, because I won't miss a race for nothing,'' he said. "But overall I balance school and racing pretty well. My teachers kind of work with me when I need help. But for the most part I try to get my work done early, schedule my classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I don't miss too much.

 "But this semester coming up will be tough, because I will have classes Mondays through Thursday. So, when and if I win a race on Sunday, I will have to take a red-eye out to get to class on Monday. I have to do what I have to do."

 For Nobile to be in such a position down the stretch, he and his crew will have to start turning things around with their Dodge Avenger.

 "This year, we're struggling as a team right now,'' the single collegian said. "We're just a little behind the eight ball with our car. and I'm struggling in a slump myself. We're trying to get a handle on it, going back to old notes. I think we're headed in the right direction."

 That has led both Nobile and the team to go back to square one in an attempt to get the car in top form for the final third of the season before the six-race countdown to a championship. And that includes getting Nobile back on his game where he is quick at the start when the light hits green, fast down the stretch, then first at the finish.

 The past notes for Nobile's success at Norwalk should be a good baseline to start from.

 "This place treats me well,'' Nobile said. "For whatever reason, no matter what we do at Norwalk it seems to work. So I'm just going to let things fall into place. My car usually runs pretty well on the hot track, and I'm expecting that again this year. I think we got a pretty good handle on a hot, greasy track. If it's like that again, I don't see why we won't be able to capitalize on it again."

 No problems?: That's the word going into the weekend at Summit Motorsports Park. Yes, the weather says to expect some rain. But prior to race week the weather has not been a problem and the facility is ready for a packed house.

 "The grounds are all in great shape,'' said publicist Jon Hedges. "We haven't made any huge changes. We're ready."

 Big difference: When the NHRA circuit arrived at Norwalk last year the hot story was the fast rise of women in all the ranks. Brittany Force was a rookie in Top Fuel, Alexis DeJoria reached her first finals in Funny Car, Courtney Force was winning in Funny Car, and Erica Enders was blowing the doors off in Pro Stock initially by becoming the first woman to ever win in Pro Stock, then finishing with four wins on the season.

 This year there is a collective sophomore jinx. Enders is doing the best, currently fifth in Pro Stock standings yet with just one victory on the season; Courtney Force is seventh in Funny Car, with two wins; DeJoria is 12th in Funny Car and has yet to reach a finals, and Brittany Force is 12th in Top Fuel.    

 
Today's Schedule

Spectator Gates Open 7:30 am
Registration/Tech Inspection (Pro's and Top Alcohol only) 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sportsman Eliminations 8:00 am
Comp Eliminator Qualifying Sessions (2) 11:15 am & 2:15 pm
Top Alcohol Qualifying Sessions (2) Funny Car/Dragster 12:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Pro Mod Qualifying Session 4:00 pm
Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Motorcycle/PS Car) 4:45 pm
Nitro Qualifying Session (Funny Car/Top Fuel Dragster) 5:30 pm
Pro Mod Qualifying Session 6:30 pm
Pro Stock Qualifying Session (PS Motorcycle/PS Car) 7:15 pm
Nitro Qualifying Session (Funny Car/Top Fuel Dragster) 8:00 pm
Jill "Queen of Diamonds" Jet Dragster 9:30 pm
Fireworks 9:45 pm
Secure Track Immediately Following Fireworks
Band at NorthField Campgrounds "Yellow No. 5" 10:00 pm - 1:00 am


 

Cleveland Indians' Michael Bourn stealing less, but Terry Francona says that's no crime: Indians Insider

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Tribe skipper happy with tradeoff of better pitches for meat of lineup.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Michael Bourn, who led the National League in steals for three straight years, has become a marked man in the American League.

"I've got to figure these pitchers out," Bourn said. "They're treating me a little different this year. They're real quick to the plate when I get on base, and I'm a base stealer that doesn't like to force the issue unless I really need to."

Bourn has 12 steals in 17 attempts in 58 games for the Indians.

"I'm not exaggerating," Bourn said. "They're 1.1 [seconds] to the plate. They keep throwing over to first base. That means I got your attention and that's OK. I don't have to go anywhere if I got your attention."

The Indians are second in the AL with 64 steals. They've been successful in 80 percent (64-for-80) of their attempts.

They also lead the big leagues in going from first to third base and first to home.

"What I've been most pleased about is that we haven't run into a lot of outs and we've gone first to third a lot," manager Terry Francona said. "Going first to third is so important.

"Bournie could run wild and get some more bags, but that's not what we need to do. Outs are important."

Bourn kiddingly said, "I'm getting picked on, but that's what happens when you get that reputation."

Francona is not worried about Bourn's stolen base totals.

"I'll take the tradeoff," he said. "If a pitcher wants to slide step every pitch when Michael gets on, Jason Kipnis or Asdrubal Cabrera could get one of those flat fastballs or hanging breaking balls and do some damage."

Stretching it: After surprising the Indians by pitching out of the stretch in the first game of a doubleheader against the White Sox on June 28, right-hander Trevor Bauer continued to pitch out of the stretch Wednesday for Class AAA Columbus.

In a 4-2 victory over Toledo, Bauer allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings. He struck out one and walked one.

In his spot start against the White Sox, he allowed five runs on six hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Carlos Carrasco relieved Bauer on Wednesday and pitched 1-1/3 scoreless innings to keep him sharp for Saturday's start against the Tigers.

Production: What Francona and the Indians want out of Jason Giambi, 42, is production. They're getting it.

Giambi is hitting only .208, but 12 of his 22 hits have gone for extra bases, including six doubles and six homers. He's driven in 22 runs in 106 at-bats.

"I've always said, it's when you get the hits, not how many hits you get," Giambi said. "That's the most important thing, to try and be productive. I'm excited about the production I'm getting."

Francona believes Giambi is a better hitter with runners on base.

"He bears down so well in those at-bats," Francona said. "Very seldom do you see him leave the strike zone until he gets a pitch to hit. He gets into deep counts. The more pitches he sees, the more dangerous he becomes."

Giambi is hitting .360 (9-for-25) with runners in scoring position and .308 (4-for-13) with runners in scoring position and two out. Since ending a 0-for-25 slump, he's hitting .283 (13-for-46) with three doubles, four doubles and 10 RBI in 20 games since May 27.

Finally: Michael Brantley went 4-for-5 Thursday and hit .324 (12-for-37) this 11-game trip . . . The length of Wednesday night's game, 3 hours and 19 minutes, on top of a 2 hour and 37 minute rain delay, convinced Francona to rest Nick Swisher on Thursday and play Cabrera at DH. Swisher is coming off a left shoulder injury, while Cabrera was on the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps muscle . . . Kipnis extended his hitting streak to 15 games Thursday with a single in the third inning. He's reached base in 35 straight games.

Pitching staff collapses as Cleveland Indians fall to Royals, 10-7

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The Indians' pitching staff collapsed on all fronts Thursday in a 10-7 loss to the Royals in which they failed to hold 5-0 and 7-5 leads.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A long trip came to a quiet end Thursday at Kauffman Stadium for the Indians.

Ubaldo Jimenez disappeared in the sixth inning with a 5-0 lead. The bullpen followed him down the same rabbit hole after wasting leads of 5-4 and 7-5 in a 10-7 loss to the Royals that once again showed the vulnerability of the Indians' bullpen.

The Indians ended their longest trip of the season at 7-4. It was a good showing, but sometimes good isn't good enough. Not when good could have been great if only the pitching staff had been able to protect a 5-4 lead Wednesday night and three leads Thursday.

Box score | MLB scoreboard | Standings

"It's one of those trips where we should have been 8-3 and we were 7-4," said reliever Joe Smith. "Hey, 7-4 is good, but it leaves a bad taste. It was a good road trip, but it should have been a real good one . . . especially going home to play Detroit."

Ah, the Tigers.

The Indians, after spending 11 days on the road and momentarily climbing past Detroit into first place in the AL Central, return home Friday to open a four-game series against a Detroit team that is 6-2 against them this year.

"The bullpen didn't do its job the last two games," Smith said. "We stunk and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth, but maybe that will be good. You have a little chip on your shoulder going in against Detroit."

The Indians had twice as many hits as the Royals, 12-6, but they were the wrong kind of hits. The Royals hit three homers, including a grand slam by Lorenzo Cain and a two-run homer Eric Hosmer, to trump a homer and four RBI by Drew Stubbs and four singles by Michael Brantley.

The Royals' six hits were augmented by eight walks and a hit batsman. They turned five of the walks and the hit batsman into runs.

"We walked the leadoff hitter in the sixth, seventh and eighth inning and they all scored," said manager Terry Francona. "We just walked way too many people."

Jimenez cruised into the sixth with a 5-0 lead. Then he lost his slider and the strike zone.

He walked Hosmer and Billy Butler to start the inning. Mike Moustakas sent a bouncer to first on a 3-1 pitch. Mark Reynolds flipped to Jimenez at the bag, but the throw was a little behind Jimenez and he couldn't handle it for an error that loaded the bases.

Cain soon unloaded them with a slam over the center-field fence to cut the Tribe's lead to 5-4. It was Kansas City's second slam in the past three games against the Indians.

Jimenez was done, but the Royals weren't. Cody Allen relieved and George Kottaras greeted him with a game-tying homer to right. It was the second homer Allen has allowed in the past two games. He gave up the game-winner to Hosmer on Wednesday in the seventh inning.

Allen has allowed five homers this season, four by left-handed hitters. Yes, Hosmer and Kottaras hit from the left side.

Francona had lefty Rich Hill available to face Kottaras, but he went with Allen.

"I like Allen against everybody," said Francona.

Carlos Santana gave the Indians a 7-5 lead with a two-run double off Aaron Crow in the seventh, but Smith couldn't hold it.

He started the seventh by walking Alcides Escobar. Hosmer worked the count full and drove Smith's next pitch over the center-field fence to make it 7-7. It was the second blown save opportunity by the Tribe's pen in the same game, the first going to Allen.

"That's not the way you want to start an inning," Smith said. "Especially the way we battled back to take a two-run lead."

Pinch-hitter Salvador Perez won it for the Royals in the eighth with a three-run double past third base off Matt Albers. Bryan Shaw (0-2) opened the inning by walking Kottaras. When he hit Johnny Giavotella, Hill relieved. After a passed pass by Santana advanced the runners, Hill intentionally walked Jarrod Dyson to load the bases for Perez.

Luke Hochevar (2-1) earned the victory and Greg Holland earned his 19th save.


NBA free agency news and rumors: Warriors trying to unload salary; Cavaliers possible trade partner?

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The Golden State Warriors are trying to unload cap space to land free agent center Dwight Howard. Could the Cleveland Cavaliers be a likely trade partner because of their available cap space to take on a big contract?

AX240_7EFA_9.JPGEven though the Cavaliers are not in pursuit of Dwight Howard, they could play a key role in which team lands the free agent center. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) 
CLEVELAND -- The Golden State Warriors are in pursuit of free agent center Dwight Howard. That would mean taking on a big contract if they could sign the seven-time NBA All-Star.

According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, the Warriors are looking to unload contracts in order to make room for Howard. He adds the Cavaliers could be a possible trade partner because of their free cap space to take on a big contract.
League sources tell CBSSports.com that Golden State has offered the likes of Andrew Bogut, Andris Biedrins and Richard Jefferson to the Hawks, Cavaliers and Jazz. The Warriors would have to unload two of the three in order to clear enough space to land Howard in a straight free-agent signing, and Atlanta, Cleveland and Utah essentially are the only teams with that kind of room.

It's important to note that the Warriors, according to multiple league sources familiar with the discussions, have indicated that their attempts to clear space are only a pre-emptive strike in the event Howard agrees to leave the Lakers for the Bay Area. Though the Warriors came out of their pitch meeting with Howard and his representatives encouraged by how their message was received, Howard's camp has not delivered any indications about what his decision might be.
Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports the Warriors and Jazz are talking about a deal that would send Bogut to Utah:

Marco Belinelli signs contract with San Antonio Spurs; was offered lucrative deal by Cavs

Guard Marco Belinelli agreed to terms with the San Antonio Spurs on a two-year contract yesterday. He played with the Bulls last season, shooting 35.7 percent from three-point range.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com says the Cavaliers made Belinelli a lucrative deal before he signed with the Spurs.

Dwight Howard sweepstakes continues

With Dwight Howard holed in Colorado, teams in pursuit of the free agent center are trying to clear cap space are worried about their chances on landing the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com says the Los Angeles Lakers are worried about their pecking order in Howard's preference to what team he signs with. He adds Howard is still undecided about choosing between the Rockets, Mavericks, Warriors, Hawks and Lakers.
It was a particularly uncomfortable holiday for the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told ESPN.com, as fears mount within the organization that Howard's current employers could have fallen to as low as fourth in his pecking order.

Sources close to the situation stressed that the famously fickle Howard -- deliberating at a hideaway in Aspen, Colo. -- still was undecided about choosing between the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks and incumbent Lakers. Yet, there were indications late Thursday that Lakers officials, already bracing for the worst, had begun to rethink their long-held position of ruling out sign-and-trade options in the event Howard decides to bolt to one of L.A.'s rivals.

One source briefed on the Lakers' thinking told ESPN.com that, if the extra fifth year and nearly $30 million they can offer Howard isn't enough to hold off the competition, they would be forced to "look at everything."

Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski tweets the Lakers are still prominent in Howard's mind:

AX077_0C7A_9.JPGSacramento, New Orleans and Portland have agreed to a three-team deal sending guard Evans to the Pelicans. (AP Photo/John Raoux) 
Tyreke Evans headed to Pelicans in three-team deal

The New Orleans Pelicans have reached agreement on a three-way deal with Sacramento and Portland to acquire guard Tyreke Evans. From Yahoo! Sports:
As part of a sign-and-trade arrangement, Evans will come to the Pelicans on a four-year, $44 million contract. New Orleans will send guard Greivis Vasquez to the Kings and center Robin Lopez to the Trail Blazers, sources said.

Portland will send the draft rights to center Jeff Withey to the Pelicans and a future second-round pick to Sacramento.

The trade came after free-agent point guard Jose Calderon rejected a contract offer from the Kings, league sources said. The Kings had hoped to sign Calderon and trade Vasquez to another team.
More NBA free agency news and rumors:

Dallas Mavericks targeting available point guards (Dallas Morning News)

Pistons weigh their options on Jose Calderon, Will Bynum; interest in Chauncey Billups? (The Detroit News)

Al Jefferson reportedly agrees to a deal with the Bobcats (Yahoo! Sports)

Bobcats to let go of Tyrus Thomas via amnesty (CBSSports.com)

Cleveland Browns' 100 best all-time players: No. 23, Frank Ryan (videos)

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Ryan was the Browns quarterback from mid-1962 through early 1968, helping them contend in each of his full seasons and connecting with Gary Collins for three touchdowns in the 1964 championship game win over the Colts.


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A countdown of the top 100 players in Cleveland
Browns history. Players must have spent at least four seasons with the
Browns. The ranking is based only on players' careers with the Browns.



No. 23, FRANK RYAN, quarterback, 1962-68



Frank Ryan became the Browns' starting quarterback midway through the 1962 campaign and held the job a few weeks into the 1968 season.



In the five full years between, Ryan was -- save for Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Bart Starr -- as much a winner and clutch performer as any player at his position.



With Ryan at quarterback, the Browns won one postseason game, the 27-0 upset over the Baltimore Colts for Cleveland's last championship on Dec.27, 1964 at Cleveland Stadium.



But until 1967 (excluding 1966, which was capped by the first Super Bowl), there was just one scheduled postseason game for NFL teams -- the championship game between the winners of the East and West divisions.



In Ryan's five full seasons at the helm, Cleveland played in two championship games (1964, 1965), contended to play in two others (1963, 1966) and was among the participants in the first expanded playoff field (1967).



Overall, the Browns won 52 regular season games with Ryan the starting quarterback, lost 22 and tied two. From 1963-67, that record was 48-17-1.



Certainly Ryan had some great players around him. But his presence and performance helped make them better, too.



Ryan made Pro Bowl teams in 1964, 1965 and 1966. His best year throwing the football was arguably in 1966, Cleveland's first season after the retirement of peerless running back Jim Brown.



Quarterbacks are charged with getting the football into the end zone. For his career, seven percent of the passes Ryan threw went for touchdowns, the third best figure in NFL history. That number was even better for Ryan during his time with the Browns, when 7.6 percent of his passes resulted in touchdowns. That's one TD per every 13 throws.



Ryan's 14.7 yards per completion over his career (him having that same number as a Brown) ranks 13th-best all-time among NFL QBs. With the Browns, Ryan threw 134 touchdown passes and 88 interceptions. That was a superb ratio for the era, when teams threw the football downfield. And, few did that better than Ryan, one of the game's best deep passers.



Ryan led the league in touchdown passes in 1964 (25) and 1966 (29). He was third in 1963 (25). His 29 TD tosses in 1966, when team's regular season schedules were 14 games, stood as the Browns' single-season record until Brian Sipe's 30 in 1980, a record which still stands. Derek Anderson had 29 touchdown passes in 2007. Sipe and Anderson played 16-game schedules.



The 6-3, 200-pound Ryan was tough, seldom panicking in the pocket. He had good mobility until injuries began to diminish it. With the Browns, Ryan ran for 1,032 yards and four touchdowns, with 4.5 yards per carry.



And Ryan was smart. Some wondered at times, half-jokingly, if Ryan was "too smart." He majored in physics at Rice University and earned a doctorate degree in mathematics while playing with the Browns. The title of his doctoral thesis was "Characterization of the Set of Asymptotic Values of a Function Holomorphic in the Unit Disc."



The Los Angeles Rams picked Ryan from Rice in the fifth round of the 1958 draft.



Browns coach Paul Brown and the Detroit Lions completed a six-player trade following the 1961 campaign, featuring an exchange of starting quarterbacks, with Milt Plum going to the Lions and the Browns getting Jim Ninowski. Cleveland also got Bill Glass, who became one of the Browns' best-ever defensive ends.



Then in July, Cleveland traded defensive tackle Larry Stephens and third-and sixth-round picks in the 1963 draft for Ryan and running back Tom Wilson.



The Browns tabbed Ryan as the backup to Ninowski. Ryan had decent experience, having thrown 373 passes in four years with Los Angeles.



Cleveland was expected to challenge its biggest rival, the New York Giants, for the 1962 East Division title. But the Browns stumbled early and were 3-3 when Ninowski broke his collarbone in Game 7 at Pittsburgh. Ryan came off the bench to complete 11 of 18 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns as the Browns routed the Steelers, 41-14.



Ryan played well the rest of the season but the Browns finished 7-6-1. Paul Brown had been the team's lone coach since the franchise began in 1946. His Browns won the All-America Football Conference championship in each of the league's four years (1946-49) of existence. The Browns joined the NFL in 1950 and won the title that season and in 1954 and 1955. They played in and lost championship games in 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1957. Cleveland remained a contender but the Giants won the division in four of Brown's last five seasons as Cleveland's coach and the Philadelphia Eagles won it the other year. Some players began lobbying owner Art Modell, criticizing Brown and questioning his strategies. Modell, who had become the Browns' majority owner prior to the 1961 season, fired Brown, replacing him with a respected assistant coach, Blanton Collier.



Collier opened up the offense and introduced "option blocking" to the team, a concept which caught on big with Jim Brown and his blockers. Ryan held off Ninowski to remain the starter and was superb as the Browns got off to a 6-0 start. He struggled in two losses as the Browns fell to 7-2 and was benched in favor of Ninowski for one game, a 20-14 home loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Browns finished 10-4 and a game behind the division champion Giants.



The 1964 Browns were 9-2-1 prior to a 27-19 loss to the Cardinals in St. Louis. The outcome meant the Browns would need to win against the Giants at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 12 , to be assured of a division championship and a spot in the league title game. If the Browns lost in New York, they'd have to count on a Philadelphia upset of the Cardinals to win the division. St. Louis was 8-3-2 going into the weekend and could win the division with a victory and a Browns' loss.



The aging Giants were 2-9-2 as they prepared to host the Browns. They had dominated Cleveland in recent seasons, though, and Browns' fans were nervous about the matchup. New York led, 7-3, before Ryan scrambled 13 yards for a touchdown and a 10-7 Browns lead. Then, his strong right arm took over. Ryan threw 13 passes that day, completing 12 of them for five touchdowns and 202 yards.



The win set up the Browns' championship meeting with the Baltimore Colts 15 days later, on Dec. 27.



"Ryan-to-Collins on the post pattern" had become one of the most feared plays in the league. Gary Collins had caught 21 touchdown passes in 1963-64, 20 of them from Ryan in the 27 games they played together and many of those on the post pattern.



The Browns defense held in check the powerful offense of the favored Colts in a scoreless first half. Then in the third quarter, Ryan stepped up in the pocket to elude a pass rush and zipped an 18-yard touchdown pass to Collins in the back of the end zone for a 10-0 Browns lead. They pushed it to 17-0 later in the quarter when Ryan hit Collins for a 42-yard score on a deep post pattern. Cleveland capped the scoring in its stunning 27-0 win in the fourth quarter when Ryan and Collins connected for a 51-yard TD on a deep route that these days would probably be called a "skinny" post. Ryan was 11-of-18 for 206 yards.



Cleveland rolled through the East Division in 1965, winning it with an 11-3 record. The Browns were 11-2 with Ryan at QB, as he sat out the meaningless second-to-last game, a loss to the Rams. They achieved what they did despite missing Ryan's other top receiver, Paul Warfield, for all but one game because of a broken collarbone. He was injured during the Browns' first exhibition game, a 24-16 win in the College All-Star Game, the annual contest matching the defending NFL champion against top college stars, most of whom would then immediately begin their pro careers. The game was discontinued after 1976.



The Browns visited the Green Bay Packers in the NFL championship game. Ryan hit Collins for a 17-yard touchdown in the first quarter but Green Bay went on to win, 23-12. Conventional thinking was that the muddy surface benefited the Packers. The Browns also didn't have their star left offensive tackle, Dick Schafrath, out with a torn hamstring. The Packers' running game kept the ball from the Browns, who totaled just 38 offensive plays. One of them was Jim Brown's drop of a would-be Ryan touchdown pass in the Packers' end zone during the second half.



Jim Brown was 30 and in the early stage of his acting career when he announced in the summer of 1966 that he was retiring, that he would rather stay on the set to complete the filming of the World War II movie "Dirty Dozen" than report to training camp.



Special teams standout Leroy Kelly took over for Brown and emerged as a star. Ryan had a brilliant 1966 campaign, not only leading the league with his 29 touchdown passes but also placing second with 2,974 yards passing, a Browns record since broken many times in the pass-first eras after Ryan's day, but a team standard that stood until Brian Sipe's 3,793 in 1979. The Browns didn't win the division, though, and thus didn't play in the championship game, going 9-5.



Injuries began to catch up with Ryan in 1967 though he had a solid season. He was hampered with shoulder, ankle and knee problems. In the 1964 Pro Bowl, he had taken a brutal hit from Baltimore's Gino Marchetti, Green Bay's Willie Davis and the Detroit Lions' Roger Brown, resulting in a significant right (throwing) shoulder injury. In 1965 he developed a sore right elbow that never got much better. The NFL was now divided into four divisions, thus doubling the playoff field to four teams. The 9-5 Browns won the Central Division title and got to rest Ryan while losing a final game at Philadelphia that didn't affect the standings. They were stomped by the Cowboys, 52-14, in a playoff game at Dallas. Ryan passed for touchdowns to tight end Milt Morin and Warfield but the Browns were never in the game.



Cleveland acquired quarterback Bill Nelsen in a trade with the Steelers as the 1968 campaign approached. Ryan started the first three games, beginning with a 24-10 win over the Saints in New Orleans. Cleveland then played consecutive home games against the Cowboys and Rams, the owners of arguably the NFL's best defenses. The Browns lost 28-7 to Dallas and 24-6 to Los Angeles. Collier replaced the hobbled Ryan with Nelsen, who had sore knees himself but wasn't quite as banged up all over as was Ryan. Nelsen started the rest of the way, with Ryan subbing in a few times after games had been decided. The offense rallied and the team claimed the division title with a 10-4 record. Cleveland upset the Cowboys, 31-20, in a playoff game in Cleveland but was drilled, 34-0, by the Colts in the championship game at Cleveland, a win short of playing in the third Super Bowl.



The Browns waived Ryan late in the 1969 training camp. He was signed by Redskins coach Vince Lombardi, the legendary Packers coach who was in his first season with Washington. Ryan backed up future Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen for two years. Lombardi died of cancer at age 57 shortly before the start of the second of the seasons, 1970.



Ryan enjoyed an accomplished post-football career. Soon after retiring from the Redskins, he was named Director of Information Services for the United States House of Representatives, helping to modernize the House's computer capabilities. Among other ventures, Ryan would be the athletic director and a mathematics lecturer at Yale, an administrator and professor at Rice and become active in the business world.



Ryan lives in Vermont and turns 77 on July 12.



(The Browns' all-time top 100 players so far)



Video: Second- and third-quarter action during the Browns' 27-0 win over the Baltimore Colts in the NFL championship game on Dec. 27, 1964 at Cleveland Stadium. Narrated by Chris Schenkel. About 6:35 in, Frank Ryan throws an 18-yard touchdown pass to Gary Collins for a 10-0 Browns lead in the third quarter. About 8:45 in, Ryan and Collins connect for a 42-yard touchdown, boosting the Cleveland lead to 17-0, still in the third quarter:





Video: Third- and fourth-quarter action from the 1964 Browns' 27-0 championship game win over the Colts in Cleveland. About 5:30 in, Frank Ryan and Gary Collins connect for their third touchdown pass of the game, a 51-yarder for the game's final score:



Columbus Blue Jackets lure Nathan Horton with 7-year deal; Daniel Alfredsson to Red Wings: NHL free-agency 2013 roundup

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The 28-year-old forward leaves Boston to bolster Blue Jackets' front line; Bruins also lose defenseman Andrew Ference to Oilers.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Blue Jackets have made a major move to shore up their lagging offense by signing free-agent right wing Nathan Horton away from the Boston Bruins.

The 28-year-old forward, who visited Columbus earlier this week, signed a seven-year deal.

Horton, who still needs offseason shoulder surgery which will delay the start of his season, provides the Blue Jackets with punch it lacked a year ago when it just missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker despite finishing 25th in the NHL in goals. He's averaged 23 goals over the last eight seasons.

The Blue Jackets' are built around Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who recently signed a two-year contract. The club badly needed a scoring threat to go with Marian Gaborik.

DANIEL-ALFREDSSON.JPGView full sizeThe Detroit Red Wings have landed free-agent forward Daniel Alfredsson. 

In other news on the first day of NHL free agency, the Detroit Red Wings have agreed to a one-year contract with Daniel Alfredsson.

Detroit got the deal done soon after NHL teams could sign free agents this afternoon.

The 40-year-old Alfredsson scored 426 goals and had 1,108 points with the Ottawa Senators, who failed to keep their captain for at least another season. He won the Mark Messier Leadership Award after scoring 10 goals and making 16 assists during the 47-game shortened season. He won the Calder Trophy as the league's rookie of the year in 1996.

The Swedish star joins a team with players from his native country, including captain Henrik Zetterberg. Detroit hopes Alfredsson can help the franchise compete for a championship next season when it moves to the Eastern Conference.

The Edmonton Oilers have signed former Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference to a four-year deal.

Ference's deal is reportedly worth $13 million, and he would count $3.25 million against the salary cap.

The 34-year-old Edmonton native was a key part of the Bruins' run to the Stanley Cup final, though there was no room for him to return to Boston because of salary-cap issues and plenty of young defensemen coming up through the ranks.

Ference joins a defense corps that includes Justin Schultz, Ladislav Smid and Nick Schultz.

In 760 career NHL games, Ference has 37 goals and 156 assists. He was a part of the Bruins' Stanley Cup championship team in 2011.

The Oilers also signed center Boyd Gordon to a three-year deal. Gordon spent last two seasons in Phoenix.

The Philadelphia Flyers and Ray Emery have agreed to a $1.65 million, one-year contract.

Emery played for the Flyers in 2009-10 and spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. He went 17-1with a 1.94 goals-against average for the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks in 2012.

Emery will compete with Steve Mason for the starting spot in Philadelphia. The Flyers bought out the final seven years of goalie Ilya Bryzgalov's contract last month.

More on Earl Clark, honeymoon over for Jason Giambi and preview of Browns receivers: Blog Roundup

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Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians. Featured today are Waiting For Next Year, Wahoo's On First and Dawgs By Nature.

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians.


AX142_1235_9.JPGWill Earl Clark provide enough offense for the Cavs? (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) 
Cleveland Cavaliers


Jacob Rosen over at Waiting For Next Year writes about Earl Clark and provides some additional information about the small forward.
"Now that he is a Cavalier, this fellow Cavs blog shared their thoughts on his statistical profile and where it matches this roster. What it ignored somewhat was Clark’s history as a player and where he can succeed. Per 82Games.com, Clark played 1/3rd of his 2012-13 minutes at small forward. Defensively, as has been known for years, he can guard multiple positions because of his length and athleticism. Offense has been the question.


The chart above then shows his offensive breakdown comparing that one fantastic 28-game stretch in Los Angeles with the rest of his career. The biggest difference? Shooting percentage. He only had 10 three-point attempts prior to LA last season. With mild efficiency at those threes and, of course, consistent playing time, he got into a rhythm and was able to re-imagine the success he had back in college and high school.
With the familiarity of Kokoskov and even VP of basketball operations David Griffin from Phoenix, along with head coach Mike Brown from early last year in LA, Clark was a familiar rotation cog that could come into the Cavs’ roster. They had been looking for versatile wings and Clark fits that bill. He’s not a complete package offensively, but that’s not necessarily what this roster needed anyway.


In 2013-14, expect to become a fan of Earl Clark’s. He’s gained many over the years at his many stops through his outgoing personality and commitment to improve his game. At a fresh start and with a guaranteed rotation spot, he should continue his success in Los Angeles and blossom into the talent many scouts expected back from his earlier days as a prospect."


AX040_6F5F_9.JPGIs the honeymoon over for Jason Giambi? (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer) 
Cleveland Indians


Geordy Boveroux at Wahoo's On First explains why it's time for the Indians to let Jason Giambi go.
"A roster spot is extremely valuable in baseball. With 25 men playing up to six days a week, having versatility on the bench isn’t just a commodity, it’s a necessity. So what value does a DH-only player hitting .198/.314/.426 bring to the bench?


To be fair, Giambi hasn’t been as terrible as some of his opponents have stated, as he has managed a 108 OPS+ and 106 wRC+ thanks to his ability to draw walks and the pop still in his aging bat. But the lack of versatility is what truly worries me.


There’s no need for a team to have three catchers. Having an everyday catcher and backup is more than enough. If the Indians get veteran leadership from World Series Champions in Francona and Swisher, why is more needed from Giambi? The occasional batting practice tip from Giambi can’t truly be valued over a player that can hit just as well as Giambi has while also playing the field. That’s why baseball players are paid millions, while only the best coaches receive such a paycheck. Players are more valuable than coaches, and Giambi is nothing more than a coach at this point."


AX135_0BE9_9.JPGWill David Nelson be a contributor on offense at wide receiver? (John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer) 
Cleveland Browns


Chris Pokorny at Dawgs By Nature previews some of the Browns wide receivers.
"5. DAVID NELSON - VETERAN RECEIVER IN RECOVERY


It is difficult to have a pulse on what David Nelson's chances of making the team are. Four receivers are already ahead of him on the depth chart. The Browns only signed him to a one-year deal as he comes off of an ACL injury in 2012.


Despite all of that, Nelson has the credentials to be a great role player for the Browns. At 6-5, he has the height to be a nice red zone threat -- in fact, if the Browns opt to go with two or three receivers down there, it might make sense to use Nelson instead of Davone Bess as the slot receiver.


Despite being an undrafted free agent in 2010, Nelson quickly worked his way up to being a starter for the Bills. He doesn't drop the ball very often, and is actually more comparable to Joe Jurevicius than Bess is, if you're thinking back to the 2007 Rob Chudzinsk offense in Cleveland. You could also think of him as a tight end, Evan Moore type, except that he also has some physicality. Nelson has vowed to be ready-to-go by training camp, despite continuing his rehab through the team's offseason programs.


Final Roster Odds: 80%


6. JORDAN NORWOOD - SHIFTY RECEIVER COMPETING FOR NO. 5 SPOT


I am a huge fan of Jordan Norwood and his ability to get open. In just two games last year, Norwood was targeted 19 times, catching 13 passes for 137 yards. He is shifty, has pretty good hands, and can also be utilized in the punt return game. That all sounds fine-and-dandy, but the question is this: what does he offer that the guys on the depth chart in front of him don't offer?


Davone Bess is firmly entrenched as the Browns' slot receiver, so that role is taken out of the question for Norwood. Travis Benjamin is the team's primary punt returner and fourth receiver, and even if they wanted a backup punt returner, Bess has that role locked up as well.


This is where Norwood, for his sake, has to hope that David Nelson isn't the same player he was pre-ACL, or is slow to come back from his injury. If Norwood really impresses during training camp for the new coaching staff, there's a chance he could even beat out a healthy Nelson. The biggest thing Norwood has going for him right now is that Josh Gordon was suspended for the first two games of the regular season -- that makes it more likely that Cleveland will carry an extra receiver to begin the season. If Norwood is that guy and is able to make something happen, he could hang around on the roster even when Gordon returns.


Final Roster Odds: 60%"


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Cleveland Indians P.M. links: Not simple to do, but should pursue Cliff Lee; or how about Matt Garza to solidify rotation?

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Indians need a starting pitcher. Lee is pitching great but an aging Phillies team may want to trade him and his big contract. Indians reportedly among teams who have talked with Cubs about Garza. Indians story links.


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians host the Detroit Tigers tonight, the first of four games between the top two teams in the American League Central Division.

The second-place Indians (45-40) trail the two-time defending division champion Tigers (46-38) by 1 1/2 games. Right-hander Justin Masterson (10-6, 3.48) starts tonight for Cleveland while Detroit counters with righty Rick Porcello (4-56, 5.21).

Check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for extensive Indians coverage including -- among many stories, columns, photos and videos -- Terry Pluto's column on the Indians-Tigers series and Paul Hoynes' On Deck: Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers have one of the major leagues' best pitching rotations. The Indians' rotation this season hasn't been as bad as some fans feared, but a fair characterization of it would be "mediocre."

There's a 34-year-old left-hander out there who might be available, still pitching at the caliber he did when he won the 2008 American League Cy Young Award -- while pitching for the Indians.

David Schoenfield writes for ESPN.com that the Indians are one of the teams that should see what it would take to get Cliff Lee from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Referring to the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers before the Indians, Schoenfield lists the terms of Lee'scontract, writing:
There's about $12.5 million still owed to him this season plus $50 million over the next two seasons and then a possible vesting option. But why cede to the Dodgers the possibility of acquiring Lee? The Padres' farm system has suffered some injuries but they already have a young, inexpensive lineup and probably still have the minor league talent to swing a Lee deal. And if Lee doesn't work out this year? He still has a lot of trade value in the offseason. You're not making a $62.5 million commitment to Lee; you're only making a $12.5 million commitment. Any team can afford that, if they so choose.

The Indians are also grouped into the small-market operations, although their new local cable deal in the offseason was reportedly worth $40 million over 10 years. You're in the race; you need pitching. I'm not sure the Indians have the prospects to acquire Lee (you're not trading Francisco Lindor), but the same philosophy applies: Lee is a difference-maker and you can always trade him in the offseason if you don't want to absorb his future millions.
Indians story links

According to reports, the Indians are among the teams talking with the Chicago Cubs about trading for right-handed starting pitcher Matt Garza. (By Jacob Rosen, WaitingForNextYear)

A preview of the four-game Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians series. (By Jason Lukehart, Let's Go Tribe)

Relief pitcher Nick Hagadone, back with the Indians' Class AA team -- the Columbus clippers -- has made the trip from the minor leagues to the majors and the Indians nine times since April 2. (By Sheldon Ocker, Akron Beacon Journal)

Based strictly on an Elias numbers system, Indians pitcher Justin Masterson, second baseman Jason Kipnis and catcher Carlos Santana should all make the American League all-star team. (By Jacob Rosen, WaitingForNextYear)

It's not a critical series, but the four games between the Indians and Tigers are pretty important. (By Jim Ingraham, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

After two years of being the Indians' strength, the bullpen is struggling. (By Stephanie Liscio, It's pronounced "Lajaway")

Veteran Jason Giambi has delivered some clutch hits for the Indians. (By Jordan Bastian, MLB.com)

The American League Central Division race won't be decided in the Tigers at Indians series, but the four games are important. (By Craig Gifford, Did The Tribe win Last Night?)

Some of what happened around the Indians' farm system on Thursday. (By Jim Piascik, Indians Baseball Insider)


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