Browns fumble four times (losing two), drop two interceptions, commit one false start and stumble their way to a 13-0 first quarter deficit.

 CLEVELAND -- Observations and notes on the first quarter ...

 * Sloppy first series for the Browns offense. Jerome Harrison lost the ball after a four-yard gain, but he was ruled down on contact. He fumbled the second time he touched it and Josh Cribbs recovered. Then Billy Yates committed a false start at right guard. Jake Delhomme's third-down completion to Cribbs then was three yards short of the first down.

 * Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley got dinged on a blitz by linebacker Chris Cocong on the Rams' fifth play from scrimmage. Feeley stayed in the game but looked like his right hand was in pain. Feeley completed a 65-yard drive with a nine-yard TD pass to backup tight end Daniel Fells. Fells put a move on Brandon McDonald inside the 5 to break free for an instant and Feeley put the ball in the right place. The Browns had no pressure on the play as Feeley threw quickly out of the empty shotgun formation.

 * Feeley was replaced by rookie Sam Bradford on the Rams' second series. Feeley had a sprained thumb.

 * John St. Clair did, in fact, start at right tackle. Marcus Benard, who had practiced with the first team at right outside linebacker all week, was not in the starting lineup. The Browns fielded a starting unit of Matt Roth, Eric Barton, Chris Gocong and Scott Fujita.

 * The Browns' sloppiness continued on their second series. Delhomme fumbled the snap on second down and the Rams recovered at the Browns' 23.

 * Eric Wright dropped interceptions on successive plays. On the first, intended receiver Donnie Avery might have helped dislodge the ball. The second one bounced off Wright's hands. Wright was penalized for interference of receiver Danny Amendola, but it looked like a weak call. Bradford's short pass was behind Amendola and Wright appeared to make contact with the ball first.

 * Joe Haden replaced Cribbs at kick returner in the quarter. On his first try, Haden let the St. Louis kickoff fall to the ground. But the delay thwarted the timing of the Rams' coverage unit. Haden picked up the ball and returned it 28 ayrds to the Browns' 40.

 * Nice punt return of 23 yards by Mardy Gilyard, the former University of Cincinnati receiver. Every facet of the Browns' game is committing bad plays.

 * Now Cribbs is in the act. He loses the ball after fielding a punt. Rams recover at Browns 21 and kick a field goal to go up, 13-0.

 * Best play for the Browns: Delhomme waits for Chansi Stuckey to free himself, delivers him the ball and Stuckey runs for a 28-yard gain.

The Browns stop turning over the ball, but the No. 1 unit manages only 10 points on the Rams.

Mark Duncan, Associated PressCleveland Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme fires a pass during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the the St. Louis Rams today.

CLEVELAND -- Observations and notes on the second quarter ...

• Peyton Hillis gave the sparse crowd something to cheer about. The spunky back took a handoff and bounced off and through almost the entire Rams defense. Hillis legitimately broke six tackle attempts during his nine-yard run. Afterwards, Hillis made an emphatic gesture to the crowd to release his emotions.

• Later, Hillis made an inside move after a catch for extra yardage on third-and-12. Hillis' moved put the ball at the 19 and made it easier for the Browns to go for it on fourth-and-3. Jake Delhomme converted the play on a nice pass to Josh Cribbs, who did a good job establishing position on his defender at the right sideline.

• Tight end Benjamin Watson made an acrobatic, juggling catch with his left hand while covered at the back of the end zone. The official ruled the Watson's second foot touched the end line. Eric Mangini challenged the call and won. Very nice touchdown after an 11-play drive. It was important for Delhomme to finish off his work on a positive note, and he did it.

• Sam Bradford is just dumping the ball off. It could be a long year for the Oklahoma rookie.

• Delhomme comes out for another series midway through the second quarter. The whole first team is still with him.

• Jerome Harrison ran with a passion after taking a short Delhomme pass on a screen play. Harrison raced for a 32-yard gain.

• On the next play, Delhomme just missed hitting Brian Robiskie on a corner route in the end zone. Robiskie couldn't run under Delhomme's pass.
 
• The Browns tried another fourth-down gamble with a curious call. On fourth-and-3 from the Rams' 17, Delhomme handed off to Hillis up the middle. One yard.

• Eric Wright took some tackling pills. He's sticking his nose in on a lot of running plays.

• The rain has subsided to a drizzle.

• Delhomme comes out again to try to gain the lead before halftime. Browns have it at Rams' 41 with 2:18 to go.

• Chansi Stuckey gains 18 on a short crossing route. Two Delhomme passes are deflected, forcing a Phil Dawson field goal of 38 yards. 13-10, Rams.

Indians' first-round pick in 2009 draft has a superb 2.57 ERA but his 143 2/3 innings pitched might be wearing on him. He has a 5.91 ERA in his last four starts.

Peggy Turbett, The Plain DealerAlex White, here at Akron's Canal Park, has pitched well for both the Aeros and Kinston this season.

FARM REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Tonight: Toledo Mud Hens (58-68) at Clippers (72-55), 7:05.

Notes: RHP Carlos Carrasco (10-5, 3.71) is 2-1 with a 1.64 ERA in his last six games, striking out 30 and allowing just 20 hits and six walks in 33 innings. Carrasco has given up one home run in his last eight starts, spanning 44 innings, after yielding 15 homers in his first 91 2/3 innings this season....Going into Saturday night's game, OF Jose Constanza was third in the International League with a .313 batting average and first with 33 stolen bases (in 37 attempts). Constanza is trying to lead his league in stolen bases for the fourth season in his minor league career. He was on a seven-game hitting streak, going 14-for-26 (.538) with two doubles, one triple, eight runs, four RBI and 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts....1B Wes Hodges (.273) was 14-for-40 (.350) with two doubles and one home run in his last 10 games....RH reliever Vinnie Pestano (1-2, 11 saves, 1.74) was 1-2 with 10 saves and a 1.13 ERA in his last 22 games, striking out 39 in 32 innings.

AA Akron Aeros

Tonight: Harrisburg Senators (65-59) at Aeros (64-60), 7:05.

Notes: RHP Alex White (7-7, 2.44), in his first professional season after being an Indians' first-round draft pick in 2009, is 1-3 with a 5.91 ERA in his last four starts, striking out 14 while walking eight and allowing 26 hits in 21 1/3 innings. In 17 games with the Aeros and eight with Kinston, White is 9-10 with a 2.57 ERA and holding hitters to a .220 batting average. He's fanned 112 and walked 45 in 143 2/3 innings....OF Jerad Head (.323) is back with the Aeros after spending one day with Columbus (and not playing). Head went into Saturday night's game with a 17-game hitting streak in games with the Aeros, batting .453 (29-for-64) with nine homers, five doubles, 21 RBI and 17 runs....Going into Saturday night's game, RH reliever Chen Lee (5-3, 3.47) was 1-0 with an 0.00 ERA in his last 12 games, striking out 14 and allowing just five hits and two walks in 15 innings. Lee had fanned 68 and walked 20 in 62 1/3 innings overall, giving up just four home runs....RH reliever Connor Graham (3-5, two saves, 3.13) was 1-0 with one save and an 0.86 ERA in his last 13 games, striking out 25 and walking four in 21 innings, while allowing 11 hits....LHP Aaron Laffey is now with the Aeros as he continues his rehab assignment from a tired pitching arm. Laffey has a 2-3 record and 4.62 ERA with the Indians this season. In his rehab appearances with Columbus and Lake County, Laffey has a combined ERA of 4.03 in six games, pitching 22 1/3 innings.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Tonight: Indians (61-62) at Myrtle Beach Pelicans (52-73), 7:05.

Notes: Going into Saturday night's game, catcher Chun Chen (.317) was on an eight-game hitting streak, going 11-for-24 (.458) with two doubles, one homer and six walks....SS Juan Diaz (.259) was hitting .375 (18-for-48) with three doubles, one homer, seven RBI and seven runs in his last 13 games....3B Kyle Bellows (.259) was batting .314 (16-for-51) with four doubles, nine RBI and eight runs in his last 13 games....OF Donnie Webb was 11-for-32 (.344) with three doubles in his last 10 games.

A Lake County Captains

Tonight: Captains (70-52) at Dayton Dragons (42-79), 7:00.

Notes: Going into Saturday night's game, Adam Abraham (.262) was batting .379 (47-for-124) with nine doubles, eight home runs and 33 RBI in his last 31 games....Greg Folgia (.256) was 10-for-20 (.500) with one homer, four RBI and four runs in his last five games....OF Delvi Cid (.258) was 13-for-37 (.351) with two doubles, seven runs, four RBI, four walks and 5-for-5 in stolen bases in his last nine games. Cid was leading the Midwest League with 62 stolen bases (in 75 attempts), 17 more swipes than any other player in the league....RHP Brett Brach (4-7, 2.87) is 3-2 with a 1.67 ERA in his last six starts, striking out 31, walking three and allowing 32 hits in 43 innings.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Tonight: Scrappers (25-35) at State College Spikes (29-30), 7:05.

Notes: Going into Saturday night's game, OF Jonathan Burnette (.288) was on an 11-game hitting streak, going 15-for-46 (.326) with four doubles, one homer, six RBI and five runs....RH reliever Kyle Smith (0-0, 5.74), an Indians' 20th-round pick in the 2009 draft from Kent State, had struck out 42 and held hitters to a .212 batting average in 26 2/3 innings over 14 games. He had walked 21. In seven of Smith's last nine games, he had pitched from one to three innings and not allowed a run....Catcher Diego Seastrunk (.217) was 12-for-34 (.353) with two homers, two doubles, nine RBI, eight runs and four walks in his last 10 games....OF Carlos Moncrief (.249) was 8-for-25 (.320) with three doubles and five RBI in his last six games.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Tonight: Southern Illinois Miners (58-24) at Crushers (38-44), 7:05.

Notes: RHP Alberto Rolon (2-4, seven saves, 2.85) is 0-4 with a 2.21 ERA in his last 14 games -- the last seven as a starter -- allowing just 30 hits in 53 innings, with 50 strikeouts. Overall, Rolon has fanned 71, and given up 50 hits and 27 walks in 75 2/3 innings over 29 games....RHP Travis Risser (6-4, 3.14) is 1-2 with a 2.10 ERA in his last six games (five starts), giving up just 18 hits and six walks in 30 innings. In 17 games (16 starts) overall, Risser has allowed just 77 hits in 91 2/3 innings....Going into Saturday night's game, LH reliever Ronnie Morales (1-2, 3.00) was 1-0 with an 0.79 ERA in his last 16 games, allowing two runs on just five hits in 22 2/3 innings, while striking out 19. In 42 games this season, Morales has given up just 30 hits in 54 innings.

The less said about the Indians third base situation, the better. Second base is a different matter all together.

UPDATED: 9:04 p.m.

DETROIT, Mich. -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians 2010 regular season. The Indians play the Tigers tonight in the second game of a three-game series at Comerica Park.

 Comerica Park's dimensions: Left field line 345 feet, left field power alley 370 feet, center field 420, right center field power alley 365, right field line 330.

In-game notes:

Score: Tigers 5, Indians 2 after six innings.

Tigers on the prowl: The Tigers stretched their lead to 5-2 in the fifth.

Don Kelly, who had four hits in Friday's 6-0 victory, opened the inning with a homer to right. Austin Jackson, who owns Indians pitchers this season, followed with a double. Josh Tomlin, who was skipped in the rotation to give him extra rest, retired the next two batters and intentionally walked Miguel Cabrera.

Brennan Boesch burned him with an RBI double.    

Ugly start: The Indians and Tigers combined for three errors in the first inning. The Tigers emerged from the clang-fest with a 2-1 lead.

The Indians took a 1-0 lead off Max Scherzer when Shin-Soo Choo reached on a two-out error by Will Rhymes at second base, stole second and scored when right fielder  Boesch botched Travis Hafner's sinking liner to right for the second error.

 Jackson, who entered the game hitting .407 against the Indians, opened the first with a double. He went to third on a sac-bunt and scored on Ryan Raburn's double past third. After Tomlin intentionally walked Miguel Cabrera, Boesch sent what looked like a double play ball to short, but Asdrubal Cabrera got his feet mixed up and had to settle for the force at second.

Tomlin wild pitched Rayburn home to make it 2-1. Boesch went to second when catcher Chris Gimenez made an errant flip to Tomlin at the plate. 

Tied up: Hafner pulled the Indians into a 2-2 tie with a bases-loaded single in the third.

Go-ahead run: The Tigers recaptured the lead on Brandon Inge's sac-fly in the fourth to score Miguel Cabrera, who doubled to start the inning.

The line: Tomlin allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings. He struck out two and walked two, while throwing 101 pitches, including 67 strikes. It was his first start in nine days.

 Pre-game notes:

 Game 123: OK, so third base is a mess and it's not going to get any better through the remainder of this season. It doesn't matter if the Indians call up Jared Goedert from Class AAA Columbus or Lonnie Chisenhall from Class AA Akron when the roster expands in September.

 Goedert has made 16 errors in 42 games at Columbus. Chisenhall has made 15 in 80 games at third in Class AA Akron. Goedert still needs to work on his defense. The Indians say Chisenhall is still working on the conversion from short to third.

 In the big leagues, manager Manny Acta's options go from bad to worse, but when next season starts here's one thing you can bank on -- Jayson Nix, Andy Marte or Luis Valbuena will not be the starting third baseman. They might not even be on the ballclub.

 Acta feels much better about second base. The candidates are Jason Donald, Nix and Valbuena in the big leagues. In the minors, Cord Phelps has impressed the Indians with the way he's hit this year at Columbus (.327, 16 doubles, three triples, six homers and 28 RBI in 258 at-bats) after positing similar numbers at the start of the year Class AA Akron.

 Jason Kipnis, meanwhile, is hitting .331 (80-for-242) with 16 doubles, four triples, nine homers and 36 RBI at Akron.

 "We have three guys here who have a chance to play second base," said Kipnis. "If we find a solid third baseman (in the offseason). Then you Nix, Donald or Valbuena to play second base.

 "Plus we have kids in our farm system. I believe we have more options at second than third in our system."

 Quick hits:

 -Acta said the MRI on Michael Brantley's left ankle was "clean." He twisted the ankle Thursday night in Kansas City and will spent the rest of the weekend in Cleveland rehabbing the ankle.

 -Acta on Jhonny Peralta: "Jhonny was a nice player for this franchise. He drove in a lot of runs here. . .I miss him because Jhonny is a great human being. He cares. He doesn't wear it on his sleeve. He's out there every day. That gives every manager peace of mind."

 -Jason Knapp made his 2010 debut at Class A Lake County Friday. He threw four scoreless innings, walking two and striking out seven. Knapp, including five starts in the Arizona Rookie League, has struck out 25 and walked six in 16 1/3 innings.

 Knapp, acquired in the Cliff Lee deal from the Phillies last year, missed most of this season while recovering from right shoulder surgery.

 Lineups:

 Indians (48-72): CF Trevor Crowe (S), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), DH Travis Hafner (L), 3B Jayson Nix (R), LF Shelley Duncan (R), 1B Matt LaPorta (R), 2B Jason Donald (R), C Chris Gimenez (R) and RHP Josh Tomlin (1-2, 2.96).

 Tigers (59-63): CF Austin Jackson (R), 2B Will Rhymes (L), LF Ryan Raburn (R), DH Miguel Cabrera (R), RF Brennan Boesch (L), SS Jhonny Peralta (R), 3B Brandon Inge (R), C Alex Avila (L), LF Don Kelly (L) and RHP Max Scherzer (8-9, 3.86). 

 Umpires: H Ted Barrett, 1B, Tony Randazzo, 2B Paul Nauert, 3B Brian Gorman. Gorman, crew chief.

 Quote of the day: "God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise," Shoeless Joe Jackson, banned from baseball for life for his part in throwing the 1919 World Series as a member of the Chicago White Sox, from Baseball Almanac.\

 Next: RHP Jeanmar Gomez (3-1, 1.84) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (13-8, 3.77) Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

He's no Robert Royal, but it seems this Ben Watson guy will be OK at tight end.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns tight end Benjamin Watson, left, makes a one-handed grab with St. Louis Rams Craig Dahl on the defense of a pass that was ruled a touchdown after review in the second period during a preseason game Saturday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

1. Let's talk fumbles, since the Browns had five ... yes, five of them in the first quarter. The Browns were blessed to only lose two of them. For a veteran quarterback, Jake Delhomme had far too much trouble taking snaps in a driving rain. Delhomme fumbled twice. Both times he seemed in a hurry to get the ball in his hands and then lost the ball. It's pretty basic. When it rains, a quarterback has to do a better job than Delhomme did.

2. Last season, Delhomme played 11 games in Carolina, and had six fumbles (losing three). In 2008, he had five fumbles (losing three). Earlier in his career, he had three different seasons where he lost at least five fumbles. The good sign is Delhomme pulled himself together after those fumbles and led the Browns on an 11-play, 77-yard drive. He also stayed away from interceptions.

3. He's no Robert Royal, but it seems this Ben Watson guy will be OK at tight end. To be serious, having a tight end like Watson (who made a terrific one-handed catch for a touchdown) is such a key to helping the offense. The Browns want to play ball control, and that means lots of passes to running backs and tight ends. Top be fair, Royal came to the Browns from Buffalo where he was basically know as an offensive lineman playing tight end because he has poor hands.

4. In his two seasons with Denver, Peyton Hillis caught only 19 passes. The Browns insisted the bullish running back could be a good receiver, and he showed it with some nice catches Saturday. At Arkansas, Hillis caught 118 passes in 44 games, 11 for a touchdown. He also made a major impact with his relentless effort carrying the ball. He is listed at 240 pounds, but the Rams must of felt like they were trying to bring down a two-ton truck.

5. When the Browns have fullback Lawrence Vickers and Hillis in the same backfield, that should create a physical running game between the tackles. Vickers was playing at Pro Bowl caliber as a blocker by the end of last season.

6. Jerome Harrison also fumbled. He had only two fumbles in 194 carries last season.

7. When the offense played its first few possessions as if it had never seen rain before, bet Eric Mangini wanted these guys to run laps all the way from the Cleveland Browns Stadium to Cedar Point. The coach believes his team should be the one forcing fumbles in bad weather, not giving up the ball. He thinks a key to the Browns season is the ability to play in the rain and snow.

8. Love the way Sheldon Brown hits receivers in the secondary. Joe Haden also had some forceful tackles. But the Browns still have trouble covering tight ends. I like Haden on returns, you can tell he was a terrific high school quarterback who could really run the ball.

The Indians have lost 14 of their last 16 games against the Tigers at Comerica Park. That includes Saturday's 5-2 defeat.

Duane Burleson, APCleveland Indians starter Josh Tomlin pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning of a baseball game Saturday in Detroit.

DETROIT -- The Indians gave rookie right-hander Josh Tomlin nine days of rest to make sure he doesn't get over pitched this season.

 It was hard to tell if the extra rest did Tomlin much good Saturday night as the Tigers beat the Indians, 5-2, at Comerica Park. The good news is Tomlin went six innings. The bad news is he allowed five runs while doing it.

 Tomlin (1-3, 3.86) lost his third straight start after winning his big-league debut July 27 against the Yankees. He hasn't pitched as poorly as his record suggests. Saturday night he needed some help from the offense, but it never came.

 Max Scherzer (9-9, 3.73) held the Indians to two runs, one earned, over seven innings. He struck out eight and allowed four hits.

Phil Coke and Jose Valverde put the Indians out of their misery. Valverde earned his 24th save.

 The Indians finished with four hits. In Friday's 6-0 loss to the Tigers, they managed three hits. The Tribe has lost 12 of its last 17 games.

 The Tigers put the game away with two runs in the fifth for a 5-2 lead.

 Don Kelly, who had four hits Friday, opened the inning with a homer to right. Austin Jackson, who owns Indians pitchers this season, followed with a double. Tomlin, making his first start since Aug. 11, retired the next two batters and intentionally walked Miguel Cabrera.

 Brennan Boesch burned him with an RBI double.

 The Indians and Tigers combined for three errors in the first. The Tigers emerged from the rubble with a 2-1 lead.

 The Tribe took a 1-0 lead off Scherzer when Shin-Soo Choo reached on a two-out error by Will Rhymes at second base, stole second and scored when right fielder  Boesch botched Travis Hafner's sinking liner to right for the second error.

 Jackson, who entered the game hitting .407 against the Indians this season,  opened the first with a double. He went to third on a sac-bunt and scored on Ryan Raburn's double past third. After Tomlin intentionally walked Cabrera, Boesch sent what looked like a double play ball to short, but Asdrubal Cabrera got his feet mixed up and had to settle for the force at second.

 Tomlin wild pitched Rayburn home to make it 2-1. Boesch went to second when catcher Chris Gimenez made an errant flip to Tomlin at the plate.

 Hafner pulled the Indians into a 2-2 tie with a bases-loaded single in the third. It was the last time they advanced a runner past second.

 The Tigers recaptured the lead on Brandon Inge's sac-fly in the fourth to score Cabrera, who doubled to start the inning.

 Scherzer's win gave him a 1-6 record against the AL Central this year in 10 starts. The Indians beat him on July 16.

Strasburg grabbed his right wrist and shook it after a pitch. After talking with manager Jim Riggleman, Strasburg was removed. He had a 5-1 lead over the Phillies, pitching 4 1/3, two-hit innings with six strikeouts.

Associated PressWashington's Stephen Strasburg pitching against Philadelphia on Saturday night.

Philadelphia, Pa. -- Washington Nationals rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg left his start against the Phillies in the fifth inning with an apparent injury.

Strasburg grabbed his right wrist and shook it after a pitch to Dominic Brown on Saturday night. Manager Jim Riggleman immediately left the dugout to check on his ace.

After a brief conversation, Strasburg left. In 4 1/3 innings, he gave up two hits, one run and struck out six.

He was making his third start since returning from a stint on the DL with inflammation in the back of his right shoulder.

Craig Stammen relieved Strasburg with the Nationals leading the Phillies 5-1.

Browns head coach Eric Mangini and quarterback Jake Delhomme talk about what went wrong, what went right and what needs to be worked on following the team's 19-17 preseason loss to the St. Louis Rams Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Tidbits from around the league.

AP fileFormer Cleveland Indians' Kelly Shoppach hits a home run off Chicago White Sox in 2009.

Speed kills

On Aug. 14, former Indian Kelly Shoppach hit two home runs for the Rays. They were just his second and third homers of the season, but as he did in Cleveland, Shoppach sprinted around the bases each time.

Manager Joe Maddon liked what he saw. He told reporters after the game, "Very impressive. He's much faster there as opposed to going from first to third on a base hit."

Three is not the charm

The season is probably over for Boston center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who is suffering from fractured ribs for the third time this season. Here's a look at Ellsbury's rib trifecta:

April 11: Collided with teammate Adrian Beltre chasing a foul ball in Kansas City. Beltre accidentally kneed him in the ribs and Ellsbury went on the disabled list.

May 22: Ellsbury returned from the disabled list. He played three games, but on May 25 he was examined and another fracture of the ribs was found.

Aug. 13: After rejoining the lineup on Aug. 4, Ellsbury collided with Texas pitcher Tommy Hunter at first base on Aug. 13. He refractured one of the previously broken ribs and was placed on the disabled list the next day.

Ellsbury, Boston's leadoff hitter, has played just 18 games this year.

Role reversal

When last we left Brandon Phillips and the Reds, Phillips was running his mouth and Reds were getting knocked out of first place in the NL Central courtesy of a three-game sweep by the Cardinals. Things have changed.

After watching the Cardinals take over first, the Reds have won seven straight, while the Cardinals have lost five of six. The hot streak gave Cincinnati a four-game lead in the division.

The Indians spent $9,381,500 to sign 27 of the 50 players they selected in the June draft this year. If it's not the most they've ever spent on a draft, it's close.

Isaac Brekken, Associated PressJust 17, Bryce Harper left high school two years early in order to attend junior college in Nevada and become eligible for Monday's amateur draft. A catcher in high school, Harper is projected as a slugging outfielder who will likely be drafted No. 1 by the Washington Nationals.

The Indians spent $9,381,500 to sign 27 of the 50 players they selected in the June draft this year. If it's not the most they've ever spent on a draft, it's close.

They are not the only foundering small- to midmarket team to spend big money on amateur players. The Pirates ranked second in draft spending this year with $11.9 million, according to Baseball America, followed by Toronto at $11.6 million.

The Washington Nationals, with the first pick in the last two drafts, finished first at $11,927,200. It included No. 1 pick Bryce Harper's $6.25 million signing bonus as part of his $9.9 million big-league contract.

While the Nationals are in a class by themselves because of the price tags on Harper and Stephen Strasburg, last year's first pick, just what are the Indians doing? The $9,381,500 they spent ranked fifth in the big leagues. Boston was fourth at $10.7 million.

For starters, they ignored MLB's suggested slotting system. No. 1 pick Drew Pomeranz signed for $2.65 million, No. 2 pick Levon Washington $1.2 million, No. 3 pick Tony Wolters $1.35 million, No. 4 pick Kyle Blair $580,000, No. 5 pick Cole Cook $299,000, No. 6 pick Nick Bartolone $125,00, No. 7 pick Robbie Aviles $150,000, No. 8 pick Alex Lavisky $1 million, No. 9 pick Jordan Cooper $125,000, No. 10 pick Tyler Holt $500,000 and No. 15 pick Michael Goodnight, $315,000. All of those signings were above the recommended slotting system.

"There's not a slotting system in place," said John Mirabelli, Indians director of scouting. "It's a de facto system. In baseball, more than any of the other sports, there are several ways you can be eligible for the draft.

"You have a high school senior and a college junior. There are some sophomore eligible college players; first and second year junior college players are eligible. The first player [Harper] taken this year was in essence a high school junior. . . . There's not a natural order to how you put the draft together."

Washington, the Indians No. 2 pick, was Tampa Bay's No. 1 pick last year out of high school. He didn't sign and went to Chipola Junior College in Florida. If the Indians hadn't signed him, he would have been eligible for the 2011 draft.

"We try to value players based on talent and ability, No. 1," said Mirabelli. "Then we have to respect all the different options these guys have."

All this could change in December 2011 when the contract between players and owners expires. Commissioner Bud Selig will push for a slotting system to control costs. It should make for an even more aggressive draft market next year.

"Teams that quite frankly have figured out some of the inefficiencies of this market have been hyper-aggressive in the draft," said Mirabelli. "It's not hard to figure out who those teams are. They've done well."

The Indians weren't just aggressive in this draft because they liked the available talent. They see it as a way of putting their money to better use than chasing big-league free agents this winter or in the worldwide market.

"Like I said, there is no slotting system in place," said Mirabelli. "There's a talent and acquisition system in place. Your job as an organization is to get the best talent. That's what teams are doing."

When the Indians gave Holt, an outfielder from Florida State, $500,000 as their 10th-round pick, some teams may have wondered why.

"I don't know how teams valued what we gave Tyler Holt, but for us that's a good investment," said Mirabelli. "Where are the other places that we can invest money? The high-end international market is out of control. The major-league upper-tier free agents are out of control. So each team has to pick their area of value."

So Pryor was OK on Saturday in the Buckeyes' preseason scrimmage, but he did enough to help the Ohio State offense defeat the defense, 53-48, in Jim Tressel's scrimmage scoring system, pulling out a victory and the right to wear the coveted scarlet jersey during practice this season.

View full sizeAP fileOhio State's Terrelle Pryor

"I wouldn't say it's the full picture," OSU offensive tackle Andrew Miller said. "I think you see more athleticism when he's not wearing black."

So Pryor was OK on Saturday in the Buckeyes' preseason scrimmage, but he did enough to help the Ohio State offense defeat the defense, 53-48, in Jim Tressel's scrimmage scoring system, pulling out a victory and the right to wear the coveted scarlet jersey during practice this season. In about 140 plays -- spread equally among the first, second and third teams -- the offense scored just one touchdown, a 25-yard pass from Pryor to No. 3 receiver Taurian Washington. But the offense also turned the ball over just once, after tailback Brandon Saine bobbled a pitch and linebacker Andrew Sweat recovered the fumble. None of the quarterbacks threw an interception.

Tressel, calling it only a "nuisance" now, said Pryor doesn't mind the no-contact rules as much as he used to. Tressel was more concerned about Pryor overall through 20 of the scheduled 29 practices during camp.

"He knows when the day comes he gets to wear the normal jersey, it might be a little like freedom," Tressel said. "But . . . I think he's had a great preseason."

Here are 10 thoughts on what happened in the scrimmage in Ohio Stadium, always viewed as the most important day of the preseason.

1. Pryor's good and bad: Unofficially, Pryor was 10-for-22 for 146 yards and one touchdown, with two passes dropped and another three thrown out of bounds to avoid pressure. He nearly had a throw intercepted in the end zone on a bad decision as he rolled right, but also hit tight end Jake Stoneburner down the seam for a 25-yard gain and made a nice throw on the touchdown.

2. Injuries: Five defensive starters missed all or most of the scrimmage: defensive end Nathan Williams, cornerbacks Devon Torrence and Chimdi Chekwa, safety Orhian Johnson and linebacker Ross Homan. Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward also went to the sidelines about halfway through, and starting receiver Dane Sanzenbacher sat out as well. Tressel said all of the injuries other than Williams' were minor and those players would be ready now for a real game. And Tressel said Williams, who hurt his left knee last Saturday, could be ready for the opener against Marshall on Sept. 2.

3. The lone touchdown: Washington dropped a pass earlier in the day, but caught this bullet over the middle from Pryor. Since he can't run, Pryor stepped up nicely in the pocket on this throw after the play began by looking like the option. Miller said Pryor has been better at that all camp.

"He's done a really good job at becoming a quarterback and stepping up in the pocket," Miller said. "Our job as an offensive line is easier because there's more traditional pass protection."

View full sizeAP fileOhio State's No. 1 receiver DeVier Posey had five catches for 65 yards in Saturday's scrimmage.

4. Less traditional: Pryor still won't be a typical quarterback. On a third-down shotgun snap over his head, Pryor tracked the ball down and wound up running 30 yards for the 12-yard gain and a first down. Something like that should still happen at least once a game.

5. Sweat vs. Sabino: Earlier in camp, Andrew Sweat doubted he would red-shirt, and Tressel explained Saturday that the junior linebacker is just too good for that, because the 2010 Buckeyes need him. He could start. Sweat worked more with the first team at strongside linebacker than Etienne Sabino, the favorite to start entering camp. Homan said that fight has been on for three weeks. Sweat looks like the winner.

6. Bellamy shines: Finding depth on the defensive line has been a topic all camp. A standout Saturday was red-shirt freshman Adam Bellamy from Aurora High, who was in on three sacks, while fellow second-teamers Garrett Goebel, a red-shirt sophomore, and true freshman Johnathan Hankins also played well. Bellamy also worked with the first team after Heyward went out and had great penetration on Saine's fumble.

7. Left tackle battle: No news here. Mike Adams and Miller continue to share the spot, and while Adams played more with the first team Saturday, that was due in part to Miller dealing with an elbow injury.

8. That's Philly Brown: Ohio State has two Corey Browns, a red-shirt freshman defensive back from the Pittsburgh area and a true freshman receiver from Philadelphia. Both played a lot Saturday, but it's Philly Brown that continues to turn heads with his raw speed and quick ability to pick up the offense. Tressel said he and Jordan Hall should be part of the punt return game as much as veterans DeVier Posey and Sanzenbacher, and the Buckeyes seem to like to use Brown on receiver sweeps.

9. Jordan Hall: The prospect of Brown and Hall back on punts should entice fans, while Hall continues to look good almost every time he touches the ball, with his moves and vision out of the backfield. Saine and Dan Herron still work with the first team, but on the second team, Hall carried 10 times for 40 yards, and Jaamal Berry had a few nice moments running the ball as well.

10. Posey pluck: No. 1 receiver Posey had five catches for 65 yards, his best a leaping sideline grab when he snagged the ball right over the head of cornerback Travis Howard. Posey is still Pryor's favorite target, and that play helped show why.

On Aug. 15, Justin Masterson threw more balls (51) than strikes (49), while walking six and throwing six scoreless innings against Seattle. That's almost impossible to do.

Chuck Crow, The PDCleveland Indians' Justin Masterson

Miracle of miracles: On Aug. 15, Justin Masterson threw more balls (51) than strikes (49), while walking six and throwing six scoreless innings against Seattle. That's almost impossible to do.

Shot heard round the world: Bobby Thomson, whose homer won the 1951 National League pennant for the New York Giants, was signed for $100.

Old school: Brewers closer John Axford, who replaced Trevor Hoffman, has pitched more than one inning in six of his 18 saves.

-- Paul Hoynes

Check out how The Plain Dealer's Ohio State beat writer voted on college rankings.

Associated Press fileIn this January file photo, Alabama running back Mark Ingram, center, holds the championship trophy with his teammates after winning the BCS Championship NCAA college football game against Texas in Pasadena, Calif.

This one looks pretty normal. My preseason Associated Press ballot mirrors the overall poll, with Alabama at No. 1, Ohio State at No. 2, Boise State at No. 3 and the rest of the Top 10 pretty similar. I imagine that will soon change.

I'll be voting this season with the same method used last season, which caused some people to consider me an idiot, others to view me as a fool and a handful of fans and analysts to like my way of thinking.

Once the first game is played, with Ohio State hosting Marshall on Thursday, Sept. 2, I'll barely consider this preseason ballot again. Votes will be based virtually entirely on on-field performance, not reputation or preseason ranking.

For example, I think there's a strong chance the Boise State-Virginia Tech winner on Sept. 6 will be my next No. 1 team.

Last year, my top three teams after week one were Alabama, BYU and Oklahoma State, with preseason No. 1 Florida dropping to No. 4 after a 59-point win over Charleston Southern. My goal is to consistently evaluate every team in the country, regardless of the name on the front of the jersey. I won't always get it right. But I'll always know what I'm looking for, whether it's from Tulsa or Texas.

Here is how Doug Lesmerises voted:

1. Alabama; 2. Ohio State; 3. Boise State; 4. Oklahoma; 5. Florida; 6. TCU; 7. Nebraska; 8. Wisconsin; 9. Texas; 10. Iowa; 11. Virginia Tech; 12. Oregon; 13. Arkansas; 14. Miami; 15. Stanford; 16. USC; 17. Georgia; 18. Florida State; 19. North Carolina; 20. West Virginia; 21. Penn State; 22. LSU; 23. Clemson; 24. Pittsburgh; 25. Utah.

If you've found something else to do this summer besides cutting out Indians boxscores and taping them in a scrapbook, manager Manny Acta set the record straight after a 5-2 loss to the Tigers on Saturday night at Comerica Park that bore a striking resemblance to Friday's 6-0 loss.

DETROIT -- If you haven't figured it out by now, shame on you. Then again, it's hard to blame anyone for ignoring the Indians.

If you've found something else to do this summer besides cutting out Indians boxscores and taping them in a scrapbook, manager Manny Acta set the record straight after a 5-2 loss to the Tigers on Saturday night at Comerica Park that bore a striking resemblance to Friday's 6-0 loss.

Resemblance because in Friday's loss, the Indians had three hits. Saturday night, they had four. Friday night, they lost in 2 hours 30 minutes. Saturday night's defeat was administered in 2 hours 29 minutes.

It wasn't the Gettysburg Address, but Acta's state of the Indians address should be chiseled into one of the walls at Progressive Field. If this franchise ever does get things right again, it can be given a place of honor like the Magna Carta or the original screenplay of "Caddyshack."

"This is our team," said Acta, when asked about the lack of offense. "I'm not expecting Jason Donald, I'm not expecting Shelley Duncan, I'm not expecting Jayson Nix and I'm not expecting Trevor Crowe to, overnight, turn into Robinson Cano, Evan Longoria, Matt Holliday or Grady Sizemore.

"This is our team. No whining, work hard, good attitude, wear it and take it like a man. This is our club."

Does that mean there has been whining?

"No, it means I'm not going to whine," said Acta. "This is my team. I know what we have here. We just have to continue to work with these guys. At the end of the season we'll know what we had here. Plain and simple."

The Indians, plain and simple, didn't hit again Saturday. Max Scherzer (9-9, 3.73 ERA) allowed two runs, one earned, in seven innings. Scherzer, Phil Coke and Jose Valverde combined on a four-hitter. Valverde earned his 24th save as the Indians never advanced a runner past second base after the third.

The Tribe had one chance to call the game its own. They loaded the bases in the third when Chris Gimenez walked, Crowe singled and Asdrubal Cabrera reached on a bunt hit.

"That was it," said Acta. "We had the bases loaded, no outs with our third, fourth and fifth hitters coming up. We could only score one run. That was our best chance to turn the score."

Scherzer struck out Shin-Soo Choo, gave up an RBI single to Travis Hafner and induced Nix to hit into a 6-4-3 double play.

"You would definitely like to get more out of that inning," said Hafner.

Josh Tomlin, after nine days off to protect his right arm and limit his innings, allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings. Tomlin (1-3, 3.86) wasn't that bad, but he wasn't that good.

He said he kept throwing his cut fastball because it's his best pitch. The trouble was it wasn't acting like it Saturday night.

"They had six extra-base hits off Josh," said Acta. "He got a little cutter happy, but he's best when he mixes all his pitches."

Tomlin, who said the extra rest didn't bother him, agreed.

"I was throwing the cutter too much," he said. "Plus it wasn't very good. It was up over the plate and not moving much. It's an easy pitch to hit then."

The Tigers put the game away with two runs in the fifth for a 5-2 lead on Don Kelly's leadoff homer and Brennan Boesch's double.

The Indians and Tigers combined for three errors in the first. The Tigers emerged from the rubble with a 2-1 lead.

The Tribe took a 1-0 lead off Scherzer when Choo reached on a two-out error by Will Rhymes at second base, stole second and scored when Boesch botched Hafner's sinking liner to right for the second error.

Jackson opened the first with a double. He went to third on a sac-bunt and scored on Ryan Raburn's double past third. After Tomlin intentionally walked Miguel Cabrera, Boesch sent what looked like a double play ball to short, but Asdrubal Cabrera got his feet tangled and had to settle for the force at second.

Tomlin wild pitched Raburn home to make it 2-1. Boesch went to second when catcher Chris Gimenez made an errant flip to Tomlin at the plate.

After Hafner's bases-loaded single made it 2-2, the Tigers recaptured the lead on Brandon Inge's sacrifice fly in the fourth.

Tony Grossi answers all your questions about the Browns and more.

Thomas Ondrey, The Plain DealerCenter Alex Mack (55).

Hey, Tony: I'm a lifelong Browns fan born and raised in Canton stuck in Cowboys country. I am curious as to why the Browns are going into the season without a legitimate No. 2 center. Interestingly, here in Cowboys country, the same question is being asked about the Cowboys (I'm a certified Cowboy hater). Is this a trend? -- Mike Maloney, San Antonio

Hey, Mike: The Browns are trying to groom somebody to be able to relieve Alex Mack in a game situation, if needed. Billy Yates, Shawn Lauvao and Pat Murray have been tried there. Also, Eric Steinbach did it for Cincinnati one year. Remarkably, Mack played every snap as a rookie. If he went down during a game for a series, or two, or more, they could compensate. But if he was lost for more than one game, they would be in trouble. The backup center could arrive after final cuts.

Hey, Tony: Was that a look of satisfaction I saw on your face after the first preseason contest? How long will it take a rookie like Montario Hardesty to adjust to NFL play if he doesn't see much time in the next couple of games? -- Bruce Hoover, Delaware, Ohio

Hey, Bruce: A look of satisfaction? You must have heard about the pre-game meal in the Lambeau Field press box. Listen, I'd much rather have something positive to write about than the slop we've seen the past 11 seasons. I think Hardesty should be fine if he can get in two preseason games.

Hey, Tony: Do you think that the Browns need to pass the ball down the field to keep defenses from crowding the line of scrimmage to take away the run and the short passes? If so, do you think that [Mohamed] Massaquoi and [Brian] Robiskie are adequate downfield threats or are the Browns going to need someone else step up in this role, perhaps Carlton Mitchell? -- Paul Thiel, Crescent Springs, Ky.

Hey, Paul: Until the Green Bay game, the Browns seemed hesitant to throw down the field. Massaquoi and Robiskie looked fine when thrown to.

Hey, Tony: Have you seen enough of Colt McCoy yet to give us an assessment of his potential? Does he have an NFL arm? Is he a leader? -- Jonathan Kirk, St. Louis

Hey, Jonathan: I think McCoy has a lot of the qualities needed to be a winning quarterback. NFL arm? That's something I'm not sure of at this point.

Hey, Tony: I've not heard the extent of his foot injury, so this may be the answer to my question, which is, were you surprised by the release of Johnathan Haggerty? And, is it a good sign that his replacement, Taurus Johnson, has been on three practice squads last year? Is the glass half full with three teams thinking enough of him to sign to the squad? Or the glass half empty with three teams letting him get away? -- Greg Dineen, Middletown, Ohio

Hey, Greg: Haggerty was a rookie minicamp star. I never put much stock in that time of year. As for Johnson, it's never a good sign when multiple teams let a player go.

Hey, Tony: While it's still early, the offense seems to be struggling again. How long do you think [team President] Mike Holmgren will stick with [offensive coordinator] Brian Daboll when he has his own guy on [the] payroll? -- Ralph Reis, Fort Mitchell, Ky.

Hey, Ralph: Your question arrived after the Browns' good showing in Green Bay. I think Daboll bought a few months with that performance, but the heat will remain on all year, I suspect.

Hey, Tony: Help me out here. I see the "Training Camp Daily" on STO, and I see some of the coaches with a T-shirt that has What's up Bud on the back. What's up with that? -- Rod Sauer, Athens, Ohio

Hey, Rod: "What's up, Bud?" is the catchphrase of strength coach Kent Johnston. Assistant strength coach Rick Lyle had the shirts made up to honor him.

Plain Dealer fileMarion Motley

Hey, Tony: Here's a break from training camp questions for you. Is it true Browns Hall of Fame RB Marion Motley broke the "color barrier" of professional sports before Jackie Robinson did in baseball? If so, why do you suppose Motley's accomplishment seems to be forgotten (at least outside of Cleveland and its fan base), while Robinson's seems to be celebrated on a national scale each year? Motley is more than deserving of the same recognition but appears to be lost in the conversation. Why? -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.

Hey, Tim: Actually, Bill Willis was Paul Brown's first choice to break the pro football color barrier in 1946 when he started up the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference. The story, reported in my book, "Tales From the Browns Sideline," is that Brown brought along Motley almost as an afterthought to serve as Willis' roommate. Motley, of course, became a Pro Football Hall of Fame fullback, and some think he would have been equally good at linebacker. Robinson's story probably has been more magnified, in my opinion, because baseball, at the time, was infinitely more popular than pro football. Robinson's place in history is just, but Willis and Motley deserve more notoriety for their role in breaking the color barrier, too.

Hey, Tony: I heard you on WKNR, and when asked about how bad Jake Delhomme looks, you deflected the question and blamed it on the system and not throwing to the outside. Are you that jaded against [coach Eric] Mangini that you can't admit that Mike Holmgren made a horrible move bringing in Delhomme and he looks bad so far? Also, the heart of West Coast [offense] is short throws underneath to backs, and TEs, not long out passes, Jerry Rice was the King of YAC [yards after catch]. Gil Haskell is not here by accident; he is working in Holmgren's stuff regardless of what Holmgren says. -- Michael Spitale, Galena, Ohio

Hey, Michael: I think you have to be careful about over-reacting to performance at practice. Delhomme looked very good in the first preseason game. Holmgren has made it clear that his offensive system is not being used by the current coaches.

Hey, Tony: With Dave Zastudil ailing, I can't say I've been enamored with the job Reggie Hodges has done filling in. Do you think the Browns would be interested in looking at former Buckeye punter A.J. Trapasso? I believe he is currently a free agent, he is a former Ray Guy Award finalist, he should be used to the "big stage" (having played at Ohio State). He looked pretty good with the Titans; with a suspect offense, the Browns will need to institute a [Jim] Tressel-like "field position game" if we're to have any success. Is there anyone else they could turn to? -- Benny Todd, Strongsville

Hey, Benny: I don't believe Eric Mangini or [GM] Tom Heckert are dissatisfied with Hodges.

Hey, Tony: You think the DBs will be much improved more than last year? -- Johnny D'ambrosia, Garfield Heights

Hey, Johnny: I think the two most improved positions on the team are quarterback and defensive secondary. The tackling in the secondary should be a thousand percent better.

Hey, Tony: I thought Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield would have at least been in the discussion for best Cleveland Sport Duo. From what you've seen, what are the chances that Haden and Ward will anchor this secondary for the next 5-7 years? -- Chad Thomas, Charleston, S.C.

Hey, Chad: I think they are two fine prospects. I won't commit to anything beyond that.

Hey, Tony: Why did Tom Heckert leave a solid organization like the Eagles for a similar position with the Browns, and why were the Eagles so willing to let him leave? -- Tom Barker, Wadsworth

Hey, Tom: The power broker with the Eagles is coach Andy Reid. Heckert was never going to have final authority in Philadelphia. Reid believes Heckert deserved the chance to have final authority with another team. Heckert grew up with the Browns while his father served as a team scout. When Mike Holmgren called him, he found the opportunity irresistible. He has more authority with the Browns than he did with the Eagles.

Hey, Tony: I have the NFL audio package on my computer. Who is the new Browns play-by-play radio announcer with Doug Dieken? -- Michael Morrison, Sugarloaf, Pa.

Hey, Michael: While regular play-by-play announcer Jim Donovan does the preseason games on TV, Mike Snyder fills in on the radio broadcasts.

Hey, Tony: I don't get you. You refuse to answer questions about uniforms but you start an article about the team not wearing brown pants. There is an update on The PD as to what pants the team is wearing before the game. I get the whole uniforms don't determine the outcome of the game. But, it is very important to fans as to what colors the team wear. Cleveland would not support a purple and green team. I want to know a real reason why you refuse to talk about this (other than it doesn't change the outcome of the game). If you just gave your opinion as to what you prefer, people might let it go. -- Brian W, Erie, Pa.

Hey, Brian: When I answer one question about uniforms, dozens come in asking about the width of a stripe on the socks or the tint of the facemasks or the length of the sleeves. It gets ridiculous. At the same time, I know the brown pants are a hot-button issue, and I couldn't resist basing my game story around the welcome return to the white-on-whites.

Hey, Tony: I have seen what I need to and believe just like I told you when they went 10-6 and missed the playoffs. They will do it again in the same fashion with the element of surprise, but with one exception. They are going to do it with both offense and defense. Also, the media will be reversing their roles after Week 5. Our front seven will be a group to reckon with. Can you see it? -- James Williams, Cleveland

Hey, James: I think it will be an entertaining season with much more excitement than last year. The team is still deficient, however, in some key areas to have realistic expectations of playoffs. The best they can hope for this year, in my opinion, is to close the gap on their rivals and then overtake them in 2011.

Hey, Tony: More of an observation than a question. I think by the quarterback play [last] Saturday, we can rule out our problems were the result of a poor O-line, inexperienced receivers and poor play-calling. Quinn's line 6-for-16, 68 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, passer rating of 25; Anderson's line 13-for-22, 88 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, passer rating of 45.3. Sound familiar? At least with Delhomme and [Seneca] Wallace, there is hope. -- Dave Atkinson, Niagara Falls

Hey, Dave: I never bought the excuse of poor line play last season. I've seen quarterbacks do better with worse protection.

Hey, Tony: The Cleveland Browns have a very unusual schedule this year with them playing every one of their games on Sundays at 1 p.m. Eastern. There are no 4 p.m. games and no games on days other than Sundays. Is this uniformity of schedule a first for the Browns? -- Larry Bresler, Cleveland

Hey, Larry: I don't know how far back you go, but it wasn't long ago when all games were played at 1 p.m. One difference this year is the Browns have no games in the western time zone. It is kind of odd but a welcome change from 2008, when they were prematurely put on prime-time five times.

Hey, Tony: When did it become the fad for players (primarily WR and DB) to wear pants that are well above their knees with no pads? Is there that much of an advantage to risk a serious injury? -- Brian, Hudson, Ind.

Hey, Brian: Uniform moratorium in effect.

View full sizeAP Cleveland Browns' Jake Delhomme passes against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Aug. 14.

Hey, Tony: I'm concerned that the Browns gave Jake just one series in the Packer game. It concerns me because 1) He needs more time on the field in real game action to get in sync with the rest of the offense, and 2) I think it shows that the coaches are more concerned about his confidence than they let on. He went out with one drive, and it was successful. Do you think they might have been afraid to let him fail with a second opportunity? -- Seren Hrachian, Athens, N.Y.

Hey, Seren: I don't think they were afraid of letting him fail. Mangini's point was that he got 11 snaps -- close to what was planned. The coach also wanted to see Seneca Wallace play with the first-team offensive line. The second unit was a little shorthanded because of injuries. The plan was for Delhomme to play through the first half Saturday night against St. Louis.

Hey, Tony: Any chance the Browns are just holding Shaun Rogers out of Training Camp because they know what he brings to the table already and there is no reason to get him injured? -- Justin Z, Mariemont, Ohio

Hey, Justin: Yes, there's a very good chance that's what is happening.

Hey, Tony: Not a question . . . just a correction. In your recent article on Colt McCoy, you said that he and Sam Bradford split their two meetings. Actually, they met three times and Colt won the last two. -- Rick Smothermon, Houston, Texas

Hey, Rick: Thanks. Your question prompted me to re-check and avoid a similar error in a subsequent story. I didn't realize initially that Bradford suffered his second shoulder injury in the Texas game last year. Good catch, Longhorn.

Hey, Tony: Why do you keep voting against Art Modell being elected into the Football Hall of Fame? This generous man left you with your team's name. We in Baltimore lost that. If the city of Cleveland had built a new stadium as he requested, he would still be there. You and the politicians really screwed up. This man and Pat are the most charitable people that I have met. My daughter Jackie works for Art and Pat, and she loves them both. Get a life and vote this gentleman in the Hall of Fame. -- Skip Bevans, Nottingham, Md.

Hey, Skip: Here's the perfect solution: Induct Modell into the Baltimore sports hall of fame and honor him for his generosity to his new city.

Hey, Tony: Why are people jumping on the Browns' bandwagon after one preseason game? I love the Browns, but come on. All of a sudden, haters are loving us. Sheesh. -- Kevin Sandy, Navarre, Ohio

Hey, Kevin: I know you're being facetious, but I think you make a good point. Cleveland teams always perform better when expectations are low. Don't raise them too high.

-- Tony

Ramirez was Julio Franco with power. He had it all: natural weight shift, power to all fields, intimidation proof, perfect demeanor from at-bat to at-bat.

John Kuntz, Plain Dealer fileCleveland Indians' Manny Ramirez tries to keep pitcher Roy Padilla from getting up during the tribe's workout at their spring training facility in Winter Haven, Fla., in 2001.

I don't care about Roger Clemens being indicted for lying to Congress. Don't care about Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire and most of the other players who have admitted to using, or having been tainted by, steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

But I do care about Manny Ramirez. When Ramirez played for the Indians, he was fun to cover. He didn't say a lot, but he did strange and goofy things almost every day on and off the field. And there was the hitting.

For years I thought Julio Franco was the best pure hitter I ever saw in an Indians uniform. Ramirez was Franco with power. He had it all: natural weight shift, power to all fields, intimidation proof, perfect demeanor from at-bat to at-bat.

I thought about Ramirez last week after Kenny Lofton was inducted into the Indians Hall of Fame. An e-mail suggested that Ramirez should be among the players inducted when he retires. It made me mad.

Not the e-mail, but the fact that Ramirez was suspended for 50 games in 2009 when he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug with the Dodgers. When I talked to Mike Hargrove, his former manager, Hargrove said he felt like he'd been punched in the stomach when he heard the news. To this day, I feel like shaking Ramirez by the dreadlocks and screaming, "Why?"

He was caught at the end of a Hall of Fame career. Caught when his legacy had been ensured. Ramirez had my vote for Cooperstown in his back pocket. Same with the Indians Hall of Fame. Now he has neither.

Manager Manny Acta said Masterson will remain a starter until he pitches his required innings this year.

Lisa DeJong, The Plain DealerJustin Masterson: What'll be his next move?

Your Indians questions answered

Got an Indians question? Send it in. Submit your question and Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes will choose at least one to answer each Sunday here in the Sports section. All of Paul's answers are archived online.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: When are the Indians going to swallow their pride and move Justin Masterson to the pen? I know they gave up Victor Martinez for him, but this is getting out of hand. The guy has the potential to be lights out in the eighth inning setting up Chris Perez and pushing Joe Smith/Tony Sipp/Rafael Perez back to middle relief. That cements one area of the team. -- David Gumola, Cleveland

A: Hey, David: Manager Manny Acta said Masterson will remain a starter until he pitches his required innings this year. I would imagine the cutoff point is 170 to 180 innings. If he needs more innings this season, Acta said he'll get them out of the pen.

As for him being in the rotation next year, that won't be decided until the off-season.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: In an article last week you were asked if the Tribe would sign a DH if they chose to cut ties with Travis Hafner. I ask, do you really sign a DH when you're a rebuilding club? Wouldn't the wise move be to play one of your own at DH or rotate guys in and out of that role since you have so many players with undefined positions on this team going into 2011? -- Joe Cepec, Dublin, Ohio

A: Hey, Joe: Good point. I also think the Indians' next DH will be able to do more than hit. He's going to have to be able to play at least one defensive position. It gives the manager so many more options when it comes to his lineup and roster.

Acta has made that point more than once this year, so it shows you how he's thinking.

View full sizePD fileHector Rondon

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: The Indians have touted Hector Rondon as a potential top-of-the-rotation starter. I know he started the year at Columbus, but I haven't heard any mention of him recently. What is his status? -- John Eckhardt, Pittsford, N.Y.

A: Hey, John: Rondon has missed most of the year with an injured right elbow.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Who plays left field for the Indians in 2011? It's hard to imagine Grady Sizemore being moved from center, but is that a possibility? -- Mark Cesarik, Chicago

A: Hey, Mark: I imagine Michael Brantley will be the left fielder if Sizemore is recovered from microfracture surgery on his left knee.

There is a school of thought that the Indians could move Sizemore to left to ease the amount of ground he has to cover and to preserve his health, but I imagine that if Sizemore is 100 percent next year, he'll be the center fielder.

Not only is he a Gold Glove defender, but he's earned the right to play there. I doubt that moving him to left field would change the way he plays. He's still going to be diving and banging into walls.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Jeanmar Gomez looks like he can get the job done as a starter. What do you think about him? -- Johnny D'ambrosia, Garfield Heights

A: Hey, Johnny: Gomez has done a great job for the Indians. He's basically done it with one pitch, a sinking fastball.

To elbow his way into the rotation next year, he's going to have to show that his changeup and slider are big-league pitches as well.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Andre Dawson, Bruce Sutter, Goose Gossage and Jim Rice are all guys that have spent a long time on the writer's ballot before getting elected. You said Bert Blyleven will probably get into the Hall of Fame this year. Side by side, Jim Kaat and Blyleven had very similar numbers. Why is it some guys sit on the edge for so long and then make it right before their eligibility runs out and some guys don't make it?

Also, other than the one (spitting) incident, is there any reason Robbie Alomar doesn't make it this year? -- Joe Winnfield, Columbus

A: Hey, Joe: It's easy to say Kirby Puckett, Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn are Hall of Famers. Other players are an acquired taste. Momentum builds slowly around some guys as it has with Blyleven. I don't condone it, and it certainly isn't fair, but that's the way it is.

A player needs to get 5 percent of the vote annually to stay on the ballot. Fifteen years is the maximum a player can be on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot. That gives the writers a lot of time to study a player's case.

As for Alomar, he should have made last year. I definitely think he makes it this year.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: In your draft pick articles you seem to always make a point about how much the Tribe is spending. Is their annual signing expenditure considerably higher than other teams? Are you politely suggesting they spend the money on proven players because their draft record is so poor? -- Dustin Potter, Ithaca, N.Y.

A: Hey, Dustin: I think you're reading between the lines too much. The Indians are constantly criticized for not spending money. I've been critical of them for the same reason.

When they do spend money, I think it's only fair to point that out. Every draft story you read, no matter what the team, mentions signing bonuses and if they're at, below or above the alleged slotting system.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: What about voting in Indians all-time saves leader Bob Wickman to our Hall of Fame in the years to come? They could induct him on May 3, the anniversary of the day he invented the intentional balk in 2005. I bet he'd show up and have a lot of fun with it. -- Joseph Ladd, Cleveland

A: Hey, Joseph: I'd love to see Wicky in the Hall of Fame. He deserves it. His intentional balk at the Metrodome is one of my favorite Indians moments.

View full sizeAP Jason Knapp.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: At some point in the next month can you give us a beyond-the-stats perspective on Jason Knapp in the Arizona Rookie League? I see he has thrown around 10 innings. ERA looks good as does strikeouts to innings pitched. How is the shoulder and what is the next step in his hopeful progression. -- Steve Kelley, Asbury, N.J.

A: Hey, Steve: The Indians promoted Knapp to Class A Lake County where he started Friday. Ross Atkins is pleased with his progress. He said he was throwing between 96 mph and 98 mph in Arizona. He's scheduled to make four to six starts at Lake County and then pitch in the Arizona Instructional League.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Who are the Indians getting for Austin Kearns and Kerry Wood from the Yankees? -- Jim Conklin, Wesley Chapel, Fla.

A: Hey, Jim: The Indians on Friday received Class AAA right-hander Zach McAllister from the Yankees to complete the Kearns deal. He's 6-5, 230-pounder who will report to Class AAA Columbus.

The Tribe also will receive a player for Wood, but he's not expected to be a prospect. The Indians were looking for salary relief in the Wood deal. The Yankees agreed to pay $1.5 million of what remained of his contract. It could go up to $2 million depending on how healthy Wood stays.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Concerning the amateur draft signings, are the Indians being forced to overpay because the players' agents are not happy that the Tribe drafted them? -- Jason Vorhees, Columbus

A: Hey, Jason: If a player or his agent isn't happy about being drafted by the Indians, all they have to do is not sign.

When teams draft players, especially high round players, they just don't pick their name out of a hat. They've already spent a lot of time getting to know the player and his family so they have a good idea if a player is going to sign with them.

I think the Indians are trying to be more aggressive in the draft because they feel they get more bang for their buck than on the free-agent market.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Any updates on Grady Sizemore's condition? Are there any other active players who have had similar operations done? -- Jack Rockie, Durham, N.C.

A: Hey, Jack: Sizemore had microfracture surgery on his left knee on June 4. The success rate of this kind of surgery is 75 percent to 80 percent. He recently put aside his crutches and two weeks ago passed a three-day examination by Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo.

Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, said Sizemore will continue his rehab at the Indians training facility in Goodyear, Ariz. Recovery time is six to nine months.

Steadman, who pioneered microfracture surgery in the late 1980s, performed the same surgery on Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran in January. Beltran missed the first 3½ months of this season. He returned in July and through Friday had played 33 games, hitting .225 (25-for-111).

Florida utility man Alfredo Amezaga had microfracture surgery on his left knee in July 2009. The Marlins, concerned about his knee, non-tendered him in December. The Dodgers signed him, but he's played only one game in the minors this year.

Chad Tracy, another utility player, had the surgery in 2007 and is still playing.

Several NBA players have had the surgery with various degrees of success.

View full sizeAP fileKerry Wood: Keeping it together for the Yankees now.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Kerry Wood seems to be doing quite well with the Yankees. I know he was injured a good bit, but is there any reason why he struggled with the Tribe, but is serviceable for the Yankees, or is this just another example of Cleveland's rotten luck? Do you think it has anything to do with shaving that goatee? Perhaps it interfered with his delivery. -- Sam Rocke, Fort Wayne, Ind.

A: Hey, Sam: His stats with the Yankees look pretty much the same as they did with the Indians, but going from last place to first place can do wonders for any player.

Wood is 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA in eight games for the Yankees, but he's no longer closing. In six of his eight appearances, he's entered when the Yankees have been losing.

Wood has allowed seven hits and six walks and thrown 13 strikeouts. In essence, he's gone from a high-leverage reliever with the Tribe to a low-leverage reliever with the Yankees with a chance, of course, to win a World Series.

-- Hoynsie

Browns beat writers for The Plain Dealer Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot talk about a soggy, sloppy and turnover-filled 19-17 loss to the Rams in the second preseason game. Tony and Mary Kay talk about what went wrong (turnovers) and what went right (Josh Cribbs and Peyton Hills) in this video from the pressbox at Cleveland Browns Stadium. More...

The Browns have been holding off an announcement of the creation of the Ring of Honor until the proposed inductees in the first class, or family members, confirmed their attendance. The first class will be made up of the Browns' 16 Pro Football Hall of Famers.

Plain Dealer fileCleveland Browns legend Jim Brown.

Jim Brown, arguably the greatest Browns player of all time, does not plan to participate in the club's inaugural Ring of Honor ceremony at the home opener Sept. 19.

The Browns have been holding off an announcement of the creation of the Ring of Honor until the proposed inductees in the first class, or family members, confirmed their attendance. The first class will be made up of the Browns' 16 Pro Football Hall of Famers.

The Browns have not heard directly from Brown that he will not attend.

"He won't be able to make it," said Monique Brown, Jim's wife, speaking for him. "He tried to move a few things around [his schedule], but wasn't able to."

The profound snub speaks to the suddenly frosty relations between the franchise and its greatest player. Brown had been very visible since the franchise returned in 1999 and was named an executive adviser to owner Randy Lerner a few years ago with a six-figure salary.

Brown had the title removed by Mike Holmgren shortly after Holmgren joined the Browns as team president in January. Holmgren offered a reduced role for Brown, and a pay cut, but Brown declined.

At the time, Brown said he would make himself available to the Browns if he were called. He participated in the team's draft in New York -- at the request of the NFL -- and also answered a call from coach Eric Mangini to speak to the club's rookies.

Brown was informed of the club's intent to create a Ring of Honor several months ago. He was non-committal about attending. But two things have stung him, said a source close to him. The Browns curtailed their financial involvement in Brown's Amer-I-Can program, and Brown has not heard from Lerner since their parting.

"I'm afraid we've seen the last of Jim Brown around here," said the source.

The Browns are expected to formally unveil plans for their Ring of Honor this week. Their show will go on.

Browns Legends: The Browns Legends program is back after a one-year hiatus.

The streamlined program has two major changes. The number of inductees each year is reduced from four to two. Also, the inductees don't have to come from separate eras in the team's history.

A third change is that fans will not have the opportunity to cast votes on the Browns' team website. In the past, the fan vote counted a small percentage of the overall vote.

One who got away: Remember Don Carey, the Browns' sixth-round pick in 2009 who was waived/injured in training camp and claimed by Jacksonville? He has recovered from shoulder surgery and is competing for the Jaguars' nickelback slot.

The Jags' starting tandem of Rashean Mathis and Derek Cox are solid. If Carey progresses to the point of No. 3 cornerback, even No. 4, the Browns' release of Carey would represent a major error. Considering the Browns' questionable depth behind their top three corners, Carey would have been a viable candidate to push Brandon McDonald for the No. 4 job here. Camp fires: Here's a quarterback name to watch: Matt Flynn. The Packers really like the backup to Aaron Rodgers but probably will have to trade him rather than lose him in free agency. He's got two years left on his rookie contract and might be ready to start in 2012 when he can be a free agent. . . . The Packers were surprised by the Browns' blitzing in their preseason meeting last week. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel calculated the Browns blitzed (five or more pass rushers) on 11 of Rodgers' 13 dropbacks. "I don't think anybody's blitzed us this much in the five years that [coach] Mike [McCarthy] has been here," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin told the newspaper. "We were talking about it on the phones. Any game. None that I remember." . . . The Chiefs are excited about the potential of second-round pick Javier Arenas as a return specialist. In his first game, the Alabama cornerback had one kick return for 42 yards and another of 99 nullified by penalty. Clip and save: "I can promise you this, not that I have ever set out as a goal to play 20 years, [but] 20 years and I'm done. This is the last year of my contract." -- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, upon unretiring for the umpteenth time.