Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao is underrated partly because his strong suit is defense and partly because of injuries.

Hey, Mary: Why is Anderson Varejao so underrated? -- Alec Smith, Copley

Hey, Alec: His strength is defense, and defense isn't always appreciated. Also, he was playing great the last three seasons but suffered season-ending injuries that ruined his chances to receive All-Star consideration or defensive player of the year votes.

Hey, Mary: What is your take on the recent story about Kyrie being unhappy in Cleveland? And do you see any similarities between his career path and LeBron's? -- Stephen Pish, North Olmsted

Hey, Stephen: Last season was a long one for all concerned, including Irving. I'm going to take him at his word that he's happy here and likes what the Cavs are doing to turn things around, which is what he told reporters during the recent USA Basketball minicamp in Las Vegas. Irving's pro career path is similar to James'. Both were rookies of the year and All-Stars in their second seasons. James got the Cavs into the playoffs in his third season. Will Irving be able to say the same thing?

Hey, Mary: Will Machine Gun Kelly be doing another intro song for the Cavs? How has Anthony Bennett been adjusting to life in Cleveland? Has he been spending a lot of time with the coaching staff and teammates? -- Giovanni Giacomo, Painesville

Hey, Giovanni: The Cavs say their new introduction has yet to be determined. As I understand it, Bennett has been enjoying Cleveland and house hunting and getting to know his way around town. He has been spending a great deal of time with the new coaching staff and teammates, both here and in Las Vegas.

Hey, Mary: What are the chances that the Cavaliers sign Matthew Dellavedova as a backup point guard? We watched him throughout his four years at Saint Mary's College and would love to follow him in the NBA. FYI, I was born in Toledo and like to root for teams from Ohio! -- Joyce Cartier, Pleasanton, Calif.

Hey, Joyce: Well, the Cavs are planning on inviting him to training camp, and they are in the market for a backup point guard. They liked his summer-league play a lot. So keep your fingers crossed.

Hey, Mary: What are the chances of trading Andy for Omar Asik and would Asik be a good addition for the Cavs? Their salaries pretty much match up don't they? -- Marty Novak, Beloit

Hey, Marty: I'm puzzled as to why you'd propose a trade if you weren't sure the acquired player would be a good addition for the Cavs. Nonetheless, I'd stick with Varejao even though he's a tad smaller and four years older because I've seen what he can do, and his defense will be key to turning things around. Their salaries don't match up -- Varejao will make $9.1 million this season, Asik $5.2 million -- though that in and of itself wouldn't preclude a trade because other players could be added in to make things work.

View full sizeFans are eager to see Andrew Bynum produce points and rebounds for the Cavaliers. But will he be ready for training camp?AP file 

Hey, Mary: Any news on the exact condition of Bynum? The team has to know more than they are saying about his knees. Do they think he will be fully ready to go by training camp? -- Jason Clough, Dennison

Hey, Jason: I have not talked to Bynum since the day of his press conference, but he has been working out with every intention of being ready for training camp. It's still almost two months away, so let's table this for a while.

Hey, Mary: If Tyler Zeller and/or Bennett become the fifth big man in the rotation with very little playing time during the regular season, do you see either going to the D-League? It seems to be a journeyman league but it would be hard to let a promising player sit in on the bench. -- Will Saunders, Pittsburgh

Hey, Will: Well, it's called the Development League for a reason. It's really not designed to be a journeyman league. In the past few seasons, the Cavs sent Kevin Jones, Samardo Samuels and Luke Harangody to the D-League because they weren't getting enough playing time here. I'm not aware of any No. 1 picks that have spent time there, but I could see Zeller going down if he's not getting enough playing time with the Cavs.

Hey, Mary: Mike Brown has mentioned that he will play Anthony Bennett exclusively at the 4 "for now" to get him used to the NBA style of play. When do you think will be the earliest we'll see him playing at the 3? -- Paul Rybak, Parma

Hey, Paul: December 9. No, seriously, I know the plan is to keep him a power forward, but if Earl Clark and/or Alonzo Gee struggle at small forward, I don't think the Cavs will have any choice but to give Bennett a try there.

Hey, Mary: I have been wondering why people think that LeBron would leave Miami. They are in The Finals every year and usually draw free agents. Although, I wish he would come back, I see no reason why he would leave Miami. He is also winning MVP awards. Why would he ruin that? -- John

Hey, John: That's a very good question, and I ask myself the same thing all the time. But Ohio is home and it has a strong pull for James and his soon-to-be-wife Savannah.

Hey, Mary: Do you think the Cavs could use their remaining money to make an offer to Greg Oden? I feel they already are taking a risk with Bynum. So why not Oden? -- Matt Randall, Grove City, OH

Hey, Matt: I couldn't disagree more. Much as I hope I'm wrong for the sake of the young man, I do not think the Oden experiment (he's joining Miami) is going to end well. Brandon Roy tried to come back this year and failed. Once the Cavs committed to Bynum, they were out of the Oden sweepstakes.

Hey, Mary: If Bynum is healthy and starts, will Andy come off bench as backup center? That would free up the logjam at the 4 so Tristan could start and Bennett be his back up. I like the idea of Andy and Bennett playing together off the bench. Tyler would be the fifth big man off the bench then and play where needed. -- Tim Rowan, Cuyahoga Falls

Hey, Tim: You've got it all figured out! But in all seriousness, I would not be surprised if this is how things shake out if Bynum is healthy.

Hey, Mary: Overall what kind of impression did Dion and Tyler make at USA minicamp? -- Chris Smith, Cleveland

Hey, Chris: I think they held their own, although Waiters did not shoot well. Both face an uphill battle making it into any future pools because of the strength of the other players at their positions. No decisions will be announced until after the first of the year, however.

Hey, Mary: If LeBron James decide to come back to Cleveland, what would that mean for Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters? Thompson would be up for a contract extension and Waiters would be the next year. Could we see a situation similar to OKC when they had to decide between James Harden and Serge Ibaka? Who would the Cavs choose? -- David Dennis, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Hey, David: There are just too many hypotheticals in your question for any sort of definitive answer, although, in theory, I will grant you that the Cavs could be faced with the problem you describe. Let's just see how Thompson and Waiters play next season before we worry about contract extensions. Also, owner Dan Gilbert is willing to spend money to win. Don't forget that.

Hey, Mary: I'm a little bit confused. Since when does having as many points as you do shot attempts earn you a starting position on a NBA team? Do you know what measures have the Cavs done to help improve Dion Waiters' shot selection? -- Omar Taylor, South Euclid

Hey, Omar: All the progress he made toward the end of last season did seem to go out the window at summer league and USA Basketball minicamp. Once again, he needs to work on realizing when to shoot (less) and when to go to the hole (more.) I'm sure Mike Brown and his staff have discussed this with him.

Hey, Mary: Where do you think the Cavs will finish up in the East? I feel like they can take it all. Am I nuts? -- Bill Cooke, The Villages, Fla.

Hey, Bill: With all due respect, sir, you're nuts! The Cavs will be in the playoff hunt, probably seeded somewhere from sixth to eighth, depending on how healthy they are.

See tee times for Sunday's final round, which begins at 8:10 a.m.

AKRON, Ohio – Here are Sunday's tee times and pairings for the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club, where Tiger Woods leads by seven shots at 15-under.

No. 1 tee

8:10 a.m.: Jaco Van Zyl

8:15: Toru Taniguchi, Daniel Popovic

8:25: Tommy Gainey, Brett Rumford

8:35: Derek Ernst, Kevin Streelman

8:45: Scott Piercy, Billy Horschel

8:55: Mikko Ilonen, Satoshi Kodaira

9:05: Martin Laird, Shane Lowry

9:15: Ken Duke, Jason Day

9:25: Carl Pettersson, Jonas Blixt

9:35: David Lynn, Sergio Garcia

9:45: Brian Gay, D.A. Points

9:55: Dustin Johnson, Sang-Moon Bae

10:05: Nicolas Colsaerts, Russell Henley

10:15: Branden Grace, Stephen Gallacher

10:25: Richie Ramsay, Matteo Manassero

10:35: Paul Casey, Thorbjorn Olesen

10:45: Boo Weekley, Nick Watney

10:55: Ernie Els, Michael Thompson

11:05: Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood

11:15: Charl Schwartzel, Brandt Snedeker

11:25: Francesco Molinari, Webb Simpson

11:35: Paul Lawrie, Bo Van Pelt

11:45: Matt Kuchar, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano

11:55: Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Peter Hanson

12:05 p.m.: Jamie Donaldson, Harris English

12:15: Hideki Matsuyama, Angel Cabrera

12:25: Rory McIlroy, Ryan Moore

12:35: Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer

12:45: Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter

12:55: Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk

1:05: Richard Sterne, John Merrick

1:15: Steve Stricker, Rickie Fowler

1:25: Adam Scott, Zach Johnson

1:35: Miguel A. Jimenez, Keegan Bradley

1:45: Bill Haas, Chris Wood

1:55: Jason Dufner, Luke Donald

2:05: Tiger Woods, Henrik Stenson

Terry Francona would name only two of the four starters vs. Detroit. Could a change be on the way?

Manager Terry Francona is considering changing the Indians starting rotation for their upcoming series against Detroit.Associated Press 

MIAMI, Fla. -- The Indians are being mum about who will start the third and fourth games of their upcoming four-game series against Detroit at Progressive Field. The series against the AL Central-leading Tigers opens Monday night.

The Indians' daily game notes Saturday listed every starter for the Tiger series as TBA (to be announced). Later in the day manager Terry Francona said Corey Kluber will face Anibal Sanchez on Monday and Justin Masterson will face Justin Verlander on Tuesday. He would not say who will face Doug Fister on Wednesday and Max Scherzer on Thursday. If the rotation stayed on its normal turn, Ubaldo Jimenez would pitch Wednesday and Zach McAllister on Thursday.

"We want to sit and talk about it a little bit," said Francona. "Maybe Sunday morning (we'll announce it). We're talking about a few different things. We'll get to it."

Jimenez, who slogged through four innings in Friday's 10-0 loss to the Marlins, is 1-2 with a 6.92 ERA in three starts against the Tigers this season. They're hitting .309 (17-for-55) against him and have scored 10 earned runs in 13 innings.

McAllister has faced the Tigers once this season, allowing two earned runs in a six-inning no decision.

Danny Salazar started Friday night for Class AAA Columbus, allowing no hits and no runs in five innings in a 8-0 victory over Buffalo. He threw 52 pitches, including 40 strikes, and was clocked at 97 mph to 99 mph.

Salazar would be in line to take Jimenez's start Wednesday if the Indians decide to manipulate the rotation and or roster.

Checking in: Ross Atkins, Indians director of player development, is in Miami with the Indians. At the end of the series, he'll go to the Indians baseball academy in the Dominican Republic.

He gave this critique of Class AAA starters Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco and Daisuke Matsuzaka:

Bauer (5-4, 3.82): "Trevor has made a significant adjustment in his delivery and he's just not quite there from a comfort zone. It's difficult to change your delivery and compete at a high level, but there are so many things we're encouraged by with him.

"I think his velocity has been a little bit down because his delivery is a little bit new to him."

Carrasco (3-0, 2.70): "I think you could look across professional baseball over the years and see some guys transition well (to the big leagues) and some guys transition over a longer period of time. His transition has been a little bit rougher than he would want and certainly than we would want. It's also within the realm of expectations.

"For Carlos it's going to be about him getting to the point where he doesn't believe he belongs, but he knows he belongs."

Matsuzaka (3-6, 4.02): "Dice-K has been good. He's striking guys out. He's not back to the velocity he had in his prime, but he's throwing an average fastball between 90 mph and 92 mph. If the opportunity were there for him to come to the big leagues, he would certainly get our recommendation.

"Right now there are guys in front of him."

First timer: Francona was impressed with lefty Marc Rzepczynski on Friday night as he made his Indians' debut by retiring the Marlins in order in the seventh. With Rich Hill starting to pitch better, the Indians could use another lefty to complement him.

"Stuff wise, it was what we expected," said Francona. "There's a lot to like there."

Lefty Nick Hagadone is still on the back burner at Class AAA Columbus after several trips to the big leagues this year. Hagadone is 1-2 with a 2.61 ERA and four saves in 16 appearances for the Clippers.

"He's doing OK," said Francona. "It's a little bit inconsistent, which is disappointing in a way because we desperately want Nick to be so good because we all feel it's there.

"I think it will definitely come out. . .and rather that be frustrated and trade a guy, we'd much rather persevere and when the light goes on have it be here."

How has Brandon Weeden looked so far and will Montario Hardesty make the team? These and other questions are answered in this week's edition of Hey Mary Kay!

Hey, Mary Kay: With the first week of training camp done, how has Brandon Weeden looked so far? Does he seem to be more confident and in command of this offense? -- Paul Vocca, Cottonwood, Ariz.

Hey, Paul: Weeden has had his ups and downs in camp but is making steady progress. He's made some tremendous passes, but it also getting a few batted down and picked off. His footwork is quicker and the ball is coming out with great velocity, but the offense is new and the defense is giving him multiple looks. At times, his decision-making could be quicker, and they're constantly working with him on that. Jason Campbell is still clearly No. 2, but has an edge in quicker decisions and consistency.

Hey, Mary Kay: How is Michael Edwards, number 86 doing? -- Mary Cornellison, Glendora, Calif.

Hey, Mary: Edwards, a rookie free agent wideout from Texas-El Paso, is sure-handed and has been impressive. Working mostly with the third team, he gets open and catches almost everything. He'll probably be a candidate for the practice squad.

Hey, Mary Kay: Is there a chance Monterio Hardesty doesn't make the team? -- Angelo Costanzo, Cleveland

Hey, Angelo: Hardesty is suffering from a hamstring tendon injury, which isn't helping his case. There's great competition at the running back position, and Hardesty needs to be on the field to fight for a spot. The Browns really like Dion Lewis, Chris Ogbonnaya and Brandon Jackson.

Hey, Mary Kay: Is this the year we can at least get a split from our division rivals and go 3-3 instead of 0-6 or 1-5? And when are the new uniforms coming? -- Tim Frank, Delaware, Ohio

Hey, Tim: I think the Browns will give their AFC foes some better battles this year, especially with their relentless pass rush. I think Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger and Andy Dalton will get all they can handle from Paul Kruger, Jabaal Sheard, Desmond Bryant and Barkevious Mingo. 3-3 in the division isn't out of the question as long as the offense can keep pace.

Hey, Mary Kay: We've seen so many different predictions about Brandon Weeden. I'm sure that Chud's system will be a better fit for Weeds, but based off of what you've seen so far, how much better do you think Weeden will be? Do you think he will speed up his game? It's hard watching these Cleveland quarterbacks look so indecisive. -- Sarah Wilson, Denver

Hey, Sarah: We won't have a clear picture of how much better Weeden will be until we see him in some preseason games with at least some bona fide pass rush. The system suits him, but he still has to be more accurate on the deep ball. Sometimes he overthrows the deep pass, which can be a strength if he reins it in. His quicker footwork looks good. Right now, he's thinking a split-second too long, but that should improve through the preseason.

Hey, Mary Kay: Do you think making the defense at training camp tougher, faster and more complex will help Brandon Weeden's progression in reading defenses better and get him more comfortable for the tough AFC north defenses he will be seeing? -- TheBrownHound, Hampton, Va.

Hey, TheBrownHound: Absolutely! Weeden is seeing a ton of multiple looks from Ray Horton's attacking defense and it's helping him get ready for Dick LeBeau's Blitzburgh defense and Baltimore's vaunted unit. He never knows where the pressure is coming from and what kind of front he'll be facing. It doesn't always look pretty in camp, but if he can throw touchdowns against Paul Kruger, Jabaal Sheard and Barkevious Mingo, he'll be better prepared for Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs.

Hey, Mary Kay: What are the chances the Browns keep a FB? And what are the chances the Browns keep two kickers? -- Nathanael Ressler, Mount Vernon, Ill.

Hey, Nathanael: I think former fourth-round pick Owen Marecic is on the bubble, but Chris Ogbonnaya can play fullback if needed. The Browns also recently signed fourth-year fullback Brock Bolen for a look. They'll keep their eyes on the waiver wire. I don't think they'll keep two kickers. If veteran Shayne Graham and rookie Brandon Bogotay are even, I think you have to go with the rookie so he can grow with the team.

Hey, Mary Kay: A lot has been made of the new regime's panning of our 2012 draft picks in the first round and the supplemental draft. What would they have done differently? I liked all three picks myself. -- Bob Mercer, Toledo

Hey, Bob: They might've gone with cornerback Morris Claiborne at No. 4 in 2012, or perhaps traded down. They might've bid a fourth-round pick for Josh Gordon, but not a second. I doubt they would've drafted Weeden at all, based on Mike Lombardi's pre- and post-draft evaluation. They might've signed a veteran quarterback last year to get them through until they could solve the problem effectively.

Hey, Mary Kay: How is Jordan Cameron doing? -- Carter Hall, Cleveland

Hey, Carter: Cameron is getting the ball early and often in camp, and is making good progress. But when it comes to fighting defensive backs or linebackers for the ball, he's losing too many of those battles. But the coaches like him, and plan to feature him plenty in the new scheme.

Ryan Encinas scampers with 40 yards assist from Trent Richardson and coach Rob Chudzinski

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A convoy of blockers ahead and the worst days of cancer treatment behind, 5-year-old Ryan Encinas clutched the football and ran for the goal line, a crowd of 24,134 fans cheering his every step.

“Go, buddy, go,” yelled Robert Bozic, as his son weaved his way 40 yards across the FirstEnergy Stadium turf with halfback Trent Richardson picking off would-be tacklers.

The Browns Family Night came to a poignant end Saturday as Ryan crossed the goal line, was swept onto the shoulders of linebacker Craig Robertson and congratulated by the entire team in the west end zone.

“This is one of the highest highs we’ve had during this entire ordeal,” said Bozic, standing on the sidelines with the football tucked in Ryan’s helmet. “To see him out there running with the Cleveland Browns is one of the greatest experiences of our lives.”

The Browns in connection with Littlest Heroes invited Ryan to run for a 40-yard touchdown on the final play of practice. The idea was the brainchild of coach Rob Chudzinski’s 7-year-old son, Kaelan, who saw the Nebraska Cornhuskers stage a similar play for a cancer survivor at their spring game.

“Anything we can do to make somebody’s day better I'm all for it,” Chudzinski said.

It was a momentous weekend for the Cuyahoga Falls family. Ryan celebrated his second year in remission on Friday. Doctors diagnosed him with lung cancer at age 2. He spent six weeks in a hospital where he underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. His mother, Angela, dropped out of school to take care of Ryan.

In April, the Browns contacted Littlest Heroes -- a local organization which assists families that have a child diagnosed with cancer -- looking for a youngster to carry out Kaelan Chudzinski’s vision.

On Wednesday, Ryan met the Browns at their Berea training facility.

“Ryan was so outgoing and wasn’t the least bit intimidated to be around the players,” said Chudzinski’s wife, Sheila. “He was challenging D’Qwell (Jackson) and Trent to race him.”

For his big night, Ryan wore a Browns helmet and a uniform with a “No. 1 “Encinas” jersey. His dad offered some last-minute pointers while his 3-year-old sister, Rowan, dangled around mom’s legs.

The Browns introduced Ryan to the crowd and showed pictures of him at the hospital and at the team facility on the scoreboard video screens. He accepted a handoff from quarterback Brandon Weeden and followed Richardson’s block.

Ryan added a moment of levity with a premature celebration, spiking the ball at the 30 yard line before Coach Chud recovered the fumble and got Ryan going again. He was swamped by autograph requests from players.

“That was cool,” Weeden said. “When Chud told us we were going to do that in team meetings, I was pumped about it. That was a cool deal. The kid is 5-years-old and he's been through a lot. I do a lot of stuff back home with Children's Hospital, so every time something like that happens, it brings a lump to your throat.”

Browns coach Rob Chudzinski says his defense is ahead of his offense. He said they'll keep working to improve the consistency.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns fans attending Family Night at FirstEnergy Field Saturday night had to wait until after the practice was over to see any firepower or razzle-dazzle on the field.

That's because the offense is lagging behind the defense right now, and there was very little electricity to pump up the crowd of 24,131 until the post-game fireworks and laser-light show began.

"Typically this time of year, that’s the case," said coach Rob Chudzinski. "It takes a little while for an offense to gel and all the moving parts to come together. My experience is you keep working, you keep pushing them, you keep putting them in situations and it starts clicking. We haven’t got to that point yet where we’re clicking yet offensively, but it will come.”

With only six days until the Rams come to town for the preseason opener Thursday, Chudzinski isn't overly concerned about the uneven offense.

"I think we're about where you typically are in training camp from an offensive standpoint,'' he said. "You work to keep improving throughout the preseason and get yourself ready to play Sept. 8 against Miami.''

The two-and-a-half-hour session featured too many dropped passes (two by Jordan Norwood and one by Josh Gordon) and an interception by Brandon Weeden, who was foiled by the red-hot Joe Haden once again on a pass over the middle to Gordon. But Chudzinski attributed it, in part, to playing under the lights for the first time this season.

"It’s good to get out in front of a crowd,'' said Chudzinski, who high-fived fans in the Dawg Pound and thoroughly enjoyed his first action in FirstEnergy Field as head coach. "It's good to get out at night and be in the center stage so to speak. So that opportunity for these guys and especially the young guys, especially a lot of guys that maybe haven’t played a lot, is really a good experience for them. It gets them a little bit more ready to go to a game and play on Thursday.”

 

Weeden assured fans that the finished product will look much different than what they've been seeing in practice.

"It sounds weird, but I'm still making some mistakes, but I'm learning from those mistakes,'' said Weeden. "It's going to happen when you play against a good defense. Joe Haden is one of the best corners, he's a great player and that makes me better.

"I feel like I'm moving in the right direction, my comprehension of the offense, my feel, my understanding of where to go with the football is getting there. I've got a long ways to go but I've got to keep working and these guys are going to rely on me."

Chudzinski's offense is trying to establish continuity with a revolving door at some skill positions. Running backs Trent Richardson (shin) and Montario Hardesty (hamstring tendon) sat out, as did receiver David Nelson. Gordon has also been in and out of the lineup with patellar tendinitis in a knee.

"Maybe that's it a little bit,'' said Chudzinski. "It can be. I think overall you have a lot of guys who are competing, so you have multiple faces in the huddle and a few guys being injured. But it usually takes time, so it’s not anything that’s unusual and we’ll keep working through it and working to be more consistent.”

Weeden did connect a few times with sure-handed Davone Bess, including once for an 11-yard TD in team drills.

"What a great pickup for us and I couldn’t be more pleased with what he’s done, both on the field and off the field,'' said Chudzinski. "The example he sets and the leadership that he’s shown. He's able to get open and finds a way to get open, it seems like every play.''

While he waits for his offense to catch up, Chudzinski has watched his defense pump up the pressure and consistently produce big plays.

"Just seeing that today, those guys were pretty amped up and they were getting after it," he said. "It's good all around. The competition it’s creating is making us better upfront on the offensive line as well. To see those guys coming after you, that’s what you’re going to get in this league, so you need to get used to it and the group that we have is applying that pressure.''

Haden's pick was a common occurrence for anyone attending a training camp practice.

"He comes to work. He's on a mission to improve and get better every day," said the coach. "He's really taken to the coaching and he's playing real focused football right now.''

Linebacker Craig Robertson also flashed in pass-rush drills and blasted through untouched for a would-be sack of Weeden. Mingo is also coming along, but will need more weapons in his arsenal to overtake Jabaal Sheard for a starting role.

"He's got the athleticism and the speed,'' said Chudzinski. "We'll continue to work on his technique, but he's pretty quick coming off that edge.''

All in all, Chudzinski's been happy, even if he needs the offense to step on the gas.

"We've really made some improvements," he said. "We have to continue to work on being consistent. But there’s time here and heading into this next week, getting the chance to go into that preseason game and getting guys a chance to do it in a game situation.''

At this time of year, nearly every NFL team has a good vibe.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Early August in the NFL is like early March in baseball.

Training camp has yet to get old. Preseason games are coming, and they will be greeted with expectation -- even as the NFL rips off its season-ticket holders by charging full price for games in which starters play so little.

At this time of year, nearly every NFL team has a good vibe -- unless it has major injuries to key players. So maybe that's why I feel upbeat about the Browns so far.

I know the problems. The owner is being investigated by the FBI. Josh Gordon is suspended for two games. In the last five years, the Browns are 24-56. They also are only playing themselves, as opposed to other teams.

But I think the Browns will be improved, and certainly better to watch.

For what it's worth, ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote this: "I believe Brandon Weeden will play better than people think. The Browns' record will be better than people think -- around 7-9, 8-8 -- and the season will go better than people think. But I don't see them overtaking the other three teams in their division for a playoff spot. ... Expectations aren't particularly high, and that's why this season could end up being rewarding, even if Cleveland doesn't make the playoffs."

If Weeden does indeed "play better then people think," it could be a fun year for the orange helmets.

That's because I tend to agree with Peter King, the respected football writer from CNN/SI. We were talking at a recent practice, and he praised the Browns defense. He believes between the switch to the 3-4, the hiring of coordinator Ray Horton and several key additions, "they can be very good defensively."

I see a defense with more speed.

Barkevious Mingo is quick, and will be used wisely by Horton. The rookie may not even start, because free agent Paul Kruger owns one outside linebacker spot and Jabaal Sheard has overwhelmed the coaches with his fast adjustment on the other side. What Horton may do is attack the quarterback with four outside linebackers in some situations -- veteran Quentin Groves and Mingo joining Kruger and Sheard in some very strange formations.

King has major doubts about Weeden, primarily because he doubts the accuracy needed to become a viable starter. That is the common criticism in NFL circles, along with Weeden's ability to handle the pass rush.

No one knows if Weeden can succeed. The coaches thought he was better than any draft alternatives, so he gets another shot with the new offense.

I also was talking to Neil Hornsby, the owner and editor of one of my favorite football stat sites, profootballfocus.com. He believes Desmond Bryant will make a major defensive impact. His site rated Bryant as No. 6 among tackles. His site was also a huge fan of John Greco -- rating him No. 19 out of 81 offensive guards. The Browns must have agreed, as they gave Greco a contract extension.

Watching under the August sun, it's clear the defense should be better than last year's 23rd-ranked edition. The offense could step forward. Weeden is no longer a rookie and the new coaching staff should build game plans to his strengths. Of course, the team hasn't lost a preseason game yet.

Fans have been serenaded by this symphony of hope before. But right now, I'm in the mood to sing along -- at least for a little while.

About the running backs ...

View full sizeBrandon Jackson is proving to be more than an afterthought in the Browns backfield, says Terry Pluto.John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer 

1. Dion Lewis has made a major impression. Acquired from Philadelphia, Lewis has looked quick and shown he can catch passes. His roster spot behind starter Trent Richardson seems secure.

2. The interesting battle is between Brandon Jackson and Montario Hardesty. It seemed strange when the new front office brought back Jackson after he carried the ball only eight times in two years. Jackson signed a 2-year contract in 2011 and missed his first season with a foot injury. Last season, the coaching staff wrote him off -- he was inactive 14 of 16 games.

3. Jackson is quietly having a strong camp. It wouldn't be a shock if he knocked Hardesty off the roster. This staff remembers that Jackson rushed for 703 yards and caught 43 passes for the Super Bowl Packers in 2010. They view him as a solid, experienced back.

4. Then there's Hardesty, in his fourth year with the Browns. There have been knee problems and other injuries. In the last two years, he has gained 537 yards (3.5 average). He has 16 receptions, but he's also dropped six passes. To be fair, four were in one game. But the fact is this offense requires a back to catch the ball -- and that's not Hardesty's strength.

5. With a $575,000 non-guaranteed contract, it's easy to see why Hardesty is in a vulnerable spot -- unless someone is hurt. He has missed some practices with hamstring issues, bringing up the question of his durability.

6. Jackson is only 27. He signed a non-guaranteed contract worth $715,000. As of now, it appears the three backs will be Richardson, Lewis and Jackson.

7. What about Chris Ogbonnaya? The coaches love this guy, because he can play either running back spot and he excels on special teams. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner has talked about the 6-foot, 220-pounder playing a fair amount of fullback. That's another reason Hardesty appears in trouble. In his NFL career, Ogbonnaya has run for 420 yards (4.4 average) and caught 48 passes.

About the receivers ...

View full sizeJordan Norwood has elevated himself among the receivers looking to get playing time for the suspended Josh Gordon in the first two weeks of the season.John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer 

1. Jordan Norwood has been playing like Mr. Berea, turning every practice into his personal Super Bowl as he tries to earn a roster spot. He has been catching a lot of passes, reminding everyone that he had nine receptions in his last game with the Browns in 2012. That was against the Giants on Oct. 7. After that he suffered a foot injury and was out for the rest of the season.

2. Norwood played only two games in 2012, but caught 13 passes. In 2011, he caught 23 passes in 14 games. He's a slight 5-11, 180 pounds and battled his way onto the practice squad in 2009 as an undrafted free agent. He has been cut three times, but keeps coming back. The question about Norwood is durability.

3. With Josh Gordon suspended for the first two games, the door is open for Norwood or Josh Cooper to make the roster. Greg Little (who has been impressive) will start at one spot. Davone Bess (very solid in camp) will be the other receiver. He is best in the slot, but the Browns do believe he can play wideout if necessary.

4. My guess is the season will begin with Travis Benjamin (replacing Gordon) and Little as the wideouts, Bess in the slot. Benjamin also has had a good camp. That could leave the door open for Norwood to make the team, even if David Nelson is healthy.

5. Nelson had reconstructive knee surgery last September. He was cleared to practice last week, but didn't last long -- he did something to his knee. The Browns say it wasn't serious, but he needs to prove he can stay healthy. Two years ago, Nelson caught 61 passes for Buffalo. He was injured in the 2012 opener.

6. Nelson has a $615,000 contract with only $25,000 guaranteed, so his roster spot is not secure. The Browns want him healthy because they really think he can combine with Bess to give this team leadership among the receivers.

About Jason Giambi ...

A fan emailed me to say that in my glowing story about Giambi, I neglected to mention his steroid use -- and perhaps having used steroids is why Giambi has played until the age of 42 and long enough to beat Hank Aaron's record for the oldest player to hit a walk-off homer.

Maybe that is a factor in the longevity of his career. But I left out the topic because Giambi (along with Andy Pettitte) is one of the few players to admit using it. In the 2004 grand jury hearings about BALCO, he even said what type he used and gave details.

In several interviews since, Giambi has apologized for using steroids. He never made up excuses or lied about it. He has never flunked a drug test. When I talked to him for the story, he said, "Hey, I'm not perfect." He made a poor decision when he was younger, and has made some very good ones ever since. And I respect him for that.

About Ryan Raburn ...

When I was a young baseball writer in 1979 covering the Baltimore Orioles, I once asked why outfielder John Lowenstein didn't play more often.

"Listen kid," said Orioles manager Earl Weaver. "If I play John Lowenstein as much as you want me to play John Lowenstein then he'll go back to being John Lowenstein."

He meant the Lowenstein who hit .242 three times during eighth seasons with the Tribe and was a career .239 hitter (.668 OPS) here. But with the Orioles, Lowenstein was a .274 hitter (.824 OPS) as Weaver and other Baltimore managers picked the right days to play him.

The same goes for Raburn, who entered the weekend batting .283 (.961 OPS) with 13 homers and 37 RBI in 173 at-bats. This is the same player who hit .171 with one homer in 205 at-bats for the Tigers in 2012, when they tried to make him their second baseman. As a part-time player between 2009-11, Rayburn averaged 15 homers, 52 RBI and batted .270 in 337 at-bats per season.

Terry Francona is keeping Raburn in the outfield, his comfort zone. He is matching up against pitchers against whom he has a track record of success. Francona has taken a player who lost his confidence and ended up with only a minor-league offer from the Tribe into a productive part-time player.

That's exactly what Weaver did with Terry Crowley, Benny Ayala, Pat Kelly, Kiko Garcia, Lowenstein and others. Francona is juggling the bench with Yan Gomes, Mike Aviles, Giambi and Rayburn all having very good seasons.

About the Tribe ...

View full sizeCorey Kluber's evolution to a reliable starting pitcher has been one of the best developments of this Indians' season.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer 

1. At the start of the season, suppose someone had said Scott Kazmir and Corey Kluber would be a combined 13-9 with a 3.91 ERA heading into August. I'd figure the Indians would be in contention, because I never thought Kazmir and Kluber would pitch as they have this season.

2. Kazmir hadn't won a big-league game since 2010, when he was 9-15 with a 5.94 ERA for the Angels. Kluber is 27 and was 2-5 with a 5.35 ERA in 15 big-league games. Kazmir keeps getting stronger. In his first 12 games, his average fastball was 91.8 mph. In his last six starts, it's 92.7. The Tribe worried that he may suffer some arm weakness -- but the opposite has been true.

3. In the middle of last season at Class AAA, Kluber changed his fastball grip and suddenly had much better control. He went from walking 4.5 per nine innings to 2.2. This season, he's walking only 1.9 per nine innings, striking out 8.6. His average fastball is 92.8 mph, and he lights up the radar at 96 at times.

4. Those are a lot of numbers to show that Kluber is throwing hard and lots of strikes. Kazmir is shocking the baseball world with his comeback. The Tribe has really cashed in on these long shots. Also, give pitching coach Mickey Callaway credit for helping so many on the roster.

5. It was a shock when Vinnie Pestano was sent to the minors. He had been with the Tribe since late in the 2010 season. He came into the year with a 2.56 ERA, and owned the eighth inning as a set-up man. Pestano pitched in the World Baseball Classic in March, and never really has been the same in terms of velocity or effectiveness. He also has had some minor arm issues.

6. Pestano's velocity was down, and he was walking 5.1 per nine innings. He also has struggled with confidence. He had been switched to middle relief, and was used infrequently. The Tribe hopes with regular work in Columbus, Pestano can rebuild his confidence and arm strength.

7. Relievers will drive you crazy. Most careers are up and down -- and up and down again. Remember Edward Mujica? He was 3-3 with a 6.04 ERA in 53 games for the Tribe from 2006-08. He has a 1.97 ERA for the Cardinals this season. Tony Sipp is 3-1 with a 3.94 ERA for Arizona. Raffy Perez is in Class AAA with Minnesota as he tries to return from an arm injury.

8. In their quest to find a lefty reliever (Tribe lefties have a 6.56 ERA), they picked up Marc Rzepczynski from the Cardinals. He had a 7.84 ERA in 10 1/3 innings with the Cards, and had a 3.07 ERA in Class AAA. He had some decent years in the past. But they like lefties Randy Choate (2.74) and Kevin Siegrist (1.24) much better, so they were willing deal him.

Brad Davis, Will Bruin and Cam Weaver scored and the Houston Dynamo extended their unbeaten streak to four games with a 3-1 win over the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

HOUSTON — Brad Davis, Will Bruin and Cam Weaver scored and the Houston Dynamo extended their unbeaten streak to four games with a 3-1 win over the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Davis put the Dynamo (9-6-6) ahead 1-0 in the 10th minute converting the penalty kick inside the near post.

Houston earned the penalty kick when Giles Barnes had a short breakaway in the box before being taken down from behind by Chad Marshall, who was given a yellow card.

Bruin extended the lead to 2-0 in the 31st minute, taking an Oscar Boniek Garcia pass at the top of the box and sending a right-footed shot inside the near post.

Columbus (6-11-5) cut the lead to 2-1 on an own goal by Houston's Kofi Sarkodie in the 75th minute.

Columbus' Kevan George played the ball into the box for Ryan Finley. But before Finley could get a shot off, Sarkodie played the ball back and inside the near post.

Weaver upped the Dynamo's lead to 3-1 in the 85th minute as Garcia played a ball into the upper box that Bruin laid off to Weaver, who sent a shot inside the near post.

Columbus, which has lost three in a row, nearly tied it at one in the 12th minute on a Jairo Arrieta shot from the upper center box, but Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall came off his line to make a kick save.

Off a corner in the 22nd minute, Arrieta headed one back toward the goal inside the goalkeeper's box, but Hall made the save.

Crew goalkeeper Matt Lampson kept the deficit 1-0 in the 27th minute, reaching across his body to stop a Ricardo Clark header from the right 6-yard box.

Watch highlights from Cleveland Browns "Family Night" at FirstEnergy Stadium.

CLEVELAND, Ohio --  The Cleveland Browns held their Saturday Training Camp practice at FirstEnergy Stadium.  "Family Night" attracted over 24,000 fans eager to see the team under new head coach Rob Chudzinski.

The night ended with Ryan Encinas, a 5-year-old cancer survivor, taking a hand-off from Brandon Weeden and running 50-yards for a touchdown with Trent Richardson leading the way.

Follow on Twitter: @CLEvideos

The Cleveland Indians stole six bases, including three in the seventh inning, Saturday night on the way to 4-3 victory over the Marlins.

MIAMI -- The Indians needed a lot of speed and one clutch hit Saturday night at Marlins Park. A successful tightrope walk by Chris Perez in the ninth inning was equally appreciated.

Michael Bourn was stuck in fast-forward all night, but it was Drew Stubbs who set the critical seventh inning in motion with not one but two stolen bases in the Indians' 4-3 victory against the Marlins.

"I think our speed helped us a lot of ways tonight," said manager Terry Francona.

Stubbs singled with one out to start the game-winning rally against Dan Jennings (1-2). He stole second with Bourn batting. Bourn followed with a walk to set up a potential double steal by two of baseball's fastest men.

Potential turned into fact with Nick Swisher at the plate, as Stubbs stole third and Bourn swiped second. It was Bourn's third steal of the night. Marlins manager Mike Redmond, a former backup catcher for the Tribe, argued with third-base umpire Dana DeMuth because catcher Rob Brantly's throw beat Stubbs to the bag. Stubbs' slide, however, beat the tag of Ed Lucas.

"Brantly made a good throw, but Stubbs got a great jump," Francona said.

• Indians-Marlins boxscore | Scoreboard | Standings

After Swisher walked to load the bases, Jason Kipnis lined a two-run single through the middle to break a 2-2 tie. Bourn's run was disputed by Redmond and Brantly because center fielder Christian Yelich made a strong throw home. Replays showed Bourn's feet hit the plate before Brantly tagged him.

"Great slide by Bourn," Francona said. "I definitely think he got in under the tag."

Kipnis finished with three hits and three RBI. He was also thrown out at the plate by Yelich with two out in the fifth, when he tried to score on Asdrubal Cabrera's two-out single with the Tribe leading, 2-0.

The Indians had six steals, their most since they stole six bases against Boston on Sept. 21, 2000. Mike Aviles stole the Indians sixth base of the night in the eighth.

Cody Allen (5-1) earned the win in relief of Zach McAllister, who took a no-hitter into the sixth. Perez pitched the ninth for his 10th straight save since coming off the disabled list June 27, but it wasn't without drama.

Perez, working with a 4-2 lead, gave up a leadoff double to Logan Morrison. Greg Dobbs followed with a single to make it 4-3. Adeiny Hechavarria sent a bunt to third baseman Mike Aviles. He grabbed it and looked to second for the force, but the bag was empty. By the time he turned to first, Hechavarria was on the bag.

After the runners advanced on a bunt, Brantly grounded out to first and Placido Polanco flied out to center as Perez earned his 16th save.

"I think Aviles got screened by the umpire when he looked at second," Francona said. "He didn't seen that 'Cabby' [Cabrera] was coming to the bag."

The Indians led, 2-0, after three innings thanks to Bourn's bat and legs.

Bourn opened the game with a single, stole second and went third on Swisher's grounder to the right side. Kipnis delivered him with a single off starter Jacob Turner.

In the third, Bourn manufactured a run. He started the inning by beating out an infield single to short. With one out, he stole second with Kipnis batting. On Turner's first of two wild pitches in the inning, he broke for third and kept going home when Brantly threw the ball into left-center field.

"That was nice to see," Francona said. "The first two runs were almost identical."

McAllister took the 2-0 lead and a no-no into the sixth. Brantly ended it with a leadoff single through the middle. McAllister retired 15 of the first 16 batters he faced, with Giovanni Stanton reaching on a two-out walk in the fourth.

"I think he got a little tired in the sixth," Francona said. "But up until that point, he was so good. I just want him to get some reps, gain some endurance and carry that deeper into the game."

Following Brantly's single, pinch hitter Juan Pierre, batting for Turner, popped up. McAllister, however, gave up a double to Yelich to the fence in left center to cut the Tribe's lead to 2-1.

Lucas followed with a single to center to tie the score and knock McAllister out of the game. Allen relieved and pitched into and out of trouble. He struck out Stanton on a great slider but gave up a single to Morrison and walked Donovan Solano to load the bases. Allen ended the inning when Hechavarria lined out to center.

McAllister, in his third start since coming off the disabled list, struck out seven and walked one in 5 innings. He allowed two runs on three hits in 99 pitches.

Turner allowed two runs on six hits in six innings. He struck out six, walked two and threw two wild pitches.

The victory kept the Indians three games behind Detroit in the American League Central. They're 10-5 since the All-Star break, with 12 wins in their past 20 road games.

Yes, the Indians are not only a better team than a year ago, they are much faster on the bases.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A quick word about the Tribe's speed on the day after they stole six bases in Saturday's 4-3 victory at Miami...

The website fangraphs.com ranks teams in overall base running effectiveness. It's a combination of stealing bases, taking extra bases on hits, avoiding double plays and not being thrown out on the bases.

Here's how they rank the top three teams in the American League:

1. Boston.

2. Kansas City.

3. Cleveland.

By comparison, the Tribe was dead last in those ratings a year ago. That's right, DEAD LAST in 2012 on the bases.

In terms of pure stolen bases, the Indians are tied for the A.L. lead with Boston and Kansas City with 84 steals. The Tribe's leading base-stealers are Jason Kipnis (21), Michael Bourn (16), Drew Stubbs (13) and Michael Brantley (11).

To show how stolen bases have fallen out of favor, those four Tribe players rank in the top 19 in the A.L.

A year ago, the Tribe had 110 steals, ranking No. 7.

Fangraphs ranks the best overall base runners in the A.L. this way:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston.

2. Elvis Andrus, Texas.

3. Mike Trout, Angels.

4. Drew Stubbs, Tribe.

While Stubbs has only 13 stolen bases, he impresses with his ability to stay out of double-plays and score from second base on singles.

Other Tribe base runners in the Top 25:

19. Michael Bourn.

20. Michael Brantley.

22. Jason Kipnis.

That's right, the Tribe has four (out of 22) of the most effective base runners in the league.

A year ago, the Tribe had only two players in the Top 60:

32. Kipnis.

60. Zeke Carrera.

Yes, so many things have changed.

Scott Kazmir looks to continue the Tribe's winning ways this afternoon in Miami.

Game 111: Indians (61-49) vs. Marlins (43-66)

First pitch: 1:10 p.m. at Marlins Park.

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

Starting pitchers: LHP Scott Kazmir (6-4, 4.11 ERA) vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (2-1, 3.47).

» Live box score | MLB scoreboard

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The new deal extends Bridgestone's involvement until 2018.

AKRON, Ohio – Bridgestone will remain the title sponsor of the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club for an additional four years, the PGA announced Sunday.

The new deal extends the sponsorship through 2018, and it will continue to be held at Firestone because, as Bridgestone Americas CEO and president Gary Garfield said, the two companies -- Bridgestone and Firestone -- merged 25 years ago.

“Having the Bridgestone Invitational at the Firestone Country Club is kind of like bread and butter,” Garfield said. “It’s just a match made in heaven for us.”

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem expressed appreciation that the Bridgestone Invitational has grown in recent years, particularly when seven-time winner Tiger Woods does well.

“I was told that I should expect to be delayed leaving this evening because of the great crowds,” Finchem said. “And that’s the bad news I always like to hear.”

Finchem said the Bridgestone Invitational is expected to remain at the same weekend, although the 2016 schedule – when golf will be in the Olympics – still has not been worked out. Finchem said the International Olympic Committee will finalize the competition schedule in spring 2014, and the PGA Tour will work around the schedule from there.

“As we look at the relative schedule around that and during that period, it’s really subject to that getting finalized,” Finchem said. “It’s kind of premature for me to talk about it.”

A generation ago, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Buckeye wide out Cris Carter showed how devastating off-field violations can be.

 CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In Cris Carter's induction Saturday at the Pro Football hall of Fame in Canton, memories glowed of his hands reaching for the ball and  then dimmed because of his underhanded ways with an agent.

Cris Carter had the best hands I ever saw. I'll always remember the one-handed sideline catch vs. BYU in the Citrus Bowl after the 1985 season. Quarterback Jim Karsatos was trying to throw the ball away when, as he said, said Carter "levitated on the sideline and caught it."

They say a quarterback should put the ball where nobody but his guy can catch it. Karsatos it put it in the same vicintiy as that  where nobody but Dwight Clark could haul down a magical near-throwaway  from Joe Montana.

Urban Meyer, the current Buckeyes coach, was an assistant in Columbus during in the mid-1980s. He remembers a frozen day at practice when Carter caught the back of the ball as it sailed by, which is not something you see every day or that Meyer, in particular, ever saw again.

Great as he was for Ohio State, Carter is remembered even more for being declared ineligible after it was discovered he had signed with notorious agent Norby Walters. His absence and that of academically ineligible wide out Nate Harris led to a 6-4-1 season in 1987 for a Buckeyes team expected to be a Big Ten contender. That in turn led to the firing of coach Earle Bruce and his staff.

Carter's son, Duron, later flunked out of Ohio State after one stellar game against Indiana. After transferring to Alabama and then Florida Atlantic, but not playing for either, Duron has made the Montreal Alouettes' practice squad in the CFL.

It is a cautionary tale for Ohio State now that Meyer is back at OSU as head coach; Bruce is his informal mentor; and two players, cornerback Bradley Roby and running back Carlos Hyde, have run afoul of the law in the offseason. Hyde has already been suspended for the first three game sof the season. Roby's punishment has not beenn decided yet.

Carter could perform miracles in the air. But much of the success or failure of players then, and particularly now, when their exposure to unwelcome influences is a 24/7 concern, is dependent on how well they are grounded. That's the real catch.

Detroit visits the Indians at Progressive Field starting Monday night to begin a four-game series between the top two teams in the AL Central.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Here is a look at the Tigers-Indians series, which starts Monday night.

Where: Progressive Field.

When: Monday through Thursday.

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

Pitching matchups: RHP Anibal Sanchez (9-7, 2.59 ERA) vs. RHP Corey Kluber (7-5, 3.77) Monday at 7:05 p.m.; RHP Justin Verlander (11-8, 3.88) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (13-7, 3.33) Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.; RHP Doug Fister (10-5, 3.52) vs. RHP Danny Salazar (1-0, 1.50) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.; and RHP Max Scherzer (15-1, 2.85) vs. Zach McAllister (4-6, 3.47) Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

Season series: The Tigers are 9-3 against the Indians. The Tigers lead, 1080-1041, overall.

Tigers update: They've won seven straight and 11 of their past 12 entering Sunday's game against Chicago. The Tigers are hitting .296 against the Indians this year with Miguel Cabrera (.319, five homers, 14 RBI) doing much of the damage. Scherzer (2-0), Sanchez (1-0) and Verlander (2-1) are a combined 5-1 against the Tribe this year.

Indians update: They've won 10 of their past 11 after Sunday's win over Miami. Entering Sunday, the Indians were hitting .231 against the Tigers with Michael Brantley (.293, two homers, 11 RBI) and Ryan Raburn (.286, three homers, six RBI) leading the way. Kluber (0-2) and Masterson (0-2) are a combined 0-4 against Detroit this year.

Injuries: Tigers: RHP Octavio Dotel (right elbow), LHP Darin Downs (left shoulder), 2B Omar Infante (left ankle) and RHP Luis Marte (right shoulder) are on the disabled list. 3B Miguel Cabrera (left abdominal strain) is day to day. Indians: C Lou Marson (right shoulder), RHP Brett Myers (right elbow/forearm), RHP Josh Tomlin (right elbow) and RHP Frank Herrmann (right elbow) are on the disabled list.

Next: The Angels arrive for a three-games series starting Friday night.

Manager Terry Francona said this is not the time to get wrapped up in breaking down the standings in the AL Central and the wild card race.

MIAMI, Fla. -- Seen and heard at Marlins Park.

Indians manager Terry Francona, talking with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria over the weekend in Miami, says it's way too early to be taking calculators to the AL Central and wild card race.Associated Press 

Clubhouse confidential: Lately, the Tigers and Indians have been doing a lot of winning on the same day. It has made it hard for the Indians to gain any ground on first-place Detroit in the AL Central.

Manager Terry Francona was asked if that has diverted his attention to the wild card race, where the Indians occupied the second spot going into Sunday's game. Francona said he doesn't think about either race.

"If you start doing math too early, you might flunk," he said.

After a long pause, Francona added, "That's a pretty good quote."

Give me the rock: Michael Bourn, who played guard for his high school basketball team in Houston, was dribbling a basketball in the locker room Sunday morning. He was working the ball behind his back and between his legs when Francona walked out of his office.

"Just one thing Bournie," said Francona. "When you hear this (Francona clapped his hands) I want the ball because I'm shooting."

Stat of the day: Bourn scored three runs and stole three bases Saturday night. He is the only big leaguer, according to Elias Sports Bureau, over the past three years to do that in one game. Coco Crisp was the last Indian to do it, on June 20, 2004 against Atlanta.

Danny Salazar will start Wednesday against Detroit. Ubaldo Jimenez has been pushed back to Friday.

Rookie Danny Salazar will start against the Tigers on Wednesday in place of Ubaldo Jimenez.Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer 

MIAMI, Fla. -- The mystery is over. Danny Salazar is on the way.

On Saturday, it was clear the Indians were considering changing their rotation for the
four-game series against AL Central-leading Detroit that starts Monday night at Progressive Field. On Sunday, they revealed exactly what they had up their sleeve.

Rookie right-hander Danny Salazar will take Ubaldo Jimenez's spot in the rotation Wednesday to face Detroit in the third game of a big series between the top two teams in the AL Central.

Jimenez has been pushed back to Friday's start against the Angels.

"We're going with Corey Kluber, Justin Masterson, Danny Salazar and Zach McAllister against the Tigers," said manager Terry Francona. "Some of it is competitive and it will also give us a chance to give Ubaldo a little bit of a rest. We just like the idea of seeing what this kid (Salazar) can do."

This will be Salazar's second big league start. He made his debut on July 11, retiring 15 of the first 16 batters he faced in a 4-2 victory over Toronto. Salazar, who struck out seven and walked one, took a no-hitter into the sixth inning.

On Friday, Salazar threw five perfect innings against Buffalo for Class AAA Columbus. He struck out eight, hitting 97-99 mph. He threw only 52 pitches, 40 for strikes.

Jimenez, who struggled through four innings in Friday's 10-0 loss to the Marlins, is 1-2 with a 6.92 ERA in three starts against the Tigers this season. They're hitting .309 (17-for-55) against him and have scored 10 earned runs in 13 innings.

"They told me Saturday," said Jimenez, who said he was healthy.

Jimenez said he didn't know if his problems against Detroit this season played a part in the decision.

"I have no idea," said Jimenez. "I've had some trouble with them, but last year I had some good games and bad games against them. In my career, I've had more good games than bad games against them, especially at home."

Jimenez is 5-9 with a 5.32 ERA in 16 starts against Detroit. In 89 2/3 innings, he's allowed 100 hits, 53 earned runs, eight homers and 40 walks with 70 strikeouts.

"When Ubaldo has faced Detroit this year, he hasn't pitched in well enough," said Francona. "If you, and you let them get their arms extended, they're going to beat you around a little bit one through nine.

"You just can't show it inside. You've got to repeat it."

Francona indicated Salazar's stay in the rotation would be a short one.

The Tigers are 64-45 and own a three-game lead over the Tribe. The Indians are 61-49, but have lost nine of 12 to the Tigers.

Big series: Francona, like most managers, never looks too far down the road when it comes to the schedule. The series against Detroit, however, has his attention.

"You play all year to have a series like this be this important," he said. "That's exciting. If it's not, you don't have a heartbeat. So good for us.

"I want our guys to enjoy the competition because we're playing the best. This is where we're trying to get and we're within striking distance. It makes the games really exciting."

Speed game: The Indians stole six bases Saturday night in a 4-3 victory over the Marlins, including three by Michael Bourn. It was Bourn's best showing this season on the bases, but he has not been the dominant force he was in the National League.

Francona says Bourn, who led the NL in steals six times, is drawing close attention from pitchers and catchers.

Said Bourn, "It's nothing I want to force upon myself. If I can get a good jump, no matter how quick he is, I'm going to go. But they're mixing up everything. That means they're paying a lot of attention to me. A lot of attention on me is less attention on the hitter."

Bourn has 16 steals in 24 attempts.

Finally: The Marlins' 2003 World Series champions were honored before Sunday's game.

With Tiger Woods' dominating performance at Firestone Country Club, everyone else concentrated on practicing for next week's PGA Championship in Rochester, N.Y.

AKRON, Ohio – With the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational essentially over after Tiger Woods’ second-round 61, the rest of the field focused in Sunday’s final round on the things they could control.

Namely, how to prepare for this week’s PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y.

For defending PGA champion Rory McIlroy, Firestone Country Club was a formidable foe, as he finished 2-over both Sunday and for the tournament.

A year ago, McIlroy was 8-under at the Bridgestone, just days before he headed to Kiawah Island, S.C. – where he won the 2012 PGA Championship by a record eight strokes.

“I definitely had a better week last year, coming out of here with a lot of confidence going into the PGA feeling good about my game,” McIlroy said. “ I keep saying my game doesn’t feel too far away. It’s obviously not where I want it to be, but it’s not a million miles away.”

The same “close-but-not-enough” assessment goes for recent British Open champ Phil Mickelson, who conceded fatigue might have led to his 1-over showing in both Sunday’s final round and overall.

“I didn’t have a chance to prepare properly,” Mickelson said. “I was doing some other ancillary stuff. But I had a good week of practice. My game does feel pretty good – but I’ll have to be a lot sharper on each shot next week.”

But Firestone was a more-than adequate course to prepare for the final major of the season, the golfers said.

“It’s just a wonderful, straightforward test of golf,” Mickelson said.

Recreate the magic: McIlroy said he will do his best to try to recreate the atmosphere at last year’s PGA Championship.

With one major difference being that he will not be staying at a house on the beach, as he did a year ago in South Carolina. Rochester, N.Y., doesn’t offer similar accommodations.

He will, however, have his father in attendance, as he did in 2012.

“I think what you need to have is consistency and try not to say, ‘Oh, this didn’t work this week, so I’ll try this, now,’” McIlroy said.

McIlroy said he does plan on making one major change in the next day or two, however.

“I gotta go get a haircut,” he said.

Recreate the magic, Part 2: Last year’s Bridgestone Invitational winner, Keegan Bradley, shot 3-under Sunday to finish tied for second overall, seven back.

That, according to Bradley, was a fairly successful title defense – given how Woods played this week.

Keegan Bradley considers his 8-under second-place finish at the Bridgestone Invitational nearly a successful defense of his 2012 title.Joshua Gunter/The Plain Dealer 

“Any time you defend a title it’s a little stressful, and in my eyes, I almost won,” Bradley said. “I almost defended, considering what Tiger is doing.”

Finchem on the PGA: PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem attended the Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday to announce the tournament’s extended partnership with Bridgestone, and addressed various other topics.

On the issue of how many golf fans missed viewing this tournament because Time Warner temporarily dropped CBS from its lineup: “Obviously from our perspective, and other sports that are carried on CBS, I’d like to see it resolved and we hope it will be.”

On whether the dates of the Bridgestone will change in future years: “I think we found over recent years that the week before the PGA Championship works nicely. That would be our intention. That’s our plan.”

On whether Bridgestone would change venues: “Well, we’d have to go out and ask the players first what they thought about that. I guess we’d go down the list. We’d start with Tiger at the top, and I think his vote would probably be to come back and play here every year.

“No, our intention would be to play here every year. The golf course is terrific. The players all love it.”

Overconfidence is the fear and what Urban Meyer said he spends 80 percent of his time thinking about.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ask Urban Meyer, and the throwing and the catching and the tackling and the running aren't what is going to determine how Ohio State's season goes. Braxton Miller and Ryan Shazier and Dontre Wilson and Noah Spence aren't who is going to decide how Ohio State's season goes.

The players are obviously in place. Until a bowl game, the Buckeyes won't play a team with more talent. The schedule and the Big Ten conference are obviously there for the taking. The precedent is obviously set – this will be the fourth time Meyer has entered his second season with a football program. The first three times he went 9-3 at Bowling Green, 12-0 at Utah and 13-1 at Florida and beat Ohio State for the national title.

But those other times, Meyer never entered his second season coaching an undefeated team. Ohio State opened preseason practice Sunday and by the time the Buckeyes get to the opener against Buffalo on Aug. 31, they'll have gone 607 days since losing a game – the Gator Bowl to Florida on Jan. 1, 2012.

Meyer, as a coach, will have gone 1,007 days without a loss, since his 8-5 Florida team lost to Florida State on Nov. 27, 2010.

If anything beats the Buckeyes this season, it'll be themselves. Maybe because they've forgotten what it's like to lose.

“Complacency,” senior left tackle Jack Mewhort said, “is a monster.”

Motivating a team coming off the only undefeated season in college football is a lot different than motivating a bowl-banned, 6-7 team whose program had gone down in flames. Last year, the Buckeyes had everything to prove. This year, there's only one way to go up, and plenty of ways to fall down.

“That's going to be the essence of what we do,” Meyer said, “if it's going to be a good year or a bad year. I don't know. If we can keep us focused on Wednesday, we're good. If we're worried, 'Oh, in November …” (because) they're going to get asked those questions. People at home are saying, 'Oh, we're going to go to Pasadena.' Stop that. Get to Wednesday. If we get to Wednesday, we have a chance.”

How important is that idea of finding a purpose and not giving in to overconfidence?

“I would say that occupies 80 percent of our time,” Meyer said.

So as the countdown concludes, the top issue on the list of the most important things for Ohio State's season is simple ….

No. 1: The Buckeyes can't beat themselves

There are plenty of ways to do that. For instance, having two star players get in trouble in the off-season and face suspensions. Running back Carlos Hyde is gone for three games and Meyer is still waiting to decide the fate of cornerback Bradley Roby.

“When you get complacent, that's when you get lax,” Meyer said, “when you start taking things easy. That's when your mindset wanders.”

The Buckeyes started practice with 105 players on Sunday, coming off a 12-0 season and looking for more in 2013.Doug Lesmerises

There's a chance that the legal entanglements faced by two key Buckeyes might serve as a warning shot across the bow of a ship pointed toward another winning streak. Or it could be an indication of problems ahead. Or it could be a coincidence.

But overconfidence can be real.

“That is a worry,” senior safety Christian Bryant said. “It's something that comes in the back of my mind from time to time. But I feel if you stay grounded and leaders on our team tell guys we could lose a game any week, it'll be OK. If we underestimate teams, we can go in somebody's else's house and lose.”

Ranked No. 2 in the preseason coaches poll, while earning three first-place votes, the Buckeyes have just three of their 12 scheduled opponents in the top 25 – No. 17 Michigan, No. 22 Northwestern and No. 23 Wisconsin. USA Today made a big deal out of the fact that in the last 10 years, the team ranked No. 2 in that preseason poll has actually won the national title four times.

That's the kind of story Meyer would like to burn.

But the Buckeyes will get a full season of that attitude nearly everywhere they go, from friends, family and media. That's in part because of a schedule that includes just five teams even in the top 45 according to USA Today's preseason countdown. There's a lot to overlook. It will be far too easy to gaze into the future or peek down South and see how the SEC contenders are doing.

The 2013 Ohio State Buckeyes are a better collection of talent than the 2012 Buckeyes, and more versed in what's expected from Meyer and his staff. But that doesn't guarantee the same record.

“I think the hunger for what we're going for is the same, but I think it's motivated by different things,” Mewhort said. “Coming off a 6-7 year, you feel like garbage about yourself. This year, we obviously have huge goals set for ourselves. And to accomplish those goals, we have to be a special team and do everything right and not let details slip.”

For everything the Buckeyes accomplished last year, they didn't get to play in the postseason. And for Bryant, that lingers as a new twist that should provide a spark.

“So I feel like we're going into this season with more of a chip on our shoulders,” Bryant said, “because we haven't competed for a Big Ten championship or a national championship and that's something we're trying to accomplish.”

The quickest way to fall short of that is by assuming too much about the regular season. Everything about the start of 2013 is different than the start of 2012. But the Buckeyes have to hold on to what drove them last year. And not forget what a loss is like.

“If it's much different, then that's something, because I'm the leader … ” Meyer said, trailing off before making his point. “We can't let it be different.”

Chris Owens grew up without a dad in inner-city Los Angeles with his brother in and out of jail. But he scratched and clawed his way to the Browns, where he's fighting for a starting cornerback job.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- New Browns cornerback Chris Owens remembers ducking and dodging bullets on the streets of inner-city Los Angeles as a boy, and hearing gunfire pierce the night while chilling with some of his five older siblings in the refuge of their living room.

His mom, Blanche Owens, always sent up a prayer when her six kids left the house, begging God to bring them back safe.

Sometimes the phone would ring and that pained expression would come over her face, the one that always broke Owens' heart. It meant the eldest child, Courtland, a member of an L.A. gang, was back in jail for one thing or another.

Blanche could never count on her husband to straighten Courtland out, because he was rarely ever straight himself. By the time Owens was 2 or 3, Blanche worked up the courage to leave Alvin and raise the six kids on her own, often working two jobs to make ends meet. Owens is fairly certain his dad was a drug addict, but he could never really bring himself to ask him mom the full story.

"I think it would probably be too heavy for my heart,'' he said.

He remembers seeing his dad about three times after the split, twice on Christmas, and one other time when he took the boy shopping.

"I just kept moving forward,'' Owens said. "I tried not to think about it. When I saw guys with their fathers after high school and college games, I tried to move on and keep my mind elsewhere. I focused on my own personal goals.''

By the time Owens was 20, by then a star cornerback for San Jose State, his father had passed away.

"It was pretty tough because I didn't have a chance to get to know him,'' said Owens, who's locked in a duel with Buster Skrine for the starting cornerback job opposite Joe Haden. "It's not the fact that he wasn't in my life. It's the fact that I'll never know what type of person he was. That's what hurts the most.''

In the six years since his father died, Owens has forgiven him for abandoning the family.

"I'm sure he's up in heaven smiling on me,'' Owens said. "I don't have any hard feelings for him. I believe everybody makes mistakes and I feel like you should give people a chance to be forgiven and that's helped me lot. When you forgive someone, you sometimes tend to forgive yourself and allow it to come off your chest.''

With his dad out of the picture, Owens looked to Courtland -- the oldest of the three boys and three girls -- as his father figure. Problem was, Courtland let Owens down time and again until later in life, when he earned a business degree from USC and became a good father to his own son.

"I can remember going to see him in jail and actually crying when I was talking to him through the glass window,'' said Owens. "Experiences like that make you stronger. I never want my son to see me behind bars like that.''

Owens' son, Chris Jr., will be 3 next month.

"I want to give Chris something I never had and that's a hands-on father in his life,'' said Owens.

Despite Courtland's troubles, he rode Owens hard to stay clean and out of gangs. Between Courtland and his mom, Owens had little choice but to take a higher road. Besides, they could see his immense talent, knew he could make something of himself and leave the mean streets behind.

"My mom kept us in church,'' said Owens. "She sacrificed everything for us and I love her for that. Later she got her degree and taught pre-school. But with Courtland telling me to keep my head on straight and my mom whipping my butt, it was pretty easy to stay on the straight and narrow.''

Owens (5-foot-9, 180) went on to make a name for himself at LA's Dorsey High -- the school that produced receiver Keyshawn Johnson and former Browns wideout Dennis Northcutt -- and then star at San Jose State, where he made 228 tackles and 13 interceptions.

"I was then blessed enough for Atlanta to draft me in the third round (of 2009),'' he said.

The Falcons had high hopes for Owens, but he never lived up to expectations. All told, he started only 12 of his 59 games in four years there, finishing with 77 tackles and three interceptions. He started six games late in his rookie year, and began each of the next two seasons as the starting nickelback. But by the end of both of those years, he had lost the job. 

Last season, he was relegated mostly to special teams, and the Falcons let him walk in free agency.

"I played with a lot of really good corners -- Asante Samuels, Brent Grimes, Dunta Robinson -- and when I was a rookie Chris Houston was a starter, and now he signed a big deal in Detroit,'' said Owens. "I took what they were doing and I learned from them. When you play with good guys like that, you have to wait your turn.''

During free agency, the Browns courted Grimes -- even sending a private jet for him -- but he opted to stay in Atlanta. The Browns then turned their attention to Owens, in part because he held quarterbacks to a scant 68.9 rating when they threw his way. They signed him to a one-year deal worth $1 million, meaning they weren't counting on him to start.

"It was a great beginning for me and a chance to start my career over,'' he said. "I'd love to make Cleveland my home and hopefully re-sign here and build something here that the fans and the city and everybody that ever loved the Browns can call a winner.''

Owens currently shares the starting right cornerback spot on the depth chart with Skrine. Rookie Leon McFadden is also vying for time there, but probably won't be ready at the start of the season. In practice, Owens and Skrine are splitting the reps 50-50, and each has made his share of plays, including an interception by Owens at the end of Brandon Weeden's two-minute drill last week.

"Chris is doing a fantastic job,'' said defensive backs coach Louie Cioffi. "We're very fortunate to have him. He's really a pleasure to coach. He works hard on and off the field. He gives back to the community in the off-season and he's a leader in our classroom.''

Cioffi also loves Skrine, calling him "one of the most competitive guys I've ever seen. His finish is outstanding. The good thing about Chris and Buster is their versatility. They can both play outside at a high level in the NFL and they can also move inside and play as a nickel. They're both going to be a huge part of what our defense does this year.''

As Owens spoke, he pointed to a busted lip, courtesy of a particularly tough practice last week.

"My career is a fight,'' he said. "You have to scratch and claw your way up. You gotta fight, you've got to keep pushing. It's that tenacity I've developed from the time I was a child.''