If Roger Clemens chopped down a cherry tree, would anyone be surprised if he claimed self-defense?

Susan Walsh, Associated PressRoger Clemens, left, listens to the testimony of Brian McNamee, his former personal trainer, in 2008 on Capitol Hill in Washington.

If Roger Clemens chopped down a cherry tree, would anyone be surprised if he claimed self-defense?

A grand jury indicted Roger Clemens on six counts of obstruction of justice and lying to Congress under oath.

Victor Conte, who served time for distributing steroids in the BALCO scandal, thinks the government's case against Clemens is significantly stronger than its case against Barry Bonds.

Clemens says he's looking forward to his day in court. A conviction is hardly assured.

But when Victor Conte thinks it looks bad for you, it might be time to get your highlights done in a color that doesn't clash with an orange jumpsuit.

Spin reviews the Case Against and the Case For Roger Clemens:

•The Case Against: The 2000 World Series between the Yankees and Mets is inadmissible, but it's what many think of when they think of Clemens.

In the first inning of Game 2, Clemens shattered the bat of nemesis Mike Piazza. Fielding a piece of the bat, Clemens threw it in Piazza's direction as Piazza ran toward first.

"I had no idea Mike was running," Clemens said.

Yep. Hitters, like lovers, usually start with first base.

Clemens later said he thought the bat was a ball.

Does this sound like the George Washington of Major League Baseball?

•The Case For: Clemens wasn't subpoenaed when he testified in front of a House committee in 2008. He could've refused the request or showed up and taken the Fifth.

Instead, he made 15 statements denying he used steroids or HGH. He has to be innocent, right? Nobody could be this dumb.

• The Case Against: Bloody gauze, vials and needles kept by Clemens' trainer, Brian McNamee, who claims he injected Clemens more than a dozen times with HGH and steroids between 1998 and 2001.

• The Case For: McNamee kept the needles in an old beer can. For eight years. Unless it's a hermetically sealed vault shaped like a beer can, that doesn't exactly make the evidence seem tamper proof.

• The Case Against: Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte says Clemens told him of his HGH use.

• The Case For: Clemens says Pettitte "misheard" him, that he actually told Pettitte of a TV show where three older men spoke of how HGH helped them get back their quality of life.

OK, so it doesn't sound as much like a reason to believe Clemens as it does a script for "Cocoon III."

• The Case Against: McNamee says he injected Clemens' wife before she did a photo shoot for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. How would she know he had a working knowledge of HGH injections if all he'd given Clemens was a fruit smoothie and a One-A-Day?

• The Case For: Maybe Clemens, like most guys, walks around his house oblivious to dust bunnies, breakfast dishes on the counter and friends stepping into the master bedroom with his wife.

• The Case Against: The guy was throwing 97 miles an hour at age 96. That doesn't happen.

•The Case For: Jose Canseco, who's been mostly correct about drug use in baseball, says he never saw Clemens use steroids or HGH.

That's what it's come down to for Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young winner.

Jose Canseco might be is his No. 1 character witness.

Yiannis Liakos, Icon via APNenad Krstic, left, of Serbia throws a chair toward Greece's Yannis Bouroussis, third left, who did not take part in the game, during the Acropolis tournament at the indoor Olympic stadium of Athens, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010. The friendly basketball tournament finished in a brawl as the last game between Serbia and Greece was abandoned with 2:40 to go when a fight broke out and the benches cleared on Thursday.

Chair picking

Shouldn't he have thrown some clothes instead?

Serbia's Nenad Krstic, a center for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was released from police custody Friday after wielding a chair in a brawl with Greece.

"I believe he acted in self-defense and grabbed a chair after some half-naked [Greek] fans rushed into the court," said Serbian coach Dusan Ivkovic. "The chair fell from his hand and grazed [Greece's Yannis] Bouroussis."

Two things.

Roger Clemens' defense suddenly sounds plausible.

And I can see the Facebook group forming already: "Make Nenad Krstic a Cavalier by Nov. 2."

Something to talk about

Why do Homer Simpson and a certain next-door neighbor come to mind?

Jets coach Rex Ryan says he smoothed things over with Tony Dungy after Dungy was critical of Ryan's foul language in an episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks."

Ryan, who thought Dungy unfairly judged him, told reporters they aired out their differences. Ryan termed the discussion "heated" at times.

That description requires some perspective. It's hard to imagine Dungy losing his temper and swearing.

More probably it means he swore on Maude Flanders' grave that he was not okely-dokely-do with the way Ryan is representing the league.

You said it (The Expanded Sunday Edition)

"Bud: In 2030, what players do you think will be at the Indians' fantasy camp?" -- Jeffery G

You mean besides Bob Feller?

"Bud: When performing 'Script Ohio,' has the Ohio State band ever misspelled Ohio?" -- Tom Hoffner, Broadview Heights

Never on game day. Only after one of those legendary nights of band camp debauchery when somebody smuggled in a six-pack of O'Douls and a game of Uno spilled into the wee hours.

"Bud: Do you think if the Indians can lure Mario Mendoza out of retirement, he could be a middle-of-the-order hitter for the Tribe?" -- Jim Lefkowitz, Pepper Pike

Interesting thought. He just could be available since The Mendoza Line of uncorked, lightly used bats never sold the way he'd hoped.

"Bud: Do you think LeBron decided it was OK to go play second fiddle to D-Wade when he saw that Scottie Pippen made the Hall of Fame?" -- Ryan Tirk, Strongsville

Either that or when he saw Robert Wagner's depiction of "No. 2" in "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery."

"Bud: I always wondered where those ridiculous seats on top of the Green Monster [in Boston's Fenway Park] came from until I saw an Adrian Beltre HR ball bounce off Wally Cox, then Paul Lynde before landing on the lap of Charlie Weaver." -- Jack Chase, Brook Park

First-time "You said it" winners receive a T-shirt from the mental_floss collection.

"Bud: Since Travis Hafner's power has diminished, is it true the Indians are relocating Pronkville to the edge of the right-field warning track?" -- Joe

Repeat winners receive a cortisone shot in a body part to be named.

"Bud: Last Saturday, Josh Bard and Kelly Shoppach, both former Cleveland Indians catchers, hit grand slams to win the game for their new teams. Do you think Lou Marson is just biding his time?" -- Pat

Repeat winners also receive a copy of "Catcher in the Wry" by Bob Uecker, who once said this of his underwhelming career in baseball: "I hit a grand slam off Ron Herbel, and when his manager, Herman Franks, came out to get him, he was bringing Herbel's suitcase."

Getting some fantasy football action.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerShin-Soo Choo doesn't know anything about football, but he soon will.

Clubhouse confidential: The Indians players met Saturday afternoon to determine the order for their NFL fantasy draft later this month. Shin-Soo Choo, a native of South Korea, drew the No. 1 pick.

"I don't know anything about football," Choo said. "I never played."

Said Matt LaPorta, "I'll pick for you."

Said Choo, "Maybe I'll pick you."

Frank Herrmann, born in New Jersey and a graduate of Harvard University, yelled from across the locker room, "Choo, take Tom Brady."

The draft will take place later this month at Travis Hafner's house.

Rainy day run: Manager Manny Acta got his road work in Saturday afternoon. He ran sprints, a lot of them, on the warning track at Comerica Park in the pouring rain for at least 40 minutes.

Stat of the day: Catcher Lou Marson has thrown out 36.2 percent (17-for-47) of the runners he's faced. Chris Gimenez 33.3 percent (5-for-15), Carlos Santana 29 percent (9-for-31) and Mike Redmond 7.4 percent (2-for-27) are next in line.

-- Paul Hoynes

Tigers rip Indians rookie starter for eight runs on 11 hits in three innings after he beat them in his big-league debut on July 18.

Cleveland Indians starter Jeanmar Gomez pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

UPDATED: 3:21 p.m.

DETROIT, Mich. -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians 2010 regular season. The Indians play the Tigers today in the final 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 8, Indians 1 after seven innings.

A little relief: After Jeanmar Gomez was dispatched to soak his head and arm in ice after three innings, Tribe relievers were able to stop the Tigers. Frank Herrmann pitched two scoreless innings. Rafael Perez and Tony Sipp followed with a scoreless inning each.

Cycle of death: Lovers of good defense had to cringe when Luis Valbuena came off the bench in the seventh to play second and Jason Donald moved over to short to give Asdrubal Cabrera a break. It meant that the Indians three-headed 3B moster of Jayson Nix, Andy Marte and Valbue, was on the field at the same time.

What a catch: Nix made the second out of the seventh with a great tumbling catch into the photographer's pitch near the Tigers' dugout against Don Kelly. Nix fell over the railing and appeared to land on his head after what appeared to be a six-foot drop. He stuck his glove in the air and third base umpire Ted Barret gave the out sign. 

All Tigers all the time: The Tigers, held to two unearned runs the last time they faced Gomez, got some revenge in a hurry. They knocked him out of the game in three innings after battering him for eight runs on 11 hits.

The Tigers scored three runs in the first, three runs in the second and one in the third.

Can't win: In the first, Gomez intentionally walked Brennan Boesch to face Jhonny Peralta with the bases loaded and the Tigers leading, 1-0. Peralta hit a two-run single.

In the second, Gomez intentionally walked Miguel Cabrera to load the bases and Boesch hit a two-run double. Peralta followed with a sac-fly for a 6-1 lead.

Early lead: Shin-Soo Choo gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with a two-out homer off Justin Verlander in the first. It was his 15trh of the season. 

The line: Gomez allowed eight runs, seven earned, on 11 hits in three innings. He threw 83 pitches, 50 for strikes. He walked three and struck out one.

Clang: Center fielder Trevor Crowe had two errors in the first three innings.
 
 Pre-game notes:

 Game 124: In discussing possible September call ups, managers Manny Acta mentioned Carlos Carrasco, David Huff, Jordan Brown and as many as three relievers as being considered. When asked about Class AAA third baseman Jared Goedert, he said Goedert not being on the 40-man roster makes things difficult.

 Carrasco is 10-5 with a 3.71 ERA in 23 starts at Columbus. He would have been up earlier, but an elbow injury stopped him.

 Huff has had two tours with the Tribe this year. He's 7-1 with a 3.99 ERA in nine starts at Columbus. Huff is 2-11 with a 6.21 ERA with the Indians.

 Jordan Brown made his first trip to the big leagues on July 31 after the Indians traded Austin Kearns. He was sent down on Aug. 15 and has hit .294 (5-for-17) with a homer and three RBI since the demotion. Overall, he's hitting .308 (89-for-289) with 25 doubles, seven homers and 66 RBI at Columbus.

 Acta didn't name the relievers, but Jensen Lewis (2-1, 2.54, 2 saves), Vinnie Pestano (1-2, 1.74, 11 saves), Bryce Stowell (1-1, 5.49) and Josh Judy (2-0, 3.06, 2 saves) could be candidates.

 "We don't have a set number of guys that we'll call up," said Acta. "We'll probably bring three guys for the pen. For sure Carlos (Carrasco) will come. David Huff is down there, but it all depends on how many guys we can find innings for. We're not going to call guys up and sit them on the bench in case a fight breaks out."

 As for Goedert, Acta said, "He's had a nice year. His name has been brought up. But I can't sit here and tell you every single guy that is going to come up. I have a say, but I don't make all those decisions."
 
 Quick hits:

 -The Indians will need at least one extra starter to get through September. Justin Masterson could move to the bullpen after reaching 180 innings.

 "Masterson could meet his innings expectations by the second week of September," said Acta. "We're trying to get 180 out of him, but he doesn't have to get every single one of them out of the rotation. If we need to start a guy or two when they come up in September, he could finish his innings in the bullpen."

 The Indians don't want Josh Tomlin or Jeanmar Gomez to exceed 175 innings.

 -Aaron Laffey was rained out of his rehab appearance with Class AA Akron on Saturday so he'll try again today.

 -Anthony Reyes, coming back from Tommy John surgery, has been working in Akron with pitching coach Greg Hibbard to some adjustments to his delivery.

 "He threw a bullpen on Saturday," said Acta. "He'll throw another one and if that goes well he'll probably throw a rehab game."

 The Indians would like to add Reyes to the big league club in September.

 -Struggling Matt LaPorta wasn't in the starting lineup Sunday to give him a break.

 "We want to give him a chance to clear his head," said Acta. "He'll have today and Monday's off day."

 LaPorta has multiple slumps going, 3-for-36 and 14-for-78.

 Lineups:

 Indians (50-73): CF Trevor Crowe (S), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), DH Travis Hafner (L), 3B Jayson Nix (R), 1B Andy Marte (R), LF Shelley Duncan (R), 2B Jason Donald (R), C Lou Marson (R) and RHP Josh Tomlin (1-2, 2.96).

 Tigers (60-63): Austin Jackson (R), 2B Will Rhymes (L), 1B Miguel Cabrera (R), RF Brennan Boesch (L), SS Jhonny Peralta (R), 3B Brandon Inge (R), LF Don Kelly (L), C Gerald Laird (R) and RHP Jeanmar Gomez (3-1, 1.84).

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

 Quote of the day: "I swing hard all the time. That's what I've done my whole life -- hit," Boston's David Ortiz from Baseball Almanac.

 Next: Indians open three-game series against Oakland at Progressive Field on Tuesday. RHP Fausto Carmona (11-11, 4.14) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (10-8, 3.39) Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.
 

Rookie Jeanmar Gomez can't get past the third against the Tigers, completing a 1-5 trip for the Indians.

Duane Burleson / Associated PressWith the exception of a first-inning home run from Shin-Soo Choo, Detroit's Justin Verlander had no problem in shutting down the Indians on seven hits over eight innings Sunday at Comerica Park.

DETROIT, Mich. -- The Tigers earned some revenge and a sweep Sunday in pounding rookie Jeanmar Gomez and the Indians, 8-1, at Comerica Park.

Gomez beat the Tigers in his big-league debut on July 18. The skinny right-hander completed a four-game sweep for the Indians by holding the Tigers to two unearned runs over seven innings.

Sunday they paid Gomez back. Detroit scored eight runs on 11 hits against Gomez. He was gone after three innings the Tigers completed a three-game sweep. The Indians, who have lost 12 of their last 16 games, went 1-5 on this trip through Kansas City and Detroit.

Gomez (3-2, 3.62) entered Sunday's game have allowed six earned runs in his five big-league starts. The Tigers scored seven earned runs against him.

The win went to Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.65). He gave up a first-inning homer to Shin-Soo Choo and that was it as he left after eight innings with a 8-1 lead.

The homer was Choo's 15th of the season.

The Tigers scored three runs in the first, three in the second and two in the third. Relievers Frank Herrmann, Rafael Perez, Tony Sipp and Chris Perez pitched scoreless ball after that, but it was too late.

The play of the game was turned in by the defensively challenged Indians.

Jayson Nix recorded the second out of the seventh with a great tumbling catch into the photographer's pitch near the Tigers' dugout against Don Kelly. Nix fell over the railing and appeared to land on his head after what appeared to be a six-foot drop. He stuck his glove in the air and third base umpire Ted Barret gave the out sign.

Former Indian Jhonny Peralta drove in three runs against his old team. He had a two-run single in the first and a sacrifice fly in the second.

The Browns' quarterback picture is shaping up as planned with the combined performances of Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace in the preseason.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerSo far, there's been little reason to worry over the Browns' quarterback play in the preseason, as Jake Delhomme has impressed statistically and Seneca Wallace has produced scores in his time on the field. "I think both of those guys have done a really nice job," said coach Eric Mangini.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns' quarterback situation is working out as the team hoped, with Jake Delhomme as the starter and Seneca Wallace coming in off the bench to provide an effective 1-2 punch.

"I think Jake's done a good job," said coach Eric Mangini. "It's been two weeks in a row where he's been pretty efficient throwing the ball, and he runs the offense well and he's engaged the whole game.

"He's working on the sideline whether he's in or out, to try to either help the guys that are in, or try to figure out answers. A lot of the answers he knows and the ones he doesn't know, he's going to get. I think both of those guys have done a really nice job."

Through two preseason games, Delhomme is completing 78.3 percent of his passes, with a 116.1 rating. The Saints' Drew Brees led the NFL last season with a 109.6 rating. Delhomme has completed 18 of 23 attempts for 193 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He's been sacked once for six yards.

Wallace, who relieved Delhomme in the first quarter in Green Bay and the third quarter against the Rams, has completed nine of 17 attempts (52.9 percent) for 139 yards, but three of those nine completions have gone for touchdowns, including a 15-yarder to Josh Cribbs in Saturday night's 19-17 loss to the Rams.

Wallace has thrown one interception and been sacked twice, earning a 95.3 rating -- one that would've put him in the top 10 of last year's quarterbacks.

"In terms of exactly how Seneca's role will be defined, there's a lot of things we can do with him," said Mangini. "And he's very comfortable coming in at any point. Over time, Seneca has been that guy, so he's comfortable going in whenever we need him, and that's a good thing because it allows you some flexibility."

John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer"I don't worry about the starting job or whatever's going on," says Browns backup QB Seneca Wallace. "I've just got to worry about what I can control and let everything else fall into place."

In each preseason game, Wallace threw touchdown passes on his first possession -- a 13-yarder to Brian Robiskie in Green Bay and the 15-yarder to Cribbs against the Rams. But even though he's thrown three TDs to Delhomme's one, he's comfortable with his role.

"I just always try to go out and do what I've been doing," said Wallace. "I don't worry about the starting job or whatever's going on. I've just got to worry about what I can control and let everything else fall into place."

Mangini was reluctant to name Delhomme as his starter coming out of minicamp, in part because the Browns weren't sure how he'd look when the lights came on. But the team is optimistic midway through the preseason.

"The team needed someone like Jake to come in here and play the position, someone who's been there, who brings leadership," said Browns president Mike Holmgren on WKYC's pregame show Saturday night. "Then, to have him perform the way he did [in Green Bay], it's even better.

"Because if people had questions -- and there were questions -- they can say 'wait a minute, this guy can do this.' And I have that kind of confidence in him."

Largely because of Delhomme's leadership and huddle presence, the Browns were able to overcome a disastrous first quarter against the Rams -- one that featured two fumbled snaps by Delhomme, two balls on the ground by Jerome Harrison and a fumbled punt by Josh Cribbs. By the time it was over, the Browns were trailing, 13-0.

But instead of going into the tank, Delhomme pulled them out of the tailspin with an 11-play, 77-yard drive that ended with Ben Watson's breathtaking one-handed grab as he was falling out of the end zone.

"There wasn't a sense of panic in the least," said Delhomme. "It was just 'Hey, let's go out and play.' That's what you have to do."

Delhomme, working without his No. 1 receiver in Mohamed Massaquoi (hamstring), didn't get down on himself after he overthrew Brian Robiskie in the end zone a drive later. Instead, he came back on his ensuing possession and put a field goal on the board to pull the Browns within 13-10.

"That's one [to Robiskie] I wish I had back, because he did a good job running the route, and got under the ball," said Delhomme. "But I felt I left it up there a little too much."

The upgrade at quarterback hasn't been lost on the players who were here last year.

"Jake and Seneca have both been great," said tight end Rob Royal. "Jake's a lot more vocal than Seneca, but Seneca leads by example and leads by the way he plays the game, so you have two different styles that are both effective."

Using both quarterbacks in the same game is fine with their teammates.

"It puts a lot more pressure on defenses," said Royal. "Seneca can do some things with his legs and then you add Josh Cribbs and the wildcat into that mix and I think you've got the keys to success. It's just finding out different ways to use those guys in different packages to help our team be more effective."

When it comes to the Big Ten's new world and Ohio State vs. Michigan, the goal should be protecting and preserving the rivalry, says Doug Lesmerises.

Plain Dealer file photoIt's hard not to suspect that Big Ten power brokers believe that Ohio State vs. Michigan could once again be a match of the titans in a championship-game scenario. But is that just living in the past and ruining the modern-day value of the game?

GUESSING AT THE BIG DIVIDE
Here’s one example of how Big Ten divisions could be determined if Ohio State and Michigan are on opposite sides. Penn State and Nebraska, as other members of the best four teams since 1993, would likely be split as well, with Wisconsin and Iowa separated as the fifth and sixth teams in that time period.

Hayes Division: Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Minnesota, Indiana
Schembechler Division: Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois

THE WHAT-IF CHAMPS
Given the breakdown above, here’s what Big Ten Championship games would have been if Nebraska had joined the conference and the title game created in 1993:
1993: Ohio State/Wisconsin vs. Nebraska
1994: Penn State vs. Nebraska
1995: Ohio State vs. Northwestern/Nebraska
1996: Ohio State vs. Northwestern/Nebraska
1997: Penn State vs. Michigan/Nebraska
1998: Ohio State/Wisconsin vs. Michigan
1999: Wisconsin vs. Michigan State
2000: Purdue vs. Northwestern/Nebraska
2001: Ohio State vs. Illinois/Nebraska
2002: Ohio State vs. Iowa
2003: Ohio State vs. Michigan
2004: Wisconsin vs. Michigan
2005: Penn State vs. Michigan
2006: Ohio State vs. Michigan
2007: Ohio State vs. Michigan
2008: Penn State vs. Michigan State
2009: Ohio State vs. Iowa

OSU-Michigan title matchups: 2007, 2006, 2003, 1998 (maybe)

Potential title game appearances: Ohio State 10, Michigan 7, Nebraska 7, Penn State 4, Wisconsin 4, Northwestern 3, Iowa 2, Michigan State 2, Purdue 1, Illinois 1
— Doug Lesmerises

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The idea of placing Ohio State and Michigan in separate Big Ten divisions focuses on maximizing and monetizing the greatest rivalry in college football.

In reality, the goal should be protecting and preserving the rivalry. Because, if you haven't noticed, it's not 1975.

By trying to create a world where the Buckeyes and Wolverines can meet in the new Big Ten Championship, the conference could cripple what is a rivalry that isn't quite what it used to be.

The Big Ten should announce its division pairings sometime in September, and the idea of placing Michigan and Ohio State in opposite divisions has been gaining steam, with everyone from Ohio State coach Jim Tressel to Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany to Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith to Michigan athletic director David Brandon laying groundwork for that possibility.

"One of the best things that could happen, in my opinion in a given season, would be the opportunity to play Ohio State twice," Brandon told Michigan radio station WTKA last week.

To do that, the decision-makers seem ready to sacrifice the tradition of Ohio State and Michigan playing to end the regular season, as they've done since 1935. That would be changed to avoid a scenario where the teams meet to end the regular season and then again seven days later in the title game. The prevailing wisdom under the new schedule is for teams to end the regular season against divisional opponents to eliminate that possibility.

Here's the secret which no one is talking about: If the Buckeyes and Wolverines are in separate divisions, meeting in the championship will be a rarity, likely nothing more than a once-every-four-years occurrence. Meanwhile, matching up the Buckeyes and Wolverines at, say, the end of October will lessen a regular-season showdown that has rarely featured two of America's best teams for the last two decades.

At the current rate, Ohio State-Michigan in the middle of the season could start to feel too much like Ohio State-Purdue.

Take one division template, which features Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin on one side and Michigan, Nebraska and Iowa on the other. If the Big Ten had added Nebraska along with the Nittany Lions in 1993 and split into divisions then, the Buckeyes and Wolverines would have met in the title game either three or four times in the last 17 years.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerThe reality of a Big Ten that has developed competitive parity over the last 20 years is that OSU-Michigan still means everything to fans of both programs and college football, but is not always a deciding event in the league standings.

Is that a payoff that demands altering the conference's marquee matchup?

In a college football universe where the balance of power is shifting south, it's foolhardy to think Ohio State and Michigan will continue to exist simultaneously as elite programs. With Michigan struggling under Rich Rodriguez, Nebraska back on track under Bo Pelini, Penn State facing change whenever Joe Paterno leaves the sideline and Iowa and Wisconsin both competitive, the future Big Ten isn't going to be the Big Two and the Little Ten, as it may have been in the past.

Then look at the game itself. Since 1988, the series has been a lopsided mess, first the Wolverines winning 10 of 13, and now the Buckeyes taking eight of the last nine. In that 22-year timeframe, both teams have entered the game ranked in the top 15 just five times.

During the Ten Year War between Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler from 1969 through 1978, both Ohio State and Michigan were ranked in the top 15 in eight of those 10 games. The series was nearly even, Michigan holding a 5-4-1 edge.

That's the game that conference powers want more of. That's the game that they want to see in the Big Ten Championship. That game is gone.

What's left is Ohio State vs. Michigan. What's left is a game that goes beyond the records, that defines the season for both teams, that allows one team the delicious opportunity to play spoiler, that in good years could serve as an ideal de facto conference semifinal and that allows fans to recharge their animosity over a full season, building to the one game that matters more than any other.

"That's like the opera to me, the crescendo comes at the end," said former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce, who went 5-4 against Michigan in his nine years. "I've been with Ohio State since 1949, and I believe that game is The game. Everything should be built around that for us."

Everyone is saying that in the new Big Ten, Michigan and Ohio State are guaranteed to continue playing every year. That's like ensuring there will be 10 yards required for a first down and the Ohio State band will continue to dot the i. It's a given.

The error is assuming that's enough. Change is necessary and often beneficial. But this change would be an avoidable choice. Separating Ohio State and Michigan isn't a must. Putting Nebraska and Penn State together opposite the Buckeyes and Wolverines, or Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin in the West with Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State in the East, are other options.

Yes, plenty of other rivalries are played in the middle of the season. This rivalry deserves to be the exception. It may need to be the exception.

Ohio State ends practice with its Maize and Blue period, the players breaking into position groups to work on individual drills to get better for the Wolverines, "The Victors" blaring over speakers as reporters watched last week. I asked Ohio State linebacker Ross Homan if that period of practice would be eliminated if the Buckeyes and Wolverines played in the middle of the season and were possibly done for the year.

"No, you can prepare for Michigan all-year round," Homan said.

So next season, imagine Ohio State and Michigan meeting on Oct. 22, 2011. After another win, with their record at 8-0 and ranked No. 1 in the nation, the Buckeyes hit the practice field the next week -- and end again with the Maize and Blue period, getting ready for Michigan in 2012.

That's what this game is. And that's why it deserves to be protected, not exploited.

Montario Hardesty could still be ready for the opener despite missing all of training camp.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerA sprained right knee has kept Montario Hardesty out of the preseason so far, but it hasn't removed him from the Browns' plans for the regular season.

BEREA, Ohio -- Montario Hardesty could still be ready for the opener Sept. 12 in Tampa, even though the Browns' rookie running back has missed all of training camp and most likely will skip Saturday's dress rehearsal game in Detroit with a sprained right knee.

"Yes, I would him expect him to [be ready for the season]," said coach Eric Mangini. "There's been no setback. Based on the plan that we had and the progress that he has made, my anticipation is that he'll be practicing again in the near future and ideally playing in the opener."

He said Hardesty might get some practice reps late this week, "but it's subject to change."

Hardesty is expected to sit out Saturday's game, in which starters normally play through the third quarter. For the final preseason game Sept. 2 against the Bears, starters usually only play a series or two, but the Browns are hoping it's a chance to get Hardesty some live action before the season begins.

Hardesty suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament on the same knee as a freshman in 2005 and had it drained last season. But he didn't miss any games in 2009, rushing for 1,345 yards and 13 TDs and catching 25 passes for 302 yards. With Hardesty out, Peyton Hillis is leading the team with 54 yards on 14 carries and Jerome Harrison is second with 38 yards on 12 carries.

Pashos, Lauvao close: Right tackle Tony Pashos, who's missed the first two exhibition games with a right shoulder injury, said he expects to practice Tuesday. Mangini also said he expects him to play Saturday in Detroit. John St. Clair started at right tackle vs. the Rams.

As for rookie right guard Shawn Lauvao, who went back home to Hawaii for an undisclosed personal reason, Mangini said he could be back Monday morning.

"But again, this is sort of a unique situation," said Mangini. "That's the tentative plan right now."

Ed Suba Jr. / Akron Beacon-JournalJosh Cribbs was one of the victims of sloppy ballhandling on Saturday, as he lost this fumble during the Browns' ragged first quarter.

Not Mr. Sunshine: Mangini was still so miffed Sunday about Saturday's fumbles and rain-related mistakes that he warned the players they will practice outside in inclement weather any chance they get.

"For the time being, we could rent out the indoor facility for a car show, because we are not going in there any time soon," he said. "We need to be able to play in the weather. It's going to be hot in Tampa, it's going to be cold here. We are going to have snow, we are going to have wind, we are going to have all of those things and it affects the game. It affects the footing, it affects the ball handling, it affects the path of the ball and those are things that we need to be able to play through and be successful at playing through."

Not so special: Mangini was particularly perturbed by the poor special teams play, which included two fumbled punts and a mishandled kickoff return.

"We had poor decisions by our returners throughout the course of the night," he said. "Poor ball security, two fumbles on punts and a mishandled kickoff. It kills you.

"I thought the kickoff coverage overall was good and I thought we got better push on our field goal block team. There were some positives, but I thought as a group collectively, it was one of our least-impressive performances since we have been here in an area that we have been good at."

No surprise, turnovers are key: The Browns finished the game minus-five in turnover differential.

"In the last five years, one team has won a game out of 41 games when they've been minus-five or worse giveaway-takeaway ratio," Mangini said. "You might as well play the Powerball at that point because you've got no chance of winning. The other thing is self-inflicted wounds, penalties. Defensively, to have three penalties on third down is like a turnover. You can't survive those things."

McCoy must learn: Mangini said rookie quarterback Colt McCoy, who currently has a dismal 9.7 rating, must learn to come in off the bench and play well.

"It's something Colt is really learning, because he went from getting all of the reps at Texas to maybe getting a few reps here or getting in the game for a few plays. That's different for him."

McCoy has completed five of 12 attempts for 25 yards, with no TDs and two interceptions. Still, Mangini has been impressed with McCoy trying to get better.

"He doesn't get flustered by it, he has done a nice job with Jake [Delhomme] and Seneca [Wallace], seeking out their guidance," he said. "It's a hard transition."

Hillis helping: Hillis leads the team in receiving yards as well as rushing, with 46 on five catches.

"He catches the ball well," said Mangini. "That's going to be one of his roles. He can play fullback, he can play on special teams, he can play on third down, he's a tough, physical guy with the ball, and that's the guy that we were looking for when we made the trade [with Denver]."

Reporter Doug Lesmerises writes how the idea of placing Ohio State and Michigan in separate divisions focuses on maximizing and monetizing this great rivalry. So how do you protect this rivalry since the Big Ten will break down into two divisions? The Big Ten should announce its division pairings sometime in September, and the idea of placing Michigan and...

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerJim Tressel

Reporter Doug Lesmerises writes how the idea of placing Ohio State and Michigan in separate divisions focuses on maximizing and monetizing this great rivalry.

So how do you protect this rivalry since the Big Ten will break down into two divisions?

The Big Ten should announce its division pairings sometime in September, and the idea of placing Michigan and Ohio State in opposite divisions has been gaining steam, with everyone from Ohio State coach Jim Tressel to Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany to Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith to Michigan athletic director David Brandon laying groundwork for that possibility.

"One of the best things that could happen, in my opinion in a given season, would be the opportunity to play Ohio State twice," Brandon told Michigan radio station WTKA last week.

Well, at some point, Tiger forgot that he puts on his pants one leg at a time, just like everyone else. Actually — more to the point — I guess he forgot that he takes off his pants one leg at a time, just like everyone else.

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerTiger Woods acknowledges the cheers at Firestone Country Club in Akron earlier this month after finishing a career-worst 18 over for the tournament. Some thought he would excel this year, but so far, he' done the opposite. That reminds the Couch Slouch of a certain "Seinfeld" episode. Hmmm.

The Cleveland Browns committed five turnovers during Saturday's game against the St. Louis Rams last week. Center Alex Mack says the team came back after those bad plays. But coach Eric Mangini didn't dismiss the fumbles as much as Mack, writes Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald. Mangini is good at digging up statistics to prove his point and came up with...

Thomas Ondrey, The Plain DealerAlex Mack

Center Alex Mack says the team came back after those bad plays. But coach Eric Mangini didn't dismiss the fumbles as much as Mack, writes Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald.

Mangini is good at digging up statistics to prove his point and came up with a beauty to illustrate the hole the Browns dug themselves.

Mangini said in the last five years, only once in 40 games did a team with a negative-5 takeaway-giveaway ratio win the game. Despite the bad weather, the Rams had no turnovers Saturday.

"You might as well play the Powerball," Mangini said. "You have no chance of winning."

Schudel also writes that Mangini was equally frustrated by the defense committing penalties on third down three times.

"The conditions were not great, but they weren't great for the Rams, either," Mangini said. "That's one of the reasons I believe so firmly in practicing in the elements. For the time being, we can rent out the indoor facility for a car show, because we're not going in there any time soon.

"It's going to be hot in Tampa. It's going to be cold here. We're going to have snow and wind. It affects the footing, the ball handling and passing the ball. Those are things we need to be able to play through and be successful." 

Good and bad

ESPN's James Walker writes what was good and bad about the Cleveland Browns' 19-17 loss against the St. Louis Rams Saturday.

Walker likes what he saw in starting quarterback Jake Delhomme and how he has looked good in both of his preseason games. Walker especially liked the play from fullback Lawrence Vickers.

He punished Rams linebackers and defensive backs. The Browns like their big package with Vickers blocking for running back Peyton Hillis, who had a team-high 12 carries for 51 yards.  

The bad was obvious. The Browns had five turnovers and didn't force any on defense.

Surprisingly, the Browns' pass rush didn't show up. Cleveland had zero sacks against the shaky offensive line of the Rams, who are projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season. St. Louis passed 34 times without allowing a sack.

Peyton's place

Peyton Hillis is making himself known, especially with the fans during his play against the St. Louis Rams.

Stephanie Storm writes on Ohio.com about Hillis' impressive second quarter during the Browns' first scoring drive.

The bull-dozing Hillis bounced off defenders and broke multiple tackles on a 9-yard gain that left him so pumped up, he flexed for the crowd, stomping his feet for emphasis when he got up after finally being dragged down.

''He is tough with the ball in his hands,'' Browns coach Eric Mangini said after the game. ''He is more elusive than you think for a guy his size.''

Perfect match

Quarterback Jake Delhomme is the right man at the right time for the Cleveland Browns. He had another impressive preseason outing last Saturday, but it was more than just the numbers.

Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour writes how the Browns have not had as good of a field general since Bernie Kosar. She gives an example during last Saturday's preseason game.

After struggling through the first three series, which included three fumbles, two by running back Jerome Harrison, Delhomme recovered nicely. He rallied his charges with two second-quarter scoring drives, and it could have been three if Peyton Hillis had not been stopped a yard short on fourth-and-3 from the Rams' 17. Delhomme also lamented a little too much air on a throw to Brian Robiskie in the end zone on that same series.

Join us for the first live Browns chat of the season today with The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi. We'll talk about the start to the preseason, how camp battles are playing out and get Tony's thoughts on the team as they continue preparations for 2010.

Chat live with Tony Grossi every Monday at noon.

Tony's back! Join us for the first live Browns chat of the season today at noon with The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi.

We'll talk about the start to the preseason, how camp battles are playing out and get Tony's thoughts on the team as they continue preparations for 2010.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Tony's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

Cleveland sports bloggers react to Saturday's preseason game against the Rams, talk about the Browns quarterbacks and pass rush plus more on LeBron's GQ interview.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis made a strong first impression on Browns fans Saturday night against St. Louis.

Browns

Who needs Thunder and Lightning when the Browns have Thunder and ... Thunder. (WaitingForNextYear)

Cleveland Reboot: "Jake Delhomme continues to impress, or, more important, not severely disappoint. And is it me, or where have all the Delhomme critics disappeared to? But also, in the interest of fairness, aren't we all just waiting for 'that moment' to happen again – the one in which ... never mind." » Read more

Cleveland Frowns: "It was nice to see the Browns get the lead back after falling into a 13-0 hole. They still nearly doubled the Rams' total yards. It's hard to see that they'd have lost if it was a full game between starters, even after the bumpy start, so that should be a good teaching moment, too. Plus, that nine-yard run by Peyton Hillis and the celebration it touched off in the crowd means we probably already got the best of the Brady Quinn trade. Guy looks like a Cleveland Brown." » Read more

Land Loyalty: "The Browns pass rush has been downright awful in the preseason with just one sack in two games. The worst part is that the failures aren't because the team is being conservative. The defense appears to be blitzing early and often from all over the field, however they are not consistently able to affect the quarterback, leaving the defensive backs on their own in one-on-one coverage. Despite the talent this team has in the secondary, most quarterbacks can pick apart this scenario when given time." » Read more

No Logo Needed thinks it's time for the Browns to pay Phil Dawson.

Cavaliers

Cavs HQ: "The whole 'Decision' television hour notwithstanding, I don't believe that LeBron has done anything that should turn him into an NBA villain outside of Cleveland, but that is what he has become. I also would like to point out that [J.R.] Moehringer still has concerns about LeBron's elbow, the same concerns I have been clamoring about for the last three months. Say what you will about LeBron's motivations this summer, the only unique, game-changing factor that impacted his performance in the playoffs was that elbow, and I remain hopeful that the full story of that injury will one day be revealed." » Read more

  Miami Herald columnist Israel Gutierrez writes how he understands some of the disdain fans have for LeBron James in how he left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat. Gutierrez, however, doesn't understand how James is considered the most hated man in sports, according to one poll. That's a reaction that doesn't match the supposed crime, writes Gutierrez. And,...

Ben Margot / Associated PressLeBron James

Miami Herald columnist Israel Gutierrez writes how he understands some of the disdain fans have for LeBron James in how he left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.

Gutierrez, however, doesn't understand how James is considered the most hated man in sports, according to one poll. That's a reaction that doesn't match the supposed crime, writes Gutierrez.

And, sadly, that's the type of response that has become most common -- one that should be expected from the scorned fans in Cleveland, but hardly makes sense for the rest of the world to feel because in the grand scheme he has done very little wrong here.

Almost immediately, James was lumped in with athletes with shattered images such as Tiger Woods, Ben Roethlisberger and Alex Rodriguez. And in some opinions, he has inexplicably surpassed them.

James is deemed more hated than Roger Clemens, Terrell Owens and Donte' Stallworth. And the reasoning, writes Gutierrez, almost is contradictory:

He's hated because he's so full of himself that he wanted to share his stage with other great players. Huh?

The worst thing you can say about James is that he's an egomaniac who leaves something to be desired in the area of tact. But how many of our superstars aren't egomaniacs? And how else would you expect an athlete to respond when he has been elevated to the top of the sports world since he was studying algebra?

 

"I like Acta. He is much better in expressing himself than Wedge. I think that has to help with fans. I know everyone is frustrated, but there is really nothing that can be done to help this season. They just have to get through it, develop some guys and get better next year. There is no sense in dwelling on the record or the lackluster performances." - johnhotrod

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain Dealer Manny Acta was given a tough assignment with the Indians in 2010.

In response to the story As Tribe losses mount, manager Manny Acta says, 'No whining', cleveland.com reader johnhotrod likes Manny Acta despite this season's record. This reader writes,

"I like Acta. He is much better in expressing himself than Wedge. I think that has to help with fans. I know everyone is frustrated, but there is really nothing that can be done to help this season. They just have to get through it, develop some guys and get better next year. There is no sense in dwelling on the record or the lackluster performances."

"If this team relies solely on Jake Delhomme to win games this year, then there is trouble. However, if the running game performs like it did last year, Josh Cribbs is used in the wildcat with Wallace and Delhomme complements that with solid quarterbacking then the Browns will win games. What we have now is certainly better than what we had last year." - 30yrBrownsFan

View full sizeJim Prisching | Associated PressJake Delhomme will be counted on to play smart football in 2010.

In response to the story What QB problem? Preseason play of Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace easing Cleveland Browns' concerns, cleveland.com reader 30yrBrownsFan knows the Browns can't rely on Jake Delhomme to do all the heavy lifting. This reader writes,

"If this team relies solely on Jake Delhomme to win games this year, then there is trouble. However, if the running game performs like it did last year, Josh Cribbs is used in the wildcat with Wallace and Delhomme complements that with solid quarterbacking then the Browns will win games. What we have now is certainly better than what we had last year."

Plain Dealer OSU writer also expands on why he thinks OSU and Michigan should be in the same division when Big Ten realigns.

Rich Rodriguez, right, needs to start winning some games, says Doug Lesmerises, or he might not be around in 2011 to greet Jim Tressel at the OSU-Michigan game.

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Branson Wright and Bill Lubinger. Let's go to the highlights:

• Today's Starting Blocks poll asks you to vote on what should be done about the Ohio State-Michigan football rivalry. Debate is afoot about whether to put the teams in different divisions, or keep them in the same division and let them continue to play the last game of the regular Big Ten season. Where do you stand? Cast your vote in the poll posted in the Starting Blocks blog.

• Plain Dealer Ohio State beat writer Doug Lesmerises had a commentary piece on the topic today, and he believes Ohio State and Michigan must be kept in the same division. He says the rivalry is too important to have it be played in October. As his story points out, even if OSU and Michigan are in different divisions, the occasions when they would play in the title game would be few and far between, based on data from when the league added Penn State in 1993 - making an opposite-division alignment not worthwhile.

• Doug also says that Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez needs to take the Wolverines to a good bowl game this season or risk losing his job.

SBTV will return Tuesday morning.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel is not one to pay much attention to Internet rumors, writes Columbus Dispatch reporter Tim May, but he did respond to a rumor that linebacker Andrew Sweat would take a redshirt season. "He's going to play," Tressel said. "There were some people prognosticating he might redshirt." As Tressel recalled, the rumor was based on speculation that the...

APOhio State coach Jim Tressel

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel is not one to pay much attention to Internet rumors, writes Columbus Dispatch reporter Tim May, but he did respond to a rumor that linebacker Andrew Sweat would take a redshirt season.

"He's going to play," Tressel said. "There were some people prognosticating he might redshirt."

As Tressel recalled, the rumor was based on speculation that the redshirt would put more time between Sweat and the knee injury that cost him the latter half of last season. With two years of eligibility remaining, he would be able to step into a linebacker field devoid of this year's senior starters, Brian Rolle and Ross Homan.

"But he's too good for that," Tressel said. "The 2010 Buckeyes need him."

Sweat played well in a recent scrimmage with the first-team defense. He played strong side and weak side linebacker during the same scrimmage.

Despite the knee injury, Sweat is ready to roll. His hard work is all part of a push to make the starting lineup.

"You always dream about it as a kid, but you can't really control anything as far as that goes," Sweat said. "You just go 100 percent, and if (linebackers) coach (Luke) Fickell thinks your play is good enough, and he decides to give you the nod, then awesome. If not, then be a team player and do what you can to help."

 

 

Tryout wanted

Former Ohio State tailback Maurice Clarett wants permission from a judge to travel to a tryout for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.

Clarett, reports AP, is taking classes at Ohio State while living in a detention facility in Columbus.

Tim Jackson, bailiff for Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge David Fais, said Monday that Clarett's attorney had filed a motion asking for Clarett to be allowed to travel. A review was tentatively set up for later in the day.

 

 

Who's winning this year's preseason battles? How much better is the quarterback position this season? Tony Grossi tackled those questions and more in his first weekly chat of the season

Chat live with Tony Grossi every Monday at noon.

Who's winning this year's preseason battles? How much better is the quarterback position this season?

Tony Grossi tackled those questions and more in his first weekly chat of the season on cleveland.com.

Among the other topics discussed:

- Are you concerned about this team's lack of a pass rush?

- What's different between Eric Mangini this season and Eric Mangini last season?

- What are your thoughts on the new secondary so far?

- How much Wildcat will we actually see in the regular season?