Cousins has played 44 NFL games, but only one at guard in 2009

BEREA, Ohio – Oniel Cousins has played one NFL regular-season game at guard.

Right now, that qualifies as seasoned experience for the Browns, who are searching for help at the right-guard position with ankle injuries sidelining Shawn Lauvao and Jason Pinkston.

Coach Rob Chudzinski announced today the club will start the 29-year-old Cousins against the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason game on Saturday. Rookie Garrett Gilkey, who filled in admirably off the bench for Pinkson against Detroit last week, is also expected to see time with the first unit, the coach said. Many of the starters will play into the third quarter in the dress rehearsal game.

Cousins, a reserve offensive lineman, is entering his sixth NFL season, but said his only game at guard came as a member of the Baltimore Ravens in 2009 as he started in place of injured Marshal Yanda. He downplayed the switch from right tackle to guard.

“It ain’t much difference,” said Cousins, who has been getting some practice reps at guard. “You might be going against a bigger guy with a little more mass, not as fast. Our coaches teach us to know everything just in case we have to adjust. It’ll be a great challenge and I’m looking forward to it and I’m real thankful.”

The Browns attempted to trade for a right guard this week, acquiring John Moffitt from Seattle for defensive end Brian Sanford, but the deal was voided over health concerns regarding Moffitt. The Denver Broncos dealt for Moffitt not long after the Browns walked away from the trade.

The team is likely to add another guard as Pinkston and Lauvao are expected to miss time in the regular season. Although Cousins (6-foot-4, 315 pounds) has played almost exclusively at tackle, he’s a veteran of 44 NFL games with the Ravens and Browns.

“Oniel has more experience,” Chudzinski said of a lineman who’s missed part of camp with an ankle injury. “Obviously, he has been back in practice and has done well. Gilkey will get opportunities as well with the first group. We will just see how the game goes and try to get them a lot of reps.”

The rookie from Division II Chadron State earned praise for holding his own against the Lions’ Ndamukong Suh – the Browns scored 17 points with Gilkey working on the first unit – but the club is clearly concerned about his lack of seasoning at the pro level and position. The converted college tackle never played in a football game at right guard until last week.

Gilkey said he’s focused on improving his technique.

Meanwhile, Cousins sees Saturday as a major opportunity in a journeyman’s career. He was reminded how John Greco seized his chance a year ago and blossomed into a starter.

“John went in and did a great job and I’m happy for him and proud of him,” Cousins said. “Now it’s my time to go out there and do my best and show what I can do.”

NDCL softball coach Jack McParland won county coach of the year honors in 2005. He recently announced his retirement. -(Pete Copeland, The Plain Dealer) CHARDON, Ohio - Longtime coach Jack McParland is remembered by many of his past players for his cool, calm demeanor on and off the field. 

NDCL softball coach Jack McParland won county coach of the year honors in 2005. He recently announced his retirement. -(Pete Copeland, The Plain Dealer)

CHARDON, Ohio - Longtime coach Jack McParland is remembered by many of his past players for his cool, calm demeanor on and off the field. 

It is a coaching style that served him well during his 15 years at the helm of Notre Dame-Cathetral Latin's softball team. McParland, the only coach the Lions' fastpitch program has had, recently decided to retire.

During that time, the team had an exceptional 327-89 record and went to the Division II regional tournament six times. He won The Plain Dealer's Lake-Geauga coach of the year award in 2005. 

McParland admits, however, that the level-headed coach leading those teams was a far cry from the loose-cannon assistant who coached Cleveland Heights baseball and football teams when he first started in 1969. 

After one football game in which he was responsible for at least one too many penalties for an officials' liking, McParland earned himself a trip to the school's administrator's office. It just so happened the referee calling those penalties that night was also an administrator at the school. 

Following a lengthy discussion about McParland's conduct on the field, he began a path of becoming a more calm leader. He has had plenty of help from his own mentors along the way. 

Former Cleveland Heights boys basketball coach Jim Cappelletti, an inductee in the school's athletic hall of fame, was one of those mentors who had a profound effect.

"I probably never would have lasted as a coach if it wasn't for him," McParland said. "He grabbed me by the ear and told me I needed to change my ways if I was going to continue coaching."

Cappelletti explained what it takes to be a good coach, as well as a teacher, while being able to relate to players of all walks of life. 

"I got a lot of discipline in a hurry from him," McParland said. 

McParland was always a good learner although he was never the greatest ball player by his own recollection. He played high school baseball and football in Pennsylvania and then went to John Carroll, which didn't have a baseball team at the time. 

When McParland first came to NDCL as an assistant baseball coach and an English teacher, following a stint as an assistant baseball coach at Chardon, the school did not have a fastpitch program. It only had slow pitch. 

After about four years of coaching and teaching at the school, he decided to take his first head coaching position leading Aurora's varsity softball team in 1998. 

"We were terrible that first year," he said with a laugh. "But, the program has really improved a great deal since then." 

The following year, 1999, McParland returned to NDCL and began working on getting a fastpitch program off the ground. Four years later, the team played what he considers to be possibly one of the best high school softball games ever. 

It was the 2003 Division II regional semifinals and NDCL's most dominant pitcher, Elyse Lucas, matched up against Keystone's Brittney Robinson. 

Both teams were scoreless at the end of regulation, sending the game into extra innings as overcast skies threatened. 

NDCL came close on a couple of occasions but could not break the deadlock. 

Just as it looked as if Keystone was about to put the game away, with the bases loaded and the next Keystone batter coming up to the plate, lightning struck -- literally. A single lightning strike in the distance caused the umpires to suspend play. 

After waiting in the dugouts for some time, the skies opened up and the field became soaked from a relentless downpour, eliminating any thoughts of continuing the game. 

"You almost excepted to see Noah with his arch," joked McParland. 

The rain continued fairly regularly for the next two days. Once the field had a day to dry out, the teams returned. It was no short trip, as the game was being played in Bucyrus, more than two hours from Chardon. 

"Almost no one came out from NDCL because it was so far," McParland said. 

The Keystone hitter who'd first stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded four days earlier once again took her place in the batter's box and roped a line drive into the outfield to drive in the only run of the game, which was all her team needed to claim victory. 

"I'll watch that ball fall for the rest of my life," McParland said. 

Both teams were among the favorites to win the state championship. 

McParland believes his team's best chance at a state title came in 2010 when it faced off against another one of his personal icons, Poland Seminary coach Reid Lamport. 

"I got to know (Lamport) when I was just starting to coach fastpitch softball. I coached his daughter on a summer league team," McParland said. "Poland did a tremendous amount of work in the off-season. His approach to softball was it was more or less a ministry to him." 

Lamport's team defeated McParland's and went on to win the state title. Lamport retired from coaching following the end of the season. 

McParland now steps away from coaching. While he does not have a state championship, he has plenty of memories of the great players he's coached over the years and being part of the game during its big growth.

There is no decision yet on McParland's successor. He believes the program needs a pair of "fresh legs." 

While he no longer feels up to the physical demands of coaching, he has not ruled out the idea of being involved in the sport through consulting or scouting for the most modest fee of $1 as he continues his professional work as an appraiser. 

Bryant said he's dealt with "back issues" in the past but it's never caused him to miss a game.

BEREA, Ohio – Browns coach Rob Chudzinski expects Desmond Bryant, battling back spasms, to be ready for the regular-season opener.

The defensive end hopes that’s the case, but stopped short of guaranteeing it.

“I think that's realistic, but I can't say one way or another,” said Bryant, who has been ruled out for Saturday’s exhibition game at Indianapolis. “I'm going to get as much treatment possible and as soon as I'm ready to go I will be out there.”

The Browns made three major off-season acquisitions to help revamp their defense – signing free-agents Bryant and linebacker Paul Kruger and drafting edge rusher Barkevious Mingo in the first round. Both Bryant and Mingo (bruised lung) are sidelined with injuries.

Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million deal in March, said he’s dealt with “back issues” in the past but they’ve never forced him to miss a game.

He’s played in the Browns first two preseason games despite enduring spasms during the opening days of training camp. They flared again this week although Bryant doesn’t recall any hit or play triggering them.

The Browns hope rest can remedy the problem. He’s been receiving treatment and doing exercises to strengthen his core. Bryant doesn’t anticipate requiring surgery.

“I don't think I'll have any procedure,” he said. “If things get worse -- and I don't foresee that happening -- I guess something else could come up and maybe that's a possibility. But right now I'm getting my treatments and doing my core stuff and other than that I should be fine.”

Billy Winn will start in Bryant’s absence against the Colts.

Brownies: Cornerback Chris Owens said he’s nursing the same foot injury that forced him to miss the preseason opener. He expects to be ready for the regular-season opener. ... Chudzinski said receiver Davone Bess is is dealing with tendonitis in his knee. The veteran said he just requires rest and will be ready for the opener. ... Edge rusher Jabaal Sheard said he “nicked” his knee in practice, but believes it’s nothing serious.

GM Chris Antonetti is still looking for ways to improve the Indians before the Aug. 31 trading deadline.

GM Chris Antonetti and manager Terry Francona are still working on ways to improve the Indians before the Aug. 31 trading deadline.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- At the start of the year, the Indians said they wanted to play meaningful games late in the season. Depending on your definition of "late," they would be appear to be doing that.

Following a 6-3 trip through Minnesota, Oakland and Anaheim, Calif., the Indians go into Friday night's three-game series against the Twins at Progressive Field five games out of first place in the AL Central and 2 1/2 games behind Oakland in the race for the second wild-card spot.

Yes, GM Chris Antonetti feels the Indians are in a two-front race with 35 games left.

"We're playing meaningful games," said Antonetti earlier in the week at Angel Stadium. "Every game that we play counts. We still feel we have an opportunity not only in the division, but in the wild card."

The Indians, after going 11-13 in April, have played winning baseball in May (18-12), June (15-13) and July (15-10). They are 10-10 in August.

"We are going to go out and focus on what we can control, that's winning as many games as possible," said Antonetti. "If at the end of the year that's good enough, great.

But that's our focus."

The Indians added lefty Marc Rzepczynski before the July 31 trading deadline. The last chance to add playoff-eligible help is Aug. 31, but each player acquired must clear waivers.

The waiver process makes it difficult to make a deal, although the Indians have placed claims on several players, including starters, relievers and position players. A team can claim a player, but since claims are awarded in reverse order according to a team's record, they don't always get the claim and the right to negotiate a possible trade.

As for acquiring big-name players such as Paul Konerko or Justin Morneau, that's unlikely to happen. Just as it was unlikely that the Indians would have claimed White Sox outfielder Alex Rios, who was traded to Texas earlier in the month. Rios will make $12.5 million next season and that's a salary they didn't want.

When the Indians were making Aug. 31 deals to prepare for the postseason back in the 1990s, they usually acquired players such as Kevin Seitzer and Bip Roberts. Useful players, certainly, but not stars.

"We're looking at opportunities to improve, internally, externally, whatever those might be," said Antonetti. "I continue to like the group of guys we have, but if there is an opportunity to improve, we'll pursue it."

During the Indians three-game series against the Angels, Antonetti, manager Terry Francona, Steve Lubratich, director of pro scouting, Derek Falvey, director of baseball operations, and scout Dave Malpass met to discuss possible trades and September promotions from the minors.

Antonetti said that there was still a lot of players who had not been placed on waivers yet. So perhaps an opportunity will still present itself to the Tribe.

New-York bound: Daisuke Matsuzaka, released by the Indians on Tuesday from Class AAA Columbus, is closing to signing a big-league deal with the Mets. CBSsports.com first reported the move and it appears Matsuzaka could pitch as soon as Friday night.

The Indians play the Mets at Progressive Field in a three-game series starting Sept. 6. If Matsuzaka makes the Mets' rotation, he could start against the Tribe in that series.

On the rise: The Indians announced Thursday that ratings for their Fox Sports/SportsTime Ohio TV game broadcasts have increased nearly 30 percent compared to this time last year.

They reportedly increased 33 percent in July and 168 percent in August.

At the Tribe's flagship radio stations, WTAM AM/1100 and WMMS FM/100.7, ratings are up 40 percent compared to last year.

For the 18 to 34 year-old demographic, ratings have increased over 50 percent on TV and over 70 percent on radio.

Good call: After Tuesday's 14-inning victory over the Angels in which Francona used each of his eight relievers, he was concerned about the pen in Wednesday's series finale. A phone call during the 4-1 victory eased his mind.

"Chris Perez said he felt pretty good before the game," said Francona. "I told him to call the dugout in the fifth inning just so we could prepare. Once he said he was good to go, we were fine."

Perez pitched the ninth to earn his 20th save.

Murray had reportedly been dismissed on Aug. 10, and that indefinite suspension finally led to his departure.

Ohio State sophomore defensive back Najee Murray, who was granted a release from his scholarship on Thursday.Ohio State athletics

Murray had been reportedly dismissed in early August, but Urban Meyer at the time confirmed only an indefinite suspension. Now Murray has asked to be released from his scholarship and that request was granted.

The Buckeyes are now down to 76 scholarship players, nine under the NCAA limit and six under the current limit of 82 mandated by NCAA sanctions.

Browns linebacker defended Greg Little's character today after reports of Little's high-speed crash in April and another speeding ticket Monday night.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson defended receiver Greg Little today in the aftermath of Little's speeding ticket Monday and the news that he crashed his car in April and fled the scene after going 127 mph.

"Yeah, you know, you can’t do it. It’s something you have to learn from,'' said Jackson. "You’ve got to slow down and that’s the simplest way I can say it. But it’s not going to affect his playing.

"Greg has made major strides this year, he’s been more professional, he’s taken on a leadership role. It’s one of those deals where if the first incident didn’t happen probably nobody would be talking about it. ... Guys have been proud of Greg. He’s been working extremely hard at practice, and to me it’s not a big deal.

"To the gains that he made, I think it’s an honest mistake. I’m sure Greg is going to be more mindful of it and like I said he’s been doing a tremendous job for us."

In addition to the crash in April, for which he was fined $350, Little will appear in court on Sept. 4 for going 81 in a 60 mph zone in Strongsville on Monday night.

"We want to talk about football,'' said Jackson. "We don’t want to talk about any other distractions whether it’s a speeding ticket or anything off the field that’s not talked about in a good fashion. It’s still a learning curve for him, but again Greg has done everything and beyond for us. He’s taken on a leadership role and I’m proud of him for doing that. It’s just something he’s got to police a little better.''

He said he hasn't spoken to Little about the incidents.

"No, because I don’t think it’s a big issue,'' he said. "I think he made an honest mistake. I don’t know the details. He got a speeding ticket, obviously he was going faster than the speed limit. But Greg is a different player than last year – mentally, physically. Those tough times in practice Greg was one of the guys we leaned on to get the offense going and get the receivers going. He’s done everything right.''

Backup quarterback Jason Campbell, a ninth-year pro, said he wouldn't hesitate to reach out to Little and Josh Gordon, who was cited Aug. 13 for going 98 in a 60 zone and 45 in a 25 in May. Gordon will appear in court Aug. 27.

"One thing I would tell them from a veteran is, 'you've got to be careful,''' said Campbell. "The business we're in, it's already tough enough. Anything we can do to lessen the distraction, the better off you're going to be as a person, as a player and the better off we're going to be as a team."

"We're all together as a family. To me, they're like little brothers, so to me, of course I'd try to give some type of advice to them because you never know how long your career is going to last. While you're in it, just try to limit your distractions.''

Gordon is hard to miss on the highway in his camouflage sports car. "They might want to be as low-key as possible,'' Campbell said with a smile.

Receiver Davone Bess, who spent time in a juvenile detention center and has since devoted much of his life to helping young people stay out of trouble, said he'll lead by example.

"You've got guys like that and everybody's trying to get in their ear and guide them, but I think the biggest thing is being of action and not necessarily just talking the talk,'' he said. "My biggest thing is showing by example. Whenever they need help, just mentioning little stuff here and there, letting them know I'm there for them.''

He said he'd remind them that everything they do is a reflection not only on them but on the organization.

"You've got to remember stuff like that,'' he said. "They're good kids and great teammates. We all make mistakes. It's about learning from them and not making the same ones over and over again.''

Ohio State averaged 69.8 snaps per game last season, and should be faster this year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman wants the Buckeyes' offense to go fast this season, but he doesn't want to drive it into a ditch.

There's a chance that the offensive plan Ohio State trots out against Buffalo next Saturday will be in many ways unrecognizable compared to the Buckeyes of a year ago. Urban Meyer doesn't even really like to call what Ohio State did last year the spread.

We've gone over how the additions and improvements in personnel could affect the Buckeyes. How the coaches put it together will change as well. But while Meyer hired Herman, a coach he didn't know, from Iowa State in part because of his experience with an up-tempo, no-huddle offense, the Buckeyes don't want to go so fast that they lose control.

“All the no-huddle gurus, I think we're a little bit different,” Herman said. “They want 90 to 100 snaps. For us, it's whatever it takes to win. If we run 68 snaps and we've got one more point than they do on the scoreboard, we're happy. If we run 100 snaps and we have one more point than they do, we're happy. Not to sound cliché, but whatever it takes to win. We have no goals as far as total snaps.”

A year ago, the Buckeyes averaged 69.8 offensive snaps per game, which ranked them in the 50s in college football. That was almost eight plays per game more than in 2011, but it wasn't light speed. Twenty-eight teams, according to an analysis by www.footballstudyhall.com, averaged at least 75 plays per game. Oregon, the team many fans think of when up-tempo college football offenses are mentioned, was ninth in the nation with 81.5 snaps per game.

Ohio State won't be Oregon.

Ohio State will be faster than the usual Ohio State.

“We're must faster. We're much more well-oiled on our jet package and our up-tempo stuff,” Herman said. “It's running a lot smoother, definitely.”

That's because everyone gets it now. It's part of the greater understanding of the entire offense that exists for all 11 guys on the field.

“You've got to get the big guys in front going,” quarterback Braxton Miller said, when asked for the key to the up-tempo offense. “Man, 300 pounds, you've got to keep them going each and every day.”

But a lot of it starts with Miller. He's the guy with his foot on the gas pedal.

“The quarterback helps,” Herman said. “When he's going and leading the charge, it certainly helps. But all the other guys are certainly faster and they're not thinking. They're just playing, which certainly helps.”

They're not playing fast enough for 90 snaps each game. But a jump of another eight plays, like last year, would get Ohio State to 78 per game. Other numbers matter more though, especially the number of defensive players on the field when the Buckeyes are moving quickly.

“Get 12 guys on the field on the defensive side, (while they) sub in and out and get a flag and get a big play,” Miller said.

Or the number of points on the scoreboard.

You know the Browns inside and out. You've been following them every day, here and elsewhere. You've been debating the outlook for the coming season for weeks -- and now it's time to get down to brass tacks. With the first game only a couple of weeks away, can you pick the whole season?

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So you think you know football. So you're a Browns fan. You've been following the team all summer. You've been debating the outlook. Now here's a chance to prove your mojo: You can pick the winners for the team's entire season -- and then save your choices, so you can go back to them in December, print out the page, point to the date and say "I told you so!" We're not promising anything but bragging rights for a 100% score, but the least your friends should do is buy you a beer.

Use the buttons below to save your choices under whatever account label you choose. You can return till the first regular-season game to update your picks. Then, as the season continues, we'll post the records of people who saved their choices, so you can see how you did against everyone (if you don't want to be on the list, you can print and save this page or pick a label no one will guess is yours).

Trevin Wade gives teammate Craig Robinson a few "lessons" when it comes to the new Madden 25 video game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In this special edition of Talking Shop, we get to see up close the ongoing battle between Cleveland Browns linebacker Craig Robertson and defensive back Trevin Wade when it comes to video games.

Robertson says their games get so intense that he has left Wade's residence heated, only to return shortly for another chapter in their encounters for video game superiority.

Wade and Robertson's latest competition took place earlier this week at Dylan's Barber Salon at 1370 West 9th Street, when they played Madden 25 of EA Sports. The game will launch on Tuesday.

There are several changes that have improved the game, especially the new Owner Mode which allows gamers to take over day-to-day team operations.

Wade was impressed with the game that was played on PS3.

"The game play is better," Wade said. "They made it better for defensive players."

Robertson also likes the latest Madden, especially since his image is in the game. Last year his image was a silhouette.

But as always, NFL players are never happy with their rank.

"My speed should have been an 82 or an 83," Robertson said. "It's a 78."

OL Joe Thomas is the highest-ranked Browns player (97), followed by Joe Haden with 91.

Ranks, however, couldn't help Robertson hold back Wade. It was Browns vs. Browns. Despite a strong effort, Team Wade defeated Team Robertson 42-28.

"I still say that everyone should get Madden," Robertson said. "It's still the best game."

Several Browns players honored the last wish of one of their most fervent fans, William "Sarge" Johnson, Thursday night at Bubba's Q barbecue restaurant.

AVON, Ohio -- Sarge Johnson sat in his wheelchair, hardly able to believe the great day had finally arrived.

For two solid months, 80-year-old William Johnson, a Korean War veteran who served in the Navy and later as a master sergeant in the Army, had made a wish every morning before opening his eyes: Let it be Aug. 22.

Thursday afternoon at 5 o'€™clock, he was the man of the hour on his day of days.

Parked outside was the black stretch limousine that had brought Sarge, his hospice caretaker, Sheila Brogan, and his friend, Mary Anteau, from Toledo. In Bubba'€™s Q, the barbecue restaurant owned by former Browns defensive end Al "Bubba" Baker, Johnson was the guest of honor. He wore a T-shirt bearing the name of the restaurant and sat at a front table with a heaping plate of barbecued ribs in front of him.

"€™Make it Happen€™ is an organization that gives their final wish to people like Sarge,"€œ said Brogan, who has attended to the terminally ill Johnson for eight and a half months. "€œHe is suffering from dementia and has renal failure. His final wish was to come here and eat some of Bubba'€™s brisket and meet the Cleveland Browns."€

Baker had orchestrated a gathering of Browns from the 1970s and '€˜80s in honor of Johnson. Mike Pruitt, Dave Mays, Don Cockroft, Dick Ambrose and Kevin Mack took their places at a rear table. Hanford Dixon and Browns alumni director Anthony Dick arrived shortly after Sarge, tiring quickly, left at 6 p.m.

Early in the hour, Mack presented Johnson with a Browns jersey with the number "1"€™ on it.

"œSarge has real good days and days when he doesn't get out of the bed very often because he'€™s in a lot of pain,"€ said Brogan. "€œHe'€™s been looking forward to this day for two months, trying to save his energy for it."

A nervous Baker soon popped out of the kitchen, where he had been talking to his staff. "€œThis is a critical time for my business," he said. "œWhen I was approached at first, I thought I didn'€™t have time for it."€

"€œDad, you have to do this,"€ Baker's daughter, Brittanie, told him. "€œBe who you are. That'€™s the man he wants to meet."€

Baker, a defensive end, faced the best offensive linemen in the NFL for 13 seasons, two of them with the Browns. Nothing like Aug. 22 had ever happened to him before.

"A man who'€™s going to meet God soon wants to meet me. It'€™s a burden, it'€™s a responsibility, and it'€™s an opportunity,"€ Baker said. "€œWhen it'€™s my time to meet God, I don'€™t want St. Michael to say, 'I sent you a message that day and you didn'€™t pay attention.'"€

The central event in Sarge Johnson'€™s life was his separation from his father when he was only 15 and living in Cincinnati. It was a rupture he never quite got over.

"He remarried and turned me and my sister out of the house, and he told me I couldn't come back,"€ Johnson said. "€œI had nowhere else to go so I lied about my age and went into the Navy. He controlled the house. That'™s the way things were then. It was so pitiful that I almost gave up life. That'€™s something that gets inside you. I almost start crying, it hurts me inside so much."€

He found a surrogate family with his shipmates on the USS Adirondack. "€œThey put me under their wing and took care of me," Johnson said.

After the Korean Conflict, when he was living in Cleveland, he found inspiration from the Browns. "œI had no way out,"€ said Johnson, remembering his despair. "€œThen I met Lou the Toe (Groza) in 1957. He told me, '€˜Don'€™t give up.' I didn'€™t have a family. That was the only family I had."€

He would enlarge on that over time, however. A North Carolina native, Sarge went back to college at Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte, where he played on the line for coach Eddie McGirt with future Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers tight end Pettis Norman.

He got his degree, married, helped raise three daughters, and saw that all of them got their education. All are Wilberforce College alumnae.

Old school ties with Pettis Norman are fine, but Sarge's favorite player was Jim Brown. "€œThe greatest running back ever,"€ Sarge said. "€œSure, I met him. He didn'€™t put his nose up in the air. He would help you if he could."

Eventually, Sarge joined the former players at the back table, where they gave him a small replica of an orange Browns helmet and Cockroft, a motivational speaker, presented him with a copy of his coffee table book, "€œThe Kardiac Kids,"€ which had been signed by all the players there.

Although Jonson never reconciled with his father, it is possible his own life became so full because he learned from him what not to do.

"€œYou know you have a Heavenly Father,"€ Cockroft said, holding Johnson'€™s hand.

"€œYes,"€ Johnson said.

"€œPut your hand in His hand and life is livable,"€ Cockroft said.

"œYes,"€ Johnson said.

"€œThey might not have won as much as I wanted them to, but they'€™re always No. 1 to me,"€ Sarge said before he was wheeled out while everyone in the restaurant stood and applauded.

As the limousine drove down Route 83 to start the trip back to Toledo, Cockroft said, "€œWasn'€™t Bubba blessed, too? Love is not love until it'€™s given away when you have the opportunity, whether it'€™s planned or not."€

cleveland.com's Glenn Moore had the chance to speak with John Adams Friday morning about any unusual requests from fans, tomorrow's ceremony and how he appreciates all the support from fans over the years. Watch video

Saturday is the 40th anniversary of John Adams and his drum as the Cleveland Indians will honor the Brecksville native with a ceremony before their game against the Minnesota Twins.

Here are the top stories surrounding the Cleveland Browns this week.

Brandon Weeden being the named the starter was one of this week's biggest stories surrounding the Browns. (John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer) 

"The Browns voided their trade with Seattle for guard John Moffitt today because of health concerns, a league source said.

Hours after the trade was voided, the Seahawks traded Moffitt to the Broncos for defensive tackle Sealver Siliga.

The Browns will retain the rights to defensive lineman Brian Sanford, who had been shipped to the Seahawks in the trade for Moffitt.''

2. Cabot: Barkevious Mingo reveals he was spitting up blood on sidelines of Lions game before bruised lung diagnosis (August 17)

"Had Mingo remained on the field during the game and taken another blow to the chest, he could've died, according to Dr. Clark Fuller, Director of Thoracic Surgery at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Ca., who hasn't treated Mingo. He said Mingo had already torn at least some small blood vessels, "and if you tear some larger ones, the chest cavity is an area where you could bleed to death and nobody ever sees a drop of blood on the ground.''

Mingo doesn't recall a sharp blow, but felt short of breath after covering the opening kickoff of the game. He stayed in for about four or five more plays -- all on special teams -- but found it increasingly difficult to breathe."

3. Cabot: Cleveland Browns OC Norv Turner excited about Brandon Weeden and sees no negatives (August 18)

"Never mind that it's only preseason. Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner says it's time to jump on the Brandon Weeden bandwagon.

"I'm excited,'' he said. "Our players are excited. I hope our fans are excited. I’m a realist. (But) we've played the Rams and Detroit, and they gave us more than people think. Both teams blitzed us and we handled it well. Both teams mixed the coverages pretty good and we handled it well. I don’t think we’re going to complete 75 percent of our passes in the regular season, but we’re doing it now and that’s something to build on.''

4. Cabot: Brandon Weeden named Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback (August 20)

"In the off-season, the Browns left no stone unturned in their bid to find competition for Weeden, from kicking the tires on former 49ers quarterback Alex Smith to private workouts with top draft picks Geno Smith and E.J. Manuel.

But through it all, Weeden stayed in his playbook, sped up his footwork, stopped patting the ball and even worked on all of those mechanics with former NFL quarterback Chris Weinke."

5. Tom Reed: Cleveland Browns RB Dion Lewis undergoes surgery; LB Barkevious Mingo requires more tests for bruised lung (August 19)

"Lewis could miss the entire season after suffering the fracture in the third quarter of Browns’ 24-6 win over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. The club could place Lewis on season-ending injured reserve, or if they think he could return this season, put him on IR and designate him to return after Week 8. Banner told reporters it’s too early to make that call.

“We won’t have any idea until after the surgery,” Banner told reporters. “Even then, we may or may not have any more clarity than we do right now."

cleveland.com's Glenn Moore and Chris Fedor talk Fantasy Football and discuss the biggest fantasy draft myths.

Should you draft players with the same bye week? When stuck, do you draft the player from the better team?

• If a player was good last year, do you still draft him now?

• When is it too early to draft a tight end? And where will Jordan Cameron big a good pickup?

Satellite dish owners shut out of new MAC, Time Warner Cable deal.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mid-American Conference and Time Warner Cable SportsChannel have worked out a new regional TV deal. But how much the MAC can expect to benefit was not divulged by Time Warner.

And, MAC fans who are satellite dish owners won't have access to any of the football, basketball, women's basketball and Olympic sports games the cable company will broadcast.

Time Warner publicist Amy Summers declined to share the financial breakdown for the three-year package. She said all 12 core MAC schools are in the TWC footprint, but admitted satellite dish owners are shut out. "Currently, that is true,'' Summers said. "It is likely only going to be available to cable providers.''

She also said the majority of Ohio has access to Time Warner, but could not put a percentage on that statewide availability.

According to a release, live games and extensive non-game programming will air on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and selected programming will be available nationally on Time Warner Cable Video On Demand, as well as ESPN3, the Watch ESPN app and the official Mid-American Conference website.

As part of the three-year partnership, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel will televise an expanded number of live conference football games, men’s and women’s basketball, including both conference tournaments, ancillary programming opportunities and additional neutral site conference championship programming in volleyball, baseball, softball and men’s and women’s soccer.

“The Mid-American Conference is pleased to partner with Time Warner Cable to provide expanded coverage of Mid-American Conference teams and student-athletes,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a release. “This new relationship will provide us with the opportunity to televise more events in more sports than ever before. This season alone we will televise 55 basketball games, which is the most in conference history. Overall we will expand our televised events in football, basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball and soccer.”

St. Edward defensive back Shaun Crawford (No. 17) upends St. Ignatius running back Tim McVey during a game last season. Crawford orally committed to Michigan on Friday.-(John Kuntz/The Plain Dealer) LAKEWOOD, Ohio – St. Edward junior defensive back Shaun Crawford made an oral commitment to the University of Michigan Friday. Crawford, 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, helped St. Edward to a...

St. Edward defensive back Shaun Crawford (No. 17) upends St. Ignatius running back Tim McVey during a game last season. Crawford orally committed to Michigan on Friday.-(John Kuntz/The Plain Dealer)

LAKEWOOD, Ohio – St. Edward junior defensive back Shaun Crawford made an oral commitment to the University of Michigan Friday.

Crawford, 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, helped St. Edward to a 10-0 regular season and a Division I regional semifinal appearance last season.

“I just feel it was the right choice for me and this was the right time,” said Crawford. “Also they were limited on scholarships. If I know where I want to be, that’s the place where I want to be. I definitely wanted to lock in my spot for the future.”

Tennesse, Florida State and Miami were Crawford’s other finalists.

Last season as a wide receiver, Crawford at 24 catches for 420 yards and five touchdowns. He had 56 tackles and two interceptions at defensive back, which is where he’ll play at Michigan.

 Crawford has grown up a Michigan fan and liked the family atmosphere he felt with the Wolverines.

“Also, the coaching staff showed me they were really interested in me,” said Crawford. “As soon as my sophomore season was over (Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison) has been here more than any other coach. They came to my track practices and meets. They build a great relationship with my family as well.”

Crawford follows 2012 St. Edward graduate Kyle Kalis to Michigan. Kalis is an offensive lineman.

Carter, the son of OSU legend Cris Carter, made his first CFL catch last night, a 52-yarder.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Welcome back to your weekly Ohio State Buckeyes-Montreal Alouettes update, a regular feature that will continue as long as I don't forget to do it or until I figure out that CFL updates don't generate much interest.

Former Ohio State Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith, as you know, signed with the CFL team on Aug. 14 and he met with the media in Montreal the next day. The video is available on the Alouettes' website, but I didn't check it out today.

Smith, of course, began with, "Bonjour," and a smile. I like to think that answering questions from a guy named Lesmerises (the name is French for "the wild berries and my ancestors came down from Quebec) helped prepare him for the French media.

Asked if he was going to use the CFL as a stepping stone to get back to the NFL, Smith said he hadn't thought about the NFL for a while. And he said he took this chance only because the Alouettes promised him the opportunity to get back in football shape. They are in the midst of the CFL season, but Smith said he's basically gearing up to compete for the starting job in 2014.

“The only reason this came to fruition was because they told me I'd get the chance to get my body back right,” Smith said. “I'm not thinking about the NFL right now. The CFL is the most important thing to me.”

Carter last played college football in 2009 as a freshman for Ohio State. Facing academic issues, he left for junior college, played there in 2010, then went to Alabama and then to Florida Atlantic without ever getting on the field.

He wasn't taken in the 2013 NFL Draft, and after brief tryouts with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints, he landed in Montreal, where he made his first CFL catch on Thursday night.

If he sticks around until next year, he could be catching passes from Smith.

The Indians will try to end their recent woes at Progressive Field during a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins that begins Friday night.

Game 128: Indians (69-58) vs. Twins (56-70)

» Get updates from the pressbox here

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Can Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden keep it rolling? Can linebacker Quentin Groves make an impact in Jabaal Sheard's spot? These are some of the thing to watch tomorrow night in the third preseason game between the Browns and Colts.

BEREA, Ohio -- A lot has happened to the Browns in the buildup to Saturday's dress rehearsal in Indianapolis. Quarterback Brandon Weeden has been named the starting quarterback, promising change-of-pace back Dion Lewis underwent surgery to repair a broken fibula and rookie LB Barkevious Mingo has been idled with a bruised lung.

The Browns traded for Seattle guard John Moffitt to replace Jason Pinkston and Shawn Lauvao (ankle sprains), but the trade was voided when Moffitt failed his Browns physical. Defensive lineman Brian Sanford was shipped to Seattle, but headed right back when the deal fell through.

In the midst of all of this, receivers Greg Little and Josh Gordon were reprimanded by coach Rob Chudzinski for the wrong kind of team speed: Little crashed his Audi going 127 mph in a 55 zone in April and had another citation last week. Gordon was pulled over for going 98 in a 60 last week.

Despite all this, the Browns prepared for a test against the Colts, who made the playoffs with 2012 No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck at the helm.

"We’re spending our mock week preparing for them and some of the challenges that they bring,'' said Chudzinski. "They’re a playoff team. They were 11-5 last year, an outstanding team. It's a road game, which will be the first time we'll get a chance to do that this preseason. We'll also play indoors in a dome. We're preparing for the crowd noise, as well.

"This is a team that has a lot of speed ... skill positions, their front, their defense, they run really well so that will be a challenge for us.''

Here are half-dozen things to watch while thinking of the regular-season opener against the Dolphins:

1. Can Weeden keep rolling? Weeden made it impossible for Chudzinski to make any other QB choice. He's produced points on five of his six drives, including three touchdown passes. He's completed 72 percent of his attempts and his 139.8 rating is second in the preseason. This game, he's welcomed the comparison with Luck, who has two TD passes and no interceptions.

“Me and Andrew are buddies, so it’s fun. It’s competitive,'' said Weeden. "We played each other in college and last year we had a heck of a game. We battled against each other. It’s fun.”

Backup quarterback Jason Campbell has seen significant improvement in Weeden's footwork.

"Sometimes your feet tell you when to throw and where to go with the ball,'' said Campbell. "Brandon's come a long way with his footwork, dropping back quickly and making decisions. And I think the offensive linemen like it too, because it takes a lot of pressure off of them. I see Brandon having a good season.''

2. Buster Skrine and Leon McFadden at corner: Chris Owens (strained arch) has fallen behind in his bid to win the right cornerback job, and it appears to be Skrine's to lose. With Owens idle, rookie McFadden -- who's dealt with a pulled groin -- will see action in the nickel, lining up on the outside with Skrine covering the slot.

The Colts will provide a great test, with Luck targeting future Hall of Famer Reggie Wayne, free-agent pickup Darius Heyward-Bey and second-year receiver T.Y. Hilton -- who led all Colts receivers with seven TD catches last season.

3. Quentin Groves' chance to shine: With Mingo out with his bruised lung and Jabaal Sheard most likely idle with a knee injury, outside linebacker Groves will have a chance to make his case. After playing for the Cardinals in 2012 with defensive coordinator Ray Horton, Groves knows the scheme as well as anyone and is primed for a breakout year. Last year, he started seven games and recorded a career-high four sacks.

A former second-round pick of the Jaguars in 2008, Groves has a chance to live up to his draft status in this defense.

"Unfortunately my two brothers are hurt, but at the same time, you have to prepare yourself as though you're a starter,'' said Groves. "When one guy needs a blow and gets tired, there's no dropoff on this defense and that's going to be a deciding factor for us this year.''

4. Oneil Cousins and Garrett Gilkey at right guard: The Browns will give it a whirl with Cousins, who has only one NFL start at the position. A week ago, the Colts produced six sacks against the Giants with four different players.

"It ain’t much difference,” Cousins said of switching from right tackle. "You might be going against a bigger guy with a little more mass, not as fast. Our coaches teach us to know everything just in case we have to adjust. It’ll be a great challenge and I’m looking forward to it and I’m real thankful.”

With Pinkston and Lauvao out for the first two or three games of the season, the Browns need to see if Cousins can keep the position warm in their absence. Seventh-round pick Gilkey has made strides, but perhaps not enough to start. And the Browns can't risk getting Weeden hurt in Indy.

“Oniel has more experience,” Chudzinski said. “Obviously, he's been back in practice and has done well. Gilkey will get opportunities as well with the first group. We will just see how the game goes and try to get them a lot of reps.”

5. An opening for Brandon Jackson: With Lewis likely on injured reserve for the season and Montario Hardesty out for the first two or three weeks with his knee injury, Jackson has a chance to grab the No. 2 spot behind Trent Richardson. The Browns also have Chris Ogbonnaya, but they still like him at fullback, too.

"It's a blessing for me to go out and have this opportunity and basically have fun,'' Jackson said. "It's been a strong camp. I've focused on running hard, being patient, reading the holes and making sure I'm catching the ball and getting upfield.''

Like Lewis, Jackson can catch the ball out of the backfield and be dangerous in space.

"I feel it's a strongsuit for me,'' he said. "I'm already past the first level and that's the defensive line. So being able to put me up against a linebacker or the secondary, I'm loving it.''

The last time Jackson saw significant action, in 2010 with Green Bay, he rushed for 703 yards and caught 43 passes for 342 yards.

6. A chance to catch on: Third-down specialist Davone Bess will sit this one out with knee tendinitis and second-year pro Josh Cooper will sub in the slot. Cooper has caught everything in camp, and his roster chances have increased with Jordan Norwood sidelined for most of camp with a pulled hamstring and David Nelson dealing with a bruised bone in a surgically-repaired knee.

Cooper and other third- and fourth-teamers will need to produce to stay off the chopping block come Tuesday, when rosters are trimmed to 75. Final cuts to 53 are Aug. 31.

"It's been a competitive camp for receivers,'' said Cooper. "Everybody's been going at it and there's a lot of battles out there, so it's been a good camp for a lot of people.''

The Colts held the Giants to 0-for-4 in the red zone last week.

"The first two weeks everything was clicking, so we want to keep that going,'' said Cooper. "Brandon's really getting the hang of this offense. He had some trouble last year ... but he feels really comfortable in this (offense) and he looks good in it.''

Robertson isn't unique, but his skill set represents where the NFL is headed and the course on which college football has been charted for some time. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio – Fans watching the Browns’ preseason opener against St. Louis caught a snapshot of the game’s evolutionary process and a glimpse of why defensive coordinator Ray Horton calls Craig Robertson his “ace in the hole.”

In the first quarter of the Browns’ 27-19 victory, Rams rookie Tavon Austin lined up in the slot and ran a post pattern. Austin is one of the fastest receivers coming out of college, but the inside linebacker provided excellent coverage 20 yards downfield as Sam Bradford’s pass fell incomplete.

Two years ago, Robertson didn’t merit a training-camp invite from 32 NFL teams. Now, he’s a 6-1, 234-pound every-down linebacker who possesses the speed, coverage skills and versatility that coordinators crave to combat spread offenses.

“He is the new breed of linebackers,” Browns inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said. “When I came into the league (in 2006), inside linebackers were 6-3, 250 and all downhill (playing straight ahead into the line). Where the league has (changed) is you have to be able to run with guys like Tavon Austin and speed receivers. Offenses are spreading you out, and linebackers have to be able to cover and also be able to run and hit.”

View full sizeCraig Robertson's ability to deal with quick receivers like St. Louis rookie Tavon Austin is one of the biggest reasons the second-year linebacker is a starter in the Browns' 3-4 alignment.John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

Robertson isn’t unique, but his skill set represents where the NFL is headed and the course on which college football has been charted for some time. A season after finishing as the team’s second-leading tackler (93), he figures to command a greater role in Horton’s multifront defense.

The North Texas product is being likened to Daryl Washington, the inside linebacker whom Horton helped transform into a Pro Bowler last season in Arizona. Dallas' Bruce Carter is another quick, emerging inside linebacker.

Robertson’s arrival seems well timed in a league in which six or seven teams employ read-option concepts and everyone is trying to create mismatches with fleet receivers and backs.

“It’s just a space game now -- it’s basketball,” Horton said. “It spreads you out ... (Robertson) is gifted, very sharp memory, very smart and he understands football and has the ability to change direction. He is exactly what I want.”

Big-bodied middle linebackers such as San Diego Chargers rookie Manti Te’o once were the NFL prototypes. They soon could become outliers as the combination of swiftness and strength grows in importance at the college level.

Browns fans need only to look down I-71 in Columbus to see how the game is changing.

School days

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has made speed a priority on defense, a trait embodied by weak-side linebacker Ryan Shazier. The 6-foot-2, 220 pound playmaker finished among the Big Ten Conference’s top-10 in five defensive categories a season ago.

Even before Meyer signed his first recruit, OSU was adapting to the proliferation of spread offenses. The Buckeyes often deploy just two linebackers and use a third safety – the Buckeyes call it their “star” position – as a player who covers like a defensive back and hits like a linebacker.

ESPN college analyst Chris Spielman said one of the recruiting trends is identifying big high school safeties who can play nickelback or hybrid linebacker.

Conversely, recruiters also are searching for smaller prep linebackers whose agility and toughness make them candidates for safety or “star” positions.

The Buckeyes are making such a conversion with Glenville product Chris Worley (6-3, 195). It’s getting to the point where college linebacker and secondary coaches are fighting over who gets such recruits.

“This started in college,” Robertson said. “The game started spreading out and got faster. You have to match speed for speed. If linebackers are getting smaller in college, you know that’s going to transfer over to the league.”

Spielman disputes the idea that smaller linebackers are trending. He rattled off nearly a dozen names of players who previously excelled in the 225-240 pound range. But he doesn’t deny the importance of versatility in today’s NFL.

“That’s what defensive coordinators are looking for,” he said. “They want that flexibility in the way they call the game.”

‘Drive and ambition’

Horton and Robertson make for an intriguing pair because each lacks convention. The Browns coordinator does not get hung up on traditional positions.

A defense doesn’t always need three linemen or four linebackers. In the preseason opener, Horton used his top four edge rushers – Paul Kruger, Jabaal Sheard, Quentin Groves and Barkevious Mingo -- on the same play.

“Ray Horton is really good at finding ways of getting his best 11 players on the field,” CBSSports.com draft analyst Dane Brugler said. “A decade ago, we saw a lot more cookie-cutter defenses. Now, more defensive coordinators like Horton are willing to experiment.”

Brugler believes size is overrated when evaluating today’s linebackers. It’s about range, strength and football acumen. How much can a player retain and how quickly can he process the game?

Although Robertson and Washington possess different body types, Marc Sessler of NFL.com sees the comparison. Washington is one of the league’s fastest linebackers and registered nine sacks last season. In watching the Browns’ first two preseason games, Sessler was impressed with Robertson’s coverage skills and his strength at the point of attack.

He cited the play against Austin and a jarring hit on Detroit running back Reggie Bush a week later.

After reviewing both @Browns games, I'm most impressed on defense w/ILB Craig Robertson (@C__Robertson). He'll be well-known by year's end.

— Marc Sessler (@MarcSesslerNFL) August 22, 2013

Groves, who played with Washington a season ago, says Robertson shares other attributes with the second-team All Pro.

“Both have the drive and ambition,” Groves said. “They believe they are not going to be blocked by any one player.”

Groves smiled as he was asked about Robertson’s ability to cover slot receivers 20 yards from the line of scrimmage.

“The game is all about evolution,” he said. “It’s evolving all the time with the spread offense, which has seeped its way into the NFL. You’ve got to have the linebackers who can cover those guys. Before you know it, safeties are going to be linebackers and linebackers are going to be defensive ends.”

- Northeast Ohio Media Group reporter Doug Lesmerises contributed to this report

The Indians hope some extra rest will help Scott Kazmir finish the season strong. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians decided Friday to flip-flop their final two starters for the Minnesota Twins series. Right-hander Zach McAllister will work Saturday night and lefty Scott Kazmir will go Sunday afternoon.

Tribe manager Terry Francona said he wants to give Kazmir extra rest. Kazmir previously pitched last Sunday in Oakland, giving up five runs on 10 hits in five innings of a 7-3 loss.

"With Kaz, we're trying to space it out so we can keep him all year pitching at a level where he can win,'' Francona said. "Any time we can buy him a day or two, we try to do that.''

The Indians began to adjust Kazmir's schedule in earnest after a three-inning, five-run performance Aug. 9 in a home loss to the Angels. Kazmir spoke of being in a "dead-arm phase'' and did not appear again until the Oakland game.

Kazmir is 7-6 with a 4.39 ERA in 22 starts covering 119 innings. Last season, he did not pitch in the majors and logged 64 innings in 14 starts for the independent-league Sugar Land Skeeters. In 2011, he pitched 1 2/3 innings in the majors (for the Angels).

"Kaz has done a terrific job,'' Francona said. "It's pretty remarkable, considering where he was. His arm is fine; his body just feels a little beat up. Rather than be stubborn about it, we're trying to help him along, because it's good when we get that pitcher we've all come to like.''

McAllister was going to get an extra day's rest, but only because the Tribe had an off-day Thursday. He previously pitched last Monday in Anaheim, Calif., giving up one run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings of a victory over the Angels. He has been solid since returning in late July from a middle-finger injury that cost him 50 days.

"Zach missed some time earlier, and he's come back so strong and feels good,'' Francona said. "He didn't hurt his arm.''

Francona first spoke with McAllister to make sure he was fine with the switch. Francona said he does not take a starting pitcher's routine for granted.

"I don't want to get in the way of our guys,'' he said, "but we also want to help when we can. It's our responsibility to know who needs it, who doesn't.''

Millsy chronicles: Three reporters approached Tribe third-base coach Brad Mills in the clubhouse Friday afternoon.

"Uh-oh,'' Mills said. "What did I do now?''

Mills had done nothing -- except continue to have a fantastic season. If players can be in grooves, so can coaches. Mills' hot streak seemingly has lasted all year. Time after time, Mills makes the correct decision to send or hold.

"You do the best you can,'' Mills said. "It's been a lot of fun so far because the guys in this clubhouse are so good to work with.''

Nobody recognizes the value of Mills more than his close friend and manager, Francona.

"This is probably the first time all year that somebody's brought up his name,'' Francona said. "That tells you what kind of third-base coach he's been. He's a great baseball person and he's having a great year as a third-base coach. He's as good as I've seen -- and I've been around some really good ones. He's so ahead of the game.''

Mills claimed he went through a mini-slump at the outset of the season as he learned the speeds of several Tribe runners. Francona isn't buying.

"I think he's being modest,'' Francona said. "He's been tremendous the entire year. He has as good of a feel as anybody I've ever seen. As a third-base coach, you're going to get some guys thrown out. There will be two outs, and you know a good throw gets him, but it's the right thing to send him. That's a good call, and there have been times when that's happened. But Millsy has made so many good calls.''

Indians players like Mills almost as much as Francona does. Their nickname for Mills, ''Dr. Evil,'' adorned a T-shirt he wore Friday.

"It's not just because of the bald head,'' Mills said with a chuckle.