What the Browns don't know and won't know until the Dolphins arrive is if Ray Horton's defensive schemes can alleviate pressure on the cornerbacks.

BEREA, Ohio – Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi spent more time poppin’ tags Sunday than Macklemore and Ryan Lewis as the NFL’s thrift shop opened less than 24 hours after roster cut-down day.

Browns’ management claimed six players off waivers, including a pair of running backs Bobby Rainey and Dennis Johnson, as it tries desperately to upgrade talent in advance of the regular-season opener against Miami.

The club is still without a kicker and many observers worry about the quality depth at running back and the prospects of converted tackle Oniel Cousins starting at right guard. All legitimate concerns on a 53-man roster that features 11 undrafted free agents.

But it’s the Browns’ secondary, particularly its dearth of cornerbacks, which remains especially troubling. In a league where three-receiver sets are commonplace the Browns have one reliable, experienced and healthy cornerback in Joe Haden. They have just three others: Buster Skrine, Chris Owens and Leon McFadden available – all listed at 5-foot-9.

It’s not a group that inspires much confidence. Granted, many said the same thing about the Indians’ starting rotation in April, but skepticism regarding the secondary is still valid. Coach Rob Chudzinski tried to speak in positive terms regarding his cornerbacks Saturday in announcing Skrine as the starter opposite Haden.

View full sizeThe Browns need free-agent acquisition Chris Owens to stay healthy. He's missed time in preseason with a foot injury.Associated Press

“Again, Chris Owens has done a really nice job in this camp, and we feel like we have two guys we can play, alternate,” Chudzinski said while evaluating his fluid roster. “Obviously, as much as people are in sub-personnel right now, you need three anyhow. So, both those guys are going to be big parts of what we do.”

Owens has missed time twice in training camp with a foot injury. McFadden had two shaky preseason games as he recovers from a groin strain. Skrine, lauded by two coaching staffs for his feistiness, committed a team-high 12 penalties a season ago, tied for fifth-most in the NFL.

While the Browns invested heavily in remaking their defense, they allocated most of their resources to the front seven in keeping with the organization’s desire to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

The decision to draft safety Jamoris Slaughter and his surgically repaired Achilles in the sixth round seemed as puzzling in April as it did Saturday when the Browns cut him. Slaughter could resurface on the team’s practice squad although the emergence of undrafted free agent Josh Aubrey mitigates damage of a potential wasted pick. Some have expressed doubt in the ability of starting free safety Tashaun Gipson, but he hasn’t appeared overmatched in any of his appearances dating to late last season.

It’s the cornerbacks not named Haden that are the real cause for concern.

In fairness, Skrine looked good in training camp and preseason. If he relies on his ability and doesn’t give officials reason to reach in their back pockets because of his aggressiveness against taller receivers the third-year pro could make strides. But memories of the last season’s Dallas game – he was flagged three times -- do not fade quickly.

Owens, meanwhile, has to remain healthy enough to contribute. He was the only cornerback the Browns acquired in free agency before the club drafted McFadden in the third round. McFadden got deep twice in the preseason finale against Chicago after Indianapolis targeted him repeatedly in his NFL debut. The rookie deserves time to adjust before making any harsh judgments, but for now the learning curve looks as steep as the St Louis Arch.

What we don’t know and won’t know until the Dolphins arrive is if Horton’s defensive schemes can alleviate pressure on the cornerbacks. The Browns predictably have not shown much deception or exotic packages – hallmarks of Horton’s defenses – in the preseason. They also have had key personnel in their front seven, Jabaal Sheard (knee), Desmond Bryant (back spasms) Barkevious Mingo (bruised lung), missing time with injury.

If the Browns can effectively pressure the passer the cornerbacks should benefit from hurried throws and rushed decisions. But if quarterbacks get enough time and one-on-one match-ups the team might rue not doing more to upgrade the position.

The Browns didn’t add a cornerback Sunday although there’s still time to do so. With each passing day, however, the league’s second-hand store loses more value.

You can argue the Browns shouldn’t have put themselves in such a position. But right now these last-minute shoppers have nowhere else to spend their money.

The Indians finally beat the Tigers on Sunday at Comerica Park as Mike Aviles hit a grand slam in the final game of the season series between the two teams.

DETROIT, Mich. -- Just when the Indians were getting the hang of beating the Tigers, the season series ended. Sometimes you just can't catch a break.

What did it take for manager Terry Francona's team to finally beat the AL Central leaders, 4-0, Sunday at Comerica Park? Nothing much, just a dream becoming a reality.

There is little room for dreams in the stat-driven, bottom-line game of baseball. Especially in September. Dreams are for spring training, but sometimes they can weave their way into the stretch run.

Mike Aviles supplied all the Indians' runs Sunday as he hit a grand slam in the ninth inning off Joaquin Benoit. It was the first slam of his big league career.

"I can't even tell you when I hit my last grand slam," said Aviles. "I hit a lot of them in my sleep. . .I hit one last night in my sleep. It's just good to have a real one."

For the record, Aviles' last slam was on July 1, 2011 at Class AAA Omaha, Kansas City's top farm club. He can be excused for forgetting that one. This one will not be so easily forgotten.

Not only did it end a seven-game losing streak against the Tigers, but it ended a five-game losing streak overall. It was the Tribe's only win on this six-game trip through Atlanta and the Motor City. Things will not get easier when they return to Progressive Field on Monday night to play wild-card competitior Baltimore in a three-game series.

The Tigers, despite Sunday's loss, domimated the Indians this year. They went 15-4 against the second best team in the Central. Sunday they didn't have Miguel Cabrera or Austin Jackson in the lineup because of injuries, but still forced the Indians to go to an unconscious state to conjur a victory.

With 26 games left, the Indians trail the Tigers by 7 1/2 games. Their chances in the wild card race seem much better than in the division. They trailed Tampa Bay by 4 1/2 games for the second wild card at the start of Sunday's action, but Baltimore and the Yankees were ahead of them.

"All we want to do is keep playing until they send us home," said manager Terry Francona. "Because we won today, it makes tomorrow's game that much more important."

Carlos Santana started the ninth with a walk against Benoit (4-1). Rookie Jose Ramirez, just called up from Class AA Akron, pinch ran. Benoit followed that with another walk to Michael Brantley. Asdrubal Cabrera advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt and Jason Kubel was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Aviles fouled off two piches with the count at 2-2 before finally connecting on his ninth homer of the season and the second of the trip. 

• Box score | Scoreboard | Standings

"I knew it was deep enough for a sacrifice fly, but it kept going," said Aviles. "In that situation, you're not thinking about getting all the runs in, just one. But I'll take it."

Salazar pitched well in his six innings of work, holding the Tigers scoreless on six hits. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter.

As has been the case since he threw a career-high 103 pitches against the Tigers on Aug. 7, the rookie right-hander was on a short leash. He threw just 77 pitches, 54 for strikes, before the bullpen was called.

Salazar threw 70 percent of his pitches for strikes, an improvement over his last outing against the Braves when he was at 58 percent. The big-league norm is 63 percent.

"His future is exciting, but when we can take the reigns off, it's going to be even more exciting because he has another gear like good pitchers do," said Francona. "Right now we'e just need to limit it a little bit."

Salazar had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2010 and the Indians have been obssessed with controlling his innings and pitches ever since.

Nick Hagadone, Cody Allen, Joe Smith and Chris Perez combined with Salazar on the 110hit shutout. It was their 16th of the season.

Smith (6-2) pitched a scoreless eighth for the victory with catcher Carlos Santana assisting by throwing out Jose Eglesias when he tried to steal second after a leadoff single. Allen, victimized by a two-run triple in Saturday's 10-5 loss, relieved Hagadone with two on and one out in the seventh to get Ramon Santiago to hit into a force play and strikeout Andy Dirks.

"I just tried to shake off Saturday night and do my part today," said Allen.

Ryan Raburn and Corey Kluber are scheduled to rejoin the Indians this week from the disabled list.

Ryan Raburn' could be swinging the bat again for the Indians as soon as Tuesday night.Tony Dejak, Associated Press 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Look for the Indians to activate utility man Ryan Raburn in time for Tuesday night's game against the Orioles. Raburn, placed on the disabled list last week with soreness in his left heel and Achilles tendon, has not played since Aug. 28.

Right-hander Corey Kluber will also be leaving the DL. Kluber threw a four-inning simulated game Monday and will face the Mets on Friday. Kluber will not start as the Indians previously indicated. Instead he will follow Scott Kazmir to the mound as if the Indians were piggy-backing two starters in spring training.

Manager Terry Francona said Kluber, who has been on the DL since Aug. 6 with a sprained middle finger, will take a normal turn in the rotation after Friday.

"I've hit for the last two days and don't feel like my foot is hindering my swing," said Raburn. "Hopefully, I'll be able to be available on Tuesday."

Raburn, who faced Kluber in the simulated game, still hasn't run since being placed on the DL.

"I've been riding the bike and doing a lot of work in the pool to try and keep the weight off it," said Raburn. "We were going to run today (Monday), but the weather didn't cooperate."

Francona said there was no reason not to activate Raburn. He said if he does get a hit, they have more than enough players to pinch run.

While Zach McAllister missed seven weeks with a similar finger injury, Kluber will miss just over four weeks.

"It seems a lot longer," said Kluber.

Kluber said he threw 60 to 65 pitches in the four-inning simulated game.

"I threw three outside and one in the cages when it started raining," said Kluber. "I felt really good. I'll follow Kaz because at this point I'm not going to be able to go out there and give them five or six innings right away."

Normally, Kluber would get stretched out in rehab starts, but the minor league seasons are over.

"We told Kaz just go pitch, don't conserve because we'll pull the plug," said Francona. "After that, Kaz will stay on his regular turn and Kluber will fall in after him...I think it has a chance to help us win, help both pitchers and help our bullpen."

Francona said the Indians might use six starters for at least one turn through the rotation in September.

Monday's lineups:

Orioles (72-63): DH Roberts, 3B Machado, 1B Davis, CF Jones, C Wieters, RF Markakis, SS Hardy, LF McLouth, 2B Casilla, P Norris (3-1, 4.91, 9-10, 4.13).

Indians (72-64): CF Bourn, 1B Swisher, 2B Kipnis, C Santana, LF Brantley, SS Cabrera, DH Giambi, 3B Chisenhall, RF Stubbs, P Masterson (14-9, 3.49).

Umpires: H Marquez, 1B Barrett, 2B DiMuro, 3B Barry.

Barnett, a starting safety, is expected back from an ankle sprain, while Roby will be back from a one-game suspension and fight for his starting job.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Just from the number of healthy, eligible players they put on the field Saturday, the Buckeyes should look a little more like the Ohio State fans are expecting.

After dealing with 70 healthy scholarship players against Buffalo, San Diego State should see the return of injured OSU safety C.J. Barnett, more from injured center Corey Linsley and cornerback Bradley Roby, and running back Rod Smith back from suspensions.

“Looks very positive for C.J. Barnett to be back,” Urban Meyer said at his news conference Monday. “Bradley Roby will be back. We are going to get more play out of Corey Linsley, and so that's a positive. We are starting to get our roster back intact. As of now, Rod Smith will be back if he has a good week of practice and does all right. So that helps us.”

Meyer said Roby would not be named a starter on the depth chart, listed as a co-starter with Armani Reeves when it comes out Tuesday. Cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs said Roby, Reeves and Doran Grant would all share first-team reps in practice this week, as they did during training camp. But realistically, expect Roby to make his presence felt against the Aztecs.

“He's competing for a spot,” Meyer said. “He will not be named a starter.”

On the offensive line, more Linsley will help solve some problems. But not all of them. After looking back at the game, Meyer thought the issue up front was Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack more than anything else.

“Well, we get beat a couple times and it gets exposed. For the most part we played OK. You just can't get exposed,” Meyer said. “The player they had, his stock in the draft just went up a little bit after playing against us. He did a very good job. He manhandled some guys and did a good job. So whenever that happens, what do you do? You go back to your fundamentals and keep working and keep grinding. I have the utmost confidence in our offensive line and their position coach - what he did with them a year ago and what he is doing with them now - that they will play much better, and they have to.

"But give credit where credit is due. The biggest issue is a fantastic football player. I mean, he could play anywhere at any school in America, that kid for Buffalo.”

The Tribe returns home and tries to start a winning streak against Bud Norris and the Orioles.

Justin Masterson will be on the hill this afternoon as the Tribe takes on the Orioles at Progressive Field.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians look to get back on a winning streak as they return home this afternoon to take on the Baltimore Orioles today at Progressive Field. The Tribe will send Justin Masterson to the mound against Bud Norris.

Game 137: Indians (72-64) vs. Baltimore Orioles (72-63)

First pitch: 4:05 p.m. at Progressive Field

TV/radio: STO, MLB Network; WTAM AM/1100.

Live box score | MLB scoreboard

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Ohio State hosts San Diego State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Ohio Stadium, with the game on ABC.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State on Monday named Jordan Hall its offensive player of the week and Christian Bryant the defensive player of the week for the Buckeyes' 40-20 win over Buffalo. Redshirt sophomore safety Ron Tanner was the special teams player of the week, with freshman Vonn Bell given honorable mention, according to Urban Meyer.

Other players who graded out as champions were receivers Chris Fields and Philly Brown on offense and defensive end Noah Spence and cornerback Doran Grant on defense.

“We have got to do a little better,” Meyer said. “The good thing is we have a chance to get better.”

After a 20-point win as a 35-point favorite, Meyer said the Buckeyes won't look past San Diego State, even if the Aztecs were blown out by a lower-level FCS school.

“I think complacency is certainly not a problem this week,” Meyer said. “There's been times when you smoke a team and then all of a sudden, you're trying to get after them and they are looking at you, because they have just been told how great they are.

“It's a great opportunity for us to coach them hard and get better Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Succeeding against long odds isn;t just San Diego State's challenge Saturday against Ohio State, it is the life story of their quarterbacks coach and former Browns legend,Brian Sipe.

COLUMBUS, Ohio –- The pacemaker of the Kardiac Kids, Brian Sipe, is now the quarterbacks coach at San Diego State.

You might  say he has to coach them up a trifle after the Aztecs lost, 40-19, at home to Eastern Illinois of whatever they are calling Division I-AA now.

Sipe, however, does not criticize  starter Adam Dingwell.

Before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach, Sipe was an architect, designing expensive homes. "It's like offense in football," he said in a conference call Monday. "The pieces have to fit together. You lay down a foundation and then build on it."

The Aztecs aren’t looking for another starter after the opener. Dingwell is part of their design.

“Part of the psychology of a quarterback is to be competitive, thick-skinned, and keep coming back and coming back and coming back when things aren’t going right,” Sipe said.

There might be no better description of the 1980 Browns season than that final refrain. They kept coming back and coming back, in the wake of the city’s default two years earlier, after almost a decade of playoff absence, back to a division championship, back, back  to the frozen hell of Red Right 88.

Sipe was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in the 1980 season, at 6-1, 195 pounds. It was an outlier season, with 30 touchdown passes against 14 interceptions for a man with a career mark of 154 TDs and 149 picks; with a league-best 91.4 QB rating for a player whose career mark of 74.8 is exactly that of Colt McCoy.

Sipe was the very embodiment of the plucky overachiever San Diego State hopes to be Saturday in the Horseshoe against Ohio State

Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer was speaking of Sipe in particular and quarterbacks in general when he said, in his usual abrupt scatter of sentence fragments: “I think the most important thing for a quarterback is the competitive spirit as being a guy that – I just love those guys.

“The best ones I’ve ever been around are the ones that refuse to lose in checkers or (at the) pingpong table or anything. Unlike most any position in all of sport, the quarterback has more of a pulse; they are who your team is usually, and that’s why I like the energetic quarterbacks and (am) really working on (that) with Braxton Miller. He came out pretty energetic (in the opener against Buffalo), and we had a lot of enthusiasm going. We just need to sustain that.”

The whole idea of someone like Sipe, a relatively scrawny quarterback with an avergae arm and  speed that was deceptively slow, is an endangered concept in both professional and college football. These are the heydays  of the spread option and the dual-purpose Colin Kaepernick/Robert Griffin III caliber of athlete.

Asked if he could play in the spread offenses of today, Sipe said, “Absolutely not. I’m the reason the Browns stopped timing quarterbacks in the 40-yard dash.”

Technically, Sipe had something that strong-armed passers– Brandon Weeden comes to mind – sometimes lack.

It is what Troy Aikman is always harping on during Fox network NFL telecasts.

It is what Len Dawson, Fran Tarkenton and Bob Griese told Sam Rutigliano to look for when he was taking over the Browns and the Kardiacs were about to find their pulse.

“As much as we overrate a quarterback’s arm, we underrate accuracy. They all said Sipe was a very accurate passer, “ Rutigliano said.

“You have to be accurate. That’s paramount,” said Sipe. “You have to have good eyes. You have to sort out a lot of information and find open receivers, and you have to see them open before they are.”

Tim Couch never could do that. He threw to what he saw on the field, not to the spots the patterns dictated. He strained his arm trying to overthrow to beat defenders after making late reads.

“You also need a quarterback who can extend plays because one out of every three plays in the passing game is probably going be little bit of mess,” Sipe said. “You’ve got to be able to move and extend a play and do something that’s not in the playbook.”

That would be an apt description of Miller. He threw three touchdown passes in a 40-20 victory over Buffalo Saturday, and two of them were to Ohio State guys while the other was a Bulls' pick-six. He forced Evan Spencer to dive unsuccessfully  for an overthrow that would have been a touchdown with better accuracy. Miller led Philly Brown too much on a big gain, which was negated by a penalty, with Brown unable to stay inbounds  for long after running the ball down.

“Miller is obviously a pretty scary guy, big, physical. When things don’t go well, he has the tools to make something out of nothing,” Sipe said.

Cleveland’s favorite adopted son comes back to Ohio Saturday. Several of the Kardiacs will make the trip to see what he can conjure up to offset Ohio State’s apparent huge edge in personnel, including  at quarterback.

In a way, Sipe‘s task on the sideline is the same as Miller’s on the field, only with less physical material to work with. Sipe, however, is familiar with the task. He lived it as a player. He has  a blueprint in mind and  mad skills  at the checker board and  the pingpong table.

Justin Masterson, the Indians No.1 starter, left Monday's game in the second inning with an apparent injury.

Justin Masterson, shown pitching against the Angels earlier this season, left Monday's game against Baltimore in the second inning with an apparent injury.Jae C. Huy, Associated Press 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Justin Masterson, Indians No.1 starter, was removed from Monday's game with a 1-0 count on Baltimore's Nick Markakis in the second inning because of soreness in his left rib cage.

Manager Terry Francona and trainer Jeff Desjardins went to the mound to check on Masterson with a 1-1 count on Matt Wieters, Baltimore's leadoff hitter, in the second. Masterson stayed in the game, but gave up a single to Wieters.

Masterson went to a 1-0 count on Markakis when catcher Carlos Santana and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera went to the mound. Cabrera called Francona to the mound. This time Masterson was removed and replaced by rookie right-hander Preston Guilmet, who joined the team Sunday from Class AAA Columbus.

Monday was Masterson's 29th start of the season. He leads the Indians with 14 victories, 188 1/3 innings pitches and 188 strikieouts.

The 14 victories are a career high for Masterson. He is tied for the AL lead with three shutouts and ranks second with three complete games.

Masterson allowed one run on one hit in one inning. He threw 25 pitches, 14 for strikes, but most of them were of the off-speed variety. Masterson is a power pitches.

After a series of cramping injuries plagued Ohio State last week, how will the Buckeyes prepare against two upcoming opponents who both ran 99 plays in their openers?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The most essential elements for the Ohio State defense the next two weeks might be hydrogen and oxygen.

The late-August heat forced four Buckeyes from Saturday's season-opening win against Buffalo, including quarterback Braxton Miller, who twice exited the game because of cramping. Receiver Evan Spencer and linebackers Ryan Shazier and Josh Perry also missed time.

"We can't have guys leave the game," OSU coach Urban Meyer said Monday.

Shazier had to be carted off the field in the second quarter and taken to the locker room to receive fluids. Miller, who also cramped up during last year's opener against Miami, said he felt like he played more than four quarters.

With temperatures this weekend in Columbus again expected to approach the mid-80s, the players have grasped the necessity for a steady dose of H2O.

"I'm pretty sure the guys learned their lesson with hydration," said junior cornerback Doran Grant. "You just have to hydrate all week."

Buffalo ran 67 plays in its 40-20 loss at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes' next two opponents -- San Diego State and California -- both ran 99 plays in their opening tilts. Both teams attempted 64 passes, compared to only 35 rushes.

Last season, San Diego State prided itself on a run-based offense. The reigning Mountain West Conference co-champions rushed the ball on 65 percent of their possessions during the 2012 campaign.

In their 40-19 loss to Eastern Illinois on Saturday, however, the Aztecs played from behind for the final three quarters. Running back Adam Muema, who totaled a team-high 1,458 yards on the ground last season, departed in the first half with a low ankle sprain. Thus, coach Rocky Long's team was forced to wear out the arm of quarterback Adam Dingwell, who completed 27 of 63 passes and threw four interceptions.

In the end, San Diego State owned the football for 38 of the 60 minutes. Against Ohio State, Buffalo had possession for less than 28 minutes.

"We just found ourselves backed into a corner and statistics tend to get skewed when that happens," said San Diego State quarterbacks coach Brian Sipe. "Absolutely, we want a balanced offense here."

That might be a tall order against Ohio State. The Buckeyes jumped out to a 23-0 lead in the first quarter against Buffalo. From that juncture until the Bulls notched their first score, Buffalo threw the ball on nine of 10 plays.

That is not how San Diego State wants to attack the OSU defense.

"Running the ball is definitely a key part of the game," said Aztecs tackle Bryce Quigley. "We have to be able to run the ball and that starts with the offensive line up front."

OSU's offense did not exactly help matters, though the group can hardly be blamed. Three of the Buckeyes' touchdown drives took 80 seconds or fewer, which left the defense little time to catch its breath.

The defensive players decided not to let that function as an excuse.

"Knowing it's going to be hot and playing a lot of reps, you know you have to take care of your body," Grant said.

The Buckeyes were short half of their starting secondary on Saturday, as cornerback Bradley Roby served a one-game ban and safety C.J. Barnett rested a balky ankle. Both are expected back this week, so Ohio State will have more bodies to rotate into the lineup.

That does not, however, satisfy the conscience of Meyer, who would prefer to see his players remain on the field, uninhibited by petty, bothersome cramps.

"If you look out there and some guys are cramping or they are not playing, then we've got a problem," Meyer said. "No one has that much depth."

Cleveland.com introduces Ari Wasserman, who will bring a journalistic approach to the modern day world of recruiting.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Maybe you have heard my name before, maybe you haven’t.

But today – alongside fellow newcomer Zack Meisel – I am making my debut as part of Cleveland.com’s expanded Ohio State coverage team. We join Doug Lesmerises, meaning three of us are now united to bring you the most expansive coverage of the Buckeyes found anywhere on the Internet.

I am not ashamed to admit that I have never been more excited about a new beginning in my entire life. Not coincidentally, a large portion of my job is about keeping our readers up to date with Ohio State’s new beginnings.

More specifically, recruiting.

And Cleveland.com brings a new angle – a journalistic approach to covering the future of Ohio State football. We’ll be reporting prospects’ top-fives, visits dates and future plans – the normal stuff – but we’ll dive even deeper. That means in-depth feature stories, videos and expert analysis provided by reporters that also cover the current team.

Having waited two weeks to get going in this new position, I don’t want to wait another minute to start.

Let’s begin with the basics, and perhaps the top question regarding recruiting now: How is Ohio State doing in the 2014 class? Well, with Urban Meyer leading the way, it won’t come as a surprise to hear the Buckeyes are atop the recruiting world in college football.

After signing recruiting classes that ranked among the top-five nationally in his first two tries, Meyer is back at it again. Ohio State already has 17 verbal commitments in the class, 10 of which are from recruits regarded by Rivals.com as four-star prospects.

In all, Ohio State currently ranks No. 5 in the Rivals team rankings, behind only Alabama, Tennessee, Miami (Fla.) and Florida State. However, each program that currently sits ahead of the Buckeyes in those rankings has earned more verbal commitments than the Buckeyes.

Ohio State could be adding as many as six more into the mix. And the expectation is that those future commitments will also be very highly regarded, much like the ones who have already pledged to continue their college careers at Ohio State.

So who are the three biggest stars that are already set to come to Ohio State next season? (Don’t worry, we’ll eventually get to all of them.) That may be hard to answers given every commitment is a dynamic prep star, so we’ll let the Rivals player rankings do the trick for us.

Let’s start with cornerback Damon Webb of Detroit Cass Technical. Rated by Rivals the No. 32 overall player in the 2014 class, Webb committed to the Buckeyes despite attending a high school that has been known to pipeline talent to Michigan. Cass Tech is to Michigan as Cleveland Glenville is to Ohio State.

Perhaps the best cover corner in the country, Webb is a four-star prospect that chose Ohio State over scholarship offers from Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others. And he’s been a leader in Ohio State’s future recruiting endeavors, as Webb has established himself as one of the more sociable guys in the group.

Checking in three spots behind Webb at No. 35 overall in the class is Demetrius Knox of Fort Worth (Texas) All Saints’ Episcopal, who Rivals also rates the best offensive guard in the nation. Once a verbal commitment to Texas, Knox took an unofficial visit to Ohio State in early April before reopening his recruitment. He was committed to the Buckeyes in late July.

An agile and athletic line prospect, Knox could figure into early playing time at Ohio State, particularly because Meyer set out to find offensive line depth in this class. The head coach found a good one in Knox, who chose OSU from a scholarship offer list that includes Alabama, Baylor, California, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas A&M and many others.

Finally there’s Curtis Samuel of Brooklyn (N.Y.) Erasmus Hall. The 5-11, 180-pound recruit is right in Meyer’s wheelhouse because he’s an agile wide receiver that consistently makes big plays in the offense.

If you’ve noticed Ohio State has over recruited that position, you wouldn’t be wrong. Without a speedy playmaker for OSU’s hybrid “H” position, Meyer can’t run his offense to its full potential. He can’t afford to miss. Meyer likely won’t with Samuel.

Built from the same cloth as Ohio State freshmen Dontre Wilson, Jalin Marshall and Ezekiel Elliott, Samuel runs a 4.36-second 40-yard dash and accounted for 1,047 yards on 91 carries as a junior, including 18 total touchdowns. He chose the Buckeyes over Rutgers, and other top programs like Alabama, Miami and Notre Dame.

What’s New? Even with an impressive class already in place, Ohio State is in a position where it is directly competing with Alabama on the recruiting trail. And how they fare in that battle will likely determine if they catch up to the Crimson Tide – the two-time defending national champion – on the gridiron.

That means a strong finish is a must.

Adding Sparta (N.J.) Pope John XXIII athlete Noah Brown to the class would help make that a reality. And the Buckeyes got big news Sept. 2 when Brown posted on his public Twitter account that he’d be in attendance for an official visit for Ohio State’s home game against San Diego State on Sept. 7. 

Four-star WR prospect Noah Brown of Sparta, N.J. RT @nb_dosuno: Will be taking an official visit to Ohio St sept. 7th.

— Ari Wasserman (@AriWassermanPD) September 2, 2013

Why is that crucial for the Buckeyes? Because Brown previously announced plans to make a verbal commitment on Sept. 12, and if that’s still the plan, Ohio State could carry the momentum into the decision-making process.

A four-star prospect, Brown also has offers from Michigan State, North Carolina, Rutgers, South Carolina, USC and others. Experts thought Rutgers – based on its proximity to his home – was the leader in Brown’s recruitment. That could change when he gets to Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

First Night Game In Ohio Stadium: Chicago De La Salle offensive tackle Jamarco Jones has been committed to Ohio State since late June, but the 6-5, 295-pound prospect is most looking forward to something he hasn't experienced – a night game in Ohio Stadium. 

Jones has been in the Horseshoe at night, most recently to watch the Buckeyes Friday Night Light camp on July 28, but he Tweeted Monday that he has officially made plans to see night game action in Ohio Stadium when the Buckeyes host Wisconsin for the Big Ten opener Sept. 28.

Looking forward to the OSU Wisconsin game this month. Its going to be my first night game at the Shoe!

— Jamarco Jones (@jjones_73) September 2, 2013

Kent State's injured and revamped offensive line had a solid opener, but now must prepare for one of the top defenses in the Mid-American Conference.

KENT, Ohio -- The offensive line was a big question mark for Kent State going into the season. After the opening 17-10 victory over Liberty, head coach Paul Haynes can breath easier.

With two potential starters sidelined on a five-man unit that needed to rebuilt after last season, the Flashes still amassed 167 yards rushing, with over 50 more lost to penalties.

Freshman Reno Reda moved over from his backup tackle position to guard and started in place of senior Pat McShane (knee). McShane's normal backup, Jim Katusha, also missed the game with a concussion. McShane, one of two returning 2012 starters along with senior center Phil Huff, remains "day to day" according to Haynes, as does the sophomore, Katusha.

But the effort delivered against Liberty is at least a first step toward a season-long goal.

"We have got to win the rushing battle against everyone we play,'' Haynes said during his weekly coaches session with the media.

Well done: Haynes said he was pleased with the rushing performance delivered by junior tailback Trayion Durham (92 yards) and backup Anthony Meray (38 yards) in a game where speedster Dri Archer was hurt and limited to just three plays.

Haynes said Archer is like McShane and Katusha, 'day to day' but he has already had a long talk with Durham.

"If we can pound it and be effective,'' Haynes began. "Trayion is a great back, and we have to make sure we continue to feed him."

Lean and mean: If Kent's senior defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix looks a bit leaner than last season, it's because he has slimmed down.

"I've lost 25 pounds since the end of last season,'' he said. "I could play with it, but I just feel better now. I was 270 for the bowl game, I'm right at 250 now.''

The bigger thing, Nix said, is he is healthy as nagging hand, toe and foot injuries are all behind him. The only challenge is dealing with leg cramps during games in high heat and humidity.

"It doesn't matter what I weigh,'' said Nix, who missed the final defensive stand vs. Liberty due to leg cramps. "I've always had cramps like that going back to high school.''

The big ones: The past two years, Bowling Green and Kent have had two of the better defenses in the Mid-American Conference. But last season, in particular, you would not know that by the score (31-24, Kent) or the scoring plays.

Big plays ruled as six of the seven touchdowns scored in the game covered 27 yards or more and four of them covered 72 yards or more, and all from the line of scrimmage.

Haynes, a former defensive coordinator, said many times players, "get caught up in making plays." He said sometimes the game is made more difficult that it needs be with stunts and play-calls and matching wits with the offense.

"It still comes down to tackling, and keeping leverage,'' he said. "And those are things they've been doing since they started playing football.''

Browns running back Trent Richardson knows its up to him now more than ever to get the job done with two running backs behind him who have never played in an NFL game.

BEREA, Ohio -- Trent Richardson looked around the Browns running back room Monday and realized that now more than ever, it's all on him.

Gone were the three tailbacks he's shared the meeting room with since the spring: Brandon Jackson, who was cut, and Montario Hardesty (knee) and Dion Lewis (broken leg) who were both placed on injured reserve. Two of those, Jackson and Hardesty, were close friends from last season.

In their place were the two young backs claimed on waivers Sunday who've never set foot in an NFL game: second-year pro Bobby Rainey from the Ravens and rookie Dennis Johnson from the Texans.

"I don't think it's pressure, but it's just more talk in my head to where 'hey, you've got to be on your stuff, man,''' said Richardson. "You don't want to be in a situation where you're out due to injury or anything. It just makes you work harder.''

It was hard enough for Richardson to watch Hardesty struggle with injuries this preseason, but watching Jackson -- who averaged only 1.5 yards in preseason -- get cut was a blow.

"Yeah, it kind of hit me in the face like, ‘man, I can’t believe these guys are gone or are not in the room with me right now,''' he said. "it's tough. Some were guys that were already here when I came in -- guys who taught me the playbook. But at the end of the day it’s a business and I hope the best for all of those guys. Whether they’re here or not, I know those guys are going to be very successful.''

The first thing Richardson noticed with the new guys was that they're built a lot like Lewis: compact but stout. Rainey, who starred at Western Kentucky, is 5-8, 212 and Johnson, who played Arkansas, is 5-7, 193.

"They're talented,'' said Richardson, who rushed 13 times for 64 yards (4.9-yard average) this preseason with a long gain of 17. "They remind me a lot of Dion (Lewis), shifty backs. Guys who want to win and want to be good. They're coming into a big opportunity. You’ve got to teach them, coach them up and do the best you can with them.''

The fact the two backs originally went undrafted is insignificant to Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick in 2012.

"Drafted or not, we’re going to be prepared,'' he said. "It doesn't really matter. Coach (John) Settle does a real good job with us in the room, keeping us in film study, preparation for the game. We’ve just got to get our timing down and make sure we’re in good shape.''

As rookie last season, Rainey spent the first five weeks on the Ravens practice squad before being promoted to the active roster. He was inactive for three games and then placed on IR with a knee injury. But he bounced back in preseason to lead the Ravens with 89 yards rushing on 23 carries (3.9-yard average) and two touchdowns.

"I looked at (last year) like a redshirt year,'' he said. "I redshirted my first year in college and then came back and played well. Same thing here. After going on IR, I played well in preseason. I was disappointed (to get waived). I thought I did enough to stay on the team. The Browns called and I was excited.''

Rainey, who averaged 139 yards a game rushing his final two seasons at Western Kentucky, can also return kickoffs. In 2009, he returned 44 for 1,050 yards and a 23.9-yard average.

"You're going to get a playmaking guy, whether it be offense or special teams,'' he said. "I'm coming to make plays and help this ballclub win. I'm a scatback, very quick and explosive. I can catch the ball out of the backfield and pretty much do everything that's on the field.''

Rainey, who earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens last season and went to the White House for the celebration, is eager to play the Ravens twice, including week two in Baltimore.

"My fiancee told me we were playing Baltimore and I was excited,'' he said. "I've got to do what I've got to do to get on the field, especially for that game.''

Will he help the Browns with the inner workings of the Ravens' playbook?

"I don't know,'' he said with a laugh. "It's built in. Now I've just got to get it out of my brain and transition over here to the Browns.''

Johnson, the SEC's all-time leader with 2,784 kickoff return yards, will be a leading candidate to handle that chore against the Dolphins on Sunday. At Arkansas, he averaged 23.4 yards and scored three TDs.

“That’s going to be my best chance right now,'' he said. "It doesn't take long. You just catch the ball and go. You don’t have to know anything but which way the return is going.”

Johnson, who ran a 4.49 in the 40 before the draft, counts on his low center of gravity, speed and agility to foil defenders.

"I'm slippery,'' he said. "You can't catch me. When I get in the open, I don't expect to be caught.''

Richardson, who will have former tailback Chris Ogbonnaya mostly blocking for him now,  is also anticipating being used more in space this season, both in the running and passing games.

"It’s a good thing because I have quick feet,'' he said. "Leave me one-on-one with a cornerback or a linebacker, I just outrun them. Just getting in space, I make somebody miss.''

Richardson, who averaged 3.6 yards per carry last year, was frustrated with his lack of outside runs last season.

"It came time where they’d just run me on the inside,'' he said. "It was like, ‘Can I get an outside zone play? Can I get a midzone play? Can I get out in space some?’ With that, I’m the type of person that never questions. I just do what I’m told and do what I’m asked and I just go give it my all whatever it is.”

This year, he'll be ready to dash around the end and bowl over defenders.

"I know it’s going to be way different this year,'' he said. "I’m going to be prepared and in shape and running full speed, 100 mph, whatever I’ve got to go. I’m going to be ready to go downhill.”

Juking out that defender in Indianapolis two weeks ago on a 10-yard swing pass was an example of the havoc he plans to wreak in space.

"I went back and watched some of my college and high school tapes with my brother and my cousin,'' he said. "They were like, 'You still run hard. You just have to make that one cut and go and just be determined not to be taken down by one man.’ So when it comes down to it, I’ve just got to get back to the basics.”

Especially now, with two inexperienced backs waiting in the wings.

Not only did the Indians lose Justin Masterson to a rib injury, but they were thumped by wild-card competition Baltimore, 7-2

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians lost No.1 starter Justin Masterson and a ballgame Monday afternoon at Progressive Field.

The implications of both events do not bode well for the Indians' chances of making the postseason.

Baltimore, behind the pitching of Bud Norris, knocked the Indians around on the way to a 7-2 victory. With two games remaining on this nine-game character test against Atlanta, Detroit and Baltimore, the Indians are 1-6.

Masterson (14-10, 3.52), who leads the Indians in wins, innings pitched, complete games and strikeouts, left in the second inning with an injury to his left rib cage. Manager Terry Francona, with a 10-man bullpen at his disposal, took a look at seven of them.

"We're going to get him scanned (MRI) Tuesday," said Francona. "We'll know a lot more then."

The party line is that Masterson injured his rib cage. If the oblique is involved, his season is probably over. Masterson, a preacher's son, doesn't think it's serious, but wasn't shy about asking for divine intervention.

"I think we got out of there in time before there was a pull," said Masterson. "We'll get a few more things checked out over the next couple of days. . .Hopefully, the good Lord performs a miracle and touches my side. That would be great.

"If not, it will also be great and we'll work through it."

The loss dropped the Indians to 8 1/2 games behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central. In the wild card, the Orioles moved to within 2 1/2 games of Tampa Bay for the second spot, while the Indians fell to four games back. They trail the Orioles and Yankees, who moved to 3 1/2 back, with the Rays scheduled to play the Angels on Monday night.

It's hard to see the Indians contending for the postseason over the last 25 games without Masterson.

"He's the head of our team, basically," said second baseman Jason Kipnis. "He's the workhorse. He's the big fella that you feel confident in every time he goes out there. You look at guys like him to stop losing streaks and to give us a quality game where we can get refocused.

"All we can do now is wish him a speedy recovery."

Norris (10-10, 4.01) allowed a solo homer to Kipnis over seven innings. He struck out eight, walked one and allowed four hits to improve to 4-1 since the Orioles acquired him from Houston at the trade deadline on July 31.

Asked what made Norris effective in his first career start against the Indians, Kipnis jokingly said, "He had a scheduled start against our offense. He threw strikes and located very well. . .Right now, like I said, jokingly or not, he's catching us at a good time and we're trying everything we can to snap out of it."

The Indians have been outscored, 32-16, in their last seven games. The downward trend can be traced to August when the Indians hit .229 as a team and averaged just 3.3 runs per games.

Masterson told the trainers he started feeling his left side tightening when he faced Chris Davis in the first inning.

"Earlier in the year I had similar soreness leading up to the game," said Masterson. "It didn't mean anything so that's why I wasn't really scared. I thought putting some hot stuff on it (after the first inning) would be good, but somehow it wanted to tighten it up."

When Masterson went to a 1-1 count on Matt Wieters to start the second, Francona and trainer Brian Desjardins went to the mound. Masterson stayed in the game, but gave up a single to Wieters. He threw one pitch to Nick Markakis and catcher Carlos Santana and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera came to the mound as Cabrera gestured to the dugout.

The pitch was an 88 mph four-seam fastball, a pitch Masterson usually throws between 92 mph and 96 mph.

I threw that one pitch and Carlos didn't like it and said me I was done," said Masterson. "Cabbie was right there, too."

Rookie Preston Guilmet relieved. Markakis greeted him with a single as the Orioles proceeded to take a 3-0 lead in the inning.

Guilmet retired J.J. Hardy on a fly ball to left, but Nate McLouth drove a ball to the gap in right center that Michael Bourn just missed with a lunge at the track.

Wieters scored and Markakis advanced to third. The Indians, however, appealed that Markakis missed second base. When Guilmet threw to second, umpire Mike DiMuro called him out. The appeal changed McLouth's double to a fielder's choice because Markakis was forced at second. He still received credit for the RBI.

"We all saw that he missed the bag," said Francona.

Guilmet walked Alexi Casilla, the No.9 hitter, and gave up a two-run double to Brian Roberts. This time McLouth and Casilla touched all the necessary bases and Roberts' double stood.

The Orioles made it 5-0 on McLouth's two-run homer off Nick Hagadone in the fourth. It was his 10th homer of the season.

Solo homers by Kipnis in the seventh and Lonnie Chisenhall in the eighth made it 5-2, but Wieters' three-run homer in the ninth off Marc Rzepczynski put the game away.

Jordan Hall was named the offensive player of the game for the Buckeyes, but what will his role be once Carlos Hyde is back?

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State Buckeyes may drop a bit when the new coaches and AP polls are released Tuesday after they lost the last three quarters in a 40-20 win over Buffalo.

But the Buckeyes should look more like themselves with players like Bradley Roby and C.J. Barnett returning Saturday, and running back Carlos Hyde will be back after two more games.

New Cleveland.com Ohio State reporters Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) and Ari Wasserman (@AriWassermanPD) talk about the Buckeyes and what to expect from 0-1 San Diego State when the Aztecs visit Ohio Stadium for a 3:30 kickoff on Saturday.

The Browns planned to let Billy Cundiff and Dan Carpenter stage a "kick off'' for the job tomorrow in Berea, but Carpenter signed with the Bills. Giorgio Tavecchio will join Cundiff in Berea for the tryout.

BEREA, Ohio -- Pro Bowl kicker Dan Carpenter's travel plans changed when he was on his way to Cleveland Monday to compete with fellow Pro Bowler Billy Cundiff for the Browns' vacancy, a league source told cleveland.com.

He got a call from the Bills, whose rookie kicker, Dustin Hopkins, suffered a groin injury in practice. The Bills decided to sign Carpenter sight unseen, and he opted for the sure thing.

The Browns had a chance to forego the tryout and sign Carpenter on Monday, but they proceeded with their plans to bring kickers in to Berea on Tuesday for the tryout.

That means Billy Cundiff, who kicked for the Browns briefly in 2009, is the frontrunner for the job. He'll compete tomorrow against Italian-born Giorgio Tavecchio, who was cut last week by the Packers.

Tavecchio, who kicked in college at Cal, made 27-of-31 field goals in training camp, but only one of two in preseason games, missing a 49-yarder.

Coach Rob Chudzinski also said Saturday that the Browns haven't ruled out re-signing one of the kickers that spent all summer with them -- 12-year veteran Shayne Graham or rookie Brandon Bogotay.

Graham's contract was terminated on final cutdown day and Bogotay was released.

As of Monday evening, the Browns had not yet scheduled a tryout with Havard Rugland, better known as "Kickalicious.'' He's the trick shot artist who tried out for the Browns in the spring and then signed with the Lions, where he made all three of his field goals in preason, including a 33-yarder against the Browns.

Carpenter actually landed in Cleveland Monday night to grab his bags and then flew to Buffalo from here to sign his contract. ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report that the Bills were preparing to sign Carpenter.

The Bills were in the process of transitioning from 10-year veteran Rian Lindell (now with Tampa Bay) to Hopkins, their sixth-round pick out of Florida State, when the rookie pulled the groin.

Carpenter's sure-thing derailed the Browns' plans to have the two kickers square off in a winner-take-all competition in Berea on Tuesday, an off-day for the rest of the players.

Cundiff, 33, will know his way around the Browns facility when he comes to town. He replaced an injured Phil Dawson (strained calf) in week five of the 2009 season and kicked the game-winning field goal to help the Browns beat the Bills 6-3.

He went on to kick for the Ravens the following season, earning Pro Bowl honors after making 26 of his 29 field goal attempts and a league-high 40 touchbacks. He also led the league with a 71.1 kickoff average.

But Cundiff missed a potential game-tying 32-yard field goal for the Ravens in the closing seconds of the AFC Championship game following the 2011 season, and the Ravens lost to the Patriots, 23-20.

Cundiff was released in August of 2012 and spent time with Washington and San Francisco. He also tried out with the Jets this summer but was released last week when they opted to give Carpenter a look.

Cundiff made all three of his field goals this preseason -- all from 39 yards or less -- and all four of his extra points. Overall, he's made 139 of 184 attempts for 75.5 percent.

Carpenter, 27, has spent time with the Dolphins, Cardinals and Jets, and was released by all three teams last month.

A Pro Bowler in 2009, has made 127 of 155 field goal attempts for 81.9 percent. His longest was a 60-yarder against the Browns on Dec. 5, 2010, the longest in Dolphins history. Carpenter signed with Cardinals last month after being let go by Miami, but was let go four days later after his lone field goal attempt, a 26-yarder, was blocked. He had practiced with the team only one day.

Tavecchio, as a senior at Cal, made 20-of-23 field goals but missed six extra points. He finished fifth all-time om Cal's scoring list with 256 points.

Old faces, new places: Former Browns cornerback Dimitri Patterson returns to Cleveland as a starter on Sunday with the Miami Dolphins eager to prove he’s a valuable contributor.

Patterson was released by the Browns during an injury-plagued 2012 and finished the year with the Dolphins.

“You’re always trying to prove doubters wrong and people who may not think as highly of you as the next person will,” Patterson told ESPN.com on Monday. “That’s just how it goes. That’s just part of the business. My objective is to go out here and make an impact in some form or fashion.”

In July, the outspoken Patterson told the website his release from the Browns, “had nothing to do with football.” He would not elaborate on the statement, but hinted politics were at play.

Patterson, who spent parts of two seasons with the Browns, plans to share what he knows about his former teammates with his current ones.

“Whatever information I have on some players, strengths and weaknesses, what they bring to the field, no doubt about it,” Patterson said. “Whatever insight I can provide, I will certainly help us be successful on Sunday.”

Hauptmann Back: The Browns re-signed rookie offensive lineman Caylin Hauptmann to their practice squad.

Roles can change in a hurry when a rookie is promoted to the big leagues. Just ask Preston Guilmet.

Rookie Preston Guilmet spent this season closing for Class AAA Columbus, but he's getting called into game a lot with the Indians.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Life is good for rookies in the big leagues, but it can be different.

Right-hander Preston Guilmet spent the bulk of this season saving games for Class AAA Columbus. He went 5-4 with a 1.68 ERA and 20 saves in 24 chances for the Clippers. The late innings were his home.

So what happens when he gets to the big leagues? On Monday, when Justin Masterson left the game in the second inning against Baltimore with a left rib cage injury, Guilmet jogged in from the bullpen.

"That might have been the first time I've pitched in the second inning in a while," said Guilmet, with a laugh.

Guilmet had as much time as he wanted to get ready because of Masterson's injury. Rookies, however, usually aren't going to keep a lot of people waiting.

"I felt like I rushed a little bit, but I've done it before," said Guilmet. "It's just one of those situations that arise and you've got to handle them."

Guilmet started stretching when manager Terry Francona and trainer Greg Desjardins went to the mound to check on Masterson when he was facing leadoff hitter Matt Wieters. After Masterson gave up a single to Wieters and threw a ball to Nick Markakis, it was time for Guilmet.

"We gave Guilmet a heads up," said Francona. "He didn't come in cold. We called down there just to tell him that he'd be first."

Guilmet gave up three runs on two hits in the second. It would have been three hits, but Nate McLouth's double to the wall in right center was changed to a fielder's choice because Markakis missed second base on his way to third. The Indians appealed and Markakis was called out.

"I just left a couple of pitches up with runners in scoring position," said Guilmet.

It was Guilmet's third big league appearance this year. His last came on Aug. 8. Once again he was the first man through the bullpen as Zach McAllister got knocked out in the third inning of a 10-3 loss to Detroit. Guilmet allowed four runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

He said it didn't matter what inning he pitched in.

"It's baseball," he said. "It's 60 feet, six inches everytime out there no matter what inning it is."

Escape from the DL: The Indians are expected to activate utility man Ryan Raburn in time for Tuesday night's game. Raburn, placed on the disabled list last week with soreness in his left heel and Achilles tendon, has not played since Aug. 28.

Right-hander Corey Kluber will also be leaving the DL. Kluber threw a four-inning simulated game Monday and will face the Mets on Friday. Kluber will not start as the Indians previously indicated. Instead he will follow Scott Kazmir to the mound as if the Indians were piggy-backing two starters for a spring training game.

Francona said Kluber, who has been on the DL since Aug. 6 with a sprained middle finger, will take a normal turn in the rotation after Friday.

"I've hit for the last two days and don't feel like my foot is hindering my swing," said Raburn. "Hopefully, I'll be able to be available on Tuesday."

Raburn, who faced Kluber in the simulated game, still hasn't run since being placed on the DL.

"I've been riding the bike and doing a lot of work in the pool to try and keep the weight off it," said Raburn. "We were going to run today (Monday), but the weather didn't cooperate."

Francona said there was no reason not to activate Raburn. He said if he does get a hit, they have more than enough players to pinch run.

While Zach McAllister missed seven weeks with a similar finger injury, Kluber will miss just over four weeks.

Kluber said he threw 60 to 65 pitches in the four-inning simulated game.

Finally: There's history between Kazmir and the Mets. He was their No.1 draft pick in 2002, the 15th player taken in the country. . .Francona said the Indians might use six starters for at least one turn through the rotation this month.

The junior cornerback helped prepare teammates for Buffalo last week, and now he can be back on the field Saturday against San Diego State. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two years ago, when Carlos Hyde lost his starting job after teammate Dan Herron returned from a six-game suspension, Hyde fired off an angry tweet after he carried just three times in a 17-7 win at Illinois.

“Guess I'm not good enough. Take myself elsewhere,” Hyde wrote then.

That was under interim head coach Luke Fickell, and Herron was an established senior returning to his role and supplanting a sophomore. After two more games, Hyde will be able to return from his two-game suspension and try to get his role back when the Buckeyes host Florida A&M. This time, he'll have another senior to get past in Jordan Hall, though Hall could slide to more of an H-back role.

Hyde should get some idea of how it'll work, though the circumstances are different, when two other important Buckeyes return Saturday against San Diego after one-game suspensions – starting cornerback Bradley Roby and No. 2 running back Rod Smith. At least, that was where they stood on the depth chart before they were suspended by Urban Meyer.

“He's competing for a spot,” Meyer said Monday when asked if Roby would start, before explaining that he should be listed as a co-starter on the depth chart with Armani Reeves, who started in the opener against Buffalo, when it's released on Tuesday.

Meyer is a fan of Roby. He likes Smith, too, and likes Hyde, though he's really been impressed by Hall lately. But the coaching staff doesn't want to be seen as giving anything away. If you're suspended, you lost what you had. You don't just get it back. You have to take it back.

“What they do is they have to come in and earn their position back,” said running backs coach Stan Drayton, who has this decision with Smith, then will have one with Hyde. “Nothing is given to these guys. Again, it starts with special teams. We have a philosophy that if you want to play your respective position, you have to provide some value to this team on special teams, and that is truly our philosophy here.

"So if Carlos Hyde gets reinstated, and he can add some value to our special teams, then great. Then we'll sit there and we'll take a good look at where he stands in that running back group.”

That philosophy already affected how some playing time was handed out on Saturday. Guys who helped on special teams played more on offense and defense. It's easy to imagine Smith, in a crowded backfield that includes not only Hall and later Hyde, but Warren Ball, Ezekiel Elliott, Bri'onte Dunn (who didn't play Saturday) and Dontre Wilson, having to make his name again on special teams.

Roby, an All-American candidate who could have departed for the NFL Draft, was maybe the most established presence on the defense. And by all accounts, he has handled his suspension for an incident at an Indiana bar, when all charges against him were eventually dropped, just how the coaches wanted him to. In part, he has been a coach. Players like junior Doran Grant, the other starting corner, said Roby helped them in film study, giving out tips and clues. Roby may be on special teams Saturday, but the coaches already thing he's special.

“Certainly the great ones love to play the game. The great players don't try to get out of practice, they don't try to get out of working out, they try to find ways to get in,” cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs said. “And last week, he was in the office watching San Diego State film to prepare himself for this week. He has treated this like a professional, and he has worked hard to stay in shape. At the same time, doing all that and knowing you're not playing in the game is different then doing all that and knowing you are going to play in the game. So he's excited about Saturday. It's time to go, and it's been a long time since he's been on the field. So I guarantee he's excited about that and I know I am.”

“He's been putting in a lot of work,” senior safety Christian Bryant said. “Last week, knowing he wasn't going to play, I think he did a great job leading the younger guys.”

He couldn't do it at the Buffalo game. Roby watched that one on television, even putting a comment on his Twitter account about the announcers.

Against San Diego State, he'll be back where he wants to be. He'll have to earn it, but it sounds like he has already started doing that. He could be in the NFL right now. Instead, he's in college trying to earn back his spot.

“He catches a lot of people in his ear, people that (tell him) you could have done this, you could have done this, and then after you've been told that for so long … I believe that he went through a little bit of a funk of buyer's remorse,” Meyer said. “But I think he learned a really strong lesson and he's done everything we've asked him to do. And I'm anxious to get him back on the field.”

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez and left-hander Scott Kazmir can be free agents at the end of this season. Both starters say they'd be willing to listen if the Indians want them to bring them back.

Ubaldo Jimenez can be a free agent at the end of the season. He said he's willing to talk to the Tribe about returning to Cleveland.Chuck Crow 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Seen and heard at Progressive Field.

 Clubhouse confidential: Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir, two-fifths of the Indians starting rotation, can be free agents at the end of this season. What are the chances they'll return?

 "We haven't talked," said Jimenez, "but of course I would listen to them. They have treated me really good here. It feels like home."

 Jimenez (9-9, 3.95) has a mutual option for 2014 worth $8 million with a $1 million buyout.

 Kazmir, who came to spring training on a $1 million minor league deal, said his agents and the Indians have had preliminary talks, but nothing serious.

 "I would love to stay here," said Kazmir, 7-7, 4.36 ERA. "I'm very interested. . .I'd love to contribute and continue to be with this group."

Helping hand:  Alfonzo Marquez, Ted Barrett, Mike DiMuro and Scott Barry, the umpires working this week's the Orioles-Indians series at Progressive Field, will visit the Children's Hospital at Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday.

 Along with Tribe mascot Slider, they will deliver stuffed animals to patients. The event is sponsored by UMPS CARE Charities.

 Stat of the day: Jason Kipnis drove in his 76th run Monday with his 17th homer. It matched his RBI total from 2012.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – We finally had high school football games last week, and with those games came movement in the weekly cleveland.com Top 25. Each week we will release an updated poll, along with a video discussing the picks. Following this week, the poll and video will post evert Monday at 3 p.m. for the remainder of the season....

CLEVELAND, Ohio – We finally had high school football games last week, and with those games came movement in the weekly cleveland.com Top 25.

Each week we will release an updated poll, along with a video discussing the picks. Following this week, the poll and video will post evert Monday at 3 p.m. for the remainder of the season.

We are excited to introduce comments to all cleveland.com high school sports stories this season. Please sound off and share your top 25. To get started commenting, simply click the link that says “View/Post Comments” at the top near the headline.

And don’t miss our talking points post, which explains our Top 25 decisions. That will be posted later today.

Here is the cleveland.com Top 25 entering Week 2. In the comments let us know how they compare with your picks.

(Previous week's ranking in parentheses)

1. Mentor, 1-0 (1) 

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated McDowell (Erie, Pa.), 44-30.

This week: Friday vs. No. 4 St. Ignatius.

Comment: The Cardinals introduced us to sophomore QB Matt Eiswerth (5 TD passes) while reminding us starting QB Conner Krizancic is still a good WR (2 TD catches).

2. St. Edward, 1-0 (2)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated No. 4 Glenville, 40-24. 

This week: Saturday vs. Buchtel.

Comment: Despite four turnovers and a chaotic third quarter, the Eagles never really lost control against Glenville. 

3. St. Vincent-St. Mary, 1-0 (5)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Defeated Akron Garfield, 63-0. 

This week: Friday at Walsh Jesuit.

Comment: RB Parris Campbell had two 50-yard TDs in the first five minutes against Garfield, so it looks like the Fighting Irish are in midseason form.

4. St. Ignatius, 0-1 (3)

Trending: Falling.

Last week: Lost to Brother Rice (Detroit, Mich.), 29-20.

This week: Friday at No. 1 Mentor

Comment: The Wildcats came up short against Michigan’s two-time defending state champs and now face No. 1 Mentor in a rematch of last season’s Division I regional final.

5. Glenville, 0-1 (4)

Trending: Falling.

Last week: Lost to No. 2 St. Edward, 40-24.

This week: Friday at No. 13 Solon.

Comment: The Tarblooders had four turnovers and 14 penalties against St. Edward, but a 24-point third quarter showed how dangerous they can be.

6. Avon, 1-0 (14)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Defeated No. 6 Avon Lake, 41-10.

This week: Friday vs. East Tech.

Comment: The Eagles, with new standouts in QB Tommy Glenn and RB Gerett Choat, are the big movers of the week after a convincing win over Avon Lake. 

7. Chagrin Falls, 1-0 (7)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated Madison, 27-21.

This week: Friday vs. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin.

Comment: WR Tommy Iammarino’s 81-yard punt return highlighted the Tigers’ narrow victory.

8. Aurora, 1-0 (8)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated Twinsburg, 20-13.

This week: Friday vs. Ravenna.

Comment: The Greenmen needed a big defensive stand late to hold off Twinsburg.

9. Midview, 1-0 (9)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated Lorain, 28-26.

This week: Friday vs. Amherst.

Comment: The Middies escaped Lorain last week, and now get an Amherst team that gave No. 21 Elyria all it could handle.

10. Hudson, 1-0 (10)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated Euclid, 36-7.

This week: Friday vs. Uniontown Lake.

Comment: The Explorers took a while to get going, but used a big fourth quarter to pull away against Euclid.

11. Cleveland Heights, 1-0 (11)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Defeated Toledo St. John’s Jesuit, 51-20.

This week: Friday vs. Strongsville.

Comment: QB Taz Pauldo (2 TD passes) and RB Marcus Bagley (4 rushing TDs) look to be quite a combo for the Tigers this season.

12. Shaker Heights, 1-0 (12)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Defeated University School, 54-27.

This week: Saturday vs. Cleveland JFK.

Comment: The Red Raiders put up big numbers in their opener, not the least of which were RB Ramses Owens’ 8 carries for 175 yards and three TDs.

13. Solon, 1-0 (13)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated Kenston, 48-21.

This week: Friday vs. No. 5 Glenville.

Comment: The Comets had little trouble with Kenston, but they get a big early-season test this week against the Tarblooders.

14. Avon Lake, 0-1 (6)

Trending: Falling.

Last week: Lost to No. 14 Avon, 41-10. 

This week: Friday vs. Lorain.

Comment: The Shoremen will have to put their mistake-filled loss to No. 6 Avon behind them as they prepare a Lorain team that nearly toppled No. 9 Midview.

15. Kirtland, 1-0 (16)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Defeated Eastlake North, 62-7. 

This week: Friday at Grand Valley.

Comment: The Hornets started the season like a team likely to reach a third straight state title game.

16. Kent Roosevelt, 1-0 (17)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated Archbishop Hoban, 22-7. 

This week: Friday vs. Stow.

Comment: The Rough Riders haven’t lost a regular-season game since Week 2 last season against Stow. Odds are they’re looking forward to this one.

17. Highland, 1-0 (18)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Defeated Wooster, 45-17.

This week: Friday vs. Olmsted Falls.

Comment: The aerial attack of QB Bruce Kinsey and WR Cory Moncol is now supported by RB Alex Harris (3 TD in Week 1).

18. North Royalton, 1-0 (19)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated Berea-Midpark, 31-21. 

This week: Friday at Brecksville-Broadview Heights.

Comment: The Bears and Bees meet for the 77^th time to fight over possession of the Golden Shoe, which currently resides in North Royalton.

19. Nordonia, 1-0 (--)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Defeated Mayfield, 53-35.

This week: Friday vs. Twinsburg.

Comment: The Knights stuffed the box score against Mayfield and proved they deserve a spot in the Top 25.

20. Columbia, 1-0 (20)

Trending: Falling.

Last week: Defeated Independence, 34-33.

This week: Friday at Greenwich South Central.

Comment: The Raiders needed a last-minute defensive stand to avoid a season-opening loss for the seventh straight year.

21. Elyria, 1-0 (22)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated Amherst, 28-25.

This week: Friday at No. 25 Elyria Catholic.

Comment: The Pioneers survived Amherst despite myriad setbacks, including coach Kevin Fell being tossed. According to the OHSAA, Fell will be back for Friday's intra-city rivalry game against Elyria Catholic.

22. Brush, 1-0 (23)

Trending: Steady.

Last week: Defeated Padua, 36-22. 

This week: Friday vs. Ashtabula Lakeside.

Comment: The Arcs’ defense had almost as many TDs (2) as its offense did (3) in their season-opening win.

23. Mogadore, 1-0 (24)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Defeated Norton, 49-34. 

This week: Friday at Smithville.

Comment: Wildcats coach Matt Adorni feels his team will have to grind out some low-scoring wins this season. Friday’s game wasn’t one of them.

24. North Ridgeville, 1-0 (--)

Trending: Rising.

Last week: Defeated No. 15 Westlake, 34-21

This week: Friday at Parma.

Comment: The Rangers equaled last year’s win total with an impressive win over Westlake, earning it a spot in the Top 25.

25. Westlake, 0-1 (15)

Trending: Falling.

Last week: Lost to North Ridgeville, 34-21. 

This week: Friday vs. Bay.

Comment: The Demons take a tumble after losing to unranked North Ridgeville, but remain in the Top 25 … barely. 

Dropped out: Elyria Catholic (21), Cuyahoga Heights (25).

C.J. Miles has been interested in music since he was a kid singing in the church choir and banging on his drum set at home.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As a kid, C.J. Miles was not allowed to listen to rap music. His father, Calvin Andre Miles Sr., is a preacher (C.J. stands for Calvin Jr.) and the only music he allowed in the house was gospel, Al Green, and Michael Jackson.

So what does he think about his son releasing a collection of his own rap songs on Twitter?

"My dad was actually the person that encouraged me to do it,'' Miles said in a telephone interview ahead of the release. "He always told me since I was a kid that he felt like it was a big thing that I was drawn to. He always encouraged me to do it. He'll call me some days and say, 'Hey, boy, are you still rapping?'''

The answer to that question is an emphatic yes. But Miles wants to make it clear that his music does not detract from his basketball.

"My first love is still basketball,'' said the Cavs 26-year-old swingman, who averaged 11.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 65 games last season, his first in Cleveland. "That's still what I'm the most passionate about, what I spend the most time on. When I have free time, I have these other outlets and interests.''

Miles has been involved with music his whole life. He and his parents, three siblings and even his grandmother all sang in the church choir. The first instrument Miles learned to play was the drums, which drove his parents nuts until the drum set mysteriously was ''lost'' in a move.

"I figured it out when I was older,'' Miles said, laughing.

In middle school, he learned to play the piano by ear. He always wrote in a diary, and he turned some of those entries into songs. But it wasn't until he was an 18-year-old rookie with the Utah Jazz that he heard his voice on tape performing.

"I was like, 'This is it. This is my thing,''' he recalled.

Today he releases his debut collection entitled, "No Camping.'' The title, like the music, is what you make of it.

"'No Camping' is whatever you want it to mean,'' Miles said. "My thing is, no one should be able to tell you what you can and can't do. What you want to be -- your beliefs, your dreams, your destiny -- no one should tell you that you can't do it. 'No Camping' means you shouldn't be sitting somewhere sulking over loss or why you're not doing something. You should try to get it.''

Miles does not consider himself a rapper.

"I don't like the term 'rapper,' because I'm not a rapper, I'm a basketball player,'' he said. "I just happen to like to make music. I don't really know what I would call myself. I never really thought about it. My friends talk about it sometimes, but I don't know what I would call it. I guess it's the hip-hop music style and the beat, but my favorite genre is more like jazz. So I don't really know what I would call it. It is what it is. If you listen to it and it sounds like hip-hop, then it's hip-hop.''

Miles has been sending out teasing tweets about the project all summer, as well as what sounded like a manifesto about why he was doing it. He has tweeted lyrics -- "I hope you understand what's in these line or understand what's in between 'em'' -- and even released a couple of individual songs.

Most of the reaction has been positive, he said, and he has received encouragement from teammates, including Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters.

Chuck Yarborough, the Plain Dealer's pop music critic, also liked the effort.

"He can dislike labels all he wants, but it's hip-hop,'' Yarborough said after listening to a couple of tracks. "The difference is it's OLD SCHOOL hip-hop. By that, I mean it's hip-hop with a social conscience. As hip-hop, it's just OK. The beats are pretty bland, and the delivery is inconsistent. But the message is awesome. Like a lot of people -- say, journalists -- he could benefit from having an editor.''

The thing is, Miles doesn't care if people like his music. He wanted to eliminate the middle man and do it himself.

"I'm not trying to get a record deal,'' he said. "If you want to listen to it, that's fine. If you don't, it doesn't bother me. There's no record sale.

"There's enough love behind it. There's enough meaning behind it. It's not a bunch of nonsense. It was just something I wanted to do.

"I know I'm going to get (criticism) but I don't really care … Any time you do anything that people feel like doesn't have anything to do with basketball all the time you're going to get stuff like that, which is fine when you're a fan. You love your Cavaliers. You want us to win. You're passionate about it. I'm passionate about us winning, too. But that doesn't mean that there's not 24 hours in a day. I spend more than half the day in the gym. I write on planes and in hotel rooms.

"It's introspective. People always talk about they want to know guys off the court and what they're really like as a person. Well, whatever you want to know about me, it'll be in those songs.''