The Cleveland Browns traded Kamerion Wimbley to the Oakland Raiders for a third-round pick. The Browns went for the future as they used their third-round pick for quarterback Colt McCoy. It will take awhile for McCoy to payoff for the Browns, but Wimbley's recent play could mean some huge dividends for the Raiders this coming season. It was only a preaseason game,...

Joshua Gunter / PDBrowns coach Eric Mangini says it was difficult to part with former Browns linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

The Cleveland Browns traded Kamerion Wimbley to the Oakland Raiders for a third-round pick. The Browns went for the future as they used their third-round pick for quarterback Colt McCoy.

It will take awhile for McCoy to payoff for the Browns, but Wimbley's recent play could mean some huge dividends for the Raiders this coming season.

It was only a preaseason game, but Wimbley made a big impression with four sacks against the Chicago Bears last weekend. But what is impressive is that Wimbley only played in the first half.

Wimbley, an outside linebacker, turned the corner at will and he even got past a double-team for one of his sacks.

On SFgate.com, Vittorio Tafur writes:

"I got one early and I was energized," Wimbley said. "I was able to use some successful moves one-on-one, and I came free. I have never had four sacks in a half before."

Wimbley, 26, definitely got the attention of Browns fans as well. They have to be wondering why Cleveland gave up a guy who had 11 sacks in 2006 as a rookie for a third-round pick.

cleveland.com user bupalos thinks LeBron James' actions are just a culmination of what's been going on in sports for years.

View full sizeAl Diaz, AP/Miami HeraldLeBron James is one of the most hated athletes in sports right now, but someone new will come along soon enough.

In response to the story LeBron James' hatred doesn't fit supposed crime, cleveland.com reader bupalos thinks LeBron James' actions are just a culmination of what's been going on in sports for years. This reader writes,

"The author misses the real point. Everyone hates what's been going on with sports for the last 25 years, and LeQuit is simply the apotheosis of the trend. I don't blame the kid personally. This is the logical outcome of the free-agent, steroidal, fantasy league, me-me, big-marketing, win at all cost mentality that has been creeping into sports for the last 25 years. Hardly anyone is innocent, some are just more guilty and more visible than others. LeBron deserves his most hated status, but don't worry, he'll be pushed down the list by some other exemplar of the sickness within a year or two."

cleveland.com reader Cavsglee thinks the beauty of Ohio State-Michigan at the end of the year is the idea that one team, no matter what, almost always gets the chance to play spoiler.

View full sizeAP Photo | Tom PidgeonTim Biakabutuka's 300-yard rushing game against the Buckeyes is just one example of one of the team's playing spoiler in their annual rivalry game.

In response to the story Ohio State vs. Michigan must not become a victim of the Big Ten's upcoming big divide: Lesmerises commentary, cleveland.com reader Cavsglee says it doesn't matter how good the teams are when it comes to Ohio State-Michigan. This reader writes,

"The point of OSU-UM is that the game matters, even when the teams aren't equally good. When Biakabutuka went nuts in '95, the Wolverines reveled in spoiling the Buckeyes' season, even though they were run-of-the-mill that year. Bruce's teams did the same, and OSU fans felt vindicated. If OSU and UM stay in the same division, that game will still have great meaning, because, more likely than not, at least one team will have designs on the conference title game, which will give the lesser team spoiler rights. If they're both good, then it's even bigger."

Naerly nine months ago, Woods' middle-of-the night car crash outside his home set off shocking revelations that he had been cheating on his wife. Couple will "share parenting" of their two children.

Associated PressElin Nordegren and Tiger Woods last Oct. 11, a few weeks before news broke of Woods' multiple extramarital affairs.

Tiger Woods and his Swedish-born wife officially divorced Monday, nine months after his middle-of-the night car crash outside his home set off shocking revelations that the world's most famous athlete had been cheating on his wife.

"We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future," Woods and Elin Nordegren said in a joint statement released by their lawyers.

The divorce was granted in Bay County Circuit Court in Panama City, Fla., about 375 miles away from their Isleworth home outside Orlando. The couple had married in October 2004 in Barbados and have a 3-year-old daughter, Sam, and a 19-month-old son, Charlie.

Terms of the divorce were not disclosed, except that they will "share parenting" of their two children.

Flashes draw an 8 a.m. slot against Robert Morris at the M.A.C. Center.

Mark Duncan / Associated PressGeno Ford and his Kent State Golden Flashes will play an 8 a.m. home game against Robert Morris on ESPN in November.

Kent State, Miami University and Ohio State all will be part of the ESPN College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon on Tuesday, Nov. 16, the schools have announced.

The Flashes will play its home opener against Robert Morris at 8 a.m. in a game that will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. KSU will celebrate 60 years of basketball in the M.A.C. Center this season. Ohio State will play at Florida on ESPN at 6 that day; and at 7:30 p.m., Miami will play at Duke on ESPNU as part of the CBE Classic.

“Playing at 8 a.m. is obviously an unusual start time,” KSU coach Geno Ford said in a statement, “but we are thrilled to be a part of ESPN’s 24-hour marathon.”

KSU is coming off a 24-10 season that earned it the Mid-American Conference regular-season title.

Schedule

All games on ESPN unless noted otherwise

Midnight: Miami (Fla.) at Memphis; 2 a.m.: St. John’s at St. Mary’s; 4 a.m.: Central Michigan at Hawaii; 6 a.m.: Stony Brook at Monmouth; 8 a.m.: Robert Morris at Kent State; 10 a.m.: Northeastern at S. Illinois; Noon: Oral Roberts at Tulsa; 2 p.m.: La Salle at Baylor; 4 p.m.: Virginia Tech at Kansas State; 5:30 p.m.: Marist at Villanova, ESPNU; 6 p.m.: Ohio State at Florida; 6 p.m., women: Baylor at Connecticut, ESPN2; 7:30 p.m.: Miami (Ohio) at Duke, ESPNU; 8 p.m.: Butler at Louisville; 9:30 p.m.: Belmont at Tennessee, ESPNU; 10 p.m.: South Carolina at Michigan St.; 11:30 p.m.: Nevada or Pacific at UCLA, ESPNU.

"Carlos Carrasco, the 'Major League ready' frontline starter who was a finished AAA product when acquired [last season] is a September call-up two straight years? How embarrassing." - randyosu

View full sizeAP Photo | Duane BurlesonCarlos Carrasco, one of the players acquired for Cliff Lee, has yet to stick longterm in the big leagues.

In response to the story Tribe pondering September call-up options: Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader randyosu isn't happy one of the centerpieces of the Cliff Lee trade has been nothing more than a September call-up so far. This reader writes,

"Carlos Carrasco, the 'Major League ready' frontline starter who was a finished AAA product when acquired [last season] is a September call-up two straight years? How embarrassing."

"Two reliable quarterbacks? Based on what? Two preseason games? You've got to be kidding me. I think you ought to wait to see how these two bums play in the regular season." - anderson777

View full sizeAssociated PressThe play of Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme have given Browns fans some hope about the quarterback position.

In response to the story Now this is more like it, having 2 reliable Cleveland Browns QBs: Terry Pluto, cleveland.com reader anderson777 thinks it's way too early to judge the Browns' quarterback situation. This reader writes,

"Two reliable quarterbacks? Based on what? Two preseason games? You've got to be kidding me. I think you ought to wait to see how these two bums play in the regular season."

The powerful running of Peyton Hillis, acquired in the Brady Quinn trade, should be part of the same physical offensive approach the Browns developed last year.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerIt hasn't taken much exposure to Browns running back Peyton Hillis to realize that he can help deliver some of the power game the offense will need to succeed this season, says Bill Livingston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- While Brady Quinn will always be the great what-if to some fans, what the Browns got in his trade is as obvious as the road pizza Peyton Hillis just made out of a defensive back or two.

The new running back hit the line and whoever was behind it with malice aforethought Saturday night in the exhibition loss to St. Louis. He is one of the small, but increasing, number of Browns who can rile up the crowd and energize his teammates with one bulling, battering, bowling-ball effort. His nine-yard run, leaving would-be tacklers trampled and other helpless Rams piggy-backing along for the ride, seemed to involve every available St. Louis defender.

Josh Cribbs can be like that out of the wildcat formation.

Seneca Wallace can also make plays with his legs.

Jerome Harrison, for his part, ran down the usually forlorn final stretch of the season last year as if someone had unsealed the time capsule, and the short, violent, one-dimensional approach of Ground Marty was back again.

But we're really not back in 1985 when Marty Schottenheimer turned Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner loose to play smash-mouth football. Harrison does not have the body type of either of those slam-bang former Browns. Hillis is something of a 'tweener -- not really a fullback, possessed of good enough hands to be a third-down back, a reliable producer of second-effort yards.

A quarter century ago, the offense became much more diversified as soon as Bernie Kosar was ready to play quarterback. Current team president Mike Holmgren knew the same thing had to be done as soon as he took over. A playbook that looked like a drawing on a cave wall was not the shortcut to success in today's NFL.

Coach Eric Mangini went to the Harrison/Cribbs game plan because his training camp-long quarterback derby last year did not undermine the confidence of either Quinn or Derek Anderson close to as much as it sapped their coach's confidence in both of them. The substantial, but not transformative, upgrade to Jake Delhomme and Wallace now does not mean the Browns should completely change the identity of a tough, physical offense they developed last season.

This is where Harrison, Hillis and the healing rookie, Montario Hardesty, come in. At ramming speed, in Hillis' case.

For all the talk about getting playmakers in "space," for all the astro-formations designed to do just that, there will always be a place in big-time tackle football for power. Physicality is hard-wired into the game, part of its DNA. It was what made losing so frequently to the Pittsburgh Steelers so galling. It wasn't just the closeness and great success of the turnpike rival. It was the way the Steelers could often outmuscle the Browns.

That changed on one brutally cold night by the lake, when the Steelers were the hittees, not the hitters. Now it must continue.

Hardesty was expected to challenge Harrison for a starting job, but his knee injury gave Hillis his chance. If his playing time dwindles when Hardesty returns, Hillis has been there before, too. Despite several strong games under former Denver coach Mike Shanahan in 2008, Hillis rode the bench as new coach Josh McDaniels' prize draftee, rookie Knowshon Moreno, got the carries last year.

Fans always wondered what Quinn could do if spared injuries and given ample opportunities. Hillis, however, already deserves a meaningful role here. He came in saying he wanted to prove the Browns got the better of the trade with Denver. At that, he is making progress.

There's no telling what nickname all those H's in the backfield will lead to. But Hillis and Harrison, to opponents, could be "Hell" and "Gone."

The Indians' race for third base has been among three players since Jhonny Peralta was traded July 28. It's apparently going to stay that way, for better or worse, through the end of the season.

Scott Shaw / The Plain DealerAndy Marte has the reputation as the best defensive third baseman on the Indians' roster, but he has struggled in the last month, as have Jayson Nix and Luis Valbuena.

ON DECK: INDIANS VS. OAKLAND A’S
Where: Progressive Field.
When: Tuesday through Thursday.
TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; WTAM AM/1100.
Pitching matchups: LHP Gio Gonzalez (10-8, 3.39) vs. RHP Fausto Carmona (11-11, 4.14) tonight at 7:05; RHP Trevor Cahill (13-5, 2.54) vs. RHP Mitch Talbot (8-10, 4.23) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. and RHP Vin Mazzaro (6-5, 3.56) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (4-12, 5.33) Thursday at 7:05 p.m.
Season series: The Indians have lost four of six games to the A’s. The A’s lead, 246-214, overall.
Indians update: Coming off an embarrassing 1-5 trip through Kansas City and Detroit. They were swept by Detroit, getting outscored, 19-3, in three games. In their only victory on the trip, they made five errors.
A’s update: They’re putting together a nice second half despite having 11 players on the disabled list. Indians are hitting .222 against Oakland. Gonzalez is 2-0 against the Indians this season and hasn’t allowed an earned run in 13 2/3 innings.
Injuries: Indians — C Carlos Santana (left knee), RHP Anthony Reyes (right elbow), CF Grady Sizemore (left knee) and LHP Aaron Laffey are on the disabled list. CF Michael Brantley (left ankle) day to day. A’s — RHP Andrew Bailey (right intercostal), 3B Eric Chavez (neck), RHP Joey Devine (right elbow), RHP Justin Duchscherer (left hip), OF Connor Jackson (abdominal strain), 2B Adam Rosales (right ankle), RHP Ben Sheets (right elbow), OF Matt Watson (kidney stones), RHP John Meloan (right elbow), LHP Joshua Outman (left elbow) and OF Ryan Sweeney (right knee) are on the disabled list.
Next: Royals visit for three-game series starting Friday.
— Paul Hoynes

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians, in an effort to find clarity at third base, feel they already have enough players trying to win the job for next season.

So prospects Jared Goedert and Lonnie Chisenhall will end their season at Class AAA Columbus and Class AA Akron, respectively, without an invitation to join the big-league club in September. The last 38 games of this dreary season at the hot corner belong to Jayson Nix, Andy Marte and Luis Valbuena.

It is not the most pleasant of thoughts. The Tribe's three third basemen have combined for nine errors in 24 games since the player they replaced, Jhonny Peralta, was traded to Detroit on July 28. Peralta made five errors in 91 games at third this season. Since the trade, Nix has made five errors, Marte three and Valbuena one.

There been more traffic going through Indians third basemen than drives on the Shoreway at rush hour.

"The guys we have here will continue to get opportunities at third base," said incoming General Manager Chris Antonetti. "When the season is over, we'll discuss whether we feel confident with our internal options or do we have to look externally."

Goedert, who started the season at Class AA Akron, is hitting .277 (73-for-264) at Columbus. He's hit 35 doubles, 25 homers and driven in 77 runs between Akron and Columbus. He's also made 20 errors, 16 at Columbus.

Manager Manny Acta said Sunday that one of the problems in promoting Goedert is that he's not on the 40-man roster.

"I don't think Goedert's 40-man roster status is an issue," said Antonetti. "We have a limited number of games to play. There's no way you can give a guy a fair chance in four, five or even 20 games.

"With three guys it's hard to get everyone playing time. It would be hard to add a fourth."

Chisenhall, the Indians' No.1 pick in 2008, is hitting .273 (109-for-309) with 20 doubles, two triples, 15 homers and 72 RBI at Akron. He's made 16 errors.

"Lonnie still has some development to do," said Antonetti. "He still has to go through the rigors of the minors."

Infielders Cord Phelps and Jason Kipnis are having good seasons at Columbus and Akron, respectively, but the organization feels they're best suited for second base.

That brings the issue back to Nix, Marte and Valbuena. Marte is the only regular third baseman of the three. Nix and Valbuena are transplanted second basemen. Third base has not treated any of them well.

Nix is getting the most playing time of late because he's hit better than Marte and Valbuena. In Sunday's 8-1 loss to Detroit at Comerica Park, he fell head first into a camera bay next to the Tigers' dugout in the seventh inning making a great catch of Don Kelly's foul ball.

"Those aren't the plays you're expected to make," said Nix.

The ones a third baseman is expected to make have been a problem.

"I haven't played there a whole lot in my career," said Nix. "Switching positions is never easy and going from one side of the infield to the other, everything changes.

"I know I've had some tough times there. I feel I'm getting more comfortable every time I'm out there. I know over time I can play there and be comfortable there."

The biggest difference between third base and the middle infield positions is the speed of the ball.

"You have no time to think," said Valbuena. "At second base, you can think before the ball gets to you. At third base, you think before the pitch and just react."

Acta calls Marte his best defensive third baseman, but he's made three errors since Peralta was traded and nine in 23 games overall.

"I know and the whole world knows that Andy Marte is a good defensive third baseman," said Acta. "He's just in a funk right now."

If Nix, Valbuena and Marte can't fill the role of stopgap third baseman next season, they can try the free-agent market. Some potential candidates would include Peralta, Garrett Atkins, Geoff Blum, Jorge Cantu, Pedro Feliz, Jerry Hairston Jr.,  Bill Hall, Wes Helms, Brandon Inge, Mike Lowell, Melvin Mora, Miguel Tejada, Juan Uribe and Ty Wigginton.

Right now, the job belongs to Nix, Marte or Valbuena. They just have to take it.

"This is an opportunity for someone to seize that position," said Antonetti.

Arm to remember: Newly-acquired Zach McAllister could be one of the Tribe's September call-ups.

The Indians obtained the 6-5, 230-pound right-hander from the Yankees on Friday to complete the Austin Kearns trade. McAllister, 22, is scheduled to make his first start for Class AAA Columbus on Wednesday.

"We're going to need starting pitching in September," said Antonetti. "Some of our starters are fatigued. Others will be limited by innings."

McAllister is eligible for the Rule 5 draft in December. That means the Indians must decide if they should protect him on the 40-man roster.

He was 8-10 with a 5.09 ERA in 24 starts for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at the time of the trade. He struck out 88, walked 38, allowed 165 hits and had a WHIP of 1.53 in 137.2 innings.

If McAllister and Carlos Carrasco get called up, they should be able to replace any starters who have to be shut down or skipped.

Finally: The Indians have re-signed right-hander Saul Rivera and sent him to Columbus. Rivera was in spring training with the Indians and opened the season with Columbus. He was traded to Arizona on May 17, and the Diamondbacks designated him for assignment in June and he was released earlier this month.

Tradition will change when the state football finals leave Stark County for Columbus.

Roadell Hickman / The Plain DealerThe thrills of a game-winning touchdown in an Ohio high school state title football game has had a distinct feel-good hometown feeling while at the intimate surroundings of Paul Brown Stadium in Massillon or Fawcett Stadium in Canton. There seems little chance, says Tim Warsinskey, of that atmosphere being maintained when the games shift to Ohio Stadium in Columbus in 2014 and 2015 -- and perhaps for good.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I love history, I love Ohio's place in history, and I love the way Ohio celebrates its football history in events such as Hall of Fame weekend in Canton and places like Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

That's why the high school state football finals in Canton and Massillon are a near-perfect match. I say near-perfect because the only argument against state finals weekend being in Stark County is that it is not centrally located.

Truth be told, that always struck me as a disingenuous complaint when Cincinnati teams lost. Stark County being a two-hour drive north of Columbus is not that big a deal, which was exemplified by Division II state champion Cincinnati Winton Woods' day at the finals last December. Winton Woods drove to Canton for a 7 p.m. game, got off the buses 90 minutes before kickoff and whipped Maple Heights. Then they drove home.

But last month the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced the state finals will move from Canton and Massillon to Ohio State for two years, in 2014 and 2015, which could be the beginning of a rotation with Stark County, or more likely, the beginning of the end. That won't be decided until 2015.

Columbus and Ohio State coach Jim Tressel sold Ohio Stadium as the host site partly on the image of players having the thrill of playing on the same field and tracing the footsteps of Archie Griffin, Eddie George and Troy Smith. That's some pretty good history, too.

In some ways, it's worth giving Ohio State a shot at the games. Maybe it can prove to be a stellar host, which means:

• Don't charge OSU gameday prices for concessions and parking.

• Don't let attendance be devastated by OSU playing in the Big Ten championship game on national TV the same day (good luck with that).

• Don't hustle teams and fans out of the stadium after winning a state title because you decided to play six games in two days and the tournament has fallen behind schedule.

• Don't treat the finals like a minor event. In Stark County, the finals are given red-carpet treatment.

The reality is state football finals will be played in front of 95,000 empty seats in 102,000-seat Ohio Stadium. I've seen that act in the state hockey finals where a couple thousand show up in 18,000-seat Nationwide Arena, and I'll hate to see it in Ohio Stadium. After players run out on that field, the thrill won't be the same. The high school finals are diminished when played in oversized college and pro facilities.

While some in Stark County are furious with sharing the next four-year contract with Ohio State, I actually commend some of the OHSAA's leadership for resisting growing pressure from within the organization and throughout Columbus to award Ohio State the games outright. In fact, the vote on Columbus never even took place, perhaps out of concern that it would pass.

Once the finals are in Ohio Stadium, I doubt the Columbus-based OHSAA will be able to resist the influence of Ohio State beyond 2015. Unless Ohio State completely drops the ball, the games will stay there.

That will be a loss for Ohio football, of historic proportions.

As Eric Mangini's second training camp as coach of the Browns draws to an end, the progress made by his team is undeniable.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerThe rain and plenty of first-half errors last Saturday night couldn't hide the enjoyment Browns coach Eric Mangini was having with QB Jake Delhomme and an improved roster this preseason.

BEREA, Ohio -- What does it say about the Browns' progress when the biggest complaint Eric Mangini has is that it hasn't rained enough in Berea?

It says the Browns' coach is otherwise pleased with a lot of things about his team in his second season.

President Mike Holmgren and GM Tom Heckert might have other opinions, having recently been with playoff teams. They weren't here when Mangini's first team at this stage a year ago still was divided between those who trusted him and those who didn't. The former group clearly was in the minority as the third preseason week approached.

At this time a year ago, the Browns had no clarity at quarterback and no real hope of seeing leadership there. The offensive line was a huge question mark. Feature running back Jamal Lewis was hitting the age of 30, but not any holes. Receiver Braylon Edwards, well, was being Braylon.

The top two tight ends were Robert Royal and Steve Heiden. Cornerback Hank Poteat was counted on to fill an integral role in the defense. Mike Furrey was one of the surest tacklers in the secondary. Yes, Mike Furrey, the possession receiver.

We don't know where the Browns go from here, but we do know how far they've come in one calendar year.

As Mangini's second training camp formally winds down this week, here's a breakdown of what we've seen so far:

Biggest Improvement: The quarterback position and the secondary (tie).

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerRookie cornerback Joe Haden (left) and safety T.J. Ward have brought positive attitudes and considerable talent into the Browns secondary -- exactly as was hoped when they were the team's top two draft picks last spring.

You can read what you want into preseason games. Jake Delhomme appeared to be struggling in the days leading up to the Green Bay game. Then he displayed the decisive leadership and throwing accuracy that attracted him to Holmgren.

Then again, he wasn't a turnover machine in the Carolina preseason last year, and we know how that turned out. But Delhomme needed to have positive performances early for a couple of reasons. His new teammates and the fans needed to see him deliver. A struggling start, even in games that don't count in the standings, would have laid the foundation for another QB controversy heading into the season. That won't happen now.

As for the secondary, top picks Joe Haden and T.J. Ward have not disappointed. Both appear to be starting caliber very early in their rookie seasons. Their drafting overshadowed the trade for Sheldon Brown -- one of the best hitting cornerbacks in the NFC for many years. Together, the new trio will help eradicate the ridiculous sloppy tackling that pervaded the defense last year.

Biggest Surprise: Seneca Wallace.

How many of us actually saw him play in a game in seven seasons in Seattle? Who is the Seahawks' biggest rival, anyway, Edmonton or Calgary?

Holmgren and others said that we would be surprised by Wallace's arm and accuracy. Right on both counts. Factor in Wallace's mobility and ability to throw on the run and you have a playmaker forcing himself into a niche that demands creativity on the part of the coaches.

Biggest Disappointment: Montario Hardesty's inability to get on the practice field.

His well-documented injury history at Tennessee caused him to slide in the draft. Now he's spent his first NFL preseason behind closed doors running in a swimming pool and rehabbing a knee injury suffered in a non-contact workout before camp began.

The rookie running back displayed enough maturity at the position in the off-season program to command an immediate big role. But nobody's seen him play against live tackling because of a "twisted knee."

Running back is the one position in which natural instincts make up for lost practice time. The great ones can walk off the street and gain 100 yards without weeks of repetitions, as long as their legs are in shape. Hardesty's rookie season isn't in jeopardy yet, but this delay can't be seen as anything other than a huge disappointment to the club.

Unresolved Issues

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerThere may be several questions yet to be decided as the regular season approaches, but none of those questions pertain to impressive veteran tight end Benjamin Watson.

1. Who's the right tackle and will the position be any better than it was last year?

2. Where will Shaun Rogers line up on the defensive front, and when?

3. Can Shawn Lauvao handle the starting right guard spot immediately?

4. Is the Wildcat a diversion to make defenses prepare for, or will it be an effective option on offense?

5. Who are the best four linebackers?

6. Who's the backup center?

Resolved Issues

1. The wide receivers look vastly improved and effective -- when thrown to.

2. Tight end Benjamin Watson will be a huge factor in the red zone offense.

3. Mangini and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will manufacture a decent pass rush when the games count.

4. The trade of Brady Quinn to Denver for Peyton Hillis alone was a good move. Two potential conditional draft picks are icing.

5. Nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin has earned his playing time when Rogers returns.

Observations, Opinions and Some Facts ...

1. A short-yardage package of Lawrence Vickers and Peyton Hillis in a jumbo formation involving extra tight ends should be formidable. Hillis was stopped on a fourth-and-3 carry against St. Louis using a three-receiver formation.

2. At some point, somebody has to rein in the showboating already showing up in the defensive secondary.

3. Running back Jerome Harrison has the right attitude.

4. Players who appear to need good showings in the last two games to make the roster include linebacker David Veikune, tight ends Robert Royal and Alex Smith, running backs Chris Jennings and James Davis, quarterbacks Brett Ratliff and Colt McCoy, and receiver Carlton Mitchell.

5. With Heckert now in charge of the roster, not only will the final cuts be interesting, but so will the flurry of player pickups over the subsequent week.

"Perhaps the most utterly discouraging part of seeing the Indians' lack of pitching and hitting is the realization the team will not spend in the offseason in order to truly upgrade their talent. The Indians desperately need a quality starting pitcher and a good veteran bat for the lineup. The Indians need to search out another Carl Pavano or a Kevin Millwood (2005 vintage) to help teach their young starters about preparation and attitude." - rationalguy1

View full sizeAP Photo | Tony DejakCarl Pavano pitched reasonably well for the Indians in 2009 before being traded to the Twins.

In response to the story Josh Bard belts a grand slam as Seattle Mariners crush Cleveland Indians, 9-3, cleveland.com reader rationalguy1 knows the Indians won't spend the money needed to add some necessary parts this offseason. This reader writes,

"Perhaps the most utterly discouraging part of seeing the Indians' lack of pitching and hitting is the realization the team will not spend in the offseason in order to truly upgrade their talent. The Indians desperately need a quality starting pitcher and a good veteran bat for the lineup. The Indians need to search out another Carl Pavano or a Kevin Millwood (2005 vintage) to help teach their young starters about preparation and attitude."

Strasburg on disabled list with what's being called a strained tendon in his pitching forearm. But first MRI "showed some things on there that led us to set up another MRI," Washington GM Mike Rizzo said.

Associated PressStepehn Strasburg pitching at Philadelphia on Saturday, before he had to leave the game due to feeling a twinge in his right forearm.

Washington -- Stephen Strasburg is headed back to the disabled list, and his prized right arm will undergo yet another examination that will largely determine whether he pitches again this season.

The Washington Nationals rookie will have a second MRI exam to see if anything more than a strained tendon in his forearm caused him to grimace after throwing a changeup in Saturday's game at Philadelphia. Strasburg was removed from the game and underwent an MRI on Sunday.

The MRI "showed some things on there that led us to set up another MRI," general manager Mike Rizzo said Monday. The GM said the upcoming test will be done in the "next day or two" and will use an injection of dye that should render "a full view of what's going on in there."

For now, the Nationals are still calling Strasburg's injury a flexor strain in his throwing arm. He had been scheduled to start again Thursday, but instead will find himself on the disabled list for the second time in less than a month. The Nationals are expected to soon make the move official.

"He's anxious to find out what's going on," Rizzo said. "He felt good today. His elbow felt good. ... To say he's little anxious, a little emotional would be fair to say."

Strasburg, who is 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 68 innings, was hurt while making his third start since returning from the disabled list because of inflammation in the back of his right shoulder.

Rizzo said Strasburg arrived at Nationals Park on Monday hoping do some throwing. The Nationals, who have been extremely cautious with Strasburg's development, told him no. Strasburg has told the team he had a similar problem in college at San Diego State and pitched through it. He was the overall No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft.

"It's discouraging for Stephen," manager Jim Riggleman said.

Rizzo wouldn't speculate on whether Strasburg could be shelved for the season, saying the team will wait for the results on the next test and take a "prudent course of action after that." Fellow Nationals starter John Lannan also had swelling around his flexor tendon earlier this season and missed one start.

The Nationals have been careful to limit the innings and take every other precaution with their 22-year-old phenom — he was taken out of a game recently because of a protest in the outfield that delayed the game for a few minutes.

Riggleman is familiar with promising pitchers who flame out early, having managed a young Kerry Wood with the Chicago Cubs. Riggleman said it's important to properly deal with the "red flags" that arise early.

"It just seems like pitchers get to a point where they're past all the issues, guys like Livan (Hernandez) and Miguel (Batista)," Riggleman said. "It just seems like it's the way it goes with these young pitchers."

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Browns, Indians and Cavaliers. Hear Terry's thoughts on the Browns' preseason so far, the Indians' struggles and the Cavaliers offseason.

Terry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Hear Terry's thoughts on the Browns' preseason so far, the Indians' struggles and the Cavaliers' offseason.

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

Jim Brown, the greatest running back in the history of the game, is not expected to participate in the Cleveland Browns' ceremony to honor some of its greatest players. The Browns will have a Ring of Honor cremony at their home opener on Sept. 19. The initial honored players will be the 16 Browns in the Pro Football Hall...

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerJim Brown

Jim Brown, the greatest running back in the history of the game, is not expected to participate in the Cleveland Browns' ceremony to honor some of its greatest players.

The Browns will have a Ring of Honor cremony at their home opener on Sept. 19. The initial honored players will be the 16 Browns in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Reporter Tony Grossi writes on Cleveland.com that the seven living honorees and their families have been invited to the unveiling.

The Browns have not directly heard from Brown that he will not be attending, according to the report.

"He won't be able to make it," said his wife, Monique Brown, according to the report. "He tried to move a few things around [his schedule], but wasn't able to."

According to reports, Jim Brown will not attend the ceremony.

Brown is apparently miffed about his role as executive advisor being eliminated. Brown, a regular at training camp in the past, has not been seen on the sideline this summer.

Plain Dealer columnist also says he would like to see Browns to find some playing time for Seneca Wallace during the regular season.

Plain Dealer file photoJim Brown runs for yardage during a 1958 game.

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

• Today's Starting Blocks poll asks you to vote on how you would feel about the Cleveland Browns' Ring of Honor ceremony on Sept. 19 if Jim Brown is not there. The team has invited the legendary running back, but apparently other commitments will prevent him from being there in person. However, some reports say that Brown is not attending because he is upset that his advisor role with the team has been eliminated..

• Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto says that the day won't be the same if Brown is not there, and he says he hopes the sides can work out whatever has come between them.

• Terry also talks about the improved play of the defensive backfield; and he says that he has been impressed with backup quarterback Seneca Wallace. Terry says that the Browns need to find some playing time for him during games - and not just on Wildcat-formation packages that involve Josh Cribbs.

SBTV will return Wednesday morning.

He's expected to start practicing on a limited basis toward the end of this week, but will not see live action until the final preseason game Sept. 2 against the Bears.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerMontario Hardesty is confident he'll be ready for the opener Sept. 12 in Tampa.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty, speaking for the first time all training camp, said today, "I'll be ready way before the opener'' Sept. 12 in Tampa.

He's expected to start practicing on a limited basis toward the end of this week, but will not see live action until the final preseason game Sept. 2 against the Bears. 

Hardesty said he suffered a bone bruise to his right knee in one-on-one tackling drills on the last day of rookie training camp, just a couple of days before the full squad took the field. He was worried at first it was a more serious injury to a knee that was recontructed in 2005 following a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

He said it's been hard sitting out, but that he's been working hard on his rehab, attending meetings and studying film. He also said he hasn't lowered his standards for his rookie season. "I set my standards high,'' he said.

Coach Eric Mangini said Hardesty is "not going to need a ton of reps'' to catch up, because he knew the system in organized team activities and has good instincts.

The Browns targeted Hardesty as their featured back this season after trading a third-round pick and two fifth-rounders to move up to draft him in the second round out of Tennessee.