Gay's hit was far worse than the hotly debated hit that 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks put on New Orleans' Drew Brees on Nov. 17.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - NFL officials  blew it when they missed Steelers cornerback William Gay drilling Jason Campbell in the head during Sunday's loss to the Steelers -- and it cost the Browns a realistic shot of getting back in the game.

Gay's whack on Campbell's facemask -- which led to a concussion -- was far worse than the hotly-debated hit that 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks put on Drew Brees Nov. 17th. Brooks was not only penalized for the blow, but fined $15,750 for that hit last week.

In that instance, Brooks clotheslined Brees in the chest area with his forearm, and then rode up to his neck and chin to drive Brees to the ground. He was flagged 15 yards for unnecessary roughness, and the penalty negated a strip-sack.

The Saints capitalized on the penalty, and went on to kick a game tying field goal. They kicked another to win 23-20 as time expired. The victory was crucial for the Saints (9-2), who maintained a one-game lead over the Panthers (8-3) in the NFC South.

Two days after the controversial call -- which incensed players and had analysts such as Ray Lewis offering to chip in on Brooks' fine -- NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino made an appearance on NFL Network to explain that the officials got it right.

"You can't make forcible contact to the head or the neck area, even if the contact starts below the neck and rises up," Blandino said. "If there's force to that contact, it's a foul. Watch the initial contact, maybe around the shoulder, but it rides up into the neck area and brings the quarterback down with force. That's why the flag was thrown for unnecessary roughness."

When Blandino watches Gay clobber Campbell in the facemask on a corner blitz, he'll see the Campbell's head snap to the side and the ball slip out of his hand. Then, he'll watch him go to the ground with enough force that the back of his helmet smacks off the ground.

Campbell writhed on the ground for a few minutes and then wobbled off the field and later onto a cart, where he was driven to the locker room, his head hanging low. Coach Rob Chudzinski argued with the officials that Campbell was struck in the head, but was told that Gay hit him in the shoulder instead.

Even Browns linebacker Paul Kruger observed, "It doesn't seem like they miss that call very much.''

Back on the field, the blown call drastically changed the course of the game.

Instead of an unnecessary-roughness penalty that would've given the Browns a first and 10 at the Steelers 24, Pittsburgh's Will Allen scooped up the loose ball and ran it back 49 yards to the 4, where he was tackled by Chris Ogbonnaya. A play later, Ben Roethlisberger found Emmanuel Sanders in the end zone on a post-route to make it 20-3 with 7:43 left in the third quarter.

Brandon Weeden was forced to take over with the Browns trailing 20-3, instead of down 13-3 and already in field goal range. Even if the Browns didn't budge, Billy Cundiff would've lined up for a 42-yard field goal, and had already made a 49-yarder in the first quarter. It was no sure thing, but Cundiff was in the midst of a 12-kick streak that included six field goals of more than 42 yards.

At worst, the score probably would've been 13-6 -- a one-possession game -- with more than seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. At best, Weeden could've hit Jordan Cameron or boy-on-fire Josh Gordon with a TD pass to make it 13-10.

With the Browns' trailing 20-3, Pittsburgh pinned their ears back and Weeden was forced into catchup mode instead of trying to run a balanced offense.

"This is a game of inches and those plays make a world of difference when a call's missed or you miss a play,'' said Kruger. "Anything can happen in a football game.''

Chudzinski sent a tape of the hit and most likely Campbell's wobbly journey to the sidelines to the league office for clarification. Teams are not permitted to share the results of their inquiries so the two sides can engage in open dialogue, but Gay should certainly be fined for the hit -- at least as much as Brooks was.

If not, the officials will have blown it once again.

"Those are the plays in the games that are important,'' said Chudzinski. "Certainly, hopefully, we'll have Jason back soon."

Unfortunately for the Browns, who slipped to last place in the AFC North at 4-7 and saw their playoff hopes fizzle, they'll never get the opportunity back.

Two recruiting updates of note hit the Twittersphere on Tuesday. First, the Glenville trio posted a picture of their visit to Alabama and Michigan's top-rated committment, Jabrill Peppers, says he'll take official visits before signing day.

Two recruiting updates of note hit the Twittersphere on Tuesday. First, the Glenville trio posted a picture of their visit to Alabama and Michigan's top-rated committment, Jabrill Peppers, says he'll take official visits before signing day.

Urban Meyer and Brady Hoke exchanged compliments about each others' teams during Tuesday's weekly Big Ten coaches teleconference.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer and Brady Hoke were bombarded with questions about the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry on Tuesday's weekly Big Ten coaches teleconference. Here is a sampling of some of the news and notes from the two coaches.

* Hoke was born in Dayton and spent eight years as an assistant at Michigan before he became the school's head coach in 2011. He knows all about his university's rivalry with the school he only refers to as "Ohio."

"It's the best rivalry in sports, in my opinion," Hoke said. "I'm probably biased, but I've been around it enough to realize that and the respect that the two institutions have for each other."

Even with the Big Ten Championship Game against Michigan State set for Dec. 7 and national title aspirations, Meyer has stressed that the Buckeyes' only focus is on the Wolverines.

"Our goal is to win this game and everything else is behind this game," Meyer said, "so those are all secondary to this one."

* Meyer said he studied Michigan's 63-47 win against Indiana from mid-October. In that affair, Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner threw for 503 yards and rushed 15 times for 81 yards.

"The game I did see, he was unstoppable against Indiana," Meyer said. "I remember thinking, 'That's as good a quarterback as there is in America.'"

Hoke has been impressed by the growth of Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller.

"He's developed in a lot of different ways," Hoke said. "You talk about two years ago and last year, the improvement he made then and then from last year to this year, I think in throwing the football, that's one of the things. He's worked hard on his mechanics and probably knowledge of the offense is a big part of it."

* Michigan's offensive line has been the target of plenty of criticism, as Gardner has spent time evading defensive pressure, often to no avail. At the start of the month, the Wolverines recorded consecutive games with negative rushing yardage.

"We've rotated some guys through," Hoke said. "We haven't found the right chemistry. Some of it is just inexperience and youth. You're 11 games in, going on your 12th game. Those things should be cleaned up more."

Will the Ohio State defensive line prey on the struggling unit? Meyer has been pleased with the progress of the group.

"They keep getting better each week, as you can imagine with a bunch of sophomores and a few juniors and even a freshman in there," Meyer said. "It's a very young group that's getting better each group.

"I think there's some future NFL players in that group, which is always a good way to grade how recruiting went."

* Meyer said "fun" is not the proper word to describe coaching during a rivalry week.

"It's intense. When it's all done, if things work out, then it's fun," Meyer said. "But anytime you're in a rivalry game, you're in this thing 24/7 and you're locked down, you're doing the best you can because you want to get your players in position. So we're grinding really hard."

AKRON, Ohio – If St. Vincent St.-Mary’s pulls out a win vs. Marion Franklin Friday at 7:30 p.m., they have a chance to repeat as Division III state champions. Irish coach Dan Boarman has a perseverant team, who understands the win-or-go-home mentality.

AKRON, Ohio – If St. Vincent St.-Mary’s pulls out a win vs. Marion Franklin Friday at 7:30 p.m., they have a chance to repeat as Division III state champions.

Irish coach Dan Boarman has a perseverant team, who understands the win-or-go-home mentality.

On Tuesday, he spoke to cleveland.com about Marion Franklin, his defense only allowing 21 points this postseason, Parris Campbell Jr., and what it’s like being a committed football coach at St. Vincent St. Mary’s and a Physical Education teacher at Copley High School.

St. Vincent-St. Mary's season, game by game

Week 1: Defeated Akron Garfield, 63-0.

Week 2: Defeated Walsh Jesuit, 35-20.

Week 3: Defeated Woodridge, 49-12.

Week 4: Defeated Cardinal Mooney, 25-0.

Week 5: Defeated Archbishop Hoban, 41-6.

Week 6: Defeated Canal Fulton Northwest, 61-7.

Week 7: Defeated Thurgood Marshall, 41-12.

Week 8: Defeated Barberton, 41-0.

Week 9: Defeated Massillon Washington, 28-23.

Week 10: Defeated Youngstown Ursuline, 40-7.

Playoffs

Regional quarterfinal: Defeated Kenston, 52-7.

Regional semifinal: Defeated Poland Seminary, 35-7.

Regional final: Defeated Hubbard, 40-7.

Other coverage

We spent an evening with Ohio State commit Parris Campbell Jr. getting to know him off the field (cleveland.com)

Parris Campbell Jr. did a chat with readers in Week 5 (cleveland.com)

Dante Booker and Parris Campbell Jr. appeared on the ESPN 300 list of 2014 recruits (cleveland.com)

LB Dante Booker made the Dick Butkus Award semifinalist list(cleveland.com) 

SVSM wins cleveland.com Top 25 title for 2013 season (cleveland.com)

RB Parris Campbell Jr. highlights (hudl.com)

LB Dante Booker highlights (hudl.com)

QB Aaron Bushner highlights (hudl.com)

RB and MLB Newman Williams highlights (hudl.com)

More about St. Vincent-St. Mary

Record: 13-0.

Final cleveland.com ranking: 1.

Final AP state ranking: 1.

Coach: Dan Boarman.

Top players and stats: RB Parris Campbell Jr. (144 carries, 1,393 yards, 21 touchdowns); RB Vince Lockett (108 carries, 520 yards, 12 TDS); QB Aaron Bushner (116 attempts, 65 completions, 911 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs); WR Tyrece Speaight (12 receptions, 273 yards, 4 TDs); LB Dante Booker (86 tackles, 2.5 sacks).

Total playoff appearances: 17.

Last playoff appearance: 2012.

How team fared in last playoff appearance: Won Division III state title.

Contact high school sports Lexi Pluym (apluym@cleveland.com) or on Twitter (@LexiPluym). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

MENTOR, Ohio – The Mentor Cardinals are prepared for their regional final/state semifinal game this week as they head to St. Edward’s to take on the Eagles. Both coach Steve Trivisonno and DE Kent Berger, an Ohio commit, acknowledged their maturing defense and how it’s helped lead them this far through the course of the season.

MENTOR, Ohio – The Mentor Cardinals are prepared for their regional final/state semifinal game this week as they head to St. Edward’s to take on the Eagles.

Both coach Steve Trivisonno and DE Kent Berger, an Ohio commit, acknowledged their maturing defense and how it’s helped lead them this far through the course of the season.

On Tuesday, Trivisonno also spoke to cleveland.com about the cold, snowy game against St. Ignatius this past weekend, Mr. Football candidate QB Conner Krizancic, and the health of his team going into the regional final/state semifinal matchup vs. St. Edward’s

Mentor’s season, game by game

Week 1: Defeated McDowell (Pa.), 44-30.

Week 2: Lost to St. Ignatius, 26-6.

Week 3: Defeated Euclid, 36-0.

Week 4: Defeated Twinsburg, 49-0.

Week 5: Defeated Brush, 62-43.

Week 6: Defeated Shaker Heights, 56-14.

Week 7: Defeated Brunswick, 45-3.

Week 8: Defeated Solon, 35-0.

Week 9: Defeated Hudson, 38-14.

Week 10: Defeated Strongsville, 45-19.

Playoffs

First-round game: Defeated Brunswick, 42-0.

Regional quarterfinal: Defeated Stow-Munroe Falls, 43-0.

Regional semifinal: Defeated St. Ignatius, 26-3.

Other coverage

Mentor’s Conner Krizancic back at home flourishing as a quarterback

Mentor is one of seven programs that will form a new league in 2015 (cleveland.com)

QB Conner Krizancic did a chat with readers in Week 9 (cleveland.com) 

WR Brandon Fritts did a chat with readers in Week 2 (cleveland.com)

We spent an evening with WR Brandon Fritts getting to know him off the field (cleveland.com)

Brandon Fritts highlights. (hudl.com)

Check out a video of Conner Krizancic on his switch from receiver to quarterback

More about Mentor

Record: 12-1.

Final cleveland.com ranking: 3.

Final AP state ranking: 6.

Coach: Steve Trivisonno.

Top players and stats: QB Conner Krizancic (284 attempts, 168 completions, 2 interceptions for 2,458 yards and 28 touchdowns; 164 carries, 1214 yards and 18 touchdowns); WR Eddie Daugherty (72 receptions, 885 yards, 7 TDs); WR Brandon Fritts (51 receptions, 879 yards, 12 touchdowns)

Total playoff appearances: 13.

Last playoff appearance: 2012.

How team fared in last playoff appearance: Lost in state semifinals.

Contact high school sports reporter Lexi Pluym by email (apluym@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@LexiPluym). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

After playing in Cincinnati in 2013 because of construction, the spring football game will return to Ohio Stadium next year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State's spring football game will be played on April 12, 2014, the school announced Tuesday. In what has become a tradition, a lacrosse game will be played in Ohio Stadium before the spring game.

And it was appropriate that the announcement came this week.

The lacrosse opponent will be Michigan.

“Our fans embrace the rivalry with Michigan so this is a special chance to introduce even more of Buckeye Nation to the sport of lacrosse," Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said in a statement released by the school.

The spring game will be back in Ohio Stadium next year after moving to Cincinnati in 2013 because of construction at Ohio Stadium. This will be the sixth time lacrosse will be played before the game, a tradition that first started in 2008.

Michigan just moved its lacrosse team to Division I status in 2012. There is not yet a Big Ten lacrosse league, but that will begin in 2015 with Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers and, as a lacrosse-only Big Ten member, Johns Hopkins.

Cavs coach Mike Brown has to figure out how to make this roster work, and it won't be easy.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James is coming back to Cleveland -- to play for the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.

And the worst thing the Cavaliers and their fans can do is become fixated on James returning to save the franchise next season.

That's because James has the right to become a free agent in the summer of 2014. Or he can decided to pick up his player option and return to the Heat for the 2014-15 season.

And that's exactly what he might do -- play another year for the Heat, who probably have two more seasons of title contention remaining.

Miami is 11-3 and on a seven-game winning streak. Only Indiana (13-1) has a superior record in the Eastern Conference. It also seems that only the Pacers have any chance of keeping the Heat out of the NBA Finals.

That is especially true with Derrick Rose being out for the season with another knee surgery, His Chicago Bulls are 6-6.

James is having another MVP season, averaging 25.3 points and shooting a stunning .597 from the field (.483 on three-pointers).

He is taking only 15.5 shots per game, far fewer than his career average of 20. James is on a team where there is no need for him to carry the major scoring burden every night in the regular season. So it makes sense for him to stick around for at least another season, given his current supporting cast and the sad state of the East.

Or maybe not

But the Cavs are such a mess at the moment, it's unrealistic to expect him to be drawn to a second tour of duty at Quicken Loans Arena.

Here's the disclaimer: I have no idea what James will do. I don't recall a single person saying on Thanksgiving, 2009, that James would be signing with Miami in 2010. The free agent speculation revolved around New York and Chicago. Or staying in Cleveland.

Not Miami.

Perhaps James didn't even know in late 2009 what he'd be doing in the summer of 2010.

Meanwhile, back in Cleveland…

But this much is known about the Cavs: They are driving me nuts.

There would be turmoil with Mike Brown taking over as coach and being mandated to demand defense -- his speciality. Young players aren't taught to defend because they rarely stay in college more than a year or two. Nor do most see defense as their ticket to NBA success.

Besides, defense is hard work.

That's why Brown spent about 75 percent of his practice time on defense. It's also why there was no reason to expect a fast start, or for there Cavs to look like a pretty team on offense.

But they are 4-10. They have lost games by 30, 29 and 15 points. In fact, they have lost TWICE by 15 points.

In other words, they have been blown out four times in 14 games.

It's doubtful anyone associated with the Cavs expected that, because the accent on defense (which has improved) was supposed to keep the team in most games.

The most disappointing part of the early season is the dismal showing of the team in too many games.

Can they put it together?

Brown has a major challenge because his roster is tied with Philadelphia for being the youngest in the league. He has some players who simply won't blend together.

For example, the only chance that Dion Waiters has to fit with the new system is as a scorer off the bench. It doesn't work with Kyrie Irving in the same backcourt.

While Waiters was the choiceat No. 4 in the 2012 draft by General Manager Chris Grant, I know that former coach Byron Scott always loved the guard from Syracuse. I still wince remembering Scott with those Dwyane Wade and Joe Dumars comparisons, and I took him to task for that.

So Brown had no input in the selection of Waiters.

But he did have a say in the selection of No. 1 draft pick Anthony Bennett. The forward from UNLV came into Saturday's game shooting 5-of-35. He finally showed some life by making 4-of-5 shots in the fourth quarter when the Cavs were embarrassed in San Antonio. But Bennett did have five turnovers in that period.

At least, Bennett put the ball in the basket a few times -- so that's progress. The Cavs need his scoring off the bench.

In the last three drafts, the Cavs have had two No. 1 picks (Irving and Bennett) and two No. 4 picks (Thompson and Waiters).

Of far greater concern than what James may do about free agency next summer is Brown convincing these young players to mesh together with each other -- and with veterans such as Andrew Bynum, Anderson Varejao and Jarrett Jack.

After three horrible post-LeBron seasons, the Cavs must become can a respectable team to watch.

They also have to look at the trade market as a way of enhancing the roster.

Staring starry-eyed at James won't fix what's wrong with the Cavs.

Twenty-five years later, Westlake HIgh School graduate talks about his long TD catch that turned a loss into a win for Michigan; playing for Bo Schembechler; and how he sees the 2013 edition of The Game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - John Kolesar knows what Ohio State-Michigan means. The rivalry runs in his blood: Kolesar's father, Bill, was a standout player at Mentor High School and went on to play tackle for the Wolverines in 1953, '54 and '55.

John Kolesar followed in his dad's footsteps and played receiver for the Wolverines from 1985 to '88. Twenty-five years ago this month, the Westlake High School graduate helped the Wolverines pull off one of their most improbable wins in the series, 34-31, on Nov. 19, 1988 at Ohio Stadium. With less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter, Kolesar ran back a kickoff 59 yards to get Michigan in position and then caught a 41-yard TD pass to give Michigan the win.

Kolesar still lives in Westlake with his wife, Tara, and their children: Filomena, 15; Caden, 13; Jace, 10; and Shae, 5. He works for Cylance, a computer-security firm based in California.

Recently, Kolesar took a few minutes to share his thoughts on the 1988 game, playing for Bo Schembechler and the OSU-Michigan rivalry:

Bill Kolesar during his career at Michigan.Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan 

Can you tell the story of how you ended up at Michigan?

That's a big question I get: Why did you go to Michigan? I tell them that my dad, Bill, played there. But nobody ever asks why my dad went to Michigan.

My dad was from Mentor, went to Mentor High School. He was offered by Ohio State, and it was when Woody Hayes was just a year or two into the job. In his first year in 1951, he went 4-3-2, and he wasn't too well liked the first couple of years, - his tactics, his personality - and some of the high school coaches were skittish. And so the high school football coach at Mentor said, "Hey, why don't you check out Michigan?" My dad got offered only books and tuition at Michigan, and was offered a full ride at OSU, but he wanted to go to Michigan.

And here's kind of an unknown part of the story: His coach at Mentor High later went on to coach at Baldwin Wallace: The late, great Lee Tressel.

You had a standout career at Michigan. Do people still talk about it now?

John Kolesar on the sideline during his playing days at Michigan.

You don't feel like it's been 25 years. Physically you're reminded. It's kind of like old fish stories, they get better and better as you get older. It's so different playing now. I feel like when I played it was the Golden Age of college football. We weren't on TV every game. Bo, I remember, he hated starting games at 3:30. He thought games should be played at 1, and he hated all the TV timeouts and all that.

My lore grows every year for some reason. I made some big plays against the big teams. I made a couple of good catches against Ohio State, including another one from Harbaugh in 1985; and I had a big play in the 1987 Hall of Fame Game against Alabama, a 20-yard touchdown catch with 50 seconds left, and we won. So those games, and as a wide receiver, you become known as a big-play guy. People don't remember an off-tackle play that Jeff Uhlenhake blocked.

What do you remember most about OSU-Michigan 1988?

I didn't play in the 1986 game because I had broken my collarbone. The year before, 1987, we lost, 23-20, and the Ohio State players carried Earle Bruce off the field because it was his last game after he was fired, and there was all the controversy about that. And after we lost, I remember Bo said this, and it was pretty meaningful, because of how Earle Bruce was treated by Ohio State: "I never like to lose, but in this case, I don't feel so bad."

So 1988 was John Cooper's first year. From a player's perspective, back then there was more of a Big Two, Little Eight mentality in the Big Ten. When you're playing a Michigan-OSU game, you're playing against the best. It's brother against brother, and of course, Bo being from Ohio, and Michigan having a lot of Ohio guys on those teams, everyone understood what it was all about. Everyone knows Ohio and Northeast Ohio is about football - this is where this game is played. Les Miles is from Elyria. Nick Saban. All those guys have roots in Ohio football.

See game stories from every OSU-Michigan game ever played

As a kid, growing up in this environment, you are learning to play Ohio football. You understand, and all that stuff is innate. Woody taught Bo, and Bo taught us. That's what makes it great. You've got different characters, different actors involved, and of course, Urban Meyer coming back, and Brady Hoke, an Ohio guy. They understand The Game, the way I think it's meant to be played.

Former Ohio State coach John Cooper.AP file

 Coach Cooper, they were having their challenges that year. They were 4-5-1, and we had a pretty good team. In my first three years at Michigan, we finished the season second, eighth and 19th in the final AP poll. We were 7-2-1 going in and not a bad football team. We come down to Columbus, I remember that turf was awful, and we just owned them. We were up 20-0 at the end of the first half. They were having problems on offense. We think, "Hey, we're taking it. We're up 20-0 in Columbus." Halftime we come back out, and Ohio State started blowing some holes. Whatever adjustments they made worked. Our offense wasn't necessarily sputtering, our defense just couldn't stop them.

As for me, I always have told people, "Make no mistake, I was a wide blocker for the University of Michigan." We ran the ball a lot. When we did need to throw, it was at the end of the game and we needed to have a lot of yardage in a hurry.

With about two minutes left, OSU had come back for a 31-27 lead on a touchdown run by Bill Matlock. Fortunately for us, I took the kickoff back 59 yards, to the Ohio State 41. I took a break for a play or two, and I come back in and they call this pass play.

Now, Demetrius Brown was our quarterback at the time, and if you go back to 1987, we lost to Michigan State, and he threw seven interceptions - and all those as you know are not the quarterback's fault. But Demetrius needed to know that we were there for him, so I told him, "Listen, if I can't catch it, nobody else will. I will knock it down, take interference - anything to stop an interception."

Well, he took it literally. On that pass play from the 41-yard line, I was double covered. It was a zone defense. A guy named Chris Calloway was open for the first down, but Demetrius threw it to me, and I had to back up my word. I was fortunate enough to get in good position. David Brown was the safety for Ohio State on that play, he got turned around, and I boxed him out and was able to haul it in and score.

And it still wasn't over - they still had a chance until we came up with an interception at the end.

You know, I hadn't been in the stadium since that game. But I did finally go in the stadium this summer because my son had a baseball game in Columbus. I took him into the stadium and said, "This was the spot where I caught that pass."

What are your thoughts on college football today?

Nowadays the whole world is upside down. These high school players hold press conferences to announce where they're going to college. They have this swagger coming in as freshmen, not understanding the protocol that's required, that hierarchy that helps make a team. For Woody and Bo, a player who always put the team first was the type of player they recruited. As Bo said: "The Team, The Team, The Team." Do a YouTube search and watch that video - Bo talking about "The Team." It will give you chills.

Not many people understand that anymore. Today, I work for small companies in part because it's the closest thing I can find to a team in the business world.

And a lot of that comes from living in this area. As I tell people, "My kid gets coached by Bo, Woody, and Lee Tressel every day." That legacy, that's what makes The Game so special.

For me, I'm just grateful I was able to be part of that institution - to play in an OSU-Michigan game. And all the guys who have ever played in it feel the same way. The players who play in that game know what it means to play in that game. If you love football, you want Michigan to be good, you want Ohio State to be good, because that's what makes The Game so great: You're playing against the best.

And there aren't many things in life that can measure up to that.

Video from the 1988 OSU-Michigan game. Kolesar's kickoff return and touchdown catch begin around the 7:00 mark:

The Cavaliers are hesitant to talk about James returning to Cleveland in 2014, but sometimes they still allow themselves to dream.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – There is hope. The Cavaliers don't like to talk about it, but if you catch them at the right time, in the right mood, they will admit that they sometimes dare to dream.

LeBron James might really come back someday to play for his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers.

At least if you listen to those who have known him longest.

"It could happen," said Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao, the last remaining teammate of James' on the Cavaliers. "'Bron is from Akron. Akron is not too far from here. Eventually in his career, he probably wants to play at home."

So Wednesday's first hosting of the Miami Heat this season really might be the Cavaliers' first in-person courtship of James, who is expected to be a free agent in 2014. But the Cavaliers also understand that they must first right this 4-10 season before turning any attention to whether the once-favorite son might return.

"We are playing for us. We can't control that," Varejao said. "Whatever happens with LeBron happens. We are just trying to figure out what we have to do to be a better team."

The list of what the Cavaliers must improve upon already is long: offensive ball movement, closing out games, learning how to play with 7-foot center Andrew Bynum, and settling on a starting lineup.

To that end, injured shooting guard C.J. Miles practiced for half of the contact portion of practice Tuesday, and his status will be determined prior to Wednesday's game against the Heat. If Miles is unable to play, coach Mike Brown said he would start Matthew Dellavedova for the third straight game.

So that unease with this current version of the Cavaliers is why Brown shrugged off any questions about his former player James, whether he could see him returning to Cleveland, and whether he's ever dared to imagine James returning to the Cavaliers.

"He plays for the Miami Heat right now," Brown said. "He's done a fantastic job with the Miami Heat, just like the rest of those guys. They've been to the Finals three straight years. Erik Spoelstra's done a heck of a job for that team. We've got a long road ahead of us here. But the guys are working hard, and we've seen steady improvement here as a group. We gotta stay the course here and know that, for us, it's about rolling up our sleeves and getting after it more than anything else."

The Cavaliers, though, still are learning how to win, and there might be only one way to achieve that skill.

"What it takes is maybe a couple close wins so you can get that winning taste back," Varejao said. "Then everything will be fine."

Then, maybe, James will see what Cleveland still has to offer? Sometimes the Cavaliers allow themselves to think about it, more than three years after he jilted them with The Decision.

"Going back to that, I think the way he left was wrong," Varejao said. "But regardless ... He helped me a lot, helped my game and helped me as a person. I have nothing against him. It could happen."

Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat

Tipoff: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., The Q.

TV/radio: FSO; WTAM AM/1100.

Notable: C.J. Miles (strained right calf) is TBD. ... The Heat has won seven straight. ... LeBron James leads Miami with 25.3 points per game.

MEDINA, Ohio — The success of Highland's football team has rested partly on a healthy amount of give and take. Quarterback Bruce Kinsey takes the snap, reads the defense and decides whether to give the ball to running back Alex Harris, or take it himself.

MEDINA, Ohio — The success of Highland's football team has rested partly on a healthy amount of give and take.

Quarterback Bruce Kinsey takes the snap, reads the defense and decides whether to give the ball to running back Alex Harris, or take it himself.

The read-option offense may seem simple to the untrained eye, but it’s anything but. It requires trust between quarterback and running back, an offensive line that can make decisions quickly and a lot of repetition.

Highland (13-0) has had all three this season, which is part of the reason the Hornets were out in the cold Monday on North Royalton’s turf field preparing for the program’s first state semifinal game.

Highland will play Glenville in a Division II state semifinal Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Byers Field in Parma.

“With the read-option, it’s very important to have a good relationship between quarterback and running back,” Harris said. “We have a good one. Bruce does a great job of executing it. It’s easy to know if he’s giving it to me or if he’s pulling it.”

The ease with which Kinsey and Harris execute the read has been a process three years in the making. Both played together on the Highland JV team as sophomores. Kinsey spent a season as the varsity starter last year without Harris, but the pair reunited prior to this season and the results have been staggering.

Kinsey has 1,194 rushing yards, while Harris leads the team with 1,535. They’ve combined for 34 touchdowns, including five in the playoffs.

“I never really predict anything, but I knew we had smart players,” said Highland coach Tom Lombardo when asked if he expected that kind of production. “We kinda studied it and thought we had some good people for this.”

That starts up front with an offensive line that’s paved the way for a team that’s rushed for more than 3,000 yards.

“They’ve definitely meshed together,” Kinsey said. “They’ve done an excellent job of understanding who they need to get up to with their blocks.”

The rest is up to Kinsey and Harris, who both claim they’ve developed a sort of extrasensory perception when it comes to who is getting the football.

There doesn’t need to be any verbal communication. It’s all based on feel, and the pair has worked on perfecting those non-verbal cues.

“The read option is something that takes time to learn how to do right,” Kinsey said. “It helps having a running back like Alex, who helps make it easier on me knowing when I’m gonna pull it, or when I’m gonna give it.”

When done correctly, the read is not only effective in putting points on the board, but also taking time off the clock.

During a regional final win over Avon last week, Highland went on a 17-play, 77-yard drive that took 8:49 off the clock and featured 14 combined runs from Kinsey and Harris. Another scoring drive took 6:40 off the clock and feature 10 combined runs.

Kinsey and Harris complement each other in other ways as well. Kinsey is more serious, while Harris likes to keep things lighter.

“He’s not uptight, but he doesn’t say much before games,” Harris said. “He’s just focused and that’s great. I’m focused, but a lot of times I try to keep it loose and relaxed. We have the best of both and it works out well.”

Yet another give and take that’s helped fuel the Hornets’ success.

Contact high school sports reporter Bill Landis by email (blandis@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@blandis25). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

The Heat player everyone wants to hear from, LeBron James, doesn't talk to media at morning shootaround.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – On the morning of his first trip of the season back to Ohio, LeBron James didn't say a peep about whether he's planning on returning to Cleveland in 2014 when he is expected to be a free agent.

Not that anyone expected him to. Or expected him to talk at all, for that matter.

The Miami Heat star speaks to media pregame, not at morning shootaround, so he merely nodded and confirmed, "Tonight," when asked if he'd talk about his annual return to Cleveland.

Meanwhile, another homegrown talent swished 3-pointers after Heat shootaround. Former Cleveland State guard Norris Cole said about 20 friends and family members will be at tonight's game, and he's looking forward to the charged atmosphere that always accompanies any game in which James plays in front of his former home crowd.

"I'm familiar with the area just like Bron is," Cole said. "It's exciting for me to come back and see familiar faces. The atmosphere, I'm used to. I'm used to coming to The Q, I used to buy tickets to come here when I was in school."

Cole said he's hoping to have Thanksgiving dinner with family in his hometown Dayton, though is considering joining the remainder of his team at James's home in Bath, where the Heat star is hosting dinner.

James didn't ask his teammates to bring a dish to pass.

"I think he's got that covered with his chef," Cole joked.

Browns safety T.J. Ward said he has no regrets about his post-game remarks following the 27-11 loss to the Steelers, when he said, "you can game turning the ball over.''

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns safety T.J. Ward said Wednesday he has "no regrets'' about his post-game remarks rant about the offensive turning the ball over.

He stressed that he was talking about the whole team not being ready during Sunday's 27-11 loss to the Steelers and not just the offense.

He said "I wasn't pointing fingers'' and "we're a family.''

He said his teammates understood where he was coming from.

As for linebacker D'Qwell Jackson saying that Ward would regret his remarks, Ward said Jackson is a great teammate, but that Ward would "say the same thing again'' in the same situation.

He stressed that in addition to venting after the game about the offense turning the ball over, he also said "the defense needs to create more turnovers,'' but lamented the fact that wasn't as big a part of the stories.

He said he's willing to speak after tough losses and not just after victories, and understands that some of his teammates are reluctant to do so because they're afraid they might speak out of frustration.

He said he spoke the truth was trying to emphaisze that the whole team needs to pick it up in order to compete with the big boys of the AFC North.

He also said the Browns can rebound and play well these last five games.

Coach Rob Chudzinski addressed the team Monday about sticking together, but said today it's a non-issue and that the team is extremely close.

As for heading into free agency, he said he wants to be back and "I'll definitely give the Browns the first shot.''

More to come soon on Ward's locker room interview.

Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving says he and his teammates are ready to play host to the defending NBA champion Miami Heat tonight at The Q.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving said his team is ready for tonight's exciting matchup against the Miami Heat, which will be televised by ESPN. Even with the Cavs coming off their worst loss of the season at San Antonio on Saturday, Irving thinks his teammates are prepared to complete.

"It will be an exciting game,'' Irving said after Wednesday morning's shootaround at Cleveland Clinic Courts. We’re all in high spirits. We learned what we could from the San Antonio game, we just have to move on. We had a couple good days of practice and we’ve been looking forward to this game.

"It’s a big-time test for us, especially against a good veteran ballclub, the champions from last year. It will be a good game.''

Irving didn't think the Cavs first appearance on ESPN this season would make much of a difference.

"No, not really,'' he said . "For us it’s about just going out there and trying to win.''

Irving did acknowledge that there's a different dynamic in The Q when James returns.

"Every time not only myself but my teammates get a chance to play in front of the hometown crowd, it’s always exciting for us,'' he said. "Obviously ‘Bron coming back, [there's] a little more hoopla around the game. We all expected that. For us we’re maintaining our same focus level and trying to execute our plays out there and make it uncomfortable for the Miami Heat.''

That may be easier said than done.

The Cavs are 4-10, while Miami is 11-3. The Heat have won seven straight games this season and also have beaten the Cavs seven times in a row.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Cavs -- F Tristan Thompson, F Alonzo Gee, C Andrew Bynum, G Kyrie Irving, G Matthew Dellavedova. Heat -- F LeBron James, F Chris Bosh, C Udonis Haslem, G Dwyane Wade, G Mario Chalmers.

INJURIES: Cavs -- C.J. Miles (right calf strain) is doubtful. Heat -- Shane Battier missed shootaround with a cold and is not expected to play. Chalmers missed the last game with hip injury.

OFFICIALS: Ed Malloy, Matt Boland, Michael Smith.

UP NEXT FOR CAVS: At Boston on Friday.

GRAFTON, Ohio – Midview is expected to promote defensive coordinator DJ Shaw to head football coach, the school announced Wednesday. Shaw is an algebra teacher at the high school. He played college football at Ashland and has been with Midview’s program for five years. The Middies went 7-3 this past season.

GRAFTON, Ohio – Midview is expected to promote defensive coordinator DJ Shaw to head football coach, the school announced Wednesday.

Shaw is an algebra teacher at the high school. He played college football at Ashland and has been with Midview’s program for five years. The Middies went 7-3 this past season.

“I am honored and excited to take over the Midview football program,” Shaw said in a news release. “I am grateful to take over a football program with a rich tradition and so much community support."

He would replace Bill Albright, who announced his retirement after 28 seasons last month.

Shaw will be presented to the Midview Local School District board of education at its December meeting, at which time the board will vote on the recommendation.

Dan May, Midview's athletic director, along with a community member, teacher and assistant principal recommended DJ Shaw to principal Tom Faska and superintendent Scott Goggin. After interviews, Faska and Goggin agreed with the recommendation.

“Coach Shaw exhibited the qualities and communicated the vision that Midview athletics is looking for in its next head football coach," May said in a statement. "He is a student-centered teacher, who will continue to develop Midview football into an elite level program.”

Wide receiver Davone Bess hopes to improve. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns acquired Davone Bess in a trade with Miami during the spring to provide the team with a sure-handed slot receiver.

That hasn't exactly been the case.

With the exception of his two touchdowns in the Browns' victory over the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month, Bess certainly has not been his best in a season of several dropped passes. He's also averaging 8.5 yards per catch, which is below his double-digit career average.

This season is a far cry from last season in Miami, where he caught 61 passes from 778 yards.

"This season hasn't been what I expected," Bess said. "This season has been a disappointment for me. I came in with high expectations for myself. I understand you have to say grounded."

Bess said he goes into each season expecting to improve from the previous year. So far, it hasn't happened.

"It's easy to look at how many different quarterback's we've had this season, but I had a lot of different quarterbacks in Miami," Bess said. "I have to look at myself before I even think of pointing the finger at someone else. It's been a rough first year here, but I'm feeling better and I plan to finish the season out right, and keep growing."

 Reaching out: Several Cleveland Browns players participated in charitable events this week, including linebacker Paul Kruger, quarterback Brian Hoyer, lineman Phil Taylor, safety T.J. Ward and cornerback Joe Haden, among others.

On Tuesday, players served over 2,000 meals at restaurant TownHall in Ohio City at an event titled 'Feed The Need' that also involved Jim Brown's Amer-I-Can, Willis McGahee's Foundation and Troy Smith's foundation.

"It's important to do this because I want to help unite Cleveland," said Bobby George, owner of TownHall and the Barley House. "All of these athletes have great influence, all of the politicians have great influence, and we have to stick together to unite the city."

Following that event, Haden and Ward unloaded boxes of food at St. Augustine's church on West 14th Street that will help feed about 20,000 people at the church's hunger center on Thanksgiving. Haden and Ward have donated food to the center for the past three years.

He said it: "Very much so," said Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley when asked if Josh Gordon is an elite wide receiver.

Injury update: Linebacker Craig Robertson, who missed last week's game due to a knee injury, will not practice today, neither will Tank Carder who was injured against Pittsburgh.

Homecoming: Collinwood High School grad Cecil Shorts, a wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, will live the dream at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday.

"It'll be exciting to play in front of family," Shorts said. "I'm excited about the opportunity. My high school team is coming. Guys from Mount Union are coming. I'm all about Cleveland. My father taught us to hate Pittsburgh and to hate Michigan."

Michigan has snapped five previous Ohio State unbeaten seasons, so could they make it six? Cleveland.com's Doug Lesmerises & CineSport's Noah Coslov preview The Game in Ann Arbor.

 

It's been a blessing to write about Cleveland sports -- yes, even with all the losing.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This year, more than ever, I want to thank our readers.

In the past, I have written that without you (the readers) there is no me -- or at least, no me in the paper and on cleveland.com. But with all the changes in the newspaper business in terms of home delivery and the emphasis on more stories online -- I am more grateful than ever to be able to write about Cleveland-area sports.

And extremely thankful that you have stayed with us.

Sometimes, I receive emails where people write that they "feel sorry" for me. That's because most of the stories about most of the teams would be best written by Edgar Allan Poe or Stephen King. In the end, something bad usually happens.

Real bad. And in a real bad way. But I love it, anyway. Not all the losing, but the writing -- for you.

A few days ago, I was talking to someone about my father. He worked at the old Fisher-Fazio Foods warehouse. I also worked there for parts of four years when I was going to school. Now that was a demanding job. Not so much what I did, working in the receiving office.

But the guys who unloaded the railroad cars on the night shift …

Or the guys who filled the grocery store orders and loaded the trucks during the day ...

Or the guys who drove the trucks, the forklifts and other equipment ...

That was real work.

When I was young, my mother worked at old Parmatown Lanes. I'd help her clean the rental bowling shoes (and some had a very distinct odor). Real work there, too.

Writing about sports? I have friends who are in sales and are paid by commission -- seems very scary to me. I know people who spend 10 hours a day in front of a computer screen, doing jobs that I can't begin to comprehend.

I have a lot of friends in law enforcement, which alternates between utter boredom to moments of absolute terror. Or people who work in the health-care field, which can be so rewarding and frustrating -- nearly at the same time.

The point is, I know I've won one of life's lotteries when it comes to my job. And I know that without readers who care about our too-often miserable teams, I'm looking for work.

The newspaper and website exist because you still want to read what we have to say -- even if it's mostly to complain about it.

I wish I didn't have to keep counting the number of starting Browns quarterbacks since Bernie Kosar was cut in 1993 -- the answer is 24. Or have to deal with the endless speculation about the return of LeBron James -- he's probably not coming back. Or try to figure out how the Indians can consistently win in a sport that consistently favors larger market franchises.

But I also know that sports is not real life. It's a diversion from real life.

My wife and I are engaged in some long-term, home health care of her 93-year-old mother. Many of my friends are in the same situation with older family members. The other night, it was a relief to turn on the Cavs' game at New Orleans -- even as they blew a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Another friend took tremendous delight in the Indians' strong finish this season as she dealt with her father's Alzheimer's condition.

And yes, once in a while, the teams do surprise us -- in a good way. Just as the Tribe did this season. And yes, I'm thankful for that.

But I am far more thankful to you for being there, win or lose.

All-time coaching records for the Ohio State-Michigan game. Jim Tressel has the top winning percentage (with more than one game played); Fielding Yost and Woody Hayes have the most victories.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Jim Tressel has the best winning percentage for any coach who has been involved in multiple Ohio State-Michigan games, and Fielding Yost and Woody Hayes share the title for most victories.

But Urban Meyer and two coaches from well before the Great Depression share a distinction of their own. They're the only coaches in the history of The Game with perfect records, though each is just 1-0.

Below is a list 35 coaches and their records in the storied football rivalry.

Eleven Michigan-Ohio State game coaches are winless, including Ohio State's A.E. Herstein, who was 0-4 in 1906-09. A coach these days probably wouldn't have the opportunity to start 0-4 before being shown the door, though John Cooper was 2-10-1 from 1988-2000. Michigan's Rich Rodriguez came close to the Herstein mark, but lost his job after starting 0-3. 

Ohio State's Tressel sits atop the record book for winning percentage with his 9-1 mark (or 8-1 with the removal of the vacated game from 2010 because of NCAA rules violations). Next best in winning percentage is Michigan's Yost, who was 16-3-1 from 1901-23 and 1925-26. Yost shares the title for most victories with Ohio State's Hayes, who was 16-11-1 from 1951-78.

Hayes has the distinction of coaching in more Ohio State-Michigan games (28) than anyone else.

Buckeye Numbers is a weekly feature from cleveland.com focusing on stats involving Ohio State football. 

x-Tressel's record is 8-1 (.889) after vacating 2010 win because of NCAA rules violations.

There was a time this year when it looked like the Jaguars could join the 2008 Detroit Lions as the NFL's only winless team.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - There was a time this year when it looked like the Jaguars could join the 2008 Detroit Lions as the NFL's only winless team.

Jacksonville was 0-8, losing by an average of 22 points. Their star wide receiver, Justin Blackmon, had been suspended for the second time in 2013 and was lost for the remainder of the year. Chad Henne was starting at quarterback; head coach Gus Bradley sent struggling Blaine Gabbert to the bench. The offensive line was being shuffled after a trade (Eugene Monroe) and injury (Luke Joeckel).

The Jacksonville rebuild was off to a slow, frustrating start. But first-year head coach Gus Bradley stayed positive. Heading into the bye week, he told anyone that would listen how much he liked what he was seeing. As people scoffed, Bradley insisted the team would improve after the bye.

He was right.

The Jags have won two of their last three games, both on the road. The "Tanking for Teddy (Bridgewater)" signs have been momentarily replaced, as the Jags are no longer the league's worst team - a distinction that belongs to last week's opponent, Houston.

Offensive overview

As has been the case since he came into the league in 2006, Maurice Jones-Drew is the centerpiece of the offense. The 2011 NFL rushing champion is coming off a season-high in rushing yards (84), receiving yards (60) and yards per carry (6.0), but it hasn't been like that all year.

The Jaguars are 32^nd in rushing and if this season is any indication, Jones-Drew's best days are behind him. Lisfranc surgery in 2012 has zapped MJD's speed and quickness as his 3.2 yards per carry is only better than six running backs. The one thing that hasn't faded is his nose for the end zone. After having just two scores in six games in 2012, Jones-Drew has five this season, including a TD in three straight.

His injuries have caused a decline in play, but so has inept quarterbacking. Opposing defenses enter every game against Jacksonville focused on stopping Jones-Drew and it's rare when he has open space to run.

One of the ways they have kept MJD involved is by utilizing his pass-catching skills. Jones-Drew has 20 catches in his last four games and 30 in 2013.

View full sizeBlaine Gabbert's time in Jacksonville is coming to an end.Associated Press

The 2011 draft was supposed to get the Jaguars back to being competitive. The previous regime moved up six spots to select Blaine Gabbert from Missouri. He was expected to be the answer at quarterback, but it hasn't happened. Jacksonville is back looking for a new answer. Injuries to Gabbert's shoulder, forearm, thumb, hand and ankle have forced him to the sidelines throughout his career. But it's been more than just injuries. It was his overall ineffectiveness that caused Bradley to put a clipboard in Gabbert's hands permanently. The 6-4, 235-pound Gabbert started three games, completing 49 percent of his passes for 481 yards with one touchdown against seven interceptions before being sent to the bench. The Gabbert Era, that saw Jacksonville go 5-22 in games in which he started, is coming to a disappointing end.

There are no delusions of grandeur with backup Chad Henne, who is expected to start the last five games. The QB question still hovers over the franchise. He's completing 62 percent of his passes, but has more interceptions (9) than touchdowns (4). Still, Henne's the best option Jacksonville has right now.

With the explosive Blackmon suspended for the rest of the season, the Jaguars have leaned on Cleveland native Cecil Shorts. The team's leading receiver has a career-high 58 catches for 700 yards and one touchdown. Just one week after complaining about his usage, Shorts had his highest catch total (8) in a win against the Texans.

There's not much else for Henne to throw to. Mike Brown has had his moments, including a 120-yard breakout in a Week 7 loss to the Chargers, but has 106 yards in his last three games. It hasn't helped that he has been fighting through a shoulder injury. Diminutive (5-7) rookie Ace Sanders is third on the team in catches, with 12 of 28 coming in the last two weeks.

Defensive overview

Bradley's roots were planted in Seattle, where the Seahawks have one of the toughest and most physical defenses. That's what Bradley is trying to emulate. But he's a few drafts away from seeing that vision realized. His 4-3 scheme has gone through growing pains. Only two teams have failed to score 20 points against it -- Houston last week and Oakland in Week 2. Jacksonville is 30^th in points allowed (29.5), 29^th in rushing yards (133.5), 30^th in interceptions (5) and last in sacks (17). The only respectable category is passing yards (18^th).

If the Jags get any pressure on the quarterback -- which is rare -- it usually comes from the two defensive ends, Andre Branch and Jason Babin, who are tied for the team lead with three sacks. Branch, drafted by the previous regime in the second round, is making progress under Bradley's tutelage, with a sack in consecutive weeks.

View full sizeJaguars linebacker Paul Posluszny is third in the NFL in tackles. Associated Press

The leader is linebacker Paul Posluszny. He is the NFL's third-leading tackler (102) and leads the Jags in interceptions (2). The thumper in the middle has piled up 48 tackles in his last four games.  

The secondary is young, but is gaining valuable experience. Three of the four starting defensive backs are rookies, with cornerback Dwayne Gratz as well as safeties Jonathan Cyprien and Josh Evans joining veteran Alan Ball. It's a secondary that held Case Keenum and the Texans to 169 yards passing, which was the sixth fewest among QBs in Week 12.

Special Teams overview

This is one of the team's strongest areas, which usually isn't an ideal situation. RB Jordan Todman handles the kick return duties. He is fourth in return average (28.2), with a long of 59. The dangerous Denard Robinson has only gotten his hands on four returns during his rookie season. He is averaging 22 yards per return.

The punt returner is Sanders. The rookie from South Carolina had five touchdown returns in college, but has been bottled up, with an average of just over five yards per return.

Kicker Josh Scobee is back for his 10^th season in Jacksonville. He is 14 of 16, with a long of 53 yards. Bryan Anger, picked one spot in front of Russell Wilson in 2012, is the punter. He is 10^th in gross average (46.2) and eight in net (40.8).

Prediction

Browns 17, Jaguars 16

This is the final week of the regular season. The bye weeks are over, but unfortunately the injuries haven't stopped.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - This is the final week of the regular season. The bye weeks are over, but unfortunately the injuries haven't stopped. The latest player to go down is Rams rookie Zac Stacy (concussion). He had 12 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game. It's just another reminder to make sure you have a backup plan in case. 

The waiver wire will help with that. This is also the time of year when it's time to cut bait with some dead weight. It's more important to have a high-upside running back or a handcuff on the roster than a fifth receiver who will never get to start on your team. Also, if there is a player available in your league that you would hate to play against then grab him and avoid having to worry about that. This is the time of year when strategy comes into play.

Quarterback

View full sizeWith eight touchdowns in his last four games, Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer could be a solid pickup this week.Associated Press

Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals – I'm not sure what else Palmer has to do to get on a roster. He has eight touchdowns in his last four games. He hasn't thrown an interception during Arizona's four-game winning streak. He has Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd to throw to. And he plays an Eagles defense, which has allowed the most passing yards per game (300).

Josh McCown, Chicago Bears – He probably won't be in the lineup much longer and he is starting to turn into a pumpkin, but his matchup is too good to overlook. The Vikings have given up the most touchdown passes (24) in 2013.

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs – In his last meeting against the Denver Broncos, Smith tossed two touchdowns, making it five TD tosses in his last two. He will have to throw to keep up with Denver.

Running Backs

Bilal Powell, New York Jets – Chris Ivory's status for Sunday's game is still up in the air. Ivory was hobbled by an ankle injury late in last week's loss and underwent an MRI this week. If he misses time then Powell, who ran for 149 yards in Week 3, will get some work. The Dolphins have allowed 10 rushing touchdowns.

Montee Ball, Denver Broncos – Yes, he fumbled in the loss against the New England Patriots, but Ball is the second back behind Knowshon Moreno - who missed practice Wednesday - and they like Ball near the goal line. Ball scored twice against the Chiefs two weeks ago.

View full sizeBrandon Bolden (pictured) and Shane Vereen are the only running backs not fumbling in New England.Associated Press

Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots – Somewhere Stevan Ridley is fumbling right now. Ridley's ball control issues – three straight games with a fumble – have put the talented back on the bench. LeGarrette Blount also fumbled in the win against Denver. The last one left who hasn't fumbled is Bolden. He had 13 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown. It's always tough to know what Bill Belichick will do with his backs, but Bolden is worth a pickup.

Benny Cunningham, St. Louis Rams – Rams star rookie Zac Stacy left with a concussion. It opened the door for Cunningham, who ran for over 100 yards and a touchdown against the Bears. The 49ers defense presents a tougher test this weekend, but if Stacy can't go the Rams will need someone to pick up the slack.

Toby Gerhart, Minnesota Vikings – He has 15 carries for 158 yards in his last two games. And Adrian Peterson is dealing with a groin injury.

Dennis Johnson, Houston Texans - Ben Tate is dealing with sore ribs so Johnson got an opportunity against the Jaguars. Johnson ran well, going for 74 yards on 13 carries. The Texans may continue to give him work as long as Tate remains ineffective and limited. 

Wide Receivers

Julian Edelman, New England Patriots – Once again, it's always difficult to know how Belichick is going to set his lineup on a weekly basis. But Edelman, an early-season waiver gem, seems to be back involved in the Patriots' passing attack. I don't expect nine catches for 110 yards with two touchdowns again, but Edelman has more experience with Tom Brady than any other pass-catcher not named Gronkowski.

View full sizeDetroit wide receiver Nate Burleson found the end zone in his return to the lineup last week.Associated Press

Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions – All he does is catch passes. Burleson returned from an arm injury to rack up 77 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. His lowest catch total in 2013 is six and is averaging eight targets when he is in the lineup.

Tavon Austin, St. Louis Rams – He is a highlight reel waiting to happen. He isn't involved as much as I would like to consider him a WR1 or WR 2, but Austin could be a flex option this week against the 49ers as he saw the most targets (five) since Week 8 in Week 12's win over Chicago.

Rod Streater, Oakland Raiders – He has been targeted 17 times since Matt McGloin took over as the starting quarterback. With Denarius Moore's (shoulder) status in doubt for Thursday, Streater could be the No. 1 receiver for Oakland in a favorable matchup against the Cowboys, who are ranked 31^st in the league.

Tight Ends

Timothy Wright, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – He has been on this list before. He re-emerged last week against Detroit with eight catches. In an earlier meeting against Carolina, Wright scored a touchdown and hauled in five passes.

Rob Housler, Arizona Cardinals – Palmer really likes using his tight ends – Brandon Myers was a catching machine last year in Oakland – and Housler is finally healthy. He has been targeted 19 times in his last three games.

Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens – He is getting closer to a return from a hip injury. Don't wait until he actually plays to get him on your roster. Grab him now and unleash him during the fantasy playoffs.

Owen Daniels, Houston Texans – Another guy who could come back in Week 14 for the playoff run. Whether it's Matt Schaub or Case Keenum, the tight end is always a big part of the Texans offense.