The Browns have been dealt some tough challenges at the quarterback position this year, but they've also created some of their own.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns lost Brian Hoyer on the night of October 3. One knee surgery, a concussion and 54 days later, they signed another quarterback.

Of that quarterback, Alex Tanney, head coach Rob Chudzinski said this Monday: “If Alex is the guy we’ll have him ready with a package that will make him successful.”

Well, OK, but they couldn’t even do that for Brandon Weeden coming out of training camp. But what else would you expect the head coach to say, right?

Chudzinski gave that optimistic spin on Trick Shot Tanney 24 hours before signing Caleb Hanie and a week after the Browns chose Tanney over Hanie despite Tanney never playing a snap in the NFL.

Now Hanie could possibly start ahead of Tanney if Jason Campbell and Weeden are unable to recover from concussions in time? Chud is not ruling anything out. And, really, when you look at all the moving parts and the task of beating Bill Belichick and Tom Brady Sunday, how could you rule out anything short of Tim Tebow being signed late Saturday night and getting the starting nod?

You get why the Browns haven’t taken the Tebow bait. They would have to change the offense to give him any chance of succeeding. And the interest and/or obsession with Tebow could bring the circus to town.

But instead of the circus, the Browns risk becoming a Comedy Club punchline for yet another season.

If you haven’t noticed, they aren’t changing much to fit specific circumstances or, necessarily, to enhance their chances of winning games at this point. They traded their No. 1 running back after losing Dion Lewis in training camp. It wasn’t a move made to make room for a more dynamic talent, unless the last film you saw on Willis McGahee was from years gone by.

They aren’t the first organization to play to win between 1-4 Sundays, but plan for the future the rest of the time. What makes this situation troublesome is we christened another regime and coaching staff “quarterback experts” and have seen so little evidence to support it. We did it with Pat Shurmur and Brad Childress (and Mike Holmgren).

We trusted Norv Turner could mold Weeden into something Shurmur couldn’t. We can only say now Weeden was better under Shurmur. Hoyer, Mike Lombardi’s idea, is the lone saving grace. And this is the group that will supposedly go hunting quarterbacks in the 2014 draft. How much pull can the coaching staff have after this season?

Hoyer’s work in the last exhibition game seemed to surprise Chudzinski and Turner as much as the rest of us. The difference: we’re not getting paid to know.

First Hoyer, then Campbell proved better than Weeden in running a team and managing a game. And not by a little. Sunday, with all that as context and after Weeden threw one interception just before halftime, Weeden might as well have been Peyton Manning given the license Chudzinski gave him to keep flinging it.

Another interception. A strip sack fumble. Jacksonville went from trailing 14-7 to leading 20-14.

Chudzinski said it was in keeping with the “philosophical” approach to be aggressive and expect good things to happen. I guess that’s what they were doing in not bringing in a third quarterback after the Hoyer injury and getting him acclimated.

So now we have Campbell, who could be done for the year after the next hard tackle -- if not before. And Weeden, whose career here is likely over.

And Hanie and Tanney cramming for a matchup with Brady. One of them will get the start Sunday.

Don’t expect good things to happen.

SPINOFFS

• Two Reliant Stadium security guards were fired for getting their pictures taken with New England quarterback Tom Brady after the Patriots' 34-31 win over the Houston Texans Sunday.

Let that be a lesson, Gillette Stadium security guards, if you cross paths with Caleb Hanie and Alex Tanney Sunday.

• Despite Geno Smith’s production in the last five games – no TDs, eight interceptions – Jets head coach Rex Ryan says Smith is still his starter and that he still believes in him.

So, Browns Fan, you were wrong. Admit it. There is a chance of one more win on the schedule.

• This column comments on the news of the day. It doesn’t often make the news. But “Spin” is offering $1,000 to Alex Tanney if he can complete a pass into Bill Belichick’s open hood at any time Sunday.

• Delta cancelled a Gainesville-to-Atlanta flight so the plane could be used to transport the Florida Gators men’s basketball team on its trip to play at UConn after the team charter experienced mechanical problems.

Because they are “student-athletes” and their education is paramount, Delta must've considered it important for them to learn the meaning of “entitlement.”

• Pregame.com lists Florida State as a 9.5 favorite over Ohio State should they meet for the national championship.

Just don’t ask Marcus Hall what he thinks of that.

• The Big Ten decided to take no further action against those players involved in Saturday’s brawl between Michigan and Ohio State. Or against Hall, who made a middle-finger gesture to the Michigan crowd with both hands upon leaving the field.

The conference decided to simply publicly reprimand Hall for his actions and OSU for a “failure to escort.”

I get it. I mean what could the Big Ten possibly do to Hall that would trump the shame of walking around Columbus for the rest of his days being identified as the guy who flipped off Michigan?

It’s the definition of tough love: Never having to pay for a beer in the state of Ohio for the rest of your life.

• I’m sure the conference took that non-action expecting Urban Meyer to suspend Hall, based on Urb’s long history of putting discipline ahead of winning.

• Dozed off, woke up and thought I head somebody delivering a dissertation on physics. Turns out it was only referee Ed Hoculi explaining a penalty in Monday Night’s game between Seattle and New Orleans.

• Scott Kazmir signed a two-year deal with Oakland for $22 million, a season after pitching for the Sugarland Skeeters.

The Indians offered just one year. I wouldn’t have offered Kazmir two years either. The needle on his gas tank more often than not looked like it belonged in my buddy’s old VW in college.

• Cremated remains were found on the field after the Auburn-Alabama game. No connection to the dead men walking on Alabama's missed field goal "coverage" team.

• Yankees’ second baseman Robinson Cano denies he’s looking for a $300 million deal, saying it’s more in the $250-260 million raise.

You know, reasonable.

• This is the interactive segment of “Spin.”

San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis is accusing Rams’ safety T.J. McDonald of grabbing him by the genitals during a tackle Sunday. The best punch lines will not be printed.

While we’re in the interactive mode, I believe Angry Browns’ Fan (as if there's any other kind) is accepting your lyrics for other Christmas songs. Here’s his:

• You can never be too vigilant about communism cropping up in the most unlikely places, right?

Auburn AD Jay Jacobs told me it would be un-American for a one-loss SEC team to not be in the BCS title game in favor of an undefeated OSU

— Hannah Storm (@HannahStormESPN) December 1, 2013

Apparently because Auburn’s wins over Alabama and Georgia were so convincing.

• Houston Texans’ defensive lineman Antonio Smith says he is “suspicious” of the Patriots' ability to anticipate and react to specific defensive calls Houston put in to slow down Tom Brady’s offense. New England beat Texas, 34-31, Sunday.

Because that insinuation brings “Spygate” to mind, Smith was careful not to cavalierly raise such an accusation without evidence.

Wait. Sorry. There is no evidence.

• In the meantime, Smith isn’t saying what tricks were employed in running up big offensive numbers by San Francisco (34-3 over Houston), the Rams (38-13), Baltimore (30-9), Arizona (27-24) or the Raiders (28-23).

• Steelers safety Ryan Clark says Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin did not intentionally try to obstruct Baltimore’s Jacoby Jones during last Thursday’s game. The league is investigating the incident.

“He was as surprised as anybody that (the play) was right there,” said Clark.

Yes. You can’t expect a head coach standing on the sidelines at least 16 times a year for seven years to know where the sideline ends and the field begins.

HE SAID IT

“I’m a great player. I know that.” – Dolphins’ receiver Mike Wallace after a seven-catch, 82-yard game.

Or what Josh Gordon calls the first quarter these days.

Bryant has experienced similar episodes twice in the past two years. He will have a heart procedure later this week.

BEREA, Ohio -- Desmond Bryant’s season is over due to a troubling condition that’s affected him over the past two years.

The Browns placed the defensive lineman on the reserve/non-football illness list Wednesday with an irregular heartbeat, the club announced. It’s the second time this season and the third time in the past two years he’s been diagnosed with a rapid heartbeat.

Bryant, 27, is expected to have a heart procedure performed later this week, a team spokesman said, and make a full recovery. He began experiencing symptoms again on Monday, the spokesman added. Bryant has not required a hospital visit.

The lineman was taken to Cleveland Clinic on Oct. 3 with the condition that flared up at halftime of the game against Buffalo. He was treated with medication and released a day later.

"It's a pretty scary feeling,'' Bryant told reporters on Oct. 7. "Your heart won't calm down. Fortunately we've got a great staff on hand and they've got me doing the right things I need and I'm now back to normal.

“I’m pretty confident. We’re doing some things to prevent it from happening again. I need to try to cut out anything that may start this up, as well as taking some medication to help prevent it.”

The Browns signed Bryant to a five-year, $34 million free-agent deal knowing he had a past history with the ailment. Bryant suffered a similar episode a season ago while playing for the Oakland Raiders. He left at halftime of a game against Tampa Bay on Nov. 4, 2012, yet played the following week.

The hulking 6-6, 310-pounder had not missed a game this season, registering 45 tackles and 3.5 sacks. But his production, particularly in the pass rush, dipped after the Oct. 3 health scare. He hasn’t registered a sack in his last nine games, although he’s collected six quarterback hits since the Buffalo game.

It has been a tough season for the Browns' top free-agent signings. Cornerback Chris Owens was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a sprained knee. Outside linebacker Paul Kruger has just 2.5 sacks and receiver Davone Bess leads the NFL with 12 dropped passes, according to ProFootballFocus.com.  

Campbell suffered a concussion Nov. 24 against the Steelers; Weeden suffered one Sunday in the loss to Jacksonville. Both have been cleared for activity but not practice, coach Rob Chudzinski said.

BEREA, Ohio - Browns newcomer Caleb Hanie summed up the club's bizarre quarterback situation perfectly Wednesday.

"One week you'’re sitting at home eating Thanksgiving with your family, the next week you could be playing for the Browns,'' said Hanie, signed as a free agent on Tuesday. "It's pretty crazy.''

Not only is Hanie playing for the Browns this week, he also could be starting for them -- against the 9-3 Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., on Sunday.

Jason Campbell and Brandon Weeden have yet to be cleared from their concussions to practice, and both were absent from the field altogether on Wednesday.

In their place were Hanie, who has started four NFL regular-season games in his six-year career, and Alex Tanney, who has started none in his two seasons.

"As far as our quarterback situation goes, it's a very fluid situation, unique, one that I haven’t necessarily been around,'' said coach Rob Chudzinski. "I’ll name the starter later in the week. Right now, as we stand, Campbell and Weeden have both been cleared for activity -- not for practice but for activity -- and it’s too difficult to know exactly when they’ll be cleared.''

Chudzinski stressed that the decision could go right up to gametime Sunday at 1 p.m. If nothing else, it would give defensive mastermind Bill Belichick a little extra to think about.

“We can wait until Friday or all the way up to game day, if we have to,'' Chudzinski said. "I think we’ll get a better sense, though, as we get into practice and as those guys are getting the reps. We can go either direction once we get into that and once we get a feeling for one way or another.”

Chudzinski stressed that he's keeping all of his options open, including starting either Campbell or Weeden even if they don't practice.

"Obviously, that wouldn’t be ideal,'' said Chudzinski. "I would like to see them back practicing, but we’ll have to weigh that with seeing the other guys practice as well.''

In addition, he said the choice between Campbell and Weeden could hinge on which is cleared sooner.

“It depends on how much practice all four of those (guys) would get,'' Chudzinski. "We'll just wait and see how it goes.''

He split first-team reps between Hanie and Tanney on Wednesday, and said he wasn't ready to decide between the two.

"I’d like to see more of them actually going through the course of the gameplan this week,'' he said.

Per terms of the NFL's stringest concussion protocol, independent doctors decide when concussed players can return. As of Monday afternoon, the players were feeling better and were hoping to be cleared to play, league sources told cleveland.com.

"It’s out of my hands and it’s really a difficult thing to determine,'' said Chudzinski. "It's just how they feel and how the medical team evaluates them.''

Chudzinski hasn't ruled out Tanney yet based on the fact he's never started.

“It’s just we haven’t had a long look at him,'' said Chudzinski. "He primarily last week worked the scout team and then got a few snaps, and we did things more after practice on air than anything.''

He said the Browns signed Tanney over Hanie last week because he had been practicing regularly on the Cowboys' practice squad, while Hanie had been out of football since the Ravens cut him at the end of preseason.

"(Tanney) had a good grasp of their system, which was similar to our system, and as I mentioned, (assistant general manager Ray Farmer's) experience with him said a lot for us.”

Hanie also has experience with Chudzinski's "numbers system,'' having run it for former offensive coordinator Mike Martz in Chicago.

"Luckily, I've been in this offense with Martz,'' said Hanie. "It's not exactly the same, but (it's) the number system, the same type of deal as Norv (Turner) does here. (I did) a little bit of that in Baltimore as well, some of Cam Cameron’s stuff. I’m pretty well-versed in it, and it’s been coming along pretty quick, so I feel pretty confident with it.''

What's more, Hanie - 0-4 overall - has played on the big stage several times, including in relief of Jay Cutler in the NFC Championship following the 2010 season, a 21-14 loss to the Packers.

In that game, Hanie came off the bench in the fourth quarter and led a touchdown drive that pulled Chicago to within 14-7. He also threw a pick-six that put the Packers up 21-7, but pulled them to within 21-14 on a 35-yard touchdown pass with 4:43 left. Unfortunately for him and the Bears, he drove to the Packers' 29 at the end, and threw a fourth-down interception to preserve the Packers' trip to the Super Bowl.

Overall in that game he completed 13 of 20 attempts for 153 yards, with one TD and two interceptions for a 65.2 rating.

"I've been around,'' said Hanie. "This is my sixth year, so I'm used to the game prep and I’ve played in some games. I’ve played in some high-pressure situations – the NFC Championship a few years back against the Packers – so I’m pretty sure that’s about as intense as it gets. So I feel pretty good.''

That's why a trip to Gillette Stadium to face the surging Patriots isn't rattling him.

"It's daunting on its own, just because it's the NFL and every team is going to have good players and good schemes and it's going to go fast,'' said Hanie. "That would be why it would be daunting, not because it’s the Patriots, but I'm fine with it.''

Hanie, who's been working out at his high school back home in Dallas, indicated that four NFL starts are better than none at all.

“It’s better that I’ve at least been there, even if it was once,'' he said. "I’ve at least been there and kind of get those nerves out of the way. There will be nerves either way if that’s the case, but I at least kind of know what to expect out there and know I can do it and have confidence in myself.’

 If he does play, he doesn't anticipate having to match Tom Brady throw for throw.

“My expectation is just to make good decisions, get the ball into playmakers' hands and hold on and be protective of the football,'' he said. "Make no turnovers and stuff like that. That’s what kills you. I don’t have to win the game, but I don’t want to lose it, either. I don’t really put too much pressure on myself, or try not to. That’s my goal is just efficiency. Get the ball to the right guy on our team and protect the football.”

Hanie was disappointed the Browns didn't sign him last week after he came in for a workout, but he stayed ready.

"I felt like I had a good workout and I was disappointed to go home,'' he said. "It's kind of the business side of the NFL, so I’m kind of used to it at this point. I'm just glad to be here.''

Tanney has spent the week studying, picking the brains of the other quarterbacks and getting some pointers about New England from former Patriots and current Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer, who is out after having knee surgery.

Tanney said he's learned enough that he won't wear a wristband with the plays on it.

"What the wristbands don't give you is the opportunity to look in your teammate's eyes, and really tell them what they're going to do,'' he said. "Just growing up, my dad was a high school football coach. That's always something he always just kind of instilled in me and something that was important. You're not staring necessarily at your wristband but you're looking at those guys and they have confidence in what you're telling them.''

If Tanney gets the nod, he'll go against his boyhood idol in Brady.

"It would be something pretty special,'' said Tanney. "If I do get called, it will definitely be exciting.''

The Denver Nuggets are aiming for an eight-game winning streak. The Cleveland Cavaliers would be happy with back-to-back victories. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

The Denver Nuggets are aiming for an eight-game winning streak. The Cleveland Cavaliers would be happy with back-to-back victories. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

Get updates from Mary Schmitt Boyer @PDCavsInsider and post your comments during the game below.

Tweets by @PDcavsinsider

Tribe Fest has been divided into three sessions over two days from Jan. 25 to Jan. 26.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Tribe Fest returns to Progressive Field for the second straight year on Jan. 25-26.

Manager Terry Francona, players and alumni will be on hand to sign autographs and talk to fans. Players scheduled to attend include Michael Brantley, Mike Aviles, Carlos Santana, Danny Salazar, Yan Gomes, Corey Kluber, Zach McAllister, newcomer David Murphy and others. Prospects Trevor Bauer and Clint Frazier, No.1 pick in 2012, are also scheduled to attend.

Kenny Lofton and other Tribe alumni will be on hand as well.

Due to the large turnout for Tribe Fest last year, more of Progressive Field will be open to fans this time around, including the 1994 Party Suite, Club Lounge and Kids Clubhouse. The Indians promotion schedule and Hall of Fame Induction information will be announced as well.

Tribe Fest will be divided into three sessions:

Jan. 25: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Jan 25: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Jan. 26: noon to 6 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and are available online only. Season ticket holders can purchase tickets starting at 10 a.m. Thursday. The general public can purchase tickets starting at 10 a.m. Friday. Tickets are available at Indians.com/Tribe Fest.

Children 12 and under can attend free when their tickets are reserved by the purchase of an adult ticket. The limit is two children per paying adult.

Tickets for children at the gate are $5.

There will also be a charge for the autograph sessions, which can be paid when purchasing admission tickets online. Fans are limited to one guaranteed autograph ticket per person so as many fans can gain access to the players as possible. Here are prices for the autograph sessions:

$10 for Indians minor league prospects.

$15 for Indians players on the major league roster.

$20 for Indians alumni.

There will be 250 tickets sold to each autograph session. The team does not guarantee autographs from specific players, just a place in line. If autograph sessions are not sold out, fans will be allowed to wait in line for autographs, time permitting, on a first come, first serve basis.

Among the other activities, fans can take tours of the home clubhouse, listen to question and answer sessions with Tribe players and broadcasters. Young fans can take batting practice (waivers required) in the Progressive Field batting cages. Concessions will be available in the Club Lounge.

For more details go to Indians.com/TribeFest.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 2013 Associated Press Division VII All-Ohio high school football team, based on the recommendations of a state media panel: DIVISION VII First Team OFFENSE: Ends: Austin Downs, Glouster Trimble, 6-0, 170, jr.; Connor Hug, Edon, 6-1, 175, sr.; Clay Dysert, McComb, 6-1, 175, sr. Linemen: Logan Grieser, Arlington, 6-3, 281, jr.; Eddie Simon, Norwalk St....

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 2013 Associated Press Division VII All-Ohio high school football team, based on the recommendations of a state media panel:
DIVISION VII
First Team
OFFENSE: Ends: Austin Downs, Glouster Trimble, 6-0, 170, jr.; Connor Hug, Edon, 6-1, 175, sr.; Clay Dysert, McComb, 6-1, 175, sr. Linemen: Logan Grieser, Arlington, 6-3, 281, jr.; Eddie Simon, Norwalk St. Paul, 6-2, 245, sr.; Jordan Wolfe, Covington, 5-10, 275, sr.; Cory Banco, Shadyside, 6-3, 278, sr. Quarterbacks: Ridge Durbin, Danville, 6-3, 228, soph.; Brenton Colabella, Steubenville Cath. Cent., 6-3, 190, sr.; Konner Standley, Glouster Trimble, 5-10, 180, sr.; Jo'Vaugn Scott, Richmond Hts., 6-1, 185, sr.; Nick Allison, Berlin Center Western Reserve, 6-5, 195, sr. Backs: A.J. Ouellette, Covington, 5-10, 195, sr.; Tyler Jettinghoff, Delphos St. John's, 6-2, 217, sr.; Austin Rettig, Arlington, 6-0, 190, jr.; Cobin Plessinger, Malvern, 6-0, 190, sr.; Travis Pickering, Ashland Mapleton, 5-11, 175, jr.; Delaunte Thornton, Fort Loramie, 5-8, 197, sr. Kicker: Scottie Slauterbeck, Norwalk St. Paul, 6-1, 195, sr.
DEFENSE: Linemen: Conway Baldridge, Danville, 6-2, 185, sr.; Zach Meadows, Shadyside, 5-11, 266, sr.; Steven Feasel, N. Lewisburg Triad, 6-3, 200, sr.; Jon Stevens, Glouster Trimble, 5-10, 5-10, 230, sr.; Corey Durbin, Fremont St. Joseph, 6-0, 260, sr. Linebackers: Jacob Koons, Glouster Trimble, 6-2, 200, sr.; Antonio Capasso, Garfield Hts. Trinity, 5-10, 220, sr.; Dan Zilke, Berlin Center Western Reserve, 6-0, 201, sr.; Jacob Kunkler, Maria Stein Marion Local, 6-2, 180, sr. Backs: Tre Roberts, Grove City Christian, 5-9, 175, jr.; Dakota Smith, Portsmouth Notre Dame, 6-0, 180, sr.; Austin Morehouse, Danville, 5-11, 175, jr.; Tre McIntyre, N. Lewisburg Triad, 6-1, 195, sr.; Corey Freeman, Bainbridge Paint Valley, 5-8, 165, jr.; Marcus Moxley, Wellsville, 6-0, 175, sr.; Jon Baker, Mineral Ridge, 5-10, 175, sr. Punter: Robert King, Cols. Harvest Prep, 5-8, 200, sr.
Offensive players of the year: A.J. Ouellette, Covington; Nick Allison, Berlin Center Western Reserve, Konner Standley, Glouster Trimble; Tyler Jettinghoff, Delphos St. John's.
Defensive players of the year: Jacob Koons, Glouster Trimble; Jacob Kunkler, Maria Stein Marion Local.
Coaches of the year: Paul Kanzigg, Beallsville; Robert Mahaney, Ashland Mapleton; Tim Goodwin, Maria Stein Marion Local.
Second Team
OFFENSE: Ends: Darien Townsend, Youngs. Christian, 5-10, 175, jr.; Drew Westerheide, Sidney Lehman, 5-11, 160, sr.; Ryan Fletcher, Steubenville Cath. Cent., 6-0, 180, sr. Linemen: Michael Minnie, Lowellville, 5-10, 270, sr.; Spencer Ginter, Delphos St. John's, 6-4, 255, sr.; Jason Brunswick, Maria Stein Marion Local, 6-2, 220, sr.; Jimmy Leanza, Richmond Hts., 5-10, 205, sr. Quarterbacks: Adam Bertke, Maria Stein Marion Local, 6-6, 215, sr.; Zach Kuhlman, Leipsic, 6-3, 190, jr. Backs: Kaleb Johns, Hicksville, 6-1, 170, sr.; Jarrett Young, Thompson Ledgemont, 5-7, 150, soph.; Tyler Barton, Racine Southern, 5-11, 181, sr. Kicker: Tristan Stripling, Fort Loramie, 5-10, 178, sr.
DEFENSE: Linemen: Marcus Sommers, Tiffin Calvert, 6-1, 220, sr.; Peyton Kramer, Maria Stein Marion Local, 6-2, 200, jr.; Dalton Secrest, Beallsville, 6-2, 270, sr.; Tymere Dubose, Youngs. Christian, 6-6, 270, sr.; Lamont Ragland, Day. Jefferson Twp., 6-1, 255, jr. Linebackers: Jaret Nickoli, Norwalk St. Paul, 5-9, 165, soph.; Dalton Bordelon, Covington, 5-10, 180, sr.; Nate Yoakum, Bainbridge Paint Valley, 6-0, 185, sr.; Brendan Baugher, Southington Chalker, 5-8, 180, sr. Backs: Dustin Rethman, Maria Stein Marion Local, 6-0, 175, jr.; Andrew Hunter, Arlington, 5-11, 158, sr.; Mitch Schroeder, McComb, 5-11, 175, sr.; Jake Yeckley, Fremont St. Joseph, 5-9, 160, jr. Punter: Ryan Billingsley, Racine Southern, 5-10, 255, jr.
Third Team
OFFENSE: Ends: Joe Falasca, Berlin Center Western Reserve, 6-5, 182, jr.; Troy Homan, Maria Stein Marion Local, 6-2, 195, sr. Linemen: Austin Volino, Malvern, 6-0, 220, sr.; Alexi Cubas, Caldwell, 5-11, 215, sr.; Hunter Powell, Berlin Center Western Reserve, 6-4, 350, jr.; Micah Couch, Glouster Trimble, 6-5, 220, jr. Quarterbacks: Trent McIntyre, N. Lewisburg Triad, 6-0, 190, soph.; Austin Dorris, Shadyside, 6-5, 215, jr.; Michael Roscoe, Warren JFK, 5-11, 180, jr. Backs: Ben Kerns, Lancaster Fisher Cath., 5-10, 185, jr.; Dylan Mick, Sebring McKinley, 6-1, 180, sr.; Jordan Johnson, Fairport Harbor Harding, 5-10, 175, sr.; Khalil Jones, Steubenville Cath. Central, 5-9, 155, sr. Kickers: Jordan Franklin, Manchester, 6-2, 240, jr.; Anthony Ruegg, Malvern, 5-9, 200, sr.; Tristan Taylor, Grove City Christian, 5-9, 145, jr.
DEFENSE: Linemen: Kameron Rayner, Caldwell, 5-9, 150, sr.; Mason Barr, Vienna Mathews, 6-0, 245, sr.; Josh Rogers, Cedarville, 6-0, 210, sr.; Dan Stintsman, Elyria Open Door, 6-3, 185, jr.; Dennis Robinson, Elyria Open Door, 5-11, 265, jr. Linebackers: Josh Goss, Mineral Ridge, 5-10, 180, sr.; Jesse Terwilliger, Lowellville, 6-1, 185, sr.; Casey Stauffer, Grove City Christian, 5-7, 185, sr.; Josh Elledge, Arlington, 6-0, 197, sr.; Cody Looser, Delphos St. John's, , 6-3, 215, sr. Backs: Bailey McGrath, Bridgeport, 5-9, 185, jr.; Aleks Porreca, Steubenville Cath. Central, 5-10, 170, sr.; Zac Beegle, Racine Southern, 5-10, 165, sr.; Brayden Greer, Crown City S. Gallia, 5-7, 135, jr.; Jared Northup, Crown City S. Gallia, 5-9, 145, sr. Punter: Erik Maskey, Sycamore Mohawk, 6-2, 210, sr.
Special Mention
Greg Briggs, Danville; Jake Stoughton, Lancaster Fisher Cath.; Brian Miller, Lancaster Fairfield Christian; Landon Aurentz, Grove City Christian; Josh Coleman, Lancaster Fairfield Christian; Nick Hawk, Danville; Hunter Pharis, Cols. Harvest Prep; Luke Schmelzer, Lancaster Fisher Cath.; Zach Stayner, Morral Ridgedale; Ben Tobin, Lancaster Fairfield Christian; Jake Armentrout, Cols. Crusaders; Josh Evans, Lancaster Fisher Cath.; Nate High, Grove City Christian; Andy Payne, Danville; Austin Gonzales, Danville; Caleb Walz, Lancaster Fairfield Christian; Gideon Woodson-Levey, Cols. Harvest Prep; R.J. Johnson, Cols. Harvest Prep; Hayden Muckensturm, Lancaster Fisher Cath.;
Trey Tucci, Malvern; Bricker Lori, Caldwell; Chris Littell, Shadyside; Derek Lucas, Beallsville; Mitch Haasz, Malvern; Cade Cummings, New Philadelphia Tuscarawas Cath.; Colton Campbell, Shadyside; Tom Addy, Strasburg-Franklin; Marty Engle, Steubenville Cath. Cent.; Eric Howell, Shadyside; Eddie Zinn-Turner, Malvern; Andrew Minosky, Caldwell; Darren Wartluft, Malvern; Carson Haney, New Philadelphia Tuscarawas Central; Louis Fallon, Steubenville Cath. Cent.; Chris Murphy, Steubenville Cath. Cent.; Cody King, Toronto; Tanner Clark, Caldwell;
Hunter Johnson, Racine Southern; Dakota Morgan, Bainbridge Paint Valley; C.J. Smith, Portsmouth Notre Dame; Tyler Gerald, Portsmouth Sciotoville; Ben Ferguson, Willow Wood Symmes Valley; Tristen Wolfe, Racine Southern; Garrett Sinift, Corning Miller; Jacob White, Crown City S. Gallia; Teagan McFadden, Bainbridge Paint Valley; Mark Clifford, Bainbridge Paint Valley; Tyler Rowe, Willow Wood Symmes Valley; Ethan Spurlock, Crown City S. Gallia; Roger Bunce, Reedsville Eastern; Daniel Ogg, Portsmouth Notre Dame; Tanner Koons, Glouster Trimble; Tyler Celeski, Willow Wood Symmes Valley; Daniel Brinker, Manchester; Paul Ramthun, Racine Southern; Austin Lang, Waterford; Jack Kayser, Portsmouth Notre Dame; Terry Simerly, Glouster Trimble; Tyler Dement, Willow Wood Symmes Valley; Cole Hensley, Manchester; Jordan Freeman, Manchester;
Doug Lowe, N. Lewisburg Triad; Craig Fullenkamp, Fort Loramie; Dalton Subler, Ansonia; David Ahrns, Fort Loramie; Jake McCreary, N. Lewisburg Triad; Caleb Coe, Cedarville; Diondre Scott, Cin. College Prep Acad.; Garrett Eilerman, Fort Loramie; Cody Leach, Fairfield Cin. Christian; Skylar Brown, Sidney Lehman; Anaiah Freeman, Cin. Riverview E. Acad.; Aaron Abernathy, Cin. Gamble Montessori; Logan McGee, Fort Loramie;
Kyle McSweeney, Garfield Hts. Trinity; Griffin Filippi, Garfield Hts. Trinity; Jareese Pritchard, Richmond Hts.; Landon Scott, Richmond Hts.; Andrew Jordan, Fairport Harbor Harding; Anthony Titus, Richmond Hts.; Cory Haire, Garfield Hts. Trinity; Julian Peters, Richmond Hts.; Justin Young, Thompson Ledgemont; Rasheed Lewis, Richmond Hts.; Mike McKeon, Thompson Ledgemont; Brett Dawson, Garfield Hts. Trinity;
Connor Black, Ashland Mapleton; Jared Taylor, Windham; Greg Beatty, Wellsville; Chris Gregg, Ashland Mapleton; Zack Van Giesen, Leetonia; Seth Bradford, Wellsville; Clay Libertore, E. Canton; Parker Clegg, Berlin Center Western Reserve;
Andrew Nauth, McComb; Bryce Hartman, Arlington; Ryan Reikowski, Norwalk St. Paul; Bennett Weickert, Fremont St. Joseph.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 2013 Associated Press Division VI All-Ohio high school football team, based on the recommendations of a state media panel: DIVISION VI

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 2013 Associated Press Division VI All-Ohio high school football team, based on the recommendations of a state media panel:

DIVISION VI

First Team

OFFENSE: Ends: Korbin Showalter, Haviland Wayne Trace, 6-1, 180, sr.; Devin Mize, New Paris National Trail, 5-9, 155, sr.; Thomas Gatewood, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton, 5-9, 165, sr. Linemen: Brady Taylor, Cols. Ready, 6-5, 280, sr.; Mike Cymbal, Kirtland, 6-1, 235, sr.; Brandon Woodruff, Mechanicsburg, 6-4, 245, jr.; Brenden Jurden, Newark Cath., 6-2, 265, sr. Quarterbacks: Spencer Badia, Bellaire, 5-10, 180, sr.; Antonio Woods, Cin. Summit Country Day, 6-1, 185, sr.; Colby Speice, Haviland Wayne Trace, 6-3, 200, sr. Backs: Akili Taylor, Cols. Ready, 5-9, 187, sr.; Nate Arnett, Lucasville Valley, 6-0, 205, sr.; Marvelle Ross, Villa Angela-St. Joseph, 5-9, 150, sr.; Joe Alessi, Canfield S. Range, 5-9, 175, jr. Aeryton Erwin, Mechanicsburg, 5-8, 155, jr.; Sam Kukura, Kirtland, 5-10, 200, sr. Kicker: Tyler Kohman, Columbus Academy, 6-2, 175, sr.

DEFENSE: Linemen: Michael Barwick, Cin. Summit Country Day, 6-3, 300, jr.; Ryan Bee, Jeromesville Hillsdale, 6-7, 250, sr.; Colt Pettit, Hamler Patrick Henry, 6-4, 260, sr.; Canon Schroeder, Kirtland, 6-2, 200, sr.; Isaac Little, Bluffton, 6-3, 210, sr. Linebackers: Logan Wilson, Sugarcreek Garaway, 6-2, 205, sr.; Justin Dickens, Oak Hill, 6-5, 195, sr.; Matthew Finkler, Kirtland, 6-3, 235, jr.; Alvin Knox, Cols. Ready, 6-0, 201, jr.; Tyler Lauchard, Mechanicsburg, 6-0, 195, sr. Backs: Derek Drewes, Defiance Tinora, 6-1, 180, sr.; Ryan Loncar, Kirtland, 5-11, 190, sr.; Billy Goodall, Canfield S. Range, 5-10, 165, sr.; Reid Renollet, Defiance Tinora, 6-0, 170, sr. Punter: Anthony Moeglin, Louisville Aquinas, 6-1, 190, jr.

Offensive players of the year: Akili Taylor, Cols. Ready; Colby Speice, Haviland Wayne Trace.

Defensive players of the year: Matthew Finkler, Kirtland; Colt Pettit, Hamler Patrick Henry.

Coaches of the year: Jim Stoyle, Centerburg; John Storey, Villa Angela-St. Joseph; Tim Dunn, Cin. Country Day; Ryan Teglovic, N. Robinson Col. Crawford.

Second Team

OFFENSE: Ends: Ethan Wolf, Minster, 6-5, 240, sr.; Evan Vernier, Louisville Aquinas, 5-7, 145, jr. Linemen: Wyatt Black, Bellaire, 6-0, 265, sr.; Garrett Sorley, Canfield S. Range, 6-3, 230, sr.; Carson Williams, McDonald, 6-1, 275, sr.; Austin Mahan, Defiance Tinora, 5-11, 210, sr. Quarterbacks: Tre'Von Williams, Villa Angela-St. Joseph, 6-3, 200, jr.; Matt Wilcox, Ada, 6-2, 175, sr.; Jeremy Fitzpatrick, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton, 6-4, 185, sr. Backs: Jibril Dansby, Newcomerstown, 5-9, 160, jr.; Zavier Buzard, Delphos Jefferson, 5-10, 170, sr.; Kiylan Bugg, Oberlin, 5-2, 130, sr. Kicker: Cody LaRoche, Bellaire, 6-0, 255, jr.

DEFENSE: Linemen: Luke Miller, Grandview Hts., 6-3, 235, sr.; Robbie Adams, Casstown Miami E., 5-11, 185, sr.;. Devin Wenzlich, Haviland Wayne Trace, 6-2, 210, sr.; Jason Garlando, Newcomerstown, 5-8, 160, sr.; Mark Schuler, New Middletown Springfield, 6-4, 220, jr. Linebackers: Ross Thompson, Delphos Jefferson, 6-0, 200, sr.; Justin Flory, Defiance Tinora, 6-2, 190, jr.; Nick Jones, Woodsfield Monroe Central, 5-11, 166, sr.; Ben Burden, W. Liberty-Salem, 6-0, 190, jr. Backs: Zach Shope, Lucasville Valley, 5-9, 160, sr.; Lane Edmisten, Williamsburg, 5-10, 175, sr.; Kelly Culbertson, Cols. Ready, 5-9, 175, sr.; Mike Lohr, Newark Cath., 5-8, 150, sr. Punter: Chayce Crouch, Newark Cath., 6-4, 222, sr.

Third Team

OFFENSE: Ends: Mykale Rogers, Lima Cent. Cath., 6-2, 191, sr.; Nick Patrone, Bellaire, 5-9, 165, sr. Linemen: Kovas Kijauskas,Villa Angela-St. Joseph, 6-5, 280, jr.; Dylan Diemer, Kirtland, 5-11, 240, jr.; Isaac Illig, Delphos Jefferson, 5-11, 175, sr.; Demaree Allen, Lima Central Cath., 6-5, 270, sr.; T.J. Blackmore, Haviland Wayne Trace, 6-5, 215, sr. Quarterbacks: Austin Hutchins, Lewisburg Tri-County N., 6-3, 175, sr.; Tyler Stoyle, Centerburg, 5-11, 160, sr.; Chandler Lang, Beverly Fort Frye, 5-9, 158, sr. Backs: Brandon Berry, Mogadore, 5-9, 175, jr.; Joey Clark, Brookfield, 5-8, 180, sr.; Tobey Hernandez, Hamler Patrick Henry, 5-9, 190, sr.; J.R. Menifee, Cin. Country Day, 5-9, 165, sr. Kicker: Jacob Vickers, Northwood, 5-11, 155, soph.

DEFENSE: Linemen: Scott Miller, Convoy Crestview, 6-3, 240, sr.; Hayden Dunn, Lucasville Valley, 6-4, 245, sr.; Alex Loop, Lucasville Valley, 5-10, 190, jr.; Mike Buzzard, Columbiana, 6-4, 215, sr. Linebackers: Kenny Hess, Bellaire, 6-0, 190, sr.; Garrett Bethel, W. Lafayette Ridgewood, 5-10, 180, sr.; Tyler Shaffer, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton, 5-11, 190, sr.; Ben Huff, Cuyahoga Heights, 5-7, 166, jr. Backs: Trent Gallo, Cuyahoga Heights, 5-8, 150, sr.; Darryn Jordan, Cin. Country Day, 6-1, 195, soph.; Jonathon Harrison, Oak Hill, 5-8, 130, jr.; C.J. Suggs, Cin. Summit Country Day, 6-0, 165, jr. Punter: Brandon Purk, Mechanicsburg, 6-2, 180, sr.

Special Mention

Lee Solomon, Columbus Academy; Jake Stewart, Centerburg; Tyler Krumlauf, Columbus Academy; Sanford Holden, Centerburg; Matt Stidenmund, Milford Center Fairbanks; Grant Varner, Grandview Hts.; Tyler Ruhl, Fredericktown; Dylan Wears, Howard E. Knox; Jimmy Carpenter, Milford Center Fairbanks; Spencer Chapman, Newark Cath.; Reed Clark, Columbus Academy; Givin Hinkle, Fredericktown; Isaac Sheumaker, Columbus Academy; Connor Smith, Milford Center Fairbanks; Jeremy Sesma, Centerburg; Anthony Wing, Newark Cath.; Curtis Nixon, Woodsfield Monroe Central; Jordan Sapp, Hannibal River; Levi Brown, Woodsfield Monroe Central; Connor Troyer, Sugarcreek Garaway; Darnell Crider-Harris, Newcomerstown; Austin Yackey, Sugarcreek Garaway; Brett Rosen, Hannibal River; Marshall Mozena, Woodsfield Monroe Central; Tommy Layman, W. Lafayette Ridgewood; Cordell Gauding, Woodsfield Monroe Central; Mike Jones, Woodsfield Monroe Central; Mitchell Meeks, Newcomerstown; Bryce Cross, Hannibal River; Brendon Ross, Bellaire; Cody Hall, Newcomerstown; Austin Zufelt, Newcomerstown;
Jeremy Warren, Nelsonville-York; Conor Markins, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant; Jordon Fisher, Oak Hill; Cory Bradley, Lucasville Valley; Austen Pleasants, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant; Tavian Miller, Belpre; Manny Tullius, Belpre; Delbert Crum, Stewart Federal Hocking; Jay Elliott, Nelsonville-York; Nate Daniels, Crooksville; Joe Akers, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant; Josh Williams, Oak Hill; D.J. Leftwich, Belpre; Noah Andrews, Nelsonville-York; Peyton Seel, Stewart Federal Hocking; Dylan Love, Crooksville; Ty Slayton, Crooksville; Mason Waugh, Oak Hill; Bryan Rolfe, Lucasville Valley; Damien Richard, Versailles; Kyle Crawford, W. Liberty-Salem; Mantero Moreno-Cheek, Cin. Country Day; Garrett Griffin, New Paris National Trail; Mason Hall, Williamsburg; Michael Fellers, Casstown Miami E.; Jordan Wright, Williamsburg; Mason Garber, Arcanum; Kyle Dieringer, Versailles; Franco Villella, Casstown Miami E.; Sam Skiljan, Kirtland; Adam Hess, Kirtland; Jaylen Harris, Villa Angela-St. Joseph; Tyler Gallo, Cuyahoga Heights; Erin Williams, Villa Angela-St. Joseph; Zac Lowther, Cuyahoga Heights; Jordan Martin, Cuyahoga Heights; Jordan Ianiro, Kirtland; Brad Blankenship, Kirtland; Chase Kiriazis, Cuyahoga Heights; TreShon Walker, Villa Angela-St. Joseph; Keanu Martin, Berkshire; Kyle Storm, Berkshire; Cody Charvat, Berkshire; Tyler Cruickshank, Villa Angela-St. Joseph; Ben Blechschmid, Berkshire; Adam Metzger, Dalton; James Laisure, Louisville Aquinas; Kenny Vechik, Mogadore; Gabe Crowe, New Middletown Springfield; Bryce Bauman, Smithville; Riley Jones, Mogadore; Andy Owens, Mogadore; Jake Ruiz, Canfield S. Range; Jerry Morehart, Dalton; Bryce Huth, Mogadore; Doug Cline, Jeromesville Hillsdale; Matt Morrell, McDonald; Ryan Kohler, New Middletown Springfield; R.J. Leon, Brookfield; Eli Wolf, Minster; Evan Ulinski, Elmore Woodmore; Alex Miller, N. Robinson Colonel Crawford; Jacob Goble, Carey; Kurt Kahle, Defiance Tinora; Dominik Bermejo, Northwood; Saed Al-Olimat, Ada; Jordan McCann, Delphos Jefferson; Kalito Lasenby, Lima Cent. Cath.; Logan Ziegler, Hamler Patrick Henry; Logan Campbell, Ashland Crestview; Robbie Stratton, Bluffton; Isaiah Simeran, Convoy Crestview; Nate Klingenberger, N. Robinson Colonel Crawford.

AKRON, Ohio -- Wednesday night was the night before the second straight football state title game for Dante Booker Jr. of St. Vincent-St. Mary. It was the night when he had his final Irish practice of his high school career.

AKRON, Ohio -- Wednesday night was the night before the second straight football state title game for Dante Booker Jr. of St. Vincent-St. Mary.

It was the night when he had his final Irish practice of his high school career.

It was the night the Ohio State commit was riding to the gym for a little workout with his father when he looked up from his phone and said, "Dad, I just got Mr. Football."

“Stop lying,” his father, a former Auburn defensive lineman, said.

The look in his son’s eyes quickly told Dante Booker Sr. that his son wasn’t joking.

Dante Booker Jr. was named Ohio's Mr. Football for the 2013 season by the Associated Press on Wednesday night. He is the first Irish football player to earn the award, which is the state's top individual honor.

“I’ve seen the list of players that were up for the nominations and with him being a defensive player, they don’t get a lot of those type of accolades,” Booker Sr. said. “There are great players that he had the company of being in contention with.”

See a story with links to highlight videos, stories, and more here.

Booker Jr. is, in fact, a rare defensive selection. He is the first to be honored for his defensive efforts since Andy Katzenmoyer of Westerville South in 1995.

The Irish linebacker's 109 tackles and two interceptions helped 2012 champion SVSM return to the Division III state title game, which is Thursday at Massillon against Trotwood Madison. His best game this season was when he amassed 17 tackles, eight solo, against Thurgood Marshall in a 41-12 victory.

When cleveland.com called Booker Jr. to talk to him about the award, the humble linebacker asked if he was really going to be interviewed. When he was convinced his quotes were wanted, he said he wanted one thing printed.

“I think it’s a huge honor and I’m excited to bring it to St. V. but I’d like it known that I couldn’t get it without my teammates,” Booker Jr. said. “I’d like to share it with every one of my teammates and guys like Parris (Campbell Jr.) and Newman (Williams). I want to share this award with my teammates and my school.”

Booker Jr. is the leading tackler on the Irish's 14-0 team. He also was named the Defensive Player of the Year for Ohio in Division III. The senior linebacker is also a U.S. Army All-American. He is ranked as the No. 65 prospect in the country, per Rivals.com.

Booker Jr. is also Irish coach Dan Boarman’s second Mr. Football. Boarman coached Ohio’s 2005 Mr. Football Delone Carter at Copley.

“All right,” Boarman exclaimed when cleveland.com told him of the honor his linebacker received. “All right!

“I think it’s a great note. I’m one of the luckiest guys in the world. To have two is unbelievable.

“He’s definitely a young man that is deserving. He’s probably going to tell you that he doesn’t deserve it. That’s really the nature of this young man. He’s humble, but he’s very deserving of it.”

Booker Jr., a four-star prospect, would be the ninth Ohio Mr. Football to play for the Buckeyes.

“It just shows that the great players have gone to Ohio State and the tradition that is at that school,” Booker Jr. said.

This year marks the second straight season a Northeast Ohio player was named Mr. Football. Mentor quarterback Mitch Trubisky, now at North Carolina, received the award last year. Mentor's current quarterback, Conner Krizancic, was one of the candidates considered for this year's award as well.

Northeast Ohio players haven't won the award back-to-back since Tyrell Sutton of Archbishop Hoban and Copley's Carter won it in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

The award has been given out annually since 1987 to the top player regardless of division. Booker Jr. is the 27th Mr. Football (see list).

So was there anything else Booker Jr. wanted to say about the honor?

“Make sure you put that I want to share it with Parris, Newman and all my teammates,” Booker said.

That’s a winner for Ohio on and off the field.

Contact high school sports reporter Stephanie Kuzydym by email (skuzydym@cleveland.com) or on Twitter (@stephkuzy). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

AKRON, Ohio — St. Vincent-St. Mary linebacker Dante Booker Jr. has been named Ohio's Mr. Football for 2013, symbolic of the state's best high school football player, as reported by cleveland.com's Stephanie Kuzydym. Here, we celebrate Booker's award. Following the first video, check the links to stories about Booker and his accomplishments, and watch more video reports. Booker has...

AKRON, Ohio — St. Vincent-St. Mary linebacker Dante Booker Jr. has been named Ohio's Mr. Football for 2013, symbolic of the state's best high school football player, as reported by cleveland.com's Stephanie Kuzydym.

Here, we celebrate Booker's award. Following the first video, check the links to stories about Booker and his accomplishments, and watch more video reports. Booker has made an oral commitment to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and has been the subject of many stories among the local media.

Last season, Mentor quarterback Mitch Trubisky won the award after guiding Mentor to the state semifinals. Booker was the leader of a dominating defense for the Fighting Irish this season, as they have allowed just 8.4 points per game.

Video:

Highlights from Dante Booker during his junior season.

Dante Booker story links

While his father was a linebacker at Auburn, Booker is determined to not join the SEC, but rather beat the SEC. (By Ari Wasserman, Northeast Ohio Media Group)

With teammate Parris Campbell joining him, the duo put on a terrific performance at Nike's The Opening.(By Rodger Sherman, SBnation.com)

With the success of Booker and the St. Vincent-St. Mary football team, the Fighting Irish are proving that they are more than just a basketball school. (By Darren Tracy, examiner.com)

The Akron Beacon Journal named Booker their 2013 player of the year. (By Michael Beaven, Akron Beacon Journal)

When he verbally committed to Ohio State, he became the ninth player that said they wanted to become a Buckeye. (By Matt Barker, buckeyebanter.com)

Booker joined the Glenville trio of Erick Smith, Marshon Lattimore and Marcelys Jones as Northeast Ohio football players that were invited to the Army All American Bowl. (Northeast Ohio Media Group, cleveland.com)

VIDEOS:

Dante Booker Jr. showing off his playmaking ability with an interception for a touchdown at Nike's The Opening.

Booker talking about his decision to attend Ohio State, and his performance at summer camps.

Brian Shaw came close to being the Cavaliers coach in the summer of 2010 when Byron Scott was hired instead.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Yes, Denver coach Brian Shaw said, there was a point at which he thought he was going to be hired as the coach of the Cavaliers.

He even got a congratulatory text from Byron Scott, the other candidate in the summer of 2010 after Mike Brown was fired and Danny Ferry resigned but before LeBron James announced his decision to go to Miami.

Shaw interviewed almost 15 hours over two days with owner Dan Gilbert and general manager Chris Grant, and there were reports he had a contract. Even Scott's agent conceded.

So what happened?

"It was very bizarre,'' said Shaw, whose interview with Denver was the 12th in his quest to become a head coach for the first time. The Cavs interview, he said, was No. 4 or 5.

His agent, Jerome Stanley, went in to another room to negotiate with the Cavs owners and Grant. Meanwhile, Shaw called Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who was waiting to see if doctors would clear him to coach another season because of health concerns. Jackson got permission to coach one more season, so now Shaw was weighing whether he should return to the Lakers and see what happened there. Finally, the agent, owners and Grant returned.

"But when they came back in the room they just said, 'Well, we'll let you know something very soon,' and I got on the plane,'' Shaw said. "I did get a text from Byron saying congratulations. I started getting texts from a lot of people saying that. I was like, 'Nothing's happened yet.' I got back on the plane and went back to L.A. and then they announced that they had negotiated with Byron Scott and selected him.

"Once I got back on the plane to go to L.A., however it worked out, that job wasn't going to be my job. I think that's why we met so long. That's why things happened the way they did. I don't think they wanted me to get back on the plane. I felt like if I did get back on the plane that it was done deal that I wasn't going to be here.''

Familiar face: Shaw coached Cavs center Andrew Bynum with the Lakers and knows what a force he can be.

"Obviously, he's a big guy, takes up a lot of space,'' Shaw said. "I don't know where he is health-wise. But I know during the time I was coaching him from his first year in the league, he came a long way. I know he's missed a lot of games due to injury. We knew that when we got him with the Lakers. Even through high school, he had missed a lot of games.

"But when he's in shape and when he's healthy, he can be a dominant force out there on the floor, just in terms of his size. He has a nice touch around the basket. He can block shots. He can rebound and really dominate a game.

"One of the areas we will try to exploit him is try to beat him up and down the floor. … We have some bigs that are athletic and can really get out and run. So we don't want to get into position where he can establish position both on the offensive end and the defensive end and make problems for us.''

Shaw said Bynum is learning how to adjust to getting older.

"You don't have the same power, the same explosiveness, the same speed and athletic ability that you once had when you first came in as a youngster,'' Shaw said. "So you have to learn how to position yourself, pace yourself, in order to be effective in certain areas.''

Been there, done that: Former Cavalier J.J. Hickson struggled as a rookie in Cleveland, and the Nuggets center was asked if he had any advice for No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett.

“You’ve got to find a niche,'' he said. "It takes some longer than others. You've got to find your niche and do what you do and never forget the basketball player that you are. A lot of guys make the mistake of coming into the league and try to work on too many things. Just do what you do. The other stuff will come as you get older.”

Asked how tough it was to adjust to Brown's system, Hickson smiled -- and his answer revealed part of the reason he struggled.

"I know it sounds like a broken record when he talks, but it works,'' Hickson said of Brown. ''He doesn’t have the [championship] rings to show it, but he has the wins.

I know it took me a whole year, year-and-a-half, to buy into it, because who wants to come to practice to work on defense? But in this league that’s what wins championships, and that’s something I had to understand at a young age. Once I got it, and once a team gets it, that team usually makes it far in the playoffs or wins championships.”

The Browns rank 30th in surrendering red-zone touchdowns.

BEREA, Ohio -- Ray Horton is a stats maven.

The Browns' defensive coordinator loves to peruse numbers to track the progress of his unit, which overall is enjoying a solid season. But an inability to stop opponents in the red zone has produced some unsightly percentages. In fact, the team is headed for its most futile performance since 1990.

The Browns have surrendered 22 TDs on opponents’ 34 trips inside the 20. That’s a 64.71 conversion rate, ranking them 30th in the NFL. Since the club returned in 1999, its worst finish came in 2004 (58.49). The Browns have not allowed touchdowns on 64 percent of drives in the red zone since 1990, when they finished at 70.2, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

They rank fourth overall in team defense and have made slight improvements in troublesome areas such as opponent’s third-down conversions. But the red zone has been an issue most of the season.

The Browns yielded two such touchdowns on four red-zone trips Sunday in a 32-28 loss to Jacksonville. One occurred on an 8-yard halfback pass from Maurice Jones-Drew. The game-winning score, a 20-yard pass from Chad Henne to Cecil Shorts, did not count against the Browns’ total as it came one yard outside the zone.

“It’s been a number of things,” coach Rob Chudzinski said. “(Sunday) we had a communication breakdown on one of the coverages. They ran the trick play, halfback pass, which is a tough one. It’s a tough thing to defend.

“We’ve been working hard on (red-zone defense) and we’ve recognized that. We’ve been working extra over the course of the week and in practice in addressing that. It’s something that we have to really harp on and improve on.”

Free safety Tashaun Gipson said he doesn’t believe the struggles have created a mental block for a defense yielding just 306.8 yards per game.

“I think it’s just going out there and (having) the will to compete,” he said. “I’m not saying that we don’t compete 'cause we compete 100 percent of the time. But they’ve been able to execute and we haven’t been able to. That’s what happened. When they get in the red zone, no matter the circumstance, as I said, we definitely have got to keep them out, at least hold them to a field goal ...”

The recent rash of turnovers – 11 in the past three games – have forced the unit to defend short fields on occasion, but every team deals with that. The Browns’ 23 giveaways rank eighth-most in the NFL.

"As you guys see, we go out there on a short field sometimes," Gipson said. "I’m not making that as an excuse, but it’s tough sometimes. It’s tough for any good defense. I don’t care whether it’s the ’85 Bears. But at the end of the day, we just got to truly come down and make plays.”

Big opportunity: Rookie cornerback Leon McFadden knows he’s likely to attract the attention of New England quarterback Tom Brady on Sunday. It’s a challenge he’s embracing.

“I understand that,” McFadden said of Brady’s likelihood of targeting him. “I'm going to step up to the plate and handle that task.”

The third-round pick is expected to see his most extensive duty against the Patriots in place of Chris Owens, who’s sidelined for the remainder of the season with a knee sprain.

McFadden was hampered in training camp with a groin injury and struggled in preseason games against Indianapolis and Chicago. He didn’t earn his first defensive snap until Week 8 against Kansas City. But in the past two games McFadden has received more playing time, getting a season-high 31 snaps versus Jacksonville.

He said the biggest adjustment is defending receivers when quarterbacks take three-step drops, something he rarely encountered at San Diego State. He’ll play mostly in nickel and dime packages.

Chudzinski said he’s watched McFadden progress in recent weeks and he’s merited the playing time.

Back to work: Inside linebackers Craig Robertson (knee) and Tank Carder (shoulder) practiced Wednesday after both were inactive for the Jacksonville game. Robertson has been sidelined for the past two games.

Brownies: The club promoted receiver Brian Tyms from the practice squad on Wednesday. It also released linebacker Justin Staples from the practice squad and signed defensive back T.J. Heath, defensive lineman Cam Henderson and linebacker Jonathan Stewart to the practice squad.

A seven-game home stand came to an end for Kent State Wednesday night with a 66-59 loss. Now the Golden Flashes look at a 17-day break for final exams before playing again.

John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

KENT, Ohio -- A long second-half scoring drought turned a small lead into a deficit Kent State's basketball team could not overcome.

Bucknell used quality 3-point shooting to top KSU, 66-59, in the M.A.C. Center Wednesday night to end a seven-game homestand and start a 17-day semester break for final exams.

Forward Darren Goodsen paced Kent with 18 points. But it came with far too many 3-point attempts (eight) and without the assists or rebounding the Flashes need from their senior to earn a quality victory. Add in a scoreless night for senior center Mark Henniger and this was a grind KSU could not pull out.

Down the stretch when Kent needed quality shots, they got quick ones instead. The most glaring was by Goodsen, late in the game, as he hauled in a defensive rebound, dribbled to the top of the key and launched, without looking.

It was an air ball.

Kent would tie moments later, 53-53, on a driving layup from Kellen Thomas. But Bucknell's leading scorer, Cameron Ayers, held in check most of the game, hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Bison (4-4) up, 59-55, with 4:06 to play and the Golden Flashes never recovered.

Afterward, Goodsen shouldered most of the blame, but it could have easily been shared. After earning that tie Kent was 2-of-9 shooting until a meaningless late layup with four missed 3-pointers from four different players plus a turnover.

"A lot of guys playing hero ball, myself in particular,'' Goodsen said. "Coach told us at halftime to play within ourselves."

With the Bison knocking down 9-of-20 from behind the arc, plus holding a 39-35 edge on the boards, it was a tough night to be a Golden Flash.

Kent led 42-38 with 15:28 to play as point guard Kris Brewer (11 points) worked for a pair of elbow jumpers. Then a Dev Manley 3-pointer opened up the outside made it 45-40. But Bucknell responded with a 9-0 run. The Bison lead grew to 53-45 with 8:54 to go forcing Kent to call a timeout. A made free throw snapped a near seven-minute scoring drought for Kent. Then back-to-back hoops got KSU back within a basket, trailing 53-51.

More solid defense was then spoiled by the missed 3-pointer. Thomas would tie, then a driving layup by Goodsen got Kent within 56-55, going to the line. But he missed the free throw, then Cameron Ayers hit his second straight 3-pointer for a 59-55 lead. Bucknell closed the game out from there giving Kent (8-2) its first home loss of the season.

"We chose a bad time to not play very well,'' head coach Rob Senderoff said. "We had a lot of guys not have it tonight."   

AKRON, Ohio — On the long list of Ohio Mr. Football winners, it’s hard to find one who has made an impact almost exclusively on the defensive side of the ball. But 2013 Mr. Football winner Dante Booker Jr. did enough to pull off the feat this year. The St. Vincent-St. Mary linebacker and Ohio State commit was named the...

AKRON, Ohio — On the long list of Ohio Mr. Football winners, it’s hard to find one who has made an impact almost exclusively on the defensive side of the ball.

But 2013 Mr. Football winner Dante Booker Jr. did enough to pull off the feat this year. The St. Vincent-St. Mary linebacker and Ohio State commit was named the 27th Mr. Football on Wednesday.

“You definitely see it most of the time going to an offensive guy, but I think it’s nice being a defensive guy and getting a little credit,” Booker said. “It’s pretty cool.”

And pretty rare.

“I would think it’s like any other award, the people who grab most of the headlines are the ones who score touchdowns and gain yards,” said Rusty Miller of the Associated Press, which has named Ohio’s Mr. Football since 1987.

“You have to really stand out defensively and be on a spectacular team to be noticed.”

Do you think defensive players often get overlooked for player of the year awards? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Former Ohio State Buckeye and Westerville South linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer won the award in 1995, and is the last player to win the award primarily for defensive efforts. Katzenmoyer rushed for 250 yards that season, but it was his work as a linebacker that earned him the award.

Former Fremont Ross running back/defensive back Charles Woodson, who won the Heisman Trophy at Michigan and has had a strong career as a defensive back in the NFL, won the award in 1994, but Woodson also rushed for more than 2,000 yards and had 38 touchdowns during his Mr. Football season.

Booker, who also plays tight end for the Irish, had just one catch this season, which makes his selection as Mr. Football even more of an anomaly.

“It’s hard,” said Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno, who coached 2012 winner Mitch Trubisky and 2007 winner Bart Tanski, both of whom were quarterbacks.

“(Defensive players) don’t have the numbers, and they can go unnoticed. That’s why the Heisman doesn’t go to defensive players and that’s why you don’t see a lot of it in Mr. Football.”

Booker’s 109 tackles for a defense that gave up just over a touchdown per game were enough to earn him the distinction as the best prep player in Ohio.

Booker’s father, Dante Booker Sr., hopes it opens the door for more defensive players.

“It adds to the awesomeness of the whole thing,” Booker Sr. said. “It’s just amazing. (Defensive players) should be recognized as well. Defensive players don’t really win this, so you should be proud of yourself, the work you put in and your team.”

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 Ohio State running back and quarterback are the second-best QB-RB rushing tandem in the nation, behind Northern Illinois.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – On Ohio State’s third play against Michigan last Saturday, Carlos Hyde was corralled in the backfield by a Wolverines’ defensive end. Except he didn’t have the ball. With two other linebackers leaning toward the left as well – that’s three defenders worried about the 235-pound back – quarterback Braxton Miller slid up the middle for a 4-yard gain on third-and-3.

Two plays later, another Michigan defensive end shuffled in place at the edge of the line, standing his ground and waiting for Miller to make a break outside. This time, Hyde took the ball after Miller stuck it in his stomach, and with left guard Andrew Norwell and center Corey Linsley getting second-level blocks on two linebackers, Hyde scampered up the middle and into the secondary for a 19-yard gain.

That’s what it’s like defending the Ohio State run game right now.

There may be no team in the nation more prepared to do it than Michigan State, ranked No. 1 in run defense. But part of stopping the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis on Saturday will be first figuring out who has the ball, with Miller having made progress in his two seasons in the Urban Meyer offense in dealing with the read-option aspect of the run game.

Stick it in Hyde’s gut, then figure out whether to pull the ball out or leave it with No. 34.

“Last year was hit and miss,” Meyer said of Miller’s reads in the run game. “Last year, I'm being hard on him, but he was probably half and-half. When you guess, you're half-and-half. When you go to the proper mechanics of the read, Carlos coming out the other end, I want to say 75 percent of the time he's reading the defender and he's on it.”

That indecision was apparent in reviewing the Ohio State-Michigan State game from last year, with TV analyst Kirk Herbstreit commenting several times on Miller making the wrong decision, keeping it when he should have given it, giving it when he should have kept it.

When it’s working now, Miller and Hyde, behind a veteran offensive line, are as effective in the run game as any quarterback-running back tandem in the country.

Hyde is averaging 143.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks sixth in the nation. Miller is averaging 83.3 yards on the ground, which ranks 43rd. That combination of 226.6 yards per game ranks second among RB/QB duos, behind Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch and Cameron Stingily, who combine for 242.4 rushing yards per game.

In their last three games, Miller and Hyde are combining for the staggering average of 356.7 rushing yards per game.

The Buckeyes haven’t thrown it much lately, but offensive coordinator Tom Herman doesn’t have a problem with that.

“Have you seen 34 and 5 run it?” he asked this week.

The Spartans have been studying them. Michigan State linebacker Max Bullough acknowledged that facing this style of offense is the norm these days. But it isn’t always easy.

“We have to be disciplined and trust other guys to do their job and we’ve got to make plays when the guy is in front of us,” Bullough said. “In terms of Hyde, it’s about being physical every play. It’s about being downhill in the run game as a linebacker, being consistent at the point of attack and the safeties coming down at the right angle.

“In terms of Braxton Miller, it’s about guys doing their job and then finishing the play. We always talk about turning those 50-yard touchdowns he gets against other teams into 12- and 15-yard plays, and then living another down, giving ourselves another chance. We have to limit those big plays, and when they do happen, not allow them to be game-changing plays.”

Miller has 10 runs of at least 20 yards this season, while Hyde has nine. But the Buckeyes will also need to sustain drives with smaller chunks of yardage, because the Spartans will feature by far the best defense the Buckeyes have faced. And Herman has, at times, seen defenses adjust to the read-option plays.

“Throughout the course of a game I think teams have really gotten better over the course of the year, and years, of having a couple different answers,” Herman said recently. “It's like going back and playing the old triple-option teams in Navy or Georgia Tech or something. You can't sit and play the dive the same way every time, or they'll figure it out and rush for 500 yards on you. The same is true for some of the stuff that we do. We just happen to do it in the shotgun and some spread formation. Teams are switching it up.”

That means Miller has to keep reading it right.

“No quarterback is going to be perfect at it,” Herman said. “So we continue to try to improve it. Each snap is different. You break it down into the inches of a defensive end or a linebacker's steps, where are his eyes? We're talking about inches, shoulder turns, steps. He took one more step out here versus one more step out there. I think he's getting better, but we’ve got work to do.”

When it works right, Ohio State has two guys who can run for a while.

Maryland will move from the ACC to the Big Ten next season, and the Buckeyes got an early look at what to expect.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State gave future conference foe Maryland an early Big Ten welcome on Wednesday with a 76-60 victory in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge at Value City Arena.

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany was in the house to check out the second-highest ranked team in the Big Ten, behind Michigan State, and one of the two new schools, along with Rutgers, that will bring the Big Ten to 14 members next year.

With Aaron Craft steals (five), LaQuinton Ross 3-pointers (four) and Sam Thompson alley-oops (too many to count), the No. 5 Buckeyes controlled the game from the start, leading 43-26 at the half.

Ross finished with a season-high 20 points, while Thompson had 14, Lenzelle Smith Jr. 12 and Craft 10. The Buckeyes are 7-0, while Maryland fell to 5-3. Ohio State next hosts Central Connecticut State at 4:30 on Saturday, which means fans can catch that game and then tune in for the Big Ten Championship game between Ohio State and Michigan State.

Aaron Craft had five steals, LaQuinton Ross had 20 points and Sam Thompson had several alley-oop dunks in the Buckeyes' win in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Big Ten, this is Maryland. Maryland, this is the Big Ten. Get to know each other.

The most intriguing aspect of the new 14-team Big Ten that will be take full effect next year was on display at Value City Arena on Wednesday night. When the SEC expanded, it grabbed Texas A&M, which showed up in 2012 with a guy ready to win the Heisman in Johnny Manziel. The league also added Missouri, which in its second year in the conference will play in the SEC Championship in football on Saturday night.

You decide whether the immediate success of new members in a league is a sign of strength or weakness. But in the expanded Big Ten coming in 2014, with the choice of Rutgers football, Rutgers basketball, Maryland football or Maryland basketball, it’s pretty clear where the greatest chance at early success lies.

It’s with the program that hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament in three seasons and lost 76-60 to the No. 3 Buckeyes (7-0) on Wednesday in the Big Ten-ACC (not-quite-yet Big Ten) Challenge.

The Terrapins (5-3), in their third year under coach Mark Turgeon, did made the NIT semis last season. Not much should have to change for Maryland, which reached 11 straight NCAA Tournaments between 1993-2004. Ohio State’s Sam Thompson said the Terrapins should slide right in with a rebounding emphasis that reminded him of Michigan State, and a versatile lineup of guards and forwards that reminded him of Michigan.

“Basketball is basketball. I don’t care what conference you’re in. That doesn’t matter to me,” said junior Dez Wells (19 points), who started his career at Xavier, when asked if the program will have to make any style-of-play adjustments next year.

So rather than the Terrapins flashing their credentials, Wednesday’s game turned into a primer for Maryland on how things might work in their new league.

Here are some things that the Big Ten enjoys at times.

There was defense, exemplified by five Aaron Craft steals.

“Craft was in total control of the game on both ends of the floor,” Turgeon said. “I think Craft is at another level. So we’ll never see that again. He’s at another level.”

There were 3-pointers, with LaQuinton Ross shooting 4-of-6 outside while scoring a season-high and game-high 20 points. Three of those threes came in the first five minutes, as Ross in the last two games has been working his way out of a slump.

“Imagine as competitor the first three possessions, he makes shots and you don’t find him,” Turgeon said, incredulous at his team’s lack of defensive awareness.

And there were alley-oops, enough to Thompson, who scored 14, that you sort of lost track.

“I can’t tell you how many times we talked about lob passes to that kid in our scouting report,” Turgeon said. “He had pretty athletic guys jumping up there with him and he’s at another pretty high level.”

There was also a play that OSU coach Thad Matta considered an all-timer. If the new program wanted to know what can makes the Buckeyes coach shake his fists in celebration walking off the court at the end of the first half, it’s when defense makes offense.

Craft stripped the ball from the dribbler, got to the floor and flipped the ball ahead to Thompson, who hit a driving, spinning layup just the clock ticked down, giving the Buckeyes a 17-point halftime lead.

“He gets excited. He’s our biggest fan when things like that happen,” Craft said of his coach. “He loves defense, plays like that. He’s the first guy to come into the locker room clapping and getting us excited. Sometimes he’s more excited than us.”

Maybe someone should Matta in charge of welcoming committee for the new Big Ten on the way next year.

Bigs Tristan Thompson, Anderson Varejao and Andrew Bynum combined for 49 points and 41 rebounds in a 98-88 victory over the Denver Nuggets at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What did Cavaliers coach Mike Brown think of his big men in Wednesday's big 98-88 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night at The Q?

"They were monsters tonight,'' Brown said as Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson and Andrew Bynum combined for 49 points and 41 rebounds as the Cavs won two straight games for the first time this season to improve to 6-12, 5-3 at home.

"They were monsters in the pick-and-roll,'' Brown continued. "They were monsters on the glass. They were monsters around the rim. That type of effort was awesome. It was awesome to watch.''

Varejao finished with a season-high 18 points and tied his season high with 13 rebounds. Thompson had 17 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, Bynum contributed 14 points and 7 rebounds. Kyrie Irving also had 23 points as the Cavs registered their biggest margin of victory this season.

"Their bigs just beat up on our bigs is what it came down to,'' Denver coach Brian Shaw said as the Nuggets snapped their seven-game winning streak and slipped to 11-7. "Andrew Bynum, Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson inside just wore us down.''

Thompson shrugged off all compliments.

"It's just our roles as bigs,'' said Thompson, who became the first Cav to grab 20 or more rebounds since Varejao got 22 at Memphis on Nov. 26, 2012. "We've got to come out every night and rebound, defend and play hard. The type of team we played tonight, they get up and down so there's a lot of shots. My teammates boxed out and us bigs went to go get it.''

Thanks to Varejao and Thompson, the Cavs held a commanding 58-43 edge on the boards, including a 38-28 edge on the defensive end.

"To get 34 rebounds between two guys is an absolutely amazing night for our bigs,'' Brown said.

Randy Foye had 16 points and former Cav J.J. Hickson added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, playing the second night of a back-to-back and their third game on a six-game East Coast trip.

In addition to the Cavs dominance inside, their defense limited the Nuggets to 88 points and 39.1 percent shooting (36 of 92). Denver came into the game averaging 105 points per game -- fourth highest in the league -- while shooting 45.9 percent. Plus, the Cavs had just 13 turnovers, which prevented the Nuggets from getting into their vaunted transition game.

The young Cavs jumped on the Nuggets early, taking a 24-17 lead on a 3-pointer by rookie Anthony Bennett. After the first quarter, Cleveland led, 31-24, and pushed that lead to 54-42 late in the second quarter.

But the Nuggets closed out the second period strong, using blocked shots by Wilson Chandler, Darrell Arthur and Randy Foye for a 10-2 run that cut the Cavs lead to 56-52 by halftime. After shooting just 40 percent in the first quarter, Denver made 11 of 20 shots in the second (55 percent).

The Nuggets cut the lead to two points several times early in the third quarter, but unlike so many times this season, the Cavs held strong and never relinquished the lead en route to a hard-fought victory.

"I just hope this is the first one of a lot more that are coming for us,'' Varejao said.

The Cavaliers have discovered they have two distinct looks: One when Bynum is on the court, and another when he's not.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – The Cavaliers team that has won two straight games is a different squad than the one that began the season losing four if its first five games.

Namely, it's a team that is learning how to play with Andrew Bynum – and that it's necessary to adjust everything when he's in the game and when he's not.

"It's two totally different dynamics," reserve guard Jarrett Jack said.

Not every NBA team has a 7-foot, 285-pound, creaky-kneed center. And not every player has played alongside someone who commands a double-team every time he's on the court merely because he's so enormous that he needs two people to equal the bulk of his one, burly frame.

And now that Bynum appears to be finding a more consistent flow to his game, averaging 17 points, 8.5 rebounds and 25 minutes since a dominating performance against Chicago two games ago, the Cavaliers are learning that they need two looks to offer Bynum the best opportunity for success.

"Obviously, when he's in the game we're playing from inside-out," Jack said. "It's the opposite when he's on the bench. He's done a tremendous job of establishing himself as a post presence for us, offensively as well as defensively. Big Fella's been patrolling the paint whenever we have defensive breakdowns, and we try to do the best we can by rewarding him on the opposite end by giving him the basketball."

It's more than simply tossing the ball into the post when Bynum is on the court, though. It's about timing – when to feed him the ball. And it's about spacing – how to position around him on the court to not only draw away defenders but also provide alternate offensive options.

"When you've never played with a big, especially a big who can score like he can, it's a tricky situation," coach Mike Brown said. "Not only do you have to figure out how to balance (when to run), but you also have to figure out your spacing should look like and how to get to that spacing quickly."

It's a even more delicate balance when Brown considers how much he likes the pace of the Cavaliers' game of late; their 91 field-goal attempts Wednesday against Denver were the second-most of the season.

"It's kind of tricky because people think when you have a guy like Andrew you have to play at a slower pace," Brown said. "We don't have to play at a slower pace. We want to keep pushing the ball. Andrew's good enough to stay up with us."

Well, sometimes. At the very least, he can still remain in position to defend if the Cavaliers choose to up the tempo while he's on the court.

For a player who many were unsure would even see the court this season, it's an adjustment to figure out how to rely upon Bynum.

"Bynum is playing a lot better and with a lot more confidence," forward Anderson Varejao said. "He's a big part of this team."

Bynum has seen a gradual improvement in his teammates' abilities to interact with him, and appreciates

"We're just a different team," he said." Once it works itself out with the plays and all that stuff, it's great. We can play high pick-and-roll offense, and we can play through the post when I'm in."

Sims, Felix to Canton: The Cavaliers assigned center Henry Sims and guard Carrick Felix to the NBA Development League's Canton Charge on Thursday. Both will be available to play in Canton's Saturday game at Erie, Pa.

Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks

Time:7:30 p.m. Friday at Philips Arena.

TV/Radio:Fox Sports Ohio, WTAM AM/1100.

Notable:The Cavaliers are coming off back-to-back victories for the first time this season. ... Kyle Korver's has the potential to break the NBA streak of consecutive games with at least one made 3-pointer. He currently is tied for first with Dana Barros at 89 games.

Bowling Green has a huge challenge, 8 p.m. Friday night when the Falcons look to slow down Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch and his push for a MAC Championship and the Heisman Trophy.

DETROIT, Mich. -- Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch is proving to be the Fred Astaire of college football. According to Hollywood lore the notes on Astaire's Hollywood screen test read; "Can't sing. Can't act. Balding. Dances a little."

Coming out of high school Lynch, a triple-option QB, only had one scholarship offer to play QB as his reputation was much the same; "Can't run. Can't Pass. Balding. Does know the game."

"I think I better look that guy up,'' Lynch said Thursday prior to NIU's practice in Ford Field for Friday's 8 p.m. Mid-American Conference Championship game against Bowling Green.

Here Lynch is, all 6-0, 220 pounds of him, playing in his second straight MAC title game, with a future that could become as bright as a Quasar.

Lynch and his No. 14 Huskies are already 12-0 on the season, one victory away from a second straight lucrative BCS Bowl appearance, and one step closer to an improbable Heisman Trophy finish, indicative of the best player in college football, that seems to have gained momentum down the stretch.

Time will tell if he has what it takes on the professional level, or if he is even invited to New York for the Heisman Awards ceremony. Playing in the MAC, he is considered a longshot. But it's a shot he repeatedly takes.

"The only way I get a chance to go to New York, and the Heisman, is to win games,'' Lynch said.

Heisman votes must be in by Monday. Finalists will be announced Tuesday and the award ceremony will be in New York, Dec. 14.

Heisman or not, as a college football player Lynch has proven he may well be second to none, particularly when it comes to running the football.

"It starts with just tackling him,'' Bowling Green linebacker Paul Swan said. "We have to tackle him and bring him down to the ground."

Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch.AP Photo

Lynch has a 24-2 record as a starting quarterback the last two years to date. That includes an 18-17 setback to Iowa in his first career start. Even then, Iowa needed nine fourth-quarter points for the comeback.

"Nerves probably got the best of me,'' Lynch said of that debut. He has not been very nervous since. This year he led the Huskies to a 30-27 victory over the same Big Ten Hawkeyes.

Ponder these numbers for a minute. Already this season Lynch has passed for 2,457 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 1,755 yards and 20 touchdowns; 4,212 yards combined with 44 touchdowns.

Last year Lynch passed for 3,138 yards and 25 touchdowns, and 1,815 yards and 19 touchdowns; 4,953 yards combined with 44 touchdowns.

Add that up and Lynch has 9,165 yards of offense and 88 touchdowns in his two seasons as a starter with two games still to play.

"He's an incredible talent,'' said Bowling Green head coach Dave Clawson, the latest team and coach charged with slowing Lynch down. "He's very physical. He doesn't wear down. He's an All-American tailback, and an All-American quarterback wrapped up into one player.''

Yet nobody wants to get on the soap box and say he is the best player in college football this season, even if the numbers suggest otherwise.

"He's a no-brainer pick as a finalist for the Heisman,'' is about the best endorsement one can find from Paul Meyerberg from USA Today.

Yet Lynch's numbers this year - those 20 TDs rushing and 22 passing - makes him only the fifth player in Football Bowl Subdivision history to that, and three of them were Heisman winners; Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M), Cam Newton (Auburn) and Tim Tebow (Florida).

A product of the system, many say. So what does that make Tebow for example?

And nobody wants to say he has much more than a glimmer of hope to play in the NFL, either.

He plays in the Mid-American Conference, they all say, completely dismissing the fact less than 12 months ago the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft (Eric Fisher, Central Michigan) came from the MAC.

ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay says Lynch "is worth a late-round draft pick, but may have to make a position change."

Fellow ESPN analyst Mel Kiper lauds Lynch's production this season. But in one breath Kiper compares him to former Missouri QB Chase Daniel, now a backup QB with the Kansas City Chiefs.

In the next breath Kiper compares him to former dual threat QBs Denard Robinson, Josh Cribbs and Julian Edelman. All changed positions in the NFL. The later two, ironically, were MAC QBs as well.

Yet none of this Heisman or NFL talk seems to bother Lynch, as he seems to be singularly focused on the game at hand, the MAC Championship against Bowling Green.

Statistically, the game has Bowling Green's No. 1 defense going against NIU's No. 1 offense. It's pretty even, except for one thing.

"They are a real good football team,'' Clawson said of the Huskies. "They're solid. They are well coached. They are extremely well thought out with what they do on offense. All the formations, motions, shifts, there is a reason for everything they do.

"It's coaching, it's players, and then you have an elite talent in Jordan Lynch that takes them over the top.''

Then, there is one more sobering thought from NIU head coach Rod Carey.

"We haven't played our best game yet,'' Carey said.

That means Jordan Lynch probably hasn't played his best game yet, either.

------

2013 MAC Championship

Bowling Green (9-3) vs. No. 14 Northern Illinois (12-0)

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Ford Field, Detroit

TV: ESPN2

First and 10: MAC West champ Northern Illinois makes its fourth straight trip to Detroit to play its fourth different MAC East opponent. While NIU has the No. 1 total offense in the MAC at 542.3 yards per game, and the No. 1 scoring offense in the MAC, averaging 42.8 points a game, the Falcons have the No. 1 offense in the country in Time of Possession (34:15), along with an offense that scores 34.4 ppg.

BG has the No. 1 overall defense in the MAC allowing 13.8 points a game; No. 1 in total defense at 296.6 yards per game; the No. 1 defense against the run, allowing 134.8 yards per game, and the No. 1 defense against the pass allowing 161.8 ypg.

The Falcons have allowed just 22 touchdowns on the season against the pass (10) and the run (12) while NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch has produced 22 TDs passing and 20 rushing by himself this season.

Curious stat: While BG has the top pass defense in the league, the Falcons only have six interceptions, lowest in the league. Northern Illinois led the league in interceptions with 17.

How will OSU's vaunted running game fare against MSU's stout defense? Doug Lesmerises breaks it down with Noah Coslov of Cinesport.

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Ohio State football team (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten) needs a win to keep its national title hopes alive. Standing in the way at Saturday night's Big Ten Championship game will be Michigan State. 

The Spartans (11-1, 8-0) are giving up a nation-low 237.7 yards and 11.8 points per game to rank fourth in the nation. 

OSU has the highest-scoring offense in school history.

The Spartans have won eight games in a row since losing 17-14 at Notre Dame to earn their second berth in the Big Ten title game in three years. 

Cleveland.com Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises breaks down the matchup in this video with Cinesport's Noah Coslov: