Justin Masterson is one of six Indians eligible for salary arbitration.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -– While the Indians continue to pursue starting pitchers outside the organization, the process for keeping one of their own beyond the 2014 season will begin in earnest over the next several days.

Justin Masterson, the Indians' No.1 starter for the last two seasons, is scheduled to file for salary arbitration Tuesday with five of his teammates. On Friday, they will exchange salary figures with the Indians for the upcoming season.

Michael Brantley, Marc Rzepczynski, Josh Outman, Vinnie Pestano and Josh Tomlin are the other players eligible for arbitration. Unlike Masterson, they are not eligible for free agency after 2014.

This is usually when teams and agents of select players start talking about multiyear deals as well as seeking a one-year solution to avoid arbitration. The Indians, as any semi-interested fan knows, have not gone to arbitration with a player since 1991.

In December at the winter meetings in Orlando, GM Chris Antonetti said he hoped to keep Masterson for a long time. Randy Rowley, Masterson’s agent, said his client was more than willing to listen to what the Indians had to say. Rowley added that he wanted to see how this winter’s market for free agent starters unfolded. In that regard, he is still waiting.

Ricky Nolasco’s four-year, $49 million deal with the Twins has been the biggest lump sum for a starter to date. Hiroki Kuroda received the biggest return, signing a one-year $16 million deal with the Yankees. The pitchers Rowley is waiting to get a read on – Masahiro Tanaka, Ubaldo Jimenez, Ervin Santana, Matt Garza and Bronson Arroyo – have yet to sign.

Masterson, who made $5.7 million last year, went 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA in 32 appearances, including 29 starts. He strained a left oblique muscle on Sept. 2 against Baltimore and was sidelined for much of the month before returning as a reliever to help the Indians clinch a wild card spot in the postseason.

He is expected to earn between $9-10 million this year on a one-year deal whether he goes to arbitration or not. Mlbtraderumors.com calculated that Masterson could be in line for a five-year deal worth somewhere between the $65 million John Danks received with the White Sox and the $85 million Jered Weaver received from the Angels if the Indians tried to sign him to a long-term contract.

Brantley and Jason Kipnis are two other players the Indians could approach about multiyear deals. They talked to them last year, but negotiations stalled in spring training. Kipnis is not eligible for arbitration.

Here’s what the Indians arbitration eligible players could make this year, according to mlbtraderumors.com. Last year’s salary is in parenthesis: Masterson $9.7 million ($5.7 million); Brantley $3.7 million ($526,900); Rzepczynski $1.4 million ($1.1 million); Outman $1.4 million ($675,000), Pestano $1.3 million ($501,000) and Tomlin $1.1 million ($501,000).

Pestano and Tomlin will almost certainly reach a deal without going to arbitration. Tomlin missed much of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Pestano struggled last year with a sore elbow and spent time at Class AAA Columbus.

The Indians just acquired Outman from Colorado for outfielder Drew Stubbs. Rzepczynski came to Cleveland in a July deal with St. Louis and pitched well out of the pen. The two players with the best arbitration cases if the went the distance are Masterson and Brantley, who played well in left field last year.

Greg Swindell and Jerry Browne were the last players to go to arbitration with the Tribe. Swindell won and Browne lost.

What needs to happen the remainder of the season for you to consider the Luol Deng trade a success? Earlier today we asked that as the question of the day.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – What needs to happen the remainder of the season for you to consider the Luol Deng trade a success? Earlier today we asked that as the question of the day.

Deng was traded to Cleveland earlier this week in a bold move for the Cavs. They gave up three future picks and sent Andrew Bynum away in an attempt to avoid another trip to the lottery. It was a no-brainer move for the Cavs in the short term.

They needed an upgrade at small forward, which Deng is. They need veteran leadership for their young core that spent some time this year pouting and bickering. They needed another weapon on offense to take pressure off Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters.

The biggest drawback to the trade is Deng's contract status. The two-time All-Star is a free agent at the end of the season and is set up to cash in big. His future in Cleveland is anything but a certainty. But that's still a ways away. The Cavs have renewed hope this season. They have a playoff spot to chase.

At 12-23, things aren't as bleak as they look thanks to how bad the Eastern Conference is. The Cavs are just two games out of the eighth spot with a new chapter of basketball being written tonight, starring Luol Deng.

Fans responded to the question of the day on Facebook, Twitter and in the comments section.

Here are the best responses that we received:

Beezer436 says:

"He has to sign contract extension."

Hunterxtc writes:

"He needs to sign a contract extension and not bolt out after this year!"

Bohms27 comments:

"Simply re-signing him IMO. If they don't re-sign him, it's pointless and will set us back further."

Microjcamp says:

"I think it is a success right now. Added 19 points and some rebounds."

From KMKlemencic:

"He's a great player so the base of the trade speaks for itself. He needs to commit to a long-term contact to make it a success."

AZinger says:

"We need to be 6th seed or better."

Struggleleen writes:

"Second round postseason appearance. It's time to raise the bar."

Futon311 tweets:

"They need to have a .500 record rest of way (minimum), playoffs, and straightening out the locker room mess."

From TheDanHuelsman:

"They need to make the playoffs, plain and simple."

Ed Haas says:

"Honestly? They have to get the 7th seed or higher for the playoffs, and actually look competitive doing so. Getting swept in 4 games by the Heat in round 1 isn't acceptable. Oh, and we have to sign Deng long term. Otherwise, we're sort of back at square one with a roster of mid-tier players either too young or not talented enough to be a true contender."

Sanskover comments:

"It's easy. He has to sign with the team. Otherwise (unless the Cavs win the title or at least go deep into the playoffs) he's just a meaningless rental."

From Dugoutdug:

"He hasn't even been on the floor for the Cavs, yet, but I consider it a good, maybe great trade already. With Deng, the Cavs might make the playoffs this year, without him, they don't look so hot. What did they give up for him, Bynum, who couldn't (or wouldn't) play, a couple 2nd rounders and switching a 1st rounder next year? I don't think they'll win it all, but they should be able to make the playoffs, at least, when Deng settles in."

TH3xtruth tweets:

"They need to make the playoffs and not be an easy out."

No. 3 Ohio State almost completed a thrilling comeback win over No. 5 Michigan State on Tuesday, but it came up short in overtime. There are "what-if?" questions that remain from that game, but Thad Matta knows his team has to turn the page before playing No. 20 Iowa on Saturday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Had Shannon Scott attempted to dunk, maybe Ohio State would still be undefeated.

After stealing the ball from Michigan State in the final seconds of regulation in a tie game, Scott sprinted away from the Spartans defenders and created enough separation for what looked to be an easy attempt at a game-winning layup.

But Scott’s layup rolled off the front of the rim as time expired.

If only he would have dunked it.

“Looking back at it, maybe if I took off a different way I might have been able to,” Scott said, “but I haven’t been dunking all year, so I probably wasn’t going to try right then."

Scott’s drive came after Ohio State stormed back from a 17-point, second-half road deficit to Michigan State, the No. 5 team in the country. Had Scott finished the layup, it would have capped another emotional comeback victory for a Buckeyes team that erased an eight-point deficit in the final minute of its win over Notre Dame weeks earlier.

It also would have served as a personal vindication for Scott, who missed an awkward-looking three-point attempt in the final moments of Ohio State’s loss to Michigan State in last year’s visit to East Lansing.

But Scott didn’t finish, and Michigan State pulled away from Ohio State for good in overtime to earn the 72-68 win. It was Ohio State’s first loss of the season, and one that has the Buckeyes asking themselves, “What if?”

What if Scott would have dunked?

What if Ohio State didn’t turn it over 21 times?

What if the Buckeyes were never in a 17-point hole?

View full sizeAaron Craft and Ohio State came close to completing yet another thrilling comeback at Michigan State on Tuesday, but the Spartans outlasted the Buckeyes in overtime. Al Goldis, Associated Press

“There are a lot of teams that probably would have given up in the situation we were in, and it was the second or third time this year’s we’ve found a way to fight back and find a way to get into the ballgame,” senior point guard Aaron Craft said. “I think that says a lot about the guys on this team and the mindsets that we have. At the same time, a loss is a loss and that’s what we have to take it as.”

The first loss of a season always feels a tad more dramatic. This was No. 3 Ohio State’s chance to really prove it is worth of its ranking – in an intense road environment like the Breslin Center against a Michigan State team that’s a trendy Final Four pick.

In the end, the Buckeyes came up short, but the way they lost serves as proof to many that Ohio State is for real. So while Scott and Craft wonder how things could have played out differently, others see an Ohio State team that should be there at the end of the year standing next to Michigan State.

Now Thad Matta wants his team to throw all of that out. None of it matters anymore, and past influences – either good or bad – cannot bleed into preparation for Ohio State’s next game. And it isn’t a gimme, as the Buckeyes host No. 20 Iowa on Sunday. 

"You're living in a completely different world now," Matta said. "Each game poses drastically different problems. I don't think you can look at a half or a score or a segment of one game and say, 'We're going to take that into this game and be effective.' That one is behind us.

"One of the hardest parts is that you want the players to let go, but you want them to let go learning from wins and losses."

If Ohio State doesn't let go the right way, it could run into two losses in a row. And in a conference like the Big Ten, where one loss is a major setback, the Buckeyes know their flirting with disaster if they take the wrong approach. 

This is an Iowa team that feels it should have been in the NCAA Tournament last year, a team that, like the Buckeyes, has won two of its first three Big Ten games. And in the one conference game the Hawkeyes' lost – a 75-71 loss at No. 4 Wisconsin – they saw their head coach thrown out of the game for emphatically challenging a call. 

"There's two ways we can go from here," Craft said. "The worst thing we can do is let the (Michigan State) loss turn into two." 

Why won't Jim Tressel get an interview with the Browns? Would losing Ray Farmer be a big blow to the front office? Our Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot answered those questions and more during today's podcast.

Why won't Jim Tressel get an interview with the Browns? Would losing Ray Farmer be a big blow to the front office?

Cleveland.com's Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot answered those questions and more during today's podcast with cleveland.com’s Glenn Moore.

Among other topics discussed:

• Recapping the week of news.

• Does Adam Gase look good because of Peyton Manning?

You can download the MP3 or listen with the player to the right.

BEREA, Ohio — Weather to start January has not been kind to high school teams in Northeast Ohio, including Avon Lake's wrestlers. After a tough start to the week in which its wrestlers were unable to practice due to school being closed, the Shoremen scored a big victory Saturday night.

BEREA, Ohio — Weather to start January has not been kind to high school teams in Northeast Ohio, including Avon Lake's wrestlers.

After a tough start to the week in which its wrestlers were unable to practice due to school being closed, the Shoremen scored a big victory Saturday night.

Avon Lake won the Len Pariano Invitational with 160 points, edging last year’s champion Stow, as well as Brookside, which tied for second with 146 points.

Avon Lake coach Nick Mayer was pleased with his team’s effort, which also included four top place individual trophies.

This comes after they competed one day before at a different event with some highs and lows.

“I believe losing is a part of winning,” Mayer said. “You learn so much from losing than you do from winning. Sometimes winning gives you the big head.

“But our main goal is to get our guys prepped for sectionals, districts and want to become a contender in the state meet. That is our ultimate goal.”

Sophomores Zack Klima (120 pounds, 20-7 record this season) Joey Bernosky (132, 21-1) and juniors Tyler Mayer (152, 18-2) and Jason Barnicle (170, 18-9) won top honors in their respective weight classes.

But it was Berea-Midpark junior Sam Delashmitt who was named the tournament’s most valuable wrestler after placing first in the 145-pound weight class. He improved his record to 11-1.

“I was pretty happy and excited,” Delashmitt said. “My goal this year would be to make it to states. Every year I’ve tried to make it and I would end never getting far enough. So this year I’m working hard, practicing with the coaches trying to get better and hopefully make it to states and see how it is.”

Berea-Midpark coach Steve Bosko is glad to see his work before the season pay off. Delashmitt marks the first Len Pariano MVP winner since the merger of Berea and Midpark to start the school year.

“We thought, wouldn’t it be great if one of our kids was the MVP,” Bosko said. “He wrestled a fantastic tournament pinning a district qualifier in the finals and he was just fitting for the award.”

Len Pariano Invitational results

How they finished: 1. Avon Lake 160; T2. Brookside 146; T2. Stow 146; 4. Lakewood 125; 5. Berea-Midpark 120; 6. Rocky River 110; 7. Hudson 106.50; 8. Clearview 80; 9. Brooklyn 72.50; 10. Chagrin Falls 55; 11. Columbia 51.50; 12. Elyria 48; 13. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 31.

106—Championship: Morell (CLEA) d. Hamdan (BRKLN) 11-4; Third place: Huhn (BRKSD) m.d. Peterson (ALAK) 10-0. Fifth place: Morris (STOW) d. Gute 9-8.

113—Championship: Kelly (RRIV) d. Mayer (ALAK) 9-5; Third place: Hylton (CLEA) d. Burns (BRKSD) 6-5. Fifth place: Benson (STOW) d. Sulieman (LAKE) 3:29.

120—Championship: Klima (ALAK) m.d. Cruz (CLEA) 10-2; Third place: Jenkins (STOW) t.f. Mahoney (RRIV) 18-2. Fifth place: Rodriguez (LAKE) d. Munoz (BMID) 5-2.

126—Championship: Andrassy (STOW) d. Soucek (HUDS) 7-2; Third place: Meehan (BRKYN) d. Dula-Banks (BRKSD) 4:24. Fifth place: Omori (RRIV) d. Nicholson (LAKE) 8-6.

132—Championship: Bernosky (ALAK) d. Szoch (HUDS) 2:21; Third place: Price (ELYR) d. Hopperton (BMID) 9-2. Fifth place: Valore (STOW) p. Artino (NDCL) 1:54.

138—Championship: Abdelsalam (LAKE) d. Roginsky (BRKLN) 3-1; Third place: Ricky Renton (CFAL) d. Brunsckole (BMID) 2-1. Fifth place: Allen (STOW) p. Horvath (BRKSD) 3:35.

145—Championship: Delashmitt (BMID) d. Overall (ELYR) 1:58; Third place: Kilbane (RRIV) d. Jacobucci (COLU) 1:42. Fifth place: Crosier (STOW) Turner (HUDS) Dq.

152—Championship: Mayer (ALAK) d. Deems (RRIV) 3:41; Third place: Fleming (CFAL) d. Standen (BRKSD) 7-4. Fifth place: Shawley (LAKE) d. Murray (NDCL) 10-4.

160—Championship:Massey (STOW) d. Foster (CLEA) 3-2; Third place: Wolford (BRKSD) d. King (ELYR) 4-3. Fifth place: Smith (RRIV) m.d. Chunyo (HUDS) 10-0.

170—Championship: Barnicle (ALAK) d. Robinson (LAKE) 3:39; Third place: Stewart (NDCL) d. Mize (BRKSD) 1:15. Fifth place: Ortiz (BMID) d. Smith (RRIV) 9-1.

182—Championship:Kollar (STOW) m.d. Akers (ALAK) 10-1; Third place: Childers (BRKSD) d. Abdelhaq (LAKE) 1:48. Fifth place: Terry (HUDS) p. Nicol (BMID) .30.

195—Championship: Caraballo (COLU) d. Fries (BRKSD) 12-8; Third place: Maddox (CFAL) d. Weiland (BMID) 5-4. Fifth place: Graham (BRKLN) d. Greenwood (LAKE) 7-5.

220—Championship: Mendoza (BRKSD) d. Milosovic (HUDS) 1:13; Third place:  Plumb (BMID) d. Shumaker (COLU) 4-0. Fifth place: Shirley (RRIV) p. Paine (COLU) 2:49.

285—Championship: Sclimenti (LAKE) d. Carlson (HUDS) 1-0; Third place: Manesh (BMID) d. Boyer (STOW) 0:42. Fifth place: Huhn (BRKSD) bye.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Eric Black's shot at the buzzer proved to be the difference for the No. 3 St. Ignatius boys basketball team in a 62-60 win over Walsh Jesuit on Saturday. The Warriors trailed by seven entering the fourth quarter, but rallied to tie the game at 60 before Black's shot at the horn sealed the win for...

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Eric Black's shot at the buzzer proved to be the difference for the No. 3 St. Ignatius boys basketball team in a 62-60 win over Walsh Jesuit on Saturday.

The Warriors trailed by seven entering the fourth quarter, but rallied to tie the game at 60 before Black's shot at the horn sealed the win for the Wildcats. Black finished with a game-high 28 points.

Danny Bova added 10 for St. Ignatius. Mitch Peterson led Walsh Jesuit with 22 points. Max Siwick scored 17 for the Warriors.

BEACHWOOD, Ohio – As the senior point guard on the No. 1 St. Edward boys basketball team, Malcolm Walters understands he is the guy that needs to get the team going early in the game. That is exactly what he did as the Eagles used a hot start to defeat the Beachwood Bison, 78 63, on Saturday night. "I...

BEACHWOOD, Ohio – As the senior point guard on the No. 1 St. Edward boys basketball team, Malcolm Walters understands he is the guy that needs to get the team going early in the game. That is exactly what he did as the Eagles used a hot start to defeat the Beachwood Bison, 78 63, on Saturday night.

"I am the point guard on the team, so I am going to be the one to have the ball in my hands to start the possession," Walters said. " We have so many great players that are able to score the ball, it is my job to make sure that everybody is happy and into the game. On that opening play, that is something that Marsalis and I work on a lot, and I love running the play. He made a great pass and I was able to get it and get it started for our team."

Check back shortly for a slideshow.

With a packed house of Bison fans itching to get really loud, Walters sparked a 12-0 start with that monstrous finish on an alley-oop, while junior Kipper Nichols pitched in seven early points. The fast start played really hurt the Bison early, and Eagles coach Eric Flannery talked about that being a huge key in the game.

“We got off to a great start in the first half, and everybody contributed to that,” Flannery said. " I thought for the most part we played a very good first half, except for a few possessions here and there. In the second half, I thought we settled for the jump shot a little too much, but give Beachwood a lot of credit for hanging in there and continuing to battle the entire way."

The Bison were able to make run early to cut it to 19-12, but would get no closer the rest of the way. Coach Matt Miller liked the way his team continued to compete and played the Eagles nearly even after the first four minutes, but when playing a team like St. Edward, you have to be ready from the get go.

“I am proud of the way we fought in the second half, but it was not enough to get the victory,” Miller said. "We did not schedule this game to have a good showing but lose; we scheduled this game to get a victory. They are a very good team and we knew they would come out ready, but we must be ready to go from the very beginning. We have a lot of tough games coming up, and this is something that we must learn from moving on."

The inside game of the Eagles played a huge role in the game, as Nichols and sophomore Derek Funderburk were able to control the paint. Nichols finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Funderburk finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Nichols knows when the Eagles dominate in the post, they will be very difficult to beat.

" All of us bigs understand that when we are playing how we are supposed to, it makes us such a better team," Nichols said. " Being able to dominate the glass makes the game so much easier for everybody. We have to understand that everybody we play is going to play very hard and give it everything they have, so we gotta work hard down low and control the things we can, like the glass."

Marsalis Hamliton also had a big night for the Eagles, finishing with 17 points. The Bison were led by John Davis, who finished the game with 15 points.

The Solon Comets had not beaten crosstown rival Twinsburg in years. While making three straight trips to the state Final Four in the past three seasons, which included state titles in 2011 and 2012, Twinsburg never lost to Solon during the regular season. That streak ended last night as the Comets held off the Tigers 62-52 at Twinsburg.

The Solon Comets had not beaten crosstown rival Twinsburg in years.

While making three straight trips to the state Final Four in the past three seasons, which included state titles in 2011 and 2012, Twinsburg never lost to Solon during the regular season. That streak ended last night as the Comets held off the Tigers 62-52 at Twinsburg.

Solon senior guard Kristen Confroy, a Univeristy of Maryland recruit, scored 21 points and freshman guard Dee Bekelja scored 13 to lead the Comets, who are ranked No. 4 in the Cleveland.com top 25. The win was the Comets fourth straight and improved their record to 10-2 overall and 4-0 in the Northeast Ohio Conference. Bekelja’s sister Jordan, a junior, added 11 points for the Comets.

Dee Bekelja time and time again hurt the Tigers by getting to the basket and finishing inside.

“She’s a great player,” Twinsburg coach Julie Solis said of the Dee Bekelja. “Both of those sisters are really good kids, great players, very fundamental. They are always in the gym. I thought Confroy played well, but in the end those two hurt us.”

Coming away with the win against rival Twinsburg was no doubt a big win for the Solon players.

 “None of us had had a win against Twinsburg, so we were all pretty motivated on top of it being a conference game and a crosstown rival,” said Confroy after her team pulled out the win. “We wanted to come out with a big win, but unfortunately we had a couple of letdowns and were able to pull out a win. But a win is a win.”

Twinsburg, ranked No. 21 in the Cleveland.com top 25, dropped to 6-7 with the loss. The Tigers trailed by as may as 15 in the fourth quarter before going on a 11-2 run to close Solon’s lead to 56-50 with just over three minutes left in the contest. But Confroy drained four free throws in the final 57.7 to help the Comets hold on for the win.

Solon’s senior post player Alexis Gray added 10 points and eight rebounds. Her strong play inside was a key for the Comets, who were told before the game by coach Trish Kruse that controlling the glass would be a key to getting a win.

“She (Kruse) said our biggest concern was going to be boxing out, which it was. We did well for two quarters and the other two quarters we took off. But we picked it up at the right time and it worked out,” Gray echoed Confroy’s thoughts about having a little extra incentive to beat Twinsburg.

“Definitely a big win,” said Gray. “Through my four years at Solon we’ve never beaten Twinsburg so it’s our first win against them, so it felt good,” Gray said.

Solon built leads of 20-11 after one quarter and looked like it would blow Twinsburg out of the gym. But Twinsburg senior Baleigh Reid scored 10 points in the second quarter as the Tigers closed the lead to 35-31 at the half. Reid finished the night with a game-high 26 points on a variety of short jumper and inside baskets. Aloneet Durden added eight for the Tigers, who fell to 6-7 in the season and have lost three straight.

Being under .500 is not something Twinsburg coach Julie Solis is used to. But she was pleased with her team’s effort in the loss and is hopeful the Tigers will get better as the season progresses.

“Nobody is going to take away what we did in the past,” Solis said. “We are playing a lot of young kids and rebuilding. We are in a rebuilding stage and every program goes through it. Our goal is just try to get better each game for the tournament and with our experience hopefully knock somebody off in the state tournament.”

Michael Fitzpatrick is a freelance journalist from Lorain.

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- The Monsters had a forgettable two-night visit to the BMO Harris Bank Center. The Monsters gave up three goals in the second period and two in the third en route to a 6-1 loss to the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday. On Friday, the IceHogs prevailed, 4-3. The Monsters, depleted because of injuries and call-ups, slipped to...

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The Monsters gave up three goals in the second period and two in the third en route to a 6-1 loss to the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday. On Friday, the IceHogs prevailed, 4-3.

The Monsters, depleted because of injuries and call-ups, slipped to 17-15-0-3. They play their third road game in three days Sunday in Milwaukee.

Rockford improved to 18-17-3-2.

The Monsters trailed, 1-0, through one period.

Rockford committed penalties at 6:23 and 6:48, giving Lake Erie a 5-on-3 for 1:35. Lake Erie failed to convert the opportunity, which began with an injury to winger Bryan Lerg.

At 8:13, Monsters defenseman Matt Hunwick went to the box for slashing. Technically, the Monsters killed the penalty, but Rockford had momentum as it ended. Defenseman Brett Skinner's shot from the point was tipped in by Brandon Mashinter at 10:15.

Rockford applied significant pressure late in the period, to no avail. Each team finished with six shots in the first.

The IceHogs tightened the screws in the second period with goals by winger Jeremy Morin (9:05) and Skinner (13:49) that made it 3-0. Former Monster Skinner's shot from the point occurred on the power play.

Lake Erie left winger Andrew Agozzino gave his club hope at 14:44. Agozzino received a pass from Mike Sgarbossa and used the backhand to beat goalie Jason LaBarbera for his ninth. Agozzino extended his point streak to six games.

Rockford regained the three-goal advantage at 15:55 when Joakim Nordstrom punished the Monsters for a turnover. Nordstrom's unassisted tally against goalie Sami Aittokallio was his 12th.

Lake Erie out-shot Rockford, 12-8, in the second period.

The IceHogs scored twice in the third, both coming on the power play. They finished 3-for-5 on the power play; Lake Erie was 0-for-6.

The 250-pound back had four touchdown runs and New England kept Andrew Luck from a second straight comeback win to beat the Indianapolis Colts 43-22 Sunday night.

Why won't the Browns interview Jim Tressel and who is the Browns frontrunner for their head coaching job? These and other questions

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mary Kay Cabot tackles your questions every weekend. Submit them here by the preceding Thursday.

Hey, Mary Kay:  Do you know why the Browns are not even considering an interview with Jim Tressel?

- Tommy  Chris, Youngstown, Ohio

Hey Tommy: I'm not exactly sure why the Browns won't interview Tressel, but he's been out of football for a few years and also might be a little older (61) than what they have in mind. Most of their candidates have been in the 35-51 range. Plus, if they do interview him and not hire him, fans might revolt. I also think they're looking for a coach who's on a roll in his current situation.

Hey Mary Kay: Do you think Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase will end up as the Browns coach?

- Elizabeth Phaler, Middleburgh Heights, Ohio

Hey Elizabeth: I know the Browns really hope to interview him, and that Jimmy Haslam's good friend Peyton Manning raves about him. I've been told Gase had had discussions with people about how Rob Chudzinski got the quick hook. If he can get past that, he might take the leap. If the Browns land Gase, the first candidate to surface in the search, it would mean they had a sound plan all along.

Hey, Mary Kay: Do you think the front office is in panic mode since their supposed favorite, Josh McDaniels,  withdrew his name for consideration?

- Mark Doerner, Bellevue, Ohio

Hey Mark: I don't think they're in panic mode. I believe they told McDaniels he wasn't their frontrunner and that they wanted to continue their search. I get the sense they're going to make a huge push for Gase.

Hey, Mary Kay:  Why is it that the Browns are so inclined to only look at candidates that use a single agent, Jimmy Sexton?  There must be a good reason, something I just don't realize. I understand that the "old boy network" is the way lots of business gets done, but it also limits your field. Is there some commission discount the Browns get for going through Sexton?  Do the Browns highly distrust other agents for some reason?  Do other agents avoid the Browns?  Try to convince me that using one agent has SOME justification. Then tell me what you really think. This strategy can't be optimal. Thanks.

- Jeff Wolinski, Grove City, Pa.

Hey Jeff: For starters, there aren't many agents that specialize in representing coaches these days. Some of the biggest are Jimmy Sexton, Bob LaMonte and David Dunn. Team officials usually have a comfort level with certain agents, and Sexton goes back at least 20-some years with Browns general manager Mike Lombardi, from his first go-round here in the early 1990s. Mike Holmgren gave LaMonte his start in the agent business and basically made him what he is. Some of the Browns' candidates this year are represented by Sexton (Josh McDaniels, Ken Whisenhunt and Gus Malzahn if they interview him). Others, such as Packers quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo and Adam Gase are represented by LaMonte.

Hey, Mary Kay:  Of the candidates most mentioned for the Browns head coach position, I would like to see Ken Whisenhunt get the job. If that happened, what are the chances that Norv Turner and/or Ray Horton would stay as coordinators? Do you think they had any input into the firing of Chud, i.e., after working with him this season they didn't think he was up to the HC job?

- Ralph Winterich, DuBois, Pa.

Hey Ralph: Multiple reports say that Whisenhunt is closing in on the Lions job. But if he did somehow land here, I believe he'd strongly consider keeping his former Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who worked for him in 2012. I doubt Turner would work for a strong offensive coach who would want to call his own plays.

Hey, Mary Kay:  I believe that the next coach the Browns hire should adjust his system to fit the strengths and abilities of the players versus molding them to fit a system he is comfortable with.  Also, how long do you believe it takes for the players to learn and re-adjust to a new coach' s system?  Doesn't it take some time to learn a different system whenever there is a change in coaching personnel?

- Art Hyde, Hart, Mich.

Hey Art: I think for the most part a coach should play to the strengths of his players and be flexible with his system. I also think a team can adapt and excel immediately in a new system. Look at the success that Bruce Arians had in his first season in Arizona this year and Chip Kelly had in Philadelphia. Both went 10-6 in their first seasons. The Browns also went 10-6 in Rob Chudzinski's first year as Browns coordinator in 2007. If the players are good enough, the new scheme will work fine right away.

Hey, Mary Kay: Did coach Rob Chudzinski make all these horrible calls last season, like keeping Greg Little on the field while Josh Cooper sat on the bench,  letting Willis McGahee play until he got  hurt before a change, staying with two quarterbacks too long? I get the feeling Lombardi or sir Banner didn't want to make the change.

- JR Piskor, Parma Hts, Ohio

Hey JR: I believe all the personnel decisions on the field were made by Chudzinski. Roster moves were handled by the front office, but the top brass didn't dictate who played or how much. I've also heard that the rumor that Chud was asked to cut Greg Little or Shawn Lauvao to make a statement was false.

Hey, Mary Kay:  Why do you think Rob Ryan has not been given the chance to be a head coach in the NFL?  He consistently has a good to great defense wherever he coaches.  Is it because most teams look for offensive guys, the problems his brother has had, or could it be his hair?

Thanks

- Mike Bick, Norwalk

Hey Mike: I'm guessing that perhaps Ryan hasn't gotten a chance yet because he's such a live wire and a loose cannon. I actually think he'd make a good head coach and he'd be wildly entertaining. I'd love to see it. Love the hair, love the sense of humor. Bring it on.

Hey, Mary Kay:  Cannot believe there is no mention of Eric Mangini in coach search. He is experienced, knowledgeable, and the players stuck with him through four season-ending games. Today he's more mature and has had good exposure to league. What's up-----wrong agent?

- L L, Okatie , S.C.

Hey LL: The Browns are trying to move forward, not backward. Someone might give Mangini a third chance, but it won't be here.

Hey, Mary Kay:  

Any chance the Browns would use their first pick or try to trade up with their second first-round pick to take Sammy Watkins the wide receiver from Clemson?  I think he'd be a good receiver to pair with Josh Gordon.

- Erich Golden, Westfield, N.J.

Hey Erich: I'm sure the Browns will look long and hard at Watkins and give him serious consideration. He'd make a great receiving duo with Gordon and the Browns definitely need weapons. However, they need a quarterback more than anything and I still see them taking one with the No. 4 overall pick. They'd probably have to trade up too high to take him with their second first-round pick.

Hey, Mary Kay: How does the probability of changing back to the 4-3 affect the current team? Most especially last year's pickups.

- Christopher Castle, Miami, Fla.

Hey Christopher: Some of the Browns players, including Jabaal Sheard, are still adjusting to their new positions in the 3-4, so it wouldn't be catastrophic if the Browns went back to the 4-3. However, the Browns seem to prefer the 3-4, and would probably like to keep the scheme.

Hey, Mary Kay: As a fan of the team for about 58 years and as frustrated as I am with the moves/lack of moves made since 1999, I believe the question posed at the latest press conference mentioning " The Three Stooges " was totally out of line and unprofessional. I was wondering if the person who made that comment was disciplined?

- Edward Cooke, Magnolia, Del.

Hey Edward: Reporters can't be disciplined for asking questions. However, I am not big on questions that begin with something like, "The fans say you guys are Three Stooges…..'' As former Willie McGinest used to tell reporters, don't hide behind "a fan wants to know.'' Do you want to know? Then ask your question.

Andrew Bynum is not the first NBA player to cross management.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Last week's trade for Luol Deng ended the Cavaliers' brief relationship with Andrew Bynum. Clearly, it did not end on a good note, but Bynum is not the first NBA player to cross management.

While the Cavs suspended Bynum one game on Dec. 28 for conduct detrimental to the team and then excused him from all team activities after some disruptive behavior at practice, he wasn't even the only player to cross management this year.

Denver's Andre Miller, the former Cavalier, went off on coach Brian Shaw near the end of a game against Philadelphia on Jan. 1 when he didn't play -- the first DNP-CD (did not play-coach's decision) of Miller's 15-year career. The team initially suspended Miller for two games but changed that to a leave and is reportedly trying to trade him.

It's still not entirely clear what Bynum did here. But at least he never choked his coach, as Golden State's Latrell Sprewell did to P.J. Carlesimo in 1997. NBA Commissioner David Stern suspended Sprewell for 82 games but an arbitrator reduced that to 68 games. Sprewell eventually was traded to the New York Knicks and played another seven years in New York and Minnesota.

At least Bynum never threw a towel in the face of his coach, like Phoenix's Robert Horry did to Danny Ainge in 1997. A few days later Horry was traded to the Lakers. That'll teach him. He played 12 more seasons with the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs and won five more NBA championships.

Washington's Gilbert Arenas was suspended for 50 games in 2010 for bringing a gun into the locker room.AP

At least he never brought a gun into the locker room, like Washington's Gilbert Arenas did in 2010.

If that wasn't bad enough, after news broke of the locker room incident between Arenas and armed teammate Javaris Crittenton, Arenas was photographed jokingly pointing his index fingers at teammates in a pre-game huddle, which incensed Stern. The commissioner suspended Arenas 50 games, and Crittenton 38 games. But Arenas eventually was traded to Orlando and he played two more seasons with the Magic and Memphis Grizzlies.

Sometimes a guy just doesn't fit.

Jamaal Tinsley lost his starting spot in the Indiana Pacers' lineup to T.J. Ford in the 2008-09 season and was basically sent home by president of basketball operations Larry Bird until the Pacers could work out a trade. He filed a grievance and was eventually waived in July, 2009. He played four more seasons with Memphis and Utah.

Basically the same thing happened to Tim Thomas in Chicago in 2005-06.

Sometimes, it's more than one guy.

Lots of people remember the Detroit Pistons' revolt against coach John Kuester, a former Cavs assistant, in 2011. A number of players, including Rip Hamilton and Chris Wilcox, skipped the team's shootaround before a game against Philadelphia. Kuester later played only the players who took part in the full shootaround -- Charlie Villanueva, Jason Maxiell, Will Bynum, Ben Gordon, Greg Monroe and DaJuan Summers. When Kuester got two technicals and was ejected, Tracy McGrady reportedly laughed on the bench.

In 2000, the Denver Nuggets boycotted a practice entirely when an unhappy coach Dan Issel scheduled it for 11 a.m. after the team plane arrived home at 3 a.m.

'We had a great year, and the year before was great. At the end of the day, the last two seasons, we haven't won anything," Ryan Shazier said. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio – What's the difference between never getting the chance to show you belong, and getting the chance and falling short?

Ohio State will find out over the next two months.

A year ago at this time, the Buckeyes manufactured their motivation. They rolled from a rally at St. John Arena to celebrate a 12-0 season, with Urban Meyer following through on his promise to commemorate that team in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, into offseason workouts driven by what the Buckeyes couldn't do.

NCAA sanctions kept them from a national title in 2012, they believed. In 2013, they kept themselves from that. Yet the outcome, at its heart, was the same.

“We had a great year, and the year before was great. At the end of the day, the last two seasons, we haven't won anything,” OSU linebacker Ryan Shazier said in the aftermath of the Buckeyes' 40-35 loss to Clemson in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3. “We've got to continue to grind and continue to try to win championships, and we haven't won any of them yet.”

What the Buckeyes will have on their side this time is defeat. Losses to Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship and Clemson in the Orange Bowl brought home some harsh realities that had only been imagined before. After the 2006 Buckeyes, ranked No. 1 and undefeated all season, famously lost to Florida and Meyer in the national title game by a score of 41-14, that number was used as a door code at the football headquarters.

What could the Buckeyes have used last year – 12-0? Now, either 34-24, the score in Indianapolis, or 40-35, the score in Miami Gardens, would work.

“I think we've tasted victory obviously, a lot of it,” senior left tackle Jack Mewhort said after the loss. “And these young guys have seen what it's like to lose tough games now.”

Mewhort said senior receiver Philly Brown told the players in a postgame speech after the Orange Bowl to make good use of those losses.

“His last words to the team were harness this feeling and use it to your advantage,” Mewhort said, “because nobody wants to feel like this.”

After offseason leadership classes, the Buckeyes picked eight captains before this season. Asked before the Orange Bowl, Meyer said he hadn't zeroed in at that point on a final group of permanent captains for the record books. Either way, only quarterback Braxton Miller will return among the eight.

Overall, the Buckeyes are losing six starters on offense (four offensive linemen, Brown at receiver and running back Carlos Hyde) and four on defense (Shazier, safeties C.J. Barnett and Christian Bryant, and corner Bradley Roby).

In 2014, the Buckeyes should be led by seniors like Miller, defensive lineman Michael Bennett, tight end Jeff Heuerman, receivers Devin Smith and Evan Spencer, linebacker Curtis Grant and cornerback Doran Grant. It's not a huge senior group though – those seven are the only candidates to start as seniors.

“Next year's senior class, there's still some guys that haven't played much,” Meyer said. “We have to get production.”

For Meyer and his coaching staff, the offseason will be new as well.

When they arrived after the 2011 season, the Buckeyes were at rock bottom off a scandal and a chaotic 6-7 season. There was nowhere to go but up. The next year, there was nowhere to go at the end of a perfect season.

Now, the Buckeyes aren't at the bottom. And they aren't in a place where they can claim others kept them from the top. Asked about what the offseason will be like, Meyer chose to make a point that Ohio State is still Ohio State.

“I think it will be great. (You're) a student-athlete at Ohio State University, get a great degree, and go on and build for the future,” Meyer said. “It's going to sting for a while, probably a long while, because we just didn't finish, and it was right there to finish.”

But it's a different Ohio State, at least a bit. Different from a year ago, though the last two years did set a blueprint for the rest of the Meyer years in Columbus.

“I think we set the template for how to work and I'm looking forward to seeing how these guys embrace it in the future,” Mewhort said.

Through two seasons and 24 straight wins, a lot was the same for the Buckeyes. Win, battle for respect, think you were out to prove something.

Now something has been proven. The Buckeyes weren't good enough to get where they wanted to go. Until they start spring football some time in March, they'll be living with, and working through, that.

“I hope the guys that are coming back feel that knot in their stomach like I do right now,” offensive coordinator Tom Herman said after the Orange Bowl. “That they're yearning to get right back out there and fix the things we've got to fix and make sure we don't feel like this again.

“The hunger after last year was a little bit different because we couldn't play in a bowl game, and they were hungry to go prove to the country that we belonged. And now this hunger will be a little bit different, having been stung here the last couple weeks. But a hungry team in the offseason is pretty good.”

Here are six things to watch - three for each of Sunday's divisional playoff matchups - as four teams battle to get one step closer to the Super Bowl.

Here are six things to watch - three for each of Sunday's divisional playoff matchups - as four teams battle to get one step closer to the Super Bowl:

San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers, 1:05 p.m. ET

1. The return of Steve Smith

Steve Smith is a little man with big swagger. He brings confidence and attitude to the Carolina offense, which is why the wide receiver's expected return to the field for today's playoff battle with San Francisco is such a boost for the Panthers.

Smith is officially listed as questionable for this game after missing the regular-season finale because of a sprained knee, but all signs point to him being in the starting lineup. The five-time Pro Bowler isn't the deep threat he once was -- his 11.6 yards per catch is his lowest since the 2007 season -- and he likely won't be at 100 percent, but Smith still ranks second on the team with 64 receptions and 745 receiving yards this season.

Smith was Carolina's leading receiver in a 10-9 victory over San Francisco in Week 10, and Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will need all his weapons to crack a 49ers defense that held him to 169 yards passing in that game.

2. Middle Men

Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, left, sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

If you're an NFL middle linebacker, you'd better bring your lunch pail each and every week. The middle linebackers in this game -- Carolina's Luke Kuechly and San Francisco's NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis -- don't just bring the pail, they hit you with it.

These guys are game changers. Kuechly (156) and Bowman (145) finished in the top five in the NFL in tackles this season. Bowman and Willis combined for eight sacks and six forced fumbles, and Willis led the 49ers with seven tackles for loss. Kuechly turned in a legendary performance with 24 tackles and an interception in a Week 16 win over the Saints. All three players were named to the Pro Bowl.

When these teams met in the regular season, Bowman and Willis combined for 14 tackles and a sack and Kuechly accounted for 11 tackles and a sack by himself as both defenses dominated. Expect this trio to be equally disruptive in today's rematch.

3. Cam vs. Kaep

This game features two of the most dynamic young quarterbacks in the NFL. Carolina's Cam Newton and San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick are both big, athletic playmakers who can take over a game with their legs or their arm. Neither, however, made many plays in their November meeting.

Kaepernick was held to a season-low 91 yards passing by the Carolina defense, and Newton didn't fare much better with a 52.7 passer rating. Neither QB produced a touchdown.

As good as the Panthers and 49ers are defensively, it's unlikely they'll be able to bottle up these two so effectively in consecutive games. Kaepernick, in particular, is much better equipped this time around with wide receiver Michael Crabtree back in the flow after missing the first 11 games of the season following Achilles tendon surgery.

Watch Fox Sports analyst Brian Billick explain why he expects this game to come down to big plays from these two quarterbacks:

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos, 4:40 p.m. ET

1. Time is on your side

Only two teams held the high-scoring Broncos under 30 points in a game this season. The San Diego Chargers did it twice.

How, you ask? The Chargers absolutely dominated the clock in two games against their division rival, holding the ball for 38:03 in a 28-20 loss in San Diego and 38:49 in a 27-20 victory in Denver. Ball control is what San Diego, which led the NFL in time of possession this season, does best -- and it also just happens to be the best way to neutralize Peyton Manning.

Denver was outgained 308-102 on the ground and converted just five of 17 third-down opportunities in those games. Numbers like those will keep even the highest octane offense on the bench.

The Chargers will have to pull off the same feat tonight with a hobbled Ryan Matthews, who didn't practice all week because of a bum ankle. The Chargers, even with Matthews hurting, rolled up 196 yards rushing in last week's 27-10 wild-card win over the Bengals behind running backs Ronnie Brown and Danny Woodhead. Those two players will need to pick up the slack again tonight if San Diego hopes to continue monopolizing the football.

2. Make way for the Champ

Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey lines up against the Jacksonville Jaguars during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Denver's defense got some great news when cornerback Champ Bailey returned from injury for the penultimate game of the regular season against the Texans. Then it got some disastrous news when linebacker Von Miller, their best pass rusher, went down with a torn ACL in the first quarter.

So far, the addition of Bailey -- who missed all but five games this season due to a foot injury, including both contests against the Chargers -- has outweighed the loss of Miller. The Broncos surrendered their two lowest point totals of the season in Weeks 16 and 17 with Bailey in the lineup, albeit against suspect competition in wins over the Texans and Raiders. The Denver defense allowed an average of just 172 passing yards in those games -- a marked improvement for a unit that finished the regular season ranked 27th in the league against the pass.

If the Broncos can build a lead and force the Chargers to take to the air, they should be in a much better position to counter Phillip Rivers and the San Diego passing attack with Bailey joining Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Chris Harris in the nickel defense.

3. Manning to Welker

The Broncos' third-down struggles against the Chargers include just two conversions on nine chances in their loss to San Diego in Denver last month. Wes Welker, Peyton Manning's favorite third-down target, didn't play in that game because of a concussion that ultimately sidelined him for the final three weeks of the season.

His return for tonight's matchup should be a boon to Manning and possibly an elixir for what ails the Denver offense on third downs. In 13 games this season, Welker has 778 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. But more importantly, almost half of his 73 receptions have come on third down and 49 of his catches have moved the chains.

Watch NFL.com's Judy Battista discuss the Chargers' ball-control advantage, the potential impact of Welker's return and Manning's search for redemption:

Ohio State recently offered a scholarship to three-star offensive tackle and Virginia Tech commit Brady Taylor of Columbus Bishop Ready School. The Buckeyes hope to land a fifth offensive line commitment in their 2014 recruiting class.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Urban Meyer has already secured oral commitments from four offensive line prospects in his 2014 recruiting class, but Ohio State’s head coach is out to land at least one more.

Meyer recently offered Columbus Bishop Ready School offensive tackle and Virginia Tech commitment Brady Taylor, a three-star prospect whom Rivals.com rates the No. 58 overall tackle in the class.

A 6-foot-5, 264-pound prospect, Taylor grew up an Ohio State fan, but the Buckeyes waited until late in the process to offer him a scholarship. But because Ohio State is the local powerhouse, it will be in the thick of things for Taylor, who plans on taking an official visit to the nearby campus soon.

Taylor also has scholarship offers Kentucky, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Purdue, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others.

Ohio State has to replace four starters on its offensive line next year, which is why Meyer has put a late emphasis on landing another offensive lineman.

The Buckeyes already have commitments from four-star prospects Jamarco Jones of Chicago De La Salle, Kyle Trout of Lancaster, Ohio, Demetrius Knox of Fort Worth (Texas) All Saints Episcopal and Glenville’s Marcelys Jones, who is already enrolled at Ohio State. 

It's so hard to sort through all the assistant coaches and find the right head coach.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I've been receiving lots of questions on the Browns coaching search.

Like many of the fans, I'm searching, too.

Somehow, reports have Adam Gase as the leading candidate for the job.

That's because:

1. He was the first coach the Browns asked permission to interview.

2. He is a fresh face, a 35-year-old rookie offensive coordinator who has never been a head coach at any level.

3. Browns CEO Joe Banner made a gutsy and risky move like this in 1999, hiring Green Bay quarterback coach Andy Reid to lead the Eagles. That worked out.

I do know the Browns have been intrigued by Gase.

But I also know the following:

Adam Gase has been a coordinator for only one year.AP

1. They have yet to interview him. He has refused all interviews -- a few other teams are interested -- until after his Denver Broncos are out of the playoffs.

2. He was hired by Josh McDaniels, and retained by new coach John Fox. That does speak well of him as most new coaches are reluctant to keep coaches from the old staff.

3. His coaching career began at LSU in 2000-02, when he was a graduate assistant for a coach named Nick Saban. Yes, that is a connection as Saban and Browns General Manager Mike Lombardi go back to the Bill Belichick Days with the Browns in the early 1990s. They have remained in touch.

4. Gase was an offensive assistant and a quarterback coach with Detroit (2005-07) and San Francisco (2008).

5. McDaniels hired Gase as a wide receivers coach in Denver in 2009-10.

6. He was moved to quarterback coach (2011-12), and he worked with Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning.

7. This is his first season as Denver's offensive coordinator.

That's the background, and it's impressive in that he has continually worked his way up in the NFL, starting at the bottom.

Question: Does that make Gase a good candidate to be head coach of the Browns?

Answer: Who knows? A coordinator for one year. He has never been a head coach at any level. You can say he helped change offenses from Orton to Tebow, but he was quarterbacks coach -- not offensive coordinator. When Manning is your quarterback, he has a strong say in the type of offense that you run.

Question: Does that make Gase a good candidate to be head coach of the Browns?

Answer: Recently fired Rob Chudzinski has more background as a offensive coordinator and working with a variety of quarterbacks (Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Cam Newton as the main ones) in his days with the Browns and Carolina.

Question: Does that make Gase a good candidate to be head coach of the Browns?

Answer: I have no clue because he has no track record as a head coach, and only one year as a coordinator (with Manning).

Here's what I do know: Banner and Lombardi really will put their Cleveland careers on the line hiring Gase, because it's impossible to begin to project how he'll do.

Here's something else I know: If they hire Gase, I hope Brian Hoyer is healthy enough to open the season at quarterback. I really don't want to see the combination of a rookie head coach/quarterback on opening day. That creates a huge learning curve.

Here are some questions/comments from fans:

Tom Wallenhorst emailed: "What NFL Coach could have a successful season having to use 3 QBs and not one of them a proven NFL starter? What Coach would want to come to Cleveland after taking into account the actions of our front office? I think we are destined to get a Head Coach only after all the other Head Coaching vacancies are filled. And this will also mean that all the best Assistant Coaches have already been taken! This is getting very old for the fans and I am starting to think I need to vote with my wallet and no Browns tickets next year!"

Dear Tom: I have received a lot of emails like this, and I share many of your concerns. The immediate firing of Chudzinski made me think they had a coach lined up. I thought wrong, I as wrote in Friday's paper.

David Krupinski emailed: "Why no consideration for bringing Marty Schottenheimer back to Cleveland. He’s been only successful wherever he’s coached and compiled a 14-2 record his last season as an NFL coach. I know the knock on Marty is that he can’t win the big games but everyone said the same thing about Cowher, and he eventually got it done. Think of what a story it would be if Marty was able to return to Cleveland to finish what he started in the Kosar era!"

Dear David: Marty is 70 years old, hasn't coached in the NFL since 2006. Not a good idea at his stage of life.

Paul Dunn emailed: "With McDaniels pulling himself out of the picture, I believe that this front office is now looking at people who will be no more experienced than Chud was. Unless one of the big name college coaches comes in (not likely), I believe that this front office has no credibility. From the outside, I don't think anyone with any sense sees this as a good career move."

Dear Paul: I never thought McDaniels had the job to lose. The connection is Lombardi/Belichick/McDaniels. But Banner is not part of that. Nor is Owner Jimmy Haslam. I'm sure they were interested in McDaniels, but I do know they had concerns about him because of some of the things that happened in Denver when he was head coach.

Jim Tressel has been working at the University of Akron since 2012 and he may be the next president of school.Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Raj Lakhia emailed: "Why not Jim Tressel? The guy wins and can coach circles around the Josh McDaniels types. He is a leader of men without question, who fell on a sword for his players at OSU. He is a young 61. Dick LeBeau is 76. He grew up in the Browns backyard and simply leads."

Dear Raj: He is 61, has zero NFL experience and hasn't even coached in college the last three years. He has been positioning himself to become the president of a major university -- and I believe that is in his future. In some ways, he'd be a bigger gamble than Gase because of those factors. Keep in mind, no one else is interviewing him, either.

Final thoughts: They are waiting for some other assistants (not just Gase) from playoff teams. I was told last week that it may be another few weeks before they hire a coach -- and that could be accurate. At this point, they are dealing with a lot of assistants (I was told it's highly unlikely they'll hire a college coach), and it's not easy to pick a head coach from that group since they have no head coaching experience.

Late turnovers and mistakes cost No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 20 Iowa on Saturday afternoon, as the Buckeyes feel to the Hawkeyes, 84-74, in Value City Arena.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State spent all week trying to prepare well enough to avoid two consecutive losses. Now it must get to work to try and avoid three in a row.

The No. 3-ranked Buckeyes suffered a barrage of turnovers and mistakes in the final six minutes of Saturday's game vs. No. 20 Iowa before falling to the Hawkeyes, 84-74, in Value City Arena. 

The loss came after Ohio State fell at No. 5 Michigan State in overtime on Tuesday, a game in which the Buckeyes erased a 17-point, second-half deficit before the Spartans pulled away for good. 

Ohio State's LaQuinton Ross led the team with 22 points, but the junior forward had a crucial air ball and two turnovers on three consecutive possessions late in the game that helped Iowa to take control. 

Iowa had four different scorers reach double figures, led by Roy Devyn Marble's 22 and Strongsville native Aaron White's 19.  

Kaepernick completed 15 of 28 passes for 196 yards, avenging his worst statistical performance of the season two months ago against the Panthers.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Colin Kaepernick threw one touchdown pass and ran for another score as the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Carolina Panthers 23-10 on Sunday to advance to the NFC championship game for the third straight season.

Kaepernick completed 15 of 28 passes for 196 yards, avenging his worst statistical performance of the season two months ago against the Panthers.

Anquan Boldin had eight catches for 136 yards and Frank Gore ran for 84 yards on 17 carries for the 49ers (14-4), who'll travel to Seattle next Sunday looking for a return trip to the Super Bowl. San Francisco split two games with the Seahawks this season.

The 49ers held Cam Newton in check, intercepting him twice and sacking him four times while stopping the Panthers (12-5) twice on a 1-yard line. It was a rough playoff debut for the former Heisman Trophy winner.

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks stopped Newton on a fourth-down sneak early in the second. Later, Brooks vaulted over the line and past Newton -- he was called for offsides, but the 49ers showed the Panthers it wouldn't be easy.

Carolina's vaunted pass rush, which led the league with 60 sacks, got to Kaepernick only once and the defense was flagged for three costly penalties leading to 13 points.

The 49ers benefited from a missed call in which officials failed to recognize they had 12 men in the huddle before a go-ahead TD pass from Kaepernick to Vernon Davis at end of the first half. Had the officials seen it, there would've be a 5-yard penalty.

Carolina won 10-9 in November in San Francisco, yet once again had trouble scoring.

Kaepernick extended San Francisco's lead to 20-10 early in the third quarter on a 4-yard touchdown run off a read option, then imitated Newton's Superman-style celebration by pretending to rip open his shirt.

The 49ers took a 13-10 lead into the locker room after Davis hauled in a 1-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone with 5 seconds left in the first half.

After a pass interference on cornerback Drayton Florence set the 49ers up with a first and goal at the 1, Davis was initially ruled out of the end zone. That prompted 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh to come racing on to the field to dispute the call, drawing a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

After reviewing the play, officials ruled Davis dragged his left foot and overturned the call on the field.

But that wasn't all.

Television replays showed the 49ers had 12 men in the huddle before the play, which should have resulted in a penalty.

It turned out to be a huge play. Had the play stood the penalty on Harbaugh would have backed the 49ers up the 16 for a third-down play. As it was, the penalty was assessed on the kickoff and didn't matter.

The touchdown was the first time in 18 possessions the 49ers scored a touchdown against the Panthers this season.

Two other costly 15-yard personal fouls on Carolina's defense led to a pair of early San Francisco field goals.

The 49ers were 2 of 13 on third downs that one-point loss to the Panthers on Nov. 10, but converted three on their opening drive -- the big one coming on an unnecessary roughness penalty on safety Mike Mitchell for a late hit on Davis after an incompletion. Phil Dawson made a 49-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

After Newton threw an interception, the 49ers took advantage of cornerback Captain Munnerlyn getting flagged for head-butting Michael Crabtree, leading to a 33-yard field goal by Dawson.

Carolina reached the San Francisco 1 on its next drive, but Newton was stuffed on fourth and goal.

Luke Kuechly and the defense kept the 49ers pinned deep and forced a punt which Ted Ginn Jr. returned to the San Francisco 31. On the next play, Newton connected with Steve Smith on a go route with a perfect pitch-and-catch to give Carolina a 7-6 lead.

Smith, who was questionable all week with a sprained knee ligament, turned just in time to see the ball coming over cornerback Tarell Brown's shoulder for his 10th touchdown in nine postseason games.

The Panthers made it 10-6 a 24-yard field goal by Graham Gano on their next possession after the 49ers stuffed All-Pro fullback Mike Tolbert on a third and goal at the 1.

The win set up the third game of the season between Seattle and San Francisco. The Seahawks won at home 29-3 on Sept. 15, then the 49ers won at home 19-17 on Dec. 8.

LaQuinton Ross scored a team-high 22 points, but No. 3 Ohio State couldn't overcome his turnovers late in the second half in a 84-74 loss to No. 20 Iowa in Value City Arena on Saturday afternoon.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – There was the version of LaQuinton Ross that Ohio State wants, the one who fills up the box score while serving as the consistent offensive threat for a team that doesn’t have one elsewhere.

But there was also the version Thad Matta thought would be extinct by now, gone with some of the not-so-fun memories from Ross’ first two seasons with the Buckeyes. That Ross is slow to react on defense, commits bad fouls and has turnovers during the game’s most crucial moments.

When the two versions of Ross come together, he is the best and worst player on the floor at the same time. And when those instances arise, like it did in No. 3 Ohio State’s 84-74 loss to No. 20 Iowa in Value City Arena on Saturday, the bad version prevails.

“Obviously we need LaQuinton to play well,” said Matta, who has repeatedly pointed to Ross’ lack of consistency as his biggest issue. “We have to get him back to playing.”

That Ross may have stopped playing – or at the very least is in a lull from which he needs to be pulled at the beginning of Big Ten play – had to be something Matta thought wouldn’t be an issue this season for the junior. That’s why Ross was penciled in as the main replacement for Deshaun Thomas’ productivity this season, particularly on offense.

Ross matched what Thomas may have done against Iowa, scoring 22 points to keep the Buckeyes in the game. But it was Ross’ mistakes down the stretch that may have lost it.

With Ohio State clinging to a slim 65-64 lead, Ross fired an air ball from beyond the arc. On the Buckeyes next two possessions, Ross turned the ball over in the teeth of Iowa’s defense. When that sequence of three sloppy possessions was over, the Hawkeyes had taken a 70-65 lead and control of the game.

“Well, we lost,” Ross said. “I try to do what I can to help the team win. That’s it. Scoring is what I do to help contribute to this team, so that’s what I try to do.”

But it’s about so much more than that sometimes, which is why Ross’ dual-personality as a basketball player made this question even rational to ponder: Should Ross, the team’s leading scorer, have been in the game during the Buckeyes’ last five minutes?

The answer to that question in Ohio State’s 72-68 overtime loss at No. 5 Michigan State on Tuesday was no, and Matta sat the junior forward down for the last 10:42 of regulation and the entire overtime period in the loss in favor of freshman Marc Loving.

During that span without Ross – supposedly the Buckeyes top scoring threat – Ohio State erased a 17-point, second-half deficit to force overtime. It was Loving who fired the Buckeyes' final shot attempt with the game on the line.

That shot, that situation was supposed to be for Ross, not a freshman. But his inconsistencies forced Matta to remove him from the game. Maybe it was a message for the junior, maybe it was a tactical necessity.

But at this point his Ross' junior season, Ohio State cannot afford that.

“I watched my teammates out here,” Ross said, reflecting on the Michigan State loss. “They made a huge comeback at the end of the game, so I didn’t feel (bad about) sitting out at the end of that game. I wanted to redeem myself (against Iowa) coming off that bad game. I think any player would.”

In some sense, Ross did bounce back by scoring at the rate in which he did, and Matta found it necessary to keep him on the floor even through those turnovers. It wasn't only on him that the Buckeyes have no lost two in a row and are looking up at Iowa (14-3, 3-1) in the conference standings.

Ohio State had only two other scorers reach double figures in center Amir Williams (11) and Lenzelle Smith Jr. (10), and the Buckeyes, after turning it over 21 times at Michigan State, had 17 against the Hawkeyes.

But what if only the good version of Ross would have showed up?

"I think LaQuinton Ross is a very talented individual," said Iowa guard Roy Devyn Marble, who scored a team-high 22 points for the Hawkeyes. "I think he's their best scorer and I think they know that ... He just has to trust his talent."

And earn the trust of his coach and team. 

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The Cavs look to continue their winning ways on this West Coast trip as they face off against the Sacramento Kings this evening at six.

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