Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said he will not need surgery for his partially torn pectoral muscle and there is "no chance at all" of him needing to go on season-ending injured reserve.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerLinebacker D'Qwell Jackson, recovering from a partially torn pectoral muscle, says he will be able to get back on the field this year for the Browns.

Speaking for the first time since suffering a partially torn pectoral muscle on Aug. 10, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said he will not need surgery and there is "no chance at all" of needing to go on season-ending injured reserve.

He was upbeat and all smiles during his appearance in the Browns locker room after practice. But Jackson admitted he was very concerned when the "freakish" injury happened because it felt just like the one a year ago to the other side of his chest. He completely tore that pectoral and needed season-ending surgery.

"I had a lot of thoughts going through my head," Jackson said. "It felt so similar to the past injury. I just couldn't believe it.

"Once I got the readings back from the MRI, it was a sigh of relief. I was able to play [at some point]. Yeah, I'll miss the preseason, but I have to look at the positive. When I come back, I know I'll be ready."

Jackson said the muscle "was not completely torn," but he compared the rehab process to a torn hamstring.

"It's just got to heal itself," he said. "Long as I can get as much treatment as possible and get my strength back, because day to day it changes. Some days are better than others. This past week I've been feeling pretty good without any soreness."

The original recovery timetable set by Jackson's personal doctor was three to eight weeks, which would mean getting back on the field as early as Tuesday and as late as Oct. 5.

Jackson would not state a target date for his return.

"I'm taking it day to day at this point. In a perfect world, the first game, but I can't put any projections on it," he said.

Little steps: It was a red-letter day for Montario Hardesty. The rookie running back experienced his first official practice of training camp with his teammates after missing 26 days with a bone bruise on his right knee.

He didn't do much, as most of the team work was devoted to preparation for the third preseason game in Detroit on Saturday. Hardesty took two handoffs over the two-hour practice.

"First day back. I'm just trying to get back into things," Hardesty said. "It was fun being back out with the team. I play football, so just being out there with the guys was the best thing about it."

Hardesty said he would not play in Detroit. "I'm shooting for the next one [Thursday against Chicago]," he said. "Whenever they call on me I'll be ready to go."

Ivey climbing up depth chart: The last time the Browns claimed a Miami Dolphin, they struck gold with linebacker Matt Roth. Now they'll try to rush defensive lineman Travis Ivey into the middle of the line to find out if he can help.

Ivey, 6-4 and 325 pounds, worked at nose tackle with the second defensive unit on Thursday. If Shaun Rogers is idled to start the regular season, Ivey has a chance to stick as a backup to Ahtyba Rubin.

"It's nice to be wanted," said Ivey, who was waived by the Dolphins this week. He said he thinks he has time to make the team. "I feel they wouldn't have brought me here if they didn't think I could play. Obviously, I'll get some opportunities this weekend. I've got to take advantage of those."

Brownie points: Coach Eric Mangini hasn't completely ruled out shifting cornerback Sheldon Brown, 31, to safety in the future. But he said he likes Brown at cornerback and "for that to be even a thought, Joe [Haden] would have to make a dramatic push [at Brown's starting job]." . . . Second-year cornerback Coye Francies passed his physical and advanced from the Physically Unable to Perform list to the active roster. He was quite active in his first practice on Thursday. "I just have to take care of my body, my spirit and my soul and let everything else take care of itself," Francies said. . . . Right tackle John St. Clair remained excused for personal reasons.

Tracy Boulian / The Plain DealerBackup quarterback Brett Ratliff knows his spot on the Browns' final roster is not assured, but says he is not spending a lot of time worrying about whether or not he will make the team.

Ratliff at peace:

"I really feel like football is what I'm supposed to do," Ratliff said. "If I get cut from here, I really feel I'll be somewhere else. If not, I'll see what God has for me and get into coaching. I love football. Why do anything else?"

Ratliff just turned 25 this month and isn't ready to pursue a coaching career. He said he would consider continuing his playing career in the United Football League if need be.

"If it didn't work out here, sure. I'll pursue football however long it takes me," he said. "I have no idea what will happen. It's kind of exciting, kind of scary a little bit. But it's [a matter of] continuing to trust in God and what He has planned for me."

Ratliff said his new relationship with God has enabled him to handle the ups and downs of his job.

"Joy doesn't come from football, it comes from God," he said. "I wasn't joyless. I was happy, up and down, based on football. Now my attitude doesn't swing with football. It's about God."

Sam David, though, says he didn't know the name of the woman on the dance floor with The Big Baryshnikov. And, confusion about the timeline.

Associated PressDoes Shaq know something we don't?

Let's try to figure this out.

It's apparent, apparently, that Shaquille O'Neal, the former Cleveland Cavaliers center now with the Boston Celtics, and Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander -- like O'Neal, a reality TV show star -- are an item. Probably.

In fact, Amanda Marzullo reports today for the Long Island Press:

Shaquille O’Neal, the new Boston Celtics center, proposed to his girlfriend Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander on Monday night.

The couple along with a few friends had dinner at the Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine and Hookah Lounge in St. Louis when O’Neal popped the question.

Would that be Monday night, Aug. 23?

Last Wednesday, Aug. 18, gossip columnist Deb Peterson wrote on the "Breaking Schmooze" blog for stltoday.com in St. Louis:

After a day at the Country Club of St. Albans, Shaquiile O'Neal had dinner in town Monday night and then showed up about 11:30 p.m. at the Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine and Hookah Lounge in Bridgeton, according to the lounge owner.

Owner Sam David said he and his wife, Majdolin David, were about to close up when the unmistakable Shaq showed up with a party of four - three women and another man.

"I think he may have proposed to his girlfriend," Sam David said today. "He brought a chair into the middle of the dance floor and he put a ring on her finger."

David said he did not know the name of the woman who was with Shaq, nor of any of the others in the new Boston Celtics center's entourage.

When did Diesel propose? To who, and how many times? What was/were the answer/answers? Is The Big Aristotle planning to do a rap re-make of the Beach Boys' "I Get Around." Are the Shaq sightings really new teammate Nate Robinson traveling incognito? Is yet another reality show in the making?

The best part of the first week of high school football is that every team is optimistic and believes it can have a good season.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter / The Plain DealerThe Euclid Panthers run onto the field Thursday before the start of their season opener against the Strongsville Mustangs at Euclid.

Starting over.

That's the best part of this week, when high school football seasons kicks off in Northeast Ohio.

Starting over means running out of the tunnel, fans stomping, cheerleaders screaming, the scoreboard and standings the same for every team: 0-0.

As Browns coach Eric Mangini told his players before they beat Pittsburgh on a snowy Thursday night last season: "Don't let anyone label you as a person, a player or a team. Today, you can write your own label on that field."

From the pros to high school sports, those words hold true.

Hope is real from Glenville to Strongsville to Painesville to Brecksville and every school's -- public or private -- football team in Ohio. Thursday night, the season officially kicked off with seven area teams in action. It kicks off in earnest tonight.

Players, coaches and fans can talk of conference titles, state playoff appearances . . . and yes, even state titles.

And this week, just about every team has some dream that at least has a hint of reality. That's what it's like as you are ready to play your first game. For many teams, the goal is this: Make the playoffs, then end the season with a victory.

That goal especially fresh at Glenville, Maple Heights and Chagrin Falls. All three schools went to last season's state title games -- and all three lost.

Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno knows the feeling, a dream season that doesn't end with a nightmare -- but with a sense of emptiness. His teams lost in the Division I state finals in 2006 and 2007.

View full sizePDAllicia Collins comes down into the arms of her fellow Archbishop Hoban cheerleaders Thursday as Hoban plays Akron Garfield Thursday in Akron.

"You don't say it, but in the back of your mind, you know how hard it is to get there," said Trivisonno. "You know you may not get back. Instead, we told our kids that they knew the price to be paid [for reaching the finals], so our motto in 2007 was -- finish it."

That didn't quite happen in 2007, but the Cardinals did get back to the game. They really did come back more determined than ever to win a title.

"That's how we feel going into this season," said Maple Heights coach Todd Filtz. "We want to get back."

More than great players are needed

Filtz means to the Division II finals. Back to a march of 15 games in 15 weeks.

That's what it takes -- 10 regular-season games, then five more in the playoffs.

"Coach doesn't talk about it a lot, but winning the state title is in the back of everyone's mind," said Maple Heights star quarterback Shaq Washington. "We break our huddle saying 'state'. Before, we thought we could win. Now we know it."

Washington is a team captain, a University of Cincinnati recruit whose 3.7 grade-point average makes his coaches smile. When your best player goes to class and does all the right things, it's easier to get others to follow. It's also the type of attitude needed to be a state title contender.

It's a safe guess at least 50 area schools believe if most things go right, they could be this season's Maple Heights and Chagrin Falls -- two teams that seemingly came out of nowhere to reach the state finals.

"You really never know what will happen," said Chagrin Falls coach Mark Iammarino. "That's really true. Maybe we were expected to make the playoffs, but every week after that, we were supposed to lose. Every playoff win was gravy for us, but our kids kept wanting more. We won our first 14 games, just came up one game short."

Iammarino said his team lost most of its key players from a year ago -- and the Tigers were picked to finish fifth in the eight-team Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division this season by The Plain Dealer.

"We still have 17 seniors who played in that title game [a 37-7 loss to Kettering Archbishop Alter]," said Iammarino. "Four of our leaders -- Dan Driscoll, Alex Garnaut, Alex Forbes and Austin Garofolo -- are all linemen. When your hogs [linemen] are your leaders, you get the other kids to follow. They're big enough to scare the others into going to practice and being unselfish."

Iammarino laughed as he said it, but his point is coaches can't do it alone.

While Filtz said Washington is a key to his Maple Heights team, he also mentioned center Donovan Garner, a 3.0 student, as having the attitude needed to win a championship.

"You need more than good players," said Mentor's Trivisonno. "We had great leaders over the years, but in 2006, we had Bill Deitmen [now a running back at Case Western Reserve], who may have been our best ever."

View full sizePDHoban students are ready to start the football season before Thursday's game against Akron Garfield.

Mentor has never won a state football title, and Trivisonno said he talks to the junior high players about it. He thinks it's a realistic goal for this season, mentioning team captains Joe Kasper and Alex Hervey -- a pair of 4.0 students.

"People aren't talking about us," he said. "They talk about St. Ed, St. Ignatius and Glenville. That's OK, it keeps us hungry -- and being hungry is the key to getting back to the title game."

Some coaches fear complacency

Which is what Glenville coach Ted Ginn Sr. is telling his team.

"Our season came down to two points," he said. "We lost the first game of the season [to St. Ignatius] by one point, our last game by one point. Think about that, two points."

Glenville came so agonizingly close to becoming the first Cleveland public school team to ever win a state football title. The Tarblooders lost, 16-15, to Hilliard Davidson, a game that they appeared to have won.

Ginn said he has showed the tape of the final moments of that game -- pointing out penalties and mental mistakes that set the Tarblooders up for the upset. They have watched it several times.

"We are talking about discipline and character," said Ginn. "We need more of it if we want to get back [to the finals]. It takes character to bounce back from what happened [in the finals] last year. It takes discipline to say we didn't get it done last year, but we will be even better this season."

Ginn is proud of what his team accomplished and the pride that bloomed on the streets of Glenville for months. But the veteran coach also fears complacency.

View full sizePDHoban's Ben Edwards (46) appears to be champing at the bit to start playing football Thursday as he stands with teammates prior to kickoff.

He talks about the players being treated as heroes in the community, which could lead to them forgetting all the sacrifices it takes to make playoff history. He talks about the college recruiters who can bloat the egos of his players. He talks about national rankings, Glenville at No. 7 in the country by ESPN/Rise and 22nd by USA Today. He mentions state rankings, some having Glenville as the best team in Ohio.

He knows how great expectations can whirl together into a tornado of disappointment.

What leaders are helping with that?

"We have leaders," he said. "But right now, I'm not going to name them."

Ginn's approach is tough love.

"This is a real test," he said.

Every coach can say that. This week is a chance to see what all the practices and preparation has produced. It's a way for all the weights lifted, the sprints run, the blocking sleds pushed and the seemingly never-ending streams of August sweat for every team on every field.

"Really, it's fun," said Iammarino. "Let's face it, the games are what make all the work worthwhile."

Athletics lead Indians, 1-0, through three innings.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Tribe plays host to the Athletics in the finale of a three-game series at Progressive Field.

Pitching matchups: RHP Justin Masterson (4-12, 5.33) vs. RHP Vin Mazzaro (6-5, 3.56).

In-game updates: The Athletics led the Indians, 1-0, through three innings.

Gabe Gross had a two-out single to left in the second to drive in Mark Ellis. 

Mazzaro allowed one hit -- a one-out single by Luis Valbuena in the third. Mazzaro had retired seven in a row to open the game.

Lou Marson followed with a walk. Michael Brantley grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. 

It will be a surprise if Mazzaro does not pitch at least six innings. Athletics starters have worked at least six in 23 straight games.

Masterson gave up the one run on two hits. He walked one, hit two and struck out two. Masterson ranks among league leaders in plunking batters. 

Pregame notes:

First baseman Matt LaPorta, one of the youngsters on whom the Indians are counting to form part of their core, is struggling.

LaPorta has four hits in 42 at-bats of his last 12 games, dropping his season's average to .235 in 83 games.

Tribe manager Manny Acta is not going to overreact.

"He's just in a slump,'' Acta said. "He's had his ups and downs. He's going to need to make adjustments.''

LaPorta has been particularly vulnerable to off-speed pitches.

"He's shown flashes,'' Acta said. "The next step is to try to get consistency.''

LaPorta is far from the only Indian fighting himself at the plate. The club is hitting .246.

During a five-game losing streak, the Indians have scored four runs.

"The guys are showing up every day and working hard,'' Acta said. "At the end of the day, we'll see what they're made of.''

Rondon down: Right-hander Hector Rondon, the Indians' 2009 minor-league pitcher of the year, underwent reconstructive elbow surgery on Wednesday. He last pitched May 12 because of elbow soreness. He went 1-3 with an 8.53 ERA in seven starts for Class AAA Columbus.

Acta said that Rondon, had he been healthy, likely would have gotten a look in Cleveland in September.

"We lost one year of development, and probably one more,'' Acta said of 2010 and 2011. "The good thing about it is, Tommy John (surgery) is not what it used to be. A lot of guys come back stronger.''

Lineups:

Athletics (63-62) --  1. Coco Crisp cf; 2. Daric Barton 1b; 3. Kurt Suzuki c; 4. Jack Cust lf; 5. Mark Ellis 2b; 6. Jeff Larish dh; 7. Kevin Kouzmanoff 3b; 8. Gabe Gross rf; 9. Cliff Pennington ss; and Mazzaro.

Indians (50-76) -- 1. Michael Brantley cf; 2. Asdrubal Cabrera ss; 3. Shin-Soo Choo rf; 4. Travis Hafner dh; 5. Jayson Nix 3b; 6. Trevor Crowe lf; 7. Matt LaPorta 1b; 8. Luis Valbuena 2b; 9. Lou Marson c; and Masterson.

Umpires: P -- Boll Hohn; 1b -- Gary Darling; 2b -- Bruce Dreckman; 3b -- Paul Emmel.

The Buckeyes will give students 800 seats in the first 10 rows at center court.

OSUStudents will now sit in the first 10 rows of sections 104, 105, 106 and 107 for Ohio State men's basketball games.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It's been a long time coming, but Ohio State men's basketball games might feel more like college games than they used to.

Basketball schedule announced

In its 13th season in the Schottenstein Center, Ohio State will this season create a center court student section, moving 800 student seats to the first 10 rows behind the benches and scorer's table where faculty and stuff used to sit.

"We think by doing this we'll get the fanatical students to be a part of it maybe a little bit more and a little bit better than we have," said Bill Jones, Ohio State's associate athletic director for external affairs. "We thought let's find a way to get them where they want to be and where we think they can make a difference."

Ohio State president Dr. Gordon Gee enthusiastically announced the move during an interview with WBNS radio in Columbus on Thursday, saying he and Athletic Director Gene Smith would be among those moving their seats to accommodate the students. Jones later confirmed the details, and admitted some staff members might not be happy to give up their seats.

"There's been a little complaining, but I don't know how many of them are really thinking about basketball," Jones said. "I'm sure there are going to some faculty and staff not real pleased."

But Jones was reassured by the support he says the move has from Gee, Smith and student leaders who have been asking for better seats for years.

"I think for the most part that everyone is going to be pleased and the majority will receive it well," Jones said, "because I think they all believe, the faculty and staff members included, that it's about the students." 

Jones said the students will have about 1,400 seats in the lower area of the arena in all, fewer than the 2,000 seats they had in the past but still enough to meet demand, Jones believes. He said the students will take up the first eight to 10 rows in that lower section, and the final two rows will not be sold and remain empty so that students will not block other fans if they stand for most of the game, which Jones expects.

He said Ohio State had talked about reconfiguring the Schottenstein Center in some away to create a student area, but that would have been too costly, so this was the solution that made the most sense. He said the move has been gradually building over time, and he knew it was needed after traveling to many Big Ten road games with the team last year.

Jones remembers working on his ticket duties in the concourse last season at Purdue, and when Boilermakers star Robbie Hummel made his first 3-pointer of the game, "I thought the roof was coming off," Jones said.

What Ohio State has now won't be like what the Boilermakers' larger student section in a small building offers, or what the ridiculously loud "Izzone" student section gives Michigan State, with students surrounding every inch of the court. Jones knew that when he heard the roar in West Lafayette, so he thought, "How can we get closer to that?"

This has to be closer.

The Browns' Ring of Honor ceremony is bigger than Jim Brown, Terry Pluto writes.

Scott Shaw / The Plain DealerWhatever beef he has with the Browns front office, Jim Brown should attend the team's Ring of Honor ceremony next month, says Terry Pluto.

Team President Mike Holmgren was talking about the Browns' new and long overdue Ring of Honor.

On one side of him sat Paul Warfield. On the other side, Joe DeLamielleure. They are two of the Browns' 16 Hall of Famers who will comprise the first Ring of Honor.

But several of the questions were about Jim Brown, the greatest (my opinion) running back ever who might not be at the ceremony when the Browns host Kansas City on Sept. 19. In an interview with a Syracuse, N.Y., radio station, Brown indicated he has not been given proper respect by the new management team, which no longer wanted him an in advisory role.

Warfield's departure from the team was announced in the same press release, but his was voluntary. He said he's been thinking of retiring for a few years -- he had been working in the personnel department and took his job very seriously. Warfield mentioned he also is dealing with some family issues, and the Browns have kept the door wide open for his return anytime he wants to come back.

The greatest receiver in team history is trying to persuade his former teammate to show up for the ceremony. Perhaps the real answer is for owner Randy Lerner to sit down with Brown and Holmgren, and work out something that makes sense for both sides.

That's not Lerner's nature, but it goes with the job of being the team owner.

But Brown should understand this much -- the fans love him and want him at the ceremony. The franchise and the history of 16 Hall of Famers is bigger than any one player, even Brown.

Brown talks about respect being a "two-way street," but this is a family feud between Brown and management.

What about respect for the fans, who cheered and supported him? Or his former teammates such as Leroy Kelly, Mike McCormack, Bobby Mitchell and Warfield, who will be there? What about putting an exclamation point on the proceedings, his presence screaming that he is a bigger man than what he perceives to be unfair treatment from the Browns?

This will be a huge day for men such as DeLamielleure, whose excitement came out when mentioning how his eight grandchildren will be there -- and see that their grandpa was indeed very special back in the day of the Kardiac Kids.

It will be a huge day for former offensive lineman McCormack, whose last Browns season was 1962. And to Kelly, who made six Pro Bowls, but was never fully appreciated because he took Brown's place.

Of the 16 Hall of Famers, only seven are alive -- Ozzie Newsome, Kelly, Warfield, Mitchell, DeLamielleure, McCormack and Brown. Time passes quickly. Jackie (widow of Lou) Groza died a few weeks ago. The Groza family will be represented.

Mike (son of Paul) Brown said a member of his family is expected to attend, according to Holmgren. It's doubtful any member of the organization had a more bitter parting than Paul Brown, whom Art Modell fired after the 1962 season. Mike Brown owns the Cincinnati Bengals -- founded by his father -- but knows part of his heart remains with the fans in Cleveland.

The Ring of Honor is not about the current ownership or management team. It's about the Hall of Famers. It's about the fans. It's about the history of the Browns, which ties the players and the fans together.

As Jim Brown decides what he wants to do Sept. 19, he ought to think about that. It's not just about him, it's about everything that is the best of the Cleveland Browns.

Matt LaPorta hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning as the Indians defeated the Athletics, 3-2. The Tribe snapped a five-game slide.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians were relentless Thursday night.

First, they scored a run -- an earned run, at that.

Then they crafted a multi-run inning.

The combination proved too much for the Athletics.

Struggling Matt LaPorta hit a two-out, two-run homer in the sixth to carry the Tribe to a 3-2 victory at Progressive Field.

The Indians snapped a five-game slide during which they had combined to score four runs.

LaPorta was in a 4-for-44 skid when he launched Vin Mazzaro's pitch over the left-field wall. LaPorta also drove in Trevor Crowe, who had singled.  

How desperate was Tribe manager Manny Acta for a victory? He summoned closer Chris Perez with one out and runners on first and second in the eighth.

Perez struck out Jeff Larish looking and got former Indian Kevin Kouzmanoff to hit a checked-swing grounder to first. Kouzmanoff might have been distracted when teammate Rajai Davis bluffed as if he would attempt to steal third.

Oakland put a runner on second with one out in the ninth. Perez struck out Coco Crisp looking and Daric Barton swinging.

Perez earned his 16th save.

The Athletics took a 1-0 lead in the second. Gabe Gross hit a two-out single to left to drive in Mark Ellis.

Mazzaro allowed one hit through three -- a one-out single by Luis Valbuena in the third. Mazzaro had retired seven in a row to open the game. Lou Marson followed with a walk. Michael Brantley grounded into a 5-4-3 double play.

The Indians tied it in the fifth when Brantley's two-out single to right drove in Marson from third. Marson had walked, stolen second and moved to third on a wild pitch.

The Indians' offense had not managed an earned run since the first inning last Sunday in Detroit.

Kouzmanoff cracked a two-out, RBI double in the sixth to give Oakland a 2-1 lead.

With two outs in the bottom of the inning, Crowe singled to left. LaPorta delivered his blast, which was not punctuated by fireworks because of several hundred dogs in the building as part of a promotion.

The Indians had not scored three runs in one game since defeating Kansas City, 7-3, on Aug. 19.

Masterson (5-12, 5.23 ERA) gave up the two runs on five hits in six innings. He walked two, struck out three and hit two. Masterson ranks among league leaders in plunking batters.

Rafael Perez pitched a scoreless seventh. Joe Smith ran into trouble in the eighth, prompting Acta to go with Chris Perez.

Oakland played terrific defense in the early innings; otherwise, the Indians likely would have won comfortably.

The first-ever promotion by the Indians benefits the Animal Protective League, which receives a portion of the tickets sales.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerThe Indians hosted the first-ever Puppypalooza on Thursday at Progressive Field, attracting 267 dogs and 461 escorts. Fans and their pooches walked the rubber track around the field before the start of the game against the Oakland A's.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two loves -- dogs and baseball -- came together Thursday night as 267 dogs and 461 escorts paraded into Progressive Field and around the warning track.

Six-year-old Doug Kabicek balanced over the railing from his front row seat to coax the pups up for pets and licks.

"He's such a dog lover. He's petted half of them," said his mother Michelle, as pugs and pinschers, boxers and schnoodles pranced past.

"How much does that one weigh," he shouted to Robin and Wally Adamson, who drove up from Columbus with a pair of massive black and white New Foundlands, Maggie and Grady. At 140 pounds of furriness (and drool), Maggie dwarfed the 42-pound elementary schooler from Parma.

"Puppypalooza" was a first for the Cleveland Indians.

The promotion, standard fare at many minor league sporting events, benefited the Cleveland Animal Protective League, which received a portion of the tickets sales and helped fill a section of the park near the right field foul poll with some extra fans.

Some owners boasted that their four-legged friends would have a shot at catching a foul ball.

Before the game, the dogs were adorned with blue bandannas and were given special peanut butter and honey ice cream. They played in puppy-sized pools and frolicked on sod laid out under a tent on Carnegie Avenue.

About 60 volunteers from the APL checked dogs into the game and, armed with plastic poop bags, safeguarded the field as the dogs circled the stadium.

Daric Barton, a first baseman with the Tribe's opponent, the Oakland A's, stood in front of the visitor's dugout petting a silver horse-of-a-dog named Zeus. And as the Indians mascot Slider strode by, a gaggle Chihuahua's nipped at his pink fur-clad heels.

After the parade, the dogs settled into their seats, some sharing nachos with owners. Others lazed in the shade of the "party deck" lapping from little metal water bowls. Their barks occasionally echoed around the concession area.

Ryan Burket, an avid fan who has a partial season ticket package, trotted around with Sushie, his 4 1/2 month old Boston Terrier who wore a tiny custom-tailored jersey. Her favorite player is Shin-Soo Choo, Burket said.

"I wouldn't have missed this for anything," he said.

The Buckeyes will play Michigan State just once, hosting the Spartans on Feb. 15.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / The Plain DealerCleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph's grad David Lighty, above, will play a big role on the Buckeyes this season after the team lost star Evan Turner to the NBA.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State opens with what looks like a manageable Big Ten schedule, with a real chance to open 6-0 in conference play, according to the schedule released by the Buckeyes on Thursday.

Ohio State will start Big Ten play at Indiana on New Year's Eve, followed by a game at Iowa, a home game with Minnesota, a trip to Michigan and home games with Penn State and Iowa.

While Indiana, for one, should be improved, those five teams were a combined 27-63 in Big Ten play last year. And the Buckeyes also don't have to make the toughest road trip in the Big Ten, missing out on a visit to Michigan State's Breslin Center. Each Big Ten team plays 18 conference games, missing one road opponent and one home opponent. The Buckeyes will not host Northwestern this season.

Much of the preseason schedule was already known. That will be highlighted by two trips to the Sunshine State, one to play Florida at 6 p.m. on Nov. 16 as part of ESPN's 24-hour basketball marathon and another to play Florida State at 7:30 on Nov. 30 in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. The best home nonconference game is South Carolina on Dec. 18.

The Buckeyes tied Michigan State and Purdue for the conference title last year and will host the Boilermakers on Jan. 25 at 9 p.m on ESPN and visit Purdue on either Feb. 19 or Feb. 20. Michigan State will play in Columbus on Feb. 15 at 9 p.m.
 Every game is scheduled to be televised on either CBS, Big Ten Network or one of the ESPN channels.

Ohio State's 2010-11 men's basketball schedule

Sunday, Nov. 7 Walsh (Exhibition), TBA, BTN.com
Friday, Nov. 12 North Carolina A&T, TBA, ESPN3
Tuesday, Nov. 16 at Florida, 6, ESPN
Saturday, Nov. 20 UNC Wilmington, 8, BTN
Tuesday, Nov. 23 Morehead State, TBA, ESPN3
Friday, Nov. 26 Miami, Ohio, 4, BTN
Tuesday, Nov. 30 at Florida State, 7:30, ESPN (Big Ten-ACC Challenge)
Thursday, Dec. 9 IUPUI, 7, BTN
Sunday, Dec. 12 Western Carolina, 4, BTN (at St. John Arena)
Wednesday, Dec. 15 Florida Gulf Coast, 6:30, BTN
Saturday, Dec. 18 South Carolina, 2, CBS
Tuesday, Dec. 21 North Carolina-Asheville, 8:30, BTN
Monday, Dec. 27 Tennessee-Martin, 8:30, BTN
Friday, Dec. 31 at Indiana, 6, ESPN2
Tuesday, Jan. 4 at Iowa, 9, BTN
Sunday, Jan. 9 Minnesota, 2 or 4, BTN
Wednesday, Jan. 12 at Michigan, 6:30, BTN
Saturday, Jan. 15 Penn State, 5:30, BTN
Wednesday, Jan. 19 Iowa, 6:30, BTN
Saturday, Jan. 22 at Illinois, CBS, Noon
Tuesday, Jan. 25 Purdue, 9, ESPN
Saturday, Jan. 29 at Northwestern, 6, ESPN2
Thursday, Feb. 3 Michigan, 7, ESPN/ESPN2
Sunday, Feb. 6 at Minnesota, 2, ESPN
Saturday, Feb. 12 at Wisconsin, 2, ESPN/ESPN2
Tuesday, Feb. 15 Michigan State, 9, ESPN
Saturday/Sunday, Feb. 19/20 at Purdue, 7/1, BTN/CBS
Tuesday, Feb. 22 Illinois, 7, ESPN
Saturday/Sunday, Feb 26/27 Indiana, 7/1/4, BTN/ESPN.CBS
Tuesday, March 1 at Penn State, 9, BTN
Sunday, March 6 Wisconsin, TBA, TBA
Wednesday-Sunday, March 9-13, Big Ten Tournament, Indianapolis

Browns President Mike Holmgren, unveiling plans for new stadium "Ring of Honor,'' expects Hall of Famer Jim Brown to attend.

Mark Duncan / Associated PressBrowns President Mike Holmgren, left, and Hall of Fame flanker Paul Warfield plan to attend the team's Ring of Honor ceremony next month, but Jim Brown says he might not be there.

After Mike Holmgren became Browns president, he began asking around the office why, with so many Hall of Fame players, there was no tribute to them inside the stadium.

Why no "Ring of Honor," like those in Green Bay and Seattle, where he coached, where he told his young players to look up, notice the names and study them. No one had a clue.

In the first of what Holmgren said will be more game-day links to the Browns' rich legacy, a new Ring of Honor along the upper-deck facade of Browns Stadium will serve as a tribute to the greatest players in franchise history.

The Ring's unveiling and induction of the first class -- the 16 Browns enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- will occur at halftime of the team's home opener with Kansas City on Sept. 19.

"This is really going to be quite a celebration," Holmgren said during a press conference Thursday at the team's Berea headquarters.

"I can't tell you how excited I am about it, and it's long overdue."

But Holmgren's excitement was somewhat sidetracked by the possibility that the greatest Brown of all could be a no-show.

Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, who was an executive adviser to the team until Holmgren was hired and realigned the front office, indicated during a radio interview Thursday that he feels disrespected by the organization.

"I'm a very sensitive person. I do like to be respected," Brown said, responding to a question on WSKO, The Score, in Syracuse, N.Y., about possibly skipping the ceremony. "I'm very loyal. I like it to be a two-way street.

"I've been very quiet about the situation in Cleveland," Brown told the radio station. "Sometimes when you comment on things, all you do is create problems. The last thing I want to do is create problems for anyone or disrupt the team or ownership or the plans of other people.

"On the other hand, as an individual I have plans of my own. I have a dignity and character of my own that I also protect. I don't really need to comment on where I go, why I go, why I don't go. All the people involved are doing all the commenting. They're the ones with the power. I'm just an individual who played football and worked for the Browns for a while. . . ."

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerJim Brown and Mike Holmgren got off to a good start as they shake hands after Holmgren was introduced as the Browns' President in January. The relationship is a little frostier now, at least it appears to be from Brown's perspective.

Asked about the organization's relationship with Brown, Holmgren said they recently had "a great conversation," and that he trusts Brown will attend the ceremony.

Holmgren said "rift" was too strong a word to describe the situation, and that he has acknowledged how important Brown is to the organization.

"The importance of Jim Brown to the Browns and this community, none of that stuff changed, none of that stuff is different, and he knows that, and I told him that" when they talked Tuesday, Holmgren said.

"Now his responsibilities, what he was asked to do prior to my coming on board, that changed a little bit," he said. "But would I like Jim Brown to come in and talk to our rookies? Absolutely. Would I like Jim Brown to come in and do this? Absolutely. Do I want him as part of this day? Absolutely."

The Brown saga momentarily overshadowed the celebration of a remarkable inaugural class of inductees, including the two fan favorites flanking Holmgren for the announcement: graceful, sure-handed receiver Paul Warfield and guard Joe DeLamielleure, each sporting a glistening Hall of Fame ring.

"I'm overwhelmed," said Warfield, who grew up in Warren and won a Super Bowl with Miami between two terms with the Browns. "This is a great and significant honor for me personally."

The induction will culminate a week-long celebration of events to be announced later.

Besides the Ring of Honor, a popular stadium tribute started by the Dallas Cowboys in 1975, the Browns will resurrect their Legends Program, which began in 2001 to honor standout players from various eras.

Fans will also notice a new Heritage Hall, a season-long exhibit in the stadium's Browns Town area. Presented in conjunction with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the display will feature photos, memorabilia and busts of the 16 Ring of Honor inductees.

The criteria for choosing future Ring of Honor inductees hasn't been decided, although count on it being an exclusive club.

"There are a lot of great players who have played here. Not every great player gets to be in the Ring of Honor," Holmgren said. "That should be something, very, very, very special."

A homer from a long-silent player and a five-out save from Chris Perez make Justin Masterson a winner for the first time since July 1 as the Indians end a five-game losing streak with a victory over Oakland.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerMatt LaPorta watches his go-ahead two-run homer head to the seats in the sixth inning Thursday during the Indians' victory over the A's at Progressive Field. LaPorta's homer gave the Tribe a 3-2 lead and helped the team break a five-game losing streak.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Who let the dogs out? How many times has that rap riff boomed through a ballpark? At Progressive Field, it should be "Please let the dogs in" for the rest of the season.

In front of 11,826 fans and 269 dogs Thursday night, the Indians ended a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over Oakland.

The Puppypalooza promotion brought 269 dogs and their owners to the ballpark. For one night, they put more bite than bark into the Indians bats.

The Indians certainly needed it. The win was only their fourth in the last 17 games.

Slumping Matt LaPorta hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning and Chris Perez converted a five-out save to give Justin Masterson his first victory since July 1.

"Indians win on doggie night," said Shelley Duncan. "How about that?"

Masterson (5-12, 5.23) held the A's to two runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked two on 91 pitches.

"It was a well pitched ballgame," said manager Manny Acta. "You need those to snap out of losing streaks. Masterson threw first pitch strikes to 19 of the 26 batters he faced. When he does that consistently, he's very tough."

Just what role Masterson will pitch in next year is undetermined. Thursday was his 26th start. He'll stay in the rotation until gets close to 180 innings -- he's at 151 1/3 -- and end the year in the bullpen to give someone else a chance to start.

"We plan on sending him home as a starter," said Acta. "We'll make our decision on March 30. You keep asking about next year and we don't know if we'll make it to Christmas."

Masterson says he feels he's done enough to stay in the rotation for next season.

"I've pitched quite a few innings," he said. "I've got some good starts under the belt and some inconsistent ones. Sometimes I remind myself that this is the first year of actually knowing what I'm doing (starting or relieving).

"I've had some inconsistency in delivery, but overall I like where we're at. I think I've learned enough and understand enough to take those things into next year."

LaPorta was in a 4-for-45 slump when he came to the plate with two out in the sixth and the Tribe down, 2-1. Trevor Crowe just reached on a two-out single against Vin Mazzaro (6-6, 3.61).

"I was just trying to see the ball and hit it hard," said LaPorta.

He succeeded on both fronts, driving Mazzaro's first pitch into the left field bleachers for his eighth homer and a 3-2 lead. Acta went to the bullpen to start the seventh. Rafael Perez retired the A's in order in the seventh. Joe Smith started the eight with an out, but walked the next two batters.

Acta called for Chris Perez for the five-out save. He struck out Jeff Larish and retired Kevin Kouzmanoff on a grounder to end the eighth. He started the ninth by striking out Gabe Gross, but gave up a single to Cliff Pennington.

No problem. Perez froze Coco Crisp on a called third strike and struck out Daric Barton to end it.

"Was that a save by CP or what?" said Acta. "That was a legit save, a throw-back type save. Five outs with the go-ahead run on base. He was nails."

It was Perez's 16th save and the third in which he's gone more than one inning. He's 3-for-4 in save situations lasting more than one inning.

Masterson went out for the sixth the score tied, 1-1, and promptly walked leadoff hitter Jack Cust. Rajai Davis pinch ran and stole second for his 38th theft of the season. Masterson retired the next two batters, but with first base open, he pitched to Kouzmanoff.

Kouzmanoff, who doubled in the fourth, doubled again to the wall in left center for a 2-1 lead.

Oakland took a 1-0 lead in the second on Gross' single with two out. The Indians came back to tie, 1-1, on Michael Brantley's two-out single in the fifth. It was only the third run the Indians have scored in the last 32 innings.

To reach this Plain Dealer Reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

Your first look at the business world today.

Marvin Fong, Plain Dealer fileBuckeye fans wait for players to arrive at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., in January. Bloggers are finding big success tying into the love of Buckeyes football.

Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant agreed to a new five-year deal with the team, according to NBA sources. Grant had three years left on a deal he signed in 2008 after he turned down a chance to become the general manager of the Atlanta Hawks.

Marvin Fong | The Plain DealerChris Grant is entering his first season as GM of the Cavaliers.

Ohio State and Michigan still could play in the final game of the regular season, regardless of how the Big Ten organizes its new divisions, OSU President Gordon Gee and OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith told The Plain Dealer on Thursday.

Tracy Boulian | The Plain DealerOhio State Athletic Director Gene Smith didn't divulge details of potential divisions in the new Big Ten, but OSU President Gordon Gee said in an interview on WBNS radio in Columbus that separating Ohio State and Michigan was under serious discussion.

Former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith has not been impressive this summer with the Baltimore Ravens. Smith, a graduate of Glenville High School, has struggled in his fourth NFL training camp, according to The Baltimore Sun's Ravens Insider blog. Smith had a chance to become the Ravens' starter in 2008, but a rare case of tonsillitis set him back...

APTroy Smith

Former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith has not been impressive this summer with the Baltimore Ravens. Smith, a graduate of Glenville High School, has struggled in his fourth NFL training camp, according to The Baltimore Sun's Ravens Insider blog.

Smith had a chance to become the Ravens' starter in 2008, but a rare case of tonsillitis set him back and Joe Flacco took over and remains the starter.

Smith, according to the blog, has clearly been the third-best quarterback in camp (behind Joe Flacco and Marc Bulger). He's forcing passes and throwing interceptions.

But coach John Harbaugh has seen progression from the former Heisman Trophy winner.

"I think Troy has had a really good camp," Harbaugh said. "He continues to improve, and Troy is a quality quarterback. We've said it over and over again, and he's done well."

A movie review site takes a stab at sports, and Cinema.com comes up with 10 reasons why Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will not play a down this coming season. Movie site or not, it comes up with some pretty good reasons why McCoy will not see the field. Some of the reasons are obvious, others are very...

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerCleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy

A movie review site takes a stab at sports, and Cinema.com comes up with 10 reasons why Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will not play a down this coming season.

Movie site or not, it comes up with some pretty good reasons why McCoy will not see the field.

Some of the reasons are obvious, others are very interesting, especially with reason No. 5:

Not Enough Long-term Upside:

For as much publicity as McCoy and fellow rookie Tim Tebow get, their upside from a physical standpoint is very cloudy.

McCoy has a much better throwing motion and touch than Tebow, but his lack of ideal size could be an issue.  Although his arm strength has surprised some, it is far from optimum.

In the end, there might not be enough for anyone to work with. 

 

And reason No. 2, would Colt McCoy Really Stay On The Browns Practice Squad?

Understanding exactly how exactly the NFL's practice squad rules work is a complicated task, but it can be done.

If the Browns were to delegated McCoy to practice squad, he would have to clear waivers and would be eligible to negotiate a contract with any other NFL team.

Despite his physical limitations, McCoy's pedigree as the most victorious college quarterback ever makes him a low-risk acquisition for an established franchise with a solid base of talent.

If the Browns put him on the practice squad, he isn't likely to stay there for long.

The Cleveland Browns can use all of the help they can get, so it will not be a surprise if one of the team's rookies steps up and makes a significant contribution this coming season. An injury has slowed running back Montario Hardesty but he has returned to the field. Before the injury, the Browns expected Hardesty to battle with...

Cleveland Plain DealerColt McCoy

The Cleveland Browns can use all of the help they can get, so it will not be a surprise if one of the team's rookies steps up and makes a significant contribution this coming season.

An injury has slowed running back Montario Hardesty but he has returned to the field. Before the injury, the Browns expected Hardesty to battle with Jerome Harrison for a starting position.

Rookie cornerback Joe Haden is battling for a starting spot. He started at corner in the preseason opener when Eric Wright was out.

Rookies T.J. Ward and Larry Asante are competing at free safety. Ward, however, brings the wood sort of speak to the Browns' secondary.

Quarterback Colt McCoy is not expected to see much playing time during this coming season, but stranger things have happened.