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Mike Zimmer will be named Minnesota Vikings' new head coach

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Zimmer will be the ninth head coach in the franchise's 54-year history, replacing Leslie Frazier.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn - The Minnesota Vikings have picked Mike Zimmer to be their new head coach, according to a person with knowledge of the process.

The person spoke Wednesday to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Zimmer's contract had not been completed and the team had not announced the hiring of the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator. Zimmer will be the ninth head coach in the franchise's 54-year history, replacing Leslie Frazier, who was fired Dec. 30 after the team finished 5-10-1 this season.

General manager Rick Spielman interviewed at least seven candidates, and he and Vikings owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf settled on the one who was widely considered around the league to be the most overdue for a head coaching job. Zimmer has been an NFL defensive coordinator for the last 14 seasons, including six with the Bengals, and he has interviewed for several head coach vacancies in recent years, including this month with Tennessee.

"Today is one of the happiest and yet saddest days for me. Happy Coach Zimm finally gets to be a head coach and spread all of his knowledge," Bengals cornerback Terence Newman said on Twitter.

The Bengals were third in the league in yards allowed and fifth in points against this season, though they lost in the first round of the playoffs for the third straight year. Tweeted linebacker Rey Maualuga: "Gonna miss you coach Zimmer! Wish you nothing but the best in Minnesota. You brought out the best in each of your players! So honored to have been coached by you!"

The 57-year-old Zimmer played at Illinois State and spent 14 seasons coaching in the college ranks before being hired in 1994 as an assistant with Dallas. He got a Super Bowl ring the following season as defensive backs coach.

Then he became defensive coordinator of the Cowboys in 2000 and spent seven seasons at that post, the last four under coach Bill Parcells. Zimmer led defenses in Dallas that operated in both the 4-3 and 3-4 alignments, including the 2003 group that surrendered the fewest yards in the league.

The Wilfs, natives of New Jersey, grew up as New York Giants fans and are admirers of Parcells from his days coaching that team.

After one tumultuous year as the defensive coordinator for Atlanta, when Falcons coach Bobby Petrino quit midseason in 2007, Zimmer went to Cincinnati to work for coach Marvin Lewis. In 2009, when his wife, Vikki, unexpectedly died, Zimmer was named the winner of several NFL assistant coach of the year awards.

Zimmer has a fiery personality, as evidenced by his profanity-laced appearances on HBO's "Hard Knocks," which featured the Bengals in 2009 and 2013. That overt intensity is a contrast to Frazier, who went 21-33-1 in three-plus seasons with one appearance in the playoffs.

Frazier was a popular figure in the locker room and throughout the organization, but as a former defensive coordinator his area of expertise became the team's biggest downfall. Despite a carousel at quarterback, the aged, injury-depleted defense was mostly responsible for the sorry showing this season. The Vikings allowed an average of 30 points per game, the most in the league, and 397.8 yards per game, the second-most.

Five of the seven reported candidates who interviewed for the vacancy had defensive backgrounds: Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Cleveland defensive coordinator Ray Horton, Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, San Francisco defensive line coach Jim Tomsula and Zimmer. The other two were offensive coordinators: Seattle's Darrell Bevell and San Francisco's Greg Roman.



Clayton Kershaw's new 7-year deal with Los Angeles Dodgers will be worth $215 million, according to reports

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The deal would make the two-time Cy Young Award winner baseball's first player with a $30 million average salary.

A person familiar with the deal says pitcher Clayton Kershaw has agreed to a $215 million, seven-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, a deal that makes the two-time Cy Young Award winner baseball's first player with a $30 million average salary.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the agreement had not yet been announced.

Kershaw receives the most lucrative deal for a pitcher, breaking the mark of $180 million set by Justin Verlander last March for his seven-year contract with Detroit.

The average salary of $30.7 million tops the previous high of $27.5 million, set by the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez as part of a 10-year agreement December 2007. While Roger Clemens had a contract with a listed salary of $28 million with the Yankees in 2007, he joined the team in June and actually made $17.4 million.

Kershaw's agreement was first reported by ESPN.com.


Urban Meyer officially welcomes Larry Johnson Sr. to Ohio State as the Buckeyes' new defensive line coach

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On Wednesday, Urban Meyer officially welcomed Larry Johnson Sr. to Ohio State as the Buckeyes' new defensive line coach.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Larry Johnson's commitment is official. Score it another recruiting coup for Urban Meyer, though this one is for his coaching staff.

On Wednesday, Meyer officially welcomed Johnson to Ohio State as the Buckeyes' new defensive line coach.

Johnson spent the last 14 seasons as the defensive line coach at Penn State. Ohio State also hired Chris Ash as its new co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Though the university has yet to confirm that signing, Ash will replace Everett Withers, who took the head coaching job at James Madison.

“I am very pleased that Larry Johnson is an Ohio State Buckeye,” Meyer said in a statement. “I have great respect for him as a family man, as a coach and mentor of young men, and as a recruiter. He is an outstanding addition to our coaching staff.”

Johnson spent 20 years as a high school coach in Maryland and Virginia prior to his tenure in State College, Pa.

“I’m a relationship guy and I think in order to get the best out of your players you have to develop relationships,” Johnson said. “I’m also a teacher. I like to teach the basic fundamentals of football. I want guys who are fundamentally sound and have the ability to play fast and to play relentless.

“In just a few hours I can tell that Ohio State cares about football. There is a winning tradition that is important here. They care about academics and they care about players, and I like the way Coach Urban Meyer approaches things. He’s a great teacher. He is very organized and this is what I was looking for.

“And I am really impressed with the Ohio State players. I just met a group of players, walked out of the room and thought, ‘wow,’ these are the kinds of players I want to coach. They were really impressive.”

Larry Johnson Coaching Assignments

2014-pres. Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line...................... Ohio State University

2000-13 Defensive Line................................................................ Penn State University

1996-99 Defensive Ends/Special Team’s Coordinator................... Penn State University

1992-93 Head Coach..................................................................... T.C. Williams H.S.

1975-91 Head Coach..................................................................... McDonough H.S.

1974 Assistant Coach............................................................... Lackey H.S.


Pilot Flying J update: 95 percent of customer shortages resolved

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Jimmy Haslam's Pilot Flying J says all but 5 percent of fuel-price discrepancies with trucking companies are now settled.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Pilot Flying J said Wednesday the truck stop chain has paid back about 95 percent of the customers to which it owed fuel rebate and discount money.

The Knoxville, Tenn.-based company controlled by Browns owner Jimmy Haslam's family said in an online posting that internal auditors "continue to work hard to evaluate and re-evaluate our customer accounts."

"Pilot Flying J is committed to providing its customers with access to their audit results, to answer their questions and help ensure our customers feel comfortable with Pilot Flying J's audit and repayment," the statement continued. "We anticipate this process will continue for several more months."

The statement was the fifth progress update posted by Pilot since federal agents descended on company headquarters in April. In the agents' arsenal were secretly recorded conversations in which Pilot sales executives discussed a scheme to systematically reduce fuel rebates and discounts that Pilot had pledged to pay trucking companies.

Federal prosecutors continue with a criminal investigation into the activities of top sales managers at the nation's biggest retailer of diesel fuel. Seven former Pilot employees have pleaded guilty to mail and wire fraud charges related to the fuel price-skimming. They are thought to be cooperating in the investigation.

Haslam has denied knowing about any wrongdoing before the federal raid and subsequent unsealing of a government affidavit that set forth what records and evidence agents sought in Pilot's offices.

Pilot reached what it described as a "global settlement" of lawsuits that sprang up in the wake of the federal revelations. The settlement repays customers what they're owed plus six percent interest, and covers their legal fees.

Still, more than a dozen lawsuits remain from trucking companies that opted out of the class settlement. A federal judge in Alabama overseeing one of the lawsuits this week dismissed racketeering claims against Haslam and other Pilot executives, but said Wright Transportation could continue pursuing breach-of-contract allegations against Pilot and its managers.

Pilot said Wednesday its customers now have the option to have a third-party independent auditor review their records at no cost to the customer.

Pilot also said the company continues to work with an external compliance advisory committee. It hopes to have recommendations from the committee by the end of March and implement them by the middle of 2014.


Cleveland Indians still won't confirm signing OF Nyjer Morgan to minor-league contract

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Nyjer Morgan says he's signed with the Indians, but the team hasn't confirmed it.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- To believe Nyjer Morgan, he has signed a minor-league contract with the Indians that includes an invitation to big-league camp.

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick wrote that Morgan confirmed the signing in an email Tuesday. Crasnick wrote that a source said that if Morgan makes the major-league roster and reaches specified incentives, the total value of the contract would exceed $1 million.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, however, Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti declined to confirm Morgan's signing.

Antonetti has more pressing matters, including five arbitration-eligible players who need to be signed. Or, perhaps, the Indians have a different view of the value of incentives in Morgan's contract. Whatever the reason, a delay in confirmation makes sense given what typically surrounds Morgan and his alter ego, "Tony Plush."

Morgan has been involved in multiple on-field incidents in a major-league career that began with the Pirates (2007-09) and continued with the Nationals (2009-10) and Brewers (2011-12). Morgan played in Japan last year.

The speedy Morgan takes pride in getting under an opponent's skin with a hard-charging style and trash talk, much of it generated by Tony Plush. A Wednesday tweet presumably from Morgan's account, @TheRealToneP, read: "Looking forward for (sic) this great opportunity to bring Plushdamental's to the Tribe Nation. TP''

In 119 games for the Brewers in 2011, Morgan batted .304 in 119 games. He parlayed it into a one-year contract worth more than $2 million, but fizzled for the Brewers in 2012 (.239 in 122 games). The Brewers let him walk, and he ended up with Yokohama in the Japan Central League.

Morgan is a .280 hitter with 117 steals in 583 major-league games.

Assuming Morgan is in, he becomes the second notable outfielder this month to sign a minor-league contract with Cleveland. Former Royals right fielder Jeff Francouer also received an invitation to big-league camp.

Francoeur, 30, played for the Royals and Giants last season. He batted a combined .204 (50-for-245) with 10 doubles, three homers and 17 RBI in 81 games. His OPS was .536. In 2011, Francoeur batted .285 (171-for-601) with 47 doubles, 20 homers and 87 RBI for the Royals. He signed a two-year contract but has struggled since.

Francoeur was Atlanta's No.1 pick in 2002. He drove in 103 and 105 runs for the Braves in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

As of early Wednesday evening, none of the five Indians in the arbitration process -- pitchers Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin, Marc Rzepczynski, Vinnie Pestano and left fielder Michael Brantley -- had agreed to terms.

Ohio State has achieved balanced scoring, but lacking a go-to scorer cost the Buckeyes in losses vs. Michigan State, Iowa

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"I would say, your Jareds and your Deshauns, those guys had a knack for somehow, someway of finding way, via the free throw line or getting inside the defense, to score," Thad Matta said. "We did lack that down the stretch of, 'Hey, let me make the play.' "

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sam Thompson was the most aggressive scorer down the stretch on this particular night, and his team-high 18 points were the reason Ohio State erased a 17-point, second-half deficit at Michigan State to force overtime.

Only five days later Ohio State was in another tight game, this time on its home floor against Iowa. As the two teams traded blows during the final 10 minutes trying to steal a coveted Big Ten win, Thompson spent the majority of those minutes on the bench.

That’s the way things are right now for this Ohio State team. On any given night, the Buckeyes could have a leading scorer, and who that player is often is centered solely on matchups and who happens to be hot.

“At this stage, so much of it is simply predicated on who is playing well,” Matta said. “But there’s no mistake, when everybody is playing good, not great, we are a much better basketball team. That’s the thing we need to get these guys to understand.”

Matta likes that unpredictability. It takes away the opponent’s ability to circle a player, which has been either Jared Sullinger or Deshaun Thomas the last three years, and focus its defense on trying to slow down the star.

But without a player like Thomas, last year's go-to scorer Ohio State is still trying to figure out how to replace, Matta is forced to ask himself more questions about his lineup during pivotal points in close games. 

“Should I go big or small?”

“Should Sam Thompson be on the floor?”

“Who should take the final shot?”

Those questions aren’t easy to answer. But they are easy to second guess.

Maybe in March, when Matta has everything better figured out through experimentation, that unpredictability will help Ohio State make a deep NCAA Tournament run for the third consecutive season. But right now it is causing bumps and bruises. Ohio State, now No. 11 in the Associated Press Poll, lost to Michigan State and Iowa last week, and the Buckeyes (15-2, 2-2 Big Ten) are headed on the road to Minnesota (13-4, 2-2) on Thursday evening. 

The season has suddenly found its crossroads. 

LaQuinton Ross vs. Iowa 2View full sizeLaQuinton Ross scored a team-high 22 points against Iowa, but his turnovers late in the game cost Ohio State in a 84-74 loss to the Hawkeyes on Sunday.

“I would say, your Jareds and your Deshauns, those guys had a knack for somehow, someway of finding way, via the free-throw line or getting inside the defense, to score,” Matta said. “We did lack that down the stretch of, ‘Hey, let me make the play.’ ”

Ohio State has four players averaging between 9.1 and 13.6 points per game, so the Buckeyes have achieved the balanced scoring Matta envisioned without having Thomas on the roster.

But something is still missing. Something Thomas had. The Buckeyes are still looking for a player to find a certain aggressiveness, someone who knows the biggest shot of the game belongs to them. Freshman Marc Loving took Ohio State's final shot at Michigan State, and the Buckeyes failed to identify a playmaker late against Iowa.

Could it be LaQuinton Ross? He had a game-high 22 points in the Iowa loss, but his airball and two crucial turnovers on three consecutive late possessions hurt the Buckeyes. Against Michigan State, Matta benched the junior for the final 10:42 of regulation and the entire overtime period. 

Could it be Lenzelle Smith? He was supposed to be one of Ohio State's most consistent scorers, but he has scored only 20 points in the last three games combined. 

Could it be Aaron Craft? He showed aggressiveness getting to the rim and finishing around the basket late against Iowa, but he missed crucial free throws and his jump shot seems to be a liability. 

Could it be Thompson? Known as a dunking specialist who has more upside on defense, Thompson has shown spurts of offensive prowess. But games like he had against Michigan State seem to be an anomaly, and he is also still working to develop a consistent jumper. 

Maybe none of them will be the only answer. None of them are Thomas. But Ohio State has options. Now it is about having an answer. 

"We were much more aggressive on the offensive end, and we got away from that in the past week," Thompson said. "We really weren't ourselves on the basketball court that past week, and we want to make a point to play our game in Minnesota." 

Cleveland Browns reportedly will interview Buffalo Bills' defensive coordinator Mike Pettine

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Pettine has had a top-10 defense in all five years as an NFL coordinator.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns reportedly will interview Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine for its head-coaching vacancy on Thursday.

Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported Wednesday the veteran assistant will speak to the Browns, the only team among the seven to fire a coach this offseason yet to hire a new one.

Pettine, 47, just completed his first season as Bills’ defensive coordinator. Buffalo’s big-play ranked 10th in total defense and 20th in scoring defense. Employing a 4-3 front, the Bills were second in interceptions and sacks.

He served as the New York Jets defensive coordinator from 2009-12 and his units ranked in the top-10 in total defense all four seasons, including being league leaders in 2009.

Previously, Pettine was a Baltimore Ravens’ assistant from 2002-2008.

The Bills finished this season 6-10, including a 37-24 loss to the Browns on Oct. 3.

The Browns are still waiting to interview Denver offensive coordinator Adam Gase -- the first name to surface in their search -- but they must wait for the Broncos to finish their playoff run.

More to come.




NFL Draft experts foresee the Cleveland Browns pursuing Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde

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Hyde rushed for 1,521 yards and 15 touchdowns during his senior campaign.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Could Carlos Hyde swap in his scarlet and gray uniform for one painted orange and brown? A couple of NFL Draft experts think it could happen.

In his first mock draft of the year, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. projected the Cleveland Browns to select the Ohio State running back with the 26th pick of the first round. The Browns also hold the No. 4 pick of the draft.

"For one, I think this is a good spot for the Browns to move down and allow a team that really wants a QB to move up and grab one," Kiper wrote. "This is a good spot to go and get a player like Derek Carr. So while it might seem crazy that Cleveland would trade a running back for a first-round pick, then go out and take one with the pick it got in return, it also reflects the fact that this becomes a pretty mobile spot on the board for the Browns, and they do need to get a starting-level RB at some point, perhaps in Round 2."

An NFL scout told the Northeast Ohio Media Group last month that teams are growing wary of the resources they devote to the running back position. Hyde rushed for 1,521 yards and 15 touchdowns during his senior campaign.

Still, the scout surmised that Hyde could play all three downs at the next level, given his ability to both run between the tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield.

"You have to be concerned with the amount of equity that you put in the position," one NFL scout said. "[Teams] want versatile guys who can do a little bit of everything for them. There's so much going on with schemes and personnel that you can't have one back that can only run and then bring in one back that can only block and then bring in another guy that can only catch. You need a guy who can do all of those."

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler told the Northeast Ohio Media Group that no senior prospect impressed him more in 2013 than Hyde.

"[It's] as if he has springs in his calves," Brugler said. "He is a nimble and graceful runner for a 240-pounder, but he also has the power to truck defenders carry them for extra yardage, refusing to go down easily.

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah also projects the Browns to select Hyde with the 26th pick.

"He has excellent size, power, vision, and burst," Jeremiah wrote. "He rarely goes down on first contact and has sneaky breakaway speed when he gets past the second level of the defense. He is also a viable option in the passing game (three receiving touchdowns)."

The NFL Draft will be held May 8-10.




Meet new Cleveland Indians outfielder: Nyjer Morgan a.k.a. Tony Plush

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Nyjer Morgan, also know as Tony Plush, will bring his enthusiastic personality to the Cleveland Indians clubhouse this spring in Arizona.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nyjer Morgan, also know as Tony Plush, will bring his enthusiastic personality to the Cleveland Indians clubhouse this spring in Arizona.


The 33-year-old outfielder has signed a minor league contract with the Tribe and will compete for a spot in the outfield.


He signed a one-year deal with the Yokohama BayStars of the Japan Central League last season and overcame a slow start to hit .294 with 11 homers.


He has already expressed his excitement about coming to Cleveland through his Twitter account, @TheRealToneP:





But what he has done off the field has gained more attention.It's safe to say that the Tribe's clubhouse will have extra energy with a guy like this around. Here are his greatest, wackiest and most memorable moments.


• His alter-ego, Tony Plush, has over 70,000 followers on Twitter. Morgan will occasionally make a hand signal to look like a "T" after reaching base.


• Morgan suited up with the San Jose Sharks in 2012 and practiced with the team, even getting a chance to take part in a breakaway drill.




• On June 8, 2012, Morgan hits his first walk-off hit with a double to give the Brewers a 7-6 win over the New York Mets. Everyone in the ballpark knew the game had just been won besides the guy who actually won it. The postgame interview is epic.




• Don't let Tony Plush steal the microphone.




• Morgan loves all baseball fans. He talks about his interaction with a Minnesota Twins fan.




• Morgan explains "Plushdamentals".




As The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff reports, Morgan joins a crowded outfield:
Morgan will compete in a crowded arena. The Indians are set in left field (Michael Brantley), center (Michael Bourn) and right (David Murphy, Ryan Raburn). And the Indians signed another notable outfielder, Jeff Francoeur, to a minor-league contract with an invite to big-league camp. The contracts for Morgan and Francoeur reportedly are structured similarly, with each standing to earn more than $1 million, plus incentives, if he makes the team.

Cleveland, get ready for Tony Plush.

Cleveland Indians make it official: OF Nyjer Morgan signed to minor-league deal

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The Indians confirm that Nyjer Morgan has signed a minor league contract.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians confirmed Thursday what Nyjer Morgan told Jerry Crasnick of espn.com on Tuesday: Morgan has signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to big-league camp.

The official announcement was delayed because of a medical review.

Morgan, 33, played for the Yokohama DeNa BayStars of the Japanese Central League last year, batting .294 in 108 games.

In a major-league career that began in 2007 and covers six seasons, Morgan has hit .280 with 117 steals. He has played for Pittsburgh, Washington and Milwaukee.

Video: Meet Nyjer Morgan a.k.a. Tony Plush

As the Brewers' regular center fielder in 2011, Morgan batted .304 with a 3.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in 119 regular-season games. The Brewers won the NL Central and faced Arizona in a division series. In the bottom of the 10th inning of deciding Game 5, Morgan's RBI single gave the Brewers a 3-2 victory and sent them to the NLCS, where they lost to St. Louis in six games.

Morgan parlayed his 2011 season into a one-year, $2.35 million contract. But he struggled in 2012, batting .239 with a 0.2 WAR in 122 games and losing his starting job to Carlos Gomez. The Brewers took him off the 40-man roster Nov. 1; the next day, he declined an outright assignment to the minors and became a free agent.

Known for his in-your-face style and trash talk, Morgan has been involved in multiple on-field incidents. He created an alter ego, "Tony Plush,'' who should make Indians camp even more interesting than it already is.

Morgan will compete in a crowded arena. The Indians are set in left field (Michael Brantley), center (Michael Bourn) and right (David Murphy, Ryan Raburn). And the Indians signed another notable outfielder, Jeff Francoeur, to a minor-league contract with an invite to big-league camp. The contracts for Morgan and Francoeur reportedly are structured similarly, with each standing to earn more than $1 million, plus incentives, if he makes the team.

Scarlet and Gray have a field day in the NBA: Jared Sullinger dominates, Greg Oden actually plays

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Greg Oden, Jared Sullinger and other former Buckeyes had big nights in the NBA on Wednesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Six former Ohio State basketball players now play in the NBA. Five of those six played on Wednesday night, and they combined for 79 points and achieved a couple of milestones.

Greg Oden, who led the Buckeyes to the national championship game in his lone season in Columbus in 2006-07, played in his first NBA game since 2009. He scored six points and grabbed two rebounds in eight minutes. The injury-riddled center has played in only 83 games since being the No. 1 overall pick in 2007.


Jared Sullinger logged the Boston Celtics' first 20-20 game in seven years when he posted 25 points and 20 rebounds in a win against Toronto. Sullinger averaged more than 17 points per game in his two years at Ohio State. For the Celtics this season, the power forward has played in 38 games (and has made 25 starts) and is averaging 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest.


Point guard Mike Conley Jr. and center Kosta Koufos combined for 25 points in the Memphis Grizzlies' win in Milwaukee. Conley, who could be making a case to be an All-Star, is averaging 18 points and 6.5 assists per game.

It is Evan Turner, however, who leads all former Buckeyes in scoring this season. The Chicago native is averaging 19 points per game for the Philadelphia 76ers, and he poured in 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a win against Charlotte on Wednesday.

How long would Job last? Cleveland Browns, Cavs, Indians fans going on 50 years: Tim Warsinskey's Take

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No city's fans have endured so much -- 138 combined seasons without a championship since 1964.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- My priest called me last week.

“I need counseling,'' Rev. Tim Plavac said.

This is never a good omen, when a man of God reaches out to a sportswriter.

“This is serious,'' he said.

I glanced out the window for signs of an apocalypse, and braced for an earthquake or flood. Nothing happened, not even a stray locust.

Whew.

“Tim, I need you to talk me out of doing something rash,'' he continued.

It was beginning to make sense. He sounded like a Browns fan.

Indeed, Father Tim is a lifelong Cleveland sports fan, and he explained he is at his wits end with the Browns. He is perplexed they gave up on Rob Chudzinski and appear lost in a seemingly meandering replacement search. If the Browns demonstrated so little patience with Chudzinski, where did that leave fans running out of patience with the Browns, he wondered.

Father Tim knows a thing or two about patience. (Just having me in his parish is troubling enough.) A Cleveland native, he has been, until now, a patient and persistent fan who was just just a boy when Cleveland last won it all – in anything.

His patience clearly is being tested.

Far be it for me to tell him the story of Job, who was tested more times than the Browns defense in the red zone, which this season Moses could have parted with a couple sheep and a hickory stick.

The truth is, patience is a virtue that has made Cleveland fans like none other for the last half century.

No city's fans have endured so much and celebrated so little. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Cleveland's most recent major pro sports championship, the NFL title won by the 1964 Browns, a team that never got a parade, much less a fake confetti shower. This year, Cleveland will do what Cleveland does best, celebrate another anniversary in the likely absence of a championship.

SUPER_BOWL_FOOTBALL_12159111.JPGView full sizeThe Vince Lombardi Trophy, given to the Super Bowl winner.

Cleveland has mostly suffered through 138 combined Browns, Indians and Cavaliers seasons since the '64 championship, and has nothing to show for it but three second-place finishes and legacy of shoulda, coulda, wouldas known as The Fumble, The Shot and Jose Mesa. The Indians lost two World Series and the Cavs were swept in their lone NBA Finals. The Browns have yet to play in a Super Bowl.

What's the appropriate jewelry for Cleveland fans on such a 50th anniversary? Iron pyrite rings for fifty years of fools gold? What a marriage this has been. During this half-century of anxiety-laced close calls, we watched championship rings bestowed upon the likes of Art Modell, LeBron James and Manny Ramirez – after they left Cleveland.

This year marks 66 years since the Indians won a World Series. Only the Chicago Cubs (1908) have waited longer. The bannerless Cavaliers are in their 44th season with no rings in sight. The Browns, with four AAFC championships and four NFL titles between 1946 and 1964, were for a time football's greatest franchise. Now, since returning in 1999, they are perhaps the worst, rewarding a loyal fan base with two winning seasons, 20 quarterbacks and soon to be seven coaches.

It is a pathetic record in Cleveland: 138 seasons and zero championships.

As bad as that is, it says something greater about Cleveland fans. Since the madness began in 1965, fans have purchased 112,332,449 tickets to see the Browns, Cavs and Indians play regular-season games. That's loyalty. That's faith. That's patience even Job would admire.

That's also a lot of money. Cleveland fans have dug more than a billion of dollars from their pockets and poured them into the coffers of three professional sports championship black holes.

Yes, fans have been entertained. There have been priceless thrills, many of them. But championships really aren't even part of the discussion any more. Instead fans hear about “sustained success'' and “competitive windows,” and other nonsense.

That's why I'll always respect Marty Schottenheimer for hanging at the entrance of the Browns practice locker room a poster of the Super Bowl trophy in the 1980s, a constant reminder of the true goal in professional sports. Win it all.

So, 138 seasons later, Cleveland awaits its next champion, and fans come back for every next year there is. Even when there weren't next years in 1996-98 with no Browns, they came back in 1999 and packed the joint. Fans come back after recessions, strikes, ridiculous trades and horrendous drafts.

“Is there a limit?'' Father Tim asked.

Don't ask me. In this championship drought of biblical proportions, ask Job.

Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel, Charles Nagy set to attend Cleveland Indians' 'TribeFest'

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Former Indians standouts Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel and Charles Nagy have been added to the list of TribeFest attendees.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel and Charles Nagy -- significant contributors to the Indians' success in the 1990s and early 2000s -- are scheduled to attend TribeFest. The second-annual celebration of Indians baseball unfolds Jan. 25-26 at Progressive Field.

Thome, Vizquel and Nagy join former teammate Kenny Lofton on the list of distinguished alums scheduled to attend. Indians manager Terry Francona and a number of his players will be there, as well as prospects. The collective itinerary includes autograph sessions, though autographs are not guaranteed for specific players.

The inaugural TribeFest drew large crowds to tight quarters in a compressed time frame, so the Indians expanded on all fronts for year two. More areas of Progressive Field will be in use, and fans will have three lengthy sessions from which to choose:

Jan. 25: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 26: Noon to 6 p.m.

Admission for adults is $10 in advance. Children (12-under) are free when reserved with the purchase of an adult ticket. There is a limit of two free children's admissions per paying adult. Children pay $5 at the gate on the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased at Indians.com/TribeFest.

Fed Cup expecting good crowd, releases more tickets for Public Auditorium event

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The USTA announced it is releasing single-day tickets for the Fed Cup match that pairs the United States against Italy.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – With three weeks until the Fed Cup arrives in Cleveland, the USTA announced it is making more tickets available for the United States match against Italy at Public Auditorium on Feb. 8-9.

That's an early sign that the Fed Cup's first appearance in Cleveland is expected to do very well. Initial hopes were to sell about 3,000 tickets per day for the match, which will take place that Saturday and Sunday.

"I'm happy to say that we've exceeded that," said Jeff Ryan USTA Senior Director of USA Team Events. "And what's happened here very quickly, with opening up this lower price point in some of the seating areas, sales continue to be very brisk."

Single-day tickets for $25 now are available, and capacity has been increased at Public Auditorium, Ryan said. Tickets can be purchased by visiting usta.com/fedcup or by calling 888-334-USTA (8782).

Teams have not yet been announced for either the United States or Italy, and most of the potential members – including Serena Williams – currently are competing in the Australian Open. Teams are not required to be finalized until Jan. 29.

Cleveland has never held the Fed Cup, though it has hosted the Davis Cup – the male equivalent – 10 times, most recently in 1979. Despite the lack of professional events in the recent past, the response from the community has been positive, Ryan said.

"It's great to see the reception we've been getting through the box office," Ryan said. "It's going to be a good crowd; I would forecast on the pattern of the way things are going, maybe 4,000 people for each day. And for a U.S. Fed Cup in this round, that's a very good. ... This is a real opportunity to see professional tennis right up front, to put the sport at this level for someone who may decide to grab the racket and become the next generation."

No.3 Berea-Midpark and No. 8 Westlake girls basketball talk about season thus far, as well as keys to a deep playoff run: Pick-and-Roll podcast

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — On the second installment of cleveland.com’s Pick-and-Roll girls basketball podcast, we talk to No. 14 Westlake girls basketball coach Chip Weiss and Corinne Furci, as well as No. 3 Berea-Midpark's coach Kevin Braaten and guard Jess Barnes. We will also take a look at the Classic in the Country, as No. 2 Wadsworth and No. 4...

CLEVELAND, Ohio — On the second installment of cleveland.com’s Pick-and-Roll girls basketball podcast, we talk to No. 14 Westlake girls basketball coach Chip Weiss and Corinne Furci, as well as No. 3 Berea-Midpark's coach Kevin Braaten and guard Jess Barnes. We will also take a look at the Classic in the Country, as No. 2 Wadsworth and No. 4 Solon will big games against quality opponents.

Mark Kern (@Markkern11) and Stephanie Kuzydym (@stephkuzy) break down all the action in girls basketball.

01/08/14 Pick And Roll Podcast

Here's a rundown of this week's podcast.

0:00-9:20 Recap of Wednesday night games, a look at the Top 10.

9:21-9:41 Intro to coaches Interview.

9:42-15:51 Berea-Midpark coach Kevin Braaten and Jess Barnes.

15:52-22:01: Westlake coach Chip Weiss and Corinne Furci.

22:02-26:33 Classic in the Country Preview.

You can see the latest installment of the cleveland.com top 25 poll here.

The Pick-and-Roll is a weekly podcast, featuring insight from Stephanie and Mark, as well as discussions with area players and coaches. We’ll have a promo post each week inviting you to share any questions you have for our guests.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the high school basketball season and engaging with you throughout the year.


Shaker Heights DE, Tennessee football commit Joe Henderson's recruiting snapshot: National Signing Day 2014 (video)

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This is the first in a series of recruiting snapshots we'll begin rolling out leading up to National Signing Day on Feb. 5. Name: Joe Henderson.

This is the first in a series of recruiting snapshots we'll begin rolling out leading up to National Signing Day on Feb. 5.

Name: Joe Henderson.

School: Shaker Heights.

Position: DE.

Height, weight: 6-4, 230.

Stats: Henderson had 14.5 sacks for the Raiders this season.

Rivals.com rating: 4-star.

College: Tennessee.

Others considered: Louisville, Ohio State, Michigan.

Major: Broadcasting/Communications.

How I fit in: I believe I’m gonna fit in great. My speed and athleticism playing defensive end and stand-up linebacker, I think I fit in perfect with their defensive scheme.

I knew I made the right college decision when... I first went down there, it felt different from every other school I went to. I just felt like home to me. When I got that feeling, my parents felt that way, and I went with my heart.

The first thing I'm going to do when I get to campus is... Workout. Try to put on as much weight as I can. Just practice on being a leader, because I want to be a leader for Tennessee.

What others have written about Henderson:

Tennessee vaults to the top of recruiting rankings with commitment of DE Joe Henderson (nooga.com)

Henderson's commitment bolstered Tennessee's recruiting class (Bleacher Report)

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

State Department alert warns of travel to Winter Olympics in Sochi

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The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert last week targeting Americans attending the Winter Olympics in Russia next month, urging them to "remain attentive regarding their personal security at all times."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert last week targeting Americans attending the Winter Olympics in Russia next month, urging them to "remain attentive regarding their personal security at all times."

The alert listed several areas of particular concern, including:

• Medical care, which remains "untested for handling the volume of visitors expected," according to the State Department. Americans should consider buying private medical evacuation insurance before traveling.

• Terrorism. Though there is "no indication of a specific threat to U.S. institutions or citizens," the nearby North Caucasus region has been plagued by violence in recent months. The Russian government, meanwhile, has promised the tightest security in Olympic history.

• LGBT issues: A Russian law passed in June 2013 makes it a crime – for both Russians and foreigners -- to promote gay equality in public. Though it's unclear how the law will be enforced during the Olympics, the State Department urges gay travelers to follow advice provided on the agency's LGBT Travel Information page (travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/lgbt.html), which promotes the practice of "personal judgment and knowledge of local laws and customs."

For the complete travel alert: travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/russia-travel-alert.html


Wrestling’s weekly weigh in: Setting up the region’s wrestling action for Jan. 16-18, 2014 (video)

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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Everywhere you turn this week there is a great wrestling dual or tournament to watch. Each team in the cleveland.com wrestling Top 10 will be in action this weekend along with other programs at such events as the Bill Dies Memorial Tournament and the Top Gun Tournament.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Everywhere you turn this week there is a great wrestling dual or tournament to watch.

Each team in the cleveland.com wrestling Top 10 will be in action this weekend along with other programs at such events as the Bill Dies Memorial Tournament and the Top Gun Tournament.

Along with the tournaments, Nordonia travels to Wadsworth for a key Suburban League dual, and St. Edward hosts fellow defending state champ St. Paris Graham.

One of the most interesting matches of the week already took place when Rootstown and St. Vincent-St. Mary met on Tuesday.

Here's a look at the top duals and tournaments coming up, as well as a recap of the past week here on cleveland.com:

THURSDAY

No. 5 Nordonia at No. 4 Wadsworth, 6 p.m.

Nordonia and Wadsworth will battle for Suburban League supremecy. The Knights' only dual loss this season is to No. 9 Crestwood, while the Grizzlies' only losses are to No. 2 St. Edward and No. 3 Perry.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Bill Dies Memorial Tournament at Firestone, Friday (4 p.m.) and Saturday (9:30 a.m., finals at 6 p.m.)

No. 1 Brecksville-Broadview Heights will try to defend its title at Bill Dies. The Bees' top challengers should be No. 7 Brunswick and No. 8 Elyria. All three teams will be represented in the 120-pound weight class, which could be one of the best at the event with Austin Assad (Brecksville), Josh Heil (Brunswick) and Armando Torres (Elyria).

Also competing are defending state champions Ryan Harris (170, Beachwood) and Travis Linton (182, Rootstown), and 2012 state champ Sammy Gross (132, Beachwood).

Other local teams at the event include Avon, Barberton, Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Brooklyn, Brunswick, Buckeye, Copley, Coventry, Cuyahoga Falls, Cuyahoga Heights, Elyria, Euclid, Firestone, Garfield Heights, Garrettsville Garfield, Green, Highland, Hoban, Kenmore, Kent Roosevelt, Madison, Manchester, Mogadore, Norton, Olmsted Falls, Parma, Revere, Rootstown, Stow-Munroe Falls, Tallmadge, Twinsburg and Woodridge.

For more information, visit the tournament website (www.billdies.com).

Top Gun Tournament at Alliance, Friday and Saturday

No. 5 Nordonia and No. 6 St. Vincent-St. Mary lead a group of local teams at Top Gun this weekend.

Clovis (Calif.) and Massillon Perry are the teams to beat. Clovis is ranked one of the top five teams in the country by national websites. Also ranked nationally is Massillon Perry, runner-up to St. Edward in the Division I team and individual state tournaments last season.

Other Ohio powers at the tournament include defending champion Claymont, Uniontown Lake and Marysville.

Local teams also include Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Field, Mentor, Ravenna, Riverside, Strongsville and Walsh Jesuit.

For more information, visit the tournament website.

Also: No. 3 Perry at the Maumee Bay Classic (with locals Amherst, Avon Lake, Brush, Lorain, Mayfield) Friday, Saturday; No. 9 Crestwood at Aurora Friday.

SATURDAY

St. Paris Graham at No. 2 St. Edward, 2 p.m.

St. Edward and St. Paris Graham swept the team and individual state tournament titles last season. Now they face off to see who has the upper hand this season.

The marquee matchup might be at 113 where the Eagles' L.J. Bentley faces Eli Stickley, who is a two-time state placer. The Falcons also feature defending state champ Eli Seipel (126) and three-time state champ Micah Jordan (145).

Can't wait for this Saturday! #revenge

— Lost n Bentley (@Lbentley_22) January 14, 2014

Catholic Invitational at Cleveland State University, Saturday (9 a.m.) and Sunday (9 a.m., finals at 4 p.m.)

Catholic schools from across the state will converge on Cleveland State University this weekend. No. 10 Lake Catholic leads a local field that includes Benedictine, Elyria Catholic, Holy Name, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, Padua, St. Ignatius, Trinity and Villa Angela-St. Joseph

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Travis Linton (Rootstown) vs. Aaron Adkins (St. Vincent-St. Mary)

On Tuesday Rootstown and St. Vincent-St. Mary met in a dual, which created a matchup of defending state champions at 182.

The Rovers' Travis Linton won the Division III state title at 170 last season. The Irish's Aaron Adkins won the Division II title at 182.

On Tuesday, Linton won a tough 4-0 decision over Adkins. Here's video of the entire match:

ELSEWHERE ON CLEVELAND.COM

On Thursday we ranked the top area wrestlers at each weight class as part of our weekly starting lineup. You can vote for the top lower, middle and upper weights in Northeast Ohio.

The Center Mat Podcast debuted on Tuesday. This week's guests were Brecksville-Broadview Heights coach Todd Haverdill and wrestling analyst Josh Lowe.

Also debuting this week as our weekly wrestling spotlight video. The subject this week was Elyria senior Armando Torres.

The cleveland.com wrestling Top 10 didn't see much movement this week.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

For those who never witnessed this, just speechless pic.twitter.com/y0K0M2ePeQ

— ♛ (@JakeZemaitis) January 16, 2014

Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@ScottPatsko). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

St. Ignatius OL, Notre Dame football commit Jimmy Byrne's recruiting snapshot: National Signing Day 2014 (video)

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This is part of a series of recruiting snapshots we'll roll out leading up to National Signing Day on Feb. 5. Name: Jimmy Byrne.

This is part of a series of recruiting snapshots we'll roll out leading up to National Signing Day on Feb. 5.

Name: Jimmy Byrne.

School: St. Ignatius.

Position: OL.

Height, weight: 6-4, 295.

Rivals.com rating: 4-star.

College: Notre Dame.

Others considered: Ohio State.

Major: Computer Science.

How I fit: I think in the sense of the school, it feels like a bigger version of St. Ignatius. From a football standpoint, I think I fit into the interior of the offensive line, either guard or center. I think I’ll provide them an option down the line and think I can play both.

The first thing I'm going to do when I get to campus is... Go to the weight room and work out.

My college dream is to... Earn my degree and win the Outland Trophy.

What we've written about Byrne

Oct. 16, 2013:St. Ignatius football OL and Notre Dame commit Jimmy Byrne is all about his Irish heritage.

Oct. 16, 2013:Archived chats with St. Ignatius football coach Chuck Kyle, Norte Dame recruit and OL Jimmy Byrne.

Dec. 8, 2012:St. Ignatius junior lineman Jimmy Byrne orally commits to Notre Dame.

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

John Elway wishes he could have played for Adam Gase; does it matter who next head coach is? Browns Blog Roundup

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Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns. Featured today are ESPN.com, Bleacher Report and The Orange and Brown Report.

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns.

Cleveland Browns


-9379dedbc4ea35bf.jpgJohn Elway only has high praise for Adam Gase. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Jeff Legwold over at ESPN.com writes about John Elway's high praise of offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
"I wish I could have played for him," Elway said. "I think that he's so bright and he's working with Peyton and having been here with Josh [McDaniels] before that -- who is a very bright, young offensive mind -- he has just used all of that and learned from all that. With McCoy here, then Peyton here and now him on his own, he's been able to put them all together and mold it as his personality and I think he's done a tremendous job. That shows up in the numbers we've put up this year."


Asked Thursday if he thought the Broncos could keep Gase, Elway said;


"You know, I don't know. I hope so. He's done a tremendous job. He's had a great year and he's just got such a great feel, and he's a hard worker and he's very bright. I hope he stays but -- I thought it was, to me, I couldn't think for him to be able to do what he did and to say 'I want to keep my focus on the Denver Broncos and once our season is over I'll interview.' To me that was studly because it was to me, I like guys that are committed to what they're doing, committed to the Denver Broncos. So I couldn't be more proud of that decision. It tells you a lot about the guy."
-1e81d21926f2a3f6.jpgDoes the next head coach really matter if the Browns don't have their franchise QB? (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Don Delco with The Orange and Brown Report asks does it really matter who the next head coach is if they don't have their franchise quarterback?
"But we’re also asking this front office to find that franchise quarterback. Right now they are fighting a perception problem, whether it is perceived or real or a combination of both. New owner Jimmy Haslam has talked about the need to model this front office after the Pittsburgh Steelers. He wants stability. The Browns are the exact opposite. Right now, there is just turmoil and dysfunction and it starts with the owner. Haslam has his off-the-field problems with his company, Pilot Flying J. Joe Banner is causing strife between the coaching staff and front office and, for some reason no one can explain, has final say of personnel decisions. Chudzinski and his coaching staff butted heads with this front office. Now he is out of a job. Finally, there is a seldom-seen general manager, Mike Lombardi, whose history of drafting has been … well, let’s just say not very good."
-99efc0af0246b48f.jpgThe longer it takes to hire a head coach, the worse the perception becomes. (Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer)
Will Burge over at Bleacher Report says the perception of the Browns head coaching position hurts worse than reality.
"Fans have voiced their displeasure. The media has made its jokes, and the Browns have responded with a message of patience and wanting to perform their job thoroughly.

This is the right way to approach the coaching search. Rushing into another bad hire only sets the organization back another season. The problem is that the longer this takes, the worse the perception becomes.

If the Browns wait until the Broncos are done in the playoffs, and Gase tells them “thanks but no thanks,” then what? The Browns will once again be stuck with hiring their third, fourth or even fifth option at head coach.

Only this time, because the search took so long, that option will not have the luxury of picking from the best assistants and coordinators. Those guys will all already have jobs."

Have a post that you think should be featured in our daily Blog Roundup? Email the link here. You can also follow Glenn on Twitter.

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