Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner is close to being named Vikings offensive coordinator, per reports.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner is close to becoming new Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer's coordinator in Minnesota, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday.

Turner, 61, spent only one season as Browns' coordinator, guiding the quarterback-challenged unit to a No. 18 ranking overall, and 11th in passing.

Turner, who was fired as head coach of the Chargers after the 2012 season, came to Cleveland to work with coach Rob Chudzinski and with his son, Scott, the Browns receivers coach. Turner is expected to bring Scott with him to Minnesota.

A league source told cleveland.com that the Browns were planning to promote Scott to quarterbacks coach before Chudzinski was fired. He's expected to be named Vikings quarterbacks coach, according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports.

Turner coached four offensive player to Pro Bowl seasons, including receiver Josh Gordon, tight end Jordan Cameron, center Alex Mack and left tackle Joe Thomas.

The offense was strained by injuries to all three quarterbacks: Brandon Weeden (thumb and concussion), Brian Hoyer (torn ACL) and Jason Campbell (ribs, concussion). Turner also never had a starting-caliber featured back after Trent Richardson was traded to the Colts. As a result, the running game finished 27th in the league.

What's more, two of his receivers, Davone Bess and Greg Little, were largely unproductive for most of the season. For most games, the Browns had two weapons: Gordon and Cameron.

Despite working with three quarterbacks and playing in only 14 games, Gordon became the first Browns player to lead the NFL in receiving yards, with 1,646 -- the 10th most ever by an NFL player.

The Browns will interview Cowboys special teams coach Rich Bisaccia on Saturday, sources told Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns keep cranking out head coaching interviews while they wait for Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase to be eliminated from the playoffs.

The club will interview Cowboys 2013 special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia on Saturday, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported Thursday. He's the eighth candidate they've interviewed.

On Thursday, they talked to Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.

Bisaccia, 53, also interviewed for the Redskins head coaching vacancy this season and has a great reputation throughout the league.

He was hired by then-Chargers head coach Norv Turner as San Diego's special teams coach in 2011, and was also Turner's assistant head coach in 2012.

Bisaccia was hired by Auburn coach Gus Malzahn to coach his special teams and running backs last year, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones pried him away from Malzahn after only about a month.

In one season in Dallas, Bisaccia gave Jones one of the top special teams units in the NFL. The Cowboys finished fourth in the 2013 NFL special teams rankings compiled annually by The Dallas Morning News.

Bisaccia was a college coach from 1983-2001 before breaking into the NFL as the Bucs special teams coach in 2002. He was with the Buccaneers from 2002 to 2010, serving as special teams coach, running backs and associate head coach.

Much of the draft order has been decided. Of course, with two games this weekend and the Super Bowl still to come, some shuffling at the back of the order is still possible.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Much of the draft order has been decided. Of course, with two games this weekend and the Super Bowl still to come, some shuffling at the back of the order is still possible.

The one thing that is final is the list of underclassmen who have entered the draft as the deadline passed yesterday. At the end of the day, 96 had declared early for the next level, 23 more than 2013.

The draft, pushed back to May for the first time, will get started with the Houston Texans. They have months before they make their selection and rumors and speculation will dominate the headlines during the process. Houston is one of a handful of QB-needy teams picking near the top. The Jaguars, Browns, Raiders, Vikings and others could all look to solidify the most important position early.

This week's Shrine Game, the Senior Bowl, Scouting Combine and Pro Days will play a part in where players ultimately wind up starting their NFL careers.

1. Houston Texans – Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback, Louisville

There is a lot of smoke coming out of Houston, and that will likely continue during the process. Will they hang on to the pick? Will they ignore their glaring need for a quarterback until later in the draft? As much as a JJ Watt-Jadeveon Clowney combination would give the opposing offense nightmares, Houston won't crawl back to the top of the AFC until it finds a new quarterback. Bridgewater - the most NFL-ready QB in the class - has the arm strength, accuracy, leadership and pocket presence that teams are looking for.

2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) – Greg Robinson, Offensive Tackle, Auburn

View full sizeAuburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson dominated the competition in the SEC.Associated Press 

The St. Louis Rams could try to trade out of this spot again – much like they did in 2012. If they keep the pick, it could come down to one of the offensive tackles, Sammy Watkins or Clowney – the best player in the draft. Given the injury (torn ACL) to Jake Long at the end of the season, I think offensive line will be the target as the Rams try to keep QB Sam Bradford healthy. Robinson has a unique combination of size, strength and athleticism. He was the anchor of Auburn's offensive line and dominated SEC competition. Jake Matthews of Texas A&M is more polished, but playing in a tough, physical division like the NFC West, St. Louis could lean toward Robinson, the mauler.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End, South Carolina

There will be a strong temptation for the Jaguars to go with a quarterback in this spot. Blake Bortles - a hometown product - has the size, athleticism and upside. Johnny Manziel is electrifying and polarizing. He could be exactly what the Jags need to revive their franchise. But head coach Gus Bradley's reputation has been built on defense. Nobody had fewer sacks than Jacksonville's 31 in 2013, and Clowney is an athletic freak who makes a habit of disrupting opposing offenses when he's healthy and motivated.

4. Cleveland Browns – Johnny Manziel, Quarterback, Texas A&M

It's 2014 and the Browns are still looking for their answer at quarterback after past failures. Johnny Football is not every team's kind of quarterback, and he does involve an element of risk. Is he big enough? Can his body hold up in the NFL? Will he continue to keep his focus on football as opposed to the other distractions? Does his game translate well enough? Manziel is an electrifying player who brings an infectious attitude and natural playmaking instincts to the field. He has grown as a passer thanks to some good work with QB-guru George Whitfield. He is the kind of player the Browns need, one that makes everyone around him better.

5. Oakland Raiders – Blake Bortles, Quarterback, UCF

Given that their quarterback depth chart shows Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin, the Raiders need a QB. There's a chance that the top three could be off the board by the time they're put on the clock. In this scenario, that's not the case. Bortles needs some time to develop but he makes an appealing option for QB-needy team.

6. Atlanta Falcons – Jake Matthews, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M

The Falcons will go as far as Matt Ryan can take them. He needs to be protected better than he was in 2013 when he was the third-most sacked quarterback in the NFL. Matthews can play on either the left side or right and is as consistent as it gets.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Khalil Mack, Outside Linebacker, Buffalo

Tampa Bay has a new coach, so they could go in a lot of different directions. The foundation has been laid on the defensive side of the ball in Tampa Bay, but one thing missing is a strong pass rusher. Mack's speed, versatility and athleticism would give the Buccaneers a player who can not only rush the passer, but also drop in coverage. Putting him opposite Lavonte David would make the Tampa Bay defense more formidable.

8. Minnesota Vikings – Derek Carr, Quarterback, Fresno State

General manager Rick Spielman will likely get one last chance to find a quarterback of the future. It's been a problem for him going back to Miami when he handed out big bucks to A.J. Feeley. With Minnesota heading outside for the next few years, they will need a big-armed quarterback who can get the ball in the hands of blossoming receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Carr fits the profile.

9. Buffalo Bills - Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver, Clemson

View full sizeClemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins is the best skill-position player in this year's draft.Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer 

The Bills used a first round pick in last year's draft on quarterback E.J. Manuel. Now it's time to give the youngster some help. Stevie Johnson was in and out of the lineup because of injury in 2013. And even though the Bills selected Robert Woods in the second round, he's not the kind of game changer Watkins is with the ball in his hands. Buffalo was 28th in passing yards (193) and 22nd in scoring (21.2). Watkins, the best skill position player in the draft, can light up the scoreboard.

10. Detroit Lions – Darqueze Dennard, Cornerback, Michigan State

The leader of Michigan State's "No Fly Zone" secondary had a strong year for the Spartans. He isn't the fastest guy and tends to get away with some holding, but rarely allows separation and his physical style would be a much-needed addition to a secondary that sees WRs Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Jordy Nelson twice per season. He is ready to come into the NFL and make an impact.

11. Tennessee Titans - Anthony Barr, Outside Linebacker, UCLA

Barr has Top 10 talent but could slide because of the QB-needy teams picking at the top of the draft. The Titans had a Top-10 pass defense in 2013 despite totaling just 36 sacks. A versatile pass-rusher with loads of potential like Barr would make that defense even better.

12. New York Giants – Taylor Lewan, Offensive Tackle, Michigan

The Giants ran into a lot of issues in 2013. Not being strong enough up front was the biggest. The franchise will only go as far as Eli Manning takes it, and if he is going to cut down on his turnovers and revert back to his Pro Bowl form, then he needs to be protected better than he was this past season. Lewan is tough and plays with an attitude. The Michigan bad boy is exactly what Manning needs up front.

13. St. Louis Rams - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Safety, Alabama

The Rams, loaded with draft picks the last few years, have a number of options. If they stay with this pick, I think they look to improve the secondary. The defensive front is loaded, with bookend rushers Robert Quinn and Chris Long, rattling the quarterback. Now it's time to focus on the back half. The only question is: safety or cornerback? Clinton-Dix has the range and instincts to handle the middle of the field.

14. Chicago Bears – Tim Jernigan, Defensive Tackle, Florida State

The Bears were dead last against the run in 2013. Part of that had to do with some changes on defense. A season-ending injury to DT Henry Melton didn't help either. The National Championship gave a great window into what kind of prospect Jernigan is. On one hand, he is a player with conditioning issues, which cause him to disappear for stretches. However, when he has his wind and stays engaged, he can take over games from the interior thanks to his quickness and violent hands.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Louis Nix III, Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame

Offensive line will get heavy consideration. But when the Steelers were at their best defensively a few years ago, they were strong up the middle. It all started with DT Casey Hampton, a free agent whose best days are in the rearview mirror. Nix, with a mix of rare size and quickness, would be perfect to help rebuild Pittsburgh's aging defense.

16. Baltimore Ravens – Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M

The Baltimore Ravens need to help Joe Flacco. Wide receiver Torrey Smith brings the speed and explosiveness to the Ravens passing attack. Evans would bring the size, strength and strong hands to win jump ball situations and make contested catches for a quarterback that likes to take risks.

17. Dallas Cowboys – Calvin Pryor, Safety, Louisville

The Cowboys defense was laughable in 2013, especially against the pass. They allowed the second-most touchdowns (33) and third most yards per game (286). Having a safety with speed, range and ball skills, who also delivers violent hits is exactly what Dallas needs in the secondary. The former high school running back didn't get too many headlines, but he was the best player on Louisville's defense in 2013.

18. New York Jets - Marqise Lee, Wide Receiver, USC

View full sizeUSC wide receiver Marqise Lee is an explosive playmaker.Associated Press 

It's amazing to think that rookie quarterback Geno Smith and the Jets offense had any kind of success throwing the ball in 2013 because they had the worst group of receivers in the league. Santonio Holmes is a shell of his former self, Stephen Hill is approaching "bust" status and Jeremy Kerley shouldn't be the leading receiver on any NFL team. Lee struggled with inconsistent QB play and injuries this past season. But he has the speed and explosiveness to change the scoreboard every time he gets his hands on the football.

19. Miami Dolphins – Cyrus Kouandjio, Offensive Tackle, Alabama

The Miami offensive line was a mess this past year as Ryan Tannehill was sacked more than any other quarterback. Even though Kouandjio was beaten like a drum in the Sugar Bowl, and showed his issues with hand placement as well as speed rushers, he's got good size and a lot of potential. Don't forget, Kouandjio is still new to the game as he grew up in Cameroon loving soccer.

20. Arizona Cardinals – Zack Martin, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame

It seems like the same story every season for the Cardinals: Their offensive line play is not good enough, especially in the toughest division in football. The Cardinals tried to upgrade the unit this past year by using the seventh pick on guard Jonathan Cooper. His injury didn't help things, but the real issue is at tackle, where Bradley Sowell and Eric Winston reside. Martin can play inside or outside and brings a ton of starting experience with him from South Bend.

21. Green Bay Packers - Eric Ebron, Tight End, North Carolina

Jermichael Finley's NFL future is cloudy after taking a scary hit against the Browns. Having a versatile tight end that is too strong for corners and too fast for linebackers has become a huge offensive advantage. That's exactly what Ebron brings.

22. Philadelphia Eagles – Justin Gilbert, Cornerback, Oklahoma State

The offense is in great hands with Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia playmakers. Defense is another story. Ranked 32nd in the league against the pass, the Eagles need as much help as possible in the secondary. Gilbert bounced back after a tough 2012 and reminded everyone why he was once considered one of the top cornerback prospects in the nation. He has the size and strength to support the run while also having strong coverage skills.

23. Kansas City Chiefs – Kony Ealy – Defensive End, Missouri

The production (eight sacks) is not what some people want from a first rounder. However, the upside and athleticism make him intriguing enough for some team to take a gamble. The Kansas City defense was exposed in the second half of the season while Tamba Hali and Justin Houston missed some time and the competition increased. Ealy uses quickness and speed to get to the quarterback, but is also a good run stopper.

24. Cincinnati Bengals – C.J. Mosley – Inside Linebacker, Alabama

This isn't the biggest need for the Bengals, as they will have a decision to make about defensive end Michael Johnson. But James Harrison doesn't have much left in the tank and Rey Maualuga has a hard time staying healthy. Mosley comes into the NFL – like most Alabama players – with an injury history that could be a concern (dislocated elbow, dislocated hip, shoulder surgery). He also comes in ready to make an impact thanks to his instincts, burst and coverage skills.

25. San Diego Chargers – Bradley Roby, Cornerback, Ohio State

Roby didn't have the kind of season many expected. However, his skills are tantalizing and he has a chance to rise up draft boards after workouts. Blessed with excellent speed and quickness, Roby can turn and run with receivers. He tends to get grabby and needs to work on his technique, but with some coaching he could be a huge addition to a San Diego secondary that struggled much of the year.

View full sizeFlorida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin is a red zone weapon. Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/MCT

26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis) – Kelvin Benjamin, Wide Receiver, Florida State

After grabbing their new quarterback of the future with the first pick, the Browns now turn their attention to another huge need – receiver. Benjamin, who has the size of a defensive end with the skills of a receiver, has lapses in concentration that can lead to drops but he became Jameis Winston's favorite weapon. His big-body and ability to win jump balls would match well with Manziel's freelancing style and tendency to toss the ball up for grabs. Benjamin would give the Browns a super-sized duo at receiver, similar to the Chicago Bears' tandem.

27. New Orleans Saints – Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints

This may not look like a big need for the Saints, but it is. New Orleans craves someone other than tight end Jimmy Graham to feed the ball to. Marques Colston is diminishing every season. Cooks, the 2013 Biletnikoff Award winner, is explosive and smooth.

28. Carolina Panthers – Davante Adams, Wide Receiver, Fresno State

Wide receiver remains the Panthers biggest weakness, and it showed up in the playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers. Steve Smith's excellent career is winding down and Brandon LaFell is too inconsistent. Adams, a 6-2 receiver, was the go-to target for Derek Carr the last few seasons and will finish his college career with 38 touchdowns. He is a smooth route runner that uses quickness to get open. His reliable hands and good ball skills would help the development of Cam Newton.

29. New England Patriots - RaShede Hageman, Defensive Tackle, Minnesota

The Patriots defense was not the same without the meat in the middle, DT Vince Wilfork and LB Jerod Mayo. Hageman, coming off a huge season with Minnesota, is tall and athletic. He showed that he could not only play the run but also get upfield with a bull rush and disrupt the quarterback.

30. San Francisco 49ers - Stephon Tuitt, Defensive End, Notre Dame

The 49ers always think about the future, and with Justin Smith's career winding down, Tuitt could be a player who is groomed behind him. Thanks to his size, athleticism and quickness, Tuitt has the ability to play multiple positions on the defensive line.

View full sizeOhio State linebacker Ryan Shazier made big plays throughout his time in Columbus.Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer

31. Denver Broncos – Ryan Shazier, Outside Linebacker, Ohio State

This isn't a huge need for the Broncos, but Shazier is the best player available and defense was a problem for Denver in the regular season. Shazier, a fast, athletic playmaker belongs in the first round somewhere.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Jace Amaro, Tight End, Texas Tech

Tight end is the best friend of a young quarterback. Amaro creates mismatches the minute he steps on the field. Without injury prone Percy Harvin, the Seahawks don't have anyone else like that. With 106 catches for 1,352 yards and seven touchdowns, Amaro's production speaks for itself. He can line up next to the tackle, in the slot or out wide. He is a force after the catch.

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

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

Name: Ben Oxley.

School: Avon Lake.

Position: OL/DL.

Height, weight: 6-6, 275.

Rivals.com rating: 3-star.

College: Northwestern.

Others considered: Illinois, Louisville.

Major: Economics.

How I fit: I feel like from the character aspect and everything they’re looking for personality wise, I fit in well with that. I think with my versatility I fit in with the kind of guys they’re looking to recruit.

The first thing I'm going to do when I get to campus is... Go to the private beach on campus. Take in the sights.

My college dream is to... Get my degree first and foremost, and being able to be the most integral part of the team that I can.

What we've written about Oxley

Oct. 5, 2013: Avon Lake OL prospect Ben Oxley, a Northwestern commit, says Wildcats 'expect to win' games like Saturday's Ohio State matchup: Buckeyes recruiting.

Oct. 3, 2013: Chat recap: Avon Lake football lineman Ben Oxley answers your questions.

What others have written about Oxley

April 11, 2013: Avon Lake lineman finds Northwestern a perfect fit (Chronicle-Telegram).

April 7, 2013: For Ben Oxley, Northwestern's fourth commit of 2014, it was all about the people (Inside Northwestern).

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.

PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The Holy Name hockey team is on a roll as of late. It is 3-0 in its last three games against fellow Great Lakes Hockey League opponents, two of which are ranked higher than the Green Wave in the most recent state poll: No. 4 Lake Catholic and No. 1 St. Ignatius. Holy Name defeated...

PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The Holy Name hockey team is on a roll as of late. It is 3-0 in its last three games against fellow Great Lakes Hockey League opponents, two of which are ranked higher than the Green Wave in the most recent state poll: No. 4 Lake Catholic and No. 1 St. Ignatius.

Holy Name defeated Lake Catholic, 5-1, on Jan. 4 and then Gilmour, 5-2, on Jan. 10. But the most impressive league victory came when the Green Wave beat top-ranked St. Ignatius, 3-2, last Saturday. 

Holy Name is ranked sixth and is 4-1 in the league and 10-5-4 overall. 

Since summer workouts began, coach Tim Sullivan's players have understood, very clearly, what their team's goal is - "play as hard as you can and the best that you can as a team, every game." 

It seems simple but it has worked well for the Green Wave. 

"Physically I know that we can play with anybody in the state," Sullivan said. "And when we're on point, mentally, we're a tough team to compete with. There are times that we've just found a way to win as a team." 

One example was its victory against the Wildcats. With 0.8 seconds left in the third period of a tie game, Tim Higginbotham found the back of the net to give his team the win. 

His teammates showed an impressive ability to not let the pressure get to them in the contest as St. Ignatius scored with 54 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 2-2. 

Higginbotham, Joe Meehan and Jeff Kett have been among the most productive offensive players for the Green Wave. 

"There's a reason they are the No. 1 team in the state right now," Sullivan said, talking about the Wildcats and the kind of mental toughness it took for his players to stay focused and not get rattled late in the game. 

Sullivan said that he loves how the GLHL, in its inaugural season, offers his team a challenge every time it plays a league opponent. 

"You never get a night off," he said. 

The team's only league loss came against Walsh Jesuit, 4-1, on Nov. 23. The Warriors are in first place in the GLHL and are ranked fifth in the state poll. A rematch between the two teams is scheduled for Jan. 28 at Ries Ice Rink in Parma. 

Sullivan said he believes his group of players is a different team from when it last faced the Warriors. A December road trip to play several teams in Canada as part of the St. Michael Invitational in Niagara Falls did wonders to help the team grow. 

"You have to go through some downs to get the ups," Sullivan said. "We learned a lot about of our team in Canada." 

Holy Name's next contest is a nonleague matchup against Shaker Heights at 9:15 p.m. on Friday at Ries Ice Rink. 

STOW, Ohio -- It's near the midpoint of the Northeast Ohio girls basketball regular season, which means it won't be long until trophies, honors and awards will be handed out. Before that happens though, one big question needs to be answered: Who is the best?

STOW, Ohio -- It's near the midpoint of the Northeast Ohio girls basketball regular season, which means it won't be long until trophies, honors and awards will be handed out.

Before that happens though, one big question needs to be answered: Who is the best?

And what better time to start searching for the answer than right now? Each Friday, Northeast Ohio Media Group girls basketball reporters Stephanie Kuzydym and Mark Kern will spotlight a player who is a candidate to win cleveland.com's Player of the Year award.

With all of the debate over top players, it's important to get your voice heard. Who do you think are the top candidates to win player of the year? Do you want to nominate a player you think should be in the discussion? You can do all of that in the comments section below. To register, go to the top of the page and create an account. It's free and takes just a few moments.

There's also a poll at the bottom of the post. But remember, those votes are just for fun and won't determine who wins the award at the end of the season.

And now here's one player who had stood out as a player of the year contender.

Madeline Baer, Stow

Year: Senior.

Position: Center.

2013-2014 stats: 11.4 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game.

Team record: 12-1, suffered first loss to Twinsburg on Thursday.

Why she stood out to us: Defensively, her hands are always up. She never takes even a second of a play off. She's aggressive and intense. It doesn't hurt that in the last game we saw her play, she scored a season-high 22 points.

When did you start playing: Third grade under the coaching of her father, a former basketball player at Akron. Her dad coached her until sixth grade.

Favorite part of the game: Intensity and physicality. 

What she likes about defense: "It goes both ways but defense, if you're having a bad evening shooting, you still can play good defense."

Best win this season: "Beating Hudson. We haven't been able to beat them in the last seven years."

Known for: Being an analytical player. "I like to break things down." 

True story: As a little kid, she used to sit in class and draw up plays. "Definitely a whole bunch of pick-and-rolls." Then she'd go show them to her dad, and say, "Dad, look at this play. Isn't it cool?"

Personal goals: To be named first team all-conference and first team all-district.

Team goals: Make it to regionals.

Goals per game: At least 10 rebounds, offensive or defensive.

How she keeps track of all her goals: At the beginning of each season, she sits down with her dad and they talk about it. "I write them on a white sheet of paper and tape it to my mirror. That way I can see it every day."

Other sports: Volleyball.

College: Akron to play volleyball. Although she's recently been receiving calls about playing college basketball.

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

Creighton's Doug McDermott stays at No. 1 in the rankings this week.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- One of the ways that this college basketball season will be remembered is by the resurgence of the senior. There are more four-year players than freshmen on these rankings, and that seems strange in this era of one-and-done.

Syracuse's C.J. Fair is one of those seniors off to a strong start in 2013-14. Fair's scoring has jumped from 14.5 points per game as a junior to 17.1 ppg as a senior, and he has the Orange off to an undefeated start.

One of the reasons that Fair is so good is that he plays within himself. The 6-foot-8 senior can't do much from deep (27.1 percent), so he doesn't try to. He takes around 80 percent of his field goal attempts inside the arc.

Fair came to Syracuse as a player who can stop a gym with a highlight dunk. He still has that, but he's developed his game and is now a player that can step out to the elbow and sink jumpers with ease.

He's also a perfect fit for Syracuse's zone defense. His long arms and athleticism allow him to disrupt passing lanes, and he's averaging 1.6 steals per game this season.

If there's one knock on Fair, it's that he can't do much off the dribble. He's always needed a point guard to set him up, and with Tyler Ennis by his side this season, he's in good shape.

Like many seniors on this list, Fair gets a few extra points for leadership. He's always the player the Orange turn to. For example, he was a reliable presence that the team needed when Syracuse fell behind to Villanova early on Dec. 28.

Barring an undefeated season and a steady increase in scoring, Fair is unlikely to top this list. But he's steadily improved and has leadership qualities that make people describe him as a "winner." Those characteristics will likely result in a long NBA career.

To see where Fair is, take a look at the latest rankings for Dave's Dozen:

12.  Gary Harris - Michigan State (Last week - NR)
2013-14 stats: 17.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg

The Big Ten has plenty of strong teams but not many individual candidates for Player of the Year consideration. Harris is the best of the bunch due to his ability to score and defend.

This week: Saturday at Illinois, Tuesday vs. Indiana

11. Melvin Ejim - Iowa State (Last week - 11)
2013-14 stats: 17.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg

The Cyclones are on a two-game skid, and Ejim has been playing inconsistently. He scored 21 points in the loss to Oklahoma but fouled out in the loss to Kansas.

This week: Saturday at Texas

10. Nick Johnson - Arizona (Last week - 10)
2013-14 stats: 16.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg

On a team that's extremely balanced, Johnson has emerged as the clear go-to player. He leads the Wildcats in field goal attempts and minutes played.

This week: Thursday vs. Colorado

9. Casey Prather - Florida (Last week - 8)
2013-14 stats: 17.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg

Prather missed both games this week with a knee injury, and there is a chance he will be out again on Saturday.

This week: Saturday at Auburn, Friday at Alabama

8. C.J. Fair - Syracuse (Last week - 9)
2013-14 stats: 17.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg

After a slow start to season, Fair is seeing his rebounding average steadily rise. He's had at least six rebounds his last six games.

This week: Saturday vs. Pittsburgh

7. T.J. Warren - North Carolina State (Last week - 4)
2013-14 stats: 22.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg

The fears that Warren might not be on a good enough team to win this award are coming true. The Wolfpack have lost three of four ACC games and play Duke next.

This week: Saturday at Duke, Monday vs. Maryland

6. Russ Smith - Louisville (Last week - 6)
2013-14 stats: 18.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.9 apg, 2.1 spg

After the dismissal of Montrezl Harrell, this was a team in turmoil, but Smith has helped the Cardinals stay afloat. The senior has had at least 18 points and five rebounds in each of his last three games.

This week: Saturday at Connecticut, Wednesday at South Florida

5. Julius Randle - Kentucky (Last week - 5)
2013-14 stats: 16.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg

After back-to-back games with less than 10 points, Randle finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds against Arkansas. It wasn't all good news, though, as his team lost.

This week: Saturday vs. Tennessee, Tuesday vs. Texas A&M

4. Shabazz Napier - Connecticut (Last week - 7)

2013-14 stats: 16.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 6.2 apg

Napier is back to the kind of player who was an early contender for this award. He's scoring and distributing, which has led to averages of 15.5 points and 10.5 assists over the last two games.

This week: Saturday vs. Louisville, Tuesday vs. Temple

3. Jabari Parker - Duke (Last week - 2)
2013-14 stats: 18.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg

Conference play has not been kind to Parker, who has now scored 15 points or less in every ACC game he's played. The shots are not falling against tougher defenses.

This week: Saturday vs. North Carolina State, Wednesday at Miami (Fl.)

2. Marcus Smart - Oklahoma State (Last week - 3)
2013-14 stats: 17.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.2 apg, 2.5 spg

Smart has been electric lately. The sophomore has at least 20 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in each of his last three games. He's also averaged 3.0 spg during that stretch.

This week: Saturday at Kansas

1. Doug McDermott - Creighton (Last week - 1)
2013-14 stats: 25.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg

This past week might have been McDermott's best of the season. In two victories, he averaged 31.5 points per game and shot above 50 percent in both wins.

This week: Saturday at Providence, Monday at Villanova

Contact high school sports reporter David Cassilo by email (dcassilo@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@dcassilo). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

How can the Browns save their coaching search? Why would coaching the Browns be appealing? Will the Indians work something out long term with Justin Masterson?The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

How can the Browns save their coaching search? Why would coaching the Browns be appealing? Will the Indians work something out long term with Justin Masterson?

The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast with cleveland.com's Chris Fedor.

Among other topics discussed:

• Has Luol Deng had the kind of impact expected?
• What should the Browns do about Davone Bess?
• Is there still reason to believe in the Browns front office?

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

Be sure to follow DMan on Twitter.

Lefty Marc Rzepczynski signed a one-year contract with the Indians on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians signed lefty reliever Marc Rzepczynski to a one-year contract Friday, reducing their number of arbitration-eligible players to four.

Friday at 1 p.m. was the deadline for teams to sign players before both sides exchanged salary figures for the upcoming season. The Indians said they will file numbers with the league on pitchers Justin Masterson, Vinnie Pestano and Josh Tomlin and outfielder Michael Brantley.

Here are the projected arbitration salaries for the Tribe's remaining four, according to MLBtraderumors.com (last year’s salary in parentheses): Masterson $9.7 million ($5.7 million); Brantley $3.7 million ($526,900); Pestano $1.3 million ($501,000); and Tomlin $1.1 million ($501,000).

Rzepczynski signed for $1.375 million, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. MLBtraderumors.com's projected number for "Zep'' was $1.4 million. He made $1.1 million last year.

Rzepczynski came to Cleveland in a July 30 trade with St. Louis and pitched well. In 20 1/3 innings of 27 appearances for the Tribe, he had a 0.89 ERA. He gave up 11 hits, walked six and struck out 20. Lefties went 5-for-39 (.128) against him.

The Indians' original list of arbitration eligibles totaled six. Another lefty reliever, Josh Outman, signed the day he filed, reportedly for $1.25 million. Outman was acquired from Colorado for Drew Stubbs earlier this offseason.

Arbitration hearings are scheduled to begin Feb. 1 in Florida. The Indians have not been to arbitration since 1991.

Masterson went 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA in 32 appearances (29 starts) last season. He strained a left oblique muscle Sept. 2 and was sidelined for much of the month before returning as a reliever to help the Indians clinch a wild-card spot.

At 28, Masterson presumably has plenty of productivity in front of him. Even with the injury last year, he logged 193 innings, extending his streak of at least 180 to four. His status as the Tribe's No. 1 starter further strengthens his leverage; the Tribe's No. 2 starter last year, Ubaldo Jimenez, is a free agent.

Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti has said he hopes to keep Masterson for an extended period. Masterson's camp is willing to listen but has been waiting on certain free agents, including Jimenez, to sign in order to better gauge market value. MLBtraderumors.com calculated that Masterson could be in line for a five-year contract worth somewhere between the $65 million John Danks received from the White Sox and the $85 million Jered Weaver received from the Angels.

Brantley and Jason Kipnis are two others whom the Indians might approach about multiyear contracts. They talked to them last year, but negotiations stalled in spring training. Kipnis is not eligible for arbitration.

Brantley, 26, a newcomer to the arbitration process, set himself up nicely for mega-raise by hitting .284 with 10 homers and 73 RBI in 151 games last year. He was lethal with runners in scoring position (.375) and played good defense, notching 11 assists.

Right-hander Tomlin missed much of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Righty reliever Pestano struggled with a sore elbow and spent time at Class AAA Columbus.

Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes contributed to this report.

Elyria's Dan Reaser and his children, Danny and Shannon, love to hunt and fish and have turned that passion for the outdoors into a new national television show.

ELYRIA, Ohio – Elyria’s Dan Reaser and his children, Danny and Shannon, love to hunt and fish and have turned that passion for the outdoors into a new national television show. The Outdoor Option began airing this month on The Sportsman Channel and the Pursuit Channel.

Reaser could have been like most avid outdoor sportsmen, heading out with his buddies to hunt deer or ducks, or cast for walleye or steelhead trout. That wasn’t an outdoor option for him.

“My dad, Cecil, started taking my two brothers and me hunting and fishing when we were about six years old,” said Reaser. “The outdoor sports have a whole different dynamic when you have your kids with you and teach them from an early age the right way to do things.”

Danny, 21, and Shannon, 16, began hunting with their dad when they were six years old, too. Each bagged a deer with a crossbow by the tender age of seven. Becoming the stars of their new show, both say, has added to the enjoyment of their outdoor adventures.

This year’s shows spotlight the trio as they hunt elk, deer and ducks from Colorado to Louisiana. Fishing segments range from Colorado and Michigan trout to casting for Ontario northern pike and walleye.

When Reaser and the youngsters agreed to take camera crews with them, and have their mom, Mila, help with production, creating a name for the show was a snap.

“We came up with about 30 possible names,” said Reaser. “Last on the list was The Outdoor Option. We all agreed that was a winner.”

That’s because they all had an outdoor option, he said. Reaser, a successful businessman who created American Hood Systems 32 years ago in Elyria, embraced the outdoor option of sharing his time with his kids. Shannon had little trouble accepting the outdoor option, since they’d always hunted as a family.

Danny, 21, made the most dramatic decision. He had set football records as an All-Ohio quarterback at Elyria Catholic High School. Sparkling at the helm of a read-option offense, he passed for more than 3,800 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2010 en route to a 10-2 senior season.

With an outdoor television show on the table, Danny decided he’d rather learn the ropes of video production and hunt and fish for the cameras. Five years playing college football, away from his family and their outdoor adventures, was not an option for him. He turned down college scholarship offers and enrolled at Lorain County Community College.

The Reasers have 13 shows in the can to cover the 2014 season and are working on shows for 2015 that include a white-tailed deer hunt in Mexico and deer and wild turkey adventures on Reaser’s 380-acre Guernsey County spread managed for deer and turkey.

Danny Reaser is a focal point of the show. The tall, athletic sportsman has a deep, rich voice, loves the outdoor sports and enjoys being in front of the cameras. More importantly, Danny has immersed himself in all phases of the show, from capturing quality video to working behind the cameras. He has worked with the show’s editors in Tennessee and Mississippi to become proficient at video production.

A cheerleader and volleyball player, Shannon is not intimidated by male-dominated hunt camps, duck blinds or fishing boats. “I’ve always got my two best friends with me, with dad and Danny looking out for me,” she said.

“She’s quite the deer hunter,” said Dan, with a laugh. “Shannon took four nice bucks over the past year, and in four different states.”

The television adventures began while Reaser was elk hunting at a Colorado lodge a couple of years ago with Danny and his father, Cecil Reaser, 80, a Lake Erie veteran who invented and sold the Go-Getter lure for walleye. Television producer Pat Doyle was also at the lodge, taking note of his new friend’s passion for the outdoors. He asked Reaser if he’d ever thought about hunting and fishing in front of a camera.

They kept in touch, and Reaser finally agreed to work with Doyle’s production company. With film crews ready to go, sponsors began to line up. Hunting and fishing trips were already part of the family budget.

“I’ve always liked filming hunts,” said Danny. “Long before we decided to do the show, I would take a small video camera with me when I hunted deer and turkey on our farm.”

The show isn’t always about bagging a trophy.

“We want the show to be about the memories we make,” said Reaser. “Our message is to take kids fishing, to make that your outdoor option. When we go to high school basketball games, a lot of kids want to show us photos of their deer or fish. They tell us that’s their outdoor option, too.”

The show has been a bonus for Lorain County Community College. The Reasers use video editing studios there, and student interns. They plan on teaming with the school’s culinary arts institute to film wild game cooking shows.

“We’ve already promised some of the students jobs because they’re brilliant kids,” said Dan Reaser.

The Outdoor Option airs Monday (11:30 a.m.), Tuesday (4:30 p.m.), Friday (4:30 a.m.) and Saturday (7:30 p.m.) on The Outdoor Channel. Pursuit Channel airs the show on Monday (9:30 p.m.), Thursday (noon, 3 p.m.) and Friday (5 p.m.).

After lots of ups and downs as a rookie, former Cavalier J.J. Hickson has matured into the starting center for the Denver Nuggets.

DENVER -- Cavaliers coach Mike Brown smiles when the name J.J. Hickson comes up.

Hickson had some monumental ups and downs as a Cleveland rookie under Brown but has recovered nicely to become the Denver Nuggets' starting center. He comes in to Friday's game against the Cavaliers averaging 11.5 points and 9.1 rebounds. He seldom passed the ball in Cleveland, and that hasn't changed. He's averaging 1.2 assists for the Nuggets.

Of course, it's the boards where he earns his keep. He's ranked 21st in the league in rebounding overall and offensive rebounds, with 2.8 a game.

Brown said he knew Hickson had it in him all along, even if it didn't always show his first few years in Cleveland.

"You could see it,'' Brown said before Friday's shootaround at Pepsi Center. "You could sense it. But the tough part about it is when you get a guy that young usually it takes some time for a guy to develop. But a lot of times the NBA is not about time taken. You're happy to see him having some success now.''

Cleveland fans can thank Hickson for Luol Deng. The Cavs traded Hickson to Sacramento for Omri Casspi and a conditional first-round pick, and that pick is one of three sent to Chicago, along with Andrew Bynum, for Deng.

Probable starters: Cavs -- F Luol Deng, F Tristan Thompson, C Anderson Varejao, G C.J. Miles, G Kyrie Irving. Nuggets -- F Wilson Chandler, F Kenneth Faried, C J.J. Hickson, G Randy Foye, G Ty Lawson.

Injuries: Cavs -- None. Nuggets -- Darrell Arther (left groin strain) out. Wilson Chandler (left hip strain) probable. Danilo Gallinari (torn left ACL) out. Javale McGee (left tibia stress fracture) out. Anthony Randolph (left ankle sprain) probable.

Officials: Tom Washington, Karl Lane, Mark Lindsay.

Up next for Cavs: Monday vs. Dallas Mavericks.

What should the Browns do with Davone Bess? Is Adam Gase still the frontrunner for the Browns head coach position? Our Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot answered those questions and more during today's podcast.

What should the Browns do with Davone Bess? Is Adam Gase still the frontrunner for the Browns head coach position?

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

Among other topics discussed:

• Will the Browns release Bess when they are able to?

• Who else are the Browns looking to interview?

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

Longtime PBA star Mark Roth at Buckeye Lanes for bowling clinic.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mark Roth, one of the greatest bowlers of all time, will be at Buckeye Lanes in North Olmsted on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for various events.

Roth's visit is made possible by North Ridgeville resident Nick Tjotjos, a former Professional Bowlers Association Tour member and longtime friend. Tjotjos wants as many Northeast Ohioans as possible to meet a legend and learn from him.

"When I grew up, Mark Roth was my idol,'' Tjotjos said. "I would watch him on TV seemingly every week, then go to a local bowling center and try to imitate him. When I finally got a chance to talk with him while I was on tour, he couldn't have been nicer. We've been friends ever since.''

Roth's itinerary includes a series of pre-paid clinics from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. Tjotjos will assist. Call Buckeye Lanes at 440-777-6363 for information.

From 1-2 p.m., Roth will be the focus of a meet-and-greet and autograph session. Fans can get a free autograph or purchase a piece of signed memorabilia. From 5-5:30, Roth will sign more autographs. The appearance concludes with a raffle of items that include a Mark Roth commemorative ball.

The event is open to the public. Fans who don't participate in the clinics still can watch from the concourse as Roth instructs.

In the 1970s, Roth revolutionized the power game with an awesome combination of revolutions and accuracy from the right side. He was a four-time PBA player of the year (1977-79, 1984) and led the Tour in average six times. He finished with 34 Tour titles and was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1987. A stroke in 2009 truncated his senior career.

When Joe Banner defended the Browns' weak 2013 draft, he cited the acqusition of Davone Bess in a trade with Miami as an overlooked high value transaction. It's seems safe to close the book on that theory.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Remember when Davone Bess was considered a shining example of the “smart decisions” promised by Joe Banner?

Wow.

The acquisition of Bess wasn’t only supposed to make you forget the second-round picks spent on Mohamad Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie by the previous talent evaluators. The Browns used that transaction to deflect criticism of the 2013 draft.

Yes, they deferred picks until 2014, even making one deal with the devil Steelers. Sure, Barkevious Mingo might be underweight and have a limited arsenal of pass rushing moves. Maybe they could've done better than Leon McFadden in the third round. And, true, they passed on Tyrann Mathieu, the Honey Badger, in favor of McFadden -- either because of his size or his character issues.

But, hey, they used a weak draft to acquire a veteran possession receiver who would help Brandon Weeden move the chains.

You didn’t need to hear about the latest incident involving Bess -- arrested in Fort Lauderdale Friday on an assault charge -- to look at Banner and Lombardi with growing skepticism. It’s just another reason.

If Bess were important to Weeden, why wouldn’t he be a key asset for Miami’s young quarterback, Ryan Tannehill? The Dolphins obviously weren't enamored with Bess. Wonder why?

Here, Bess had an awful season that only got worse when he posted bizarre pictures to his Twitter account -- one late in the season. He took a sabbatical from the team to attend to personal issues. Another Twitter post came this week.

At this point, Friday’s arrest might get the Browns off the hook for Bess’ guaranteed money in 2014. So they have that going for them.

Beyond that? The Browns continue to cite salary cap money and draft picks as two reasons the head coaching job should attract a good candidate.

But that candidate not only has to wonder if he can believe what he hears from the owner and front office – given what happened to the last coaching staff they fell in love with (temporarily) – but also wonder if they can evaluate players well enough for him to have a fighting chance.

The 2013 draft, never exactly convincing, became less so after we saw what Bess was all about.

Several people close to the Browns receiver say they had become increasingly alarmed about his erratic behavior.

BEREA, Ohio – Even before Davone Bess' arrest Friday for assaulting an officer in a Florida airport, several people close to the Browns receiver say they had become increasingly alarmed about his erratic behavior.

In the days before he left the team last month to deal with personal issues, the Browns were worried about his mental well-being, a league source told Northeast Ohio Media Group. Another source said Friday that Bess was at the Fort Lauderdale Airport at the time of his arrest to catch a flight home to Oakland, Calif., to reunite with his family and seek help.

Bess had difficulty focusing and sleeping throughout the season – easily the worst in his six-year NFL career – as he dealt with serious family issues, said the source. The stress over his family, he added, contributed to his actions.

“This is not the guy people know,” the source said.

Bess was arrested and later freed on $100 bond Friday morning for assaulting an officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. According to a police report, an officer working a TSA detail approached Bess in the concourse after several passengers called attention to his bizarre activity. He was "acting irrationally, dancing, singing with his pants repeatedly falling down," according to a report written by officer Thomas O'Brien for the Broward County Sheriff’s department.

It continued a pattern of unusual conduct for former Miami Dolphins NFL Man of the Year nominee. The 28-year-old has made news in recent weeks for controversial social-media postings, including pictures of what appeared to be marijuana on a table. Several posts were later removed from his accounts.

Davone Bess' incarceration photo from the Broward County Sheriff's Office in Florida.Associated Press

Given Bess’ recent conduct and the Friday arrest, it would not be hard to imagine the Browns releasing him in the coming weeks and trying to recoup some of the guaranteed money they awarded him. Non-playoff teams cannot waive players until Feb. 3, the day after the Super Bowl.

But should the club have been aware of potential red flags before acquiring him in an Apil trade with the Dolphins and giving him a contact extension worth $11.5 million, including $5.75 million in guarantees?

Another league source told NEOMG on Friday that members of the Dolphins’ organization aren’t surprised by Bess’ arrest or his recent social-media posts. Teams are not required to share such information while discussing potential deals.

Regardless, it has been a difficult stretch for Bess, who in Miami had been a dependable slot receiver and described as a “poor man’s Wes Welker.”

He made the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 after overcoming a difficult childhood in Oakland, which included a 15-month stay in a juvenile detention center for allowing friends to hop in his car with stolen weapons and other goods.

After reaching the NFL, Bess appeared determined to help others. He established the “Bess Route Foundation,” dedicated to assisting underprivileged kids and at-risk families. His charitable work with the foundation and within the Miami community made him the Dolphins’ 2011 nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

But a former business associate said Bess has had little contact with the foundation since his trade to Browns. The foundation’s website still refers to him as a member of the Dolphins and the “upcoming events” page touts 2012 attractions.

Informed of Bess’ recent social-media activity, which included calling African-Americans a variation of the N-word, the business associate said it doesn’t jibe with the person he knows.

“He wasn’t reclusive, but he was a pretty private guy,” said the man, who hasn’t spoken to Bess in 10 months. “It is concerning. He has been such a stand-up guy.”

As rumors swirled about his possible trade, Bess was on “an emotional roller coaster,” the business associate said.

“One day, he was up, thinking he might get a new contract, and the next day he’d be really down,” the man said.

The decision to trade for Bess also had a significant impact on another Browns acquisition, David Nelson. A league source said Nelson was upset with the team’s decision to deal for Bess after signing him to a free-agent contract on April 8. Nelson, rehabbing from a torn knee ligament, wanted his release, the source said. He rehabbed the injury in Texas rather than the Browns' facility in Berea.

The club cut Nelson after he appeared in one preseason game – he missed substantial time in training camp with another knee injury. Nelson signed with the New York Jets in October and scored two touchdowns in a 24-13 win over the Browns on Dec. 22. The Browns’ effort in that loss – their sixth straight -- allegedly factored in owner Jimmy Haslam’s decision to fire first-year coach Rob Chudzinski.

Bess struggled through an unproductive season that saw him post career-low numbers in catches (42) and yards (362) while finishing among the league leaders with 13 drops. He grew depressed by his performance, a source said, and "mentally checked out" in his final week with team.

The Browns placed Bess on the reserve/non-football illness list, citing personal reasons, on Dec. 21. A day earlier, a picture posted on his Instagram account showed him sitting on a deck next to a photo of reggae legend Bob Marley and lighting a cigarillo with a Rasta flag draped around his neck.

Bess is a follower of the Rastafari Movement, a spiritual ideology with roots in 1930s Jamaica. He often punctuates Tweets with reference to Jah, which in the Rasta culture means God.

His most attention-grabbing Tweet came Thursday. It featured a photo that shows a small bag of a greenish-brown substance that looks like marijuana. The picture also contains what looks like a cigar, a beverage and a 5-hour Energy drink.

The Twitter photo also contains a picture of “The Godmother,” Griselda Blanco, the founder of the Colombian Medellin drug cartel and a pioneer in the Miami-based cocaine trade. She was assassinated in 2012.

We da real dons! pic.twitter.com/AdlYCuCsEK

— Davone Bess (@davonebess) January 16, 2014

In the past two days, the Browns’ only public comments have been to acknowledge their awareness of the social-media posts and the arrest. It will be interesting to see how the team and league proceed.

After being released from jail Friday afternoon, Browns receiver Davone Bess responded to questions about his "weed tweets" with "ask Brandon Weeden". Watch the video here.

Davone Bess talks to reporters following his release from jail Friday afternoon. (NBC Miami 6)

BERLIN, Ohio -- The Clssic in the Country has become a staple in the high school girls basketball in Northeast Ohio. Every year, teams are able to go down and compete with the best teams in the state, allowing them to see where they are as they prepare for the playoffs. This season is no different, as Chagrin Falls,...

BERLIN, Ohio -- The Clssic in the Country has become a staple in the high school girls basketball in Northeast Ohio. Every year, teams are able to go down and compete with the best teams in the state, allowing them to see where they are as they prepare for the playoffs. This season is no different, as Chagrin Falls, Twinsburg, Wadsworth and Solon will all be in action. Here is a look at their matchups.

SATURDAY 11:45 a.m.

Twinsburg vs. Columbus Africentric

The Tigers are coming off their biggest win of the season, as they defeated No. 5 and previously undefeated Stow-Munroe Falls, 43-32, on Thursday night. In that game, senior guard Baleigh Reid had a big game, scoring 28 points. She is averaging 12 points for the Tigers, and has played in many big games throughout her career for Twinsburg. They will be going up against a very talented opponent, as Columbus Africentric is ranked No. 2 in the Division III in the AP poll.

Alex Hart is the go to player for the Nubians. In a game earlier this season against Beachwood, Hart scored 21 points. The Nubians love to get out and pressure their opponents, making it important for the Tigers to handle the ball and not turn the ball over. Columbus Africentric has lost only one game this season, and has emerged as a legitimate state contender in Division III.

SUNDAY 7 p.m.

No. 2 Wadsworth vs. Toledo Rogers

This game has the makings of being the most competitive game in the classic. The Grizzlies are undefeated on the season, but has not played a team as good as they will face on Sunday. Coach Andy Booth does a great job of getting the best out of his players, and that is a big reason why the Grizzlies are a legitimate state contender in Division I. Sophomore Jodi Johnson has emerged as one of the best players in the area, and has the ability to score from anywhere on the court. They will be going up against a team that also has state championship aspirations, as Toledo Rogers is ranked No. 6 in Division II.

The Rams have six Division I players on their roster, including Eastern Michigan commit Sasha Dailey. Dailey. She is an extremely athletic guard that can get in the paint as well. Toledo Rogers is a team that relies on its athleticism to get the other team not playing their style of game. Wadsworth is a very disciplined team, that does not get too high or too low. This game will come down to what team will be able to control the tempo of the game.

SUNDAY 8:45 p.m.

No. 4 Solon vs. Kettering Fairmont

This matchup is an intriguing one as the Comets will have an advantage in the backcourt, while Fairmont will are the better team down low. The biggest reason why Solon is so good is guard Kristen Confroy. The Maryland commit is coming off a triple-double against Hudson, as she scored 12 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 10 steals. When she is on her game, she can be downright impossible to stop. The Comets love to use her in the pick-and-roll game, where she is able to both score of the pick, or hit the 3-point shot when the defense doesn't step off. Look for the Comets to speed the game up and and not allow Fairmont to get the ball down low.

Kathryn Westbeld and Makayla Waterman are a terrific duo that can be downright scary when they get the ball down low. Westbeld is a Notre Dame commit, while Waterman has commited to Ohio State. The defending Division I champions have everything needed to make a run at a repeat. If the Comets are able to control the tempo in the game, then they have a shot to win this game.

MONDAY 11:45 a.m.

Chagrin Falls vs. Wintersville Indian Creek

The Tigers suffered a huge blow early in the season when Halle Thome went down with a torn ACL. For Chagrin Falls, the Tigers are currently on a two game winning streak. In her sister's absence, Hannah Thome has stepped up, averaging 14.2 points in the last five games. She is a very skilled player, and has taken on a lot of the ball handling for the Tigers. Chagrin Falls will have to handle a very talented post in forward Josie Diehl.

Diehl is 6-foot-2, but has the ability to have the ball on the perimeter and get to the basket. The Timberwolves have a nice supporting cast around her, as Alexis Van Whye has shown she has the ability to have a big night scoring from the field.

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown has some great memories of his time with the Denver Nuggets -- and some that weren't so great.

DENVER -- Remember that famous picture of a joyous Dikembe Mutombo laying on the court celebrating the Denver Nuggets upset of the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the NBA playoffs in 1994?

That was 20 years ago, and the Nuggets are celebrating the anniversary.

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown was a video coordinator with the Nuggets then, and on Friday he surprised local reporters with his answer to what he remembered most about that season.

Mike Brown knows this was not a good look when he was with the Denver Nuggets.Nuggets press guide

"My awful flat top,'' he said. "If you do anything, don't show any clips. Get rid of the picture, if you can, and let's just move on.''

With the assembled media laughing, Brown continued in a more serious vein.

"It was great,'' he said before the Cavaliers faced the Nuggets. "It was an unbelievable series. We were down, 0-2. Everybody was counting us out and our guys just kept fighting. I remember Robert Pack really stepped up big for us through that series. Everybody had a big game for us up there to win it. The thing that I remember was just how quiet the crowd was when that final buzzer went off. There were, I don't know, 17,000 people in the stadium, and 25 people were running around embracing each other trying to find somebody to squeeze.''

Asked if the team could see that coming, Brown said, "As the season went on we felt we were getting stronger. It really clicked. Everybody came together at that time. What people don't know, after that we played Utah really tough the next series and almost got that win, too. It was a fun thing to be a part of and a great learning experience for myself.''

Another fond memory: Brown smiles when the name J.J. Hickson comes up.

Hickson had some monumental ups and downs as a rookie under Brown in Cleveland but he has recovered nicely to become the Nuggets starting center. He comes in to Friday's game averaging 11.5 points and 9.1 rebounds a game. For a player who never passed the ball when he was in Cleveland, things haven't changed much. He's averaging 1.2 assists this season.

Of course, it's the boards where he earns his keep. He's ranked 21st in the league in rebounding overall and in offensive rebounds, with 2.8 a game.

Brown said he knew Hickson had it in him all along, even if it didn't always show his first few years in Cleveland.

"You could see it,'' Brown said. "You could sense it. But the tough part about it is when you get a guy that young usually it takes some time for a guy to develop. But a lot of times the NBA is not about time taken. You're happy to see him having some success now.''

Cleveland fans can thank Hickson for Luol Deng. The Cavs traded Hickson to Sacramento for Omri Casspi and a conditional first-round pick, and that pick is one of three sent to Chicago, along with Andrew Bynum, for Deng.

Hard at work: Jarrett Jack, C.J. Miles, Alonzo Gee and Earl Clark stunned workers at the Moda Center in Portland by working out with coaches on the court for nearly an hour after Wednesday's loss.

"It was something for me individually just trying to stay sharp, trying to keep my rhythm,'' Jack said. "Once I guess guys saw what I was doing, a few of the other guys felt the same way and they joined in and we went and tried to get some work in after the game. Obviously, we had a tough loss and for most of us the best way to clear out heads is when we're in the gym and instead of letting that terrible feeling linger until the morning or until we had another opportunity to cancel it out, just stepping in between the lines and putting some of that road work in is something that kind of cures the evil, so to speak.''

The Herald report contends that the Dolphins traded Bess to the Browns a month after he was hospitalized against his will, and that the incident had not come to light until today.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ten months ago, Browns receiver Davone Bess - then with the MIami Dolphins - was unstable and violent at his home in Cooper City, Fla., and was taken to the hospital, the Miami Herald is reporting.

From the Miami Herald report:

The police report detailing Davone Bess' alleged assault of a Broward sheriff's deputy Friday depicts an unstable, violent man, likely on drugs.

It's the same condition in which authorities discovered Bess, the former Dolphins receiver, in his Cooper City home 10 months earlier -- and the reason they had him hospitalized against his will.

Six BSO deputies were needed on that night to restrain Bess, who was screaming, "Hide the guns," "Where is my weed," and "I want to get in the end zone; throw me the football," according to the incident report.

Word of this prior meltdown was never made public until now. The Dolphins traded Bess to the Cleveland Browns a month after his hospitalization. Bess remains a member of the Browns; a team spokesman said the Browns are aware of the situation and are working to gather more information.

Even before Bess' arrest Friday for assaulting an officer in a Florida airport, several people close to the Browns receiver say they had become increasingly alarmed about his erratic behavior.

In the days before he left the team last month to deal with personal issues, the Browns were worried about his mental well-being, a league source told Northeast Ohio Media Group. Another source said Friday that Bess was at the Fort Lauderdale Airport at the time of his arrest to catch a flight home to Oakland, Calif., to reunite with his family and seek help.

Bess had difficulty focusing and sleeping throughout the season – easily the worst in his six-year NFL career – as he dealt with serious family issues, said the source. The stress over his family, he added, contributed to his actions.

“This is not the guy people know,” the source said.

Bess was arrested and later freed on $100 bond Friday morning for assaulting an officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. According to a police report, an officer working a TSA detail approached Bess in the concourse after several passengers called attention to his bizarre activity. He was "acting irrationally, dancing, singing with his pants repeatedly falling down," according to a report written by officer Thomas O'Brien for the Broward County Sheriff’s department.

One top NFL executive believes the Browns have to go for an inexperienced head coach because of the troubled state of franchise.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Lots to talk about from the Browns' coaching search to Davone Bess to the Cavs and Luol Deng to the Tribe.

About the Browns coaching search ...

Here's what I'm hearing:

1. While the Browns would have loved to have talked to Adam Gase during Denver's bye week before the playoffs, they do respect his decision not to interview with any team. He gave his word to players that he was fully engaged, and proved it by postponing interviews -- and possibly costing himself a chance to be a head coach in 2014.

2. The other teams interested in Gase decided not to wait, but the Browns really want to talk to him before making their final decision. It's not correct to consider him the "leading candidate" because he has yet to go through the interview process. But let's face it, the Browns are very intrigued with the 35 year old who is in his first season as Denver's offensive coordinator.

3. There may be more candidates than Gase and Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn who are assistants still in the playoffs. Not sure who is on that list. But I wonder why they have not interviewed San Francisco's offensive coordinator Greg Roman? He was an NFL assistant from 1995-2007. He was offensive coordinator for Jim Harbaugh at Stanford (2009-10), and has been with Harbaugh as 49ers offensive coordinator since 2011. Yes, he went to John Carroll, but that's not a reason to hire him. It's a nice local angle, but it's his background that is impressive.

4. I don't think Mike Munchak (fired by Tennessee) is being considered. But the team may have talked to him as a possible offensive coordinator. He was offensive line coach from 1997-2010 for the Titans. If the Browns hire a rookie head coach such as Gase or Quinn, it would make sense to have a veteran such as Munchak on the staff.

5. When the Browns were interviewing candidates last season, Ray Horton impressed them to the point where they recommended him to Rob Chudzinski as defensive coordinator. Chudzinski talked to Horton for about three hours and then hired him.

6. I wrote earlier in the week that the delay in hiring a head coach could be a disadvantage when it comes to assembling a staff. Notice how fast Turner (expected to be hired by Minnesota) and Ray Horton (expected to be hired by Tennessee) are courted by new coaches.

7. The Browns are having four people interview most of the candidates: Owner Jimmy Haslam, CEO Joe Banner, General Manager Mike Lombardi and team president Alec Scheiner. Scheiner is the only surprise, because he is not in charge of any football decisions. He runs the business side, but the Browns believe Scheiner can help answer any business questions for the coaching candidates. He also can talk about why he left the Dallas Cowboys (he was Executive Vice President and General Counsel) to join the Browns -- speaking about his faith in the new front office.

8. I've been told that not everyone who reportedly interviewed with the Browns has actually done so. In some cases, the Browns talked to agents about their clients -- and then word spread that those coaches were about to interview. Because the Browns refuse to even confirm interviews, it makes it easy for misinformation to spread. My guess is they want to keep people guessing about their search. But at this point with all the other vacancies filled, there is no real advantage in that strategy.

The Steelers hired Mike Tomlin when he was 35 and had been a coordinator for only one year.Gail Burton, Associated Press

About a surprise pick ...

I talked to a top executive from another NFL team, and asked what he'd do if he were running the Browns.

He said the following:

1. They need to find the next young coach who "is special." He mentioned how Pittsburgh found Mike Tomlin at 35. Tomlin had been defensive coordinator in Minnesota for one year. Before that, he was a defensive backs coach at Tampa Bay (2001-05) and Cincinnati (1999-2000).

2. Tomlin was aided by joining a stable franchise. He kept most of Bill Cowher's assistants. The front office was in place and handling the drafting. The Steelers were 8-8, 11-5 and 15-1 in the three previous years before Tomlin.

3. The Steelers hired Chuck Noll at age 38, Cowher at 34 and Tomlin at 35. None had been head coaches before. All were considered somewhat risky hires because of their youth and lack of experience.

4. The Ravens hired John Harbaugh in 2008. He had been a special teams coach with the Eagles from 1998-2006. In 2007, he also was a defensive backs coach. He wanted the extra duty to position himself as head coach material because special teams coaches rarely are viewed as such.

5. But Harbaugh joined another stable organization with a strong leader in Ozzie Newsome. Like Tomlin, he had a team with excellent talent. The Ravens were 5-11 and 13-3 in the two previous seasons before Harbaugh.

6. Andy Reid was 40 when hired by Banner to be the Eagles head coach. Reid had been an offensive assistant with Green Bay from 1992-96, promoted to quarterback coach/assistant head coach in 1997-98. He worked for Mike Holmgren, who called the plays.

7. Reid joined a team that was 3-13 and 6-9 in the two previous seasons. The Eagles didn't have the same sustained success as Baltimore or Pittsburgh before their new head coaches were hired. Reid was 5-11 in his first season, but the Eagles stayed with him. He went 11-5, 11-5, 12-4, 12-4 and 13-3 in the next five years.

8. So yes, it does seem Banner is looking for his next Andy Reid. And it's why so many different names are being tossed about -- from Mike Pettine (Buffalo defensive coordinator) to Rich Bisaccia (Dallas special teams coach) to those mentioned for weeks (Gase and Quinn).

9. The executive said even if Rob Chudzinski merited being fired, the quick trigger combined with losing for so long makes the job less attractive to established coaches. That's another reason to go the "young coach" route. Also, the front office is going to pick most of the key players, and a young coach is more likely to accept that system.

10. Finally, the executive said, "The Browns really do have a lot of young players that I like. And they are well-positioned in the draft. It's the same question that they have been trying to answer for years -- the quarterback. If they finally find one, the new coach has some other real talent to work with."

Davone Bess' incarceration photo from the Broward County Sheriff's Office in Florida.Associated Press

About Davone Bess ...

The Browns are saying nothing, but they must be embarrassed by the Davone Bess saga.

That's especially true as the Miami Herald revealed that police had been called to the Florida home of Bess last March because of erratic behavior. He was screaming "hide the guns" and something else about his marijuana. It took six deputies to subdue him and he was hospitalized.

Apparently, the Browns were not aware of the incident. Obviously, the Dolphins and Bess had no reason for it to be made public. But this much is obvious: The Browns dropped the ball when doing their homework.

The only good thing about the recent arrest of Bess is that the Browns can probably take the $3 million that he's owed for next season off their salary cap. The delay in cutting him is to work through the contract issues -- especially the 2014 guaranteed money.

Bess was finished with the Browns when he was sent home after Game 14 due to personal problems. That's even before the tweets with pictures of Bess and what appeared to be marijuana were sent out.

Now, it's hard to believe Bess was brought in to be a role model for the young receivers.

But here is what Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland told reporters after Bess was traded to the Browns: "Davone was a consummate professional on the field and a model representative of the team off it through all of his charitable activities. He joined the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent and worked hard to become one of the team's most popular and respected players."

He said this after the police came to the home of Bess last March -- something he must have known but the Browns and public did not.

The Browns had so much confidence in Bess that they gave him a four-year extension worth $14 million with $5.5 million guaranteed. Bess averaged 64 catches a season in five years with the Dolphins. He was one of the best in converting third downs. He's only 28, and it seems his life is crumbling.

He was a disaster with the Browns, having a career-low 42 receptions and second-worst in the NFL with 14 dropped passes.

With the front office already being questioned after the 2013 draft, the 4-12 season and the long coaching search, the Bess mess just leads to more criticism.

About baseball's drug policy ...

I have suggested that any baseball player who fails a drug test should:

1. Start with a 100-game suspension (rather than 50).

2. Have all the guarantees removed from the remaining years on his contract. They all become club options, meaning the team can go year-to-year with the player.

3. The player can no longer sign anything more than a one-year contract.

Some form of this policy should be in place to stop players such as Jhonny Peralta ($53 million for four years from St. Louis) from cashing in the year after they are suspended for PED use. Or the remaining $125 million on Ryan Braun's deal with Milwaukee should no longer be guaranteed.

You'd think the Major League Players Association would favor something like this -- it's a good way to clean up the game. But new Players Association president Tony Clark told the Associated Press: "I'd venture to guess that even though there are concerns on a number of levels, that we will never end up in a world where player contracts are voided as a result."

Why not? Just who is the union supposed to be protecting? The cheaters?

Many players were angry when Peralta and some others received big contracts so soon after being suspended. For them, cheating paid off. And if you are a guy who plays the game clean, what is the advantage?

The players need to rise up and tell their new union boss that they want real penalties for cheaters -- and my plan has far more impact than anything baseball is doing right now.

The Tribe decided to keep Asdrubal Cabrera after learning the trade market for him was very weak.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

About Asdrubal Cabrera ...

The Tribe did explore some trade possibilities for their shortstop, but the market for Asdrubal Cabrera was weak. He is in the final year of a contract that pays him $10 million annually. He hit a career-low .246, and his .700 OPS was the second lowest of his career.

Some teams were willing to take Cabrera, but offered very little in return.

The Tribe decided to keep him. They believe part of his problem was playing in the spring World Baseball Classic. Manager Terry Francona mentioned that Cabrera battled minor injuries much of the season -- and that has been the case with several players who took part in the WBC.

Francona also appreciated how Cabrera hit five of his 14 homers in September, driving in 17 runs. He was tied with Nick Swisher for the team's September lead in RBI, a month where the Tribe was 21-6 and made a surprise appearance in the wild-card game.

Unlike some other seasons, Cabrera had lost 10 pounds and showed up in the best shape in years for the 2013 spring training. After a dismal 2012 season where he made 19 errors, he had only nine in 2013. The Tribe's internal statistics showed that his range improved, and he was average in most defensive categories -- an upgrade from 2012.

The Tribe has Mike Aviles as a capable backup. They have Francisco Lindor ready to start the season at Class AA Akron and perhaps reach Cleveland late the season. So this certainly appears to be Cabrera's final season here.

But with free agency approaching, the Tribe believes Cabrera is motivated to try and return to the player who batted .273 with 25 HR and 92 RBI in 2011. That's why they decided to keep him, rather than just dump his salary.

If a team loses a shortstop in spring training and makes the Tribe a significant offer for Cabrera, he could be traded. But for now, he seems set to return.

The Cavs' Andrew Bynum experiment was a failure on one level, but it did set up the Luol Deng deal.Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer

About Andrew Bynum ...

If the Cavs had a chance to do it over again, they probably would have more reservations about signing Andrew Bynum.

As they look back at the team's slow start, they believe part of the problem was trying to acclimate Bynum into the organization. Bynum's attitude was solid early and he worked hard to lose more than 30 pounds and strengthen his weak knees. But as he began to play and discovered that he no longer was able to run and jump as he once did -- he became depressed.

Soon, his practices were iffy. He began to grumble about the coaches and things in general.

The Cavs knew Bynum had a reputation of being difficult. But they hoped he'd come close to the player who averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds for Mike Brown with the Lakers in 2011-12. He missed all of last season with knee injuries.

As Bynum's funk continued, the Cavs began to believe that he wasn't sure if he even wanted to continue playing -- thoughts Bynum had mentioned a few times in interviews. He made it hard on Brown, who was trying to put his own stamp of defense and discipline.

In the end it worked out, because General Manager Chris Grant wisely structured Bynum's contract in a way that made it attractive in a trade -- and it brought Luol Deng to Cleveland. Bynum was traded to the Bulls, and immediately cut. So far, no team has signed the 7-footer.

After the Cavs won Friday in Denver, they are 3-2 since the Luol Deng deal.AP Photo

About the Cavs ...

1. Deng has been "better than advertised," according to one top team operative. The team knew that he was very skilled, but the coaching staff has really appreciated his leadership. The Cavs desperately need a veteran who can back the coach. Anderson Varejao is just too quiet. Jarrett Jack is a backup guard. But Deng is a two-time All-Star, one of the most respected players in the league.

2. Yes, they have some young and strong-willed athletes. Some may not appreciate it when Deng gives advice. But he is not a screamer, and has excellent people skills. The Cavs really value his personality. He brings stability to the small forward position.

3. On the court, he doesn't dominate the ball. He can shoot from medium and long range, but also can cut to the basket and catch passes for layups. He is devoted to defense. Other than LeBron James, Bingo Smith and Mike Mitchell, the Cavs never had many effective small forwards -- sorry about that, Lamond Murray, Darius Miles and Jamario Moon.

4. Deng does deal with a cranky Achilles. The MRI showed no tear. He was kicked in it, and it was bruised. He has to watch out for swelling. He's played 10 seasons, so there are miles on the tires. But the Cavs believe the 28-year-old still has several good seasons remaining. His value was obvious on the recent West Coast trip as the Cavs went 3-2 in his first five games. He is averaging 18.4 points and shooting 48 percent.

5. Which brings us to Deng's impending free agency. The Cavs view the trade as a way to show Deng that Cleveland can be a good place to continue his career. It also allows them to watch him every day and make a true evaluation of his worth. But right now, they are excited about Deng and plan to make a major offer to retain him.

View full sizeThe D-League seems like a better alternative every day for the Cavaliers' struggling Anthony Bennett.Tony Dejak, Associated Press

The Cavs rookie has said he is willing to go to Canton of the D-League to gain some experience, and they should send him there.

It doesn't matter that Bennett was the No. 1 pick in the draft, and no top pick has ever been demoted to the D-League. Bennett was playing very little before the Deng deal. He has played only 10 minutes in the last four. In January, Bennett has been on the court a grand total of 60 minutes, shooting 4-of-21.

It is fruitless to let him sit on the end of the bench as the Cavs push for the playoffs. His confidence is shakier than his jumper. Send him to Canton for a while. Let him play and see if he can pull himself together.

At Canton, Sergey Karasev recently played three games, and the first-rounder averaged 14.7 points, shooting 44 percent. Second-rounder Carrick Felix averaged 9.3 points and shot 40 percent in three games.

Canton's leading scorer is Kevin Jones (16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds). The 6-foot-8 forward was with the Cavs last season for 30 games, averaging three points.

The leading scorer in the D-League? It's former Cavalier Manny Harris, averaging 30 points and shooting 48 percent in 13 games for the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He was signed by the Lakers on Thursday.