Broncos offensive coordinator is currently leaning toward staying in Denver and not taking the Browns job -- if it's even offered, a source told cleveland.com.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase is leaning toward remaining in Denver and not taking the Browns head coaching job if it's offered, a league source told cleveland.com.

Gase, who's expected to interview with the Browns after he's eliminated from the playoffs, loves his job in Denver and relishes the idea of spending a second season as Peyton Manning's offensive coordinator.

The Broncos will face the Patriots in the AFC Championship Sunday afternoon in Denver, and the Browns can interview him as early as Sunday night or Monday if the Broncos are eliminated. If he advances to the Super Bowl, the Browns will have to determine if they want to wait until Feb. 3 to interview.

The Browns like multiple candidates they've already interviewed, including Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. They're also interviewing Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia Saturday, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer. Bisaccia comes highly recommended from former Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden, who's a friend of Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.

Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who's close to taking the Vikings coordinator job, also hired Bisaccia as special teams coach in 2011 in San Diego and gave him the added duties of assistant head coach in 2012.

Word in league circles is that agent Bob LaMonte has been telling folks that Gase, 35, might need another season as coordinator before taking a head job. What's more, he thinks Gase will have multiple opportunities next year, especially after one more season with Manning, who's playing the best ball of his career under Gase.

Question is, will the Browns still conduct the interview if they get the sense that Gase is having reservations? At least one league source questions if the interview will actually even take place.

The Browns are not heading into the interview with the idea that Gase is their top target, a source said. They have plenty of things to consider too, including the fact that Gase is young and has been a coordinator for only one year. He'd have to beat out some of the top candidates they've already interviewed to receive an offer. Quinn and Pettine have been apparently gaining steam in recent days.

So Gase is certainly not a slam-dunk from either side at this point. 

If the Browns do interview Gase, they're confident they can sell him on the merits of the job. The Browns have the No. 4 and No. 26s pick in the first round and three picks in he first 35. They also have five selections in the top 83, and five Pro Bowlers providing they re-sign potential free agents T.J. Ward and Alex Mack.

The Browns also have Brian Hoyer coming back from his torn ACL and will have a chance to land one of the top two or three quarterbacks in the draft, including Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, Central Florida's Blake Bortles and Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater.

"I still think (Manning') young and playing well," Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway told reporters on Thursday, via USA Today Sports. "Having been a football player before, when you leave this game, you want to leave it on your last leg (and) try not to leave anything on the table. And so anybody that's a competitor — that's the way they want to leave the game. I was just fortunate to be on two great football teams and be able to win two world championships when my last leg broke."

Elway also loves Gase and has encouraged him to stay.

"I wish I could've played for him, yeah. He's so bright," Elway said.

The Coast Guard is warning Western Lake Erie ice fishermen and residents around the Bass Islands that it is permitting a commercial ice-breaking operation in the area on Monday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Coast Guard is warning Western Lake Erie ice fishermen and residents around the Bass Islands that it is permitting a commercial ice-breaking operation in the area on Monday.

With the ice fishing season for walleye and yellow perch already luring a crowd of fishermen to Lake Erie this weekend, sportsmen and fishing guides are up in arms. The icebreaker will impact some of the most popular mainland ice fishing areas on Lake Erie, including west of Catawba Island and off Mouse Island at the north end of Catawba.

“They’re planning to break ice along the east side of South Bass Island to get to Catawba, so it shouldn’t hurt the 10- to 12-inch thick ice we’re fishing on the west side of South Bass Island,” said ice fishing guide Bud Gehring of Put-In-Bay. “The ice-breaking operation will put people’s lives in danger, though. We already have ice fishermen on quad runners and snowmobiles traveling from the mainland to South Bass Island, and people coming from Pelee Island (in Canadian waters) to Put-In-Bay and the Ohio mainland to shop.”

According to a Coast Guard press release, the tug Ohio is leaving Cleveland and heading to Put-In-Bay on the north side of South Bass Island on a course that will take it between Kelleys and Middle islands. At about 10 a.m. on Monday, the Ohio will head to the Miller Ferry Dock on Catawba Island followed by the tug Bessie J, which will be towing a barge.

The Monday convoy will travel along the east side of South Bass Island en route to Catawba’s Miller Ferry docks, where it will be loaded with steel dock ribs. At about 1 p.m., the boats will take the same route back to Put-In-Bay. Delays in loading could delay the return trip to Put-In-Bay until Tuesday.

“You’ve got to put safety first,” said Gehring. “Money should come second. This load should have been shipped over in November, when the Miller Ferry was still running.”

While the Coast Guard plans to broadcast a warning about the ice-breaking plan every three hours on marine radio channel 16, Gehring said few ice fishermen carry a marine radio.

Vote in our poll after watching Zack, Ari and Doug discuss the state of Ohio State basketball, with the Buckeyes at 15-3 entering Monday night's game at Nebraska.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State returns to the court at Nebraska on Monday night on a three-game losing streak after falling to Michigan State, Iowa and Minnesota following a perfect start to the season.

What's the appropriate level of worry about the basketball Buckeyes?

Zack, Ari and I got together to talk about that this week. Zack, as usual, forgot his coat, so as we searched in the snow for a warm place to film our video after lunch, we wound up in Ari's car.

Check out our thoughts on Thad Matta and the basketball Buckeyes, who usually seem to straighten themselves out when it matters, and then vote on how worried you are about Ohio State basketball right now.

The Akron Zips took on the preseason favorites to win the 2014 Mid-American Conference basketball title in Rhodes Arena, Saturday afternoon.

AKRON, Ohio -- The Akron Zips were beaten at their own game, 75-61, by the Toledo Rockets Saturday afternoon in Rhodes Arena.

The Zips' biggest pre-game advantage appeared to be on the boards. But led by 6-6 Ohio State transfer J.D. Westherspoon's 20 points and 14 rebounds, and 6-10 sophomore Nathan Boothe's 10 and seven, Toledo dominated as the Zips could counter only with Demetrius Treadwell (18/10) and the Rockets out-muscled Akron, 42-28, on the glass.

"Our mindset was to hit them first,'' Weatherspoon said. "I thought we did that."

Akron (11-6, 3-1) was in a hole deeper than its 37-28 halftime deficit as the Zips had already committed nine turnovers and were down in the rebound battle, 22-10. The Rockets had cashed in 11 offensive rebounds for 14 second-chance points.

Toledo's biggest advantage, Julius Brown at point guard, delivered as expected as he overwhelmed Akron's point guards, 25 points to 0.

Akron held the best shooting team in the league to 40 percent in the opening half and 44.4 percent for the game -- and still lost decisively.

"That's tough,'' Akron head coach Keith Dambrot said. "For anybody to come in here and whip us like that is demoralizing."

Rebounding was the key, particularly 16 on the offensive glass. "(Points) would have been less than that if we could have kept them off the offensive glass,'' Treadwell said.

The Rockets (15-2, 3-1) had a 43-35 lead early in the second half, which became larger as every loose ball, every wild rebound, every awkward shot went in favor of the Rockets. With 12:14 to go the Zips were down, 53-39, with Dambrot already deep into his bench.

Toledo's lead grew to 60-42 with just under 10 minutes left before some full-court Akron pressure led to a UT timeout with the Zips trailing 60-48.

"We knew they would make a run,'' Weatherspoon said. "We just had to make it a short run."

As the clock ticked down, Akron's inconsistent offense, inability to rebound and poor free-throw shooting prevented a more serious dent in Toledo's lead. When a Brown layup snapped a 6:10 field goal drought, Toledo still led, 62-49.

Despite being just the fourth of 18 league games, Saturday had huge implications, particularly for the Rockets. A loss would have effectively put them three games back of the Zips. Akron had a chance to take early command of the league chase, but stumbled.

The teams traded the first-half lead until Toledo utilized a 16-5 lead on the boards, plus five turnovers from Akron, to build a 25-17 lead. But a barrage of Akron 3-pointers helped the Zips close to 30-26 with 2:57 to go in the half.

A Treadwell inside hoop inside closed the gap to 30-28, but the Rockets answered with a 7-0 run for a 37-28 halftime advantage.

Indians right-hander Justin Masterson wants to get paid handsomely in 2014, his potential walk year. The Indians are not quite as willing.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians and their No. 1 starter, Justin Masterson, have decidedly different numbers in mind as to what he should be paid for the 2014 season.

Friday was the day designated by Major League Baseball for all remaining arbitration-eligible players to exchange salary figures with their respective teams. For the Indians, that meant pitchers Masterson, Josh Tomlin and Vinnie Pestano and outfielder Michael Brantley. The Tribe's other two who filed this past week, lefty relievers Josh Outman and Marc Rzepczynski, signed one-year contracts.

According to multiple reports, Masterson filed at $11.8 million and the Indians were at $8.05 million. It means the Indians have work to do in order to avoid something they despise: an arbitration hearing.

In a hearing, each side argues for its salary figure. Club and player can grow to dislike each other in a hurry. The arbiter picks one salary or the other; there is no compromise.

This year's MLB hearings are set to begin Feb. 1 in Florida. The Indians have not been to a hearing since 1991 when Greg Swindell won and Jerry Browne lost. They don't want to resume now, but a $3.75-million difference of opinion is not easily compromised, even in the big-money world of MLB.

Jeff Passan, MLB columnist for Yahoo! Sports, tweeted Friday night that the $3.75 million gap is the widest among the arbitration eligibles who exchanged figures.

One case Masterson and his camp surely will monitor is that of Cincinnati Reds right-hander Homer Bailey. Both can be free agents after this season. The Reds reportedly offered $8.7 million while Bailey asked for $11.6 million, a difference of $2.9 million.

Bailey, 27, is coming off a 32-start, 209-inning season in which he went 11-12 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.12 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning). He has a career record of 49-45 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 143 games (all starts). He has pitched exclusively for the Reds, who play in a league where pitchers hit.

Masterson, 28, is coming off a season of 32 appearances (29 starts) and 193 innings. He went 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Masterson owns a career record of 53-63 with a 4.03 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 212 games (150 starts). He has pitched for the Boston Red Sox and Indians, who play in a league where offense is enhanced by the designated hitter.

One pitcher that baseball-reference.com identified as similar to Masterson through age 28 is right-hander Matt Garza. As a 28-year-old with the Chicago Cubs in 2012, Garza made $9.5 million. As a 29-year-old with the Cubs and Texas Rangers last year, he made $10.25 million. He is a free agent.

Masterson certainly would love to see his former running mate in Cleveland, Ubaldo Jimenez, sign somewhere before Feb. 1. Even as free agent Jimenez's view of his worth evidently is not close to that of the market's, he still is expected to command a multiyear contract worth at least $10 million-$12 million per season.

If it were to come to a hearing, Masterson's case would center on durability and dependability (at least 29 starts and 180 innings in each of the last four seasons). He also would contend that he has pitched in tough luck, as evidenced by an American League ERA that belies a record of 10 games below .500. And, no doubt, he would remind the Indians that he is their No. 1 starter -- and that they don't even have an established No. 2. Once Jimenez exited, the presumed No. 2 status fell to youngster Danny Salazar, he of 52 major-league innings.

The Indians would counter that, while they appreciate everything Masterson has done, he has been too inconsistent. As a new schooler, General Manager Chris Antonetti probably would not bother with the won-lost record and instead focus on such stats as ERA and WHIP. Here they are for Masterson's four full years as a starter for the Tribe:

2010: 4.70 ERA, 1.50 WHIP.

2011: 3.21 ERA, 1.28 WHIP.

2012: 4.93 ERA, 1.45 WHIP.

2013: 3.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP.

The Indians would contend that Masterson's big frame (6-6, 250) and long arm action can make mechanics more difficult to repeat start to start and year to year, leading to inconsistency. MLBtraderumors.com, perhaps the most respected name in the arbitration game, had projected Masterson's arbitration number at $9.7 million. Masterson made $5.69 million last year.

Just because the Indians and Masterson are far apart on the upcoming season's salary doesn't mean they have nixed the possibility of a multiyear contract. Far from it. Antonetti has said he would like to keep him; Masterson's camp has said it is willing to listen. It is entirely possible that multiyear discussions were taking place when Friday's 1 p.m. deadline hit. (Reports out of Cincinnati are that the Reds, instead of grinding an axe over Bailey's salary request, continue to talk parameters for long-term contract.)

It stands to reason, though, that an arbitration hearing would not help facilitate a long-term deal.

Left fielder Brantley is the other big arbitration eligible on the Indians. He is in his first year in the process and coming off a solid season offensively and defensively. Brantley reportedly asked for $3.8 million and the Indians offered $2.7 million.

Reliever Pestano, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck, asked for $1.45 million and the Indians offered $975,000. Pestano delivered quality seasons as a setup man in 2011 and 2012 before injuries and ineffectiveness derailed him last year.

Passan tweeted that the lowest asking price among MLB eligibles belongs to Tomlin, who wants $975,000 while the Indians are offering $800,000. Tomlin, best suited to start, still was recovering from Tommy John surgery last year and pitched two innings for Cleveland.

At least one team is figuratively playing hardball with its remaining eligibles. Atlanta Braves General Manager Frank Wren has told reporters that his club is done negotiating with closer Craig Kimbrel, first baseman Freddie Freeman and outfielder Jason Heyward, and that their cases are headed to hearings. The reported differences between the Braves and those three players add up to $4 million:

Kimbrel: $9 million/$6.55 million -- $2.45 million.

Freeman: $5.75 million/$4.5 million -- $1.25 million.

Heyward: $5.5 million/$5.2 million -- $300,000.

Bess deleted photo, but a screen grab has been published by Deadspin.

BEREA, Ohio – Another day, another snapshot of bizarre behavior from Davone Bess. This one is quite revealing.

A morning after being arrested for an altercation with an airport police officer, the Browns receiver apparently Tweeted a photo of himself standing naked in front of a mirror. The post has been deleted from his account, but Deadspin.com ran a screen capture.

Bess has been making headlines for three straight days for irrational conduct, including a series of controversial Tweets early Thursday morning. Hours after his arrest, the Miami Herald reported that family members had the six-year veteran hospitalized against his consent last March – a month before the Browns acquired him in a trade with the Miami Dolphins.

A league sources told Northeast Ohio Media Group the Dolphins are not surprised by Bess’ behavior, calling into question whether the Browns did their due diligence before making the deal. The Browns did not return a call seeking comment Friday night.

Bess posted career-low numbers in receptions (42) and yardage (362) before leaving the team with two games remaining due to what the team termed personal reasons. He was among the league leaders in dropped passes.

Should the club decide to cut him, which is likely, they must wait until Feb 3, the day after the Super Bowl.

Toledo routed Akron Saturday. The game showed erious and expected weaknesses at point guard and center for the Zips, the MAC's top program in recent years.

AKRON, Ohio -- The King isn’t dead yet, but the throne is wobbly, the enemy is at the gates and revolution was in the frigid air outside Rhodes Arena Saturday morning.

After seven straight MAC Tournament finals and three NCAA Tournament trips, Akron coach Keith Dambrot saw exactly how far the Zips are going to have to go in order to repeat after Toledo administered a one-sided 75-61 beating.

“They’re the king of the league. Nobody has more respect for Akron and Keith Dambrot than Tod Kwalczyk and us,” said Tod Kwalczyk. Since we are into that third-person thing here, let it be said that Tod Kwalczyk had Tod Kwalczyk’s team ready to play at the 11 a.m. tipoff.

J.D. Weatherspoon -- recruited by Akron and then spurned when the scholarships ran out -- decided J.D. Weatherspoon had a point to make (20 of them in fact) and 14 rebounds to corral.

“We have this reputation as the rough, tough rebounding team. But he stuffed it right down my ...” said Dambrot, declining to get specific about the receptacle.

There was nobody around to rub out the easy baskets because shot-blocking Zeke Marshall, a legitimate 7-footer, has graduated and is now refining his game in the NBA Developmental League in Maine. In his place at starting center was Pat Forsythe, who got one more rebound than you or I did in 20 minutes.

It’s worse at point guard, a position in which an electrifying player can take a team a long way. Witness Trey Burke with NCAA runner-up Michigan last year and, on the MAC level, D.J. Cooper of a Sweet 16 team at Ohio in 2012.

Akron’s Carmelo Betancourt, who shares being from Puerto Rico, anyway, with last year’s incumbent, Alex Abreu, scored no points Saturday. Abreu, on probation for drug trafficking, a stunning violation which sank Dambrot’s best team’s chances in the NCAAs last year, might be back, although no one knows just when.

Dambrot got a second chance from Akron after a dismissal from Central Michigan under racially-charged circumstances, and the coach is not one to judge a man for a single misstep.

Against this void, Toledo’s Julius “Juice” Brown decided that the Juice could get loose to deliver abuse, with no need to vamoose since no Marshall was guarding the rim.

Confronted by the same defensive strategy of sending big men at him that Akron used to confuse Cooper in last season’s MAC Tournament final at The Q, Brown either got easily to the rim (“Marshall altered all my shots. Glad he’s gone,” he said) or hit step-back 3’s. He was 4-for-9 beyond the arc.

“We have to get better. The biggest thing is fluidity on offense. No matter what people think, psychologically, if you play poorly on offense, it affects your defense,” said Dambrot.

That means point guard is a bigger problem than anything, in the coach’s eyes.

Maybe Dambrot can get by with a committee of play-makers, as he did in last year’s MAC Tournament with Nick Harney and Quincy Diggs. “If we’re going to win (against good teams), Diggs has to get 15 or 16 points,” said Dambrot. Diggs got eight Saturday.

Maybe Demetrius Treadwell, who went for an 18-10 double-double and always plays with hectic energy, can awaken his teammates who seemed to have slept through the alarm clock Saturday morning in the early going.

“In basketball, one guy makes a huge difference. Take Juice Brown off that team and see how they do,” said Dambrot. “So we have to do it again. Can we sustain success? We’ve got to do it in a different way. If I’m the competitor I think I am, I have to bring them back somehow."

Sustainability is why Akron rewarded Dambrot in 2012 with a 10-year contract of a MAC-high $400,000 per year, plus incentives. He had come into the backyard of the old king, Kent State, and usurped the Flashes’ throne.

In part, this is because Kent State has been commitment phobic when it comes to paying coaches. Jim Christian left after solid success, only to reappear in the MAC now at Ohio University. Geno Ford jumped to Bradley of the Missouri Valley Conference amid bitterness and litigation. Rob Senderoff, the current coach, is still working on his original three-year, $250,000 contract.

“We’ve been down this road a million times,” said Dambrot of the necessity to rally his team.

“The road to the championship doesn’t run through here or through our gym,” said Kwalczyk. “It runs through Cleveland.”

Dambrot knows every pothole and truck stop along the way to The Q. Against the odds, he expects to be there at the end of the road.

UNLV coach Dave Rice thinks rookie Anthony Bennett will recover from his slow start and urges Cavs fans to be patient.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- UNLV men's basketball coach Dave Rice was about to board a plane for Saturday's game at San Diego State when he took a few minutes to talk about Cavaliers rookie Anthony Bennett.

"I'll always talk about Anthony Bennett," Rice said. "He's special.''

Cavs fans may not believe that yet, as the No. 1 draft choice has struggled in his rookie season. He is averaging just 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in just over 10 minutes a game, and he didn't play at all in the final three games of the recent five-game Western Conference trip.

Rice knows that. He tries to watch as many Cavs games as he can, and he has been talking and texting Bennett, trying to encourage him.

Is Bennett discouraged?

"The biggest thing with AB is, he's such a good guy that he's a pleaser,'' Rice said. "He wants to please coach [Mike] Brown and he wants to please the Cavalier fans and he wants to play well.

"Obviously, he wants to play well for himself, but more than anything he wants to play well. I think he feels a certain amount of responsibility because he was the No. 1 pick in the draft, and Cleveland put their faith in him and he wants to pay that back. That's just the kind of quality young guy he is. I think he will work really, really hard in the offseason and have a breakout year next year.

"People will be very happy in Cleveland with how he plays next year."

That's not necessarily what fans want to hear, but Rice has seen how good Bennett can be.

In 35 games (32 starts), Bennett averaged 16.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 27.1 minutes at UNLV, was named Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, was first-team All-Mountain West, MWC all-tournament and one of 15 finalists on the ballot for the John R. Wooden National Player of the Year Award.

Scouts who saw him play last year -- Rice said no one scouted Bennett more than the Cavs -- raved about his scoring ability and how fierce he was around the basket, traits that have not been evident so far in his professional career.

"He was our leading scorer,'' Rice said. "He was a jump shooter, but we also posted him up a bunch, too. He scored for us in a variety of ways. Obviously, this is our level and the NBA is a different game at a different level. But he's a very, very capable shooter and when he gets into a rhythm he can really knock them down.

"We actually ball screened for him and had him put it on the floor. He's a multi-dimensional player. He's not playing with a whole lot of confidence right now. That's nobody's fault. That's just the nature of moving up a level.''

Rice thinks off-season shoulder surgery set Bennett back, but he also thinks he will make up for it this summer.

"The one thing is, Anthony Bennett is a terrific person,'' Rice said. "He's very deferential almost. I know even on our team he was our best player. He was a freshman, but he just wanted to fit in. He didn't want to step on the toes of the upperclassmen. There were times I actually had to encourage him to take over a game. He's very, very capable of doing that.

"But I think a lot of it is his character. He wants to fit in. I have no doubt that he's going to be a terrific NBA player. I know that he hasn't gotten off to a great start, but I have a lot of confidence in him just because of his character and his talent and his basketball IQ.''

Cavs executives say exactly the same thing as they face a bit of a dilemma since the arrival of Luol Deng. Whereas there had been opportunities for Bennett -- either at his natural power forward spot or at small forward -- before Deng arrived, those minutes have disappeared. Earl Clark, who celebrated his 26th birthday in Friday's 117-109 victory at Denver, is the backup power forward. When Deng comes out, Brown often turns to his three-guard lineup with one of those guards filling the small forward spot.

Rice wouldn't offer an opinion on whether some time with the NBA Development League team in Canton might help Bennett, but he said he knows Bennett would be open to the possibility. Bennett said the same thing last week in Los Angeles.

"Whatever Chris Grant and coach Brown decide is absolutely what AB would agree with,'' Rice said. "He's a wonderful teammate. He's a guy who desperately wants to win. He's got too much talent, too much character and too high a basketball IQ not too be successful.

"It's a huge transition for guys, especially when you think about his conditioning because of the shoulder injury. I think he will make huge strides from his first year to his second year. I expect him to have a breakout second year in the NBA.''

So what would Rice say to fretting fans?

The coach didn't hesitate.

""Everyone be a little bit patient,'' he said, "and he will be a terrific Cavalier.''

The Ex factor will rule in the NFL playoffs on Sunday -- that's Ex as in Ex-Browns.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I went 4-0 picking last week's NFL playoff games straight-up but felt lousy because what really matters is performance against the spread, and I only managed a split. Based on the lines I used, I lost by a half-point with the Seahawks over the Saints and by 2 1/2 with the Broncos over the Chargers.

I "improved'' to 2-6 ATS in the postseason after a rough regular season. I plan to soothe some of the ache with a strong day Sunday. Granted, only two games are being played, but they are whoppers: The AFC and NFC championships.

My confidence is based on my Cleveland roots. On Sunday, the road to the Super Bowl will be paved by two former Browns: one head coach, one player.

Patriots at Broncos

Everything is set up for Peyton Manning to return to the Super Bowl. It won't happen, though, because of the greatness of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Belichick, whose first NFL head coaching job was in Cleveland, is in Manning's head. So is Brady.

Somehow, some way, Belichick's band of overachievers will find a way to keep it close against the big, bad Broncos. Then Brady will close the deal. Patriots, 31-28.

49ers at Seahawks

The Seahawks are especially nasty at home -- but they probably don't realize it is kicker Phil Dawson's time to get to a Super Bowl. Dawson, in his first season in San Francisco after 14 in Cleveland, took care of the Packers in Green Bay in the opening round, so the first pressure postseason kick is out of the way. When he lines up for a 45-yard field goal in bad weather with everything on the line, he will be as relaxed as he ever has been. 49ers, 23-20.

“I can't say it because Joey will get mad, but the little brother might be better than Joey,” said former OSU receiver Cris Carter of Nick Bosa, the younger brother of Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Nick Bosa said he and his older brother, Joey, “do everything together.”

That could include attending Ohio State.

Several Florida prospects came out to watch the Buckeyes practice during their preparations for the Orange Bowl. The one with the most compelling reason to swing by was this Class of 2016 defensive end, who was saying hello to family and getting an early look at his recruiting options.

The Buckeyes have already offered Bosa, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive end who just finished his sophomore football season. It's not only because of the bloodlines.

Cris Carter, the former OSU receiver, is an assistant coach at St. Thomas Aquinas, the high school that Bosa attends. St. Thomas is a Florida powerhouse that constantly produces Division I players, and Carter said that Bosa was the best player on the team as a sophomore.

“I can't say it because Joey will get mad, but the little brother might be better than Joey,” Carter said.

• Joey Bosa's big freshman year at Ohio State

John Bosa can say it. The former NFL player has seen a different development track for his two sons. His oldest just emerged as a starting defensive end in his first year in Columbus and made multiple freshman All-American teams. His younger son has more potential.

“Nick has had the advantage of watching his older brother do everything first,” John said.

John believes that has helped Nick advance as a player. When Nick was a freshman at St. Thomas, he slid inside to defensive tackle and helped team with his brother, a starter at defensive end, as they marched to a state title. Nick was named the national freshman of the year by MaxPreps.com

Nick always hung around his brother and his friends, in the weight room and on the practice field, and found out early what it takes.

That's part of why Ohio State is so interested.

St. Thomas Aquinas sophomore defensive end Nick Bosa, who has an offer from Ohio State.Rivals.com

“I think having Joey as his older brother has helped him tremendously. If you watch Joey's high school film and how he has matured from his freshman, sophomore and into his junior year, Nick was always around watching him as a youth,” said Rocco Casullo, the head coach at St. Thomas. “Nick always wanted to compete with his older brother and play with the older kids and show everyone that he is a great football player, which he is.

"I think that year really propelled Nick big time because he got the experience of playing on a great defense with Joey and (Miami recruit) Anthony Moten, and he saw he fit in. Then it just elevated his game as a sophomore and I can't wait to see what he does this year.”

Ohio State will be watching as well. Bosa will be watching the Buckeyes.

“I'm pretty wide open, but the only school I've really been able to communicate with is Ohio State because of my brother,” Nick Bosa told cleveland.com after an Orange Bowl practice. “I have a couple more offers but I haven't been on any visits to talk to coaches yet. Once I do that, I'll be able to figure it out.”

The idea of following in his brother's footsteps appeals to the younger Bosa, even if the family is expecting Joey to turn pro after his junior season, which means the brothers wouldn't get to play together as they did at St. Thomas. Their mother, Cheryl, also went to Ohio State. Her brother, the boys' uncle, is former OSU defensive star and NFL first-round draft pick Eric Kumerow.

“It would definitely be cool to keep the legacy going,” Nick said.

While John Bosa was a star at Boston College, and a first-round NFL pick himself, he prefers the idea of his sons playing at a school where football is a major part of the culture. He didn't always feel that at Boston College. The family does feel that at Ohio State.

The Bosas have all spoken highly of former defensive line coach Mike Vrabel, who played a major part in recruiting Joey. John Bosa was impressed with what his son learned in his first season at Ohio State under Vrabel.

With Vrabel now with the Houston Texans in the NFL, the family will have to get familiar with new defensive line coach Larry Johnson.

Nothing will shake Ohio State's interest in the younger Bosa. Not after he made first-team all-state as a sophomore, breaking the St. Thomas single-season sack record with 14.5. Casullo, who has been at St. Thomas for 13 years, said Nick Bosa is more advanced than any player he has coached in “understanding philosophies, techniques, our defensive schemes. It is incredible to watch this kid mature.”

Warhop worked under three head coaches.

BEREA, Ohio -- As Browns assistant coaches came and went through regime changes, George Warhop had been a constant amid the chaos in Berea.

But the respected offensive line coach who worked under Eric Mangini, Pat Shurmur and Rob Chudzinski has moved on -- accepting the same position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday.

Left tackle Joe Thomas and center Alex Mack, who each reached the Pro Bowl during Warhop's tenure, have raved about his work. Prior to last season, Mack said Warhop is one of the reasons he's enjoyed playing for the Browns. The center is an unrestricted free agent.

It's unclear whether the next Browns coach would have retained Warhop, but that's no longer an option. Cleveland native and former Pro Bowler LeCharles Bentley considers Warhop, who began his NFL career in 1996 with St. Louis, one of the league's best offensive line coaches.

It was a challenging season for the Browns' line, however, as it adapted to a new system and dealt with injuries at guard. The Browns surrendered the league's third-most sacks (49) and ranked 27th in rushing with no legitimate halfback after the Trent Richardson trade. The Browns threw the ball 681 times, the most in the NFL, while using three quarterbacks.

Lake Erie Monsters end road trip with fifth straight loss.

-

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Lake Erie Monsters dropped their fifth straight decision here Saturday, this time by a 1-0 count to the Iowa Wild.

The Monsters (17-18-0-3) outshot the Wild, 45-27, but couldn't get anything past Iowa's John Curry. The 45 shots on goal were a season high for the Monsters. Lake Erie goalie Calvin Pickard stopped 26 of 27 shots.

The Monsters host Rochester on Thursday at 7.

Notes: The Monsters are 5-12-0-2 on the road this season and 12-6-0-1 at home. ... The Monsters are 0-2-0-0 against Iowa this season. ... The Monsters 45 shots on net is a new season-high; their previous season-best was 42 shots on 11/7/13 against Utica. ... The game marks the third time this season that the Monsters have been held without a goal. ... The Monsters are 4-8-0-0 against the Midwest Division. ... Saturday, the Monsters were 0-2 on the power play while Iowa was 1-3.

Former Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner is now the Vikings offensive coordinator, per reports.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner has been hired by the Vikings as their new offensive coordinator, a league source confirmed for cleveland.com.

Turner is likely to take his son, Scott, with him, possibly as quarterbacks coach. Scott coached receivers for the Browns but was in line to take over his dad's secondary role as quarterbacks coach.

Turner, 61, was a major reason the Browns hired Rob Chudzinski as their head coach for 2013, and spoke out against Chudzinski's firing when the front office met with the assistant coaches the following day.

His departure comes on the heels of former Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton accepting the Titans defensive coordinator job early Saturday morning. Just a year after the Browns sold the high-flying aggressive attacks of Turner and Horton, both are gone.

Turner was dealt a tough hand in 2013, with injuries to all three quarterbacks, including a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament for Brian Hoyer. Brandon Weeden also suffered a concussion and thumb injury, and Jason Campbell suffered a rib injury and concussion. With no continuity at the position, the offense finished No. 18 overall and No. 27 with 18.1 points per game. The passing game ranked No. 11 and the tailback-challenged running game finished No. 27.

By the end of the season, the strain of operating without a featured tailback since the week three trade of Trent Richardson began to show in Turner. When asked about the pass-heavy gameplan in a loss to the Bears Dec. 15, he let it rip.

“Anyone who’s seen our 12 games before that, 13 games before that, I don’t think would sit there and think we should be running the ball more,” Turner snapped. "We need to throw the ball. Like I said, people that have watched us know that if we’re not successful throwing the ball we’re not going to have a lot of production.”

Turner joins former Vikings new head coach Mike Zimmer, who interviewed with the Browns last season for their head coach vacancy. Zimmer, a longtime well-respected defensive coordinator most recently with the Bengals, is finally getting his chance after years of being passed over.

Turner's 15 years' experience as a head coach should benefit Zimmer.

Turner also had a talent-starved receiving corps, with only one bona fide weapon in Josh Gordon, who led the NFL with 1,646 yards -- 10th most ever by an NFL player -- despite playing in only 14 games. Turner was forced to play with receivers Davone Bess and Greg Little, who underachieved all season. Bess' off-the-field problems have been well-documented, and Little regressed in his third season.

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

In Minnesota, he'll coach one of the best running backs in the history of the game in Adrian Peterson, who should flourish under Turner's guidance the same way Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson did.

In other Browns coaching news, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired Browns offensive line coach George Warhop, tight ends coach Jon Embree and defensive line coach Joe Cullen.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio — A high-end program such as St. Edward wrestling, which has won 28 state championships, doesn’t normally trifle with moral victories. But that’s exactly what coach Greg Urbas was doing Saturday after the Eagles dropped a 34-25 decision to visiting St. Paris Graham, the state's perennial Division II power from the Dayton area.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio — A high-end program such as St. Edward wrestling, which has won 28 state championships, doesn’t normally trifle with moral victories.

But that’s exactly what coach Greg Urbas was doing Saturday after the Eagles dropped a 34-25 decision to visiting St. Paris Graham, the state's perennial Division II power from the Dayton area.

“We knew we had to wrestle hard and proud,” Urbas said. “What we were looking for was for our guys to just work really, really hard. I think we put a pretty good show on today.”

There were many positives in the loss, which drops the team’s dual record to 10-2. The Eagles won six of the 14 matches and they came back from an early 28-3 deficit to make it a respectable result. But, most importantly to Urbas, they gave a great effort, something he said they didn’t do in a 36-27 victory last week over Marmion Academy of Aurora, Ill.

“Our intensity jumped levels from a week ago,” Urbas said. “I thought the kids wrestled much better. The intensity was great in the (practice) room, we just didn’t show it much against Marmion. I thought today the work that they’re putting in in the room, showed on the mat.”

According to Urbas, it was a much better result against a much better team. Graham, which has won every Division II state title since 2001, is ranked fifth in the nation by intermatwrestle.com (St. Edward is ranked 26^th) and has a lineup filled with nationally-ranked individuals, including top-rated 145-pounder Micah Jordan, who is headed to Ohio State.

The match started with the 126-pound weight class, which was right in Graham’s wheelhouse. After seven matches the Falcons had a 28-3 lead with three pins, one major decision and two decisions.

The lone victory for the Eagles during that stretch came at 132 pounds when sophomore Hunter Ladnier fought back from a 7-0 deficit to take a 12-9 decision. Ladnier was close to winning by pin, but Graham’s Brent Moore spent most of the match’s final 40 seconds on his back, holding off the fall.

“Hunter did a heck of a job,” Urbas said. “He wrestled his tail off.”

Despite falling behind by 25 points, there was no panic in the St. Edward camp. The strength of this young team is its upper weights, which quickly turned things around.

First came an 11-2 major decision by senior Gabe Dzuro at 182. Then, at 195, sophomore Mike O’Malley won a thriller, coming back from a 3-0 deficit to score a takedown with just 9 seconds remaining to secure a 5-3 decision.

“That was a huge match at 195,” Urbas said. “Mike O’Malley did a fantastic job. He was down 3-2 at the end of two and then scored right there at the end. That was fantastic.”

O’Malley’s victory was followed by two first-period pins by the Eagles and suddenly it was a tight match. At 220, junior Parker Knapp pinned his opponent in 53 seconds, and when senior Ralph Nichols scored a pin in 1:01 at 285, the deficit was just six, 28-22.

The final three matches were hard-fought but not very eventful. Freshman Allan Hart lost a 2-0 decision at 106, and at 113, junior L.J. Bentley held off several takedown attempts throughout the match to hold off Eli Stickley, 2-1, in the day’s only matchup of nationally-ranked wrestlers.

The score was 31-25 entering the final match, meaning St. Edward sophomore Mason Daugherty needed a pin to tie the score and force the team outcome to be determined by criteria. Daugherty fought back several times, but Graham’s Mario Kastle was up to the task, taking a 6-4 victory to reach the final score of 34-25.

“We’re trying to get the kids ready for sectionals, districts and states,” Urbas said. “They have to get ready and we have to get them ready. But we’ve got to go on from here. It doesn’t get any easier. We’ve got Blair next week.”

The Eagles travel to New Jersey next weekend to face Blair Academy, the top-ranked team in the nation. Earlier this season Blair defeated Graham in a dual, 38-20.

Browns' owner Jimmy Haslam began the week by writing a letter to calm Browns' fans. The week ended with another dent in the organization's credibility as it continues to shop for a new coach.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There seem to be just two possibilities in the Bess Mess (trademarked, don't even think about it).

The Browns either knew wide receiver Davone Bess was hospitalized for erratic behavior shortly before they traded for him. Or they had no idea. In either case, trading for him and giving him a contract extension is a major embarrassment for an organization that just this week asked season ticket holders to put their trust in a “methodical” coaching search.

More methodical than their previous diligence? You'd better hope.

In either case, expect owner Jimmy Haslam to be so enraged by what’s transpired that he phones Rob Chudzinski and fires him all over again.

After the way Haslam sat alongside Joe Banner and watched Banner deflect the blame for a four-win season on the head coach, there’s no reason to believe Haslam will come down hard now on the men running his show.

Asked at the annual fire-the-coach presser if he found it odd that GM Mike Lombardi doesn’t attend news conferences, Haslam said, “I’ve really never thought about it.”

Hopefully, he’ll give some thought to everyone’s role in the trade for Bess. Some are no doubt guiltier than others. When Haslam sorts it out, the Browns might want to address it quickly and publicly, given that nationally the Browns’ job is already being described as “radioactive.”

Scott Fujita, the former Browns’ linebacker, wasn’t that extreme in his description but nevertheless called head coach of the Browns "a tough job to sell" in an appearance on Fox Sports.

Haslam’s letter explaining why the coaching search should be viewed as “disciplined” and not what it appears -- all over the map -- wasn’t convincing enough before the news on Bess. It’s even less convincing now.

Don’t get me wrong. Haslam is absolutely correct when he says there are some attractive aspects of the head coaching job. But for every attraction, there is a self-created mitigating factor. Haslam is part of it.

The job offers a passionate owner. Who could be under indictment.

It offers an owner who demands accountability. But apparently not from everyone.

Haslam pointed out the Browns have the second-most cap space in the league and a glutton’s share of draft picks. The next coach also has reason to wonder – based on personnel decisions made this year, Bess included – if he’ll reap the rewards of that bounty with Banner-Lombardi making the calls.

After all, every coach knows he’s only as good as his quarterback and personnel department. Can he trust these guys to deliver in what Haslam called “THE critical off-season”?

Haslam mentioned five All-Pros. And that’s impressive -- if they keep Alex Mack and T.J. Ward from leaving via free agency. And all five pre-date Banner-Lombardi.

Haslam mentioned the young roster as a positive. It was even younger for Chudzinski.

The one positive for the next coach is he’ll be almost guaranteed a few years on the job. No way the Browns would be hair trigger on another coach this soon after the Chud firing.

So he’ll at least have two years of being second-guessed.

Not a day after Haslam tried to calm fan fears by suggesting the four remaining playoff teams were treasure troves of head coaching candidates waiting to be mined, the Browns reportedly lined up interviews with coaches in Buffalo (Mike Pettine) and Dallas (Rich Bisaccia). Neither was involved in the playoffs.

It raised the question of whether they’d received word that Denver offensive coordinator Adam Gase wants to stay in Denver at least another year. Why wouldn’t he? Why come out when there’s only one team looking for a head coach?

A team that made questionable personnel decisions (and at least one egregious one), did nothing especially promising in the 2013 draft, went 4-12 and then blamed the coach.

SPINOFFS

• The Davone Bess story -- specifically, his arrest at the Fort Lauderdale Airport Friday for assault -- is truly shocking.

I didn’t think you could get arrested for anything in Florida.

• Upon leaving jail, Bess was asked about the Twitter pics he’s posted that appear to show him in possession of marijuana. Or as the reporter called it, “weed.”

“I don’t know,” Bess said, smiling. “Ask Brandon Weeden”

You want the definition of a bad year? You lose your QB job, get booed by fans, then get pulled into the Davone Bess story because “weed” is part of your last name.

But, hey, at least this didn't happen again in 2013.

• Ray Horton will join Titans’ head coach Ken Whisenhunt as defensive coordinator in Tennessee. Norv Turner will be new Vikings’ head coach Mike Zimmer’s offensive coordinator in Minnesota.

The only thing more outrageous than blowing up Rob Chudzinski after 11 months was detonating the coaches you extolled as one of the best coordinator tandems in the league.

It’s a shame Turner and Horton weren’t good enough for the high standard of excellence so apparent elsewhere under Haslam.

• You know what they say in Pittsburgh, where Haslam was minority owner of the Steelers. If it doesn’t work in a year’s time, change as much as possible and try again.

• In New Orleans, former Browns’ defensive coordinator Rob Ryan would like a head coaching job someday, but there are limits to his desire.

“I won’t be pressured to cut my hair,” Ryan said.

Can you blame him? Ray Horton cut his hair this season. Browns management took the rest off, starting at the knees.

• A Seattle fan got a Super Bowl “XLVIII Champs” tattoo, leaving no margin for error should the Seahawks lose to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

“I’m not crazy at all,” Tim Connors told KOMO News. “There’s no tiny room of doubt.”

No, not crazy at all.

Maybe. But I’d hold off on that “A-Rod is Innocent” forehead stamp.

• Thirty percent of the Winter Olympics tickets in Sochi remain unsold. If that remains the case, Vladimir Putin says volunteers will fill the seats.

And that’s an order.

• Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning is the headline for Sunday’s AFC Championship game.

And if I were Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and was 0-7 against Brady in my career, I’d want everybody making it all about the QB matchup, too.

• Denver is favored. But when you think of it as Manning vs. Belichick and Brady vs. Del Rio, I’ll take the Patriots. And in the NFC, the Seahawks.

I won't take offense and if you look over my picks, yell "Omaha" and do the opposite.

• The daughter of Browns coaching candidate Mike Pettine reportedly sent a Twitter message saying her father had a good interview and was expected to get a second sit-down with Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner.

She signed off by writing, “It’s the Browns, but, hey, still pretty cool.”

That pretty much sums things up right down to the part where somebody who cheers for the Bills feels pretty comfortable making fun of the Browns.

• Through a spokesperson, Jets tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. said he was simply changing clothes in a Target parking lot on Nov. 19 when police investigated a woman’s claim that Winslow was “pleasuring himself.”

The 55-year-old woman told police she pulled up next to Winslow. When she noticed the window down, she stopped to make small talk about the weather and told police she saw his erect penis.

Police found synthetic marijuana in the car and two jars of Vaseline. Winslow was arrested for possessing the controlled substance, Fubinaca.

And when Winslow said in December before the Browns’ game that nobody could cover him, we thought he meant on the football field.

Hey-o.

• When police asked Winslow what he was doing, he said he was trying to find a Boston Market and got lost. Which led to this corporate Twitter op:

.@kellenwinslowjr Next time, you can use our convenient store locator to find the #BostonMarket near you http://t.co/Kgog8nxZ5V

— Boston Market (@bostonmarket) January 17, 2014

Knowing what the allegations are, what business wouldn’t want to give Kellen Winslow Jr. an invitation and directions to its parking lot?

• In Los Angeles, Jets quarterback Geno Smith deplaned from a Virgin Airlines flight bound for Fort Lauderdale after an argument with a flight attendant over headphones use. Smith requested to speak to police about the disagreement.

When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet.

• Timing is everything. Smith could’ve been caught joining the Mile High club with Tonya Harding and still not knocked Winslow off the back page of the New York tabloids this week.

• After spending $215 million on pitcher Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers might not be finished. They are apparently one of the teams interested in Japanese sensation Masahiro Tanaka. Teams will have to post a $20 million fee just for the rights to Tanaka.

Team president Stan Kasten said the Dodgers are focused on improving their team and that “adding it up comes second.”

And, as he readies to leave office, Bud Selig wants you to know competitive balance is alive and well.

Cuyahoga County taxpayers have already paid plenty for their sports teams performances, don't make them pay a .35 cent more.

CLEVELAND,Ohio-- What's crazier, Davone Bess' behavior or continuing to publicly fund multi-million dollar playpens for billionaire sports team owners and their multi-millionaire employees?

Cuyahoga County council is considering endorsing continued corporate welfare for the super-rich by extending the 'sin tax' twenty years for sports facilities the public gets little revenue from and little use outside of game days, which amount to just 8 for the city's alleged professional football franchise.   

The proposed 'sin tax' extension  follows Cleveland city council agreeing to pay $30 million  for the FirstEnergy stadium improvements, including a much bigger scoreboard to view crazy  Davone Bess twit pics on.

We're to believe these are apparently tough financial times for Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Cleveland Banners. ( It doesn't seem fair to Paul Brown to call the team by its original name, with the way it's currently run.)  Haslam has had to shell out $10 mill. from his loose change jar, to the 'one and done' homeboy coach he appeared to fire in a hissy fit, with no replacement lined up.      At least the front office has been consistent, they also dumped players during the season with no good replacements at the ready.  Haslam's $10 million Chud payoff, chased down the drain the $3 million extension he paid for the Dolphins' damaged goods rastafarian receiver, Davone Bess.   Since it was the coaching staff that was fired, we must assume that under the Cleveland Banners' management structure,  it was the coaching staff's job to do due diligence on Bess and the injured Packers player that was signed.

Does a billionaire owner, who doesn't hesitate to kick $10 million out the door along with his first year coach, and signs off on paying $3 million + for a player who tweets pot pics as often as he drops passes, really need to be given more feed from the public trough?

Timing's everything.  Imagine if Banner and Haslam had  first sought $20 million from the city for their scoreboard, after they fired Chud and made the organization the laughing stock of the NFL, instead of before.    If the 'sin tax' were voted on this week it would likely fail.   It's about as appealing as the Browns coaching job has proven to be to current and former NFL and college coaches.     Tax payers in the thousands may soon be calling County Council to withdraw their names from 'sin tax' consideration.    

Over the years it's been reported that past and present Cleveland front offices have considered the New England Patriots a model franchise.  Except of course, when it comes to stadium funding. Owner Bob Kraft paid 100% of the construction cost of The Patriots' home, Gillette stadium, which is also home to a soccer and college football team.  Proving there is another model for stadium financing that works.

With cities like Detroit going bankrupt and the rest struggling to patch chuckholes, pay safety service workers, keep street lights on, fund schools... it's beyond time that state and local elected officials put an end to public welfare for the National Football billionaires league, MLB and NBA.  It's time for states and cities to stop negotiating with pigskin extortionists demanding more public pork or they'll take their bats ,balls and juiced, gangsta, head case players elsewhere.

Some will argue that the sin tax adds little to the price of an individual pack of beer or smokes. That it's 'chump change'.  Over the twenty year extension, it actually is projected to amount to $260 million.  The chump in that change isn't the team owners, it's the taxpayers and politicians giving it to them while their city and county  strains to pay for basic services.

Cuyahoga County taxpayers have already paid plenty for their sports teams performances, don't make them pay a .35 cent more.

Ohio State left tackle Jack Mewhort leaves Ohio State projected as a second- or third-round NFL Draft selection, but Kyle Dodson feels as if he's ready to fill in at that spot for the Buckeyes next year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – It’s hard for Kyle Dodson to imagine that it has been two years since he stood in front of a crowded auditorium at Cleveland Heights High School for his famous National Signing Day performance.

You know, the one where Dodson was surrounded by his teammates while delivering a minute-long chant that culminated with him pulling out an Ohio State hat and announcing his commitment to the Buckeyes.

The auditorium exploded, and Dodson’s smile lasted for an entire hour after that moment. That was one of the highlights of his life, the pinnacle he reached after becoming one of the most highly coveted offensive line prospects in the 2012 recruiting class.

But in the two years since, Dodson has gone from standing in front of the crowd to sitting in the back of Ohio State’s offensive line room. At a place like Ohio State, where top recruits funnel in every year, reaching those heights at the collegiate level is a process.

“It’s been a big learning experience for me,” Dodson told Cleveland.com. “When you get into college, its almost like starting over again. You have to work your way back up, and all I am doing is working hard and waiting for my time to come.”

That time could be next year.

When Ohio State opens spring practice in a few months, it will be without four senior starters on the offensive line, a unit head coach Urban Meyer said was as talented and deep as any offensive line he's ever been around.

And those seniors helped the Buckeyes put together one of the most potent rushing attacks in college football. Now it is perhaps Ohio State' biggest vulnerability heading into next year.

"I've been thinking about (next year a lot)," Dodson said. "There is opportunity, so that's a great feeling, but I have also been thinking about how much hard work I still have to put in. I know I have to grind it out, so I try not to think too much about it. I just think about grinding and working."

View full sizeOhio State left tackle Jack Mewhort projects as a second- or third-round NFL Draft selection, but Kyle Dodson feels as if he's ready to fill in at that spot for the Buckeyes next year. Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer

Dodson has spent the last two years working behind Jack Mewhort, one of Ohio State's most valued leaders from last year. Mewhort also happens to be one of the best linemen in college football, and he projects as a second- or third-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

But Dodson now has his eyes on the left tackle spot Mewhort leaves behind, perhaps the most important piece on the unit given it is responsible for protecting quarterback Braxton Miller's blind side. It's also possible Dodson could moved to to another spot if Ohio State offensive line coach is most comfortable moving Taylor Decker, last year's starting right tackle and only returner to the unit, to the left tackle spot. 

When asked what his personal goals are, Dodson kept it simple. To be like Jack.

That's a lofty goal.

"That's obviously a great compliment," Mewhort said, "but Kyle is physically one of the most impressive offensive linemen that I have ever been around. From him, it's all a mental game. He just needs to grasp the system more, and I think he will over time.

"I have been very hard on Kyle here during my time here and I am not going to make that any secret. Hopefully he has benefitted from that and also watching us older guys go to work every day and approaching it the right way. I think he has, and when we look back at his career at Ohio State, I think we'll be really impressed."

This is Meyer's recruiting prowess is supposed to be pay off. When seniors like Mewhort move on, guys like Dodson – who Rivals.com rated the No. 16 tackle in the 2012 class – step right in and fill the gap.

It has been a long time since Dodson was the big man on campus. 

He's ready to be that again.

"I just have to get better at everything," Dodson said. "I am just trying to be like Jack, and to do that I have to get better at run blocking and pass blocking. Really, everything ... But I am ready to step up." 

Farrell did not accomplish much in his first year in Boston -- other than guide his club to a 97-65 record in the regular season and victories over Tampa Bay in the ALDS, Detroit in the ALCS and St. Louis in the World Series.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In 2013, John Farrell won a World Series ring in his first season as Boston Red Sox manager. He owes it all to his work as Cleveland Indians director of player development from November 2001 through 2006.

OK, not all -- but some.

“The experience was invaluable,’’ Farrell said. “I often reference things I learned as farm director. It affects how I address problems and deal with certain situations today. I’m indebted to Mark Shapiro, Chris Antonetti and the Dolans for the opportunity.’’

During most of Farrell’s tenure, I covered the Tribe farm system. Farrell and I spoke at least once a week throughout the season, and during those interviews, I often brought up two subjects: 1. His ending Paul Molitor’s hitting streak at 39 games while a starting pitcher for the Indians in 1987; 2. His future as a major-league manager. Of the former, Farrell said he was happy to be linked to Molitor in some way; of the latter, Farrell said he was focused on being the best farm director he could be.

Farrell became Red Sox pitching coach under Terry Francona in 2007 (They won a World Series that year). Before he left Cleveland, I told him I wanted a 1-on-1 after he won his first World Series as manager.

“Deal,’’ he said with a chuckle.

When Farrell did, indeed, become a manager, it was in Toronto. His Blue Jays went 81-81 in 2011 and 73-89 in 2012. The Blue Jays sent him to the Red Sox in a deal that involved Mike Aviles, now with the Indians.

Farrell did not accomplish much in his first year in Boston -- other than guide his club to a 97-65 record in the regular season and victories over Tampa Bay in the ALDS, Detroit in the ALCS and St. Louis in the World Series.

I let the calendar flip before seeing if Farrell would make good on his “promise.’’ He got back to me the next day by phone from Fenway Park.

DM: Why didn’t it work out in Toronto?

JF: We were building in 2011 and, in 2012, we were contending in the middle of June but got ravaged by injuries, particularly to the starting rotation. Injuries took away from a core group that was very promising. That’s not an excuse; just fact. I am very thankful for the opportunity provided by the Blue Jays.

DM: When did you begin to think you had something special with the 2013 Red Sox?

JF: I knew when I got the job that the Red Sox had a very strong group, guys who had been successful. But injuries, much like in 2012 with the Blue Jays, were a huge factor. So I thought the key was to get guys healthy and back to their normal levels of performance.

DM: As you began to have success, then sustained it, how did you handle the comparisons to Bobby Valentine? Given Valentine’s three-ring circus as Red Sox manager in 2012, you were viewed as the anti-Bobby V.

JF: Those are your words, not mine. From the first day of spring training, we set out to return the focus to the field. The most important thing every day was the game that night. That would drive our preparation and performance.

DM: Good dodge.

JF: I wasn’t with the Red Sox in 2012. It didn’t do any of us any good to revisit the past.

DM: Red Sox players became known for the lengthy hair on their heads and faces. What was the genesis of the sideshow?

JF: Guys came to spring training with varying lengths of growth. It turned into a bonding mechanism; if someone trimmed his, he probably would hear about it from teammates.

DM: I don’t recall seeing you with a beard.

JF: Correct. I’ve never had one.

DM: Did players ask you to wear one?

JF: Multiple times.

DM: Why decline?

JF: For one, I’d never had a beard and wasn’t going to start. Most importantly, though, I felt like this was something that connected the players. I firmly believe this game always will be about the players. The players came up with the idea and had the freedom to do with it what they wished – as long as it didn’t adversely affect their preparation and performance.

DM: You could have scored points with the players by going along. How do you toe the line between being a ‘players’ manager’ and being their boss?

JF: Baseball is a very difficult game to play, especially at the highest level. Having played it, what I’ve always tried to keep in mind is: Players are doing their best. So when they struggle, it’s important to show some compassion. But I also know – and I learned this my first day as pitching coach under Tito – that players want some form of direction. They want to know where the boundaries are. Finding that balance isn’t too difficult if you’re open and honest from the start.

DM: Do you have an open-door policy? If so, is it legit, or do you quietly hope the players don’t keep coming in and overstaying their welcome?

JF: I’m a firm believer in inclusion. If you don’t invite that inclusion – from players and coaches -- then you limit their ownership of a given situation. In this position, I can’t just be a good listener; I’ve got to be a great listener. I’d be shortsighted if I didn’t encourage feedback. And in my experience, even when the door is open, players won’t abuse the privilege. They’ve got more important things to do than hang with the manager.

DM: As you watched the Rays-Indians wild-card game, did you allow yourself to think what it would be like to face Tito’s Tribe in the division series?

JF: You’re preparing for both, and you know full well that if it’s Cleveland, it’s going to be something. There are so many relationships, so many connections, just as there were when we played Cleveland in the ALCS in 2007. Tito is probably the best at what he does, he is the most successful manager in Red Sox history, and he is revered. There would be a lot of attention paid to him – and deservedly so. I’d be one of those paying the attention.

DM: What is the most important lesson you learned from Francona?

JF: Tito has such a unique ability to connect with all types of people, from clubhouse personnel to players to those in the front office. What I appreciated above all else was how he handled players directly, never in the public eye, informing them of something face to face rather than having them find out through the media.

DM: How have you dealt with the legendary Boston media?

JF: I’ve been genuine. I’ve made them aware that, if something came up about a given player, please respect the fact that maybe I hadn’t talked to that player before the question was asked. I want to be accessible, but there are built-in limitations to the access, and I think they understand that.

DM: The Rays defeated the Indians, then gave the Red Sox a decent test in the division series. Then came what turned out to be an epic ALCS against Detroit.

JF: Thank God David Ortiz hits a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 2, or we’re going to Detroit down, 2-0, and things are looking bleak. Ortiz’s swing changed the complexion of October for us.

DM: Thank goodness you didn’t pinch-hit for him.

JF: You’re a funny guy.

DM: The ALCS had a World Series feel. How did you get your players and staff to recalibrate for the Cardinals in the actual World Series?

JF: One of the primary strengths of this team is its ability to not take yesterday’s results into today. We had a very competitive group that had a burning desire to go as far as we could. We knew the season wasn’t over. And I’ve got to believe that the intensity of the Detroit series helped us against the Cardinals. I don’t know if the World Series was a classic, but classic moments were inside of it.

DM: You made a bold move by sitting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia in favor of David Ross for the final three games. It paid big dividends. Explain the thought process.

JF: Decisions will be made that are not popular. You know that going in. I felt like David was swinging the bat better than Jarrod at the time and I felt like, as a team, we were responding with David and Jonny Gomes in the lineup – even if it might go against the numbers. I thought those two guys gave us an intangible and make us a better team, for three games, against St. Louis, in the World Series. Not over the course of the season, but at that moment.

DM: I take it Salty was upset.

JF: He took it the way I expected he would. He was disappointed. He had been our No. 1 catcher and had his best year offensively. If he hadn’t been disappointed, he wouldn’t be the player I thought he was.

DM: When you reflect on the night you clinched the World Series, what is the first visual that comes to mind?

JF: Forty minutes after the final out, Fenway Park was basically full. The fans didn’t want to go home. I was privileged to be a small part of something that special.

DM: In the manager’s office that night, did you ever kick back when nobody was around and say, ‘I can’t believe I just won the World Series’?

JF: I’m not sure there ever was a time when nobody was around. I don’t think I left the ballpark until 3:30 a.m. It was surreal. So many things flashed through my mind – from the first day of camp to the final out of the World Series. I thought about how so many people had given so much of themselves to achieve the ultimate goal.

DM: Second baseman Dustin Pedroia is the heart and soul of the Red Sox. What is it like to manage him?

JF: An honor. He’s one of the most driven people I’ve ever been around, regardless of profession. He would be successful at anything he does because of how much he prepares and how much he cares. You see the passion and energy with which he plays, and it’s incredible. You can’t teach it, you can’t fake it. And only one thing matters to him: winning. Everybody feeds off that.

DM: Recognizing that you are watching from afar, do you think Jason Kipnis can be Francona’s Pedroia in Cleveland?

JF: I don’t know Jason Kipnis that well, but I know enough of him to recognize he’s a very good player who has a similar style: all-out. On every team, you’re looking for that one guy to lead by example, give of himself and put the team goals ahead of individual goals.

DM: How many meals have you needed to buy in Boston since the Series?

JF: I don’t go out much, to be honest. When I do, I’ll gladly pay. My daily life hasn’t changed since the Series.

DM: On Aug. 26, 1987, you stopped Paul Molitor’s hitting streak at 39 games --.

JF: (Chuckle) I did? Really?

DM: You’re a funny guy.

JF: If it weren’t for you, nobody would know.

DM: So people don’t stop you on the street and say, ‘You’re the guy who …’

JF: Uh, no.

DM: Do you still remember that night?

JF: Like it was last night.

DM: Details, details.

JF: Well, as you know, I wasn’t supposed to start. Five days earlier, Rich Yett and I started a doubleheader against the Tigers. Rich rolled his ankle, and by the time we got to Milwaukee, he couldn’t go. During the day, we didn’t know if we would play because the weather was bad.

DM: That Detroit start was your first in the majors and second appearance.

JF: I debuted Aug. 18, 1987, against Milwaukee in the 12th inning. I gave up hits to Molitor and Robin Yount on the first two pitches I threw in the big leagues, but somehow got out of it and got the victory. Three days later, I threw a complete game and we beat the Tigers. Then came the Molitor start.

DM: You gave up three hits in nine innings, holding Molitor to 0-for-4 with zero balls out of the infield, before Doug Jones relieved in a scoreless game. As Tribe fans know well, Brewers pinch-hitter Rick Manning drove in the winning run off Jones in the 10th as Molitor stood on deck. Manning was booed.

JF: When the fans booed Rick Manning for getting the game-winning hit, I thought, ‘This is unbelievable. Is this really happening?’

DM: Molitor’s streak is the seventh longest in MLB history, fifth longest in the modern era. No major leaguer has matched Molitor since. How cool is that?

JF: It speaks to how hard it is to put together a long hitting streak. So many things need to go right for an extended period. Paul Molitor is a Hall of Famer. To have been able to end a streak of that magnitude, against a player of his caliber, is a source of pride, sure.

DM: Summarize your tenure as Indians farm director.

JF: Awesome. We had so many good people. Mark Shapiro held us accountable; he told us we needed to better the situation for everyone we were responsible for. Looking back, it’s incredibly rewarding to see how many guys from the Cleveland farm systems in those days have had success in the majors. Not just as players – as coaches, trainers, front-office executives. When the Red Sox played the Indians in the 2007 ALCS, it had a strange feel in part because of how many players on the Cleveland roster had spent at least some time in the system. The ’07 Indians were a testament to a lot of great baseball people -- Mark Shapiro, Chris Antonetti, guys like that -- in the organization.

DM: Your close friend, Francona, won AL manager of the year in 2013 after guiding the Indians to a 92-70 record and the wild-card berth. You couldn’t have been surprised by his success in his first year in Cleveland.

JF: Not one bit, because he gets the most out of his players. They are his focus. And he has such a good understanding of how the game is played.

DM: In communicating with him during the season, did you sense that he was re-energized after not having managed or coached in 2012?

JF: No doubt. He’s at home in the dugout. It was very clear that he loves where he is and loves doing what he’s doing.

DM: Did Francona have unwrapped bubble gum in a jar waiting for him in the dugout before each game in Boston?

JF: He chewed a lot of gum, but I’m pretty sure he needed to unwrap each piece. I can’t believe they’re already unwrapped for him in Cleveland.

NBA players swear by the benefits of cryotherapy. NBA reporters swear during it.

ROSEVILLE, California -- Bring on the polar vortex, baby. I can handle it.

After last weekend, I will never say I'm cold again. My colleagues Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, Allie Clifton of Fox Sports Ohio and I decided to visit the U.S. Cryotherapy chamber in Roseville, Calif., about 30 minutes east of Sacramento. We were intrigued last season after some of the Cavaliers tried the therapy and reported feeling fantastic afterward, although former Cav Luke Walton had warned us, “The first time is the worst. Your mind is telling you, ‘I might die.'''

To say our spouses were skeptical would be an understatement. Mine sent a text, "You three should now be ready to do that TV commercial [for DirectTV] where you do something questionable/stupid and then a set of incredible things happen and it ends with, 'Don't do what you just did.'''

Clifton didn't even tell her husband, Jason Kalsow, an assistant coach at Toledo, because he had a game that night. She did tell her dad, and when he asked what cryotherapy was, she told him to Google "Manny Harris." That was probably the last thing she should have done to allay any fear, since Harris infamously badly burned his foot when he wore wet socks into a cryotherapy chamber at Nike a couple of years ago.

According to the website, uscryotherapy.com, "Cryotherapy is localized or whole-body exposure to subzero temperatures to decrease inflammation, increase cellular survival, decrease pain and spasms, and promote overall health. It is not a medical procedure, but a non-invasive option for people seeking faster recovery [and] better health.''

It sounded like a good idea at the time.

It's actually a fairly simple process that takes less than three minutes. After filling out a health questionnaire and being accepted, we were shown the locker rooms to change. Women wear T-shirts, sports bras and basketball-type shorts, while men wear the shorts and no T-shirts. The center provided each of us with a headband, surgical mask, mittens that feel like oven mitts, tube socks and fleece-lined rubber-soled slippers that would have saved Harris.

The hardest part was picking a song to play while we were in the deep freeze. Clifton sent out a tweet asking for suggestions and we finally agreed on "Ice Ice Baby.'' Thank you, Tom Withers of the Associated Press.

Just before entering, we had the temperature of our skin taken. Each of us was 88 degrees going into the chamber.

The chamber itself is divided into two parts, each about the size of a small closet. Four people can stand comfortably. The warm-up chamber -- and I use that term lightly -- is set at minus-76. We spent 30 seconds in there before walking through a glass door with a wooden handle into a little bit bigger chamber where the temperature is minus-166. We spent a LONG two minutes in there.

I'm not gonna lie. It was shocking. I'm also not gonna lie. Lloyd screamed louder than Clifton or I -- and swore more.

Because it was the end of the day and because the center had been busy, it was a bit foggy in the second chamber. Whereas the players told us they had walked in a little circle, we stood in a little huddle talking about how crazy we were. There was a window so the staffers could see in and a microphone so they could hear us and give us a countdown every 30 seconds. The last thing they told us was that we could come out at any time. There's no lock on either of the doors.

The last 30 seconds seemed to last forever, and we were a little disoriented trying to get out because of the fog. But there was a certain bizarre sense of accomplishment having survived a purely voluntary test of endurance. They took our skin temperature again immediately. Clifton and I were at 58, Lloyd was at 59.

A 10-minute cardio session followed to start the warm-up process. Clifton and I chose recumbent bikes, Lloyd got on the treadmill. We were soon joined by a woman from the area who swears by the benefits of cryotherapy and does it four or five times a week.

Players were similarly impressed after last season's trip. This season's schedule did not allow for a return visit.

"I wanted to go and try it out,'' Tristan Thompson said of his first visit last year. "I'd heard good reviews about it. It was fun. It was cold. I think it works. I felt refreshed. It's like going in the cold tub but putting your whole body in it. I felt good. If I was sore, I didn't feel sore afterward. So I think it works.''

Added C.J. Miles, "I think there's a reason why [a few NBA] teams are getting them. It's just a refreshing feeling. I don't know all the technical terms, but I felt better. We were on a road trip, and I was pretty good for the rest of the trip. So I'd say it lasted three or four days.

"I iced the other days, too, but it definitely helped. It was a rejuvenating feeling. The first time I was so cold I didn't know what to do. But seeing the benefits of it, it's pretty cool. They definitely work.''

I'm not so sure. I didn't really feel any difference, even after a localized treatment on my partially torn left rotator cuff. For that, a staffer used what looks like a vacuum cleaner hose to apply cold air to an isolated area until the skin temperature drops into the 30s.

Former Cavs trainer Max Benton, who organized the visit for the players last year and also took part himself, isn't convinced, either. He thinks a large part of the benefit is psychological.

"I think it's just a short-term recovery,'' said Benton, now an athletic trainer at Southwest General Hospital who also works with athletes at Olmsted Falls High School. "There's so many different aspects to health care. For some people it works. For some people it doesn't. If it doesn't hurt you, if you feel like it's benefiting you, then I don't see any harm in it.

"To me, I'm glad I tried it as a member of the allied health field. It's great to be exposed to different alternatives in your given profession. It's one of those areas … if they feel like there's positive benefit there, and it's not hurting you, then why not?''

Benton said he felt good for about six hours after the treatment, though he and the Cavs went right to the airport for a flight from Sacramento to Portland and then got on a bus.

"My view a little skewed,'' he said. "Maybe I would have felt different if I was able to continue my normal day.''

Our treatment came at the end of what had been a long day and what became an early night. I honestly thought the best part was the few minutes on a hydro-therapy massage bed -- a single-bed-sized water bed that shoots jets of water up and down your body while you lay on your back. That was part of the $30 special the center was running that day that included 2 1/2 minutes in the chamber, the localized treatment and the hydro-therapy massage bed.

In case you're interested, the center is open to the public six days a week, and no appointment is necessary.

I'm glad I did it, but only for the life experience, not because I found it the least bit beneficial.

I guess I can cross it off my bucket list, but I'm going to have to take off the oven mitts first.

Will Jimmy Haslam ever lure his good buddy Peyton Manning to Cleveland to work for the Browns? Have the Browns considered that Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase is riding Manning's coattails? These and other questions answered in this week's edition of Hey Mary Kay!

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hey Mary Kay!

Hey, Mary Kay:  Tell me, I am delirious? Peyton Manning will retire after this season with the Broncos and due to his strong relationship with Jimmy Haslam, will become the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Far fetched and crazy?  If this happens, would we all have to agree that Haslam is indeed "the smartest guy in the room"?

- Tim Corbett, Ladera Ranch, Calif.

Hey Tim: Are you at Disneyland? For starters, Manning is not expected to retire after this season. His boss John Elway said this week that he expects Manning to come back, and Manning needs only 18 TD passes to break Brett Favre's NFL career record of 508. He's been playing the best ball of his career the past couple of seasons and has been healthy this season. However, Haslam and Manning are very good friends, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him join the Browns someday in some capacity, most likely a front office role like John Elway has in Denver. I've asked Haslam about this, and he acknowledged that in addition to all of Manning's other attributes, "he's very smart.''

Hey, Mary Kay: I read the Browns are waiting to interview a playoff coach.  Is there a rule that they playoff coaches cannot be interviewed or is it the choice of the coach to not be interviewed?  If the coach is allowed to interview, and he chooses not to, I would say the guy has missed an opportunity....tell him forget it!

- Steve Guild, Erie, Pa.

Hey Steve: There are very detailed rules about when teams can talk to playoff coaches. The simple answer is that they they can interview during the playoffs providing the initial request was made at some point before the Divisional Playoff weekend. In fact, new Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt interviewed with teams for three straight days leading up to the divisional playoffs. I do think it's significant that Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase declined to interview with the Browns and Vikings until he was out of the postseason. If he was willing to let those teams move on without him, he might not have felt ready.

Hey Mary Kay: Did you know something was up with Davone Bess this season before he left the team for personal reasons?

 -- Sam Lichtcsien, Columbus, Ohio

Hey Sam: Bess was obviously struggling on the field all season and those close to him should've noticed something wasn't right off the field. He was very quiet, kept to himself and often seemed down. I attributed it to the troubles he was having on the field and adjusting to a new team. Besides, he was always willing to answer questions and look you in the eye, so his behavior didn't seem odd. The way things look now, I anticipate the Browns will part ways with him soon and maybe even file a grievance against the Dolphins to determine if they knowingly traded a player with serious issues. Teams are prohibited by federal law from disclosing a player's medical information, but a good business partner wouldn't ship you damaged goods.

Hey, Mary Kay: As someone that deals in editorial, like yourself, I couldn't help but to be grabbed by what I read 'between the lines' of Haslam's letter to Browns fans. It's not what he said - but more over how he said it that was revealing. In a short letter he used the words 'We' 13 different times.. He used the designation 'I' twice. To the trained reader that implies 15 self focused references in a letter that was supposedly about the fans and their team. This seems to confirm my fears that the intellectual attitude of this front office is insular in their thinking and approach - this causes a very real and harmful attitude in the business world as it displays a lack of real understanding and relationship with the audience they portent to serve. It also gives rise to a protected way of thinking where they are never wrong - it's the media or the fans. Do you see this?

- David Brodowski, Broadview Hts. , Ohio

Hey David: I think you're reading too much into it. The Browns were getting hammered nationally for what was being portrayed as a disastrous coaching search. I think Haslam wanted to remind fans that they planned all along to talk to some playoff coaches, and that they were sticking with the plan. I was happy to see someone in the organization say something about the search. Haslam promised transparency early on and that was a good time to reach out.

Hey Mary Kay: Why isn’t the elephant in the room about Adam Gase being discussed more? He’s a first year offensive coordinator with Peyton Manning as his QB. Does anyone really believe he has more say in how offense runs during the games then Manning? I understand the Broncos have a great record, are winning and lot of games, and its offensive is setting records. But seriously PEYTON MANNING is the QB! My dad  could make a Denver offensive look good with Manning at QB. I’m worried the Browns are setting themselves up for a fall if Gase takes the job and then has to run a team that doesn’t have as good of a QB and a history of winning. Love to know if this is being discussed by Browns and what people's thoughts are.

- Bill Wheeler, Dayton, Ohio

Hey Bill: I'm sure this has been discussed thoroughly. The argument for Gase is that Manning is playing his best ball under him, and that he also coached Tim Tebow to an 8-5 record when plenty of experts believe he's not an NFL quarterback. Manning and Broncos personnel executive John Elway both rave about him. But he's only 35 and he's only been a coordinator for one season. It is a bit of a risk, but if the Browns feel he's worth it, they'll take the plunge.