Quantcast
Channel: Cleveland Sports News
Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live

Richie Sanders a one-man wrecking ball as Lake Catholic overpowers St. Ignatius, 28-21


Notre Dame College drops varsity football debut, 23-0, to Mercyhurst

0
0

Injury to starting quarterback hobbles the Falcons in first-ever football game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Notre Dame College played its first varsity football game on Saturday, losing, 23-0, to Mercyhurst before a near-capacity crowd at Brush High School.

The Falcons' offense was handicapped early on when junior quarterback Yan Cyr suffered a concussion the second series and did not return. But the defense was relatively stout, limiting Mercyhurst to 293 yards of offense and just 92 yards rushing.

"I was happy with how we stopped the run," NDC coach Adam Howard said. "They're a team that really likes to pound the football. I knew we were more mature on the defensive side of the football, more game-tested. Just offensively, we couldn't get the ball moving."

After gaining 12 yards in their first series, the Falcons could muster just 14 more the rest of the opening half.

Meanwhile, Mercyhurst showed its experience as the Lakers built a 13-0 lead before halftime, with Euclid High product Andrew Bailey delivering a one-yard TD run. The Falcons kept the margin close, holding Mercyhurst to a field goal after a NDC pass was intercepted and returned 42 yards for a first-and-goal at the 10.

The Lakers were also driving at the end of the first half with a crisp two-minute drill when NDC picked off a pass at its own 2 to stop another scoring drive.

Notre Dame got a strong performance from punter Cayle Chapman, a 6-5, 235-pound product of Australia who never saw a college football game until Saturday. His first kick went 62 yards and his second went 69 yards.

Chapman's next two attempts showed he has some fine-tuning to work on. Yet his final punt of the half was a solid 47-yard boot. He finished the game with eight punts for an average of 42.5 yards, but that included two short-field coffin-corner attempts as well as 50-yarder in the second half.

"I'm slowly adapting, getting into things," Chapman said. "This was great. But there is definitely room for improvement. I can work on it from here."

Indeed, when NDC's offense comes around, Chapman will be a real weapon.

"He's a steal for us," Howard said. "I know what we have in him."

Federer confident heading into U.S. Open

0
0

  By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer NEW YORK  -- Riding in a car a few days before the start of the 2010 U.S. Open, Roger Federer was discussing the state of his game during a telephone interview when he suddenly interjected a warning. "Just so you know, I'm going through the Midtown Tunnel here," Federer said, "so if we...

 

roger.jpgRoger Federer is feeling confident heading into the U.S. Open in New York on Monday.

By HOWARD FENDRICH

AP Tennis Writer

NEW YORK  -- Riding in a car a few days before the start of the 2010 U.S. Open, Roger Federer was discussing the state of his game during a telephone interview when he suddenly interjected a warning.

"Just so you know, I'm going through the Midtown Tunnel here," Federer said, "so if we get cut off, I'll call you back, OK?"

Which illustrated two traits: The guy is exceedingly polite -- and he knows his way around New York quite well. The latter quality might result from so many extended stays in the Big Apple over the years, sticking around long enough to reach every men's final at Flushing Meadows since 2004.

If there have been questions raised in recent months about where Federer's career is headed, there is at least one person who is adamant that it's far too soon to write him off.

You guessed it: Federer himself.

"As high as my confidence has been the last few years," Federer said in an interview with The Associated Press, "I don't feel like I'm any less confident."

When the U.S. Open begins Monday, Rafael Nadal will try to complete a career Grand Slam, Andy Murray will seek his first major title and Novak Djokovic his second, and Andy Roddick will aim to end an American drought.

And Federer? He gets a chance to show that reports of his demise are premature, that he still possesses the on-court qualities that let him lord over tennis for so long: the slick movement, the sublime forehand, and the pinpoint serve on display in that popular is-it-real-or-fake? video catching millions of clicks on YouTube.

"Rafa, Murray and Djokovic are all looking good, too, so I think it's going to be a U.S. Open with multiple favorites," said Federer, who announced Saturday that he's hiring Pete Sampras' former coach, Paul Annacone. "But I guess I'm one of the big ones or bigger ones -- if not the biggest one -- because of my history here over the last six years, making the final each year."

That run includes five U.S. Open championships, part of his record haul of 16 Grand Slam titles. It also helped Federer accumulate semifinals-or-better showings at a record 23 consecutive major tournaments, a streak that ended with a quarterfinal loss at this year's French Open.

Another quarterfinal exit followed a month later at Wimbledon, where Federer has won six titles. While many players would be satisfied or even thrilled to reach the quarterfinals at two Grand Slam tournaments in a row, the world has come to expect so much more from Federer.

"I'm sure he's highly motivated to kind of get it right after what, for him, are disappointing Grand Slam results -- and for other people are very good Grand Slam results," said Roddick, whose 2003 U.S. Open victory was the last major title for a U.S. man.

That pair of early-for-him exits by Federer, plus a six-month title drought, plus a brief slip to No. 3 in the rankings for the first time since 2003 (he's now back up to No. 2, behind Nadal), plus his age (he turned 29 on Aug. 8), led some to wonder whether he would ever win another Grand Slam title.

Others simply shrugged.

"He's human, even though he was making results that didn't seem human the last five, six years," said Djokovic, whose only losses at the past three U.S. Opens came against Federer, in the 2007 final and the 2008-09 semifinals. "It just proves there's a lot of players now coming up and not being scared anymore to play their best in the important matches."

Federer has heard negative talk before.

In 2008, he went through a stretch of -- what?! -- three Grand Slam tournaments without taking a title, losing to Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals, then Nadal in the French Open and Wimbledon finals. Fans began sending Federer letters of support and even instructional DVDs to help the cause.

How silly did Federer make that all seem? First, he won that year's U.S. Open. Then, in 2009, he captured his first French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam and tie Pete Sampras' mark of 14 major titles. And to cap the "comeback," he regained his Wimbledon championship for record-breaking No. 15.

"You can never count him out. It seems like every time someone says he's having a down year or a bad time in his career, he just comes right back and wins two or three Grand Slams in a row," said Mardy Fish, who lost to Federer in the final of a hard-court tournament in Cincinnati a week ago and is seeded 19th at the U.S. Open. "And there's really no reason he can't do that again. He's the best player to ever play. He'll go down, in my opinion, with at least two or three more Slams."

Federer certainly agrees with that assessment.

"I obviously believe I can still win many Slams ... but I don't have a target I'm chasing, because I go tournament by tournament," said Federer, who beat Murray in the Australian Open final in January. "As long as I'm fit and healthy, I know I can win more Slams."

After losing to Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon, Federer said his leg and back had been bothering him since before the tournament. Now, though, he feels well, thanks in part to rest and relaxation during a nearly two-week vacation by the Mediterranean Sea with his wife and 1-year-old twin daughters.

As he put it: "No problems; no aches and pains; no issues."

That's no small feat in tennis these days. The man who put an end to Federer's 40-match U.S. Open winning streak in last year's final, Juan Martin del Potro, is not defending the title because he's still recovering from wrist surgery in May. The No. 1-ranked woman, Serena Williams, is skipping a tournament she's won three times, citing surgery to repair cuts on her foot that she's never fully explained. Two-time champion Justine Henin is done for the year with an elbow injury.

The list goes on. Defending women's champion Kim Clijsters says acupuncture helped her get over a left hip problem that bothered her this month. Maria Sharapova, who won the 2006 U.S. Open, pulled out of a tuneup tournament with a bad foot after having to deal with shoulder surgery and an elbow injury in recent years.

"Injuries will always be a part of any sport. We play a lot of tournaments. You play a lot of matches if you do well. You have different surfaces, which is great about tennis, but on the bodies, for the players, it's not always that easy," Clijsters said. "Jet lag, different surfaces, different balls -- it's not always that easy."

All of which makes it that much more impressive that this U.S. Open will be Federer's 44th major tournament in a row, the most among active men.

Roddick, to cite one example, is competing in his 10th consecutive major championship. Nadal's playing in his fifth straight.

"That was a conscious decision when I became No. 1 back in 2004, that I wasn't going to overplay, and I think it's because of that plan that I'm still here," Federer said. "It goes without saying I wasn't at 100 percent every single Slam I played."

That said, he issued something of a caution to present critics and future opponents.

"Everybody should know," Federer said, "what I'm capable of doing when I'm in good form."

Jerome Harrison wants to turn the page on turnovers: Browns Insider

0
0

Jerome Harrison knows he can't continue mishandling the football if he wants to hold onto his starting role in the Browns backfield.

harrison-lions-horiz-jk.jpgJerome Harrison eluded Detroit's Dre Bly on this first-quarter run, but the Browns' starting running back struggled to find room in gaining 31 yards in 10 carries Saturday night.

DETROIT -- Jerome Harrison promised Saturday that he'll get his fumbling issue fixed -- and soon.

"It's definitely not a part of my game," the Browns' starting running back said. "I definitely don't want it. I just have to be more conscious of it and get back to [protecting the ball]. But I'm not worried about it. It's something I've never been big on doing and I'll definitely get it fixed before [the opener] comes around."

Harrison put the ball on the ground twice in the driving rain last week against St. Louis and then fumbled Sunday in Detroit with 3:40 left in the first half. Chris Houston recovered and scored on a 14-yard return to pull Detroit to within 17-14.

Browns coach Eric Mangini talked to Harrison about the fumble at halftime. The Browns' three errors in the game all led to TDs.

"It's got to get better," said Mangini. "When you have the ball in your hands, you have the whole team in your hands and there's no statistic that determines the outcome of games more than turnovers.

"When you trust someone with that responsibility, they have to protect the football. I know that he can protect the ball effectively. I have faith in Jerome. I don't expect it to be a continuing trend."

Harrison said Mangini knows how much he hates making mistakes. Last season, he fumbled only twice in 194 carries.

"He knows me as a player, and when I make a mistake, it's something the whole week I'll be conscious of," Harrison said. "I'm constantly, constantly working on it. I'm going to go watch film with my running back coach and see what I'm doing wrong."

It appeared that safety Randy Phillips knocked the ball out with his knee, but Harrison wasn't sure.

"It was a good shot," he said. "I don't know how it came out yet; I thought I had it tucked away."

Harrison gained 34 yards on 11 carries. It was consistent with his preseason totals: 23 carries for 72 yards for a 3.1 average. He hasn't yet produced like the Harrison who ran for 561 yards over the final three games of last season.

"My run reads have been better," he said. "I have to break some more tackles and get back to hitting the home-run ball. The offensive line is giving me holes to pick and choose from, and all of the backs are going to hit them when it's time to."

He praised the offensive line's performance against the Lions.

"They handled their front four very, very well," he said. "They picked up the pressure and won their battles."

Nick's okay: The Browns got great news right after the game: safety Nick Sorensen was released from a Detroit hospital and was headed back to Cleveland. All tests were negative after he took a hard blow to the head from the helmets of two Detroit players on a kickoff return.

Sorensen was immobilized and carted off while players from both teams prayed. His head was still hurting Saturday night, but he was otherwise okay.

"I couldn't be happier," said Mangini. "That's the scary part of the game."

Wright on: Eric Wright continues to show his improved play. He recovered a fumble and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown and also made a touchdown-saving tackle on Jahvid Best after a 51-yard blast on the Lions' first play.

"We're always looking to score on defense, so [Brian Schaefering] made a great play to get the ball out and I was able to scoop it up and run it in for a touchdown," Wright said.

Delhomme sensational: Jake Delhomme continues to play like a seasoned NFL quarterback, completing 20 of 25 attempts for 152 yards and one touchdown for a 105.3 rating. Overall, he's completing 79.2 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 110.5 rating.

"It's funny, I got text from my wife. She said, 'good job, that smile is back,'" Delhomme said after the game. "We've been together for a long time, since we were in high school. I believe in having fun. I'm having whole lot of fun right now."

Said Mangini: "I thought he was outstanding. I think he's been outstanding the whole preseason. The way he gets us into a good play when we're not necessarily in the best situation, that's what I'm looking for."

Delhomme threw a beautiful sideline catch to Josh Cribbs and a 5-yard TD to a wide-open Lawrence Vickers in the end zone. He spread the ball around to 10 receivers in his one half of play.

Just like high school? Another player having a ton of fun is running back Peyton Hillis, who had a combined 66 yards, including 40 on four catches. He also rushed for a touchdown.

"This feels like high school again," he said. "It's so much fun playing for the guys on this team and the fans in this city. People are always [doubting me] and I like to override that train of thought."

Hillis caught a short third-quarter pass from Seneca Wallace and turned it into a 25-yard gain. It led to a field goal.

"I'm just grateful for any opportunity I get," he said.

Davis not sure: Running back James Davis got limited chances, but helped himself with a 26-yard catch from Seneca Wallace. He's not certain if he'll make the team, but hopeful.

"I'm always pretty confident in my ability," he said. "I would never doubt myself. I come to work everyday and work hard. That decision is up to coaches on what they want to do. There's 32 teams out there. That's the way you've got to look at it. You can't look down on yourself. You've just got to come out and do what you've got to do."

Back in action: Linebacker David Bowens played for the first time since last season and said he felt "rubbery."

"It's a matter of getting back in game shape," he said. "But it felt good to get back out there."

After 30 years of futility, Kent State football pushes for a turnaround season (and more fans)

0
0

Can Golden Flashes find wins on the football field and fans in the stands?

ksu-fans-vert-empty-jg.jpgThe lack of an emotional bond between Kent State students, fans and the school's football team could be easily found during a recent "Fan Experience Night" designed to drum up interest in the upcoming season. "When you're recruiting to a losing program," former KSU athletic director Laing Kennedy said, "that's a lot like recruiting for a deckhand on the Titanic. It was a tough sell."

KENT, Ohio -- To create a buzz for the football program, Kent State has thrown family-friendly tailgating parties this summer at the massive fieldhouse next to Dix Stadium.

Grab a slushy. Enjoy some barbecue. Ride the inflatable kiddie slides -- one of which is, unfortunately, a listing ocean liner.

The symbolism wasn't lost on one fan, who wondered before a recent open-house scrimmage whether the Titanic was such a good idea, considering the state of Kent State football.

There is so much to be done.

Despite sending a number of players to the NFL, the Golden Flashes last won the Mid-American Conference championship and played in a bowl game when Richard Nixon was president and "The Godfather" made its big-screen debut.

For Kent State fans, the last 30 years have been especially painful. Since 1980, the Flashes have had just two winning seasons. During that stretch, they've watched their team lose three of every four games, including six by at least 50 points.

Sean Patterson, a former Shaw High School star who played linebacker for Kent State in the early 1990s, still remembers how failure became infectious.

"To be honest," he said, "we got used to losing."

It's no wonder, then, that -- as a recent study by KSU professor Danielle Coombs concluded -- students feel disconnected from the team. The expectation among the students was that the team will lose, she discovered, and that most of the students who attend games bail at halftime.

As a KSU freshman in 1972, former St. Joseph High School quarterback Greg Kokal led the Flashes to their only MAC title and bowl game. He says he is beyond tired of hearing the same old question:

Why has Kent State football been so bad for so long?

At Kokal's brother's wedding last month, even a member of the band laid that one on him.

"I said, 'I really don't know,'" said Kokal, who runs a trucking company in Warren and remains a Kent State backer. "I don't have an answer."

Why winning matters

ksu-nielson-vert-jg.jpgKSU's new athletic director, Joel Nielson, believes that building a contending Golden Flashes football team would benefit the entire school community.

So Kent's football team hasn't won a title for a long, long time -- pushing 40 years now. So what? Kent isn't Ohio State. It's not even Cincinnati. Why does winning football matter anyway?

Financially, it's critical, new Kent State athletic director Joel Nielsen said after his introductory press conference in late March.

It's so expensive to field a college football team that all but about a dozen of the 120 Division I schools lose money on the sport. But football, by far, generates more revenue for college athletic departments than any other sport.

As the recent splintering of conferences and some epic rivalries has shown, football drives national and regional television contracts. MAC football has long-term contracts with ESPN and SportsTime Ohio, the revenue from which is split among the 13 schools.

Winning football sells tickets, concessions and university merchandise. Sponsors and donors love being associated with a champion.

Then there are the intangibles: Nothing sets the tone for a university like a winning football team.

"It'd be crazy," said Dave May, 34, of Rootstown, a life-long Kent State fan who attends every home game and watched the Flashes' recent scrimmage from an end zone. "It would be nuts here."

"I mean, there's so many things," said Nielsen, who's been busy selling his 5-year Kent State football "enhancement plan" to prospective donors.. "It really develops that life and spirit on campus in the fall."

A magical season, an NFL factory

cribbs-ksu-long-horiz.jpgJosh Cribbs earned enough recognition as a quarterback for Kent State that the Browns signed him.

CURRENT KSU PLAYERS IN THE NFL
Josh Cribbs, wide receiver, Cleveland
Julian Edelman, wide receiver, New England
Abe Elam, safety, Cleveland
Antonio Gates*, tight end, San Diego
James Harrison, linebacker, Pittsburgh
Daniel Muir, defensive tackle, Indianapolis
Rico Murray, cornerback, Cincinnati
Jack Williams, defensive back, Detroit
Usama Young, defensive back, New Orleans
*-- did not play football for KSU

MAC football championships: Miami 13; Bowling Green 10; Toledo 10; Central Michigan 7; Ball State 5; Marshall 5; Ohio University 4; Cincinnati (no longer a member) 4; Akron 1; Buffalo 1; Kent State 1; Eastern Michigan 1; Northern Illinois 1; Western Michigan 1.
Source: Mid-American Conference

Kent, Ohio's third-largest university in enrollment, hasn't had that spirit since 1969. That was the year 25,000-seat Dix Stadium opened.

Within three years, it was the place to be on Saturday afternoons.

After going 3-8 and winless in the MAC the year before, Kent started the 1972 season 1-3-1. In an amazing reversal of fortune, the Flashes won five of their last six to take the MAC.

Kent State won the conference for the first and only time and played in the Tangerine Bowl (now the Capital One Bowl in Orlando), losing to Tampa and first-year coach Earle Bruce, 21-18.

"It was the will of a lot of players and coaches, the tenacity that some of the players had, and it was contagious," said Larry Poole, the team's star sophomore running back, who is now retired in Tampa. "That's what I remember about that team. We were just scrappy and we didn't quit."

That team was led by middle linebacker Jack Lambert, who wound up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and future college coaches Nick Saban (of national champion Alabama) and Gary Pinkel (now at Missouri). They became known as "The James Gang" -- no, not after rocker Joe Walsh, who fried brain cells at Kent State for a while before launching a successful band of that name, but after second-year coach Don James. He coached KSU to a 25-19-1 record from 1971-74 and went on to win a national championship at Washington.

"A lot of people, even coaches, were saying we had no chance," James said of his best KSU team.

More or less, that's been the overriding sentiment ever since.

What's so baffling is that, despite decades of losing, Kent has delivered a steady stream of top-line players to the NFL.

Players such as Pittsburgh linebacker and a Super Bowl MVP James Harrison, last year's Super Bowl opponents Usama Young (New Orleans Saints) and Daniel Muir (Indianapolis Colts), pesky New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman and the Browns' Josh Cribbs and Abe Elam. (Antonio Gates, San Diego's All-Pro tight end, was a Golden Flash as well, but in basketball, not football.)

Cribbs, who is from Washington, D.C., could have gone to a much bigger program. He had scholarship offers from Maryland and Syracuse for football, and from Texas for baseball.

So how did a talent like that wind up at Kent State?

When his high school team traveled to Cleveland to play St. Ignatius, the squad practiced at Kent the day before the game. The Kent coaches noticed Cribbs and offered him a full scholarship that night, he said.

He accepted, for one reason: so he could play immediately. The bigger schools planned to redshirt him, have him sit out his freshman year to develop without burning a season of eligibility.

At Kent, he knew he would stand out.

"I didn't want to go to a Maryland or Ohio State or a school like that and be overshadowed or just be another player on a great team," the former college quarterback said after a recent Browns practice. "I felt I was good enough, that if I'm going to a team with less talented players, to the world, I'll be seen. I didn't just want to be another guy, so to speak."

Revolving door, tough sell

ksu-90k-banner-jg.jpgThe goal of Kent State's outreach effort to the local fans is simple and clear: Sell 90,000 tickets during the upcoming season.

Kent's losing tradition shouldn't be a case of being outspent. MAC schools play with roughly the same dollars -- athletic budgets of about $15 million to $20 million, and of that, $3 million to $6 million for football. (Kent spends about $5 million.) And they offer the same number of football scholarships, 85.

But a series of organizational missteps, tragedy and bad luck and institution-wide disinterest set the KSU program back.

It begins in the coach's office.

Doug Martin, who joined the Kent staff in 2003 as offensive coordinator, begins his seventh season as head coach -- the longest tenure in the last 30 years. He's 24-46 and his team likely will have to show major improvement in 2010 for him to stay on another season.

Before Martin, the team had gone through eight head coaches since 1980.

"That was the problem," said former KSU athletic director Laing Kennedy, who retired this spring after 16 years on the Portage County campus. "That began what I would describe as the long, slow climb."

As if KSU football didn't have enough to overcome, the tragic death of 45-year-old coach Dick Scesniak on April Fool's Day 1986 sent the program reeling. After jogging, Scesniak picked up a penny as he walked through the gates of Dix Stadium, mentioning to a janitor, "Must be my lucky day." The coach walked into the weight room and then hit the floor, the victim of a heart attack.

KSU's program also was wrought with academic and behavioral issues when Kennedy arrived as AD. He credited former coaches Jim Corrigall with providing much-needed structure and discipline, and Dean Pees, now coaching linebackers for the Baltimore Ravens, with landing such talent as Cribbs.

Northeast Ohio is rich with high school football talent, but Kent has rarely been a coveted player's first choice. Too close to home, some say. The cloud of the shootings on May 4, 1970 still hurts the school's image, say others. But mostly, it's the record.

"When you're recruiting to a losing program," Kennedy said, "that's a lot like recruiting for a deckhand on the Titanic. It was a tough sell."

No commitment from the top

It's not that Kent can't win. In fact, the school captured the "Excellence in Management Cup" this year, the national championship for running the most economically efficient Division I athletic program in the country. It's based on a formula that matches money spent with winning championships. Kent has excelled at just about every other men's and women's sport.

But despite past marketing campaigns and promises, the amount of money devoted to Kent football was a problem, said Corrigall, a defensive standout for the Flashes from 1966-70 and head coach from 1994-97. He also served as an associate athletic director and assistant coach in the early 1990s.

There was never enough to cover the players' summer-school costs, books and meals, he said. (Scholarships don't cover summer school fees.) To save money, the team once bused to a game at Rutgers rather than fly.

To former Kent quarterback Joe Dalpra, of North Canton, the university's lack of commitment to football was painfully obvious. In his four years from 1988-91, the team won eight games, including seasons of 0-11 and 1-10. He played for three head coaches and four quarterback coaches.

"My junior year, they got rid of the marching band," he said. "One year, we didn't even take a team picture."

If this is to be the year that Kent finally reaches a bowl game, the first step is Thursday night -- Kent's home and season opener against Murray State.

There's reason for optimism. In a preseason media poll, the Golden Flashes were picked to finish third of seven teams in the MAC's East Division, behind Temple and Ohio. Martin has called this the best team he's had.

Phil Steele, a nationally acclaimed college football analyst based in Westlake, lists Kent among the most improved teams in the country. He predicted the Flashes, led by sixth-year senior scatback Eugene Jarvis and heady sophomore quarterback Spencer Keith, to win seven of their 12 games and be eligible for a bowl game.

"If [Martin] can catch a break on injuries," Steele said, "I think they can get it turned around."

Righting the ship

Nothing spins the turnstiles like winning, but to jump-start the season, Nielsen launched "90KSU," a marketing campaign with the slogan "Everyone Counts." The goal is 90,000 paid fans and students (who receive free tickets) for the six home games -- the 15,000-per-game average the NCAA requires of schools to maintain Division I status.

Kent State reported an average home attendance of 15,512 last season, although university President Lester Lefton said only about 10,000 of that was paid. Of the fans who pay, sometimes only 5,000 to 7,000 show up.

"I'd like it at 20,000," Lefton said after introducing Nielsen in March.

The campaign's progress is tracked on a wall of Kent's massive fieldhouse, with a cutout picture of Jarvis scampering down the field. They've already sold 45,000 tickets. Counting the 17,000 or so students who attended games last season, they should hit the mark. The cheapest season ticket costs a mere $30.

Losing is a Catch-22, of course. Declining attendance threatens the school's Division I status. Slipping from the highest level in college sports would destroy recruiting, damage alumni relations and shake the institution's psyche. So there's much at stake.

But a football program will never succeed, Corrigall said, unless everyone, from the university president to the academic department to the coaches and fundraisers, is in lockstep that football is a priority.

Unless the talk of recent months is just more lip service, Kent may finally be aligned.

As the university ushers in another season, the band is in tune, the team pictures are taken, and those involved are pledging a new era. They've even added new campus bus routes to take students directly to the new pre-game tailgating and "fan experience" parties at the field house by Dix Stadium.

Maybe that ocean liner kiddie slide was actually rising from the water rather than sinking.

"You can't have a vibrant, complete athletic program unless you've got strong football," said Lefton, the KSU president.

"It's what the fans want, it's what our students want, it's what Laing Kennedy wanted, it's what I want."

Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' return on Kellen Winslow deal, Carlos Santana's short season and new demands for Cavs' Mo Williams

0
0

Footballs are flying, and so are some opinions as Terry Pluto's talkin' ...

winslow-bucs-ap.jpgKellen Winslow was the prime target for Tampa Bay quarterbacks in 2009, and figures to maintain that status as long as he can stay healthy. But that doesn't mean the Browns didn't benefit from dealing their former starter, says Terry Pluto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Footballs are flying, and so are some opinions as Terry Pluto's talkin':

About the Browns...

1. With the Browns opening the regular season Sept. 12 in Tampa, it's time to check on the Kellen Winslow deal. The former Brown caught 77 passes for the Bucs last season, by far their leading receiver. Former Brown Antonio Bryant was next with 39. Winslow played all 16 games, averaged 11.5 yards per catch and had only five drops. He did have another knee surgery after the season and may not play in any preseason games. At 27, the big issue with Winslow is his durability -- will his knees hold up?

2. In return for Winslow, the Browns received a second rounder (Mohamed Massaquoi) in 2009 and a fifth rounder in 2010 that was used with Alex Hall and another middle-round pick to bring Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocong to Cleveland. The Browns coaches are pleased with both players, as Brown and Gocong should start. Gocong has been very effective at inside linebacker in the 3-4 system. Hall was waived by the Eagles, then claimed by the New York Giants.

3. We'll see what happens during the regular season, but several Browns coaches insist the receivers were not as bad as they seemed last season -- that they often were open, but there were a lot of poor throws by the quarterbacks. They point to the preseason improvement to make that point with two new quarterbacks in town. In 2008 and 2009, the Browns completed an NFL-worst 49 percent of their attempts. The last time the Browns were under 50 percent was 1974 in the Mike Phipps era.

4. The quarterbacks would counter that the receivers didn't help. Stats Inc. credited the Browns with 39 dropped passes last season, only Kansas City (48) was worse. Chansi Stuckey, Jerome Harrison and Mohamed Massaquoi each had seven drops. Robert Royal had six. Braylon Edwards had only one with the Browns, five total last season.

5. The Browns have been pleased with how Brian Robiskie, Stuckey and Massaquoi have bonded as a group, staying after practice and working together -- rather than worrying about playing time. Joshua Cribbs also is a part of this group, but he works at so many positions that he isn't always available for extra practice. The Browns have been stressing to Robiskie that he can be an impact receiver.

6. The coaches remain convinced Cribbs will make some significant contributions as a receiver. Some of it also may come in the Wildcat offense. As one of the coaches said, "Just tell Joshua that he can't do something -- and he wants to prove you wrong." That's why they are very patient with him in the passing game.

7. Another huge upgrade is Ben Watson and tight end, with Evan Moore as a backup. They also plan to use Moore as a slot receiver. For most of last season, there was no tight end who could be trusted to catch passes as Steve Heiden was hurt and Royal has poor hands.

8. For his career, 108 of Watson's 167 catches have been for first downs. He has caught 33 passes for at least 20 yards, and 20 for scores. The point is Watson is capable of making clutch catches. The Browns believe New England had so many talented receivers, there was no need to throw to Watson that often. In Cleveland, that can change.

9. It may not matter to Jim Brown, but based on emails and calls to talk shows, Browns fans have little sympathy for him possibly boycotting the ring of honor ceremony.

10. I will be talking about the Browns at other topics Monday at 7 p.m. at the Wooster Library. Admission is free. I will be glad to sign books for anyone who wants to bring them along.

Hall Of Fame member Joe DeLamielleure talks about the Browns...

joe-delamielleure-ap-mug.jpgFormer Browns star lineman Joe DeLamielleure is bullish on the impact Jake Delhomme will have with this year's team.

Question: Is it true you recruited Ben Watson?

Answer: I recruited him and coached him when I was at Duke [where Watson played as a freshman before transferring to Georgia]. He is a football player, a great kid who always wants to learn and get better.

Q: He must have been smart to go to Duke.

A: Better believe it. He wanted to be an engineer. I'm not his coach, but this guy has about a 38-inch vertical [jump]. You saw that one-handed catch he made in the end zone [against St. Louis], he can make more of those. I'd put him in the slot, and see if any safety can cover him. I doubt they can.

Q: You now live in Charlotte, do you have an opinion on [former Carolina Panther] Jake Delhomme?

A: The guy reminds me of Brian Sipe, he really does. I am talking about his leadership. He's a throw back. He's not a pretty quarterback. Like Brian, he doesn't have a great arm. He had to wait for a chance to play. I'm telling you, he is a winner.

Q: What happened last season?

A: You'd really need to have a long talk with him and his coaches, but they changed the system. ... I'm just saying he's been a good quarterback in this league for a long time, he'll help the Browns.

Q: Why are you upbeat about the Browns?

A: Because [President Mike Holmgren] is a football man. ... He brought in two class individuals who are good football players in Delhomme and Ben Watson. That's how you build your team, bringing in class guys who are character guys and it rubs off. I think his record speaks for itself. You have to go with guys who know how to win.

Q: What should young players think of the Browns?

A: [Before coming to the Browns in 1980], I always knew the Browns were great. ... You should [think] to yourself, "They set the bar very high and I want to be a player like that." They had a rich history. Paul [Warfield] was in the front office [when he joined the Browns]. I'd see Paul Warfield walking around and I'd say, "Damn he was good. I hope I can be that good." That's what it's all about. I hope someday that young kids walk through here, and I'm sure they're not going to look at a right guard, but they're going to look at these [Ring of Honor] guys and they're going to say, "Man, someday I'd like to do that."

About the Tribe ...

santana-horiz-vintage-to.jpgCarlos Santana's rookie season was all-too-brief for the Indians, but the slugging catcher looks like a great foundation for future lineups.

1. Mark Liberbach emailed: "Before Carlos Santana was called up, the Tribe was 23-36 (.390). From his first game until the injury, they were 22-25 (.468). Since the injury, they are 7-15 (.318) through Friday. This also coincides with many veteran departures. But I give Santana the credit for the surge in team performance from June 11 -- Aug. 3. Santana plays every minute with the enthusiasm of a little leaguer. That is contagious."

2. Some fans may mention that Santana batted .346 (1.165 OPS) in June. After July 1, he's a .206 hitter (.680 OPS). Certainly he struggled, but he still was a presence batting No. 3. He also had a solid .370 on-base after July 1, despite not hitting much. He was disciplined, drew walks, and made the lineup better.

3. Santana looks like a natural hitter. Even when he's not hitting, he still leaves the impression that he may hit soon. He doesn't seem overwhelmed. I wish that could be said of other Tribe hitters. Santana was acquired in July, 2008 from the Dodgers for Casey Blake. That same summer, they shipped C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee for Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, Zach Jackson and Rob Bryson.

4. LaPorta is the key to the trade. He was leading the minors in homers (at Class AA Huntsville) when traded. He homered Thursday and Friday, finally showing some life in what has been a dismal performance since the All-Star break (.213, .645 OPS., 4 HR in 136 AB).

5. LaPorta is 25. Some fans have suggested sending him to the minors -- again -- but he has already has bounced three times between Cleveland and Class AAA. In 474 at-bats at Columbus over two seasons, he has 22 HR, 74 RBI (.310, .947 OPS). The Indians correctly believe he has to make it work up here, another trip to the minors proves nothing.

6. Things look better for Brantley. Since the All-Star break, he's hitting .281 (.743 OPS). In August, it's .306 (.814 OPS) with two of his three career homers. He changed his stance after opening the season at 8-of-68 (.118) and then being sent back to Class AAA. He had trouble with the inside pitch, and seems to have fixed that.

7. At 23, Brantley is looking better than LaPorta, because he may add more power as he physically matures. He also is a more gifted athlete than LaPorta, who has to hit for power to make an impact as a first baseman. Brantley is a solid center fielder who could become even better in time. He also can make the leadoff spot his own.

8. Also in the deal was Bryson, a right-hander who hurt his shoulder and had surgery. But the 22-year-old is very promising, 7-1 with a 2.56 ERA between Class A and Class AA this season. He throws between 92-95 mph, and had fanned 75 in 46 innings. At Class AA Akron, he is 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA in 12 innings. He could be a factor in the bullpen next season.

9. Columbus third baseman Jared Goedert is in a major slump since the All-Star break (.211, .687 OPS, 3 homers in 147 at-bats). He's batting .136 in the last 10 games. This came after he batted .321 (1.102 OPS) with 15 homers in 134 at-bats. He also has problems defensively. All of this points to the Indians needing to sign a stop-gap to play third with some defensive skill next season. I nominate Brandon Inge, who will be a free agent.

10. In his last 10 starts, Carlos Carrasco has a 2.76 ERA at Columbus. Even better, he has allowed only one homer in 58 2/3 innings. That's after serving up 15 in his first 92 innings. On the year, he is 10-6 with a 3.65 ERA. Time to bring him up. Last year, he was shelled for six homers in 22 1/3 innings with the Tribe.

11. The pitcher picked up in the Jake Westbrook deal is Corey Kluber, who was 6-6 with a 3.45 ERA in the Class AA Texas League. His first two starts at Class AA Akron were awful (9 ER, 8 IP). But in his last three starts, he has allowed only two earned runs in 18 1/3 innings -- 12 strikeouts, four walks. For the Indians to even dream of contention in the Central, they need young pitchers such as Carrasco and Kluber to make an impact in a rotation that still remains a serious work in progress.

About the Cavs...

Mo WilliamsPassing and driving more, and shooting from beyond the arc less, should help Mo Williams be a more efficient contributor to the Cavaliers this season.

1. When new coach Byron Scott talks to Mo Williams, he needs to tell the guard to fall out of love with his 3-point shot. I write that knowing Williams averaged 43 percent on 3-pointers in his two years with the Cavs -- which is excellent shooting. But jacking up all those long jumpers has diminished his ability to drive and score, or pass off for easy baskets. He is very gifted in that area, and tended to become a stand-still shooter, waiting for a pass from LeBron James.

2. The most 3-pointers Williams took in a season before joining the Cavs was 231. In the past two years, it has been 420 and 371. With James gone, Williams and new point guard Ramon Sessions have to drive to the hoop and set the quicker tempo that Scott wants from this team.

3. While Williams ranked ninth in 3-point shooting, he was sixth among regulars in shots from the 10- to 15-foot range, making 55 percent. He is a very good on the "in-between" shot. But Williams took only 65 of those last season. In the previous three years, he averaged 112. He needs to get back to that form.

4. Williams is a career 87 percent at the foul line, so the more driving and more fouls he draws, the better. With the Cavs, he's at 90 percent. Scott should show Williams some of these numbers and challenge him to change his game a bit.

5. Joe Tait recently had a long meeting with Scott. The broadcaster said: "I really liked him. The minute he referred to the stuff at the arena away from the game as 'all that crap,' I yelled, 'You are my man!' He has a sense of humor, but you can see that he's all business. He's what the team needs at this point."

No tailgating before sunrise? What is this world coming to? Bud Shaw's Sunday Sports Spin

0
0

The city's decision to limit tailgating hours at the Municipal Parking Lot could compromise the culture of being a Browns fan, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin.

browns-tailgaters-cc.jpgSome Browns fans aren't pleased that tailgating at municipal lots may have to be a strictly conducted in broad daylight. Perhaps city officials just don't understand the many perfectly legitimate activities that take place before sunrise, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If the early bird drinks enough, don't rule out him doing The Worm dance.

Some tailgaters are unhappy with the city's decision to delay the opening of the Municipal Parking Lot from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. for Browns' home games.

For some reason, the city believes opening the lot six hours ahead of a 1 p.m. kickoff is enough time for people to come together and experience a NFL game day.

No delicate exploratory surgeries (that we know of) are conducted by headlights in the Muni Lot. There is no off-site NASA experimental testing to justify nine hours of prep time. So at quick glance six hours might seem long enough to bond, satisfy an appetite and quench a thirst. It even leaves time for the over-indulged to rinse their shoes and repeat.

But more than 3,000 people have signed an online petition in hopes of convincing the city to leave well enough alone.

That tells me that as responsible citizens they understand something the city does not. They understand that opening the Muni Lot at 4 a.m. is more than senseless tradition. It provides an extra three hours crammed full of redeeming social value, a time for Browns fans to help each other be all they can be.

If the city doesn't reverse its new policy, think what will be missed:

4 a.m. -- Group meditation. This is done in one of two postures. The Lotus position. Or the "I got your meditation right here buddy" posture. Either way, it gets Browns fans in touch with their inner elf.

4:30 -- After announcing he is "taking my talents to the Muni Lot" because he wants to be involved with a Cleveland team that at least hits, John Adams holds a drum circle meant to ward off the evil spirit of Andre Rison.

5 a.m. -- Weekly seminar topic: "Conflict Management." Discussion leader: Jim Brown, who leaves halfway through when he learns his stipend has been cut in half.

5:30: -- "Problem Solving." Tailgaters pair off in a workshop designed to build teamwork with hopes of marketing a beer helmet that doubles as a catheter.

6 a.m. -- City waste management officials explain why public urination is not considered "recycling."

6:30 -- Poetry reading. The Browns season in haiku. Don't think fans can be so introspective? Think again.

We already have proof from the WaitingForNextYear blog, which gets credit for the idea behind this culturally rich half-hour in the Muni Lot.

Consider this entry from username "Coin:"

Browns fans, the only

"Decision" to be made is

"where to buy the beer"

7 a.m. -- A round of applause for the previous three hours spent making Browns games a more friendly and educational experience.

HE SAID IT

"Tailgating is obviously part of the NFL experience, but there has to be some social etiquette." -- Cleveland CEO Darnell Brown.

Please remember to point your pinkie when punching a Steelers fan.

If the NFL is "The Shield," the UFL is the tin badge found in the bottom of the cereal box

Maurice Clarett has received permission to leave Ohio to try out for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. But that doesn't guarantee he'll resume his once-promising football career.

The league wants to first make sure there is a support network to help Clarett, the former Ohio State running back who served time for aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed weapon.

"It's important for us not to tarnish the reputation of this league," commissioner Michael Huyghue said in a statement that begs one more question than it answers.

The UFL has a reputation to tarnish?

YOU SAID IT

hawaii-little-league-ap.jpgC'mon guys ... shouldn't you be figuring out geography or some other important school activity -- instead of creating greater baseball glory for Hawaiian Little Leaguers?

(The Expanded What Else Is There To Read in Sunday Spin? Edition)

"Bud:

"At this stage of most Indians' seasons, do you ever find yourself becoming a little envious of your compadre, Paul Hoynes, considering his exhilarating and exciting role at the Sports department this time of year?" -- Dale, Medina

Yes. I just can't decide if I'm more jealous of him or the trapped Chilean miners.

"Bud:

"Is it just me or couldn't the Little League Baseball World Series been played before school began?" -- Tom Hoffner, Broadview Heights

It's just you. Four of five NCAA presidents say it's never too early for "student-athletes" to learn about missing class.

"Bud:

"Why don't the Indians ever shoot the free hot dogs and T-shirts at the bleachers?" -- Donna M.

Team officials fear the T-shirt shooters, like most hitters in the lineup, would only have warning track power.

"Bud:

"Can I still be considered a fan if my current interest in sports consists of reading entries to 'You Said It' and 'The Couch Slouch?'" -- Jim J.

Yes. And as I've pointed out in the past if you sometimes get the two columns confused, one of them is smart and funny. The other is "You Said It."

"Hey Bud:

"First Jim Brown refuses to attend the Ring of Honor ceremony and now the tailgaters are upset with the Muni lots' time changes. Is there any truth to the rumor the Browns are considering logos on the helmets and a cheerleading squad?" -- Doug Beckler, Lorain

Yes. And in another break with recent tradition, they will make a serious attempt to field a winning team.

"Hey Bud:

"My wife keeps a coded channel lock on all my satellite movie stations that may show obscene and questionable material to shield my three kids. Should I have her add SportsTime Ohio to the list?" -- Jimmy K.

That sounds a little extreme, but the Little League Coaches of America do caution against watching it in HD.

"Hey Bud:

"I'm very worried about Chris Antonetti's fitness to replace Mark Shapiro. In a recent interview, Antonetti dropped phrases like "minimize the window of transition," and "strategically add to [our roster] through external sources [and] acquisition avenues." Unfortunately, none of that rookie gibberish (can match) the veteran Shapiro's classic "He's already pitched in meaningfully leveraged roles." So do you think that Antonetti has the linguistic assets task-critical to successfully transition in this hierarchical paradigm going forward?" -- Martin M

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Dear Bud:

"Roger Clemens said he is looking forward to clearing his name and hopes baseball fans will keep an open mind until his trial. I, for one, am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Just 'cause the feds have witnesses and overwhelming evidence against you doesn't mean you're guilty." -- J.D., County Building, Cleveland

Repeat winners receive a FBI probe.

Indians legend Bob Feller being treated for acute myeloid leukemia

0
0

Hall of Famer Bob Feller has acute myeloid leukemia.

Bob Feller throws out first pitchBob Feller threw out the first pitch of springtime at Goodyear Ballpark last March at the age of 91. It was announced on Sunday that Feller is afflicted with leukemia.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indians legend Bob Feller, 91, has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

He said he has been receiving multiple chemotherapy shots every day "for the past week or so.''

"I'm just trying to be practical about it,'' Feller said from the Progressive Field pressbox Sunday afternoon. "It's curable -- but not always. Only time will tell. The prognosis is: So far, so good.''

Feller said he had been feeling weak and thought something was wrong with his heart. His eye doctor, during a routine checkup, sounded the alarm that blood was the problem.

"My white blood cells weren't doing their job,'' he said. "I got two quarts of blood right away. They pumped it in as fast as they could. The good news is, my heart is in very good shape.''

According to the WebMD website: "Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts (a type of white blood cell), red blood cells, or platelets.

"Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This type of cancer usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated. It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. AML is also called acute myelogenous leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.''

 Feller said his next doctor's visit is scheduled for Monday.

 "That's when we'll find out how effective the treatment's been,'' he said. "Right now, I have plenty of energy. I'm not going to complain.''

 Feller has been an outpatient at Cleveland Clinic.

 "I'm fortunate to be going to one of the best hospitals in the world,'' he said.

 Feller was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. He threw three no-hitters and 12 one-hitters in a career that spanned from 1936 to 1956, all with Cleveland. He was 266-162 and 3.25 ERA. He lost three full seasons (1942-44) and most of a fourth (1945) while serving in the Navy in World War II.

 Feller is the third-oldest living member of the Hall of Fame. He is younger than 92-year-olds Lee MacPhail and Bobby Doerr.

 


Cleveland Browns' new Ring of Honor -- with or without Jim Brown's presence -- is a credit to Mike Holmgren: Bud Shaw

0
0

It's hard to paint Mike Holmgren as the villain in the Jim Brown story, sports columnist Bud Shaw writes.

holmgren-brown-jg.jpgWhen Mike Holmgren was introduced as the Browns' new president, Jim Brown was there to shake Holmgren's hand. The relationship between the two has now cooled, according to reports. But that doesn't mean that it's Holmgren's fault, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Ring of Honor is a natural in a football city that celebrates its distant, almost Paleozoic, past as if it happened yesterday.

Surprisingly, it took an outside eye, Mike Holmgren's, to recognize the void and propose the in-stadium tribute to the greatest players in Browns' history. Because of that alone, it's amazing if Holmgren is somehow painted the villain now because Jim Brown, the greatest of them all, might stay away from the Sept. 19 ceremony because of hurt feelings.

Casting Holmgren as the bad guy is the greatest reach since Hollywood sold Danny DeVito as Arnold Schwarzenegger's brother in "Twins."

When Holmgren earlier changed Brown's duties, title and compensation, no great outcry followed -- perhaps in part because no one other than Randy Lerner ever really understood Brown's role in the organization.

At times, the media sought him out for his opinion as if it really mattered to the success or operation of the franchise. Because he was Jim Brown. Because a half-century ago he carried the football as well as anyone who ever lived.

In most other organizations, Brown would've had a ceremonial role at best. Here, the owner's ear became his. Based on what? His years of franchise building?

It was rather because Lerner was never a football guy, was never around much and mostly had legitimate reason to wonder if he'd put the right people in place as head coach and GM. With Holmgren, he believes he finally got it right.

That mandates a lesser role for Brown, who suggested in a radio interview with a Syracuse station last week that he feels disrespected. He didn't specify the reason, whether it stems from a reduction in influence, pay or a reduction in contributions to his Amer-I-Can program.

I'm not surprised if Brown is having trouble swallowing the financial aspects. He has watched Holmgren add millions to the payroll in administrative salaries. If you're Brown, you might say, "And you're pinching pennies with me and Amer-I-Can?"

But Holmgren making changes in how the organization operates, in reducing the chorus of voices heard, is perfectly understandable. Even Brown's Hall of Fame career doesn't mandate a job for life, especially one promising influence.

Brown had some of that with Lerner. It's difficult to tell how much.

More importantly for Lerner, Brown served as a flak jacket against some of the slings and arrows of outraged fans. In other words, some people might've thought that if Jim Brown were in the loop, how bad could it be?

The answer: very bad.

Holmgren is trying to improve the quality and efficiency of an inept franchise. He'll be judged on his own successes or failures in that regard.

He'll be judged in the shorter term on his decision to keep Eric Mangini or, barring that, on his next move. On Montario Hardesty and Colt McCoy. Good picks, or more of the draft-day waste that has doomed the Browns for the past decade?

He'll be judged on whether Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace are a bridge to the future or the same old bridge to nowhere.

Sept. 19? He thought enough of Browns' Hall of Famers to throw them a party and give them a place of permanence up there with the fans.

The Ring of Honor is his idea, not his issue.

Jake Delhomme's preseason play eases Cleveland Browns' QB concerns: 'He's been outstanding,' says Mangini

0
0

The Browns have plenty to worry about before the season opener in Tampa, but Jake Delhomme has proven he's more than capable of getting the job done.

delhomme-pass-rams-vert-jg.jpgWhether it was the pressure of an opposing lineman or the demands of learning a new offense for a new team, Jake Delhomme has performed admirably in his first three outings with the Browns. "Jake has been amazing," said Josh Cribbs. "He's really grasped the scheme and is now able to take Brian Daboll's offense to the next level."

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns have plenty of things to worry about before the season opener Sept. 12 in Tampa, but quarterback Jake Delhomme isn't one of them.

Delhomme, who's expected to sit out most of Thursday night's preseason finale against the Bears, has exceeded expectations this preseason. He's completing 79.2 percent of his passes, (38-of-48 for 345 yards), has thrown two touchdowns without an interception, has been sacked only once and has earned a quarterback rating of 110.5.

In Detroit, he put points on the board on three of his five possessions, counting the one-play drive on a lost fumble.

"He's been outstanding the whole preseason," said coach Eric Mangini. "He's pretty close to 80 percent completion, and the way that he runs the offense and gets us into a good play when we're not necessarily in the best situation, that's what I'm looking for out of our quarterback -- to be efficient and also be a really good decision-maker."

In one half of work in Detroit, Delhomme completed 20 of 25 attempts for 152 yards with one touchdown for a 105.3 rating. He spread the ball around out of the no-huddle offense to 10 receivers, hitting Mohammed Massaquoi with a seven-yard pass on a fourth and 2, Evan Moore with a 22-yarder, Brian Robiskie with a 23-yarder and Josh Cribbs with a impressive 30-yarder up the left sideline that led to a TD.

"Jake has been amazing," said Cribbs, who adeptly kept both feet inbounds. "He's really grasped the scheme and is now able to take Brian Daboll's offense to the next level. He's very efficient in the passing game and does a great job of spreading the ball around."

One sequence in particular will go a long way toward endearing Delhomme to Browns teammates and fans. On third and 8 at the Detroit 16, Lions rookie lineman Ndamukong Suh crashed in and grabbed Delhomme's facemask, then twisted his head and flung him to the ground. Delhomme popped up fuming and protesting, and Suh was flagged for a personal foul, which gave the Browns a first and goal at the 8.

Delhomme fumbled the snap on the next play, and Peyton Hillis recovered for a 3-yard gain to the 5. Despite adversity on back-to-back plays, a composed Delhomme found Lawrence Vickers wide open in the right flat for a 5-yard TD pass that put the Browns up, 17-7.

"'He's a cocky young fella," Jerome Harrison said of Delhomme, 35. "He's still got a lot of jazz to him. He's a quarterback that you know has your back through thick and thin. You've got to love him."

Despite the rag-doll treatment from Suh, Delhomme was happy with its outcome.

"It's good to get hit like that," he said. "The juices get really flowing and it's great because I think it was third and long and we got a first down. Anytime we can move the chains, we'll take it anyway we can get it."

Delhomme successfully sidestepped pressure and threw the ball away instead of taking the sack. On his opening drive, he was pressured from behind on third and goal and fired the ball beyond the end zone. The Browns settled for a field goal.

"You just try to work the offense and let the offense work for you," said Delhomme. "Take what they give you and that's a big thing I'm trying to do. I'm trying to take the checkdowns, not trying to force it. Brian [Daboll] does a good job, the guys are in the right spot and that makes it nice."

Delhomme has also done well with the no-huddle, which the Browns figure to run frequently this season.

"We're trying to make it be [an asset]," he said. "We practice at a fast tempo and it really does help. Guys are in decent shape and we're going to have to be. We're going to Tampa opening day and it's going to be warm."

Delhomme has also done something that Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson seemed incapable of last season: Make the young skill players around him better.

"He does a great job of telling us what he expects of us," said Massaquoi. "He understands the game so well that it helps me and the other receivers understand it a lot better than we have."

Thanks to the good preseason work, which included 44 plays in Detroit, Delhomme feels almost ready for the season.

"Absolutely," he said. "We still have to keep moving forward, but we've been at it for well over a month and you're getting antsy, yes."

McCoy reprimanded: Rookie Colt McCoy was chastised by Mangini and Daboll on the sidelines after botching the final two plays of the game, a short pass with 26 seconds left and no timeouts that kept the clock running and a deep pass out of bounds on the final play instead of flinging it into the end zone.

"He's still growing," said Mangini. "On that short pass, you just throw it away and go to the next play. On the last play, whether there are receivers there or not, you throw it up in the end zone and see what happens. You don't throw it out of bounds. I'm chalking it up to age and inexperience and we'll get that fixed."

Sorensen resting: Safety Nick Sorensen, who absorbed a double hit to the head, visited the Browns' training facility Sunday morning and then went home to rest. He still had a headache, but was otherwise fine, a source said. It's not yet been announced whether he suffered a concussion.

Video: Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot analyze the Browns-Lions game

Japan snaps U.S. domination of Little League World Series, topping Hawaii, 4-1, for crown

0
0

The team from Tokyo relied on defense and a pair of pint-sized aces to win the Little League World Series.

japan-little-league-ap.jpgJapan's Konan Tomori celebrates his two-run homer in the sixth inning that gave his Little League team some insurance runs against Waipahu, Hawaii in Sunday's Little League World Series championship game in South Williamsport, Pa. Japan won the title, 4-1.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Japan's players weren't about to leave the Lamade Stadium field without some important souvenirs.

Still wearing their bright red caps and white uniforms, they leaned down on the mound to scoop up bags of dirt for what promises to be a happy flight home from a 10-day stay in central Pennsylvania.

Fitting, since the team from Tokyo relied on defense and a pair of pint-sized aces to win the Little League World Series.

Japan limited the potent bats of Waipahu, Hawaii, to four singles, and got a homer and three RBIs from Konan Tomori in a 4-1 win on a sunny Sunday afternoon to end the United States' run of five straight World Series titles.

Ryusuke Ikeda got the win with after striking out five and allowing all four hits over three innings, before Ichiro Ogasawara pitched the final three hitless innings, striking out three to get his third save.

They met on the mound after right fielder Teruma Nagata caught the last out out to begin celebrating.

They were a reserved bunch afterward as they faced TV cameras and reporter's questions as if they were big league ballplayers.

"I was obviously very happy," the 13-year-old Ikeda said calmly through interpreter Brian Thompson. "The first thing I did was to run to the mound to give Ogasawara a hug."

After postgame handshakes at the plate with Hawaii, Japan got another memento -- a banner that read "2010 Little League World Series Champions." They finished the tournament a perfect 5-0.

The All-Star team from Tokyo's Edogawa Minami Little League became the first international squad to take the crown since Curacao in 2004. A team from Tokyo's Musashi-Fuchu league was the last winner from Japan, the previous year.

Hawaii, which had scored 29 runs over its previous three games, came up short at the plate against Tokyo. The only run Sunday came on an error off a sacrifice bunt in the fourth, but Ogasawara worked out of a second-and-third jam with a strikeout and a weak bouncer.

"Whenever he started in Japan, he got KO'd pretty fast," manager Shingo Ariyasu said. "Today, he obviously showed some good stuff."

Cheered on by family and friends waving U.S. flags and tea leaves they've been carrying around for good luck, the Waipahu All-Stars put on a valiant effort on the mound and in the field. Thirteen-year-old lefty starter Cody Maltezo, who hadn't pitched in roughly a month, held Japan to four hits over 5 2-3 innings, and Noah Shackles' fine stop of a hard bouncer at third likely saved two runs from scoring in the third.

"They battled to the end, and that's all I could ask of them," Hawaii manager Brian Yoshii said. "Every kid had their moment."

The Hawaii club comes from a league that won the series in 2008, and they became the first Little League squad to play seven games in the tournament.

But the mashers from the West region couldn't get the clutch hits that had propelled their unlikely run of four victories in four elimination games over four days into the Little League final.

That tough stretch limited Yoshii's options on the mound given Little League's strict pitch-count rules. Teams with deeper pitching staffs, or who play fewer games, hold an advantage.

Japan had the edge on both counts, while Yoshii had to go deep to his bench.

"We had to throw our No. 6 pitcher and all he did was pitch a great game on the biggest stage in the world," Yoshii said about Maltezo.

Through the week, Japan's fans have been cheering the team with rhythmic clapping from the stands, at times to the melody of "Popeye the Sailor Man," the muscle-bound cartoon character.

Pitching and defense were the forte of a squad with a team ERA of 1.92 entering Sunday.

Natsuki Mizumachi took a few steps to his right and dropped to his knees to rob Kahoea Akau of a hit to center in the fifth. Twelve-year-old second baseman Koutaro Kamikura followed that up with a nice stop to his right of a hard bouncer by Ty DeSa to save another hit.

The 12-year-old Tomori tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth with his opposite-field shot to right.

Bizarre baserunning plays foretell defeat for the Tribe: Indians Insider

0
0

Teams that hit into two outfield forceouts in four innings probably figure the day is not going to be theirs.

donald-homer-royals-ss.jpgIndians teammates welcome Jason Donald back to the dugout after Donald's two-run homer in the sixth inning tied Sunday's game with Kansas City, 2-2. But the Royals broke the deadlock in the seventh inning and pulled away to a 6-2 victory.

INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: Indians lefty Tony Sipp knows how to economize.
In the Tribe’s 4-3 victory over the Royals on Saturday, Sipp entered in the sixth inning with a runner on first and two outs. Before throwing a pitch, he caught Willie Bloomquist attempting to steal.
The previous time an Indians pitcher had entered a game and recorded an out without throwing a pitch was July 25 against Tampa Bay. Sipp erased Evan Longoria attempting to steal second to end the eighth.
Sipp entered Sunday’s game against the Royals having allowed just seven of 28 inherited runners to score (18.4 percent). The efficiency ranked third in the American League.
Sipp inherited a runner in the seventh Sunday and stranded him. But Sipp gave up a solo homer in the eighth in a 6-2 loss.

Orange and brown: Indians clubhouse manager Tony Amato doubles as a Browns fanatic. He is encouraged by what he has seen in the preseason. He watched Saturday’s Browns-Lions game twice.
“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” he said. “I love the new regime, the [Mike] Holmgren-[Eric] Mangini dynamic.”
Amato said his main concern is lack of speed on defense.

Sweet music: Kayleigh Collins, 6, of Painesville did a terrific job with the national anthem. She received a protracted ovation.

Dunk tank: Shelley Duncan singled in the sixth to snap an 0-for-15.

Stat of the day: The Indians are 3-42 when scoring two or fewer runs.
Dennis Manoloff

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Teams that hit into two outfield forceouts in four innings probably figure the day is not going to be theirs.

The Indians felt the double dose of pain in a 6-2 loss to the Royals on Sunday.

With one out in the bottom of the first, Asdrubal Cabrera reached on a bunt single. In his previous at-bat, Cabrera hit a walk-off homer Saturday night.

Shin-Soo Choo followed with a sinking liner to center. As Gregor Blanco charged, Cabrera froze between first and second. The ball short-hopped Blanco, who made the clean pick and threw to second baseman Mike Aviles for the out. Choo lost a hit, but Cabrera should not be faulted because it looked as if Blanco would catch the ball.

In the fourth, Shelley Duncan drew a one-out walk. Jayson Nix lined to shallow right, where Mitch Maier slid. The ball bounced off Maier, but it did not travel far. Maier recovered and threw to shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt for the out. Nix lost a hit, but Duncan should not be faulted because it looked as if Maier would catch the ball.

Whiff kings: The Indians' final seven hitters struck out. Pinch-hitter Michael Brantley began the parade of ignominy by getting called out to end the seventh against righty Jesse Chavez.

Royals righty Blake Wood toyed with Nix (swinging), Jason Donald (swinging) and Andy Marte (swinging). Donald had homered in his previous at-bat against starter Bruce Chen.

Royals closer Joakim Soria, deprived of a save situation when the Royals scored two in the top of the ninth, took out his frustration on Chris Gimenez (swinging), Luis Valbuena (swinging) and Trevor Crowe (looking).

Soria will have to wait to try to extend his franchise record of 28 straight save opportunities converted. He has 60 strikeouts in 55 innings.

Sitting tight: Brantley and Travis Hafner, who happen to be two of the Indians' hottest hitters, did not start as part of scheduled days off. Brantley recently missed four games because of an ankle injury.

Rough patch: A scouting report can be an invaluable tool for a major-league pitcher trying to figure out how to attack a hitter, especially a hitter he has not seen in months, if at all.

The report also can be a trap. If the pitcher is not careful, he can become beholden to it.

Indians rookie right-hander Mitch Talbot thinks information overload is one reason he has struggled through the past two months. In eight starts since July 1, Talbot is 0-5 with a 5.87 ERA in 38 1/3 innings. He has allowed 48 hits, walked 24 and struck out 28 while throwing 739 pitches. He has pitched six innings just once.

Talbot starts Monday against the White Sox.

"For a while, because of scouting reports and stuff, I've been trying to change the order of the way I do things," he said. "That's kind of hurt me. I've been trying to trick the hitter instead of pitch to him."

Talbot is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in 14 2/3 innings of three starts since being activated from the disabled list. He had a back issue.

"The back's fine," he said. "I'm totally recovered from that."

When Talbot checked the chart from his previous start, Aug. 25 against Oakland, he noticed his average fastball velocity had decreased by a couple of miles per hour. He gave up six runs in six innings of a 6-1 loss. The Athletics scored five in the first.

Talbot, 8-11 with a 4.44 ERA in 135 2/3 innings of 23 starts, does not think he has hit a wall.

"I feel fresh," he said. "I'm not tired. A drop in velocity will happen periodically throughout the year."

In addition to trying to out-fox hitters, Talbot said he simply has been missing spots.

"I'm not going to overpower guys, so I have to keep the ball down," he said. "I haven't done a good enough job of that. And instead of missing off the plate, I'm missing over the plate.

"I'm learning that the stuff that got you here is going to keep you here. You don't really have to change a lot. You just need to keep improving what you do best."

The White Sox have brought out the best in Talbot this season. He is 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA in three starts:

• On April 16 in Cleveland, he allowed one earned run in a complete game -- the first of his major-league career. The Tribe won, 6-2.

• On May 25 in Cleveland, he gave up two runs in seven innings of a 7-3 victory.

• On June 5 in Chicago, he gave up one run in seven innings of a 3-1 victory.

Ohio State's talented Class of 2008 spearheads Buckeyes' national title aspirations

0
0

Ohio State's highly-rated 2008 recruiting class is in the position many expected when those players signed to be Buckeyes -- leading the way for a national title contender.

pryor-brewster-usc-vert-mf.jpgOhio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) and center Mike Brewster (50, blocking Southern Cal's Christian Tupou last season) are just two members of a talented 2008 recruiting class which provides the foundation for the Buckeyes' stated goal of a national title run.

PRETTY CLASSY GROUP
Ohio State’s 2008 recruiting class was ranked as one of the top three in the nation. Of the 19 freshmen who were part of the 2008 team, four have transferred and two are deeper on the depth chart. But 13 should see the field often, with nine starters.

CLASS OF 2008
Starters (listed by position and with recruit star rating in parentheses): Terrelle Pryor QB (5); Mike Adams LT (5); Mike Brewster C (5); DeVier Posey WR (5); J.B. Shugarts RT (4); Jake Stoneburner TE (4); Nathan Williams DE (4); Andrew Sweat SLB (4); Ben Buchanan P (3).
Second team: Etienne Sabino LB (4); Garrett Goebel DT (4); Travis Howard CB (4); Orhian Johnson S (3).
Other backups: Nic DiLillo TE (3); Zach Domicone S (3).
Transferred: Willie Mobley (to Arizona) DL (4); Lamaar Thomas (to New Mexico) WR (4); Jermil Martin (to Ashland) FB (3); Keith Wells DE (3)
*— Star ranking from Rivals.com
-- Doug Lesmerises

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's potential road to the BCS National Championship game this season began on Sept. 20, 2008, the day quarterback Terrelle Pryor and center Mike Brewster started for the first time as true freshmen.

"He's going to be a great quarterback," Brewster said after that 28-10 win over Troy in Ohio Stadium. "Me and him still have a lot to learn, but we're both working really hard, so I think things are going to work out well."

Two years later, Pryor and Brewster each have made 22 career starts and won two Big Ten titles and a Rose Bowl. When the Buckeyes open the season against Marshall on Thursday, seven teammates from the 2008 recruiting class should join them as starters, with four others important members of the two-deep roster and expected to play.

Four members of that 19-player class have transferred, but 13 of the 15 remaining should be right where they saw themselves when they signed -- on the field a lot for a national title contender, with the Buckeyes ranked No. 2 in both preseason polls.

"This is where we expected to be," said redshirt sophomore Travis Howard, the Buckeyes' No. 3 cornerback. "We had one of the top recruiting classes, so we had high expectations for every individual in our class. Now you can see we've got big roles to play."

At a place like Ohio State, a national title is always in play. Coach Jim Tressel never sacrifices one season to prepare for the next.

Think about 2007, when a team that looked to be a year away reached the national title game. Or 2008, when a team led by seniors like James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins, Todd Boeckman and Brian Robiskie lost junior running back Beanie Wells to an injury in the first game, got blown out by USC and saw the next chapter of Ohio State football begin a little earlier than expected.

All that said -- this is the year.

It has been building to this for a while, since that Class of 2008 was ranked in top three in the nation by the Rivals and Scout recruiting services, along with USC and Notre Dame. Eight Buckeyes that year were ranked among Rivals' top 100 players, more than in any other recruiting class on the current OSU roster (2009 had six, 2006 had four and 2007 and 2010 each had two.)

"When we committed here, we tried to get everyone to come here because we wanted a team that was going to be able to contend to win it all," tight end Jake Stoneburner said. "When we signed here, we knew this day was going to come, that the pressure would be on us. A lot of us are playing right now, so we need to step up and lead us to a championship.

"And we're ready for that. We've been waiting for it and it's finally here."

borenpracticetg.jpgThe Buckeyes' efforts to build a national championship team have also benefited from good fortune, as when former Michigan guard Justin Boren decided to transfer to Columbus.

They won't do it alone, obviously. There are other signs that the time is right for the Buckeyes.

Senior defensive lineman Cameron Heyward turned down a chance to be a first-round NFL pick when leaving would have made a lot of sense, and he returns as one of the best defensive tackles in the nation.

Senior left guard Justin Boren fell from the sky, a gift from up north as a Michigan transfer who now may be the best offensive lineman in the Big Ten. No one could have seen that coming.

Senior linebacker Ross Homan took an unexpected redshirt with a lingering turf toe injury in 2007, which was never part of the plan. The result is that he's back as one of the top two linebackers in the Big Ten, when he could easily be in the NFL.

"Definitely everything happens for a reason," Homan said. "I got hurt and came back and hopefully it all worked out for me."

It certainly worked out for the Buckeyes. You could argue that Heyward, Boren and Homan are the three best players on this team, and Ohio State easily could have been without all of them. No matter how highly ranked they were, these third-year Buckeyes weren't going to make it to Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 10 on their own.

The Buckeyes may not have as much elite talent as, for instance, the 2005 Ohio State team that saw five players taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. But add in seniors such as linebacker Brian Rolle, corners Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence, safety Jermale Hines, receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, running back Brandon Saine and right guard Bryant Browning, and the Buckeyes are deep in good, experienced players, without a glaring weakness.

That gives the much-hyped juniors an opportunity to do what they came to do.

"You come to a place like Ohio State to win a national championship," junior linebacker Andrew Sweat said. "We had a great recruiting class with guys from Florida and everywhere, and then when Terrelle signed, I guess there was a lot of hype. Of course there's more pressure, but that's just part of it."

It's part of what they set out to do in 2008.

"We definitely want to win them all," Brewster said. "Anything less won't meet our ultimate goal."

Cleveland Indians' bats turn cold again in 6-2 loss to Kansas City

0
0

Indians lose Matt LaPorta, who exits after four innings because of a left-hip strain.

UPDATED: 8:50 p.m.

royals-vert-indians-ss.jpgRoyals second baseman Mike Aviles ignores a sliding Asdrubal Cabrera and throws out the Indians' Shin-Soo Choo during the seventh inning of Sunday's game at Progressive Field.

ON DECK: INDIANS VS. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
When: Monday through Wednesday.
Where: Progressive Field.
TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio Monday and Tuesday, no TV on Wednesday; WTAM AM/1100.
Season series: Indians lead, 8-4. White Sox lead, 1,019-985, overall.
Pitching matchups: RHP Mitch Talbot (8-11, 4.44 ERA) vs. LHP Mark Buehrle (12-10, 3.93) Monday at 7:05; RHP Justin Masterson (5-12, 5.23) vs. RHP Edwin Jackson (2-0, 0.96) Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.; and RHP Josh Tomlin (2-3, 4.08) vs. RHP Freddy Garcia (11-5, 4.89) Wednesday at 12:05 p.m.
Indians update: They have not played White Sox since winning two of three in Chicago the first week of June. Masterson and Talbot earned the victories. ... Jake Westbrook, now with St. Louis, owns two of Tribe’s four losses against Chicago. ... INF Luis Valbuena is hitting .294 (10-for-34) in 10 games against White Sox; RF Shin-Soo Choo is hitting .292 (14-for-48) with two homers and eight RBI in 12 games. ... Last Friday against Kansas City, Tomlin became the fifth Indian since 1920 to pitch at least five innings in his first six major-league starts. He gave up three runs on eight hits in five innings of 15-4 victory.
White Sox update: From June 9-July 15, the White Sox went 26-5 to become a contender. ... They are 32-33 on road. ... SS Alexei Ramirez is hitting .333 (13-for-39) with one homer and four RBI in 12 games against Indians this season; C A.J. Pierzynski is hitting .150 (6-for-40) with no RBI in 11 games; Buehrle is 1-1 with a 4.42 ERA in four starts. ... Buehrle was ejected early in his previous start at Cleveland, May 26. First-base umpire Joe West ran him for protesting balk calls. ... Jackson is 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA and 34 strikeouts in four starts since joining White Sox. He has struck out 10-plus in his last two starts. Earlier this season, Jackson threw a no-hitter for Arizona. ... Garcia is 49-22 in day games.
Injuries: Indians — RHP Anthony Reyes (elbow), LHP Aaron Laffey (shoulder), OF Grady Sizemore (left knee) and C Carlos Santana (left knee) are on disabled list. White Sox — RHP Jake Peavy (lat), RHP J.J. Putz (right knee), LHP Matt Thornton (elbow) and LHP Erick Threets (toe) are on DL.
Next for Indians: Seven-game trip begins in Seattle on Thursday.
Dennis Manoloff

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For the last-place Indians, a sweep of the fourth-place Royals was too much to ask.

The Tribe managed six hits, struck out 11 times and committed three errors in a 6-2 defeat Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field.

The Indians (53-77) had a three-game winning streak snapped. In failing to sweep the three-game series from Kansas City, they missed an opportunity to pull into a tie for fourth in the AL Central.

The Royals (55-75) have a two-game lead with 32 to play.

Losing another game is bad enough. The Indians lost a game and a core player, with first baseman Matt LaPorta exiting after the fourth inning because of hip trouble.

LaPorta is listed as day-to-day with a strain of the left hip.

In the off-season, LaPorta underwent left-hip surgery described in the Indians' media guide as "debridement of a bony impingement in the joint." LaPorta also had off-season surgery on his left big toe.

"Our training staff doesn't think it's that serious," manager Manny Acta said. "They believe it's muscular and that he'll be able to turn the corner pretty quickly. The surgery was inside the hip, this is the outside."

LaPorta said he is not sure if there is a correlation.

"We don't think it's anything major, though," he said. "I've been icing it since I got back in the clubhouse, and we ran tests that turned out OK. We'll see how I feel [Monday] and go from there."

Acta said it is unlikely LaPorta will play in Monday's opener of a three-game series against the White Sox at Progressive Field.

LaPorta, who entered with an extra-base hit in three straight games, felt something during the first pitch of his fourth-inning at-bat. He took a ball. After a swinging strike, he flied to left.

"When I landed, it kind of cracked and popped," he said.

Given a few seconds to think about how severe "popped" sounds, LaPorta amended his assessment.

"I don't want to use the word 'pop,' because it makes it sound like a tendon or something is involved," he said. "It was a crack, like you would have with a cracked knuckle. I definitely felt something."

The way this season has gone for the Indians on the injury front, don't blame their fans for waiting to exhale.

Gallery preview
In the wake of LaPorta's injury, Jason Donald came off the bench to play second base. Luis Valbuena moved to third and Andy Marte to first.

Batting in LaPorta's six-hole must have inspired Donald to muscle up. With two outs in the sixth and the Indians trailing, 2-0, Donald ripped a two-run homer to center off Royals lefty Bruce Chen. Donald drove in Shelley Duncan, who had led off with a single and worked his way to third.

Donald's fourth homer traveled an estimated 412 feet after Chen attempted to sneak a 2-2 fastball by him. Chen had made Donald look bad earlier in the at-bat with slop.

"I was happy to get the run home with two outs," Donald said. "The home run was a bonus. I was hoping it would be a shot in the arm for us."

It was -- until the top of the seventh.

Mike Aviles singled with one out off Fausto Carmona and scored on Kila Ka'aihue's double to left-center. Ka'aihue, a 6-4, 235-pounder from Hawaii, made amends for a difficult day defensively at first base.

The next batter, Billy Butler, hit a liner to left-center that Trevor Crowe caught after a good jump and great dive. Acta hooked Carmona for Tony Sipp, who intentionally walked Wilson Betemit before striking out Alex Gordon.

Carmona (11-13, 4.19 ERA) gave up three runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings in losing his fifth consecutive start. In the previous four, he allowed 18 earned runs on 37 hits in 25 innings.

Carmona walked four and struck out four while tying a season-high with 118 pitches.

"Great effort by Fausto," Acta said. "He gave us a chance to win. He had a good change-up -- most of them were around 85 miles per hour, which gives him better separation from the fastball. It's encouraging to see he's keeping hitters off that sinker."

Carmona did not speak with reporters after the game.

The Indians were in position to get Carmona off the hook in the seventh. With runners on second and third and two outs, pinch-hitter Michael Brantley was called out on strikes. Brantley looked back at umpire Derryl Cousins in disbelief.

Maier homered off Tony Sipp in eighth for a 4-2 advantage. Sipp has given up 11 homers, including six to lefties, in 50 2/3 innings.

Kansas City tacked on two in a sloppy ninth.

Chen (9-7, 4.76) allowed two runs in six-plus innings. "Chen pitched well," Acta said. "What can you say? He threw a lot of strikes."

Michelle Wie gets second LPGA victory

0
0

Michelle Wie, now 20 years old, closed with a 2-under 70 Sunday for a three-shot win at the CN Canadian Women's Open, her second career victory on the LPGA Tour.

Michelle WieMichelle Wie kisses the trophy as she celebrates her victory at the Canadian Women's Open golf tournament in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010. Wie won with a final score of 12-under par. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Woods)
Winnipeg, Manitoba - Michelle Wie  closed with a 2-under 70 Sunday for a three-shot win at the CN Canadian Women's Open, her second career victory on the LPGA Tour.

Wie, who was 12 under for the tournament, earned the winner's check of $337,500 in the $2.25-million event at the St. Charles Country Club — the LPGA's only stop in Canada.

Wie, 20, had five birdies, including on the 13th, 14th and 15th holes.

"I made a lot of crucial putts today," said Wie, who at 10 years old was the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Jiyai Shin of South Korea shot a 73 and tied for second with Kristy McPherson (66), defending champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway (69) and South Korea's Jee Lee Young (69).

Wie led wire-to-wire after an opening 65 and was tied with Shin for the lead entering the final round at 10 under.

"My shot was really good, but my putting was so bad," said Shin, who has four victories since joining the LPGA Tour last season.

"I (had) lots of chances for birdies, but I couldn't make it just a couple times."

Ai Miyazato (69) of Japan, the No. 1-ranked player heading into the Open, finished tied for 15th, while No. 2 Cristie Kerr (69) tied for eighth.

After the 20-year-old Wie ended her round on the 18th green, her longtime friend and fellow American player Christina Kim sprayed her with champagne.

"I was trying to run away from her," Wie said with a laugh. "All I was thinking in my mind was I'm wearing white pants, please be nice Tina."

Wie's first career win came in November at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational during her rookie season. Her opening round this week featured the second hole-in-one of her pro career.

Wie said she's heading back to school at Stanford after the LPGA's next event — the P&G NW Arkansas Championship beginning Sept. 10.

Next year's tournament will be held in Montreal and then Vancouver in 2012.

Cleveland Browns biggest concern, poll

0
0

There was plenty the Cleveland Browns did well in their last "dress rehearsal" of sorts in last weekend's preseason loss against the Detroit Lions. Running back Peyton Hillis continues to prove he's a good find from his hard running style to his versatility as a runner/blocker and receiver. Jake Delhomme, who many feared was washed up, continued to play...

hillis-td-lions-jk.jpgPeyton Hillis bulls across the goal line.

There was plenty the Cleveland Browns did well in their last "dress rehearsal" of sorts in last weekend's preseason loss against the Detroit Lions.

Running back Peyton Hillis continues to prove he's a good find from his hard running style to his versatility as a runner/blocker and receiver.

Jake Delhomme, who many feared was washed up, continued to play well. For the preseason, Delhomme has thrown for 345 yards, two touchdowns and completed 79.2 percent of his passes.

But with the good comes the bad. The Browns have one preseason game left before the real deal with the season opener on Sept. 12 at Tampa Bay.

Cleveland Browns A.M. Links: Good and the bad; No rush, no sacks; Fixing the flaws

0
0

The Cleveland Browns had some highs and lows during last Saturday's preseason game against the Detroit Lions. ESPN.com's James Walker writes about the good of quarterback Jake Delhomme, and how he continues to impress during the preseason with his accuracy. Peyton Hillis continues to make the Cleveland Browns' front office look good as a steal in the Brady Quinn...

eric-mangini-delhomme.jpgBrowns coach Eric Mangini has a word with starting quarterback Jake Delhomme.

The Cleveland Browns had some highs and lows during last Saturday's preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

ESPN.com's James Walker writes about the good of quarterback Jake Delhomme, and how he continues to impress during the preseason with his accuracy. Peyton Hillis continues to make the Cleveland Browns' front office look good as a steal in the Brady Quinn trade with the Denver Broncos.

Hillis continues to play hard during the preseason.

Hillis showed his versatility with 40 receiving yards and 26 yards rushing and a touchdown. But what stood out most was Hillis' regular-season intensity. He broke through arm tackles and bullied Detroit defenders. Hillis is Cleveland’s leading rusher through three preseason games.  

Now the bad.

The Browns fumbled four times and lost three against the Lions. Running back Jerome Harrison lost a fumble that was returned 14 yards for a touchdown. The Browns have eight turnovers in their past two preseason games.

Cleveland's defense was gashed by the Lions. Detroit rookie Jahvid Best zipped through the Browns’ first-team defense for 51 yards on his first carry, which was a sweep left. Cleveland's tackling and defensive fundamentals were not sharp, particularly against the run. The Lions rushed for 154 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry.

 

No rush, no sacks

The Browns have only one sack in three preseason games, and reporter Jeff Schudel writes in The News-Herald how the safest job in the NFL this summer is being the quarterback facing the Browns. Starter or backup, it doesn't matter.

Eight opposing quarterbacks have thrown a total of 96 passes in three games.

The Browns have one sack. The answer to the trivia question "Who was sacked?" is Mike Flynn from the Packers.

Linked to that statistic is this one: Aaron Rodgers, A.J. Feeley and Matthew Stafford, the three starting quarterbacks the Browns faced, were a combined 30-for-36 passing.

So Schudel wants to know if the Browns holding back, or is their pass rush suddenly impotent after registering 40 sacks last year?

Does it all come down to the missing Kamerion Wimbley, their 2009 sack leader, who was traded to the Raiders in the offseason for a third-round draft pick?

Or something else?

"We don't really look at pass rush as a function of one guy," Coach Eric Mangini said. "We look at pass rush as a function of good defense. Last year, it was 16 different guys who had sacks. That, to me, is the way it's going to set up because based on their (pass) protection, based on the things that they're doing, there are ways to beat it."

 

Fixing the flaws

Ohio.com reporter Nate Ulrich writes how members of Cleveland's starting defense identified their downfalls and pinpointed solutions following last Saturday's preseason loss to Detroit.

''It's tough,'' Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown said. ''We didn't want to start slow in the first half. In the first quarter, we gave up the long drive. Then coming out of halftime, we gave up another drive as a defense, so it's kinda tough we didn't play the game we wanted to play.

''It's how guys respond — that's what you are looking for at times like this and moments like this that define a team. And these are the times where you realize who you want to be in the foxhole with.''

Against Detroit, the Browns' defense couldn't prevent rookie running back Jahvid Best from doing his thing, particularly breaking loose off the left side for a 51-yard run on the Lions' first offensive play from scrimmage. 

''I showed [Best's] clips from preseason,'' Mangini said. ''I showed his college clips. I told them he was the 100-meter champion in California. If they were caught by surprise, then they've been sleeping the whole week.''

 

 

Highs and lows

If the Cleveland Browns' game against the Detroit Lions was a dress rehearsal, than the Browns need to go back to wardrobe, at least for the defense.

Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour writes how last Saturday had moments of brilliance and moments of breakdowns, signs of progress and signs of regression.

Joshua Cribbs showed huge progress as he strives to become a polished receiver with an eye-popping catch on the left sideline in a second-quarter touchdown drive. He deftly pointed both feet to get them inbounds as he pulled in the ball.

 

'Matt' is a passing trend in the NFL: The Book of Norman

0
0

There are 32 teams in the NFL and nearly one-quarter of them — seven — have starting quarterbacks named Matt, observes Norman Chad.

Matthew Stafford Detroit LionsMatthew Stafford is one of 7 quarterbacks in the NFL named Matt.
There are 32 teams in the NFL and nearly one-quarter of them — seven — have starting quarterbacks named Matt.

(This is a statistical anomaly of epic proportions, eclipsed only by this improbable reality: George Foreman has five sons, and each one is named George.)

Here’s a rundown of the unusual suspects: - Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs.

- Matt    Hasselbeck,    Seattle    Seahawks.

- Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals.

- Matt Moore, Carolina Panthers.

- Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons.

- Matt Schaub, Houston Texans.

- Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions.

Often in life, your name defines your lifestyle. What, Albert Einstein was going to be a male stripper? Hercules was going to be an actu- ary? Lady Gaga was going to be a librarian? And, apparently, if your name is Matthew, you’re more likely to be standing behind center than sitting behind a desk.

In actuality, it’s a motley crew of Matts. Only one of them has ever made the Super Bowl as a starter (Hasselbeck). Only one other has ever started a playoff game (Ryan). The rest of them — save for Moore’s 6-2 mark — have losing records as starters. And Leinart still might get benched.

Still, in a league of Donovans and Carsons and Trents, how can seven starting quarterbacks share the same mundane, albeit common, name?

In the 26-year period from 1981 to 2006, Matthew was annually in the top five most popular baby names in the United States. Last year it dropped to 13th, due in part to Stafford’s 61.0 passer rating.

(By contrast, let’s look at the Mannings: Peyton last year was 147th on the baby-name list, up from 950th 20 years ago; Eli last year was 90th, up from 353rd 20 years ago. I guess
we should all be thankful that Yo-Yo Ma has never won a Super Bowl.)

There is some commonality among the Matts. Two of them — Hasselbeck and Ryan—went to Boston College. And two of them — Leinart and Cassel — went to USC; in fact, Cassel backed up Leinart in college.

(Speaking of which, I must briefly mention my ill-fated Player of Destiny from last year, USC’s Matt Barkley — yes, another Matt who one day may be an NFL starting quarterback. I forecast him as the Heisman Trophy winner as a freshman; I’m not even sure he watched the Heisman show. He is dead to me.)

Anyway, Couch Slouch’s research team — which consists of my friend Vinnie, when he’s not cutting coupons, and my wife, Toni, when she’s not shredding me to bits — looked into the history of common first names in various industries. They discovered that there are two professions — musicians and criminals — that share the NFL quarterbacks’ first-name repetition:

Classical composers: Franz Berwald, Franz Joseph Hayden, Franz Lehar, Franz Lizst, Franz Schmidt, Franz von Suppe.

Pop singers: Michael Bolton, Michael Bublé, Michael Jackson, Michael McDonald.

Mob bosses: “Joe Bananas” Bonanno, Joe Colombo, Joey “Crazy Joe” Gallo, Joe “Fat Man” Magliocco, Joe “The Old Man” Profaci, Giuseppe “Joe The Boss” Masseria.

Outlaws: Billy the Kid, The Apache Kid, The Sundance Kid, Slaughter Kid, Kid Curry, Kid Rock.*

(* Technically, he’s a rapper, but Kid Rock has been arrested on assault and simple battery charges, plus he was married for five months to Pamela Anderson, which, culturally speaking, is an outlaw maneuver.)
 
Anyway, to get back to our so-so quarterbacks, as Scott Brunner once said, “Tis better to have thrown an incomplete pass than never to have thrown a pass at all.”

And let me close with a quotation from one of the gospels, the aptly named Matthew: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Frankly, that sounds like a quarterback.

Ask the Slouch!

Q: I heard you on the radio the other day blasting Tony La Russa. You sounded like an idiot. — J.R. Phillips, Mequon, Wis.

A: First of all, I don’t have to blast Tony La Russa to sound like an idiot. Second of all, it wasn’t me you heard; it must’ve been some poor sap who sounds like me. Third of
all, if I was on the radio, I would’ve blasted La Russa — he’s a good manager but he acts as if he gave birth to Abner Doubleday.

Q: When a TV camera shows the dugout during a team’s at-bat, sometimes there are only two or three players on the bench. What gives? Where is everybody? — Paul Mika, Naples, Fla.

A: Hey, pal, have you ever watched a session of Congress on C-SPAN? That place has more empty seats than a Rod Blagojevich fundraiser.

Q: Would your fifth bride take the name Chad Lococinco? —Jim Mulcahy, Clifton Park, N.Y.

A: Pay the man, Shirley.

Q: Where does Elin Nordegren rank on the PGA career money list? — Joe Schmidt, Cleveland

A: Pay this man, too, Shirley (but send half to his wife).

You, too, can enter the $1.25 Ask The Slouch Cash Giveaway. Just e-mail asktheslouch@aol.com and, if your question is used, you win $1.25 in cash!

Norman Chad is a freelance writer in Los Angeles

Manny Ramirez expected to join White Sox today in Cleveland

0
0

A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Sunday night that Chicago was close to acquiring the slugger from L.A. The White Sox are at Progressive Field to start a three-game series with the Indians tonight.

manny_ramirez.jpgFormer Indians slugger Manny Ramirez is expected to return to the American League with the White Sox.
CHICAGO - Manny Ramirez  helped the Boston Red Sox win the World Series in 2004 and 2007. He powered the Los Angeles Dodgers to the NL West title two years ago with a stellar run at the plate.

The Chicago White Sox are hoping he has one more playoff push left.

Ramirez is expected to join the White Sox on Monday, giving the fading playoff contenders a big boost during a key 10-game road trip, which starts tonight in Cleveland.

A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Sunday night that Chicago was close to acquiring the slugger from L.A. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details were still being worked out, expected the deal to be completed on Monday, but whether it's a trade or waiver claim was still to be determined.

The White Sox are hoping Ramirez will be energized by a change of scenery and can give them a lift similar to the one he provided when he was acquired by the Dodgers in 2008. Los Angeles got Ramirez in a deadline deal that season, and he hit .396 with 17 homers in 53 games to lead the club to the postseason.

But that was two years ago, and the 38-year-old Ramirez has been hampered by right leg injuries this season. The outfielder is batting .311 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in 66 games in 2010.

White Sox general manager Kenny Williams declined comment in an e-mail to the AP. The AP also e-mailed Dodgers GM Ned Colletti seeking comment.

Ramirez's salary is $20 million in the final season of a two-year contract, but only $5 million is due this year, with the rest to be paid over the next three years. He also has a full no-trade clause.

The White Sox were awarded a waiver claim on Ramirez last week, giving them until 1:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday to complete a trade with the Dodgers. Or Los Angeles could let him go and the White Sox would simply assume his salary.

Those details were still being worked out, with Chicago likely trying for a trade that would include cash to offset part of Ramirez's salary.

The White Sox (70-60) have lost nine of 14 and 13 of 20 to fall 4½ games back of AL Central-leading Minnesota with three games left in the season series between the teams. Interestingly enough, the first two stops on their 10-game trip are Cleveland and Boston, two of Ramirez's former clubs.

"We know what time it is," second baseman Gordon Beckham said after Sunday's 2-1 loss to the New York Yankees. "September is around the corner and we have to make a push."

Ramirez likely would become the designated hitter in Chicago, especially considering his recent fragile history. He returned Aug. 21 from his third stint on the DL this year.

The 12-time All-Star became a fan favorite when he arrived in Los Angeles, with a section of seats named in his honor at Chavez Ravine and wigs that mimicked his dreadlocks suddenly becoming fashionable. Ramirez performed so well down the stretch during his first season in Los Angeles that the Dodgers signed him to a two-year, $45 million contract.

The injuries and last season's 50-game suspension following a failed drug test soured his stay, and Ramirez hasn't spoken to reporters since spring training, when he said this would be his final season in L.A.

The Dodgers (67-64) could have kept Ramirez to bolster their chances of making the postseason. They won four straight last week to move closer to a playoff spot, then lost consecutive games at Colorado over the weekend to slip back.

Los Angeles is fourth in the NL West, 10 games back of first-place San Diego, and trails wild card-leading Philadelphia by 6½ games.

Ramirez, who hasn't started a game since Wednesday at Milwaukee, entered Sunday's 10-5 loss as a pinch hitter and was ejected after arguing a called strike on the only pitch he saw.

Talk Browns with Tony Grossi Monday at noon

0
0

Join us for the a live Browns chat today at noon with The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi. We'll talk about the game in Detroit and look ahead to the final preseason game on Thursday night as Tony answers your Browns questions.

Tony Grossi new headshot use this oneChat live with Tony Grossi every Monday at noon.

Join us for the a live Browns chat today at noon with The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi.

We'll talk about the game in Detroit and look ahead to the final preseason game on Thursday night as Tony answers your Browns questions.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Tony's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.






Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images