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Ohio State Buckeyes A.M. Links: Unknown Marshall offense; defense can't rest; like grandfather, like grandson

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The biggest challenge for Ohio State in its game against Marshall is trying to figure out the possible offensive scheme of the Thundering Herd. Marshall has a new coach in Doc Holliday and a new offensive coordinator in Bill Legg. All the Buckeyes can go on is what Marshall might do, writes Columbus Dispatch reporter Tim May. "It's difficult,"...

cameron-heyward-pressure-against-penn-state.jpgOhio State defensive end Cameron Heyward puts pressure on Penn State's quarterback Daryll Clark.

The biggest challenge for Ohio State in its game against Marshall is trying to figure out the possible offensive scheme of the Thundering Herd.

Marshall has a new coach in Doc Holliday and a new offensive coordinator in Bill Legg. All the Buckeyes can go on is what Marshall might do, writes Columbus Dispatch reporter Tim May.

"It's difficult," cornerback Chimdi Chekwa said. "You go back to where the new staff coached before and you watch their offense. Then you go back to last year's film [of Marshall] and you watch their offense. Then you put all that together."

So the Buckeyes no doubt have watched video of Purdue's offense when Legg was there in the mid-2000s as co-offensive coordinator under "basketball on grass" coach Joe Tiller. They've checked out the diverse attack that included some wildcat plays that Legg orchestrated the past two years as offensive coordinator at Florida International.

May also writes how the Buckeyes probably dug up video from last year of South Dakota, where Marshall quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Tony Petersen worked as an assistant. Before that, he was co-coordinator at Minnesota when school record-setting quarterbacks Bryan Cupito and Asad Abdul-Khaliq were there, and then was an assistant at wide-open Iowa State in 2007.

"We just have to be ready for anything," defensive end Cameron Heyward said. "Marshall is coming in with the mentality that they're going to upset us. They're not going to sit back and just let us win. So it's going to be a fun game. I'm looking forward to it."

 

Defense can't rest

The Buckeyes had one of the best defenses in the nation last season, so with seven returning staters back on defense this coming season, Ohio State should not have any problems when it comes to its defense this year, right?

Middle linebacker Brian Rolle says to The Toledo Blade:

"Satisfied? We're never satisfied," Rolle said recently as Ohio State started to fine-tune things in advance of Thursday's season-opener against Marshall.  We're doing a good job of getting it where we need to be. We'll see how good we can get."

 

Following in his footsteps

Zach Smith, the grandson of former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce,  is a first-year assistant coach at Marhall, which opens the college football season at Ohio State on Thursday.

In The Columbus Dispatch:

 "Whether you're qualified to be a full-time coach or not, there's something that you learn only as a full-time coach, and that's being on the road recruiting," he said, "and that's something that when you're at Ohio State or Florida, you just don't want to learn on the run because it's such a vital part of being successful.

"I knew that's what Urban's viewpoint was, so that's why I left. It was time for me to go. I'd been there for five years and I loved my five years and I learned a ton. But it was time to get my own group of players and start recruiting guys and really get out there and solidify myself as a position coach as opposed to a graduate assistant. And coach Holliday was definitely the guy I wanted to go with and work for."

The band was Smith's earliest memory of Ohio State football. He said he vividly remembers it playing on his grandfather's front lawn, saluting Bruce, after he was fired as coach in 1987. Smith was 3.

 

Marshall assisant knows both roles

Marshall assistant football coach Bill Legg has been on both sidelines when it comes to season openers, writes Herald-Dispatch reporter Dave Walsh.

Legg's school is either the overwhelming favorite or a huge underdog. Marshall is at least a four touchdown underdog to Ohio State for Thursday's game.

As an assistant with Purdue, he opened at home against Bowling Green in 2003 and BG stunned the Boilermakers, 27-26. In 2005, Purdue walloped Akron, 59-24, in the opener.

For Legg, underdogs can't be taken for granted and favorites come in all business.

"I don't know if it's a ton different," the Herd's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach said after practice Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. "I will say this. There's no question It's easier to get excited about playing a team that nobody thinks you can beat. It's probably a little harder to get excited about playing a team you should beat. At the same time, good football teams, and Ohio State is a good football team, good coaching staffs, good programs, they show up and play every week."

 


Your Space: Your photos from High School Football, Week 1

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What's going on at your high school? Go to cleveland.com/yourspace to send your pictures of varsity teams from your school. We'll publish the best picture each Tuesday in The Plain Dealer, and the entire photo gallery is featured on cleveland.com.

What's going on at your high school? Go to cleveland.com/yourspace to send your pictures of varsity teams from your school. We'll publish the best picture each Tuesday in The Plain Dealer, and the entire photo gallery is featured on cleveland.com.

Gallery preview

Want your photo featured online or in the newspaper? Click here to get started!



Cleveland Browns safety Nick Sorensen suffered concussion, will sit vs. Bears

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Browns safety Nick Sorensen will sit out Thursday's preseason finale against the Bears with a concussion suffered Saturday in Detroit.

 

sorenson-injured-lions-ap.jpgNick Sorensen will rest awhile with a concussion after a severe blow to the head in Detroit.

CLEVELAND -- Browns safety Nick Sorensen suffered a concussion in Detroit Saturday night and will sit out the final preseason game Thursday night against the Bears.

Coach Eric Mangini said Sorensen will be "resting for awhile'' after a violent helmet-to-helmet collision with two Detroit players.

Sorensen, a key special teams player, was immobilized and carted off the field. He spent time in a Detroit hospital for further evaluation, but went home that night. Sunday, he visited the Browns facility for evaluation but went home to rest and still had a headache.

The NFL has begun taking concussions very seriously, with players being kept out of action longer and being more closely monitored than ever before.

 

Cleveland Browns' changes at QB have bolstered players' belief in themselves, says Bud Shaw (Starting Blocks TV)

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PD columnist says Browns players believe problems of 2009 were QB-related, and that they think they can win in 2010.

jake-delhomme-lions.jpgJake Delhomme has changed attitudes in the Browns locker room this preseason, says PD columnist Bud Shaw.

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Branson Wright and Chuck Yarborough, who played golf a round of golf (nine holes) together for the first time Sunday (Branson shot 68, Chuck shot 45).


Let's go to today's show highlights:


• The Browns look like a different team this preseason when compared to a year ago, but there are still some areas of concern. Today's guest on SBTV, Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw, says he would like to see more playmakers step up on defense. Where do you see the team's biggest need for improvement? Vote in the poll now posted on the Starting Blocks blog.


• Bud also says that the change at quarterback this season - with Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace replacing Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn - has done more than just improve the offense. Bud says it has also helped the team leave behind their awful 2009 start, because the players believe many of their problems last season were of the quarterbacks' doing. Bud says Delhomme and Wallace have revitalized the players' belief in themselves heading into the regular-season.


SBTV will return Tuesday morning with Plain Dealer sports writer Dennis Manoloff as the guest..




Boston College's Mark Herzlich returns to field after battle with cancer

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Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich has become an inspiration to his teammates after battling Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. This story in The New York Daily News is about Herzlich, an all-American linebacker,  who had a tumor in his left femur. A 12-inch titanium rod was inserted in his leg for support. Rehabilitation has been measured in leaps. At first,...

mark.jpgBoston College cancer survivor Mark Herzlich

Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich has become an inspiration to his teammates after battling Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer.

This story in The New York Daily News is about Herzlich, an all-American linebacker,  who had a tumor in his left femur. A 12-inch titanium rod was inserted in his leg for support. Rehabilitation has been measured in leaps.

At first, he could barely hop; now he performs left-legged box jumps, skips rope and sprints on a stationary bike. The cancer is in remission. Over Fourth of July weekend, he stood on one leg as he water-skied at Lake Placid.

"Some of what he does on the field seems supernatural," says Jason Loscalzo, B.C.'s strength and conditioning coach.

When he stepped on the grass the first day of spring practice last March, head coach Frank Spaziani, his former defensive coordinator, asked Herzlich how he felt.

"Annoyingly good," Herzlich said, knowing he'd still be reined in for caution.

Cancer has taken Herzlich down an unexpected path, writes Kevin Armstrong. At charity event sites that included the Kennedy family's compound in Hyannisport on Cape Cod, Herzlich met Miss USA Rima Fakih, played in Tom Brady's flag football game, and chatted with actor Verne Troyer (starred as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers movies) and country singer Kenny Chesney.

Sister Barbara Anne Hallman, a septuagenarian in South Bend keeps vigil for Herzlich at the Convent of Our Holy Angels. She learned of his diagnosis on the Internet and struck up a pen-pal relationship with him, punctuating missives with inspirational words and images of innocence like fawns at her first-floor window.

"God has your back," she wrote in her latest letter two weeks ago. She hangs a photo of him in uniform above her bed and another of him and his brother, Brad, a Brown freshman, with the Labrador they bought their parents for Christmas last season on her desk. She has a Google alert set for his name.

"I guess you can say I'm, what do you call it, a groupie?" she says.



 

Tony Grossi talks Browns - Podcast

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What should we watch for Thursday night? Could Colt McCoy really get cut? Tony Grossi tackled those questions and more in his weekly chat today

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

What should we watch for Thursday night? Could Colt McCoy really get cut?

Tony Grossi tackled those questions and more in his weekly chat today on cleveland.com.

Among the other topics discussed:

- Could Joe Haden push Sheldon Brown to safety this season?

- Are you concerned about Jerome Harrison's preseason performance?

- Do you trust what you've seen from Jake Delhomme so far following a bad season in Carolina?

- Would not having Jim Brown at the first Ring of Honor ceremony make the event any less special?


- And much more!

Click on the play button below to listen or download the MP3 podcast here to listen on the go.


Cleveland Browns quarterback Seneca Wallace thinks Ndamukong Suh's foul against Jake Delhomme warrants suspension

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Browns quarterback Seneca Wallace thinks Ndamukong Suh's foul against Jake Delhomme Saturday night was flagrant enough to warrant a suspension by the NFL office.


Cleveland Browns lose to Detroit Lions, 35-27Detroit's Ndamukong Suh may hear from the NFL after grabbing Jake Delhomme by the face mask, twisting his neck and then flinging him to the ground headfirst.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Seneca Wallace thinks Lions rookie Ndamukong Suh twisting quarterback Jake Delhomme's head and then whipping him to the ground headfirst Saturday night in Detroit was flagrant enough to warrant a suspension by the NFL office.


 Browns coach Eric Mangini said the Browns will ask the NFL to look into the incident, but that he imagines they'd do so even without an inquiry.


 "He already face masked him, then he grabs him by the neck, twists it and throws him down,'' said Wallace. "To me, that's something you can get suspended for, I think.''


Wallace said the move was "a little over the top as far as a personal foul goes. I understand the face mask part. But he horse-collared him and threw him down. We laughed about it, but that stuff can get people really hurt.''


With about nine minutes left in the second quarter of Detroit's 35-27 victory, Suh grabbed Delhomme by the face mask, yanked on it, then grabbed his head and twisted it before flinging him to the ground. Suh received a 15-yard face mask penalty for the infraction.


 Mangini said he anticipates the NFL will review it.


"We will [send in the tape] but I have to imagine that whether we did or not, I'm  sure they'll look at it closely,'' he said.


 Mangini went on to say that he liked Suh, the No. 2 overall pick, when he interviewed him and worked him out during the predraft process.


 "When I met the kid, he was a good kid,'' said Mangini. "I don't think he's a malicious guy from what I know about him. Just a poor decision.''


 Should he have been thrown out of the game?


"He put the quarterback at risk, but I'm not the official,'' Mangini said. "You don't want to see that at any point, but my experience with him in the draft process is that he's a good kid.''


Delhomme said Sunday that the officials handled it during the game and that it was up to the league. "I'm just glad we got the first down,'' he said with a smile.


 Delhomme went on to throw a TD pass two plays later.

Forget Euclid, get ready for Mentor: football blog with Strongsville High's Ray Hamilton


Week 2 high school football You Pick the Game contest: Cast your vote

Ohio State DE Nathan Williams out for Marshall game; Jim Tressel on OSU-Michigan: Video

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Williams, coming back from a left knee injury, is expected to be ready for Miami in week two.

Quick notes from Jim Tressel's news conference today:


• Tressel opened by mentioning the e-mails he has been receiving from fans about the future scheduling of the Ohio State-Michigan game. He basically said he was going to support what's best for the league while saying he wouldn't publicly disagree with what is decided. It was easy to read between the lines -- he doesn't like the idea of Ohio State and Michigan moving away from the end of the regular season, but he's not going to rock the boat.


• Defensive end Nathan Williams, who hurt his left knee 16 days ago, is out for Thursday's opener with Marshall. Solomon Thomas will replace him in the starting lineup, but Tressel said he expected Williams will be ready for Miami. Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa has also been limited in practice so far this week and his status for Thursday hasn't been decided.


• Tressel said he would suggest [I'll take that as it's going to happen] that the punt returners Thursday should be Jordan Hall and freshman Corey "Philly" Brown, with Hall and Jaamal Berry as the kick returners. That's a move away from veterans like DeVier Posey, Dane Sanzenbacher, Dan Herron and Brandon Saine. I like it - it's a chance to get some exciting young guys who otherwise may not get much playing time on the field.


• Tressel and the players emphasized how little they know about what Marshall will do since the Thundering Herd has a new coaching staff this season.


• Tressel said C.J. Barnett beating out Orhian Johnson for a starting safety spot was a matter of Johnson missing about 12 practices with a leg injury and Barnett taking advantage of the opportunity. Johnson is practicing fully now, and Tressel said that battle will continue.

Jim Tressel on Ohio State-Michigan

Maurice Clarett signs with UFL's Omaha Nighthawks

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Maurice Clarett is back on a football field; the former Ohio State star has signed with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL.

maurice-clarett-ap.JPGView full sizeMaurice Clarett is back in football. The one-year sensation for Ohio State who was freed from prison after serving time for armed robbery has signed with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL.
Maurice Clarett is back on a football field ... and it's not for "The Longest Yard III." The former Buckeyes star, who served three years in prison for a pair of armed robberies, has signed with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL.

Mike Florio, who writes for profootballtalk.com, said that Clarett had to earn his spot on the team and is getting no special recognition -- or treatment -- for his lone year of college heroics, in which he led Ohio State to the 2002 national championship.

We're told that the UFL's fifth franchise has agreed to terms with running back Maurice Clarett, a day after Clarett received a tryout with the Omaha Nighthawks. 

The one-year Ohio State star last played football in January 2003.  He was suspended by the Buckeyes for his sophomore season, and Clarett sued the NFL for the right to enter the 2004 draft.  Despite initial success, he eventually lost both the case and any remaining college eligibility.

In 2005, the Broncos picked Clarett with the last selection in round three of the draft.  He didn't survive the preseason roster cuts.

On January 1, 2006, Clarett allegedly was involved in two separate armed robberies.  Later that year, a police chase ended with Clarett being Tasered and maced.  He spent more than three years in prison after striking a plea deal, and he was released earlier this year.

P.M. Cleveland Browns links: Losing games that don't count is offset by new-found confidence

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The Browns have lost their last two preseason games, but feel much better about the team than they did a year ago. Also, Jake Delhomme and Ndamukong Suh, Shaun Lauvao, and more.

peyton-hillis.jpgFirst-year Browns such as running back Peyton Hillis have brought a new confidence to the team.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Winning an NFL exhibition...sorry, preseason...game means little.

Losing a couple doesn't matter much, either.

Maintaining health, roster decisions and trying to establish some consistency and efficiency on the offense, defense and special teams are much more important than practice-game final socres.

The Cleveland Browns, after winning their first preseason contest, have lost their last two, including Saturday's 35-27 decision at Detroit against the Lions. They finish the preseason schedule on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Stadium, then prepare for the Sept. 12 season opener on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Steve Doerschuk writes for the Canton Repository that despite an oh-fer in the win column for the Browns the last two weeks, there is now a confidence within the team that was lacking in 2009 -- when the Browns began the regular season 1-11.

Doerschuk writes (referring to quarterback Jake Delhomme and tight end Ben Watson):

Guys like Delhomme, Watson and Peyton Hillis aren’t strapped to any same-old-Browns baggage. They’re looking for adventure as first-timers in Cleveland.

“You can definitely feel a new breath of fresh air, like some good things are going to happen,” said Hillis, a bruising back. “I think we can produce a lot. We have great talent across the board.”

Browns covered

The Plain Dealer and the Browns' cleveland.com/browns section on the PD website continues to cover the Browns.

Coverage includes PD Browns beat writer Tony Grossi's report that Jim Brown won't attend the Browns Ring of Honor ceremony; PD Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot's report on the controversial tackle of Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme by Detroit's Ndamukong Suh; Grossi's podcast; Cabot's report on the concussion suffered by Browns safety Nick Sorenson; Cabot's story about Delhomme's preseason performance; columnist Bud Shaw's opinions on the Browns in his Starting Blocks TV visit.

Take care

The Browns have committed a slew of turnovers in the last two games. Running back Jerome Harrison protected the football well last season, but he's been hit with a sudden case of fumble-itis.

Don Delco writes about the turnovers for the Orange and Brown Report on Scout.com, quoting Harrison:

“All coach (Mangini) said to me was to just take care of the ball,” Harrison said. “(Fumbles are) not me and not a part of my game. He just tapped me on the back and said, ‘Take care of it.’”

In three games, Harrison has 23 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown. Last season, Harrison finished with a career-high 862 yards on 194 carries, five touchdowns and two fumbles.

Shawn Lauvao contains Suh

On the blog WaitingForNextYear, Rick writes that Browns rookie guard and third-round draft pick Shawn Lauvao held his own against the Lions' Ndamukong Suh, the second overall pick last April:

Suh used a variety of moves against Lauvao and Shawn was ready. I thought his footwork was excellent most of the time, and he used his hips well against the bull rush. In the running game he even got movement on the bigger Suh. Watch Hillis’ touchdown run (if you can find it, I couldn’t online) and see the push Lauvao gets against Suh. It was fantastic.

Rick also writes that Lauvao gave a great effort on the play that Suh made his dirty hit on Delhomme.

Two-minute warning

The Canton Repository's Steve Doerschuk writes about tight end Evan Moore.

Don Delco's Browns notes, including one about the right side of the offensive line, for the Orange and Brown Report on Scout.com.

The Chicago Bears -- the Browns' opponent on Thursday night -- have some problems, writes Kevin Seifert for ESPN.com.

Ndamukong Suh needs to check the NFL rules, Doug Farrar writes for Yahoo! Sports.

A Sports Xchange report on Josh Cribbs for the Orange and Brown Report section on Scout.com.

Matt Florjancic writes for ClevelandBrowns.com about Jake Delhomme and about the Browns' ground crew.

The daily Browns blog on Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

 

 

   

 

  

U.S. men's basketball team tops Brazil, 70-68, in a world championships game behind Kevin Durant's 27 points

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Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao, resting a sprained ankle, didn't play for Brazil. Leandro Barbosa's would-be game-tying hoop rattled off the rim at the buzzer.

kevin-love-leandro-barbosa.jpgBrazil's Leandro Barbosa tries to score what would have been the game-tying basket over the United States' Kevin Love, but Barbosa's shot rattled off the rim, clinching the 70-68 U.S. win.

Istanbul -- The United States survived its first tough test at the world championships, edging Brazil 70-68 on Monday when Leandro Barbosa's shot rattled out at the buzzer.

Kevin Durant scored 27 points and Chauncey Billups added 15 for the Americans (3-0), who essentially clinched Group B with the victory. But this was further proof that a world title won't come easily for this young U.S. team -- if it comes at all.

After the Americans trailed most of the first 2½ quarters, Lamar Odom's dunk with 7:14 left put them ahead 64-62. But they couldn't build on the lead during a tense final few minutes, and Brazil had two chances to send the game to overtime.

Following a miss by Billups, Brazil got the ball and Marcelo Huertas was fouled on a drive to the basket with 3.5 seconds remaining. He missed the first free throw and then the second intentionally, tracking it down in the corner and firing it underneath to Barbosa, who put up a shot over Kevin Love, only to have it bounce off the back and front of the rim.

Barbosa finished with 14 points after a strong start for Brazil (2-1). Marcus Vinicius scored 16, and Tiago Splitter had 13 while battling foul trouble in the second half.

With NBA big men Nene, Anderson Varejao and Splitter, Brazil was considered one of the teams with enough size to topple the undersized Americans. Nene had to pull out with an injury and Varejao sat out again while continuing to rest a sprained right ankle, so the Brazilians turned to a speed game to lead for much of the game.

They just couldn't finish the upset, leaving the Americans needing only a victory over Iran or Tunisia, the bottom two teams in Group B, or another Brazil loss to earn the top seed from the group and three full days off before meeting the No. 4 seed from Group A on Sept. 6.

The Americans have plenty to work on before worrying about that, after needing a huge night from Durant and 31 minutes from Billups, the old man of the team at 33, to pull this one out.

The U.S. team has none of its 2008 Olympic gold medalists, and nowhere was it more apparent than in the matchup with Barbosa. When the teams last met, in their 2007 Olympic qualifier, Barbosa entered as the tournament's leading scorer before Kobe Bryant led a defensive effort that held him to four points on 1-of-7 shooting in an easy U.S. win.

There's no defenders like Bryant here, and Barbosa took advantage in the first quarter by making two 3-pointers and scoring eight points. Brazil made 12 of its first 16 shots in the period and its first four 3-pointers, streaks that were snapped when Barbosa was just short on a halfcourt heave at the buzzer, leaving them with a 28-22 lead.

Brazil extended its lead to eight early in the second quarter and was still up seven midway through the period, but with Splitter on the bench with two fouls, and Barbosa and Alex Garcia joining him, the Americans cut it to one a couple of times.

Splitter's dunk sent the Brazilians to the half with a 46-43 advantage.

The Americans finally grabbed the lead midway through the third, extending it to 61-55 after consecutive baskets by Durant. Barbosa scored the final four points of the period, though, and pulled Brazil within two heading to the fourth.

The crowd grew solidly behind the underdogs, cheering loudly for Brazil baskets and booing loudly when a small "U-S-A!" chant broke out in the fourth.

Brazil is coached by Ruben Magnano, who guided Argentina to victories over the U.S. in the 2002 worlds and 2004 Olympics, when the Argentines won gold. He nearly authored another upset.

U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski used his reserves liberally in the first two games, but gave much longer runs to the starters Monday after the backups were ineffective during their first stints.

Durant flourished with the extra workload, making four 3-pointers.

The Americans had been pushed at times in their victories over Croatia and Slovenia, but hadn't had to work after halftime. But this tournament isn't expected to be easy for a young U.S. team that lacks the big-game experience of its Olympic predecessors.

And Monday's game proved it won't be.

In health or sickness, Bob Feller remains the heart of Cleveland sports: Bill Livingston

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Bob Feller is fighting leukemia at the age of 91. He will always be one of Cleveland's greatest sports legends.

bob feller.jpgBob Feller has spent much of his life acknowledging the cheers of baseball fans in general and Indians fans in particular. That isn't likely to change even with his diagnosis of leukemia, says Bill Livingston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two years ago, the Indians threw a party in honor of Bob Feller's 90th birthday. The morning was bright and unseasonably warm. If you looked out the sun-filled windows of the Progressive Field restaurant where it was held, you could see rows of trees, their golden leaves unshed in early November.

The Browns were kicking off a few blocks away a couple of hours later. It was the last, deflating season of coach Romeo Crennel. Progressive Field had been silent in October 2008. After almost reaching the World Series in 2007, the Tribe had fallen with a thud the next year. Much the same had happened with the Browns, who had won 10 games in 2007.

On the distant horizon was the free agency of the Cavaliers' LeBron James. This spring and summer, we found out what his commitment to the city amounted to.

Feller, however, was always around. He dropped by spring training. He was a key attraction in the Indians' fantasy camp because, in all of baseball history, only Walter "Big Train" Johnson and Nolan Ryan had fastballs that rivaled Feller's. He showed up in the press box to watch the new kids play. A statue of Feller stood outside the park, but Feller himself, garrulous and assertive, was available in the third row of the press box in real life many nights.

Feller and Jim Brown are Cleveland's living representatives in sports legend. Sometimes, Brown has been around town, usually when he is paid to be, and sometimes, he is not. Currently, he is not.

But Feller? Why, he would wave you over to his table in the dining room before a game to deliver a comment that was certain to be provocative and unconventional.

He is rounding the bend and closing in on 92 now, and Sunday he revealed that he is fighting leukemia. He still hasn't lost anything off the fastball that gave him the nickname "Rapid" Robert. I've never had a conversation with him I didn't enjoy. I've had many in which I learned something.

The most memorable exchange came during the 1995 season.

"I'm afraid we have a few sluggers who are pretty easy to strike out," Feller said.

"Who would that be?" I said.

"Albert Belle, Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez," Feller said, as my eyes widened.

"How would you pitch to them, Bob?" I asked.

"Bust a fastball under their chin, then a slider on the outside corner," Feller said.

"Piece of cake," his tone said.

I awoke the next day to find that callers to the talk shows felt Feller and I were giving inside information to the enemy.

Of course, "busting a fastball under the chin" will get a pitcher warned or ejected these days. And if anyone can consistently hit the outside corner with a slider, well, their names would have been Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine of the Atlanta Braves, at least if National League umpires were behind the plate.

The outcry was amusing because Feller has always been chief among Indians partisans.

In the 1995 World Series, the decorous quiet, fastidiously observed by the deep thinkers and tormented artists in the press box, was disrupted by a burst of cheering in the front row one night. No one said a word about Feller's whoop of glee as the Indians took the lead. We all knew that, if anybody on earth was entitled to cheer for those longtime sad sacks, the Indians, it was Feller.

By 2007, eyeing with severe disapproval the Yankees cap LeBron James wore during the New York-Cleveland playoff series, Feller said he was going to wear a cap of the Detroit Pistons, the Cavaliers' arch-rivals at the time, to a Cavs game and sit behind the home bench. He was almost 89. Even then, I would have advised James not to dig in too deeply at the plate against him.

Some thought Feller ungracious when he said of Washington phenom Stephen Strasburg, after he handcuffed the Indians this year, "Check back with me when he's won a hundred games." But the ligament-transplant surgery Strasburg faces now simply shows that the remark was Feller's longer view of the kid as a baseball man.

Feller would have gotten to 300 wins -- piece of cake -- except he enlisted in the Navy, two days after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He saw combat in the North Atlantic and the Pacific. He lost 3 1/2 years out of the prime of his career.

Getting to 100 years? A whole city will be rooting for him. He's Cleveland's own, our piece of forever.

Willoughby South's Patrick Nicely eager for first full season as Akron Zips' QB

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Through a tough preseason camp, Patrick Nicely only saw the bright side of fighting to be Akron's starting QB.

akron-nicely-abj-vert.jpgAs a freshman filling in at quarterback for the final eight games of the season (including seven starts) Patrick Nicely completed 120 of 222 passes for 1,349 yards, with six TDs and six interceptions for the Akron Zips.

AKRON, Ohio -- The old saying is that possession is nine-tenths of the law. So when it comes to being the Akron Zips' starting quarterback, QB Patrick Nicely has a blunt answer when asked about his competition against junior Matt Rodgers.

"[Rodgers] is a good quarterback," Nicely began. "I'm not saying anything bad about him. But this is my job."

Last Wednesday, first-year head coach Rob Ianello made it official: Nicely is indeed the No.1. Through a tough preseason camp that included challenges with the new pro-style offense, the product of Willoughby South only saw the bright side.

"I think I'm doing a real good job," the 6-4, 215-pound sophomore said.

This swagger comes on the heels of Nicely surviving a tough 3-9 season in 2009, culminating with the firing of coach J.D. Brookhart.

Ianello brings a pro-style offense with him, a distinct change from the spread Akron ran under Brookhart -- an offense favored by most head coaches in the pass-happy Mid-American Conference.

Last season, as a true freshman, Nicely took over after four games of turmoil. Original starter Chris Jacquemain was mysteriously dismissed from the team. Rodgers was injured in the line of duty. Nicely finished 2-5 as a starter, including a big win over rival Kent State. It was Nicely's best game, as he completed 19 of 34 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

On the season, Nicely completed 120 of 222 passes for 1,349 yards, with six TDs and six interceptions.

Ianello entered this season facing the age-old conundrum for many first-year head coaches: Should he adapt his offense to the personnel on hand and wait to recruit players who fit his system? Or should he change immediately, which may put some square pegs in round holes?

Ianello decided on a bit of both.

"Our offensive system is one where we fit the system to the personnel," Ianello said. "But I do believe that our quarterback has to be able to be under center, because we are not a spread team. You have to be under center because now, the defense will always have to defend the run. We will be in the [shot]gun, but I'm a believer that you've got to be able to get that center-quarterback exchange done, and we will."

Throughout spring drills, Nicely struggled in that regard, as more than one center-QB exchange was botched.

During preseason camp, the snap has gone much better, but the transition was slowed even more by the fact all three centers were injured during one week of practice, pushing Akron's first scrimmage back by at least three days.

Nicely admits it has not been easy.

"I dive into this opportunity," he said. "This is a great opportunity. I'm jumping at the chance to run a pro-style offense."

In the first scrimmage, Nicely cleanly handled every snap and threw numerous strikes to his receivers. If that was his first hurdle toward taking a firm grasp of the job, the future clearly looks better than the past.

"The transition was difficult," Nicely admitted. "I was used to standing back and seeing the whole field from a different perspective. It feels like I'm a lot closer to the line. The big guys are right there. ... It's harder than the shotgun, because it's the rhythm of the drop. Here it's more the footwork, and getting to time up with your wide receivers."

The result is all eyes will be on the quarterback as the Ianello regime begins, and on the rookie coach to see how he transitions this team from what it was to what he wants it to be.

Nicely has no doubt about his role.

"I'm the leader," Nicely said. "Listen to me and that's how it's going to be. I'm not backing down from anything."


Cavaliers Comment of the Day: Team still has talent

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"There is talent here. I know they don't have enough to make a playoff impact, but we didn't do much in the playoffs the last three years, either. The key to this season will be what they do with the $14.5 million trade exception they got in the deal for you-know-who. They still need a focal point. They just don't need another prima donna." - larryscheap

Cavs lose to Orlando Magic, 98-92View full sizeMo Williams is one of the players the Cavaliers will need to step up if they want to be a playoff team this coming season.

In response to the story Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about the Browns' return on Kellen Winslow deal, Carlos Santana's short season and new demands for Cavs' Mo Williams, cleveland.com reader larryscheap thinks the Cavaliers can have a strong season in 2010-2011. This reader writes,

"There is talent here. I know they don't have enough to make a playoff impact, but we didn't do much in the playoffs the last three years, either. The key to this season will be what they do with the $14.5 million trade exception they got in the deal for you-know-who. They still need a focal point. They just don't need another prima donna."

To respond to larryscheap's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Ohio State Comment of the Day: Berry a special talent

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"Jamaal is a beast and, when it is all said and done, they won't be able to keep him off the field, though it may be next year. It's nice to have depth, but these guys need repetition to find a groove. Jamaal has the best vision and natural instinct as a runner and he has breakaway explosiveness." - nattylight

Jaamall-Berry-osu-running-back.jpgView full sizeJaamal Berry.

In response to the story Talented Ohio State running back Jamaal Berry sees roadblocks ahead, cleveland.com reader nattylight thinks Berry can be something special. This reader writes,

"Jamaal is a beast and, when it is all said and done, they won't be able to keep him off the field, though it may be next year. It's nice to have depth, but these guys need repetition to find a groove. Jamaal has the best vision and natural instinct as a runner and he has breakaway explosiveness."

To respond to nattylight's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Browns Comment of the Day: What's the big fuss over the Muni lot?

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"The Muni lots open at 4 a.m.? I never knew that. I like a beer and brat as much as the next guy, but if there are people that wake up at 3 a.m. (or just don't go to sleep) to get to the lot at 4 a.m., they should be required to attend AA meetings. I usually get up there around 9 and that is plenty of time." - trb09

Muni LotView full sizeThe Muni Lot is where many Browns fans like to start their gamedays.

In response to the story No tailgating before sunrise? What is this world coming to? Bud Shaw's Sunday Sports Spin, cleveland.com reader trb09 doesn't get the fuss over the new Muni lot opening time. This reader writes,

"The Muni lots open at 4 a.m.? I never knew that. I like a beer and brat as much as the next guy, but if there are people that wake up at 3 a.m. (or just don't go to sleep) to get to the lot at 4 a.m., they should be required to attend AA meetings. I usually get up there around 9 and that is plenty of time."

To respond to trb09's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

For Glenville football to be super, players must accept leadership roles: Tim Warsinskey's Take

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Glenville needs its players to be super leaders without assuming super powers.

cardale-jones-mug-lt.jpgGlenville QB Cardale Jones led an impressive comeback in the Tarblooders' opening victory of the season in Indiana, but coach Ted Ginn is looking for more from his veteran players.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Super powers originated in Glenville, but as mighty as the Glenville football team might seem, the Tarblooders are not bulletproof, they cannot fly and they do not stop speeding trains.

Having at least a dozen college scholarship-worthy seniors back from a team that reached last year's state final, Glenville coach Ted Ginn Sr. worries his players might assume they not only live in Superman's neighborhood, but their red and black uniforms make them invulnerable.

"It's not a situation where you just show up and you play football and you win," Ginn said. "We've had some success, and with the success brings pressure, but also the same pressure requires work. The success we had prior to them was the result of a lot of work. There's a story behind all the praise. There's some accountability and some buy-in on both sides.

"You've got to buy into the program. You continue that every year and you hope the class prior left the program as they found it. It's been tough the last few years, and it requires the coaches to do a lot leading."

The last comment is telling. Ginn is frustrated. He has been harping on his team all summer that with this season's increased expectations and attention -- they are nationally ranked and play on national TV next Monday against Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer High School -- powerful leadership is required. He is not yet satisfied, but was encouraged by Saturday's dramatic, last-minute win at Indianapolis Warren Central.

"In order to fight, you had to have some type of leadership as a team. They showed that character," Ginn said. "At a certain point, the quarterback [Cardale Jones] showed some leadership, and at certain times he didn't. As a whole, we kept fighting."

Ginn sites wide receiver/defensive back Shane Wynn as one of the team's strongest leaders by example. Wynn readily admits he is not the vocal leader Ginn wants.

"Me, Cordale, Malik Moore, Aundrey Walker and Andre Sturdivant are leaders," he said. "Malik is the vocal leader, and so is Cardale. Really, they're all vocal except for me. I'd rather show and be a helping leader. I want to make sure they're in class, and in school on time and make sure they stay out of trouble."

While Superman is a work of fiction created in Jerry Siegel's tiny Kimbery Avenue bedroom, just a mile from the Glenville Academic Campus, what Ginn wants his boys to maintain in Glenville on and off the field is real and permanent, albeit tenuous, in a community that so loves its team, they threw it a parade despite losing in last year's state final.

"I'm trying to hold on to something that took a lot of hard work and it's getting to be harder because of the expectations -- the expectations I have, and the example of hope we can provide for this city and community," he said. "Some of the kids don't think that's important as long as they can play football and win the game."

In short, Ginn is looking for players who will be men of today and, as Superman was known, "Men of Tomorrow."

Montario Hardesty's preseason debut adds more intrigue to Cleveland Browns' backfield battle

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Heading into the final preseason game, the Browns are not sure who's their feature running back or the final makeup of the position.

hardesty-practice-jg.jpgIdled with a knee bruise for all of training camp, Montario Hardesty will finally get a chance to confirm the praise he has received from teammates and coaches when he takes the field Thursday in the Browns' final preseason game against Chicago.

BEREA, Ohio -- Montario Hardesty's preseason debut Thursday night against the Chicago Bears will be watched closely by fans, coaches, the GM, the club president -- and teammates.

Everybody wants to know what the Browns' rookie running back from Tennessee brings to the table.

"Most definitely. I would love to see that. If he shows up, I'm happy," said Chris Jennings.

"I've seen him at minicamp and OTAs and he definitely can explode at the hole, I'll tell you that," said James Davis.

"I'm a fan of Montario," said Jerome Harrison. "He was good in college. We trained a little bit in off-season. He's a great athlete, great young man and I'm excited for him to be back out here."

"Waiting to see him produce, it's kind of like Christmas. You can't wait for it, but you know it's coming," said Peyton Hillis.

If Hardesty had been healthy from the beginning of his first Browns training camp, the running back position might have more clarity than it does now. His late arrival on the field -- due to a bone bruise to his right knee suffered a week before the start of camp -- has muddied the picture.

Browns beat Jaguars, 23-17Jerome Harrison continues to be the most likely starter when the regular season gets going for the Browns, but he has struggled with fumbles during the exhibition games.

Not that anyone is complaining. The Browns' depth at the position this summer is such that two backs who look much improved from last year -- Davis and Jennings -- are on the roster bubble heading into the final practice game.

"I think those are going to be some tough decisions," said coach Eric Mangini.

"We have a ton of good backs in our room. Any given day it can be any given person [carrying the ball]," Harrison said.

In addition to the final makeup of the position, what remains unclear is who will get the bulk of the carries when the games count. Harrison was unstoppable the last three games of last season, but there is no clue at this point whether he or anyone else will be classified as the team's feature back.

"I'm happy about the potential of that group," Mangini said. "In terms of where it shakes out, terms of number of carries, that's going to be game to game. What I do like about the group, though, is I don't think any one of those guys is going to sit back and go, 'I should have the ball more.'"

peyton-hills-rams-jk.jpgPeyton Hillis has emerged as a focal point to the Browns' inside power game during the three preseason contests.

Here's a rundown of the five backs vying for playing time:

Montario Hardesty

Pros: Impressed coaches with quick grasp of offense in off-season program ... has the size and strength to break tackles inside and the quickness to get around the corner ... does not hurt you in the passing game, either in blitz pickup or as a receiver.

Cons: Durability is an issue ... started only 19 of 49 games at Tennessee ... will have only one game of work heading into the season.

Quote: "We have definite talent in our backfield. That's great. That makes everyone better. I'm anxious to get out there and show what I can do."

Jerome Harrison

Pros: Rushed for 561 yards in the last three games of 2009 ... shouldered the offensive load by carrying 34 times, 39 and 33 in that stretch ... very good receiver ... co-led team last year with 34 receptions ... much improved in blitz pickup.

Cons: Has put the ball on the ground three times in three preseason games, with one lost fumble ... smaller size raises inherent questions about durability over the long haul.

Quote: "You can't worry about [playing time]. Just line up and play football. All those decisions are not up to me."

Peyton Hillis

Pros: Took advantage of opportunities in preseason and leads team in rushing yards ... relentless with the ball and difficult to bring down ... has show dependable hands in the passing game with team-leading nine catches ... brings an infectious energy to the field.

Cleveland Browns beat Green Bay Packers, 27-24James Davis has shown the flash that made him a favorite in 2009 before injury ended his rookie season.

Cons: Not the fastest guy out there ... has shown some durability issues this summer, but has not missed a game.

Quote: "I don't think [competition's] a bad thing. When you have a lot of depth and the coach has trouble putting all the guys in there, that means you have a lot of guys that can play. All of us at running back are team players and want the best for each other."

James Davis

Pros: Possibly the quickest and fastest in the group ... super-productive in 2009 preseason ... looks more mature physically and as a player this year ... can make a big play out of a short swing pass.

Cons: Durability is questionable, though he's stayed on the field this summer ... looking to carve out a role on special teams ... not a guy who's going to sell out on special teams by running down on kicks.

Cleveland Browns lose to Detroit Lions, 35-27Chris Jennings is the only undrafted member of the backfield, which may not help his bid to stick on the roster.

Quote: "I think this game right here is the one that's going to mean a lot. Right now, I'm probably starting on all special teams. From what I can tell, that's probably gonna be a big part of making the team. They pretty much know what I can do on offense."

Chris Jennings

Pros: Fairly impressive in limited duty last year ... scored the first TD by a back last season and surprised the Steelers for 73 yards in that Browns win ... has a physical style.

Cons: Hasn't gotten a lot of rushing opportunities this summer ... wasn't drafted and that stigma stays with a player on the bubble ... Browns don't have a lot invested in him.

Quote: "The last game really speaks volumes for a lot of players. Oh, man, just [have to be] me. Have fun, fly around, play special teams, make plays and wherever the chips fall. God knows my beginning and my ending."

 

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