Especially disturbing in this rancid saga full of troubling relationships are the powerful ties between Sterling and the Los Angeles Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

The NBA got it right.

The swift punishment meted out to Donald Sterling, a lifetime ban from the league, is poetic justice. The longtime NBA franchise owner has proven himself grossly unfit to own or operate one of the nation’s marquee sporting brands.

But plenty of questions remain. Who empowered this bigot? What historical role has the NBA, Clippers’ employees, even the Los Angeles community itself, played in aiding and abetting a man who many apparently knew harbored deep and hateful sentiments regarding race.

Especially disturbing in this rancid saga full of troubling relationships are the powerful ties between Sterling and the Los Angeles branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

In a word, disgusting.

How is it that a billionaire slum landlord with a long public history of racial insensitivity, and at least one high-profile discrimination lawsuit, managed to “pimp” a local branch of the NAACP to honor him with not one, but two, Lifetime Achievement Awards?

(The LA branch of the NAACP announced over the weekend that it had revoked the second lifetime award that Sterling was slated to receive next month).

How was an 80-year-old billionaire, who quietly despised African-Americans and clearly considers them inferior, able to purchase plausible cover from the nation’s oldest civil rights organization?

In hindsight, it now seems easy.

He paid for his street credibility.

Sterling used cold hard cash (reportedly about $45,000 over the course of five years) to mask the heart of a racist and to purchase deniable plausibility from his detractors. So say what you want about Sterling – and it’s probably true – but there were a lot of people, including African-Americans, who were complicit and enabling of his abhorrent behavior because he paid them to look the other way or to simply ignore him.

And that’s part of what makes the conversation about the proper response to Sterling’s racist comments caught on tape so difficult and so complex to navigate.

None of his behavior was carried out in a vacuum. Other than the secretly recorded tapes, where Sterling is heard disparaging African-Americans and ordering his mixed-race girlfriend not to photograph herself with blacks or to bring them to his games, nothing about Sterling’s behavior apparently was a secret to those who knew him, worked for him or honored him.

So now the degree of the outrage seems to stem, in large part, from embarrassment as much as the realization that one man’s secretly recorded ramblings had dangerously hijacked the NBA season at its most prominent moment.

Which leads to another question that many players and fans of the game still wrestle with. What is a proper statement to express continuing disappointment and anger that Sterling’s brand of racism might still pervade the game?

It’s not an easy call.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling for life from the NBA, fined him the maximum $2.5 million and said he would work with the NBA board of governors to force Sterling to sell the team.

That may be enough to salvage this playoff season and to squash the mounting anger felt by players and fans alike. Supporters of the Association can only hope that is the case.

For years, Sterling gave tickets to poor black kids to attend Clippers games. He gave money to the local branch of the NAACP and purchased their coveted awards. It was all to mask a certain kind of loathing.

After all, it’s easy to be an arrogant racist when the NAACP says you’re a great guy. The NBA was right to finally bring this farce to an abrupt halt.

But will the amputation of Donald Sterling be enough?

And what, if anything, has this ridiculous imbroglio taught us about the continuing complication of race in America?

Take a look at some of the local girls lacrosse teams that could make or break their seasons depending on how they fare over the next few weeks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- May is nearly upon us and that means the home stretch for regular season action in girls lacrosse before playoff time arrives. 

Here is a look at some teams that could make or break their seasons depending on how they fare over the next few weeks. 

RAIDERS ON A ROLL

Shaker Heights improved to 8-2-1 on the season with wins against Mentor (3-7), 20-4 last Thursday and Western Reserve Academy (5-3), 9-2, during the Earth Week Tournament on Saturday. 

The Raiders also tied Hathaway Brown (4-5), 6-6, during the tournament, thanks to a clutch score by Kassidy Anderson with only 12 seconds left in the game. Shaker got off one more shot with 8 seconds remaining but it was blocked by Blazers' goalie Allie Dumas. 

Anderson has been a key component of the Raiders' offense all season. She leads the team in goals scored with 28, followed closely be her teammate Maeve Lyness who has 26. Both players also have picked up 15 ground balls this year, which is third best on the team. 

Anderson is also a force on defense where she's caused a team-leading 11 turnovers. 

Lyness has won 26 draw controls and also leads the team in free position shots on goal with 14. 

As far as ground balls, Clara Medalie has picked up 20 this season to lead Shaker Heights. 

Goalie Emily Forbes has 54 saves and counting on the season thus far. 

Raiders assistant coach Rachel Hill will be on this week's Inside Roll Podcast, which will be published on Thursday. Leave her your questions by following this link. 

MEDINA JUMPS TO NO. 2 IN STATE COMPUTER RANKINGS

The Bees are on a 6-game winning streak as they prepare to take on Mentor (3-7) on Wednesday at Medina High School.

After being sixth at this time last week, Medina now rates second in the LaxPower.com state computer rankings behind only Sycamore (10-0). 

The streak includes victories against some stiff competition including Chagrin Falls (11-8), 11-8, Revere (3-4), 16-4, Kenston (8-3), Massillon Jackson (9-2, 12-5, New Albany (6-4), 12-5, and Hudson (6-6), 12-2. 

During the streak, Medina has scored in double-figures in every game while continuing to not allow any opponent to reach double-digits, which no team has done against the Bees all year. 

In fact, only two teams have scored 10 or more goals against Medina during the past two seasons: New Albany, 12-12, on May 4, 2013 and Sycamore, 10-3, during the 2013 Division I state semifinals. 

Medina still has four more games to go this season, including a pair of matchups in Michigan against Rockford (10-1) and Okemos (9-1) before returning home to face Hathaway Brown (4-5) on May 7 to close out the regular season. 

CHAGRIN FALLS BARRELING TOWARD SEASON'S END

After suffering their first loss of the year to Medina, 11-8, the Tigers have picked up right where they left off, putting up some of their highest scoring totals of the season against some very-talented squads. 

In the team's last four victories, Chagrin racked up 19 goals against Kent Roosevelt (6-6), 20 against Hawken (5-4), 17 against Walsh Jesuit (6-3) and 16 against North Canton Hoover (7-3). 

The Tigers are 11-1 as they enter approach the final three games of the regular season and are currently ranked eighth in the state computer rankings. 

HATHAWAY BROWN GETS ON THE WINNING TRACK

After a slow start, the Blazers are starting to heat up. 

Hathaway Brown has won three of its last four matchups and tied one to improve its record to 4-5-2. The Blazers will have their work cut out for them for the final three games of the season, however. 

They are scheduled to take on Chagrin Falls (11-1) on Wednesday, Medina (9-2) on May 7 and then will conclude the regular season against Kenston (8-3) on May 9. 

Chagrin Falls is currently ranked eighth in the state, according to LaxPower.com while Medina recently jumped up to second in the state rankings. 

Hathaway Brown scored a confidence-builder with an 11-1 win against Hawken (5-4) on Monday. 

Josie Strang scored four goals and Emma Nook netted three to lead the Blazers to victory. Strang now has a team-high of 38 goals on the year. 

Goalie Allie Dumas made nine saves in the matchup as did Hawken goalkeeper Lauren Perry. 

Kasey Southard scored the lone goal for the Hawks.

EARTH WEEK TOURNAMENT COVERAGE

Take a look at some of the coverage of the Fifth Annual Earth Week Tournament on cleveland.com. From video of local teams squaring off against each other, as well as interviews with coaches, to notes on who beat who and other aspects about the event, there is no shortage of things to read and look at. 

Also, listen to last week's Inside Roll Podcast during which Brecksville coach Kyle Drypolcher and tournament organizer Monica Drake talked about the tournament and what it means for many teams. 

Contact high school sports reporter Robert Rozboril by email (rrozboril@cleveland.com), Twitter (@rrozboril) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/rrozboril). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Watch as Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed recap Day 1 of the Browns voluntary veterans minicamp.

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed discuss what happened during the teams first time on the field under new head coach Mike Pettine at the voluntary veterans minicamp in Berea.

Topics include: Brian Hoyer returning to the practice field from his torn ACL last year on a limited basis.  Pettine's thoughts on starting a rookie quarterback.  Veteran quarterbacks Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen trying to make the roster.  Josh Gordon wanting to improve over his Pro Bowl season last year.  Ben Tate hoping to have a 1000-yard season now that he is out from the shadow of Arian Foster. And more…

On Twitter: @CLEvideos

List of golf super shooters.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A list of local golfers scoring a hole-in-one, as reported by the courses:

Jason Bennett aced the 125-yard ninth hole on the red course at Medina C.C. using a pitching wedge.

Scott Crawford aced the 170-yard fourth hole at Big Met G.C. using a 4-hybrid.

Ryan Danach of Bethesda, Maryland aced the 152-yard 15th hole at Shale Creek G.C. using an 8-iron.

Jason Demczyk of Medina aced the 142-yard third hole at Coppertop at Cherokee Hills G.C. using a 9-iron.

Ken Dudash of Wickliffe aced the 135-yard 14th hole at Pine Ridge C.C. using a 52-degree wedge.

John Fullerman of Wickliffe aced the 170-yard 11th hole at StoneWater G.C. using a 6-iron.

Kim Gardner of Avon aced the 103-yard 17th hole at Red Tail G.C. using a 6-iron.

Rick Klann aced the 135-yard 11th hole on the green nine at Medina C.C. using a 7-iron.

Alan Levine of Orange aced the 160-yard 15th hole at Beechmont C.C. using a 6-iron.

Adam Murray of North Olmsted aced the 146-yard 16th hole at The Links using a 9-iron.

Tom O’Brien of Russell Township aced the 150-yard fourth hole on the Maple course at Fowler’s Mill G.C. using a 6-iron.

Ron Urbanowicz of Parma Heights aced the 165-yard eighth hole at Big Met G.C. using a 5-iron.

SOLON, Ohio – Solon Police released video today of the arrest of Bernie Kosar. Kosar, a former favorite Browns quarterback, was arrested Sept. 29, Solon police said. He was originally charged with OVI and speeding, but those charges were dismissed Monday, Clerk of Court Tom Day said. He pleaded no contest to reckless operation of a vehicle. He was...

SOLON, Ohio – Solon Police released video today of the arrest of Bernie Kosar.

Kosar, a former favorite Browns quarterback, was arrested Sept. 29, Solon police said. He was originally charged with OVI and speeding, but those charges were dismissed Monday, Clerk of Court Tom Day said.

He pleaded no contest to reckless operation of a vehicle. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail, suspended, and must pay a $750 fine.

Kosar's attorney George Simon said Monday the reckless operation of a vehicle charge was unrelated to alcohol. Kosar was found guilty of driving 74 mph in a construction zone.

After the hearing, Kosar issued this statement: "I am pleased with the court's decision that reaffirms that alcohol was not involved in my traffic citation from September in any way... I do not fault law enforcement for making the original charges and mistaking my concussion related ailments for alcohol-induced impairments." 

The NBA, behind new commissioner Adam Silver, did what it had to in suspending and fining Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Now it's up to the owners to clear the air once and for all.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Adam Silver did the double Thor Tuesday. He swung two hammers.

One fell on Donald “Sitting Duck” Sterling. The other whooshed over the head of any NBA owner who resists the commissioner’s strong recommendation to force Sterling to sell his franchise.

That will require a three-quarters vote. Assuming we can put Sterling down in the “no” column, anybody else want to speak up on his behalf? Only unanimity can clear the air for good.

Should be no problem, right? Just in case some owners balk at drumming out one of their own, based in part on a private conversation, Silver laid the full onus on them by saying they could (and should) take into account Sterling’s entire body of incriminating work.

The fine and lifetime ban was the predictable nuclear option in punishing Sterling. Good for Silver that he pushed that button. But in my mind, that was the least the NBA could do without inviting mutinies by the players association and corporate sponsors. The money, after all, means nothing.

But forcing Sterling to sell says he won’t cash more checks off the sweat of NBA players or the people who work hard to afford a NBA ticket.

Forcing Sterling to sell is a second chance for the league and its ownership. You can’t tell me they didn’t know what kind of person Donald Sterling was before now.

It should be completely unsettling for the league and its billionaires club that Sterling was done in by private comments. Had he ever said similar around his fellow owners?

No? Never? Really?

Sterling interviewed Rollie Massimino, then the coach at Villanova, to replace Paul Silas decades ago, and couldn't hide his bigotry. In an anecdote relayed to author Jeff Pearlman, Massimino called Clippers’ GM Paul Phipps after the interview and vowed that he would “never work” for Sterling.

Why? As Phipps told Pearlman, Massimino said Sterling “had this blonde bimbo with him, they have a bottle of champagne, they’re tanked. And Don looks at me and he says, ‘I wanna know why you think you can coach these [n-words].’’

As recently as 2008, the great Elgin Baylor said in court testimony that Sterling repeatedly told him he wanted a team of “poor black boys from the south … playing for a white coach.”

Initially filing the suit charging age and racial discrimination, the former Clippers GM dropped the racial component from the proceedings. He lost the suit.

Asked Tuesday why Baylor's allegations didn’t set off alarms, since Baylor is so highly respected, Silver lamely pointed out Sterling won the suit. That was some weak tea from the commissioner on an otherwise commendable day.

In his defense, he wasn't the commissioner in 2008. The next year, Sterling settled a lawsuit charging he discriminated against African Americans in housing rentals, allegedly saying, “African Americans and Hispanics are not desirable tenants.”

A deposition taken in an earlier suit against Sterling quoted a tenant saying Sterling complained about an odor in one of his apartment buildings by saying, “That’s because of all the blacks in this building; they smell, they’re not clean.”

I suppose the NBA and its ownership could’ve looked at those instances as unprovable allegations from people trying to win court cases. The cases were either settled, or Sterling won them.

Did the he-said-they-said aspect make it more difficult for the league to do something about Sterling? Probably. Did settling the cases invalidate the allegations? Not at all. And when one comes from Elgin Baylor, alarms should sound.

Finally, this past weekend, the league and its owners were forced into action by Sterling’s own words on tape.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban acknowledged forcing an owner to sell based on a private conversation was a "slippery slope" but supported Silver's discipline.

I agree 100% with Commissioner Silvers findings and the actions taken against Donald Sterling

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 29, 2014

So is the Cavs’ Dan Gilbert and a number of other owners.

You’d like to think Sterling will acquiesce and make it easy on the fellow owners he’s embarrassed. But we’re talking about a guy who sat courtside heckling former Cavaliers guard Baron Davis.

While Davis played for the Clippers.

You’d also like to think it would be a unanimous vote when Sterling gets drummed out of the NBA for good. Not based on one taped conversation with an ex-mistress, but based on his well-documented and no longer tolerable history.

Forward Vinny Zollo signs on with Cleveland State as a transfer from Northwest Florida JC.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland State basketball has picked up another recruit for next season, signing power forward Vinny Zollo from Northwest Florida Junior College to round out the roster.

Zollo (6-8, 230), with two years of eligibility, will give CSU a physical presence on the baseline to pair with Anton Grady (6-8) for the next two seasons.

"Vinny will bring a versatility to our program and our frontcourt,'' CSU head coach Gary Waters said in a release. "He has the ability to play inside and outside and we really like that he had Division I basketball experience as well as experience playing in the NCAA Tournament.

"We are excited about the energy and athleticism that he will bring to our frontcourt."

Zollo, a native of Kentucky, began his college career at Western Kentucky. He played in all 35 games as a freshman including 14 as a starter for a team that advanced to the 2012 NCAA Tournament and defeated Mississippi Valley State in the opening round. He scored six points with three rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench in that game.

A coveted recruit out of high school, Zollo averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds a game at Western Kentucky before he transferred to play at Furman. He never played for the Palladins, but put in one season at Northwest Florida, where he had near identical averages; 3.3 points and 2.9 rebounds as he shot 37.6 percent from the field and 50 percent from the free-throw line.

Zollo joins a recruiting class that includes guards Terrell Hales and Kenny Carpenter, both from Detroit, plus Jonothan Janssen, a 6-7 forward from Australia.

Corey Kluber, coming off the first complete game in his career, will be matched with Angel ace Jered Weaver on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. Weaver is 7-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 16 starts against the Tribe.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Here are Tuesday night's lineups for the Indians and Angels at Angel Stadium.

INDIANS

CF Michael Bourn, L,

3B Lonnie Chisenhall, L

2B Jason Kipnis, L

1B Carlos Santana, S.

LF Michael Brantley, L.

SS Asdrubal Cabrera, L.

DH Jason Giamb, L.

RF David Murphy, L.

C Yan Gomes, R

RHP Corey Kluber.

ANGELS

2B Howie Kendrick, R.

CF Mike Trout, R.

1B Albert Pujols, R.

DH Raul Ibanez, L.

3B David Freese, R.

SS Erick Aybar, S.

C Chris Iannetta, R.

LF J.B. Shuck, L.

RF Collin Cowgill, R.

RHP Jered Weaver.

UMPIRES

H David Rackley.

1B Gabe Morales.

2B Brian Gorman.

3B Jim Wolf

Notes:

-Angels lead season series, 1-0, following Monday's 6 victory.

-Eight of Tribe's first nine hittrs will bat left-handed against Weaver. Not much of an advantage. Lefties are hitting .217 (15-69) with three homers and righties .209 (9-43) with two homers.

-Giambi is hitting .353 (6-17) lifetime against Weaver. Santana is hitting .500 (7-for-14).

-Ibanez is the only Angel to face Kluber. He's 0-2.

Donald Sterling was Donald Sterling for 30 years. So why, black Cleveland sports talkers ask, did it take his voice caught on tape to expose the racism of the Los Angeles Clippers owner?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The condemnation has been uniform. But Delvis Valentine sees a different kind of uniformity in the Donald Sterling racism saga. One the Cleveland resident and radio personality finds just as troubling.

“Sterling had a reputation for being racist for years and it was never discussed until he says something so obvious that now everyone’s jumping on the bandwagon,” says Valentine, who has hosted a weekly show on WERE AM/1490. “The media needs to look in the mirror.”

The Los Angeles Clippers owner’s attitudes on race came under scrutiny with the release last week of a tape that features Sterling’s racist rants. Tuesday, the NBA banned Sterling for life, per a ruling by commissioner Adam Silver.

There’s a reason it took such an obvious outburst to expose Sterling, says Valentine.

“There’s a lack of diversity in the media,” says Valentine. “Not just when it comes to having blacks or women in front of the microphone, but also a voice out there that isn’t afraid to be controversial in order to speak the truth.”

Valentine, who is black, contrasts the racial makeup of professional sports, which are predominantly black, with the makeup of sports radio.

“I wake up to white sports talkers discussing an issue that is very hurtful to black people,” says Valentine, referring to morning shows on local sports stations WKRK/FM 92.3 The Fan and WKNR 850/AM. “I’m not saying they are racist, but I am saying that there needs to more of a perspective that black people could relate to.”

Both the Really Big Show, on ESPN 850, and Kiley and Booms, on 92.3 The Fan, have staunchly criticized Sterling.

Jerod Cherry, the most popular black voice on radio in Cleveland sports talk, co-hosts the afternoon show “Hooley and Jerod.” As is often the case with black sports media personalities, he is a former athlete, having played in the NFL.

“You have to follow the money when it comes to radio or the NBA or anything else,” says Cherry. “Sterling is a billionaire and wasn’t called on things because he had power.”

“The same goes for the media or in radio,” adds Cherry. “A wealthy individual has the power to say, ‘ I don’t want you to talk about that or I’m going to pull my sponsorship.’”

Cherry says he has never been told what to talk about or to shy away from race – but admits that he was cognizant of turning into a “black show” when he started out on the station co-hosting a show with former Browns player LeCharles Bentley.

“I don’t shy away from racial issues, and as a result I’ve had people complain that I’m on the air,” says Cherry. “But I’ve always been fortunate to have the backing of the station and the sponsors, most of which are white business owners.”

Cherry, who played with the New England Patriots, draws a contrast between the game on the floor and the people in the stands.

“While you might have black people on the floor, the reality is that white people are the ones that can afford to buy the tickets,” says Cherry. “I’ve worked very hard to make the transition from the field to radio and to try and bring a perspective that all kinds of people can appreciate. It might not be their view, but hopefully they’ll understand that.”

Often, stations rely on callers to fill the role of offering different perspectives.

“The problem with radio and the media as a whole has less to do with racism than people playing it safe,” says sports blogger Michael Young, who has contributed to sites such as realcavsfans.com. “They’ll leave the ‘out-there’ stuff to callers, especially when it has to do with race.”

Race does pop up in a covert way, however, when a player gets a DUI or in some kind of trouble, says Young.

“There’s an inherent jealousy of athletes, based on race and class,” says Young. “So you’ll hear stuff like, ‘If this was me, I would be in jail’ – even when the jail time is no different than what a regular person would get.”

“It’s like they can’t wait to throw darts at them for the smallest thing,” he adds. “That reflects more of a white perspective, however, because blacks are usually less judgmental about this kind of stuff.”

Racism also underscores the battle over the Chief Wahoo logo, which resonated with African-Americans.

“Those old Chief Wahoos might have been part of tradition, but they also recalled those little black sambos from the turn of the 20th century,” say Young. “Just because you want to keep Chief Wahoo doesn’t mean you're racist, but the symbol looks pretty racist to me and a lot of other people.”

When it comes to Sterling continuing unabated despite a checkered past, there is blame to go around – with money at the root of it.

“In some ways, the outrage shown to the tape rings hollow,” says Young. “The real outrage is how did this guy get a free ride from the NBA, his sponsors, ESPN and the rest of the media for 30 years?”

Cameron is coming off a career-best season with 80 catches, 917 yards and seven touchdowns.

BEREA, Ohio – Browns tight end Jordan Cameron is amenable to discussing many topics these days – his Pro-Bowl experience, his desire to improve on a breakout 2013 season, the upcoming visit from his young son, Tristan.

But Cameron would rather go over the middle against Seattle’s Legion of Boom secondary than make his contract extension talks with the Browns a matter of public record.

The 25-year-old could become a free agent in the spring of 2015 if the two sides don’t reach a deal. While there’s ample time to avoid an Alex Mack-type showdown, Cameron prefers not to entertain questions on the topic.

He was asked Tuesday about an ESPNCleveland.com report that Cameron already has rejected two extension offers. The reports also states that the stalemate might have more do with Los Angeles native’s desire to play on the West Coast, where he and his son live.

"That is business stuff I don't even worry about that right now,” he said after the first voluntary minicamp practice. “I can't think about that. I've got the season to play. I'll let business people handle that agent stuff. I can't talk about it. I really can't say anything about it. I have to play hard and focus on this right now.”

Asked if he would prefer to get a deal done before the start of the season, Cameron added: "Like I said I'm not thinking about that. I'm just playing football now, just trying to get this team better. That's my focus, not the contract.”

If no deal is reached by next spring, the Browns could use a franchise or transition tag in hopes of retaining him for at least 2015. The Browns also must weigh other extensions, most notably All-Pro cornerback Joe Haden. They recently matched Jacksonville’s five-year, $42 million offer sheet for Mack, which the center can void after two years.

Cameron made the most of his first season as starting tight end, catching a career-high 80 passes for 917 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013. The performance was good enough to earn a trip to Honolulu, where he enjoyed “picking the brains” of veteran tight ends such as Jason Witten.

"Gotta do better,” Cameron said when asked about topping last season. “There's a lot of stuff to work on. I'm not anywhere near where I could be. I still have a lot to learn and I will. I will still stay hungry.”

Cameron admitted it’s tough leaving home without his son, who’s starting to play organized sports. The boy is visiting dad for a week beginning Thursday.

“I won’t be around him as much, but it’s my job and I’ve got to take care of him.” Cameron said. “This is my opportunity and it’s what it is. I signed up for it. We’ve got a lot of face time. He just started baseball this year. He’s funny. I don’t think he cares about it too much. But it’s fun to see him out there being a kid.”

Notes

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer looked good in minicamp Tuesday and is determined to stave off any rookie challengers for his job.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer zipped around minicamp Tuesday like a player who never tore his anterior cruciate ligament and like one who's missed the parade of college all-star quarterbacks marching through Berea in recent weeks.

Wearing a brace on his surgically-repaired right knee, Hoyer threw in 7-on-7s with good velocity, dropped back with speed and quickness and took charge between reps, talking to receivers new and old about routes and timing.

The message was sent loud and clear to all of the Johnny Manziels and Teddy Bridgewaters and Blake Bortles that have tread on his turf recently in anticipation of the draft May 8-10: it's my team and I dare you to try to take it from me.

  "I really don't hear it that much because I don't pay attention,'' Hoyer said of all the rookie quarterback talk. "It doesn't bother me. People are going to speculate. I know how I feel about myself. I know how my teammates feel. I'm trying to go out and prove it to these new coaches and all I can really ask for is a chance and I think I'll get that. I'm going out there every day and until someone tells me otherwise, I think I'm the starter for this team."

Hoyer was so determined to reclaim his starting job that he ignored the Browns' dogged offseason pursuit of Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, the Kyle Shanahan favorite who was traded to the Raiders.

"No, you can't worry about the things you can't control,'' he said. "I've learned that a long time ago, so maybe it was good I had to focus on my rehab. In hindsight, it was worthless to worry about because he's in Oakland and I'm here. To worry about things you can't control will just drive you nuts."

  Hoyer was so hyped up and ready to go in practice Tuesday that he begged coach Mike Pettine to let him participate in 11-on-11 drills despite the fact he's only been cleared for 7-on -7s.

"I know it killed him not to be able to,'' said Pettine. "I had to play head coach for a minute and tell him no, but that's the way he is. That's the way he's made up, the ultimate competitor, so I think he firmly believes that it's his job.''

Pettine said the Browns are holding Hoyer out of team drills at least until the mandatory minicamp in June because of all the bodies flying around, "(but) I don't think there will be any limitations once he gets to training camp.''

Hoyer, who underwent the surgery Oct. 18, has no doubt he'll be 100% by training camp, which begins July 26th.

"I know that we don't play a game until August but I also know that in order to be the guy in August, you put the time in in the offseason,'' he said. "That's always my argument, so it's a battle and I know they have my best interests in mind but I also know how much I want to be out there with the guys."

And despite the fact Pettine made it clear Tuesday that he wants to avoid starting a rookie quarterback, Hoyer knows full well that one of them will be walking into the facility next week, shaking his hand and lining up behind him for reps.

  “I’ll obviously pay attention -- not only for the quarterback situation but to see who we’re getting,'' said Hoyer. "Being a fan of the NFL my whole life, you always watch for the draft. Seeing the Draft Day movie, it just kind of gets you excited. It’s an exciting time for those young men. They’re coming into the league. They’re realizing their dream. For guys already in the league, we just want to find out who are new teammates are going to be and keep rolling along.''

And if one of those new teammates happens to be a superstar named Johnny Football, what will Hoyer do?

"(I'll) just be myself,'' he said. "I have to do what I do on a daily basis and work hard. That’s all I know what to do. I’ll be myself. I’ll continue to act the same way and go from there.”

Hoyer admitted he hasn't seen much of Manziel or the other rookie quarterbacks, and can't predict how they'll fare in the NFL.

"There are a lot of ways to get it done,'' he said. "We saw that last year with Russell Wilson. I played behind Tom (Brady). They’re completely opposite and they both won a Super Bowl. I think it really is about the fit and how you play the game. The only college football I really watched was Michigan State. I’ve seen highlights here and there, but everybody is unique. No one is the same. The way I play is different from how Tom plays, which is different from Peyton (Manning), and so on. I think if you do it the right way and go about it and work hard, it doesn’t matter what type of quarterback you are.”

Hoyer learned from Brady how to mentor a young quarterback -- by showing more than telling.

"First and foremost, my responsibility is to win games for this team,'' he said. "The best way to be a role model or a tutor is to play the best I can and show a young guy what it takes to win in this league. I was fortunate to be behind the best in that aspect. I think I’ll take that role. I’ll never not answer a question. I know there are guys that see it as a threat. You always try to help your entire team, because when it comes down to it you want your team to win.''

Hoyer admitted that after the way his career has gone -- including getting released by three teams in the year before landing here -- he never slips into a comfort zone.

  "No matter what happens, if Ray Farmer calls me to his office, I’m thinking it’s over or something,'' he said. "That’s just the way I had to deal with it when it came out of nowhere in New England and other places. I always have a chip on my shoulder. I’m always trying to work hard to get better.''

        But if all goes the way Hoyer plans, he'll start the opener in Pittsburgh, a fitting opponent for his comeback.

   "It's pretty cool,'' he said. "It's a good way to start a new era. Obviously growing up here I know a lot about that rivalry, so I know how much it means to this organization, to this city and now having the opportunity to play for this team, I don't think there's anyone in the world who wants the Browns to win more than me and that's what I work for every day."

Try and beat that Johnny and Teddy and Blake.

It's less than two weeks until the 2014 NFL Draft. There have been lots of rumors, plenty of speculation and smokescreens sent out from around the country, trying to keep draft plans hidden.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's a little more than a week until the 2014 NFL Draft. There have been lots of rumors, plenty of speculation and smokescreens sent out, trying to keep draft plans hidden.

In Cleveland, the conversation has centered on one topic: What the Browns should do with the fourth pick. More specifically, whether the Browns should take a quarterback.

The question has been asked of general manager Ray Farmer. It was asked of head coach Mike Pettine. The players, including Hoyer, are getting questions about it.

On Tuesday, it was Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino who was asked. Marino is in town for this weekend's Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest at the IX Center.

Marino didn't answer which player the Browns should take at No. 4, but he did provide a scouting report on the top three QBs in the class.

Marino said Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel caught his attention the last two years. "I really like Johnny Manziel. His excitement, his playmaking ability, he has an NFL quality arm it seems," Marino said. "I wouldn't put it past a competitor, someone like Manziel, to be successful in this league." 

Marino, being from the Florida area, has watched Teddy Bridgewater as well. "He's a tough kid, a winner." But Marino believes UCF's Blake Bortles fits the profile of an NFL signal caller best, saying "The kid that looks the most ready and has that NFL body is Bortles." 

As the draft gets closer, the Browns will have to decide if any quarterback is worthy of the selection. After all, they do still have Brian Hoyer, who won his first two starts with the team in 2013, something that impressed Marino.

"I thought he did a great job, the former Dolphins QB said. "In his mind he probably thinks he's going to be the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. What he showed in those two games he probably deserves that."

Join our live chat and get updates as the Indians take on the Angels tonight.

ANAHEIM, California -- Get scoring updates and analysis as the Indians and Angels continue their series at Angel Stadium of Anaheim and chat with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore in the comments section.

Game 27: Indians (11-15) at Angels (12-13).

First pitch: 10:05 p.m. at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; WTAM AM/1100, WMMS FM/100.7.

FREQUENTLY REFRESH this page to get the latest updates. If you're viewing this on a mobile app, click here to get updates and comment.

With Swisher out of the lineup, Lonnie Chisenhall made his first big-league start in the No.2 spot.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Seen and heard Tuesday at Angel Stadium.

Clubhouse confidential: Nick Swisher wasn’t in Tuesday’s lineup for the first time this season. When he came out of the trainer’s room hours before the game, his right ankle was wrapped in Ace bandages from his toes to just right elbow his knee. So what was wrong with the Indians' $15 million man?

It turned out to be a false alarm.

“Guys, I don’t know what to tell you,” Swisher told reporters before smiling. “I just got this new shin guard and I’m breaking it in.”

Manager Terry Francona said Swisher’s day off was scheduled. He added that Michael Brantley will get his first day off this season on Wednesday.

He’s No.2: With Swisher out of the lineup, Lonnie Chisenhall made his first big-league start in the No.2 spot.

Last year Chisenhall had a pinch-hitting appearance in the No.2 spot on Sept. 19 against Houston. Earlier in the year he was inserted in the No.2 spot, but didn’t get to bat against the White Sox on June 28.

In 2011, Chisenhall’s first year in the big leagues, he pinch-hit for No.2 hitter Asdrubal Cabrera and went 1-for-4 in 9-2 loss to the Yankees on July 5.

Stat of the day: The Indians lead the AL in scoring three or fewer runs. They’ve done it 15 times in 26 games.

Schwartz was the rated the 11th-best full-time right tackle last season by ProFootballFocus.com

BEREA, Ohio – Mitchell Schwartz began the first day of Browns’ voluntary minicamp at his familiar right-tackle spot on Tuesday.

The third-year pro has neither heard of a possible move to guard nor is seeking one. Whether that changes might depend on what happens in the 2014 NFL Draft. If the Browns were to use a high pick – Greg Robinson or Jake Matthews, anyone? – on a tackle it could impact Schwartz’s immediate future with the club.

“I have only played tackle here for two years and going back into college (at Cal),” Schwartz said. “O-line coaches always preach ‘best five on the field,’ regardless of position so if it needs to happen, of course, I would do it. But obviously, I’m more comfortable at tackle.”

Coach Mike Pettine said at the NFL owners meeting that moving Schwartz inside is a possibility depending on what the Browns do in the draft. If they selected Robinson (Auburn) or Matthews (Texas A&M) at No.4 overall that rookie tackle also would be viewed as the long-term successor to All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas, who turns 30 in December.

Pettine was asked about Schwartz again on Tuesday.

“At this camp he will be at tackle,” the rookie coach said. “We will assess where we are after this camp and then post draft .. . I always like to cross-train guys, always be in the business of having your best five out there. If a guard can learn to play center, if a left tackle can learn to play right . . . I think the more versatile you can be with all your guys, especially if you’re only going to dress seven, or dress eight, those guys who are not in there have to be able to play multiple spots.

“Mitchell was a guy we were happy with what he put on tape last year. We’ll potentially address it in the draft, but I don’t see tackle right now as a position of need.”

Schwartz started slowly in each of his first two years, but improved as the seasons unfurled. ProFootballFocus.com rated Schwartz as the league’s 11th-best right tackle who started at least 15 games at the position.

It's believed the previous coaching staff also was toying with the idea of trying Schwartz at guard.

“I know it’s a cliche when you hear, ‘things are slowing down,’” Schwartz said regarding a player adjusting to the speed of the game. “But it really is true having played the position here for two years.”

Ohio State missed on five-star center prospect Myles Turner, who picked Texas over the Buckeyes and five other schools.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Thad Matta didn't have any magic left.

Though Matta brought two big men transfers to Ohio State in the past month, he wasn't able to convince five-star center Myles Turner that Columbus was the place for him. 

A product of Euless (Texas) Trinity, Turner announced his commitment to Texas on Wednesday. Signing Turner would have been the biggest get for the Buckeyes since Jared Sullinger in the 2010 class, but it wasn't a surprise that Ohio State wasn't his eventual destination. 

The Buckeyes did make Turner's final seven along with Duke, Kansas, SMU, Texas, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M before he picked the Longhorns, but they were never trending upward in his recruitment. 

Turner took official visits to Texas, Kansas, Duke, Oklahoma State and Ohio State, and he unofficially visited SMU and Texas A&M due to their proximity to his home. He also was visited by several other schools in the recent weeks. 

Now Matta is left with the big men on his roster for next season, but the two transfers he brought in should give Ohio State a boost. 

The first get was was Anthony Lee, a 6-9 forward/center from Temple who will play for the Buckeyes for one year next season as a graduate transfer and is expected to slide into the starting lineup. 

Then two weeks later came 7-foot Virginia Tech center Trevor Thompson, who will have three years of eligibility for the Buckeyes, either sitting out next year per NCAA transfer rules or right away if his petition to the NCAA gets approved. 

Seniors Amir Williams and Trey McDonald should also factor into Ohio State's plans, while incoming freshman David Bell of Garfield Heights, Ohio, is expected to redshirt. 

Jason Kipnis says he's feeling better, but still doesn't know if he's headed for the disabled list.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Indians All-Star second Jason Kipnis said Wednesday afternoon that he was feeling a "little bit better" after leaving Tuesday night's game against the Angels with a strained right abdominal muscle.

Manager Terry Francona said there was to rush to put Kipnis on the disabled list, especially with Thursday's off-day. He said a decision could wait until Friday when the Indians open a three-game homestand against the White Sox.

Kipnis was not in the lineup Wednesday and Francona said he would not play.

“I feel like a million bucks," said Kipnis with a laugh. "Naw, feeling a little bit better. Kinda mid-day today and I’m getting a lot of treatment right now. Will be doing that most of the day.”

Francona was encouraged that Kipnis came to Angel Stadium on Wednesday morning feeling better instead of worse.

"We'll obviously see how he's responding," said Francona. "If we need to do something Thursday, we certainly can. There's no rush to put him on the disabled list, that's for sure."

"I mean I feel all right," said Kipnis. "You’re always going to feel a little bit sore in the morning after something like this happens. But I think I’m all right and I’m getting a lot of treatment right now that’s going to help it a lot and with today off and tomorrow off, we’ll see how it feels and go from there.”

Kipnis said he did not get an MRI.

"Like I said, Tito (manager Terry Francona) and James (Quinlan, head athletic trainer) will decide what the plan is for that."

Dansby said Browns could finish with a better record than his former team, the Arizona Cardinals. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio – Karlos Dansby considers himself a “visionary” and wants to assure skeptics – one former teammate specifically – he saw more than dollar signs when agreeing to terms with the Browns in March.

The club’s new inside linebacker fired back at Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett, who last week accused Dansby of chasing “the money” rather than “chasing a ring.”

Dansby considered the comments, as reported by ArizonaSports.com, disrespectful to the Browns, and he believes they made Dockett sound like someone who didn’t "trust" in his remaining teammates. Dansby also thinks the Browns could finish with a better record than the Cardinals, who were a surprising 10-6 last season.

“It was very disrespectful to my teammates and that’s the only reason I’m going to somewhat respond to it,” he told Northeast Ohio Media Group. “It’s disrespectful to my teammates, it’s disrespectful to this organization and all the history it has here.

“It pissed me off big time.”

Dansby signed a four-year, $24 million deal ($14 million guaranteed) following a career season in the desert. It marked the second time he left Dockett and the Cardinals after a winning campaign. He agreed to a five-year, $43 million contract with the Miami Dolphins after the Cardinals reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons (2008-09).

"I personally feel like he chased the money versus chasing a ring," Dockett said last week. "No knock towards Cleveland -- I don't want people to try to think I'm saying Cleveland doesn't have a chance; everybody has a chance -- but I just felt like it was made for him to be here."

Dansby believe the new-look Browns will compete this season after six years of double-digit losses. He sees “lots of sacks” on defense and calls the talent level “awesome.”

But can the Browns really finish with a better record than his old team?

“Hell, yes,” he said. “And, we have enough firepower to do it. That’s why I came here.”

Dansby and Dockett were members of the Cardinals’ 2004 rookie class. Dockett said the Arizona defensive line made sacrifices last season "for that certain individual to make his plays and go into a game not being selfish." Dansby registered 114 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks, four interceptions and 19 passes defensed while on a one-year contract.

“He don’t know me and that’s what he showed (with those comments),” Dansby said. “The 11 years we’ve been around each other he don’t know me.”

Talking with a group of reporters, Dansby was asked about Dockett’s comments and his reason for joining the Browns.

“I’m a visionary, I’m a leader,” he said. “That’s what a leader is, a leader is a visionary that has a poor development of fear and no concept of the odds that are against him. That’s me, that’s what I am.”

Dansby was valued in Arizona for his production and leadership. He thinks Dockett’s remarks can be construed different ways, including one way that doesn’t reflect well on the defensive lineman.

“The way he was saying it, I feel like he doesn’t believe in the guys in the locker room," Dansby told reporters. "That’s how I look at it. If I was to leave and you feel like you can’t make noise because I’m gone, you don’t trust the guys that are there.”

Dansby was valued in Arizona for his production and leadership. Players might not like an important teammate departing for free-agent riches, but rarely do they express those thoughts as bluntly as Dockett did.

“Dockett's the kind of guy, he's going to talk,” said Browns outside linebacker Quentin Groves, who played with both Dansby and Dockett in Arizona.

“He loves to talk, it's nothing against him. Me and Dockett are good friends, but at the same time, if the shoe was ever on the other foot, I would promise you this, it would be interesting to see what he does."

The group behind a campaign ad opposing the extension of the sin tax misleads voters. The coalition of business and civic leaders supporting the sin tax filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The coalition of business and civic leaders behind the campaign to extend Cuyahoga County's sin tax says one group of opponents is lying in a recent television advertisement that urges voters to oppose the tax, which appears on the May ballot as Issue 7.

The Coalition for Greater Cleveland's Future says in a complaint filed Wednesday with the Ohio Elections Commission that an ad paid for by the Citizens Against Unfair Taxes (CAUT) makes several false claims about the proposed countywide tax on alcohol and tobacco sales. Among them is the assertion that Issue 7 will give the owners of Cleveland's professional sports teams "$260 million more."

County officials have said the tax is expected to raise $260 million during the next 20 years. But the money raised is controlled by the county, not by the teams, and is dedicated to repairs and upgrades to the publicly owned facilities, Progressive Field, Quicken Loans Arena and FirstEnergy Stadium. The county and city officials have said they will only pay for repairs and upgrades spelled out in leases with the teams.

"CAUT has been caught misleading the public," Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley, the chief spokesman for the coalition, said in a statement. "Their commercial inaccurately gives the impression that money from extending the tax on alcohol and cigarettes would go to the team owners. That is false. Honest argument is always welcome. This is far from honest."

The ad also incorrectly says the teams receive other tax money, such as the city's admission and car rental taxes. These taxes are collected by the city and applied to several budget items, including the debt service on sports facilities.

The ad correctly states that the teams get parking, concession and advertising revenues related to the facilities.

The complaint, which was filed in Kelley's name, also charges that CAUT has concealed campaign expenditures in violation of campaign finance laws, including the cost of automated campaign phone calls to voters and the donation of yard signs to the Coalition Against the Sin Tax, a separate group opposing the tax and which distributed the signs.

Former State Rep. Earl Martin of Rocky River is treasurer of CAUT, which has ties to the alcohol industry and retailers. Martin, who sells wine, says the ad is accurate and finance reports reflect expenditures made during the reporting period.

Referring to the sin-tax proponents, he said, "Their complaint is that the pubic is hearing the truth."

Take a look at some of the buzz that local boys lacrosse teams are generating on social media.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As local boys lacrosse teams approach and pass the halfway point in the season, there is a fare amount of buzz on social media about some of the top teams in the state. 

Here is a look at some of those teams as well as what people are saying on Twitter put into context.

EXPLORERS CONTINUE STRONG SEASON

Hudson extended its winning streak to four straight with a 15-7 victory against Chagrin Falls on Tuesday. 

Prior to the matchup, the Tigers were unbeaten and had only surrendered ten or more points in a game once this season, to St. Edward (6-4), 15-10, on April 8. 

Mick Mougey scored six times against Chagrin, giving him 22 on the season and making him the team's second highest scorer as he surpasses Gabe Vehar for that distinction. Vehar scored three times against the Tigers to give 21 total. 

Bo Lori is the top scorer for the Explorers this season. His 3-goal performance against Chagrin Falls brings his season total to 30. Lori also had three assists against the Tigers and leads Hudson in that category as well with 27. 

Chris Motter demonstrated how he got to be the team's leader in collecting ground balls, picking up nine on Tuesday to give him 75 this year. 

The Explorers are 7-3 heading into their next matchup against Olentangy (9-3) on Friday. Olentangy is rated 10th in the LaxPower.com computer rankings and represents the third team Hudson has faced this year that ranks in the top 10. 

Hudson lost to seventh-ranked Solon (10-1), 15-14, on April 17 and fifth-ranked Olentangy Liberty to start the season on March 24. 

The Explorers are ranked eighth in the state by LaxPower.com and third in Northern Ohio by Burning River Lacrosse. 

SOLON AND ST. IGNATIUS ONCE AGAIN RANK FIRST AND SECOND IN POLL

The Comets (10-1) are sprinting toward the finish line of the regular season, still holding the No. 1 spot in the Burning River Lacrosse Top 10 poll as they have for the past weeks. In the second spot is St. Ignatius (6-4) which has also not moved during that time frame.

Solon's single loss this season came against Clarkston (9-1), 8-7, in overtime on April 19. Since then, the team has scored at least 16 goals in each of its last three games, winning by counts of 16-2, against Hawken (5-6), 16-6, against Walsh Jesuit (6-4) and 18-11 against University School. 

The Wildcats have done a lot of traveling this year, playing two games in Michigan and two in Indiana, which both resulted in losses over the weekend. 

On Friday, the Wildcats took on Carmel (9-2) and lost, 5-4, in overtime. It was the lowest-scoring game St. Ignatius has played this year. On Saturday, Culver Academy Prep (17-0) beat the Wildcats, 17-7 to remain undefeated. 

The Wildcats are slated to play Shaker Heights (3-5) today before traveling out of state once more to face Mount Lebanon (Pa.)(8-6).