Josh Gordon has had success on the field and trouble off the field. Here's a timeline of Gordon's football career and trouble when not playing. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There's no doubt Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is a rising star in the NFL. From catching passes from Robert Griffin III at Baylor to being selected in the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft by the Browns to setting the franchise's record for most receiving yards in a single season, Gordon has matured and progressed quickly in his two seasons in the NFL. It's his off-the-field troubles that have some people wondering if Gordon can overcome and be able to stay on the field. He's believed to be in Stage Three of the NFL's substance-abuse program, meaning he's facing an indefinite ban and would have to wait at least a year to apply for reinstatement with the NFL.

Below is a timeline of events in Gordon's career in football, on and off the field.

January, 2009

Coming out of Lamar High School in Texas, Gordon was ranked as a 3-star wide receiver according to Rivals.com. He was rated a 2-star receiver by Scout.com. He committed to play football for Baylor University after being targeted by Houston, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas Tech.

November, 2009

Makes lone reception of the season during his freshman season for seven yards against No. 2-ranked Texas. He also returned one kick for 14 yards against the Longhorns.

October, 2010

This photo provided by the McLennan County Sheriff's Office shows Josh Gordon on Oct. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/McLennan County Sheriff)AP

Gordon and teammate Willie Jefferson were arrested after they fell asleep in a drive-through line at a Taco Bell. Police found marijuana in Jefferson’s car. Jefferson, who was driving, was kicked off the team because it was his second violation.

November, 2010

Gordon finished out the season, playing in 13 games, including five starts. He caught 42 passes for 714 yards and seven touchdowns.

July, 2011

Head coach Art Briles suspended Gordon indefinitely for an undisclosed rules violation. “It was due to a failed marijuana test,” Gordon said. “It was against school policy, of course, and I was (suspended) in the summer. I’ve definitely put that part of my life behind me. I don’t plan to ever go back there. It was a difficult time, but I learned from it, and I’ve moved on.”

August, 2011

Gordon transfers to Utah, where he was required to sit out during the 2011 season. He never actually played a game for the Utes. "We did our homework," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham told the (Salt Lake City) Deseret News when Gordon transferred. "We talked to many, many coaches and people associated with Josh. We felt that he deserves a second chance and we're going to give him that." He then changed his mind and entered the Supplemental Draft, but too late for the 2011 version.

July, 2012

Gordon declared for the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft, going to the Browns. Cleveland sacrificed a 2013 second-round draft pick to select Gordon in Round 2. Gordon measured in at 6-foot-3 and 224 pounds at a workout for NFL teams a week earlier. He also chalked up a 36-inch vertical and broad jump of just over 10 feet at that event, while his 4.52 40 time was lower than anticipated. Cleveland's only other Supplemental Draft pick in franchise history: Bernie Kosar. On July 16, Gordon signs a four-year, $5.3 million deal with the Browns.

September, 2012

Gordon makes his first NFL catch against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 of the 2012 season. He catches two passes for 32 yards in the Browns' 17-16 loss.

October, 2012

Josh Gordon, October 2012 (PD photo)

He makes his first touchdown catch against the New York Giants on the road. Both of his catches against the Giants go for scores, ending the game with 82 yards. The Browns lose, 41-27. Gordon helps the Browns win the next week, 34-24, against the Cincinnati Bengals. He finishes with three catches, 99 yards and one touchdown. He's able to snag at least one touchdown catch in three of the Browns' four games in the month of October.

December, 2012

Gordon records his first 100-yard game in receiving yards against the Oakland Raiders, catching six passes and scoring once. The Browns win, 20-17, in Oakland. He finishes the season with 50 receptions, 805 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games, where he starts 13.

May, 2013

Gordon was caught going 45 mph in a 25 mph zone on W. 25th Street in Cleveland.

June, 2013

He was suspended without pay for the first two games of the 2013 NFL season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. In addition to the two-game suspension, he was docked four game checks, which amounts to $148,894. Gordon said in a statement that he used cough medicine containing codeine -- a banned substance -- while recovering from strep throat in February. The league could have given him a four-game suspension. "The policy terms are strict about unintentional ingestion, but the NFL has not imposed the maximum punishment in light of the facts of my case," Gordon said. "Therefore, I have chosen to be immediately accountable for the situation. I sincerely apologize for the impact on my team, coaches, and Browns fans." Joe Banner on the suspension: "Gordon knows that the rope that's left isn't long."

August, 2013

On Aug. 13, Gordon was clocked at 98 miles per hour in a 60 mph zone on Interstate 71 near W. 150th street in Cleveland.

September, 2013

Gordon confirms that he's facing banishment from the NFL for at least a year if he violates the substance abuse policy again. "I think that's what it is,'' he said. "I believe so.'' During Week 3, Gordon's first game of the season, he catches 10 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown in a 31-27 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

November, 2013

Josh Gordon, November 2014 (AP photo)

During Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gordon had 237 receiving yards and one touchdown catch in a 27-11 loss. In Week 13's matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he caught ten passes for 261 yards, including two touchdowns. Gordon is the only player in NFL history with consecutive 200-yard receiving games in the regular season.

December, 2013

On Dec. 27, Gordon was voted to his first Pro Bowl Selection. He finishes the season with 1,646 yards receiving -- leading the league -- on 87 catches. He finds the endzone nine times. He was named All-Pro alongside Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions.

January, 2014

Gordon is whisked around Super Bowl weekend like an A-list celebrity.

He made his rounds on radio row at the Super Bowl, appeared on ESPN's FirstTake, and sat down with NFL Network for a seven-minute interview.

"It's really been easy to deal with,'' Gordon said after his interview of all the attention he's received since his record-shattering season. "It's pretty much been pitch and catch, asking questions and answering questions. It's cool. I like it, actually.''

May, 2014

Two sources tell ESPN's Outside the Lines that Gordon tested positive for marijuana and was informed in early winter. Gordon received a second letter in April notifying him of the pending suspension. Because Gordon is already believed to be in Stage Three of the NFL's substance abuse policy, he faces banishment from the NFL for a minimum of one calendar year. Browns general manager Ray Farmer opened his Day Two draft press conference by saying, "I know there's been a lot of shocking - supposedly - news that we're not going to comment on with regards to Josh Gordon. The league has stated what we can and cannot say, so until we have clarity, we're going to remain silent.''

Josh Gordon, May 2014 (PD photo)

The All-Pro wide receiver participates in Browns' OTAs. Gordon was stopped for speeding in Strongsville over Memorial Day Weekend, and the officer smelled marijuana in the car when he pulled Gordon over. He was not cited for possession, but one of the three passengers in his Mercedes SUV was.

What should the Browns do with Gordon? Should they hold onto the talented receiver and hope he turns the corner? Or should they let him go and move on? Vote in our poll here.

The Saints' Drew Brees shares his thoughts on whether Manziel can succeed in the NFL.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - As the Browns continue Organized Team Activities this week in Berea, Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel are part of one of the two shortest groups of quarterbacks in the NFL.

As Northeast Ohio Media Group Browns reporter Tom Reed writes in a story this afternoon:

With an average height of 6-foot-1, the collection of Manziel, Brian Hoyer, Connor Shaw and Tyler Thigpen is tied for the NFL's smallest, according to measurements supplied on the teams' websites. They're seeing eye to eye with the diminutive group from the Seattle Seahawks led by Russell Wilson, who proved his 5-foot-11 frame was no detriment to winning the Super Bowl.

Someone who knows about succeeding as a 6-foot quarterback, New Orleans' Drew Brees, had thoughts on Manziel as he joined the Boomer and Carton show on CBS Sports:

Michael Brantley has received the ninth-most All-Star votes among American League outfielders.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Michael Brantley checked in at No. 9 in the latest batch of American League All-Star balloting for outfielders.

Last week, he did not rank among the top 15 vote-getters.

"I'm happy," said Indians manager Terry Francona. "I wish he wasn't ninth. I wish he was first or second."

As of Monday's release, Brantley stood about 42,000 votes shy of Oakland's Yoenis Cespedes, who ranked eighth. Anaheim's Mike Trout and Toronto's Jose Bautista and Melky Cabrera would start the game if the balloting ended today. New York's Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran, Baltimore's Adam Jones and Detroit's Torii Hunter also sit in front of Brantley.

No other Indians players rank in the top five at their position.

Brantley carried a .307 batting average, .370 on-base percentage, .875 OPS, nine home runs, 40 RBIs, eight stolen bases and league-leading six outfield assists into Monday's action.

"I probably need to talk more about him, because he's not going to brag about himself," Francona said. "He's one of the better players in the game. It's not just hitter; it's baserunner, outfielder, teammate. He's gotten to that point now where I think you're going to start seeing national recognition."

Brantley has impressed his former outfield mate, Grady Sizemore, who returned to Cleveland on Monday with his new team, the Red Sox.

"He is probably one of the most underrated players in the game," Sizemore said. "He's getting a lot of recognition now, but probably still not what he deserves. If you watch what he's done the last couple of years, it's been pretty impressive. He's only going to get better."

A look at the 2014 OHSAA state baseball brackets.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 2014 OHSAA state baseball tournament is scheduled to get underway on Thursday in Columbus.

Two local teams will be representing the area this weekend, as North Royalton and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin both clinched a berth in the state tournament last weekend.

The North Royalton Bears have been on quite an impressive run, knocking off some highly ranked teams on their run in the playoffs. Last Saturday, the Bears were able to clinch a spot in the Division I state tournament with a 3-1 victory against Sylvania Southview.

In Division II, it was Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin clinching a berth at the state, defeating Woodridge, 16-1.

With all 16 state berths clinched in the state tournament, here is a look at the brackets by division.

Division I.

Division II.

Division III.

Division IV.

The action gets underway on Thursday with the Division III and Division IV semifinal round, with the Division I and Division II semifinals taking place on Friday. All four championships will be played on Saturday.

Stay tuned at cleveland.com as baseball reporters Stephanie Kuzydym (@stephkuzy) and Lexi Pluym (@LexiPluym) provide you with coverage throughout the week.

You contact high school sports reporter Mark Kern by email (mkern@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@markkern11). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Look for Carlos Santana to be activated from the disabled list by Friday. He's been on the seven-day DL concussion list.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Quick hits from manager Terry Francona's pre-game press conference Monday at Progressive Field.

Getting closer: Carlos Santana can be activated Wednesday from the seven-day disabled list, but Francona doesn't think the trainers will let him back that soon.

"But I would not be surprised if he's back by Friday," said Francona.

Santana suffered a concussion on May 25 when he took a foul tip off his mask at Camden Yards. He was placed on the DL on Tuesday.

It was Santana's second concussion in three years. When Francona was asked if Santana would continue as the backup catcher, Francona said, "That's something I'd like to talk to Carlos about."

Another lefty: The Indians added lefty Nick Hagadone and optioned right-hander Mark Lowe to Class AAA Columbus on Monday before opening a three-game series against Boston. Francona said Hagadone has been hot of late at Columbus and the Red Sox are loaded with left-handed hitters.

The Indians have three lefties in the pen with Hagadone, Marc Rzepczynski and Josh Outman.

"We just wanted to have more balance in our bullpen," said Francona.

Bring on the Ax man: Francona said the move with Hagadone and Lowe will allow him to use deposed closer John Axford more. Axford, headed into Monday's game, had not pitched five days.

"This move will help us do that," said Francona. "I know he hasn't pitched in five days. I actually was explaining it to Axford.

"When you have close games --- and Bryan Shaw, Cody Allen and Scott Atchison have been so good . . .(it's hard not to go to them). But I have a responsibility to get him in there so we can keep him on the right road."

Axford opened the year at closer, but lost the job in early May. Francona has been using Shaw, Allen, Atchison and Rzepczynski in a closer-by-committee.

"I think in Ax's last couple of outings his delivery has been calmer and the ball is down more and coming out of his hand crisper," said Francona.

Talking about Manny Ramirez: Last week the Red Sox celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the 2004 World Series championship. Ramirez was there and apologized for the way he acted during his stormy stay in Boston.

Francona, who Boston's manager during that run which produced two World Series titles, was asked about Ramirez, who eventually forced the Red Sox to trade him in 2008 with his behavior, including taking himself out of the lineup.

"That's a long time ago," said Francona. "I don't think I have a lot of comments about it. It doesn't seem like it makes a whole lot of sense to have a lot of comments about it.

"It seems like Manny is in a good place. I'll never root for anybody not to be in a good place.

"Manny, for the most part, is a real lovable guy. When you're in charge of a team, along with that comes discipline and everyone doing things one way. You can be in a precarious spot with Manny. That's just stating the truth. So sometimes we bumped heads."

The Cubs last week signed Ramirez, 42, as a player-coach for their Class AAA Iowa team.

Former Indians outfielder talks about coming back to Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Grady Sizemore will run to a familiar spot when he takes the field on Monday night. Well, sort of.

Sizemore, who says he'll leave roaming center field to the younger players, is returning to Progressive Field for the first time since signing with the Red Sox after spending eight seasons in an Indians uniform -- seasons full of potential and injury. Sizemore will start in right field.

Sizemore met with the media prior to Monday's game and talked about his time in Cleveland, why he's been able to stay healthy, and he even took some time to compliment current Indians outfielder Michael Bourn.

Watch the video above and share your favorite Grady Sizemore moment in the comments below.

Browns Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter says "it's fairly obvious'' that Josh Gordon's substance use is "more important to him than anything else'' and that he can wear a gold jacket if he gets it together.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter, who overcame drug addiction early in his career, stressed that Browns receiver Josh Gordon won't change until he finds his own rock bottom and asks for help.

"It's fairly obvious that (using substances) is more important to him than anything else,'' the former Ohio State star told cleveland.com in a phone interview. "It's always been very, very important to him. It's well-documented that it's been primary since early college. Maybe it even goes back to early high school.''

Carter stressed that if Gordon can overcome his issues and stay healthy, he could be one of the best to ever play the game.

 "He's really one of the few receivers that's playing in the game now that with a sustained long and healthy career you can say he's got the potential to wear a gold jacket,'' said Carter. "He's pretty special.''

Carter, who turned his life and career around in Minnesota after Eagles coach Buddy Ryan cut him in 1990, helps plenty of players in the NFL struggling with substance abuse, but only the ones who are open to it.

"If the building is on fire and the person decides to stay in there, I don't run in there and get him out,'' Carter said. "If you see them breaking the glass, if you see them struggling and trying to get out -- that's my analogy of how I help out the guys in the league and the kids that really, really need help.''

He indicated that Gordon, who's facing an indefinite suspension from the NFL for what's believed to be at least his third violation of the NFL's substance, might not be ready to quit yet. On May 25th, Gordon was ticketed for speeding, and the Cuyahoga Count Sherriff's deputy detected the smell of marijuana in the car, a source told cleveland.com. One of the Gordon's three passengers was cited for marijuana possession.

"I'd much rather help an undrafted free agent that has a problem and he says I've got a problem and he wants some help, then help a guy who's first-team All-Pro (and hasn't reached out),'' said Carter.

Carter said he and other NFL veterans are there for all of the players who need them, and that a lot goes on behind-the-scenes.

"We get involved privately when guys have certain issues,'' said Carter. "But some players run away from the help as opposed to running to the help. Most of these kids, they don't want to have a heart-to-heart conversation. They've got enough people lecturing them and telling them what they should be doing.''

He cautioned that Gordon's situation could get worse before it gets better.

"But unless you've talked to Josh, you don't know where he is,'' said Carter, who admitted using alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine. "Just like no one could explain my story, no one's going to be able to explain his.''

Carter said he wasn't willing to change until Ryan released him in 1990, just three years into his 16-year career.

"My bottom was getting cut and I was so upset because even though they cut me, I wasn't using at the time,'' said Carter. "They cut me because they couldn't trust me. At the time, I had only flunked two tests. The next one, I would've been suspended for a year.  I was clean for over six months at the time I got cut.''

During his Hall of Fame acceptance speech, Carter thanked Ryan through tears for saving his life, calling the move "the best thing that ever happened to me.''

When he got to Minnesota, he was open to all the help the Vikings had to offer.

"Man, [the Vikings] invested so much time in me," Carter told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "They got me to see the right people. Man, when I got there, I needed a lot of help. Oh my goodness."

"It was a lot of hard work, but there were a lot of people helping me, not on the football field, but just getting my life together. They really cared about me. I owe everything to the Vikings. What they invested in me was more than money. What they taught me was how to live the rest of my life. I didn't have to be a prisoner to the things that held me back before. That I could finally, finally tap into my athletic ability. That was the first time that I really feel like the car was running 100 percent."

Carter, who shares his story with rookies at the NFL's Rookie Symposium, declined to comment on whether or not he thinks Gordon would benefit from a stint in rehab.
He added that fans are angry because most of them don't understand addiction.

"Fans are unrealistic because they all think if they were in that situation, they would never do that,'' said Carter. "Everyone always thinks it's easy.''

But, he said, the fans are the least of Gordon's problems.

"Josh can't even help himself,'' said Carter. "How can he help the fans?''
Gordon, who's spent time with Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin, was set to spend about three weeks in Minnesota this summer at Larry Fitzgerald's pro receiver camp, which is attended by Carter, Irvin and others.

Carter doesn't know if Gordon is still planning to come "and I haven't thought a second about it. Josh is not my responsibility.  Not everyone is in a position to be saved.''

Exciting, often-injured Grady Sizemore, one of the greatest "what if's" in Indians' history, returned to Cleveland Monday night in the starting lineup for the Boston red Sox.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Grady Sizemore, the 21^st century's Herb Score, is making a comeback with the Boston Red Sox. Same thing happened with the original Score, only with different-colored (White) Sox.

Sitting in the visiting dugout before the game, Sizemore said, "It still feels like home. It feels weird being back, being in the visiting clubhouse."

He said he still felt the "family vibe" here. "A lot of good memories," said Sizemore. "I have nothing but good memories – great teams, great guys. It's good to be back here."

It was great theater when Sizemore was an Indian -– a drama made up of a sinking or soaring ball, a wall to be challenged or a body-sized divot to be taken out of the grass, and a player who proved all too breakable.

When Sizemore was right, he was probably the dominant player in the Central Division and one of the best in the game –- a 33-homer, 38-steals guy in 2008, a fixture, the kind of guy you write into the lineup in ink and expect assembly line production from.

Except so often he wasn't right.

For the past two seasons, as he recovered from a bewildering series of injuries, Sizemore, the most popular Indians player since Omar Vizquel left as a free agent a decade ago, never expected to be home, or anyplace else, in the big leagues.

The injuries kept coming – elbow, two hernias, serious microfracture surgery on both knees, a bad back --- and, although he denies it, much of it was probably aggravated by the diving, crashing, full-tilt way he played center field.

The Indians have had many what-if's beyond "What if Jose Mesa had manned up in Game 7 against the Marlins in the World Series" and "What if Joel Skinner hadn't held Kenny Lofton at third in Game 7 against the Red Sox in the ALCS." Maybe also, "What if Carlos Baerga hadn't cast a big shadow over the infield dirt and not just the record book?" and "What if hot-tempered Albert Belle didn't richly deserve his nickname of 'Snapper," even more than 'Corky?'"

But the most poignant regrets were with Score and Sizemore. We can debate what either might have been. With Sizemore, Mike Trout with less power was feasible.

Some thought an arm injury was even more debilitating to Score but after May 7, 1957, when Gil McDougald's line drive hit Score, the 1955 American League Rookie of the Year, in the eye, his career path changed. Score played five seasons here, then three in Chicago. The hold of the game on him was as irresistible as ever, although his pitches were not that way to hitters anymore.

With Sizemore, too, no one knew which injury was the culprit, although there were more to choose from. He played at least 157 games out of 162 for four straight years, followed by a parade of seven operations beginning in 2009.

It is at the very least  arguable that former Indians  manager Eric Wedge's emphasis on "grinding" -- an umbrella term for his expectations for players to work the count, run everything out, show up ready to play and "straighten that cap, mister!" –- eroded Sizemore in a way Wedge never intended.

Not to mention the franchise-changing decision to jettison Brandon Phillips, he of the cap controversy and other tiffs.

"I think everybody who ever saw (Sizemore) play knew he was growing into a force," said Tribe manager Terry Francona. "He was ready, and he seemed to do it in a very respectful way. It makes it easy to pull for guys like that."

Sizemore's recovery in Boston seems to have been driven by a holistic approach to the way the body parts are connected. Compensating for one injury caused damage elsewhere.

"When I was here, they knew what the problem was, but they just couldn't fix it," Sizemore said. "They had a good idea how to fix it (in Boston) and keep me from going back to bad habits," he said.

What bad habits?

Sizemore said, "Not so much bad habits as (keeping) my body in the right position. Muscles,  ligaments and joints were going in the wrong direction, everything was out of synch, nothing was firing like it should, and that put a lot of pressure on those areas, especially my knees."

Sizemore batted seventh for the Red Sox Monday. He was playing right field, not center, where he played here with such reckless abandon for parts of eight seasons.

"I'll leave center field to the young guys," Sizemore said.

"It's quite an accomplishment that he's playing again," said Francona. "Don't get me wrong. I hope you don't see him on base. I don't want him to get hurt or anything like that."

Francona's focus is to win each day's game, whether it is against the team he led to two World Series titles or not, whether a player he admired from afar, like Sizemore, is in the opposing lineup or not.

"Go to the next city and he can go ahead and do the storied things he did," Francona said.

Josh Tomlin, with a rebuilt right elbow, can once again throw his curveball with conviction.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Seen and heard Monday at Progressive Field.

Clubhouse confidential: Josh Tomlin tied a career high with eight strikeouts in just 5 2/3 innings on Sunday against Colorado.

"Where did that come from?" asked Tomlin with a laugh.

Mostly it came from a healthy right elbow and a good curveball. In fact, it was the second time in as many starts that Tomlin struck out eight batters.

"It's not a new pitch, but I couldn't really get good extension on it when I was hurt," said Tomlin, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2012. "Now I can throw it in the dirt when I need to and I can throw it for a strike when I want to."

Before this season, the last time Tomlin had eight strikeouts was May 7, 2012 against the White Sox.

Walk-off central: Michael Bourn's two-run homer in the ninth inning Sunday against the Rockies was the first walk-off hit of his career. For the Indians, according to Elias, is was their 16^th in the last four years, the most by any big league club. Here's the breakdown: seven in 2011, one in 2012, six in 2013 and two this season.

The Indians have 72 walk-off wins since Progressive Field opener in 1994.                         

Stat of the day: The Indians entered Monday's series with Boston with the best home record in the AL at 18-11 and the fourth best in baseball behind the Rockies (16-7), Giants (19-9) and Miami (20-11).

Get live updates and chat as the Indians take on the Red Sox to start a three-game series. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get scoring updates and analysis as the Indians take on the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field and chat with cleveland.com's Dan Labbe in the comments section.

Scoring summary

1st inning: Michael Bourn and Michael Brantley score on Lonnie Chisenhall's single. Indians 2, Red Sox 0.

3rd inning: Bourn scores on single by Asdrubal Cabrera. Indians 3, Red Sox 0.

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.

The Indians have won seven in a row at home.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the lineups for Tuesday's game between the Indians and Red Sox at Progressive Field:

Red Sox (27-30)

1. Brock Holt 1B (.333)

2. Xander Bogaerts 3B (.300)

3. Dustin Pedroia 2B (.273)

4. David Ortiz DH (.263)

5. Jonny Gomes LF (.229)

6. A.J. Pierzynski C (.283)

7. Alex Hassan RF (.333)

8. Jackie Bradley Jr. CF (.200)

9. Jonathan Herrera SS (.208)

Jake Peavy RHP (1-2, 4.50 ERA)

Indians (28-30)

1. Michael Bourn CF (.294)

2. Asdrubal Cabrera SS (.243)

3. Michael Brantley LF (.302)

4. Jason Kipnis 2B (.227)

5. Lonnie Chisenhall 1B (.360)

6. Ryan Raburn DH (.217)

7. David Murphy RF (.282)

8. Yan Gomes C (.262)

9. Mike Aviles 3B (.280)

LHP T.J. House (0-1, 4.05 ERA)

Dipre was a first-team All-Ohio selection last season as a junior.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio – St. Edward junior linebacker Troy Dipre announced his verbal commitment Tuesday to play college football to Kent State.

Eagles coach Rick Finotti confirmed Dipre's college choice.

The 6-0, 220-pounder, was first-team All-Ohio last season. He totaled more than 106 tackles, including 11 for loss and seven quarterback sacks last season as the Eagles reached the Division I regional final/state semifinal.

Dipre reportedly also received offers from Toledo, Buffalo and Air Force.

He follows recent St. Edward Class of 2015 commits Andrew and David Dowell (Northwestern) and Alex Stump (Kentucky). Fellow junior Shaun Crawford committed to Michigan prior to last season, but decommitted and visited Notre Dame last month.

Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@ScottPatsko). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Johnny Manziel did make a great throw to Jordan Cameron, but it was a long day for the rookie quarterback. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Browns OTA notebook:

1. Watching this practice, you can see why the Browns have designated Brian Hoyer as the starter -- and keep insisting Johnny Manziel has to beat out the veteran. Twice, Manziel had passes picked off and run back for touchdowns. One was by Donte Whitner, the other by Joe Haden. The two veteran defensive backs schooled the rookie QB.

2. Johnny Football fans, please calm down. This is not about ripping the kid from Texas A&M. It's more like saying, "The NFL is tough for any rookie quarterback." Coach Mike Pettine believes one of the interceptions might have been because a receiver ran the wrong route. I'm not going to play the expert and pretend I know who made the mistake. But on the other throw, Pettine simply said "bad read" by Manziel.

3. Remember, it's early June. No one is being tackled. It's 11-on-11 at times, but the accent is on speed. There are more than 90 players in camp, virtually all new to this coaching staff. So there will be times when it looks ragged.

4. Hoyer seemed sharp most of the day, but he also was picked off near the end of practice by defensive back Jordan Poyer. I like some of what I saw from Poyer, who was claimed on waivers after appearing in three games with Philadelphia last season. Poyer also returned eight punts for a 14.3-yard average, filling in for the injured Travis Benjamin.

5. Manziel made a Johnny Football play when he ran hard to his right, stopped sharply, twirled to his left and threw the ball more than 50 yards across the field to Jordan Cameron. The tight end made an excellent long-arm catch. The moment he released the ball, I thought another interception was coming. Instead, it was a great play.

6. Manziel made a couple of other nice throws, but it was a difficult day for him. And he knew it, based on his body language.

Andrew Hawkins has been the star of the Browns camp when it comes to receivers. John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer 

7. I've been to the three OTA sessions open to the media, and the best receiver on the field -- by far -- has been Andrew Hawkins. This type of football (no tackling) is perfect for a 5-foot-7, 170-pound speedster. I knew he was quick, but he has shown outstanding hands. Rookie Justin Gilbert said he'd rather cover Josh Gordon than Hawkins.

8. Of course, Gilbert has not seen the real Gordon. The receiver has made some good plays, but he seems to sometimes be coasting. Pettine said Gordon has been "solid" on the field and in the building, but I've not seen a lot of life from him.

9. Veteran Earl Bennett isn't especially quick, but he has shown some good hands and could be a valuable possession receiver. When I asked Pettine about him, the coach praised the former Chicago Bear, calling him "a true pro." Bennett is impressing his new team.

10. The Browns are experimenting with MarQueis Gray at fullback. They seem to be wandering away from a classic fullback, looking at more athletes such as tight ends to play the position.

Josh Gordon's latest misstep, which included a speeding ticket and a passenger in his car who police say had a small amount of marijuana on him, "can be troubling if it's a pattern,'' coach Mike Pettine said.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon jogged into the locker room after organized team activities Tuesday and declined to comment on his speeding incident from Memorial Day Weekend, one in which the deputy smelled marijuana in his car and cited one of Gordon's passengers for possession.

Gordon is due in Berea Municipal Court on Wednesday morning to dispute the ticket, for being clocked at 74 miles per hour in a 60 mph zone on Interstate 71 north of Route 82.

He's is also awaiting word on his drug suspension from the NFL, which could be handed down any day now. Unless Gordon's attorneys manage to strike a deal, he'll likely receive an indefinite ban with an opportunity to apply for reinstatement after a year.

Coach Mike Pettine said the new twist in the case doesn't change anything from the team's standpoint.

"At this point, there's nothing to act on,'' said Pettine. "We don't know. That's part of it and I can sense the frustration, but it's a difficult thing. Until it happens we have a plan in place for all eventualities.''

Pettine acknowledged that Gordon's behavior "can be troubling especially if there's a pattern. (But) he comes out and works hard in practice. He puts in a day's work. He's solid in the classroom. When he's in the building, he's been solid.''

Gordon's teammates are ready to lend a hand in any way they can.

Receiver Nate Burleson, who has played with Pro Bowl receivers Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson, stressed it would be a shame for Gordon to be out of football for any length of time.

"That type of talent you want on the field,'' Burleson said. "You only get so many guys every few years that can redefine the position. He's one of them. God blessed him. What I want to try and get him to understand is that if he can harness what he has been gifted with, he's going to be trouble in this league for a long time.''

But, Burleson acknowledged, "sometimes it takes a few fumbles before you learn to secure the ball.''

Tight end Jordan Cameron emphasized that the Browns will continue to support their All-Pro wideout.

"He's a brother to us and we have his back no matter what,'' said Cameron. "He's a grown man. He'll figure it out sooner or later.''

New cornerback Aaron Berry, who overcame back-to-back arrests in 2012 for driving under the influence and brandishing a gun, said he understands where Gordon is at and knows just what he should do: Be careful who he's hanging out with.

"My friends understood that I had to move forward and get away from the negative stuff,'' he said.

Gordon will be in good company at least for tonight. Burleson has organized a receiver dinner so the players can get to know each other.

 

LeBron James and the Miami Heat face the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, starting Thursday. The rematch means much for their respective legacies, but nothing much for the Cavaliers' chances of bringing James back to Cleveland this summer.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Whatever your rooting interest in the Spurs-Heat NBA Finals, please for the sake of logic and your own sanity remove the Cavaliers from the equation.

The argument about how the outcome could mean LeBron James will/will not opt out of Miami and come home is the second leading threat to our remaining brain cells behind a continuous loop of "Splash" reruns.

Win or lose, why would James trade in his total Miami experience – four straight trips to the Finals, his friendships with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, his trust in Pat Riley and Eric Spoelstra, the lure of South Beach as a free agent attraction – when he so obviously doesn't need the money a long-term deal would bring.

Why give that up when what he has in Miami dwarfs the track record of his suitors in the same categories of productivity, trust, chemistry and location.

Lose to the Spurs, and James isn't likely to see the end of a run. Who threatens Miami in the East? Who else in the West?

The Spurs (the NBA's only legitimate usurper to Miami) would be as close or closer to the organizational finish line than the Heat would.

Beat the Spurs, and two of James' options favor him staying in Miami. He could opt out and re-sign long-term with the Heat. He could pick up the option this summer, return for one year, and opt out again in the summer of 2015.

Neither scenario is a jumping-off point to logically argue that the pull of the Cavaliers would be great enough to interrupt James' "not one, not two, not three" crowd pleasing prophecy.

Wade's age (33) and knees (43) are often cited as a reason for James to move on. While Wade's miles could dissuade James from signing up long term in Miami, James doesn't have to make a long-term decision this year.

Wade and Bosh could always flee first, I guess, and chase their own multi-year bonanza, but at what cost?

James could bide time and see what Riley and Spoelstra have in mind. He certainly has better reason to give them the benefit of the doubt than he does to trust David Griffin, Dan Gilbert and the latest Cavs coach to be named.

The timing for a return to Cleveland is terrible, made so, in part, by the Cavaliers' own stumbling and bumbling in the last four years.

The people who argue the Cavs are an attractive alternative for James base that on flimsy premises. All that's required is a trade for Kevin Love (who has only expressed his frustration with losing basketball) and an extension for Kyrie Irving (who doesn't exactly seem enamored with this city or this organization).

Other than that, the Love-LeBron-Kyrie triumvirate is a lock.

The Cavs seem like a better twilight landing for James than a prime-time landing. Why come here now, just when winning championships has become his all-consuming pursuit?

His return would make for a good story, even if the narrative has turned 180 degrees. He wouldn't need it to fix his reputation. He would be restoring the Cavaliers' image. 

More than anything else, his return would make a better ending than a story.

A fourth straight NBA Finals is hardly the narrative's falling action in what even James' critics must admit is a riveting tale.

Why Cleveland? Why now?

So root for James because you've forgiven him or never held leaving against him in the first place. Root against him because you consider him a traitor.

Pull for the Spurs because they represent basketball as you believe it was meant to be played. Root against them because the NBA is entertainment and the Spurs are about as exciting as a C-Span marathon.

Just don't root based on what it means for a Cavaliers' franchise that has earned every last bit of its irrelevance since "The Decision."

See a list of local aces for late May and early June.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is the latest weekly list of local golfers scoring a hole-in-one or double eagle, as reported by the courses.

Joe Berdine of Hudson aced the 125-yard sixth hole at Astorhust  C.C. using a pitching wedge.

Mike Bonanno aced the 125-yard sixth hole at Gleneagles G.C. using an 8-iron.

View full sizeCheck cleveland.com each Tuesday for a list of holes-in-one and double eagles as reported by area courses.Associated Press 

Mark Carter of Parma aced the 140-yard sixth hole at Hinckley Hills G.C. using a 7-iron.

Richard Ciolek of Broadview Heights aced the 130-yard sixth hole at Hinckley Hills G.C. using a 7-iron.

Chris Fillar of Cleveland aced the 157-yard eighth hole at Sleepy Hollow G.C. using a 9-iron.

Eric Glassman of Beachwood aced the 150-yard sixth hole at StoneWater G.C. using a 6-iron.

Gerard Gobeille of Strongsville aced the 153-yard 11^th hole at Manakiki G.C. using a 7-iron.

Fred Gross of Middleburg Heights aced the 139-yard 25^th hole at Mallard Creek G.C. using an 8-iron.

Wayne Jeske of Parma Heights aced the 113-yard seventh hole on the Legacy Course at Sweetbriar G.C. using a pitching wedge.

Danny Losch of Cuyahoga Falls aced the 143-yard third hole at Pleasant Hill G.C. using a 7-iron.

Rob McClain of Westlake aced the 137-yard 17^th hole at Coppertop at Cherokee Hills using a 7-iron.

Don Mikoloski aced the 160-yard third hole at Cherry Ridge G.C. using a pitching wedge.

Ann "Red" Netherly aced the 146-yard third hole at North Olmsted G.C. using a 4-hybrid.

Roosevelt Paschal of Shaker Heights aced the 131-yard fifth hole at Shawnee Hills G.C. using a 7-iron.

Tommy Pope of Rocky River aced the 193-yard 12^th hole at Big Met using a 5-hybrid.

Ryan Roche of North Ridgeville aced the 195-yard 14^th hole at Hinckley Hills G.C. using a 4-iron.

Nancy Rundell of Parma Heights aced the 71-yard sixth hole at Old Pine G.C. using a 3-wood.

Nick Seidel of Bolingbrook, Ill., aced the 170-yard third hole at Dorlon G.C. using a 6-iron.

Frank Skinner of Avon aced the 170-yard third hole at Dorlon G.C. using a 5-wood.

Debra Wilson-Klooz aced the 127-yard 11^th hole at Manakiki G.C. using a wood.

Tate thinks it would be 'annoying' to be center of attention all the time.

BEREA, Ohio – Ben Tate understands the public's fascination with Johnny Manziel, but he isn't among those reading every story or downloading each TMZ video featuring the rookie quarterback.

The Browns halfback believes the Manziel hype needs to be dialed back -- at least until he plays his first NFL game.

"It's not really sympathy, it's just as a player I know I would get tired if people were monitoring if I picked my nose, if I spit to the left or right," Tate said Tuesday. "It's annoying. He's a human being. He's a great football player. I get why he gets the constant media attention. I just think he wants to come in here and do his job and try to win the starting quarterback position."

Tate was asked about comments he made over the weekend in Los Angeles regarding Manziel in which he said:

"He had success early in his career when he was at (Texas) A&M. He won the Heisman or whatever, but there are lots of people that have won the Heisman. I mean, Mark Ingram won the Heisman, and I don't see everyone all excited when he got to the league."

Using his Twitter account, Tate wanted fans to know he wasn't criticizing Manziel with that remark.

And for ppl trying to say I dissed Johnny I got 1 finger up to yall and it's not my pointer. My point was I'm sure he is tired of it all

— Ben Tate (@BenTateRB) June 3, 2014

And just wants to be left alone to play football y'all too worried about what he does in his everyday life that's all I was saying

— Ben Tate (@BenTateRB) June 3, 2014

Manziel's trip to Las Vegas over Memorial Day weekend made national news and included TMZ videos and pictures of him at a club and pool party. Browns coaches and teammates defended their quarterback's Vegas getaway.

TMZ published another video Saturday of Manziel exiting a club in Los Angeles, where he attended the NFL Players Association Rookie Premiere.

"Y'all (the media) just hype everything up and make everything more extreme than it is," Tate said. "I guess that's your job. That's what you're standing right here for."

Someone asked Tate if Manziel's long pass to Jordan Cameron during Tuesday's practice, "caught his eye."

"Did it catch yours?" he replied. "It's a good football play. It's not anything I haven't seen before."

Tate was asked what the "story" will be Tuesday night after he throws out the first pitch at the Indians game.

"It might be the Indians trying to sign me," he said laughing. "I'm just trying to get it over the plate and not in the dirt."

Tate gave away 44 tickets to Tuesday night's game through his Twitter account. Here is a sampling of those Tweets:

Last ticket goes to u RT @LoyalCLE: @BenTateRB I even repped the browns in Jordan. pic.twitter.com/ng8bQScluU

— Ben Tate (@BenTateRB) June 3, 2014

Giving u 2 then 1 more for best @vine bark and 4 to @ClevelandClinic RT @clevefan830: @BenTateRB got any tickets left pic.twitter.com/L2oTRSaOHl

— Ben Tate (@BenTateRB) June 3, 2014

Haha got them (+1 parent) RT @prossman10: @BenTateRB how about us? We'd love to go! pic.twitter.com/Rd4Ztdrgd6

— Ben Tate (@BenTateRB) June 3, 2014

Yea I got u for sure RT @baldandangry7: @BenTateRB I bleed Brown and Orange! #diehardtilidie pic.twitter.com/1V98lrCDFz

— Ben Tate (@BenTateRB) June 3, 2014

I like it RT @StickyNicky13: @BenTateRB what you think about this shirt? pic.twitter.com/XA0ompJyZx

— Ben Tate (@BenTateRB) June 3, 2014

Got the 2 of yall but not the mascot haha RT @elishapeoples: And my sister too!! Lol @BenTateRB pic.twitter.com/MbFDukcTBI

— Ben Tate (@BenTateRB) June 3, 2014

Ok and congrats RT @VJ11CLE: @BenTateRB Help us celebrate our 11 year anniversary together with the team we love!! pic.twitter.com/N9yLLarfdH

— Ben Tate (@BenTateRB) June 3, 2014

Got u appreciate ur service RT @AceBoggie_216: @BenTateRB would love to watch ya throw the first pick!! pic.twitter.com/L9K43nuMyf

— Ben Tate (@BenTateRB) June 3, 2014

Nick Swisher is making progress from his hyper-extended left knee. Manager Terry Francona said he'll probably go on a rehab assignment during the Indians' next road trip.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Quick hits from manager Terry Francona's pre-game press conference Tuesday at Progressive Field.

Comeback trail: Francona said first baseman Nick Swisher is feeling good about his progress from a hyperextended left knee and could begin a rehab assignment sometime during the Indians' 10-game trip to Texas, Kansas City and Boston that begins Friday.

"We'd like to see him play a couple of games just to see where he's at physically," said Francona.

Target date: Francona reconfirmed that the chances of Carlos Santana (concussion) being activated Friday for a three-game series against the Rangers is still uncertain. Francona said Santana will not be activated until he clears every concussion test on MLB's protocol. This is his second concussion since 2012.

Santana took batting practice with the Indians for the first time Tuesday since going on the DL. He ran the bases before BP and experienced concussion-like symptoms.

"We're aware of what happened in 2012," said Francona. "But if he passes this test, it means he's OK. It means he's healed.

"A concussion is a bruise on the brain. When guys have repeated ones, guys seem to get them easier and easier. You start having problems when guys, especially in football, start having them every two weeks or so. This is from two years ago so I think we're OK."

When Santana does return, the Indians could limit his time behind the plate. With Swisher still on the disabled list, he could play first, third and DH.

Patience: Francona feels the deeper into the season, the more Michael Bourn will influence games with his speed on offense. In Monday's 3-2 victory over Boston, he reached base in his first three plate appearances on two hits and a walk. He scored twice and stole a base.

"In a perfect world every player feels perfect from opening day to the end of the season, but it's not a perfect world," said Francona. "Bournie had surgery (at the end of last season on his left hamstring), he had to get some things fixed.

"He understands the more he can impact the game with his legs, the better we are. He also understands staying out on the field is important. What I don't want him to do is to run into outs. I want him to feel confident that if he does run and gets thrown out, we're going to be positive with him and protect him."

Bourn has stolen five bases in eight attempts.

"Rather than give a guy a speech, as Bournie grows into the season, I think you'll see more and more of this (Monday night)," said Francona. "It takes patience, but I think that's the best way to go about it. I don't think you can just give a guy a speech and make him run fast."

Thumbs up: Francona said right-hander Zach McAllister is on schedule for his rehab start with Class A Lake County on Tuesday. McAllister is on the DL with a strained lower back.

Anxiety central: The closer-by-committee is getting a workout. Bryan Shaw and Marc Rzepczynski are tied for the AL lead in appearances with 30, while Cody Allen is tied for second with 29.

Scott Atchison, the fourth spoke in the closer wheel, has 22.

"It's something I get a lot of anxiety over," said Francona. "You're trying to balance winning, a long year and their careers. I want to see Cody, Shaw ... I want to see them all break the bank.

"Not to the point where we don't have them, but they're everything we believe in. They show up and want to pitch. They'll take the ball every day, but because they'll say yes, I need to check myself sometimes."

On some baseball teams injuries to key players could cause a stumble.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On some baseball teams injuries to key players could cause a stumble.

But that hasn't been the case for the Cleveland Indians. With Nick Swisher and Carlos Santana on the disabled list, the Indians have climbed out of the basement in the AL Central by playing some of their best baseball of the season. Cleveland is taking a four-game winning streak into Tuesday night's game against the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field.

The Indians are also 6-4 in games Swisher doesn't start this season. It leaves manager Terry Francona with a tough decision when Swisher, who is batting .211 with three home runs and 19 RBIs, is eligible to come off the DL.

Francona met with the media prior to Tuesday's game and talked about Swisher's recovery, when Carlos Santana may return to the lineup, what role Santana will have when he returns and the play of outfielder Michael Bourn.

Watch the video above and weigh in below with what Francona should do about the lineup when Swisher and Santana return.

Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel overcame three picks in practice with the play of the afternoon and Brian Hoyer is getting more reps in team drills.

BEREA, Ohio -- If Johnny Manziel threw any more interceptions in practice Tuesday, the Indians might have had to reconsider letting him throw out the first pitch Wednesday night at Progressive Field.

But Manziel rebounded from his three picks -- one each by Pro Bowlers Donte Whitner and Joe Haden in team drills -- with the throw of the day off a bootleg to tight end Jordan Cameron.

Manziel rolled to his right, threw across his body and delivered a tight spiral into the outstretched hands of Cameron about 30 yards down the left sideline, where he had 330-pound nosetackle Ishmaa'ily Kitchen tugging on his jersey.

 "Pretty sweet, huh?,'' said receiver Nate Burleson. "It was nice, man. I like to see Johnny make big plays. When a quarterback gets into a rhythm and gets a little confidence, his chin pokes up and his chest sticks out a little bit more and they play better and when he gets into a rhythm, he's a special athlete.

"He's hard to stop. He's doing good, man. I like what I'm seeing so far out of Johnny Football.''

It was the kind of play that earned Johnny Football a Heisman Trophy as a freshman and his rock star status as pro.

"It is,'' said coach Mike Pettine. "It's difficult when he's got the red shirt on and the defensive guys know they can't tackle him. It's hard to get glimpses of that. That's truly what you get, but we've done some things – as you probably saw – some designed rollouts with him. He's shown when he can get in the open field that he can run through an angle and he can eat up some ground pretty quickly."

Manziel was first picked off in passing drills by rookie Robert Nelson on a short pass over the middle to Andrew Hawkins. A play before that, he was wide on a deep throw in the end zone to Josh Gordon, and then the two Pro Bowl defensive backs took him to school in 11-on-11 drills, with Whitner robbing him over the middle and Haden foiling him on an out route.

It was shaping up to be a rough afternoon for the No. 22 pick until the bootleg pass to Cameron and another deep ball to Anthony Armstrong. But Pettine would rather see the gunslinger mentality in spring practices than a tentative rookie.

"I'd rather them test their limits,'' he said. "I'd rather them learn the lesson today when essentially it doesn't count, learn those lessons that, 'hey, I think I can fit it in that window. Oops I can't.' I'd rather that now than September."

"Yeah, I think that happens. I think that goes back to just when we talk about what we're looking for in a quarterback. If you said draw me a quarterback, I don't think you would draw him – shorter guy with big feet and big hands. I don't think that would be the first thing to go down on the paper, but when they have the 'it' factor to them, it's just a sense. It's momentum where guys feel it and 'gravitates' is a good word for it. We've seen the same thing here with Brian, as well."

Manziel's zinger energized an offense that was clearly losing to an opportunistic defense on a sweltering afternoon in Berea.

"Yeah, I think that happens,'' said Pettine. "I think that goes back to just when we talk about what we're looking for in a quarterback. If you said draw me a quarterback, I don't think you would draw him – shorter guy with big feet and big hands. I don't think that would be the first thing to go down on the paper, but when they have the 'it' factor to them, it's just a sense. It's momentum where guys feel it and 'gravitates' is a good word for it. We've seen the same thing here with Brian (Hoyer), as well."

Cameron acknowledged that Manziel's playmaking ability lifts the offense.

"Yeah, he's an exciting guy,'' said Cameron. "He'll make plays out of nothing and I guess that was one of them. We've been kind of connecting on that the last week. It was a great throw. He put it exactly where he needed to put it. It got people going a little. It was exciting. I know guys reacted. That's what he does.  He makes people react. It's an emotional thing when they watch him play. He brings a lot of energy and that's his game."

Not to be outdone, quarterback Brian Hoyer made the most of his limited reps in team drills, also displaying good mobility out of pistol formation, which he's running primarily to keep his surgically-repaired knee away from the flying bodies. Hoyer fired a deep ball into the end zone for Willie Sneak on a post, and the rookie receiver promptly dropped it. He didn't get much help from his receivers and was once picked off by Jordan Poyer. But he put good spin on the ball on both short and long passes and moved well on the right knee.

"I ran a keeper out here today,'' said Hoyer, who had the ACL repaired in October. "I have no physical limitations in what I'm doing. I think they've emphasized it -- the main concern is someone rolling up onto my knee, which my argument to that is how much is that going to change in a month?

"So I think for me, I've always been in offenses that include boots and nakeds and things like that, and I don't think you have to have a monster run threat to be able to run those plays. It's more getting out and splitting the defense in half and separating the defense. That's a play that I've actually run that we stole from Kyle (Shanahan when in New England). It's a play I look forward to running.''

Hoyer, who worked primarily against the second-team defense, is still begging the staff to cut him loose in team drills. They're still restricting him and will most likely continue to do so during next week's mandatory three-day minicamp.

"You never want to see someone else doing your job,'' said Hoyer, who's had to watch Manziel go first in some of the 11-on-11s. "That's the biggest thing for me. I feel I'm ready and I know a lot of people who come back from this injury talk about the mental aspect. I think I've conquered that months ago. As the competitor in me I want to be out there with my guys, calling the plays and running them.

"(But) I understand what's at stake. I'm not stupid. I don't want to get hurt here and not even be in training camp. I also know how much it means to be taking these reps right now.''

Hoyer has resigned himself to the fact that Pettine and the medical staff will make him wait until the start of training camp in late July to go all out in team drills,

"I think it's been the plan the whole time and I think they're probably sick of me just trying to beg them to let me do it, but at this point, I see it's not worth the risk,'' he said. "We're so close to training camp and to have a month off to keep getting strength in my leg, I'll still beg them to, but now at this point, we've played it safe and it's gotten better. I had more reps than probably last time we were out, so we're always progressing. It's just taking stuff out of the pistol instead of being under center, so I still feel like I'm getting quality work.''

Hoyer, who spent three seasons as Tom Brady's understudy in New England, hasn't been surprised at the Johnny hype, including the hubbub over his Vegas weekend.

"I was at the pool two weekends ago (with my family) too, so I don't blame him for that,'' Hoyer said. "But I don't think it's anything other than what we expected. I think everyone knew what we were getting into and for me, like I said, it's doesn't affect me.

"What I can control is my preparation and my play and that's how I go about it on a daily basis.  All the outside  stuff you've just got to ignore because when it comes down to it the best player's going to play and that's what you want. I think the competition always makes people better and we can already start to see that.''