Get caught up on local college commitments.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here’s a list of recent Division I college athletic commitments made by local athletes.

Check out the rundown of commitments from the week of June 19, June 26, July 3 and July 17.

Follow the links to more detail about each commitment.

Football

July 11: Benedictine linebacker Jerome Baker commits to Florida.

July 15: St. Edward linebacker Troy Henderson commits to Syracuse.

July 16: Bedford duo London Cloud and Najee Stevens-McKenzie commit to Ohio.

July 22: Chagrin Falls linebacker Sean Mackin commits to Harvard.

Girls basketball

July 13: Olmsted Falls guard Kerri Gasper commits to Evansville.

July 18: Chargin Falls forward Hallie Thome commits to Michigan. 

July 18: Walsh Jesuit guard Lily Piper commits to Akron.

Contact high school sports reporter Nathaniel Cline by email (ncline@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@nathanielcline). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Scott Atchison, the Indians' veteran reliever, found himself the subject of a Tweet fest on Tuesday from his teammates and fans.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- It started innocently enough when Scott Atchison, the Indians' 38-year-old gray-haired right-hander, showed Corey Kluber a Tweet a fan sent poking fun at his age.

"I showed Kluber because I thought it was pretty funny," said Atchison.

Talk about leaving yourself wide open.

Soon Atchison's teammates were wearing him out on Twitter.

Some examples:

Scott Atchison just told me a story and it started "Back in the Dead Ball Era"@CKluber @jtomlin43 @TheJK_Kid @JohnAxford

— Lonnie Chisenhall (@BIGLON8) July 23, 2014

This is how Scott Atchison rode to his prom pic.twitter.com/PcUlWCX0zF

— Corey Kluber (@CKluber) July 23, 2014

"Back in my day, I used to pitch uphill...both ways!" - Scott Atchison @BIGLON8 @CKluber @jtomlin43

— John Axford (@JohnAxford) July 23, 2014

Scott Atchison's first career strikeout pic.twitter.com/2UPq5JeZpW

— Josh Tomlin (@jtomlin43) July 23, 2014

Atchison complimented his teammates for their creativity.

"It's all in good fun," said Atchison. "I guess if they weren't making fun of me it would mean they didn't like me.

"Hey, there's some good stuff out there. They had some good ones on their own and some other people had some good ones, too. They were all getting a big kick out of it."

Atchison, who pitched 1 2/3 innings in Tuesday's 8-2 victory, may look old and grizzled, but he doesn't pitch that way. He's 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA in 42 appearances. He's part of manager Terry Francona's late-inning relievers.

"(Kluber) was telling me, 'We're just getting your brand out there,' " said Atchison. "I don't know if it's helping me a whole lot, but thanks.

"It's nice to have stuff like that every once in a while. If you can't take a joke in this game, you won't last very long."

Atchison has been pitching professionally since 1999. So he can take a joke.

"Hey, I've got gray hair and I don't look young," said Atchison. "I still feel good and young and that's all that really matters."

The Browns will have 13 practices open to the public, and as of Wednesday, 10 still had free tickets available.

BEREA, Ohio - The Browns announced Wednesday that the first three days of training camp as well as their Family Day in Akron on Aug. 2 have all reached full capacity.

Fans still have 10 chances to watch one of the 13 practices at the club's facility in Berea by registering at clevelandbrowns.com.

The first practice open to the public is Saturday from 9:30 to 12:10 p.m. That practice, all along with the sessions this Sunday and Monday at the same times, are closed out.

The Browns "sold out" their free family day Aug. 2 at the University of Akron's InfoCision Stadium, distributing 25,000 tickets in the first 10 hours.

Training camp practices at the Browns facility last year averaged 2,475 fans, the second-highest average since 2005. The figure included a camp-record 4,466 fans on Sunday, July 28.

Interest in camp this year is heightened by the arrival of rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel, the league's No. 1 jersey-seller since he was drafted May 8.

Ever since the Cleveland Cavaliers signed LeBron James, the rumors swirling around the Cavs have centered on one player: Minnesota's Kevin Love. The Timberwolves are willing to field calls on the three-time NBA All-Star who was once thought to be the building block for the Wolves.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ever since the Cleveland Cavaliers signed LeBron James, the team's rumor mill has been preoccupied with one player: Minnesota's Kevin Love. The Timberwolves are willing to field calls on the three-time NBA All-Star power forward who has made clear his interest in finding a new team in the final year of his contract.

Since I wrote my piece on the Cavs needing to trade for Love, I received a lot of feedback. Many people brought up strong points to counter. "Love's never been to the playoffs!" and "Cavs would not have a bench!" were two of the most frequent arguments.

What's too much? Do the Cavs have the best offer? Why would the Cavs have to give up Wiggins?

I compiled a lot of the reasons why some people don't want to trade for Love and will do my best to separate fact from fiction.

The Cavs bench will be depleted if they trade Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and at least one future first-round pick - the latest reported offer from ESPN.

View full sizeMike Miller will be expected to help solidify the Cavs' bench this upcoming season.Michael Conroy, Associated Press 

Fiction: Even with a blockbuster deal, the Cavs would still have Tristan Thompson, Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Harris, Mike Miller, James Jones and possibly Ray Allen if he holds off retirement for one more year.

Depending on whether they have to use his contract in a trade, the Cavs could also have big man Brendan Haywood coming off the bench to bang, rebound and control the paint. The Cavs also have other assets to use such as non-guaranteed contracts and future draft picks to acquire other players, maybe even a center.

Many people point to the San Antonio Spurs as the model for success because they won the title most recently. But they have one in the last four years. Miami has two. San Antonio has been to the NBA Finals twice in the last four years. Miami has been there four years in a row. I'd side with Miami as the model for success most recently.

Even with the top-scoring bench in the NBA, the Spurs relied on Manu Ginobili, Boris Diaw, Patty Mills and Cory Joseph to provide the bulk of the lift for the second unit. That's four players. Building an NBA bench to be 10 or 11 deep is improbable; it just has to be a few reliable players sparking the second unit, and the Cavs would still have that, just as Miami did during its back-to-back title runs.

Kevin Love is overrated because he has never taken his team to the playoffs.

Fiction: Yes, Love has never been to the postseason. But sometimes the problem is the situation a player is in; sometimes the supporting case is the biggest issue. The Cavs never won an NBA title with LeBron James during his first seven seasons in Cleveland. Was that his fault or did some of it have to do with his supporting cast? It's the same situation for Love.

Minnesota has squandered a few lottery picks, which have set the team back in its development. It drafted Ricky Rubio over Stephen Curry. Then it had another chance at Curry, but chose Jonny Flynn, who is out of the league. Minnesota drafted Derrick Williams second overall in 2011. He was shipped off to Sacramento for Luc Richard Mbah a Moute because Williams was such a poor fit.

View full sizeMinnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic (14), drives against Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) last season.Ann Heisenfelt, Associated Press 

Nikola Pekovic looks like he should be in a boxing ring and can't move defensively. Rubio hasn't hit a jumper since the 2012 Olympics (Yes, I'm exaggerating, but I think you get the point). Rick Adelman's best days as a coach are behind him. And they still won 40 games in the brutally tough Western Conference. The NBA has shifted into analytics more lately, and Love accounted for the third-most win shares in the NBA (14.3) behind James and Kevin Durant. According to NBA.com/Stats, the Timberwolves outscored opponents by 4.4 points per 100 possessions with Love on the floor. He was also ranked 3rd in PER, which is a formula ESPN uses to measure player efficiency. He was not the reason for a sixth straight season without playoff basketball.

Love is an injury risk.

Faction: Yes, this answer is part fact and part fiction. Love has missed 112 games in six seasons, which is a lot. However, more than half of that time away was in 2012-13 when Love broke a bone in his hand during preseason. Aside from that one season, which certainly can't be excused, Love is averaging fewer than 10 missed games per season. The overall number of 112 is deceiving. NBA players get hurt. It's almost unavoidable.

Love could leave in free agency following one season here.

Fact: It's something that every team must consider. He wants to be a free agent. He wants to cash in. He deserves a max contract and will get one from some team. It makes any deal a risk because there are no guarantees that he sticks with the team that trades for him. There are also no guarantees that he would leave, either.

Many players want to be free agents. They like being recruited. There's no telling what will appeal to players. For some it's money. Others -- James and Carmelo Anthony -- want to be in a specific city. Then there are those that are looking for a place to win championships.

Love has said that winning is his motivation. It's partly why he's not willing to accept an extension with Minnesota. Whichever team trades for him gets one year to show it is good enough to compete for titles.

Even if he hits free agency, Love will have a hard time finding a team better than one that offers Irving and James for the next half-decade. That trio could dominate the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn took a risk a few years back trading for Deron Williams, who was approaching free agency. Brooklyn wanted a star. It gave up a promising young piece in Derrick Favors along with other pieces, but it worked out as Williams stayed with the Nets after assessing his options.

The Cavs' reported offer is better than what the Chicago Bulls can muster.

Fact: If the Cavs' offer includes Wiggins, then it's the only one that gives the Timberwolves a new potential superstar to build the franchise around.

Wiggins has endless potential. He leaps higher than many of the shooting guards in the league. His first step is incredible, allowing him to get into the paint despite shaky handles. He is willing to play defense and has the size, speed, athleticism and bounce to become a very good two-way player in the future. He could blossom into an All-Star with proper development. Chicago doesn't have a player like that to include in a possible deal.

View full sizeCould a package including Doug McDermott be more enticing to the Minnesota Timberwolves?Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press 

However, I'm not the one who would have to sign off on the deal. That's Flip Saunders, and there is an interesting and unique dynamic in play. Not only is he the president and general manager, but he's also the coach, and he could want a package that combines potential for the future along with assets to help his team win immediately.

Chicago's reported offer of rookies Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic as well as Taj Gibson is a good combination of both. Sources tell me two things about Saunders: He covets Wiggins and he wants to win in 2014-15 to continue to try to appease soon-to-be free agent Ricky Rubio. But which is more valuable to him?

The streets would be too crowded for the championship parade.

Fact: Downtown would be crazy. I keep thinking about how packed it would be, the horns honking and people taking the day off to party. My imagination probably doesn't do it justice. If the Cavs get Love and have two of the 10 best players in the league along with Kyrie Irving, they are the team to beat.

Miami came up with an idea in 2010 to have LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on the same roster – two players who could dominate games for certain stretches, and it worked until Wade's body started to betray him. The Cavs would have three players capable of that.

Love won't be able to wear No. 42 and will look silly in a different number.

Fact: Nate Thurmond wore number 42 and it's hanging in the rafters at the Q. Love likes the number. He asked and received permission from UCLA great Walt Hazzard to wear the number for the Bruins. Perhaps he could ask "Nate the Great" for permission or Love would just have to find a new number. Hey, it would be a new marketing campaign for him and a fresh start. It would take some getting used to, but I'm sure he'd get over it.

Stop talking so much about his averages, Chris. He won't put up the same numbers playing with James and Irving.

Fact: Of course his numbers will go down. It comes with the territory of taking on a lesser role. Just ask Chris Bosh.

However, my support for Love hasn't only been about his numbers. By the way, did you know he had 2,010 points, 963 rebounds, and 190 three-pointers in 2013-14? Did you know he is the only player in NBA history to have at least 2,000 points, 900 rebounds and 100 three-pointers in a single season? He is also the first player since the NBA/ABA merger to average at least 26 points, 12 rebounds and four assists per game.

Beyond that, it's about his fit. Just like Bosh in Miami, who was considered by Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra to be the most important piece to Miami's four-year run, Love brings a floor-spacing big man with three-point range and versatility to score inside and outside. That's a rare commodity, and Love is the best in the league at those things. He's a better and tougher rebounder than Bosh while also being a terrific passing big man -- only Joakim Noah had a better assist rate than Love this past year, according to NBA.com's stats.

Love might drop to his career average of around 19 points and 12 rebounds, which is still a double-double, but the spacing he provides and the impact he brings will be felt beyond the box score. Because of his unique skillset, the Cavs would be very difficult to guard and he could go for 30 points on any given night.

Cleveland should not have to give up so much to get Love.

Fiction: Considering his age, talent and the position he plays, Love is the best player to hit the trade market in the last decade. Yes, better than Williams, Kevin Garnett, Carmelo Anthony, James Harden and Pau Gasol. Players like Love don't usually hit the market.

Garnett was 31 at the time he was traded, and the Celtics still had to sacrifice promising young player Al Jefferson as the centerpiece of the deal. Anthony was part of a three-team blockbuster. The Knicks, the team that landed Anthony, gave up Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov, a first-round pick and Danilo Gallinari – players considered at the time to be four of the Knicks' top six players. To get Gasol away from Memphis, the Los Angeles Lakers used Pau's brother Marc as the linchpin. Pulling off a trade for game-changer and impact player is costly.

The Cavs aren't the only team trying to pry Love away from Minnesota. A deal for a 25-year-old three-time NBA All-Star and Olympian still in his prime requires a centerpiece, and Wiggins is the only thing the Cavs can offer which qualifies. Short of Irving or James, no price is too high.

The Cavs should not trade for Love because they can just sign him when he becomes a free agent.

Fiction: This would be a dream scenario, but it's improbable because of the salary cap. James is scheduled to make $21.5 million next season. The Cavs will have a decision to make on Tristan Thompson, who will either get a new extension (remember, he is represented by James' agent Rich Paul) or will get a qualifying offer for one year at about $7.1 million. Irving's max extension will kick in for the first year, and is expected to be around $18 million. Then there are decisions on the horizon with Dion Waiters and Anthony Bennett, who both have team options in the summer.

If the Cavs don't trade for Love that means Wiggins stays put, and he will be making north of $5 million. That's a lot of money the Cavs would have tied up. I don't know this for sure, but I'm guessing Love, who will be 26 at the time, won't be willing to play for the minimum.

Love is a bad defender.

Fiction: I refer you to a terrific piece done by Kevin Pelton at ESPN.com.

"Here's the thing: It's hard to find statistical support for the widespread notion that Love is a defensive turnstile," Pelton writes.

"ESPN's real plus-minus shows Love as an above-average defensive player, even for a big man (Post players rate better on defense in plus-minus metrics as compared to perimeter players). And despite playing Love with another poor rim protector in center Nikola Pekovic, Minnesota was average defensively last season."

Love is not a shot blocker and stats back that up. According to NBA.com's stats, opponents shot a whopping 57.4 percent on attempts at the rim when being defended by Love. That was the fourth-worst mark in the NBA, below Thaddeus Young, Tristan Thompson and Zaza Pachulia.

Nobody would ever mistake Love for Serge Ibaka, DeAndre Jordan or Roy Hibbert. But let's not pretend that Love is James Harden, who lets his opponent have a free run to the rim or Andrea Bargnani, who gets bullied every time he steps foot in the paint.

Also, rebounding has to be a part of the defensive end of the floor as well and Love averaged 12.5 boards – good for third-best in the league behind DeAndre Jordan and Andre Drummond.

The Cavs are giving up on their future.

Fiction: Again, Love is 25. He not only helps now, but will be in his prime for at least the next five years, provided he doesn't have a catastrophic injury.

The future is now, anyway. The Cavs have been given a gift with the return of James, and they can't waste that waiting for youngsters to develop. The time to compete for title is now while James is still the league's most dominant player. Asking a 19-year-old rookie to make a significant impact on a title contender is unrealistic, especially because his first name is not LeBron.

View full sizeCleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert congratulates his son Nick Gilbert after the team won the 2013 NBA basketball draft lottery.Jason DeCrow, Associated Press 

You're going to miss the Cavs treating the NBA Draft Lottery as if it's a party.

Fiction: I mean who won't miss Nick Gilbert, radio hosts screaming in jubilation, bow ties, wine colored suit jackets and Machine Gun Kelly at the lottery? Ah, memories. I think winning and getting to see quality basketball for the first time in four years will trump those other things. 

The Cavs will win the title in 2014-15 if they trade Wiggins, Bennett and at least one future first-round pick for Love.

Fact: Isn't it way too early for this question? Can't I answer in October? Fine, then my answer is yes. Sure, they would be relatively inexperienced. They would have a head coach who hasn't coached in the NBA. The roster wouldn't be filled out completely. Chemistry would need to take place. The teams in the Western Conference are really, really good.

I just don't see how a team with James, Irving and Love loses four times in seven games. That's three guys who can dominate games for long stretches of time all on the same court. That's two of the top 10 players in the league on the same team who fit perfectly next to each other. That's the top two players (James and Love) available this off-season going to the same team.

Can they start printing the banners now?

Opening with a conference football game comes with a lot of trepidation for Ohio University head coach Frank Solich.

DETROIT, Michigan -- Seen and heard around the 2014 Mid-American Conference football media day:

• For two teams picked to finish in the middle of the MAC East Division race, and perhaps one game over or under .500, the Ohio University-Kent State season opener is huge, and OU head coach Frank Solich is well aware of that.

"If you can have a winning non-conference that is great,'' Solich began, "but you count on winning conference games to win enough to get to a bowl game. That game is going to have tremendous significance for everybody."

The Bobcats, picked to finish third in the MAC East, will be breaking in a new quarterback, along with looking for new starters at other positions. Non-conference games normally help get teams ready for MAC play. But not this year for OU -- or KSU.

"It is not the norm,'' Solich said. "It is going to be much more challenging, in terms of the importance of it."

• Kent State has a veteran QB in Colin Reardon, but this game is the first in a five-game gauntlet that includes Ohio State, Virginia and Northern Illinois.

Last season the Golden Flashes had back-to-back tough games vs. Bowling Green, LSU and Penn State. In the end it wore KSU down to a 4-8 season with a five-game skid in the heart of it.

"We have to be prepared for it,'' second-year head coach Paul Haynes said. "Because this year that stretch is going to be just as hard, if not harder. The difference this year is we will have a bye week (after Ohio State).''

• Akron head coach Terry Bowden was wearing his Lou Holtz hat as he downplayed the Zips being picked as a contender in the MAC East, second to Bowling Green. While BG is the defending MAC champion, the Zips, after three straight 1-11 seasons, finished 5-7 last season winning four of their last five.

Yet Bowden downplayed all of that.

"They're conference champions, we're bottom feeders,'' he said. "We're just trying to win more than we lose. It is up to us to respond. Have we changed the culture, yes. Have we changed the expectations, yes. Have we done it yet, no."

• It's all about speed with new Bowling Green head coach Dino Babers. "This is a brand new offense,'' he said. "I think the speed is different. I promise you, you will see. It's different."

He went on to say the "different" offense will probably only have about 10 plays or so different from the past. "But the techniques and fundamentals are different."

Browns coach Mike Pettine plans to give receiver Josh Gordon some quality reps in camp despite his looming suspension.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns coach Mike Pettine plans to give Josh Gordon some quality reps during training camp despite his looming drug suspension.

"You don't want to say 'hey let's not put him in there' and all of a sudden the league comes back and it's not what you expected it to be, so I don't think you can go that way,'' Pettine told cleveland.com Monday. "Since we're going to be receiver-by-committee for at least part of the year, I think rolling those guys in all different groups is going to be good anyway, because it also helps you with the quarterback situation. It's yet to be determined, but he'll get reps.''

Pettine said Gordon will report to camp on Friday with the rest of the veterans and will be on the field Saturday for the first practice open to the public, which begins at 9:30 a.m.

He also said Monday that he expects to know the outcome of Gordon's appeal hearing within 10 days to two weeks. Gordon is appealing what's believed to be an indefinite ban from the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy for at least the third time. If he loses the appeal, he'll have to wait at least a year to apply for reinstatement with NFL Commissioner from Roger Goodell.

Pettine, who said he won't cut Gordon when the suspension is handed down, acknowledged that a Pro Bowler of his caliber can't be replaced.

"If you just look at what he did last year, he's arguably one of the top three receivers in the league,'' Pettine said. "You just have to get creative in how you do it. We feel good about where Miles Austin is health-wise, we're very pleased with how Andrew Hawkins came out of camp, and then Nate Burleson will be ready to go and then we have some guys we think will be ready to battle it out.

"Charles Johnson is coming back. He's coming off the ACL, but he's now full-go. We hope to have Travis Benjamin back and ready to go. We might hold him at the beginning but that's more just being cautious than anything. He's almost fully recovered and we'll know a little bit better when he gets his physical.

Pettine said he'll also get creative with personnel groupings, including using tight ends Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge more the club move tight end Jordan Cameron more.

In studying Gordon's film, Pettine has gained an appreciation for his immense talent. He cited an 80-yard TD catch against former Patriots and current Broncos Pro Bowl cornerback Aqib Talib last season.

"(It looks) effortless,'' Pettine said. "A lot of times you criticize his effort, but he makes it look so easy. You look at the play against Talib a year ago. Talib, who runs a 4.5-ish, was laboring and Josh didn't even look like he got out of third gear and pulled away from him. He glides open. He's a special talent.''

Pettine said Gordon, who sat out minicamp with a strained hamstring, is healthy enough to practice when camp opens.

Teams from the Patriot Athletic, Chagrin Valley and Portage Trail conferences were on hand Wednesday to participate in Northeast Ohio Media Group football media days.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Players and coaches from the Patriot Athletic, Chagrin Valley and Portage Trail conferences were on hand Wednesday for the opening of the Northeast Ohio Media Group's 2014 football media days.

Brooklyn coach Jay O'Hanlon and players Austin Guder and Damon Jackson were the first to arrive for photos and interviews and giveaways at the NEOMG headquarters on Superior Avenue. Reporters and producers expect many of the 133 football programs in the NEOMG's seven-county coverage area to make appearances through July 30.

Media days continue Thursday with teams from the Northeast Ohio and West Shore conferences as well as independent teams St. Edward and Lutheran East. Look for highlight posts next Monday through Wednesday.

Columbia coach Jason Ward and Mike Collier of Clearview joined O'Hanlon for a special coaches roundtable video in between greeting reporters and sharing stories and refreshments.  

Coaches, there is still time to register your team for football media days! Contact High School Sports Manager Kristen Davis at kdavis@cleveland.com to reserve an open time slot in the NEOMG studio and book your team video.

Be sure to follow @NEOvarsity on Twitter for updates throughout NEOMG football media days.

A rundown of contracts for first-round picks in the 2014 NFL Draft.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Here's a rundown of the contracts for the first-round picks in the 2014 NFL Draft, a list that now includes Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert.

Click on the dollar figures to see the source used and more information about each contract. (Updated for an earlier version that ran in June.)

The 2011 labor agreement established key contract details and set the length of contracts for drafted players at four years.

1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Texans, $22.3 million, $14.5 million signing bonus.

2. Greg Robinson, OT, Rams, $21.3 million, $13.8 million signing bonus.

3. Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars, $20.1 million, $13.3 million signing bonus.

4. Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills, $19.9 million, $12.8 million signing bonus.

5. Khalil Mack, OLB, Raiders, $18.7 million, $11 million signing bonus.

6. Jake Matthews, OT, Falcons, $16.4 million, $10.3 million signing bonus.

7. Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers, $14.6 million, $9 million signing bonus.

8. Justin Gilbert, CB, Browns, $12.8 million, $7.7 million signing bonus.

9. Anthony Barr, OLB, Vikings, $12.7 million, $7.6 million signing bonus.

10. Eric Ebron, TE, Lions, $12.2 million, $7.2 million signing bonus.

11. Taylor Lewan, OT, Titans, unsigned.

12. Odell Beckham, WR, Giants, $10.4 million, $5.9 million signing bonus.

13. Aaron Donald, DT, Rams, $10.1 million, $5.7 million signing bonus.

14. Kyle Fuller, CB, Bears, $9.7 million, $5.4 million signing bonus.

15. Ryan Shazier, OLB, Steelers, $9.5 million, $5.2 signing bonus.

16. Zack Martin, OT, Cowboys, $9 million, $4.8 million signing bonus.

17. C.J. Mosley, ILB, Ravens, $8.9 million, $4.7 million signing bonus.

18. Calvin Pryor, FS, Jets, $8.6 million, $4.6 million signing bonus.

19. Ja'Wuan James, OT, Dolphins, $8.4 million, $4.5 million signing bonus.

20. Brandin Cooks, WR, Saints, $8.4 million, $4.4 million signing bonus.

21. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS, Packers, $8.34 million, $4.38 million signing bonus.

22. Johnny Manziel, QB, Browns, $8.25 million, $4.3 million signing bonus.

23. Dee Ford, DE, Chiefs, $8.16 million, $4.25 million signing bonus.

24. Darqueze Dennard, CB, Bengals, $8 million, $4.1 million signing bonus.

25. Jason Verrett, CB, Chargers, $7.9 million, $4.06 million signing bonus.

26. Marcus Smith, OLB, Eagles, $7.8 million, $4 million signing bonus.

27. Deone Bucannon, SS, Cardinals, $7.71 million, $3.9 million signing bonus.

28. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Panthers, $7.66 million, $3.89 million signing bonus.

29. Dominique Easley, DT, Patriots, $7.3 million, $3.6 million signing bonus.

30. Jimmie Ward, SS, 49ers, $7.1 million, $3.5 million signing bonus.

31. Bradley Roby, CB, Broncos, $7 million, $3.4 million signing bonus.

32. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Vikings, $6.8 million, $3.3 million signing bonus.

The Indians snoozed their way through a 3-1 loss to the Twins on Wednesday, but catcher Roberto Perez threw out the first two baserunners of his big-league career.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The more Roberto Perez plays, the easier it is to like him as a catcher.

In the Indians' 3-1 loss to the Twins on Wednesday afternoon, Perez threw out the first two runners of his big-league career. He caught Sam Fuld at second after Fuld started the game with a walk. In the seventh, he threw out Danny Santana at second.

It was only the third time Fuld has been caught in 15 attempts this year. Santana was erased, in part because of an acrobatic catch and tag by shortstop Jose Ramirez, for just the second time in eight attempts.

"Oh, that's one of his strengths," said manager Terry Francona. "He's really good behind the plate.

"The nice thing will be when he gets to know the league because he's such a smart catcher anyway. He takes a lot of pride in running a game and when he gets to know the league and hitters, he'll be even better."

The mantra for all catchers is defense first, then offense. Perez, 25, is a true believer.

"Of course, it's always defense first and hitting second," said Perez. "I like to take care of the pitching staff. I like doing that."

Last year Perez's defense didn't falter even though he had Bell's palsy, a form of facial paralysis that prevented him from closing his left eye.

"When I had Bell's palsy, it hurt my hitting because I couldn't close my eye," said Perez "But I still could catch and throw. It was just tough hitting."

Perez hit a combined .200 (56-for-280) at Class AA Akron and Class AAA last year. This year he's become more of a two-way player this year. It helped to have full use of both his eyes.

Before getting recalled by the Indians on July 8, he was .305 (53-for-174) with 11 doubles, one triple, eight homers 43 RBI at Columbus. In four games as Yan Gomes' backup, Perez is hitting .308 (4-for-13) with one homer and three RBI.

Two of his hits have been among the biggest of the season so far for the Indians. In his big-league debut on July 10 against the Yankees, Perez collected his first hit, run, RBI and homer. Perez fueled the go-ahead four-run rally in the seventh inning with a single for his first hit. Then he hit a two-run homer in the eighth – thanks to replay challenge Francona – as the Indians beat the Yankees 9-3.

On Saturday night's victory over Detroit, he started the ninth-inning rally with a leadoff double as the Indians scored three times for a 5-2 win.

In Monday's 4-3 loss to the Twins, it was Perez's two-out single in the eighth that made it a one-run game.

"I changed my whole mindset about hitting," said Perez. "I had been afraid to strikeout. I'm going to strikeout no matter what. I'm just trying to hit the baseball and have good at-bats.

"I'm not a power hitter," said Perez. "I'm going to give you good at-bats and try to do a good job behind the plate. That's it."

That will be more than enough for the moment.

The Indians are 5-5 against the Twins this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians played the Minnesota Twins in the finale of a three-game series Wednesday. Here is a capsule look from The Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff:

Game: 101.

Opponent: Twins.

Location: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minn.

Time of day: Afternoon.

Time elapsed: 2 hours, 46 minutes.

Attendance: 34,608.

Result: Twins 3, Indians 1.

Records: Twins 46-54, Indians 51-50.

Inexcusable: The Indians lost two of three to the last-place Twins after winning three of four at first-place Detroit. They slipped to 22-31 on the road. The Indians are 5-5 against the Twins when they needed to be no worse than 7-3.

Three and out: The Tribe is 9-37 when scoring three or fewer runs.

Bottom line, up front: The Indians suffered one of their most frustrating losses of the season, primarily because the offense turned in a top-five pathetic performance.

(Cue the long viewers: "Nothing to see here, nothing to see here. Just one of 162.'')

Wet newspapers: The Indians were held to five hits and two walks by Twins right-hander Anthony Swarzak and five relievers.

Five hits and two walks. Let it marinate.

Swarzak, never to be confused with Bert Blyleven or even Kevin Tapani, allowed one run on two hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out three.

Swarzak only started because Kyle Gibson came down with a stiff lower back. Swarzak had made 78 straight relief appearances since his previous start, Oct. 2, 2012, at Toronto.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire must have pinched himself multiple times as he watched what unfolded. Swarzak had not thrown more than 52 pitches in any of his appearances this season, but threw 74 on Wednesday.

Swarzak was fortunate, no question, in the third inning. With runners on second and third and two outs, Michael Brantley hit a liner up the middle that shortstop Eduardo Nunez lunged to catch behind second base. The Twins' defensive alignment, which had Nunez shaded toward the bag, paid off. 

Given the speed at second (Jose Ramirez), Nunez prevented what almost certainly would have been a two-run single. The Indians would have led, 3-0.

But teams have fielders for a reason.

While the Indians can talk about their tough luck in that instance, they have no legs on which to stand regarding the other parts of Swarzak's start. In innings one, two, four and five, they went 1-2-3.

Yes, Swarzak got ahead of hitters. Yes, he mixed and matched. But his repertoire and command did not pass the eye test. He made plenty of pitches available to be hit, only to have the Indians take them or take bad swings. The vast majority of Tribe at-bats were poor.

If the Indians viewed Swarzak as dominant, then it is amazing their victory total is  51.

Not smooth: Center fielder Brantley finished 0-for-4 in 11 pitches and is 1-for-12 in his past four games. The hit was a pinch-hit double in the series opener Monday. He was 0-for-4 with one walk Tuesday.

Brantley absolutely deserved a better fate than he got in the third. But his other  at-bats were bad -- shockingly bad, given how good he has been.

With none on and two outs in the first, Brantley popped a 1-2 pitch to right. With a runner on second and one out in the sixth, he grounded the first pitch weakly to second. With runners on second and third and two outs in the eighth, he popped a 2-1 pitch to third.

Brantley's 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position was part of his club's 1-for-6. (The Twins were 2-for-5.) He is 0-for-7 with RISP since going 1-for-2 on July 10 against the Yankees.

Nothing doing: Tribe designated hitter Nick Swisher went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. He entered at 20-for-122 (.164) in day games. Swisher has been good in July, but he is hitting .212 with a .635 OPS this season.

Slumping: Tribe third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall was 0-for-3 with one strikeout. Chisenhall is 14-for-64 in July. Since June 13, his average has dropped from .393 to .317.

Not quite good enough: Indians righty Trevor Bauer allowed three runs on six hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out seven. He threw 61 of 99 pitches for strikes.

In one sense, Bauer (4-5, 3.93 ERA) did his job. He authored a quality start -- his fourth straight --  and did so on the road. Most of the hits allowed were bloops or not well-struck. He gave his team a chance to win.

In another sense, Bauer needed to be better. He faced a last-place club that was missing injured Joe Mauer, so six or seven innings of shutout or one-run ball from a pitcher of his caliber was not an unrealistic expectation. Bauer didn't pitch well enough when ahead in the count (Granted, Bauer did not get much help from plate umpire Will Little and his postage-stamp zone).

The Indians lost for the first time in five games in which Bauer has started.

Silver linings: Tribe substitute shortstop Ramirez went 2-for-3 with a two-out RBI double and sacrifice bunt. ... Catcher Roberto Perez had a sacrifice bunt and threw out two runners attempting to steal second. 

Justin Gilbert will try to beat out Buster Skrine for the starting cornerback job opposite Joe Haden.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns first-round pick Justin Gilbert won't miss a beat in trying beat out veteran Buster Skrine for the starting cornerback job opposite Pro Bowler Joe Haden.

Gilbert, the No. 8 overall pick out of Oklahoma State, signed his four-year deal Wednesday -- rookie reporting day -- and avoided losing any ground in the competition.

The deal, which includes an option for a fifth year, is worth $12,833,502, according to spotrac.com.  It includes a $7,653,456 signing bonus and $12,833,502 in total guarantees. The deal averages $3,208,376.

Gilbert, the former Oklahoma State product, was the second-last NFL rookie to sign as the two sides presumably worked through offset language in the contract. Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan is the last remaining unsigned player.

Gilbert and Skrine will be on display Saturday in the first training camp practice open to the public, and it promises to be a heated battle.

"We weren't going to just hand Justin the job,'' coach Mike Pettine told cleveland.com Monday. "He'll have to beat Buster for the job on the outside. There will be some good competition there.''

 On draft day, general manager Ray Farmer gushed about Gilbert, who grabbed 12 interceptions in college, including seven last season.

"He's long. He's fast. He's explosive," Farmer said. "He's explosive. He's a playmaker. He plays like a Brown. (The) number one thing we talk about when we talk about corners is they've got to cover like Browns. He's got great arm length. He's got the speed. He's got the ball skills.

"I know some people have questioned his tackling. Tackling was good, but it doesn't necessarily need to be great. We understand exactly who he is, what he is. We think he can make plays for us. He's going to play relentless. He's going to play at the line of scrimmage and press people. He's able to do things we need him to do."

BREAKING: Browns sign first-round draft pick DB Justin Gilbert. pic.twitter.com/ntkFjKwjk5

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 23, 2014

The former track star, who also returns kicks and is eager to do so as a pro, led all safeties and cornerbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.37 in the 40. He's also got the size (6-0, 202) to excel in Pettine's press-man scheme.

"(I'm) an every-down cornerback that can guard big receivers or small receivers," Gilbert said on his draft-day conference call. "I can pretty much do it all, and I'm a guy that can create turnovers, give the ball back to our offense a lot. I'm just an all-around cornerback."

 Gilbert will try to help shore up a pass defense that surrendered 29 touchdown passes, tied for fifth-most in the NFL

"Joe Haden, Justin Gilbert, Donte Whitner, I'm getting excited," Farmer said during the draft. "We're excited about having corners that we think can go out, play press, get after people and give us a chance to turn the ball over.

"We've improved our defense. We're going to do some other things to make our overall team better, but we definitely like the corner combination that we're going to have. Hopefully, we keep those guys together for a long time."

Gilbert, the first cornerback selected in the draft, is confident his ballhawking skills will translate to the NFL.

"That's something that you can't really coach," he said during draft weekend. "I think you have to be born with it. I think I was born with that ability to make plays on the ball. It's something that I can work at, and get a little better, but I think I have that natural thing where I can go and take the ball out of the air at any moment."

Terrance West will be back on the field Friday after having an issue during his conditioning test on Wednesday. He's 100% healthy and ready for his battle with Ben Tate.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns rookie running back Terrance West landed on the non-football injury list Wednesday because of his conditioning test, but he's expected to be on the practice field Friday, a source told cleveland.com.

After West's name appeared on the NFL's transaction wire, he tweeted, "Lol I passed my conditioning test. You people stop making up your own stories.''

A little later he tweeted, "I'm healthy ready to go. (NO WORRIES) #dawgpound.''

The source confirmed that West is "100% healthy'' and will be practicing without restrictions when camp officially opens to the public on Saturday morning.

The rookies, quarterbacks and injured players reported Wednesday. Veterans report Friday and take the field for a conditioning session that afternoon.

West, the third-round pick from Towson, will battle Ben Tate for the starting running back in what promises to be a heated battle.

"The best competition might be Ben Tate and our guy from Terrance West from Towson, who I really like,'' Pettine told cleveland.com Monday.

I'm healthy ready to go. (NO WORRIES) #dawgpound

— TWEST (@Terrancewest28) July 23, 2014

In other Browns transactions Wednesday:

* They claimed offensive tackle Abasi Salimu from Nicholls State off waivers from St. Louis. A 6-5, 310-pound rookie, he was originally signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent May 12. After transferring from San Jose State, Salimu started 22 of his 23 games at Nicholls State.

* The Browns placed several other players on the non-football injury list including  linebacker Tank Carder, offensive lineman Chris Faulk, defensive lineman Jacobbi McDaniel, offensive lineman Jeremiah Warren, and defensive lineman Billy Winn. Most are coming off injuries and had issues with their conditioning tests.

*  The team waived defensive back Royce Adams, linebacker Brandon Magee and wide receiver Conner Vernon.

Trevor Bauer held the Twins to three runs over six innings on Wednesday, but the Indians hitters offered him little support in a 3-1 loss to the Twins.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Indians appeared to be getting a break when the Twins scratched Kyle Gibson from Wednesday's start because of back spasms and replaced him with Anthony Swarzak.

Swarzak, making his first start of the season after 30 relief appearances, was 1-5 with a 7.34 ERA against the Indians in his career. But on Wednesday, he held the Indians to one run over five innings in the Twins' 3-1 victory at Target Field.

The Twins, the last-place team in the AL Central, took two out of three from the second-place Indians. Trevor Bauer (4-5) took the loss.

Swarzak (2-0) struck out three, walked one and allowed two hits for the win. The Twins' excellent bullpen took over from there with Glen Perkins pitching the ninth for his 24th save.

What it means

After going 3-1 against the AL Central-leading Tigers over the weekend at Comerica Park, the Indians are 4-3 on this 11-game trip.

The Indians are 51-50 and 22-22 in the AL Central. They have split 10 games with the Twins this season.

The Twins improved to 46-54. They have won six of their last 11 and are 19-15 in the division.

New kid on the block

Jose Ramirez, recalled before Wednesday's game, started at shortstop and gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with a double past third base in the third.

Ramirez, who took T.J. House's spot, was hitting .302 (74-for-245) with 15 doubles, two triples, five homers and 29 RBI in 60 games at Columbus. He's played 35 games at third, 21 at second and four at short.

The switch-hitting Ramirez was promoted to protect the Indians as Asdrubal Cabrera recovers from back spasms. He'll probably be sent down over the weekend when the Indians adjust the rotation.

Tough luck

After Ramirez doubled home David Murphy, the Indians had a 1-0 lead with runners on second and third. Michael Brantley sent a liner through the middle, but shortstop Eduardo Nunez, shaded toward the bag, made a diving catch to end the inning, rob Brantley of two RBI and prevent the Indians from taking a 3-0 lead.

In the eighth, Brantley came to the plate with runners on second and third and the Twins leading, 3-1. Lefty Brian Duensing relieved and retired Brantley on a pop up to third.

Nice arm

Rookie catcher Roberto Perez threw out Sam Fuld in the first inning and Danny Santana in the seventh on attempted steals of second base. He is 2-for-2 since joining the team on July 8 from Columbus.

Ramirez made an acrobatic catch and tag to get Santana in the sixth.

Bauer's day

In his first career start against the Twins, Bauer allowed three runs on six hits in six innings. He struck out seven, walked two and threw 99 pitches.

The Indians certainly didn't overwhelm Bauer with run support, but he did have problems with two outs. With the score tied 1-1 in the fifth, he gave up a soft two-out double to Brian Dozier just over Carlos Santana's head at first to give the Twins the lead.

In the sixth, Bauer retired the first two batters in the inning, but was stung by Oswaldo Arcia's homer to right. Arcia hit a 2-2 pitch for his sixth homer. It was the 10^th homer Bauer has allowed in 84 2/3 innings.

Bauer is 2-2 against the AL Central this year in six starts.

What's coming?

The Indians open a four-game series against third-place Kansas City on Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium. The Indians are 5-4 against the Royals this season. The last time the two teams met, the Indians took two out of three at Progressive Field with T.J. House and Corey Kluber earning victories and Josh Tomlin taking a loss.

Kluber (10-6, 295) will open the series Thursday night against lefty Danny Duffy (5-10, 2.66). The Indians will start Tomlin, Zach McAllister and Danny Salazar in the next three games. McAllister must be recalled from Class AAA Columbus.

Losing in the big leagues isn't supposed to be fun and Trevor Bauer made that clear after Wednesday's loss to Minnesota.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Scouts look at everything a player does on the field. Not just hits and homers and fastballs and sliders, but personality.

They may have never spoken to a player, but feel like they know him because of the way he carries himself on the field. How does he handle success and failure? How does he respond after making a big error or a fat pitch?

It could mean something or nothing. It all depends on the scout and the team that's paying for him.

After watching one of Trevor Bauer's recent starts, a scout said good things about his velocity and ability to pitch out of trouble. He added that when he gave up a hit or a call didn't go his way, his body language reflected it.

Body language? It could mean a pitcher kicking the mound after a bloop hit or shaking his head in disbelief over a ball or strike call.

In Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Twins, Bauer pitched well and lost. He gave up three runs on six hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked two.

On offense, the Indians did next to nothing to support him against Anthony Swarzak, a pitcher they've hit hard in the past. To make matters worse, Swarzak was making his first start of the season after 30 relief appearances and held the Indians to one run in five innings.

There were no bursts of emotion from Bauer on the mound. No overt sulking. He made a quality start and got beat on a couple of soft hits off the bats of Sam Fuld and Brian Dozier and a long home run by Oswaldo Arcia.

Perhaps the Indians' hitters were overconfident when they found out Swarzak was replacing injured Kyle Gibson. Whatever, Bauer took the loss and he was not happy. You did not have to be a scout or an expert in body language to know that.

His answers to reporters were terse. He looked like he'd rather be anywhere else besides standing in front of his locker answering questions.

Here's how the Q&A went:

Q. How would you evaluate your performance today?

A. "Good, I gave up one hard hit ball (Arcia's homer)," said Bauer.

Q. What kind of pitch did Arcia hit?

A. "It was a fastball and it was exactly where I wanted to put it. Good for him. He hit a good pitch. He sold out for it."

Q. How frustrating is a game like that?

A. "It's a loss for the team, that's always frustrating."

Q. You gave up two runs with two two-out hits. Does that hurt even more?

A. "Runs hurt regardless of when they come. Especially when they score two runs that go a combined 150 (bleeping) feet. It stinks, but whatever. It's baseball."

End of interview. It lasted just over a minute.

So we continue to find things out about Trevor Bauer. Not only does he have a good breaking ball and writes rap music, but doesn't like to lose and he doesn't hide it well.

"I thought he pitched pretty good for the most part," said manager Terry Francona. "He gave up the first two runs on balls that weren't hit real hard. He made a mistake on the home run late, but it was a solo.

"He was six innings, three runs. If we were winning, we would have probably set him back out there (for the seventh). He always gives us a chance to win. We just didn't do much offensively."

As for body language, most pitchers don't like the opposition to see them sweat. They might be down 6-0 in the fifth inning and have absolutely nothing, but all anyone else sees is a pitcher carrying himself like he's on the verge of winning the Cy Young.

It takes time. Anyone who watched the maturation of CC Sabathia can appreciate that. Bauer is too smart not to get it.

The report led to the firing of band director Jon Waters on Thursday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's two-month investigation of the school's marching band concluded with a 23-page report detailing a variety of issues that the school found created an environment conducive to sexual harassment.

Read the full report, which does contain explicit content:

Ohio State investigation of marching band culture

The investigation led to the firing of band director Jon Waters on Thursday.

The sections of the report were divided this way

• Midnight Ramp 

• Nicknames

• Tricks

• Rookie Introductions

• Rookie Midterms and Physical Challenges

• Trip Tic

• Songbook

• Other Misconduct on Buses

• Changing Clothes on Buses

• General Culture Statements

Former Ravens, Chiefs and Cowboys linebacker Edgar Jones will join the Browns. They also placed running back Terrance West back on the active roster after he had a problem with his conditioning test on Wednesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns have signed former Ravens outside linebacker Edgar Jones, an eighth-year pro who worked out for them in June, his agent Marc Lillilibridge tweeted.

Jones (6-4, 262) played a backup role for the Cowboys in 2013, participating in 74 snaps on defense and 131 on special teams.

Jones was originally signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Southeast Missouri State in 2007, and remained in Baltimore through 2011.
He also played for the Chiefs in 2012 and was traded to the Cowboys for a sixth-round pick.

In other Browns roster moves today, they added offensive lineman Chris Faulk, defensive lineman Jacobbi McDaniel, offensive lineman Jeremiah Warren and rookie running back Terrance West to the active roster. The players had issues with their conditioning tests on Wednesday and were placed on the non-football injury list.

In addition, the team waived first-year running back Jourdan Brooks and rookie receiver Kenny Shaw, an undrafted rookie from Florida State.

The Browns roster is currently at 87 players.

Kevin Love has a contract for $15.7 million for this season, plus a player option for $16.7 million in 2015-16. The Cavs must insist that Love at least pick up his option for that second season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It will take at least two years. That's what most Cavaliers fans probably don't want to hear.

But even with LeBron James, the Cavs probably will need two years to play for a title. Is that a fact? No. A decent guess? Yes.

That's why the Cavs must receive at least a two-year commitment from Love. He is under contract for $15.7 million this season. He has a player option for $16.7 million in 2015-16.

If Love refuses to pick it up right now, the Cavs drop any trade offer. Yes, Love averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota last season. But the Cavs can't risk trading top pick Andrew Wiggins and others and have Love leave after a single season.

In fact, the idea of trading Wiggins really bothers me -- and I'm not sure I would do it. But my main point of any deal involving Love demands a change in his current contract status -- even if Wiggins is not a part of it.

While 'sources' have said Love is interested in signing long term because of James, do we really know that? Love knows James signed a two-year, $41 million deal -- with the second season a player option. James did it to cash in on the new NBA television contract expected in 2016, which should dramatically increase the cash available for maximum contracts.

What if Love says, "Hey, my deal right now is just like LeBron's. It's a guarantee for this year, a player option for 2015-16. Why should I change that?"

Odds are that James isn't going anywhere for at least a few years. Northeast Ohio is home to him. Love grew up in Oregon. Suppose he is traded to the Cavs, and the first year is very rocky.

Hey, it could happen. Rookie coach. Lots of new players. A team with the NBA's worst record in the last four years. Add in very few players with postseason experience -- Mike Miller, Anderson Varejao, James Jones and James being the only ones.

The presence of James virtually guarantees a playoff spot in the weak Eastern Conference. But who knows how far they will advance? A year from now, Love could hit the open market -- and the Lakers could make him very rich as they will have a lot of salary cap space.

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (3), Chris Bosh and LeBron James needed a full season before learning what it means to be a championship team. AP 

A TITLE IN ONE YEAR?

Yes, the Cavs need to make aggressive moves to capitalize on the return of James. And yes, James is heading into his 12th season and will be 30 in December, so this is not time for a long rebuild. But it should be viewed as a two-year project.

Consider the 2010-11 Miami Heat. Dwyane Wade recruited Chris Bosh and James to join him.

Do you know what Miami did the season before James? It was 47-35 and made the playoffs. That was not a bad team. Miami replaced Quentin Richardson, Michael Beasley and Jermaine O'Neal with James and Bosh. The Heat also had Mario Chalmers and Udonis Haslem, and Erik Spoelstra was entering his third season as head coach.

Spoelstra had records of 43-49 and 47-35, losing in the first round of the playoffs both years. In other words, he had some experience as a head coach in the NBA -- and some success.

The Heat opened the first year with Wade, James and Bosh with a 12-10 record. They finished 58-24, reaching The Finals. They were then wiped out by Dallas. It really wasn't until the second season that Miami had the look of a true champion.

David Blatt will have a learning curve as the Cavs rookie head coach. AP 

THE REALITY

The Cavs front office and their fans need to remember this. Just as they need to remember that David Blatt is a very experienced and successful Euroleague coach -- but this is his rookie NBA season in any capacity.

Nor has Blatt ever coached in a long NBA-playoff type series. Overseas, tournaments are single-elimination or a form of round-robin. You don't play best-of-seven against the same team.

It will take Blatt time to develop a system that fits Kyrie Irving, James and Love (assuming a trade is made). He also will need time to get to know the NBA teams and players. Furthermore, his first exposure to the playoffs will probably bring some difficult surprises.

To expect the Cavs to win 60 games -- as some media people do -- is wildly optimistic in the first season.

Yes, Boston added Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to Paul Pierce and finished 66-16, winning the 2008 NBA title in their first year together. But those three were all between 30-32 years old. The coach was Doc Rivers, lots of NBA experience. They had two veterans in James Posey and Eddie House, along with promising youngsters Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins. A lot came together quickly.

Even with Love, the Cavs lack that experienced star power.

That's why the Cavs must secure a minimum of a two-year commitment for Love, or no deal should be made.

Under league rules, now that he is signed, Wiggins can't officially be traded for 30 days.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Andrew Wiggins is officially a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The team announced the signing of both Wiggins and second-round pick Joe Harris to contracts Thursday afternoon. 

Wiggins, 19, has been the subject of numerous trade rumors centered on Cleveland acquiring Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love. Under league rules, now that he is signed, Wiggins can't officially be traded for 30 days. However, the speculation will continue. Wiggins will make $5.5 million next season, the full 120 percent allowed under the league's rookie scale, and now carries more value in a potential trade to match salaries. 

Wiggins was the first overall pick in the draft. He just got back from the 2014 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he averaged a team-high 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks in four games. 

The 6-foot-8 swingman averaged 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 block in 32.8 minutes per game during his only season at Kansas, and was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

Harris, the 33rd overall pick, played four years at Virginia. He averaged 7.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.6 summer-league minutes.

Lotteries for controlled deer and turkey hunts on Ohio public wildlife areas will close on Thursday. Visit wildohio.com to apply. Registration opened this week for the Lake and Trials Youth Outdoor Camp on Oct. 2-5.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Outdoors Calendar for July 25.

Today through Thursday: Applications accepted by the Ohio Division of Wildlife for controlled deer and waterfowl hunts at select public wildlife areas around Ohio. For information or to apply, visit wildohio.gov or call 1-800-WILDLIFE. Application fee for each lottery hunt is $3.

Today: Registration opens for Lake and Trails Youth Outdoor Camp. See Oct. 2-5 listing in the Outdoor Calendar for details. See Aug. 16 listing for the 7^th annual Clays and Clams Sporting Clays Shoot at Brier Oak Hunt club, Bellevue, Ohio.

July 26: Ohio Mega Bass Tournament Trail, Indian Lake. For information visit ombtt.com.

July 26-27: 10^th annual Waterfowlers Boot Camp at Cardinal Center Campground, Rt. 61 and I-71, Marengo, Ohio. Hosted by the Ohio Waterfowlers Association. Waterfowl hunting seminars, calling contests, youth camp and waterfowl and hunting exhibits. Free. Walleye Fish Frey and Crawfish Boil on Saturday night is $10. Show hours are Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. For details visit theowawaterfowlersbootcamp.com.

July 26-27: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Adults $10, cubs $5. Open to the public. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

July 27: South Cuyahoga Bowmen 3-D Archery Shoots, South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association, 5370 Erhart Rd., Chatham Township. Registration 8-11 a.m. Rinehart targets featured. Crossbows welcome. Visit scsasportsmen.com.

July 27: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

July 30: Fly casting instruction and practice with the Fireland Fly Fishers, 6:30 p.m., Walker Road Park, 31558 Walker Rd., Bay Village.

July 31: Monthly meeting of the Chagrin River Salmon Association, 7 p.m., 201 Erie Rd., Eastlake. For information call Bruce Fraley, 440-946-1605.

Aug. 2-3: Archery Clinic, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration required before July 26. Open to the public. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Aug. 3: 30 Target 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, Seeman St. (off Battlesburg Rd.), Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com.

Aug. 3: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/ Mentor Lagoons Division, Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Boat Ramp, Mentor Lagoons, Mentor. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Joel Prince (jcprince193@gmail.com, 330-936-6434).

Aug. 3: National Field Archery Association Shoot, 28 targets, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Aug. 5: Monthly meeting of the Northeast Ohio Walleye Association, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jacks, 35901 Lake Shore Blvd., Eastlake. For information call 440-479-2488.

Aug. 7: Annual banquet for the Medina County Strutters Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Buffalo Creek Retreat, 8708 Hubbard Valley Rd., Seville. Contact Bill Suliks, 330-635-0878, bsuliks@aol.com.

Aug. 9: Walmart Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division, Tanner's Creek on the Ohio River. For entries, information visit flwoutdoors.com.

Aug. 9-10: African Safari Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit geaugabowmen.com.

Aug. 10: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Aug. 10: South Cuyahoga Bowmen 3-D Archery Shoots, South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association, 5370 Erhart Rd., Chatham Township. Registration 8-11 a.m. Rinehart targets featured. Crossbows welcome. Visit scsasportsmen.com.

Aug. 10: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Presque Isle Division, Marina Ramp, Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or call Aaron Gast, 814-314-9847.

Aug. 10: 3-D Hunter Course Archery Shoot, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

Aug. 13: Lottery drawings at 6:30 p.m. at the Magee March Wildlife Area in Oak Harbor, Ohio for controlled early-season teal and goose hunts.

Aug. 16: Northern Ohio Sportsman's Extravaganza outdoor show and firearms raffle, Sale Barns Auction, 15848 Nauvoo Rd., Middlefield, Ohio. Tickets are $20, which includes food, drink and some raffle tickets. Sponsored by Safari Club International and Great Lakes Outdoor Supply. Tickets available at Great Lake Outdoors Supply stores in Chesterland, Bainbridge, Middlefield and Madison.

Aug. 16: 7^th annual clays and Clams Sporting Clays Shoot to benefit the Lake and Trails Youth Outdoor Camp, Brier Oak Hunt Club, Bellevue, Ohio. Four-man squad fee is $220, which includes post-shoot clambake. Visit lakeandtrails.org to register, or call Karen Metzger, 330-725-8747.

Aug. 16: Open House at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 7018 Homegardner Rd., Castalia, Ohio. Free. Tours of the hatchery, seminars on fishing trout fishing techniques and kids can feed the rainbow trout. Visit wildohio.com.

Aug. 17: South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association Archery Shoot, 19300 Ridge Rd., North Royalton. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Open to the public. Adults $10, kids $5.

Aug. 17: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/ Mentor Lagoons Division, Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Boat Ramp, Mentor Lagoons, Mentor. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Joel Prince (jcprince193@gmail.com, 330-936-6434).

Aug. 17: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Toledo Division, Cullen Park Boat Launch, 4526 Summit St., Toledo. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Craig Burwell (birdie2277@yahoo.com, 419-701-8440).

Aug. 20: Ohio Wildlife Council monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.com.

Aug. 21-24: Progressive Insurance North American Demo Boat show, Cedar Point Marina, Sandusky. Admission $9, $7 for seniors, children 12 and under free. More than 400 boats on display in the water, on land, and marine exhibits. Test rides and fishing seminars. Show hours: Thursday and Friday, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For information visit CedarPointBoatShow.com.

Aug. 23: Kids Fishing, 10 a.m., Silver Creek Metro Park Boathouse, 5171 S. Medina Line Rd., Norton. Kids 15 and under learn the basics of fishing. A few rods and reels will be available. Bait is provided. For information, call 330-865-8065.

Aug. 23-24: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Adults $10, cubs $5. Open to the public. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Aug. 24: Northeast Ohio Ducks Unlimited 25+ Gun Super Raffle, Lake County Fairgrounds, Painesville. Fee $20, includes food and drink from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For tickets visit lakecountyducks.com or call Tim Cline, 440-749-5182, or April Blaylock, 216-749-7758.

Aug. 24: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Aug. 28: Lottery drawings for controlled early teal and goose hunts at the Pipe Creek Wildlife Area and the East Sandusky Bay Metro Park in Erie County. Drawing is 6:30 p.m. at Osborn Park, 3910 Perkins Ave., Huron.

Aug. 28: Monthly meeting of the Chagrin River Salmon Association, 7 p.m., 201 Erie Rd., Eastlake. For information call Bruce Fraley, 440-946-1605.

Aug. 30-31: Dog Days Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit geaugabowmen.com.

Aug. 31: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Toledo Division, Cullen Park Boat Launch, 4526 Summit St., Toledo. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Craig Burwell (birdie2277@yahoo.com, 419-701-8440).

Sept. 6-7: Fall Rendezvous Archery Shoot, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

Sept. 6-7: Walmart Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division, Indian Lake. For entries, information visit flwoutdoors.com.

Sept. 7: Annual South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association Ox Roast, 1-5 p.m., 19300 Ridge Rd. (south of Rt. 82), North Royalton. Tickets $20. Open to the public. Call Harry Arnold, 440-888-1163. Music by the GeezeCats, Cleveland Browns on big screen television.

Sept. 7: 30 Target 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, Seeman St. (off Battlesburg Rd.), Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit www.LoneEagleBowmen.com.

Sept. 7: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Sept. 7: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Presque Isle Division, Marina Ramp, Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or call Aaron Gast, 814-314-9847.

Sept. 9: Youth Fishing Program Workshop to teach volunteers to become certified Passport to Fishing instructors with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., ODOW District 3 Headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron. Free, with pre-registration required. All participants required to have a background check. Volunteers will learn to teach the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program. To pre-register contact Ken Fry, 330-245-3030.

Sept. 11: 20^th annual Hunting Heritage Banquet held by the Maple Country Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation at E.O.U.V. Club-Gottsheer Park, 8636 Pekin Rd., Novelty, Ohio. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Raffles for hunting and outdoor gear and firearms. Tickets $70, couples $100, jakes $40. Visit maplecountrynwtf.com.

Sept. 11-14: North American In-Water Boat Show, Cedar Point Marina, Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky. For information visit lemta.com.

Sept. 13-14: Deer Archery Shoot and Corn Roast, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit geaugabowmen.com.

Sept. 13-14: 3^rd annual Ladies 3-D Archery Shoot on Saturday and Early Bird 3-D Shoot on Sunday, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

Sept. 13-14: Walleye Madness Tournament, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Berlin Lake at Bonner Rd. Ramp. Two-angler teams, $150 entry. For information visit www.walleyemadness.net. Entry deadline Sept. 8.

Sept. 14: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/ Mentor Lagoons Division, Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Boat Ramp, Mentor Lagoons, Mentor. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Joel Prince (jcprince193@gmail.com, 330-936-6434).

Sept. 14: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Toledo Division, Cullen Park Boat Launch, 4526 Summit St., Toledo. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Craig Burwell (birdie2277@yahoo.com, 419-701-8440).

Sept. 12: Monthly meeting of the Northeast Ohio Walleye Association, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jacks, 35901 Lake Shore Blvd., Eastlake. For information call 440-479-2488.

Sept. 17: Ohio Wildlife Council monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.com.

Sept. 18: State Fish and Wildlife Hearing, 9 a.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.com. Public comments on season dates, regulations.

Sept. 20-21: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Adults $10, cubs $5. Open to the public. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Sept. 21: Dan Whitney Memorial Archery Shoot, South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association, 19300 Ridge Rd., North Royalton. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Open to the public. Adults $10, kids $5.

Sept. 21: Bowhunter Warmup Archery Shoot, Test and Tune Equipment, Lone Eagle Bowmen, Seeman St. (off Battlesburg Rd.), Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com.

Sept. 21: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Sept. 21: Great Lakes Largemouth Series, Marina Ramp, Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or call Aaron Gast, 814-314-9847.

Sept. 25: Monthly meeting of the Chagrin River Salmon Association, 7 p.m., 201 Erie Rd., Eastlake. For information call Bruce Fraley, 440-946-1605.

Sept. 27: Ohio Mega Bass Tournament Trail, Delaware Lake. For information visit ombtt.com.

Sept. 26-27: Masters Walleye Circuit qualifying tournament, two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Huron, Ohio. For information, entries visit masterswalleyecircuit.com. MWC Championship to be held Oct. 8-11 at Devils Lake, N.D.

Oct. 2-5: Lake and Trails Youth Outdoor Camp for kids 10 to 17 years old, FFA Camp Muskingum, Leesville Lake, Carrollton, Ohio. Outdoors-related classes, seminars, target shooting and pheasant hunt for older campers. Adult supervision mandatory. One adult can bring up to three children. Pre-registration needed. Visit lakeandtrails.org or call Karen Metzger, 330-725-8747.

Oct. 4: Dove hunt for disabled and youth hunters, Maple Country Chapter of the National Wild turkey Foundation. Morning or afternoon hunts in the Parkman, Ohio area with lunch provided. Visit maplecountrynwtf.com.

Oct. 11-12: Championship of the Great Lakes Largemouth Series, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Oct. 15: Ohio Wildlife Council monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.com.

Oct.16-18: Walmart Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Regional Championship, Kentucky Lake. For entries, information visit flwoutdoors.com.

Nov. 6: Youth Fishing Program Workshop to teach volunteers to become certified Passport to Fishing instructors with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., ODOW District 3 Headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron. Free, with pre-registration required. All participants required to have a background check. Volunteers will learn to teach the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program. To pre-register contact Ken Fry, 330-245-3030.

2014-2015 HUNTING SEASONS

Crow: June 6, 2014-March 7, 2015 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)

Coyote and wild boar: No closed season

Groundhog: Closed only during deer gun season.

Squirrel: Sept. 1-Jan. 31

Ruffed grouse: Oct. 11-Jan. 31

American woodcock: Oct. 11-Nov. 24

Youth Small Game: Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 1-2

Cottontail Rabbit: Nov. 7-Feb. 28

Ring-Necked Pheasant: Nov. 7-Jan. 4

Bobwhite Quail: Nov. 7-Nov. 16 (16 counties only)

Fox, Raccoon: Nov. 10-Jan. 31

2014-2015 DEER SEASONS

Deer Archery: Sept. 27-Feb. 1

Deer Antlerless Muzzleloader: Oct. 11-12

Deer Youth Gun: Nov. 22-23

Deer Gun: Dec. 1-7

Deer Statewide Muzzleloader: Jan. 2-5

2014-2015 WATERFOWL

Mourning Dove: Sept. 1-Nov. 9 and Dec. 13-Jan. 1

Canada Geese: Sept. 1-15

Early teal season: Sept. 6-21

Rails and moorhens: Sept. 1-Nov. 9

Snipe: Sept. 1-Nov. 30 and Dec. 20-Jan. 4

2014-2015 TRAPPING SEASONS

Fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum, weasel: Nov. 10-Jan. 31

Mink, Muskrat: Nov. 10-Feb. 28

Lake Erie Marsh (mink, muskrat, skink, raccoon, opossum, weasel): Nov. 10-March 15

Beaver, Otter: Dec. 26-Feb. 28

SPRING 2015 SEASONS

Youth Turkey: April 18-19, 2015

Spring Turkey: April 20-May 17, 2015

Todd Rains collapsed during the 2013 Cleveland Triathlon and went into cardiac arrest. Only the quick work of fellow racers Humberto Choi and Melani Sherman saved him. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Todd Rains doesn't remember anything about last year's Cleveland Triathlon. Not a single moment. 

He doesn't remember the pains he likely felt while swimming in Lake Erie. He doesn't remember getting off his bike and collapsing on the side of the Shoreway. 

He doesn't remember the chest compressions administered for 15 minutes by Humberto Choi and Melani Sherman, two doctors who happened to be competing and hopped off their bikes to help. 

He doesn't remember the cardiac arrest, the three mini-strokes, the transport to two hospitals, or the week-long induced coma that eventually led to quintuple bypass surgery. 

"It's probably for the best that he doesn't remember anything from that day," Sherman said in a recent phone interview. 

Rains has heard the whole story countless times by now, though. All about how the then-44 year old must have collapsed at some point in the bike portion of the Cleveland Triathlon, how perhaps the only two people who might have been able to save him – a pulmonary specialist and an ER resident – happened to bike by soon after. 

He knows Choi and Sherman saved his life, and he's grateful for the past year they gave him to spend with his wife and three young daughters – which is why he'll be there Sunday to cheer on Choi and Sherman as they compete in the triathlon  again. 

Rains' triathlon days are behind him, he says, but he has a whopper of a story to tell about the only one in which he ever competed. 

"I'm thankful for the miracle," Rains said. "That's what this is. I have not met a single medical person who doesn't use the word 'miracle' with me. They always look at me and tell me that I shouldn't even be alive." 

Which is odd, considering Rains was in the best physical shape of his life just before the 2013 event. He had trained for five months for the sprint distance -- .4-mile swim, 16-mile bike and 3.1-mile run – and had a full physical three weeks before the race in which he checked out in excellent health. 

Rains completed the difficult Lake Erie swim, and at some point during the bike, collapsed on the side of the road. Choi, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at Cleveland Clinic, happened to be biking by when he saw a commotion. 

"I turned around quickly," Choi said. "I didn't know who the person was, but I just said, 'I'm a doctor, I can help, does anybody know what's going on?'" 

Onlookers thought Rains was having a seizure, but Choi immediately recognized that Rains was turning blue, not breathing effectively or moving purposefully – all signs of cardiac arrest. He instructed someone to call 9-1-1, and began performing CPR. 

Somewhere in the middle of chest compressions, Sherman was biking by, as well, and stopped.

"I'm an emergency medicine resident," shouted the Akron General doctor. She began helping Choi count out compressions, trading off the hard work of keeping Rains' blood flowing to vital organs. 

It was about 15 minutes before an ambulance could make it through the course obstacles and to Rains. 

"It felt like forever," Choi said. 

An ambulance shuttled Rains to nearby Lutheran Hospital, and then to Fairview Hospital in Rocky River where his body temperature could be purposefully cooled to force his blood to go to vital organs and the brain that needed it most. 

His wife, Kelly, and three daughters, who were waiting for him at the finish line, didn't know what had happened or where to find him for nearly three hours. 

And Choi and Sherman? With just a few miles left to bike and a 5K left to run, they finished the race. Both thought they had just witnessed an athlete die. 

"I thought I've got to finish this race for this guy I don't know who was trying to do the race," Sherman said. "I was pretty sure everyone at the finish line had no idea what was going on. I thought it was important to get this information to the finish line." 

Choi, originally from Brazil, had to get back to his parents who were visiting from his native country and didn't speak English. 

"In the critical care side, I see a lot of patients have the same problems (Rains did) and they don't usually do well," Choi said. "I thought he would not survive." 

Both doctors went so far as to perform Google searches and check The Plain Dealer for the next week for news of a triathlete who had died during the race. Neither saw anything.

But a week later, Rains' brother spotted a Plain Dealer story about two Brazilian travelers who didn't speak English who were helped by Cavaliers player Anderson Varejao at the airport. That was Choi's parents. 

The story mentioned Choi had performed a selfless act by helping someone who collapsed during the triathlon – and Rains' brother instantly knew it was the same person. He reached out to ask Choi and Sherman to come to see Rains in the hospital – because their actions had saved Rains' life. 

"He did not do CPR, he did perfect CPR," Rains said. "Google '15 minutes of CPR;' it's just not good. Nothing happened by accident. God had a plan that day. He showed up and she showed up." 

It has not been an easy year of recovery for Rains. He contracted pneumonia immediately after suffering cardiac arrest – he'd aspirated all the Lake Erie water he had gulped during the race – which delayed surgery. He developed a blood clot in his lungs shortly after his quintuple bypass surgery. 

But since May, he said he's back to feeling 100 percent. 

"It's an incredible recovery considering what he went through," Sherman said. "I've seen people all the time in the ER who go into cardiac arrest, and are in the type of situation he was in. Maybe 5 percent are able to come back, and even less than 1 percent end up walking out the hospital. It's pretty incredible." 

And best of all, he's found his "new best friends." Rains, Choi and Sherman have developed the kind of friendship in which they refer to each other as "family." Both spent Christmas with Rains' large family – where he showered daughters Lundyn, 11, Delaney, 9, and Faith, 5, with the kind of mountains of gifts given only by a man with a second chance. 

"It was over-the-top," he admitted. "They got everything."

Despite the busy schedules of two doctors, they manage to get together whenever possible. 

"For a long time I couldn't even be around them without crying," Rains said. "How do you say thank you? You can't buy them enough dinners and lunches. They're just awesome people. They're the kind of people you want to save your life."

Rains has started running again, and is up to 1.5 miles. He hopes to do a 5K, but admits his triathlon days are over. Choi and Sherman, however, both will compete in Sunday's Cleveland Triathlon – and Rains will be there cheering them on.

"We spoke several times about why everything happened so perfectly," Choi said. "We had never heard a story like this with someone recovering so fast. Why this was not his time. I told him, when I saw his daughters, 'That's the reason. That's a good reason to stay around.' 

"He's not taking it for granted. He's taking care of his daughters and his wife, and being a good man." 

Said Rains: "I'm getting back to living, that's for sure."