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Video: Recap of Day 3 of Cleveland Browns Training Camp with Mary Kay Cabot and Zack Meisel

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Watch Mary Kay Cabot and Zack Meisel talk about the highlights from Day 3 of Cleveland Browns Training Camp.

BEREA, Ohio --  Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot and sports writer Zack Meisel recap what happened during the third day of training camp when the players put full pads on for the first time.

Topics include: The intensity picked up because full pads were worn for the first time.  Johnny Manziel scrambled more today running the zone read.  Brian Hoyer continues to get all reps with the first team.

On Twitter: @CLEvideos


Tweets, photos from players and coaches at NEOMG football media days (Day 3)

Everything Ohio State coach Urban Meyer had to say at the podium at Big Ten Media Days (with video)

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A complete transcript of Ohio State coach Urban Meyer's 15 minutes at the podium during the first day of Big Ten Media Days.

CHICAGO -- Here is the full transcript of everything Urban Meyer said while at the podium for 15 minutes at Big Ten Media Days on Monday.

THE MODERATOR: Coach, an opening statement.

COACH MEYER: It's an honor to represent Ohio State as we start our 2014 journey. 
It was a very good summer because we were able  to spend time with our players. 
It's the first time we've been allowed to -- I  think we had six or eight sessions with our players, and they were also helped in the transition of our 
high school guys when they showed up in June. 

So it's been a very good summer. Our  quarterback -- I know we'll get asked that question  -- is ready to go. He's full speed, in the best shape  of his life. We have a bunch of good, young players that we're anxious to see what they can do.

The two areas that concern the offensive  line is, number one, a little disappointed what happened in spring. We just didn't see the growth  that we would like to see. However, I really admire  our coach, Coach Warinner, and I know we have 
good players. So they've had a very good  summer. 

The second area is pass defense. We  completely have blown up and started from scratch, an area that we were not very strong in,  pass defense. And Chris Ash has done an admirable job of installing a brand-new pass defense that we're going to test and see how it  goes during training camp. Went very well during spring.

Very good group of young people that I'm  looking forward to work with. They come in on Sunday for good and we start practice on Monday. 

Q. Can you talk more about the  offensive line? You mentioned it's a concern. Do you think Chad Lindsay will be your starting  center? And just talk about the offensive line  as a whole, if you would. 

COACH MEYER: Jacoby Boren is right in  the middle of that, and so is Chad Lindsay. And  there's a kid named Billy Price that we redshirted a  year ago. Three guys that are talented. Chad is -- all I know of what I've seen, he's a tough guy, he's  a hard worker, and he has a lot of experience. That's why we took him. Normally we don't get  involved in those type of things, but we needed some maturity in the center of that offensive line. So it remains to be seen. I kind of like the work ethic. I think they're hungry. And the fact  that spring didn't -- I wanted to see a little more growth. And so it's easy to coach hard, and we've  coached them real hard all the way through. So anxious to see what they'll do. We'll  know more obviously in a couple of weeks.

Q. How stacked is the East Division,  and what are your thoughts on getting through that division?

COACH MEYER: East Division is very  strong. As we get close to the season, start 
looking at the schedule, there's a tough run. We have three very tough road games. But the East is  strong. And I have learned a long time ago you control what you can. Scheduling is certainly not who is in the East and who is on the other side. 
But very strong conference. You can tell by the recruiting, too, on that side, some very good recruiting that's been going on. So that's going to 
be a challenge.

Q. Urban, you've long lamented the  production and depth at linebacker. What have you seen out of that group so far this summer?

COACH MEYER: One of our stronger  groups. We operate under the unit principle, and  it's the power of the unit, nine units. And the last two years they weren't what we expect. Actually, two years ago, not bad, but anytime, in Division I, upper-level football, to move a fullback to middle  linebacker, you've got a problem. And we had a  problem. Zach Boren did a very good job, but you don't -- I'm used to hearing about Laurinaitis's and A.J. Hawks and those guys, and we weren't at that  level. Ryan Shazier played excellent last year. 

However, it's the best the group's been  right now. And that's just as far as chemistry, as  far as trust, as far as operating as a unit. So I'm 
anxious to see them play. We took three freshmen there. Dante Booker, Raekwon McMillian, and Kyle Berger. And  Sam Hubbard, we might move him back to tight  end or linebacker. Then we have some -- Josh Perry's done a great job at leadership and so has  Curtis Grant.  So it's about time we played linebacker ball, linebacker play the way Ohio State is used to. I think you're going to see it this year.

Q. New president, Michael Drake, took  office on June 30th. Have you talked to him much, and how does that presidential change  affect your job as a football coach?

COACH MEYER: We've spoke briefly on  several occasions. I invited President Drake to  come visit with our team. I'm looking forward to  him doing that. I've looked on his background and  had many conversations with some administrators at our university.  It doesn't really impact how I do my job, I don't think, as long as you just take care of  business. But I look forward to spending a lot of time with him.

Q. What did your team learn last year  from kind of being the hunted? And, granted, that's something that you go to Ohio State to  play for. And is that something that you specifically address in training camp?

COACH MEYER: Well, probably. You  play at Ohio State, they're the hunted because 
they're at Ohio State. Ohio State has traditionally  been a very strong program. We won a nice run  last year. But we don't spend much time on that. There's some great story lines about this  and that, but it's all about execution, getting our team ready to go. We spent an inordinate amount  of time on leadership building, and we call it brotherhood of trust. That's where the focus is, and it was excellent, the two sessions we put our  players through. So that's our focus.

Q. Urban, I know you said that Braxton  is in the best shape of his career, but he was  hurt in the beginning of the season, at the end  of the season. How concerning is it that the  offensive line isn't where you would like it to be after spring? And how focused will August -- how much time will you spend in August  making sure you get a group together that can protect the franchise there?

COACH MEYER: Concern number one. I  mean, that's it. There's a bunch of concerns you  always have. It's A through F, A through Z, A through X, whatever it is. But the number one on the list is development of that offensive line for the  reasons you just said, among many others. You want to win that game, but protecting  our quarterback is paramount. So that's -- I don't  want to say that's all our focus -- but that's where a  lot of our focus is right now.

Q. Is there any update on the Tracy  Sprinkle situation? And overall with your team, how did you think they handled themselves off  the field since you guys last played in the  Orange Bowl?

COACH MEYER: Pretty good. Tracy  Sprinkle is no longer with the program, and I will  readdress it if there's some changes. That's all I  know. That's the way we handle our situations.  If something happens, especially if you hear something serious, just remove from the  program and evaluate at the appropriate time.  So at this time he's no longer part of the program.

Q. Without Carlos Hyde, are you  looking to -- can you afford to look to try to cut back Braxton's rushing attempts, or is that  something you're going to monitor?

COACH MEYER: I think we're going to try  to -- not think. We have to be much more balanced than we've been. Everyone's looking for  a 50/50 ratio. We've been close a few times. When Alex Smith was our quarterback, we were pretty close to 50/50. With Chris Leak, I want to say we were pretty close. With Tim we were pretty close to I think 60-40, 65. 

Braxton, last couple of years, especially last year, Carlos was so good. The offensive line  was so good, and we were still trying to develop  that receiving corps to be on par with the rest of  the team, and I think we have. I'll be disappointed if the receivers aren't now ready to carry their own weight. The first year they weren't. We just weren't very good. Second year got much better. Philly Brown had an excellent year. Evan Spencer really developed. 

Devin Smith keeps coming on. I really like our two tight ends, Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett, so we're trying to improve the surrounding cast around Braxton. So I'm hoping -- not hoping. We have to be. That's where we're going to pick up those yards are getting in the hands of Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall and the outside receivers as well.

Q. Despite the fact what you're doing  on the offensive line, rebuilding the guys you're replacing on defense, most projections  around the country, I think Cleveland.com had  a poll the other day that said you guys are  favored to win the Big Ten. Some people think  you'll get that playoff. What has to happen between now and November for you guys, and  are you comfortable with those projections?

COACH MEYER: Well, there's many  variables. The injury, obviously injury is number one. Chemistry and -- I shouldn't say that.  Chemistry and trust and development of young players is by far number one. And that's -- I can't think of putting more time and effort into, number one, development of our coaching staff that we did. 

We had some leadership training for our coaches for about five weeks, and then we carried  it right over to our players, about an eight-week  session that we had with our players. So the amount of time on the most important element of any team is the trust within the team, a trust with  the leaders of the team, which is the coaching  staff. 

Then number two is going to be injuries. If  we can stay healthy, I think we're very good, if we develop the offensive line.  So, Tim, I think you know me very well. 
There's zero conversation about tomorrow or November. We're just trying to get the training camp healthy, in the right frame of mind, and then  have the best training camp we've ever had.

Q. How big of an improvement has Dontre Wilson made from the bowl game to this 
point right now? And how big of a role and how important is he going to be in your offense this offseason?

COACH MEYER: Great question. He's an impact guy. Last year he was a hybrid guy that really wasn't great at anything. He had potential, but very little, couldn't block at the level we expected him to. Was not quite strong enough to  run inside like you need that hybrid guy to do. Was simply an outside running player. He's gained the weight. He's much  stronger. He's much more prepared for this level  of football. He's always had the talent and he's  always had the effort, so he will be -- he's an impact guy for us in a lot of ways.

Q. A lot of the other coaches in the  East have been talking about the toughness and the physicality of that division. Can you just touch on that? And how do you think that characteristic in your division is going to either  help you guys or whatever it may be this season?

COACH MEYER: I think it's one of the  toughest divisions in college football. Once again,  you just have to look at the recruiting that takes  place at the schools and then the style of defense  and offense. It's a rugged conference. So all those comments that you said the other coaches were making, I see it. And we're 
going to do our best to be prepared for it.

Q. You have one of the most talented  defensive lines in the country, most people 
say. How big was the hire of Larry Johnson to  replace Mike Vrabel, and how big has he been throughout the spring and coming into the fall?COACH MEYER: We lost a home run. I  love Mike Vrabel. Did a great job for us, was a great Buckeye. Hated to see him go. I  understood, you know, his NFL background and  great family and a very good recruiter for us. So  when he left -- it's like a player. If you lose a great 
player and you don't replace him with a great  player, it's just going to happen, you're not going to  be as good.

We replaced Mike with a top-shelf coach, a  guy that has great respect, very good recruiter, a very good coach, the players love him already.  There's an incredible trust and esprit de corps in the D-line room right now. He walked into a good situation. He's got a bunch of good young -- a  good mix of young and old players in that room.

Q. You just got done saying Braxton's Q. You just got done saying Braxton's  in the best shape of his life. He's had some durability issues during his career. A, do you 
guys have to take any steps to make sure that  you ensure that he stays healthy, any specialsteps? And what are some reasonable expectations in your mind for his senior season?

COACH MEYER: Well, I've had some  players that have had the durability issues, and  John Simon had a little durability issue. It's  because he went a lot of times above and beyond what his body was telling him to do.  So I look at it, sometimes you do, and I'll  be the first to tell you, someone just isn't meant to play or they're just maybe not tough or so on. But Braxton Miller, his issues are he goes sometimes above and beyond what his body is  going to allow him to do. So he's got an incredible -- some of the guys with durability issues, the ones I just mentioned, Tebow, John Simon, Braxton Miller, Christian Bryant, those are guys that have the competitive spirit at the highest possible level, and that's all they do is know how to go. So do we try to slow Braxton down? 

Absolutely not. We try to protect him, surround  him and maybe come up with a good scheme to get the ball out of his hands maybe a little quicker. Those are all the things that we address.  But the durability issue isn't because his body wasn't meant to play college football. It's  because of how hard he plays. And you can look around the country, and  there's guys -- you know who they are. Every program's got a couple of those guys that play just so darned hard that sometimes things happen.

Ohio State QB Braxton Miller may be in the NFL right now had he avoided his Orange Bowl injury

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"Injuries are never in the back of my head," Miller said. "You just go out there and play football. It's part of the game. You never know what to expect in the game from an injury standpoint, and that's just how I am when there's competition on the line. I just put an extra hump into my game (and sometimes stuff happens). "

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Thirty minutes of redundant questions has a funny way of breaking a person down, so give Braxton Miller a little credit for hanging in there. But he did grow tired by the end. 

By the time he was asked about his decision to return for his senior season instead of going to the NFL for the fourth time, he just kept it short. Shorter than usual. 

"The injury happened," Miller said. 

There were other reasons Miller returned to Ohio State. He cited finishing his education, winning a Big Ten championship and competing for the Heisman Trophy as motivations. You know, the usual stuff. 

But if he never would have hurt his shoulder in the Orange Bowl, perhaps he'd be working out in an NFL training camp on Monday instead of fielding hundreds of questions from reporters at Big Ten Media Day. 

"I made my decision," Miller said, "so I don't really think about it anymore." 

Let's think about it for him. 

Ohio State was without its starting quarterback for all of spring practice, which was a major setback considering the Buckeyes are replacing practically their entire offensive line, their leading rusher and their leading receiver. 

So throughout all of spring, Ohio State was trying to take a step forward offensively without having their only proven offensive weapon on the field. There goes Miller's history of injury costing the team again, right? 

Braxton Miller Michigan State 2012View full sizeOhio State quarterback Braxton Miller had offseason shoulder surgery, but he has been fully healthy for two months. He said he's fully poised for his senior season guiding the Buckeyes.  

That's actually wrong.

For once, Miller's injury may have bailed Ohio State out. Because without Miller, Ohio State would also be replacing a two-time defending Big Ten offensive player of the year. 

And without Miller, is Ohio State one of the favorites to win the recently expanded Big Ten this season?

Here's the quick answer – No. 

"Injuries are never in the back of my head," Miller said. "You just go out there and play football. It's part of the game. You never know what to expect in the game from an injury standpoint, and that's just how I am when there's competition on the line. I just put an extra hump into my game (and sometimes stuff happens). But getting down, taking less hits in my running, more throwing, and we'll do what we have to do. I have a lot of guys around me making plays. It's going to be fun."

Urban Meyer's long list of offseason concerns doesn't include Miller's health, and the head coach is certainly happy to still have him on the roster. But Miller's longterm health this season has to be an ongoing concern. 

Before he missed nearly three full games at the beginning of last season with a knee sprain, he left six others because of injury since taking over as Ohio State's starter in 2011. He has yet to play a full healthy season in college. 

Meyer said he has taken extra steps with past players to try to keep them healthy, but Miller's injuries aren't because he's made of glass. 

"Braxton Miller, his issues are he goes sometimes above and beyond what his body is going to allow him to do," Meyer said. "We try to protect him, surround him and maybe come up with a good scheme to get the ball out of his hands maybe a little quicker. Those are all the things that we address. 

Braxton Miller at Big Ten Media DaysView full sizeOhio State quarterback Braxton Miller addresses the media at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago on Monday afternoon.  

"But the durability issue isn't because his body wasn't meant to play college football. It's because of how hard he plays." 

Last season, Ohio State didn't pay the consequence for losing its star quarterback because backup Kenny Guiton filled in so beautifully in Miller's absence. But Miller paid a personal price - watching Guiton rack up all the numbers he would have added to his Heisman Trophy campaign. 

"I think about that sometimes," Miller admitted. Those thoughts particularly flood his mind as he strolls past the row of Heisman Trophies in Ohio State's Woody Hayes Athletic Center every day. 

"But it's all good," he said. "I'm not going to get injured this year." 

He can't allow it. Being great means so much to Miller. 

And there's no such thing as being great from the bench. 

Video: Intensity picks up as Cleveland Browns wear full pads for first time during training camp

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Watch highlights from Day 3 of Cleveland Browns Training Camp as players put on full pads on for the first time.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Intensity picked up at Cleveland Browns Training Camp as players wore full pads for the first time on Day 3.

They were not allowed to tackle to the ground, which will happen Thursday, but there was lots of hitting in individual and team drills.

Highlights of the day were plenty scrambling from Johnny Manziel as he practiced some read option and Chris Kirksey's first interception on an errant pass from Manziel.

Justin Gilbert also had a big day picking off a Brian Hoyer pass in one-on-one cornerback receiver drills.  He also broke up to passes from Manziel.

The Browns will practice Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. and then have Wednesday off. 

On Twitter: @CLEvideos

Do away with National Signing Day? Nebraska coach Bo Pelini thinks it would clean up recruiting: Buckeyes recruiting

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What if the recruitment of players came to an end once they verbally commit to a program? What if a prospect could sign the second they feel like they've made a decision? Pelini would be all for that.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – There's something a little sweeter about earning a verbal commitment from a high school prospect when he flips from a commitment from another school, right? 

Or maybe that just fodder for fans as they follow the battle that happens before the actual battle. 

Either way, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has made a habit of maintaining relationships with high school prospects long after they verbally commit to another program. 

And it's paid off in flips. 

But what if the recruitment of players came to an end once they verbally commit to a program? What if a prospect could sign the second they feel like they've made a decision? 

No second thoughts. No other visits. Nothing. 

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini thinks doing away with National Signing Day would be a positive move all around for recruiting. Here's his entire statement on the topic: 

"Well, I said what was it about a month ago, maybe two months ago -- it all kind of runs together for me -- I said publicly I believe it would be a great idea if we would look at maybe getting rid of Signing Day. That's something that I think would make a lot of sense. 

"As far as, hey, you come to an agreement, somebody commits to your school, you've made a commitment to a young man to come play in your program, why do we have to wait to any certain day? Why don't we just go ahead and let's sign on the dotted line, let's get it over with and move forward. 

"And obviously that's different than the way things have been for a long time. I think it makes a lot of sense. I think it would change things in a lot of ways. I think it would slow down some of the early offers. I think it would slow down some of the ridiculous things that go on on both ends, on the institution's side of things and as far as the recruits'.

"And there's a lot of things that go on that I believe in our program what we try to do is teach kids to do things the right way. 

"Really I think that goes throughout the Big Ten Conference. I think this conference does things the right way. It's about integrity. You're teaching kids to live up to their word of what it means to be a teammate. 

"It's not about any individual, it's about a team. There's a bigger picture involved. And I think sometimes the way the recruiting process works is contradictory to what we're trying to teach these kids and how we're trying to develop these kids in the long run to be successful, not only as football players and as athletes, but beyond, as husbands, as fathers, and their professions. And sometimes we always talk about having to de-recruit kids and some of that has just -- it's made up of kind of the way the process is set up. 

"And I think there's some things that could be done, and I think that would be a big step in the right direction." 

Browns' Joe Thomas on Brian Hoyer: 'He's a lot like Tom Brady'

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Left tackle Joe Thomas is confident the Browns have a winner in Brian Hoyer, who acts like a starting quarterback who's "taken us to five playoffs.''

BEREA, Ohio -- When a Paul Bunyan of a man who stands 6-foot-6 and has seven Pro Bowls to his credit speaks, people listen.

Browns left tackle Joe Thomas' words come down from on high to all the reporters craning up at him, and they almost always pack a wallop.

Monday was no different. When asked about Brian Hoyer's potential as the Browns' starting quarterback, the big lumberjack compared him to arguably the best quarterback in the history of the game.

"He's a lot like Tom Brady,'' Thomas said at training camp Monday. "When you look at the way he competes and the way he demands the most out of everybody around him, it's no coincidence that those guys played together.  (Hoyer) has a lot of those same mental attributes and that's a great thing for a quarterback to have. 

"He's the ultimate competitor, and no matter if we drafted a quarterback No. 1 overall, I knew that in his mind he expects to win the job because that's the type of competitor he is and the type of quarterback.''

Thomas spoke for plenty of his teammates when describing the respect Hoyer commands.

"Yeah, it really is excellent,'' Thomas said. "He has less starts than probably almost any rookie that's out there starting right now, but he commands a level of respect because of the way he goes about doing his business the right way and acting like he is the starting quarterback that has taken us to five playoffs.

"I think it's that attitude and that swagger that demands respect. And, he also goes and backs it up out on the field. He throws the ball to the right person. He's doing things and getting everybody on the same page. That's just as much the role of a quarterback as throwing touchdown passes."

Thomas has blocked for enough quarterbacks over his seven seasons to know what the Browns have in Hoyer.

"I don't know how the competition is going to pile up, but what I saw from Brian last year in the few games that he played and what I saw from him in the way he works and studies and throws the ball, what I've already seen from him out here now is exactly what I expected.

"He's every bit one of the best competitors in the NFL, and he's just waiting for his opportunity to take a team and win a lot of games and be the difference-maker a quarterback has to be."

Hoyer, who spent three seasons as Brady's understudy in New England, acknowledged Saturday that he's even more vocal on the field this season now that he knows it's his team.

"He demands the most out of his guys, and if the level is slipping or someone has screwed up and needs to be encouraged positively or negatively, he's not afraid at all to say something because he understands that we're all in this together and how other people perform is going to directly correlate to how he performs and how our offense performs,'' said Thomas.

Thomas agreed that the interaction between Hoyer and Manziel, at least on the field during camp, is minimal.

"I think a small amount of that is natural because you're competing for the same job and both guys want to be the starting quarterback,'' he said. "But Johnny is kind of a quiet guy around the facility. I'm sure it's hard for most people to believe that with the kind of personality that he's built up. But he's kind of quiet. He does things the right way. You look at his notebook and he's got all sorts of good notes. He sits in the front next to the coach and he's just focused on his job when he's here."

And while Thomas heaped praise on the sixth-year pro, he's also appreciated how Johnny Manziel has approached his new job.

"You don't walk in because of what you did in college and you just have the respect of everybody,'' Thomas said. "It's a process of earning that respect and it's going to happen on the field. Doing the right things when you're in the classroom and all that stuff is great, but the respect in the NFL gets earned when you're on the field in the preseason, when you're scrimmaging, being a leader, making the right plays. Those are how you're going to earn respect when you're a rookie."

The Browns also rolled out the read-option in practice on Monday, which gives Manziel a chance to show off his Johnny Football dual-threat flare.

"It's great,'' Thomas said of the scheme. "It can give you huge gashes. It confuses the defense. It gives them something that they have to work on during the week. Even if you only run it a couple times, they'll have to spend 15 or 20 minutes in practice every week to try to prepare for it. We've watched a lot of cut-ups from when they were running it in Washington, and they had some tremendous gashes and really just had the defense confused.

"It kind of adds a different element to an offense that a lot of teams don't have. With that being said, it's hard on us because we don't know where the ball is. Sometimes the biggest plays are ones where we don't block anybody or there's a bust.

"Somebody's running through free, but that's the great part of the offense. You don't need to put a hat on every player in order to get the running back through to the second level and to get a good play. A lot of times, there are guys running free, but because of the misdirection it's a big hit and the line may not block anybody."

Thomas admitted that blocking for Manziel can be challenging, but that he's up for the ride.

"You don't know where he's going to be a lot of times when the play breaks down,''  Thomas said. "It makes it difficult to try to block for a spot, which is kind of what you're used to doing. Sometimes busts become the biggest plays you have. You have a guy running free and all of a sudden Manziel is running out of the pocket and throwing the ball downfield.

"It's a lot like playing Ben Roethlisberger. A lot of times the biggest plays they had in the past were ones where we had defensive guys running free to the quarterback but can't get him down, and then he breaks out of the pocket and extends the play and now defensive backs have to cover their guy for six or seven seconds, which doesn't happen.''

Thomas has been through enough quarterback competitions to know that anything can still happen.

"I think they're both doing a great job competing,'' he said. "I think they're both going about it the right way. It seems like, so far, both guys have done a good job preparing themselves. It'll be fun to see how it plays out, but it definitely seems like it's an open competition.

Judge OKs record-setting $2 billion sale of Los Angeles Clippers

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A judge ruled against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling today, clearing the way for the $2 billion sale of the team to ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

LOS ANGELES -- A judge has ruled against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and cleared the way for the $2 billion sale of the team to ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

Judge Michael Levanas sided Monday with Sterling's estranged wife in the case that arose after the 80-year-old billionaire was banned by the NBA for making offensive remarks about blacks.

Shelly Sterling sought the court's approval for the deal she negotiated after taking control of a family trust and removing her husband as a trustee after two doctors found he had Alzheimer's disease and couldn't manage his affairs.

Donald Sterling claimed his wife deceived him about the medical exams.

Sterling has vowed to fight the NBA until his death and is expected to continue to wage court battles to stop the sale.


Sights and sounds from Day 3 of Northeast Ohio Media Group’s football media days (slideshow, video)

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Day 3 featured players and coaches from the Chagrin Valley Conference, Akron City Series and Lake Erie League.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Players and coaches from the Chagrin Valley Conference, Akron City Series and Lake Erie League participated Monday in the third day of the Northeast Ohio Media Group's 2014 football media days.

Players and coaches were on hand for photos, interviews and videos at NEOMG headquarters on Superior Avenue in Cleveland. The media day event began July 23 and continues through July 30, featuring many of the 133 football programs in the NEOMG's seven-county coverage area.

Here’s a look at what players and coaches were saying on Twitter during Monday’s events.

Thursday’s lineup will include the Senate Athletic League, Southwestern Conference, Suburban League and the North Coast League.

Check out sights and sounds from Day 1 and Day 2.

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.

Be sure to follow @NEOvarsity on Twitter for updates throughout NEOMG football media days, as well as the 2014-15 school year.

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.

Behind the scenes with Ohio State at Big Ten Media Days: Urban Meyer, Braxton Miller take on the media in Chicago (Photo gallery)

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A collection of photos gathered during the first day of Big Ten Media Days in Chicago on Monday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – It isn't the official start of football season, but the Chicago air had a fall feel to it as the Big Ten unofficially kicked off the year with Big Ten Media Days. 

Doug and I were roaming around the hotel all morning with our iPhones snapping pictures, and we assembled a photo gallery from the first day of Big Ten meetings. 

Inside the photo gallery is a college of pictures from the first day, including a handful of ones of coach Urban Meyer, quarterback Braxton Miller, tight end Jeff Heuerman and defensive tackle Michael Bennett. 

Also be sure to take a look at the collection of stories we wrote from the event: 

• Ohio State coach Urban Meyer says Braxton Miller is 100 percent healthy, 'in the best shape of his life'

• Ohio State QB Braxton Miller may be in the NFL right now had he avoided his Orange Bowl injury

• Urban Meyer says Ohio State Buckeyes have been "pretty good" off the field, despite Tracy Sprinkle dismissal

• Do away with National Signing Day? Nebraska coach Bo Pelini thinks it would clean up recruiting

• The Bielema-Spurrier Scale: The most inflammatory thing each coach said at Big Ten Media Days

Why hasn't Ohio State played a major neutral-site game when the Buckeyes get asked every year?

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Michigan played in the Cowboys Classic in 2012 and will play again outside Dallas in 2017. Ohio State AD Gene Smith said he gets asked for the Buckeyes to take a game like that every year, but so far he has said no.

CHICAGO -- The Cowboys Classic at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas matched up Michigan against Alabama in 2012. The Wolverines are headed back to meet Florida in 2017 in the same place, with a guaranteed payoff of $6 million for that game.

Brandon said Monday at the Big Ten Media Days that there's a select group of schools that could get an offer like that from the TV people who set up the game. Ohio State is one of them. But the Buckeyes haven't ever said yes yet.

Should they?

"We are always keeping that possibility open," Ohio State athletic Gene Smith told cleveland.com on Monday. "It's pretty nice to think of going to Dallas. But right now, no."

Asked Monday about the idea, Urban Meyer said he heard the Buckeyes were in discussions for a neutral-site game, and he'd be in favor of it.

"I was a little leery at first, but I think that's kind of the wave right now," Meyer said.

Smith said Meyer was right that there was a discussion about a game like that - but only because there is always a discussion, because he said Ohio State is asked every year. He said he was sure he'd be asked again before he left Chicago because there were TV people at the Big Ten meetings.

Neutral-site games are becoming more popular, but they are a tricky balance for athletic departments. Brandon said Michigan can make about as much off a neutral-site game as it can off one home game. That means Michigan can make more off two neutral-site games than it can off a home-and-home with a national power, where the Wolverines would get a big gate from the home game, but nothing more than a relatively small appearance fee for the road game.

Brandon said once every five years is about right for the Wolverines in taking games like this. It's the exception, not the rule.

It could eventually be an exception for Ohio State, too, but only, Smith said, if everything fits.

The Cowboys Classic started in 2009 with Oklahoma-BYU and is booked through 2017. Florida State and Oklahoma State play this year, while Alabama will play Wisconsin next year. The Badgers are also playing LSU in Houston this season, then hosting LSU at Lambeau Stadium in Green Bay in 2016.

That's a tremendous three-game, three-year stretch for Wisconsin. But none of the games are in Madison, in front of a home crowd in the home stadium and making money for the area merchants.

There's a lot to like about big, primetime neutral-site matchups. Ohio State is opening at Ravens Stadium in Baltimore against Navy this year and played Toledo at Browns Stadium in 2009. But those games were against smaller opponents that took two-game deals to play at Ohio Stadium and then play their home games at NFL stadiums. This would be different.

Smith said he'll never take a big neutral-site game at the expense of a home-and-home series, like the one the Buckeyes have with Virginia Tech for 2014-15, Oklahoma for 2016-17, TCU in 2018-19, Oregon in 2020-21 and Texas in 2022-23. He's too much of a traditionalist, and he wouldn't want to take the money out of Columbus.

Brandon said a home game generates between $14 million and $15 million for Ann Arbor, and admits in 2012, and again in 2017, that money will instead go to Dallas.

"There are people who count on that for their livelihood," Smith said.

But Brandon likes when the games can do for his program.

"It's a chance for kids to play in an NFL venue and be in a primetime event and play an opponent we haven't played in a long time," Brandon said.

Still, if the deal is right, previous agreements can always be shifted. But Smith said he thinks a neutral-site game would probably have to work when the Buckeyes accept having just six home games in a year in which at least several of those home games, to use Smith's word, are "magnificent."

The schedule has Michigan playing at Ohio Stadium in even years. So an even year would be good, because that's a big game. But Michigan State will be playing at Ohio State in odd years, and that's becoming a big game.

Considering the Cowboys Classic is booked through 2017, we'll look only at Ohio State's schedules for 2018 and beyond when seeking a fit. So check out 2019, which so far includes just two games - home games with both Cincinnati and TCU. Those are solid games, but not exactly top-five teams. Maybe the Buckeyes could be open to a neutral-site showdown in 2019.

Alabama might be nice.

"I'm not sure I'd play them in a neutral-site game," Smith said, preferring a home-and-home. "Come to me baby, then let me come to you."

Whatever the opponent, the Buckeyes certainly will keep getting asked.

"Every year I talk about it," Smith said. "I don't know if we'll do it or not, but every year I talk about it."

Jordan Cameron ready to carry load if Josh Gordon banned: Quick Hits from Browns training camp

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Jordan Cameron is ready to shoulder the load if Josh Gordon is suspended; the Browns signed a receiver; and Wilbert Montgomery compared Terrance West to Brian Westbrook.

BEREA, Ohio - Browns tight end Jordan Cameron is ready to carry the load if Josh Gordon is suspended for the season.

"You want that,'' said the Pro Bowl pass-catcher. "You want more targets if that's what it's going to be. When that time comes we'll worry about it then. You can't worry about what you can't control."

Despite his breakout season, he feels like he's only just begun.

"Yeah, I have a lot of work to do,'' he said. "I don't think I'm anywhere near where I could be. I'm still young in this game. I've been playing real football for about three and a half years now. It's a lot to learn and I'm willing to do it. It's exciting for me going forward, and I've got a lot to prove to myself."

Gordon has spent most of his time working with first-teamer Brian Hoyer, but has admired Manziel too.

"He's one of those guys that bring a lot of energy,'' he said. "People feed off him, and he's an exciting player."

Other quick hits from the third day of training camp:

* The Browns signed receiver Marlon Moore, a fifth-year pro. Originally signed by Miami as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State in 2010, Moore has appeared in 43 games with two starts. He's caught 19 passes for 306 yards (16.1 avg.) with two touchdowns.

In 2013, Moore played in six games with the 49ers and eight with the Dolphins, catching seven passes for 62 yards.

* Mike Pettine didn't appreciate Johnson Bademosi's hit on receiver Nate Burleson on a day with no live tackling, just thud, "Where we're going to front guys up, but then, drive them back and let them go...That stuff's not going to help them make the team. We want to be tough. We want to be nasty, but we want to play within the rules, and we certainly want to protect each other when we're practicing.''

* Pettine will allow tackling to the ground on Thursday during goal-line and short-yardage drills, and the scrimmage at the University of Akron on Saturday.

* Receivers Travis Benjamin and Charles Johnson, both coming off torn ACLs, sat out the first padded practice Monday.

* Justin Gilbert picked off Brian Hoyer in one-on-one drills, and had two breakups of Johnny Manziel passes, one in 7-on-7s and one in 11-on-11s.

* Pettine doesn't want Gilbert returning kicks. "Not at this point,'' he said. "I think he might be a 'in-case-of-emergency-break-glass' kick return guy. It's tough. I think I'd hold my breath or watch with one-and-a-half eyes covered if he was returning the kick."

* The tape didn't lie. Pettine acknowledged that Manziel was as he looked in practice on Sunday. "He was inconsistent, flashed, did some good things, and then, probably had some things that he would've taken back, but that's just all part of it.''

* Pettine acknowledged that the Browns will install more read-option plays for you-know-who. "I just think, at the end of the day, we'll see more of that with Johnny (Manziel) than we will with Brian (Hoyer).''

* Pettine's dad Mike Sr., the legendary high school coach, was on hand. "As Rex likes to call him, the 'Real Coach Pettine' when he would come into town,'' said Pettine. "I usually get about a page of notes a day sitting on my desk, but he's enjoying it, sits in on the film sessions. It's been great having him here."

* Running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery set the bar high for rookie Terrance West. "It's funny because Terrence West has some shades of (former NFL RB) Brian Westbrook. He can break you down with his right leg; he can break you down with his left. He has that Ricky Watters or Walter Payton lure-you-to-sleep-on-the-sidelines move that I can accelerate or I can play like I'm going to accelerate and cut back inside. Those are some of the traits that I haven't seen in a while by Walter Payton and Ricky Watters."

* The Browns made other moves, activating tight end Gary Barnidge and linebacker Tank Carder and waiving offensive lineman Chris Faulk and kicker Jake Rogers.

* Total attendance for Browns 2014 training camp is 10,616, the highest total for three consecutive training camp practices since at least 2005, when totals were first recorded.

* Fans from 34 states have visited camp, according to the Browns.

Josh Gordon hires attorney that helped Seahawks' Richard Sherman win his appeal, according to report

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Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon just might have some hope. He hired the attorney that helped Richard Sherman.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns receiver Josh Gordon has hired the attorney that helped Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman win his appeal for performance-enhancing drugs, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The attorney, Maurice Suh, helped Sherman win an appeal of his four-game suspension for reportedly using the stimulant Adderall without a prescription.

Sherman won the appeal in December of 2012 on the grounds of a faulty test, namely that the tester used a leaky cup to take the urine sample and transferred it to another cup.

Gordon's appeal hearing on his indefinite drug ban under the substance-abuse policy is set for Friday in New York. Meanwhile, he's been practicing with the Browns and making big plays on a daily basis.

Working primarily with the second team, Gordon has caught most of his passes from Johnny Manziel, including a 30-yard sideline route Monday on which he beat T.J. Heath and made a nice adjustment to the ball.

Suh will work with highly respected NFLPA attorney Heather McPhee on the case, according to Schefter.

Gordon's camp will try for a lesser suspension, one that would hopefully keep Gordon around the team instead of banishing him from the league for a minimum of a year.

Gordon recently underwent a two-week stint in a rehab facility in California after getting arrested for driving while impaired in Raleigh, N.C. over July 4 weekend, as first reported by Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1.

Gordon is facing the indefinite one-year ban for violating the league's substance-abuse policy for at least the third time. If he loses, he'll have to wait a year to apply for reinstatement. ESPN reported in May that Gordon tested positive for marijuana.

Last season, he was suspended two games and docked four game checks for testing positive for what he said was codeine in his prescribed cough medicine.

"He's trying to be positive,'' said Browns tight end Jordan Cameron. "It's one of those things he doesn't know. It's up in the air right now. It's hard for him to have a say in it either way, so he's just grinding. He's out here every day working hard so that's all that you can ask of him."

Cameron said it's not bittersweet to watch the All-Pro practice, knowing he could be gone soon.

"I don't look at it like that,'' said Cameron. "I look at him, he's making plays and it's kind of a day-by-day thing. I don't know where he's going to be in the future, but right now, I'm excited that he's out here and he's doing well."

Gordon also received several reps with Brian Hoyer and the first-team offense Monday.

VJ King among 12 players to make USA Basketball U17 team: Eric Flannery coach blog (video)

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USA Basketball coaches make final roster for team that will play in U17 World Championship in Dubai next month.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- We have spent the last 24 hours contemplating a very talented roster and trying to make the right fit for our USA Basketball team.  

The guys have practiced extremely hard, some injuries occurred, and it was the time to cut five players to make our final roster of 12. This is never easy and in this case, as I have said before, we cannot make a wrong decision as it relates to talent.

The final roster is as follows, with where the players are from: Tyus Battle, N.J.; Henry Ellenson, Wis.; Terrance Ferguson, Texas; Harry Giles, N.C.; Josh Jackson, Mich.; VJ King, Ohio (former St. Vincent-St. Mary player); Malik Newman, Miss.; Ivan Rabb, Calif.; DeVearl Ramsey, Calif.; Diamond Stone, Wis.; Caleb Swanigan, Ind.; and Jayson Tatum, Mo.

We have three new players that were not on last year’s U16 team. We also have five seniors and seven juniors. 

Not one of our players has committed to college yet, however all are being recruited by almost all the high-major universities.

On a side note, last night head coach Don Showalter and I were returning to the hotel after meetings. A Colorado state trooper pulled us over for going slightly over the speed limit. Showalter was driving. The officer was the nicest police officer I have ever encountered. After a few questions about where we were from and what we were doing, he wished us well, shook our hands and gave us a warning. A light moment for us in a difficult night of decisions.

About Flannery’s blog: St. Edward basketball coach Eric Flannery is blogging for cleveland.com during his tenure as an assistant coach for USA Basketball’s U17 World Championship Team. The team will play in the FIBA U17 World Championship For Men, Aug. 8-16 in Dubai. Also follow Flannery on Twitter (@CoachFlan).

Sights and sounds from Day 4 of Northeast Ohio Media Group's football media days (slideshow, video)

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Day 4 featured players and coaches from the Senate, Suburban League, Southwest Conference and North Coast League.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Players and coaches from the Senate Athletic League, Suburban League, Southwest Conference and North Coast League participated Tuesday in the fourth day of the Northeast Ohio Media Group's 2014 football media days.

Players and coaches were on hand for photos, interviews and videos at NEOMG headquarters on Superior Avenue in Cleveland. The media day event began July 23 and continues through Wednesday, featuring most of the 134 football programs in the NEOMG's seven-county coverage area.

Check out sights and sounds from Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3.

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.

Be sure to follow @NEOvarsity on Twitter for updates throughout NEOMG football media days, as well as the 2014-15 school year.


Source: 'Josh Gordon didn't smoke marijuana and was exposed to second-hand smoke' on test day

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Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon might have a chance to avoid his minimum one-year ban if he wins his appeal on grounds of second-hand smoke exposure.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon "didn't smoke marijuana and was exposed to second-hand smoke on the day of his test," a source told Northeast Ohio Media Group on Tuesday.

That's what Gordon's legal team will argue Friday during the appeal hearing on Gordon's minimum one-year ban for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy a third time.

The source said it's clear that Gordon didn't smoke marijuana because he was tested multiple times in and around the time of his test. The source also said  Gordon has tested negative 70 times since he's been in the NFL, including several times since his recent positive test sometime before May 9.

Gordon has hired high-powered attorney Maurice Suh, who helped Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman win his appeal in 2012 for performance-enhancing drugs in 2012. Sherman won on the grounds that the specimen cup was leaky and that subsequent collection procedures were faulty.

But the NFL has heard the "second-hand smoke'' defense before -- and no player has ever won his appeal on those grounds.

"You are responsible for what is in your body,'' NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told cleveland.com in an email response. "That has always been a cornerstone of our drug-testing programs.''

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported that Gordon's team will argue second-hand smoke, and profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio first reported that the lawyers will argue disparity in Gordon's test results.

The source told NEOMG that Gordon's case is different than the other players who lost their "second-hand smoke'' appeal, in that Gordon is believed to be the only one whose "B'' test was below the NFL's threshold for the banned substance in marijuana, THC.

When players in the NFL are drug-screened, two different tests are used. Gordon measured 38 nanograms per milliliter of THC on the immunoassay test, above the NFL's threshold of 20, the source said. Most other sports organizations have a 50 cutoff or higher to avoid second-hand smoke issue, the source said.

The second test involves an "A" sample and "B'' sample. If the "A'' sample is above the NFL threshold of 15 nanograms for this particular test, the "B'' sample is tested to confirm it. The source said Gordon measured 16 nanograms on the "A'' sample, just one above the NFL's threshold. He measured 13.63 nanograms on the "B'' sample, below the NFL cutoff.

According to NFL policy, the "B'' test does not have to be above 15 nanograms to confirm the first test -- it just has to contain some of the same banned substance.

But the source said the fact that one urine specimen resulted in two different numbers -- the 16 and the 13.63 -- indicates "uncertain'' test results and that those will be disputed by Gordon's legal team.

The source said the NFL is basing its minimum one-year ban on "this very inconsistent test result,'' and the legal team does not believe that the results are scientifically valid or valid under the rules.

Furthermore, the lawyers, including highly respected NFLPA attorney Heather McPhee -- will argue that the NFL stated in negotiations for the recent collective bargaining agreement that it doesn't  intend to discipline anyone for exposure to second-hand smoke.

His team believes that if the NFL is going to hold true to its statement, Gordon shouldn't be sanctioned.

There is recent evidence that Gordon has been exposed to second-hand smoke. Over Memorial Day Weekend, he was stopped for speeding, and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff smelled marijuana in the car, according to the incident report. Gordon was not charged with possession, but one of his passengers was.

The source told NEOMG that in addition to Gordon testing negative about 70 times since his rookie year, he's tested positive only once for marijuana in the NFL -- in his rookie year in 2012.

Gordon also tested positive last year, but said it was for codeine contained in his prescribed cough syrup for a sore throat. That second positive drug test -- and subsequent two-game suspension and four game-check penalty -- launched Gordon into Stage III of the NFL's substance-abuse program, where he's tested up to 10 times per month and remains for the remainder of his career.

A third failed test results in the indefinite ban -- essentially getting kicked out of the league --  and the player must wait a year to apply for reinstatement. During that time, he's not allowed at the team facility for meetings or workouts.

The source stressed that all of that could happen to Gordon despite the fact "there's a great uncertainty as to whether the sample is even negative under the NFL's rules.''

The World Anti-Doping Association, which governs the Olympics, has increased its threshold from 15 nanograms to 150 nanograms in part to account for second-hand smoke.

Most players lose their appeals for drug bans, as the NFL adheres to its policy very strictly.

Gordon's appeal with an NFL-appointed arbitrator will take place all day Friday in the NFL offices in New York City. If he wins, he could rejoin the team immediately, and if he loses, he'll be banned right away.

Several other NFL players this offseason have lost their appeals on their indefinite bans. Those close to Gordon fear that if he's kicked out of the league, he'll have a hard time resuming his career, in the same way that Justin Blackmon of the Jaguars has. Blackmon, on indefinite suspension, was recently arrested for marijuana possession. 

The source told NEOMG that Gordon's recent DWI in Raleigh, N.C., will have no bearing on this case. His blood-alcohol level was .09, above North Carolina's legal limit of .08.

He also said that Gordon's two-week stint in a rehab facility in California was Gordon's attempt to make sure he never finds himself in a situation like this again.

Gordon, who also failed three marijuana tests in college, reported to Browns training camp on time Friday night and has been on the practice field each day since then. He's consistently made big plays in practice, but has sometimes appeared distracted.

Reporters have requested to speak with Gordon each day, but he has not yet been available.

Last season, he led the NFL with 1,646 yards after missing those first two games on the drug suspension. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and coach Mike Pettine have said they won't cut Gordon and that the club will try to help him.

Asdrubal Cabrera probably Cleveland Indians' hottest trade commodity

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Teams have called about Justin Masterson, but the right-hander is on the disabled list must show he's heathly. Masterson will star Friday against Texas.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and right-hander Justin Masterson have already been traded once, so that makes what could be waiting just around the corner easier to handle.

Thursday at 4 p.m. is the deadline for making trades without waivers. It's possible that Cabrera and Masterson could be gone by then. They're both eligible for free agency at the end of the year, which makes them logical targets for the Indians to move.

Right now, Cabrera is the easiest of the two to trade. He hasn't been great this year, but he's been consistent and until he missed five games on a just-completed 11-game trip with back spasms, he's been healthy.

Cabrera, 28, has been linked with the Giants and Toronto. It helps that he can switch-hit and play second base since several contenders are looking for middle infielders.

"I've listened to these rumors for three years," said Cabrera. "I don't worry about that stuff too much."

Cabrera is hitting .249 (92-for-294) with 22 doubles, two triples, nine homers, 40 RBI and 54 runs. He ranks second among AL shortstops in homers and third in runs and OPS at .719.

It has not been Cabrera's best year defensively. He's tied for the AL lead among shortstops with 14 errors.

Two years ago when Cabrera was involved in a variety of off-season trade rumors, GM Chris Antonetti talked to him and said if anything was going to happen that he'd hear it from Antonetti first.

"That's what he told me and that's why I'm not thinking much about it," said Cabrera. "I just want to finish my year here and see what happens."

Cabrera says he'd love to stay in Cleveland, but there have been no contract discussions with his agent and the front office. The Indians acquired Cabrera from Seattle on June 30, 2009 for Eduardo Perez.

"I've got my mind here with this team," said Cabrera. "I want to do my best, play hard and finish my season here. That's all."

Masterson was the opening day starter, but has struggled for much of the year. He's currently on the disabled list with a sore right knee and is scheduled to start against Texas on Friday.

His last rehab start drew several scouts to Class AAA Columbus, but it's doubtful a team will make a serious run at Masterson until he shows he's healthy. Teams can still make deals until Aug. 31, but Masterson would have to clear waivers.

Like Cabrera, Masterson says he hasn't given the possibility of a trade much thought.

"I'm hanging on the DL," said Masterson. "I have no thoughts about it. I'm trying to get back and pitch in the big leagues again."

The Indians acquired Masterson from Boston on July 31, 2009 for Victor Martinez. Lefty Nick Hagadone and right-hander Bryan Price accompanied Masterson to the Tribe.

"If you've never been traded, then it could be high on the priority list," said Masterson, when asked if this was anxious time of year for players. "But if you have been traded, then it's whatever happens, happens.

"You can't control any of those things unless you have a no-trade clause. It doesn't seem like anyone here has too many problems or thoughts about it whether they're going to someone is someone else is coming here."

Masterson, who has thrown two bullpen sessions since his second rehab start, says his knee is feeling better. There was discussion about a third rehab start because he walked six batters Friday, but he didn't think that was needed.

"Hey, let's just come up here and do our thing," said Masterson. "I don't think we're perfect, but we're in a good spot. We're a lot better than when we left. "

Masterson (4-6, 5.51) believes his ability to throw strikes will be better than his last several starts before he went on the DL. But he's still looking for the velocity that deserted him early in the year.

"It magically disappeared," said Masterson. "If you find it, let me know.

"It's probably something I'm doing or that I don't feel is hindering me. That's just deductive reasoning. It's not old age yet."

The Indians could have brought Masterson back Thursday to face the Mariners, but they could have started as many eight lefties against him. Lefties are hitting .330 (70-for-212) against him, while righties are hitting .214 (36-for-168).

St. Ignatius soccer goalie Mikal Outcalt commits to University of Pittsburgh

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Mikal Outcalt is entering his fourth consecutive season as a varsity player for the St. Ignatius soccer team and has verbally committed to continue his playing career at the University of Pittsburgh.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- St. Ignatius goalie Mikal Outcalt recently verbally committed to play Division I soccer for the University of Pittsburgh.

Outcalt is entering his fourth year as a varsity starter for the Wildcats and helped the team to a Division I State Championship in 2012. 

He and the rest of the Wildcats' defense held opponents scoreless seven times last season on their way to a 9-4-6 record, which ended with a loss to St. Edward in the district finals. 

Outcalt is also a 3-year starter at forward for the St. Ignatius basketball team and plans to play this coming season. 

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

Michael Brantley keeps putting it on the line for Cleveland Indians

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Michael Brantley isn't going to change his swing just because some of his line drives are getting caught.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – On the Indians' last trip, Michael Brantley put on a line-drive clinic. Unfortunately, a lot of them were caught.

Brantley hit .289 (13-for-45) with five doubles on the 11-game trip through Detroit, Minneapolis and Kansas City. Brantley lined into outs on at least seven other at-bats.

It got so bad in the four-game series in Kansas City that on his way to center field between innings, he told Jarrod Dyson, his opposite number with the Royals, to stop making great plays against him.

"He just smiled," said Brantley.

Brantley went into Tuesday's series opener against Seattle hitting .318 (126-for-396) and undeterred in his approach at the plate.

"My goal is to keep doing the same thing I'm doing," said Brantley. "I know that stats don't look like that, but I'm happy with the way I'm swinging the bat."

As manager Terry Francona said during the trip, "Good hitters are going to line out." Which is why Brantley isn't as frustrated as one would think.

"I'm still putting the barrel on the ball consistently, swinging at good quality strikes and hitting the ball hard," said Brantley. "As long as I continue to do that, good things are going to continue to happen.

"If you look at the stats, it doesn't look like I'm swinging the bat that well. But in my mind and what I'm doing on film, everything is correct. So I've got to stay right there."

Dyson made three great catches against Brantley during the series.

"He's a great defender with above-average speed," said Brantley. "I couldn't get a ball away from him. He told me on one ball he didn't even see it. He just dove, stuck his glove out and the ball went in. So that was the kind of luck I was having."

Family affair: First baseman Carlos Santana, the AL's player of the week, hit .415 (17-for-41) with six homers and 13 RBI on the last trip. Playing against AL Central rivals Detroit, Minneapolis and Kansas City, Santana brought his own cheering section.

His wife, Brittany, son Carlos David, mother and two sisters made the trip.

Finally: First-base coach Sandy Alomar Jr., is expected to be away from the team for several games for personal reasons. Assistant hitting coach Matt Quatraro was at first base Tuesday night.

LeBron-bashing ad from Miami radio station rejected

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A Miami radio show attempted to buy ad space in the Plain Dealer to poke fun at LeBron James.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Miami radio program on Tuesday attempted to buy a full-page advertisement in The Plain Dealer to poke fun at LeBron James.

A mock-up of the advertisement posted on Twitter depicts two Miami Heat championship rings above the words "You're Welcome, LeBron." Below are the words "Sincerely, Miami Heat Fans."

Representatives of The Dan LeBatard Show called the Cleveland media outlet on Tuesday to purchase a full-page advertisement in this Sunday's edition of the newspaper, Northeast Ohio Media Group Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mike Maleski confirmed. NEOMG sales staff are responsible for ads in The Plain Dealer.

The show's request was "politely declined," Maleski said.

LeBatard acknowledged during his show, which airs on Miami radio station The Ticket, that the ad was rejected. The show would have raised the money to buy the ad space through the online crowd-funding website Kickstarter.

"They have declined our money," LeBatard said. "They do not want our money. They will not allow us to put our ad in the paper."

LeBatard said during the show that the ad was not intended to be mean-spirited, but rather a way to poke fun at James and Northeast Ohio residents who watched him win two championships in Miami.

James, who signed a two-year, $42.1 million contract to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this month, won two NBA championships and reached four NBA Finals in his four seasons with the Miami Heat.

LeBatard also said during his show that part of the reason he wanted to buy ad space in The Plain Dealer was because LeBron James has yet to publicly thank Miami Heat fans.

LeBatard said his show was also attempting to buy a full-page advertisement in The Akron Beacon-Journal.

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