A complete photo gallery of Ohio State's basketball practice before the Buckeyes take off to the Bahamas on Tuesday for a team-bonding trip in which they'll play two exhibition games.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State basketball team is taking off for the Bahamas on Tuesday, a trip during which the Buckeyes will take part in two exhibition games while also enjoying a little team bonding. 

Coach Thad Matta opened the doors to Ohio State's practice facility Monday, and Doug and I – per usual – walked around with our iPhones and shot a ton of pictures. 

There's a lot to look at in the above gallery. Pictures of Ohio State's returners, sure, but also a few pictures of Buckeye newcomers like Anthony Lee, Trevor Thompson and Keita-Bates Diop.

Check back with cleveland.com later this evening and into the week as we post more basketball coverage in the midst of the first week of Ohio State's first week of football fall camp. We had a gallery of that event here. 

Also, there was a little news today: Matta said there's still a chance Thompson, a transfer from Virginia Tech, will gain immediate eligibility. 

Senior point guard Shannon Scott is one of three Buckeyes to pass the required tests and get to wear a full scarlet uniform during practice for Ohio State's trip to the Bahamas.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- At Ohio State's basketball practice Monday, the day before the Buckeyes are to leave for the Bahamas to play two exhibition games, senior point guard Shannon Scott wore red.

Senior big man Trey McDonald wore red. Redshirt freshman shooting guard Kam Williams wore red.

The rest of the Buckeyes wore black shorts and gray T-shirts. And that was all part of Thad Matta's plan.

While Urban Meyer makes his freshmen earn the right to have the black stripe removed from their helmets, Matta has taken it a step further with his basketball team.

It's the first time he has done it this way. He started making the freshmen earn their uniforms a few years ago. But for a coach who said this summer he didn't want the seniors to get comfortable, and he didn't want any freshmen backing down from the veterans, he decided to make everyone start from scratch.

No one wears the scarlet and gray at practice until they earn it.

Why?

"I didn't like how we ended last year," Matta said, a season in which the Buckeyes never really seemed to understand what it took to reach their potential. "So I told them we're all going to earn our stuff again."

The path to earning the jerseys is very specific. Matta said players need to pass a conditioning test, a weight room test and a shooting test. He's clearly trying to send a message to players who may not be in the type of shape the coach wants them to be.

He said some players - mentioning sophomore Marc Loving and freshmen D'Angelo Russell and Jae'Sean Tate by name - have battled some injuries that have prevented them from attempting all three tests. The rest just aren't ready yet.

But Matta took it as a good sign that Scott, the senior point guard who should be running the team for the first time with the graduation of Aaron Craft, was in shoulders-to-knees scarlet. The Buckeyes get 10 practices this early in the season because they are taking their international trip, which college basketball teams can do once every four years, to the Bahamas to play two exhibition games on Thursday and Friday.

"I feel like I'm setting the tone and showing players this isn't a joke," Scott said. "We all want to achieve this and somebody needs to step up and make sure everyone can do it." 

Scott pointed out how McDonald set the tone for the big men, and Matta made a point to say how well McDonald has done during these pre-Bahamas practices.

But the bottom line is that Matta wants competition on this team. And he'll do what he needs to get it.

"I kind of had a step up because a lot of these guys had some minor injuries that held guys back," Scott said. "I've been fresh so I've been able to do all my tests and get it over with.

"But it kind of shows that we're all new players. We can't go off what we did in years past. We've got to start from the beginning and learn what we've got to do.

"Everybody has to earn it the same exact way, and for all we know the freshmen could have got it first and the seniors could have got it last. But being a senior, I know I had to really push myself to set a tone for everybody else."

That's exactly the kind of thing Matta was looking for.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer met with the media Monday evening following the Buckeyes' first day of fall camp. Below are live updates from his news conference.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle was reinstated onto the Buckeyes roster after being temporarily dismissed, but not before coach Urban Meyer looked deeper into his situation. 

Sprinkle's return to Ohio State was aided by the fact that charges stemming from the bar fight in which he was involved in Lorian, Ohio, were dropped. Sprinkle also passed a drug test and came back clean on an independent investigation done by Ohio State. 

But Sprinkle isn't out of the woods yet. 

Meyer said Sprinkle is suspended for Ohio State's season opener against Navy in Baltimore's M&T Stadium on Aug. 30, he lost his scholarship for the summer and must do community service. 

Not to mention that he'll start from the bottom of Ohio State's depth chart. 

"He was dismissed because of an arrest and some bad words was involved like cocaine or something like that and it was all dropped," Meyer said. "And he was drug tested and (there was our own investigation) that goes back six months, and if anything would have shown up, he's dismissed." 

Sprinkle's dismissal stemmed from initially facing serious charges from the bar brawl. But the Elyria High graduate had those charges greatly reduced last week, entering a no-contest plea to a misdemeanor, and a drug charge was dropped after his attorney had him tested for drugs and none were found in his system.

• Meyer said during the early evaluations today, he is really impressed with the freshman class and the way their bodies already looked. He mentioned Kyle Berger, Dante Booker, Erick Smith, Sam Hubbard, Parris Campbell and a few others by name. 

• Meyer addressed the on the outside turn at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center as the media was allowed to watch. Some thought they heard him talk about last season, but Meyer said that he didn't bring it up.

"That's long gone now," he said.

• Meyer said Tommy Brown's decision to transfer to Akron was about finding playing time, which may not have been a possibility at Ohio State. 

• Meyer said quarterback Braxton Miller is 100 percent, but they're being careful with him. He mentioned that strength coach Mickey Marotti has done a good job, not only with Miller, but building the bodies of the entire roster. 

"That's a good looking team," Meyer said. 

• The most intriguing position battle on Ohio State's team is left guard, Meyer said. Tony Underwood, Chase Farris, Joel Hale, and Billy Price all involved in the battle. 

• Cornerback Gareon Conley wasn't out there for Ohio State's first practice, but Meyer said it's only because of flu-like symptoms. The Buckeyes are expecting him back shortly. 

• Linebacker Raekwon McMillan and Johnnie Dixon practiced in the afternoon with the veterans because of the progress they showed as early enrollees in the spring. Meyer called that type of progression as "rare." 

The Cleveland Cavaliers could be getting ready to step into the Matrix.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers could be getting ready to step into "The Matrix."

According to ESPN, veteran swingman Shawn Marion was in Cleveland today for a recruiting visit.

Nicknamed "The Matrix" by TNT analyst Kenny Smith during the pre-season of his rookie year, Marion remains one of the best free agents on the market. He has spent the past five seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds while playing a little more than 31 minutes during the regular season last year. He averages 15.8 points and 9.0 rebounds during his career.

Marion, 36, is known for his versatility and defensive prowess. He helped limit LeBron James to 17.8 points per game during the 2011 NBA Finals – the lowest of James' career in five appearances.

Given the Cavs' cap situation, the four-time NBA All-Star would have to take a significant pay cut to come to Cleveland. Marion made around $9 million with the Mavericks this past season, and the Cavs are unable to offer anything more than the league minimum.

The Cavs are likely to have competition from other teams, but a chance to compete for his second championship, and play with James could give the Cavs an edge. A relationship with general manager David Griffin, which dates back to their time together in Phoenix where Marion started his career, could also strengthen Cleveland's chances.

Marion would give the Cavs another experienced player while providing depth on the perimeter, especially if the Cavs part with Andrew Wiggins in a trade for Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Kevin Love.

Over the weekend, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor revealed that a deal for Love is likely to happen by Aug. 23 or Aug. 24 – dates that coincide with the Cavs being allowed to officially trade the first-overall pick. Per league rules, Wiggins can't be dealt for 30 days after signing his rookie contract, which he did on July 24.

Five-star linebacker Malik Jefferson of Mesquite (Texas) Poteet announced Monday that he'll officially visit Ohio State, Stanford and UCLA this fall.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – If a major part of landing a commitment from a top prospect is getting him on campus, then consider Ohio State winners of a major battle in the recruitment of five-star linebacker Malik Jefferson of Mesquite (Texas) Poteet. 

Rated by Rivals.com the No. 2 outside linebacker in the 2015 recruiting class, Jefferson posted Monday on his public Twitter account that he'll officially visit the Buckeyes, UCLA and Stanford. 

The other two spots are still up for grabs for the 6-foot-2, 218-pound prospect who racked nearly 30 scholarship offers, including ones from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas and others. 

Officials so far to: 1. UCLA 2.Ohio state 3. Stanford

— Malik Jefferson 46 (@Official_MalikJ) August 4, 2014

The linebacker and receiver both enrolled early and took part in spring ball and were ready, in Urban Meyer's mind, to practice with the older players on day one.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's plan on the first day of preseason camp Monday was to practice the younger players in the morning and the veterans in the afternoon.

Yet when the Buckeyes took the field around 4:30 p.m., with familiar upperclassmen like Braxton Miller, Noah Spence, Doran Grant and Jeff Heuerman warming up, Raekwon McMillan and Johnnie Dixon were out there as well.

They're freshmen. But they don't act like it.

McMillan, a linebacker from Georgia, and Dixon, a receiver from Florida, were among the freshmen who enrolled early in the winter and took part in spring practice. That makes them something like freshmen-plus this preseason, and with both potentially pushing for serious playing time, Urban Meyer let them out of the gate.

"It's rare," Meyer said, noting that both freshmen also made the team's Champion's Club, which is reserved for Buckeyes who have all parts of their on-field and off-field lives in order.

"I don't know if we ever had freshmen make Champion's Club on purpose," Meyer said. "But they're just guys (who are) over 3.0 students, take care of their business, they act like pros, act like grown men, so we let them practice with the grown men today."

McMillan, a five-star recruit, ran as the second-team middle linebacker and is expected to push senior Curtis Grant for playing time. Dixon is in a big group at wide receiver, but as the Buckeyes look for playmakers on the outside, they'll play anyone who makes big catches, and if Dixon shows that, he'll have his name called.

Josh Gordon's legal team is expecting an appeal ruling on his suspension in about a week, and is hoping it doesn't stretch longer than three weeks.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns receiver Josh Gordon's camp isn't expecting a ruling on his appeal for at least a week and is hoping it doesn't go longer than three weeks, a league source told cleveland.com.

Gordon returned to practice on Monday after missing three days - including Saturday's Family Day scrimmage - while dealing with the appeal of his minimum one-year drug ban.

He left the field a few minutes early Monday to go inside and participate by phone in the second day of the hearing, which resumed at the NFL offices in New York City with arbitrator Harold Henderson.

The hearing lasted almost 10 hours on Friday and another three hours on Monday afternoon before it was closed and submitted for a decision.

An appeal ruling is expected to affirm or reject the decision, but the two sides can also settle for something less than the indefinite ban.

Browns coach Mike Pettine is as in the dark as everyone else about the possible outcome.

"We've been patient so far, and waited this long,'' said Pettine. "Hopefully, a resolution is coming soon."

If it takes at least a week, Gordon will be available for Saturday's preseason opener in Detroit. Gordon worked with both the first- and second-team offenses Monday, but had one Johnny Manziel pass intended for him tipped by Jim Leonhard and picked off by Donte Whitner. Another was batted down by Paul Kruger.

But Gordon's presence has been beneficial for the quarterbacks during their competition, and for the cornerbacks who are getting good work against an All-Pro wideout.

"It's always special to have Josh out there,'' said cornerback Joe Haden. "When Josh is out there it's like LeBron came back. He's a big, big part of the offense. He's a really really special player. Having him out there makes a difference. I like having him out there."

Haden said Gordon has done a great job of keeping his head up.

"He's doing the best he can,'' said Haden. "He's staying positive. At the same time, he has the support of us, his teammates. We're like his family, so anything he needs he knows we've got him. He's just trying to keep it as positive as he can."

Gordon's lawyers, Maurice Suh and Heather McPhee, argued that his barely positive test resulted from second-hand smoke, and that the inconsistent test results shouldn't result in the indefinite ban.

If he wins, he'll be the first NFL player to overturn a suspension on the grounds of "second-hand smoke." Former Giants and current Ravens running back Will Hill tried it in May and lost.

Victories are rare, but Suh helped Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman win his appeal for a performance-enhancing-drug suspension in 2012 on the basis of faulty testing procedures.
 

The Indians have won four in a row and six of eight.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians played the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a two-game series Monday. Here is a capsule look from The Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff:

Game: 112.

Opponent: Reds.

Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland.

Time of day: Night.

Time elapsed: 2 hours, 52 minutes.

Attendance: 18,696.

Result: Indians 7, Reds 1.

Records: Indians 57-55, Reds 56-56.

Nick Camino Scoreboard Watch: The Indians -- not unlike the piece of corn that gets stuck between the teeth -- refuse to go away. They pulled within 5.5 games of first-place Detroit (61-48) in the AL Central. The Tigers lost to the Yankees, 2-1, in the Boogie Down. The Indians pulled within 2.5 games of idle Toronto in the race for the second wild card. 

In the name of the (Ohio) Cup: The Indians, behind another superb start from right-hander Corey Kluber, took a 1-0 lead in the season series.

Surging: The Indians have won four in a row and six of eight.

Reeling in Cleveland: The Reds have lost 10 straight at Progressive Field dating to 2010.

Hit dogs: The Indians held a 10-8 advantage in hits. They improved to 43-10 when out-hitting the opposition.

Muscling up: The Tribe cracked two homers (Lonnie Chisenhall, Yan Gomes) and two doubles (Jason Kipnis, David Murphy). The homers accounted for five runs.

The Tribe handled righty Alfredo Simon (5 IP, 6 H, 5 R). Simon made the NL All-Star team as a replacement, but he has struggled since the break, going 0-4 with a 5.06 ERA. Overall, he is 12-7 with a 3.07 ERA.

Three runs in a blink: The Indians scored three times in a four-pitch span to begin the fourth.

Michael Brantley led off with a first-pitch single to right. Carlos Santana took a ball, then singled past diving second baseman Ramon Santiago. Chisenhall smoked a 94-mph fastball over the center-field wall.

Just like that, it was 4-0. With Kluber on the mound, that translates to Game Over.

Klubot in control: Kluber gave up one run on six hits in 7 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out seven. He threw 77 of 110 pitches for strikes.

Kluber (12-6, 2.55 ERA) is 5-0 with a 1.49 ERA in his past six starts.

Kluber was a tad off his game -- and still cruised. He benefitted from not having to face Reds first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips, who are injured. At the same time, the way Kluber has pitched, there is no guarantee Votto or Phillips would have solved him.

The Reds entered having scored 417 runs (third fewest in the majors). They could not be expected to threaten Kluber -- and they did not.

Kluber relied on a fastball/cutter/slurve combination. He dropped in several changeups. His fastball command was spotty, but he had more than enough stuff to be effective.  

Here is a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of Kluber's start:

FIRST INNING

LH Billy Hamilton -- 94-mph fastball away, ball; 94 comeback fastball, called strike; 90 cutter outer half, called strike; 96 fastball high, ball; 92 fastball up, foul; 95 fastball, foul; 96 fastball, fly to left.

LH Jay Bruce -- 94 fastball, called strike; 89 cutter low, ball; 96 fastball away, ball; 95 fastball outer half, foul; 90 cutter away, ball; 95 fastball away, single to left.

The skinny: Bruce beat the shift by taking what Kluber gave him, a fastball away, and shooting it near where the shortstop would have been.

RH Todd Frazier -- 89 cutter down and away, swinging strike; 94 comeback fastball, called strike; 90 cutter up, swinging strikeout.

The skinny: Kluber and catcher Gomes correctly figured that Frazier, who entered with 20 homers, would be looking first-pitch fastball. Kluber got away with a hanging slurve for the punchout; the late wrinkle proved to be enough.

RH Devin Mesoraco -- 94 comeback fastball, called strike; 94 fastball away, single to right.

The skinny: Mesoraco delivered one of his few hits to the right side.  

LH Brayan Pena -- 94 fastball away, ball; 88 cutter down and in, swinging strike; 84 changeup away, grounder to second.

The skinny: Kluber and Gomes picked the correct time to use the changeup. The pitch got the desired result: Pena committed too early and rolled over it.

Total pitches: 21 (15 strikes, 6 balls). Type: 14 fastballs, 6 cutters, 1 changeup.

Outs on: fastball, cutter, changeup. Hits on: fastball, fastball.

SECOND INNING

LH Skip Schumaker -- 92 fastball high, ball; 93 fastball high/away, ball; 93 fastball, grounder to second.

The skinny: Schumaker was unable to square a hittable pitch.

LH Jack Hannahan -- 93 fastball away, ball; 93 fastball inside corner, called strike; 94 fastball, called strike; 95 fastball high, ball (Gomes wanted it in); 95 fastball down, foul; 95 fastball inside, ball; 95 fastball, foul; 95 fastball high/away, walk (Gomes wanted it in).

The skinny: Kluber's control issue with the fastball led to walk of former Indian Supermannahan.

LH Ramon Santiago -- 93 fastball outside corner, called strike; 93 fastball in, fly to right.

The skinny: Kluber finally got the fastball where Gomes wanted it: under the hands.

RH Zack Cosart -- 92 fastball outside corner, called strike; 87 slurve, swinging strike; 94 fastball away, foul; 95 fastball down, fly to center.

The skinny: Kluber threw the slurve harder than normal -- the hybrid cutter.

Total pitches: 17 (11 strikes, 6 balls). Type: 16 fastballs, 1 slurve.

Outs on: fastball, fastball, fastball. Walk on: fastball.

THIRD INNING

LH Billy Hamilton -- 89 cutter, bunt foul; 89 cutter inside, foul; 84 slurve up, single to short.

The skinny: Kluber left an 0-2 pitch up and over the plate to a slap-hitting speed merchant. It was a hit as soon as it got past third baseman Chisenhall.

LH Jay Bruce -- 93 fastball outer half, fielder's choice 4-6.

The skinny: Hamilton, who entered with 43 steals, never got the chance to disrupt  because Bruce did Kluber a huge favor. Bruce attempted to pull basically the same pitch he had poked to left for a single in the first. Shortstop Jose Ramirez threw wide of first to prevent GIDP.

RH Todd Frazier -- 94 fastball low, ball; 88 cutter away, E-6.

The skinny: Ramirez booted a routine grounder that could have been GIDP.

RH Devin Mesoraco -- 88 cutter away, ball; 95 fastball in, foul; 82 slurve inside corner, called strike; 90 cutter, pop to second.

LH Brayan Pena -- 88 cutter inner half, called strike; 89 cutter inside, foul; 83 slurve, grounder to first.

Total pitches: 13 (11 strikes, 2 balls). Type: 3 fastballs, 7 cutters, 3 slurves.

Outs on: fastball, cutter, slurve. Hit on: slurve. E-6 on: cutter.  

FOURTH INNING

LH Skip Schumaker  -- 81 slurve, called strike; 92 fastball in, pop to left.

LH Jack Hannahan -- 93 fastball low, ball; 93 fastball, grounder to short.

LH Ramon Santiago -- 86 slurve in dirt, ball; 93 fastball down, fly to center.

Total pitches: 6 (4 strikes, 2 balls). Type: 4 fastballs, 2 slurves.

Outs on: fastball, fastball, fastball.

FIFTH INNING

RH Zack Cozart -- 93 fastball in, foul; 93 fastball away, ball; 88 cutter outside corner, foul; 83 slurve down and away, swinging strikeout.

The skinny: Kluber went Bugs Bunny on Cozart. The depth of the slurve was so severe, it might as well have been a split-finger.

LH Billy Hamilton -- 81 slurve down and in, swinging strike; 94 comeback fastball, called strike; 94 comeback fastball in, ball; 82 slurve outer half, swinging strikeout.

The skinny: In the first, Hamilton punched an 0-2 slurve that stayed up for an infield single. This time, He swung through a 1-2 slurve that stayed up. The difference: Kluber had more tilt to the latter. 

LH Jay Bruce -- 88 cutter inside corner, called strike; 81 slurve, foul; 93 fastball outer half, fly to deep left.

The skinny: Kluber made a mistake and it appeared off the bat that Bruce had burned him. Left fielder Mike Aviles made a good running catch near the wall.

Total pitches: 11 (9 strikes, 2 balls). Type: 5 fastballs, 4 slurves, 2 cutters.

Outs on: slurve, slurve, fastball.

SIXTH INNING

RH Todd Frazier -- 88 cutter, called strike; 87 cutter away, grounder to first.

The skinny: Frazier's bat shattered. First baseman Carlos Santana fumbled the ball and flipped to Kluber. The call on the field was safe; the Indians won the challenge.

RH Devin Mesoraco -- 88 cutter in dirt, swinging strike; 88 cutter down and away, ball; 94 fastball inside, ball; 94 fastball down, called strike; 84 slurve away, swinging strikeout.

The skinny: Kluber got the strikeout with a Frisbee slurve, which features a looping trajectory instead of the tight one.

LH Brayan Pena -- 85 changeup inside corner, called strike; 89 cutter under hands, swinging strike; 95 fastball away, swinging strikeout.

The skinny: Pena questioned plate umpire Gerry Davis twice. After the first pitch, Pena expressed his displeasure with the strike call. (Credit Gomes for a quality frame.) On the final pitch, Pena went too far but wanted Davis to check with third-base umpire Will Little.

Total pitches: 10 (8 strikes, 2 balls). Type: 3 fastballs, 1 slurve, 5 cutters, 1 changeup.

Outs on: cutter, slurve, fastball.

SEVENTH INNING

LH Skip Schumaker -- 92 fastball inside, ball; 88 cutter, foul; 80 slurve, called strike; 94 fastball high, ball; 88 cutter inside, single to left.

The skinny: Schumaker blooped a pitcher's pitch several yards beyond the reach of  Chisenhall.

LH Jack Hannahan -- 92 fastball away, foul; 87 cutter low, ball; 93 fastball inside, ball; 93 fastball inside corner, called strike; 88 cutter inside, pop to center.

LH Ramon Santiago -- 84 changeup down and in, ball; 93 fastball, called strike; 88 cutter, called strike; 83 slurve outer half, called strikeout.

RH Zack Cozart -- 88 cutter down and away, ball; 93 fastball up, foul; 94 fastball inside, ball; 93 fastball up, ball; 94 fastball up, walk.

LH Billy Hamilton -- 93 fastball inner half, pop to center.

The skinny: Hamilton, attempting to ambush Kluber on a get-me-over fastball, had a pitch to hit; he simply missed it. Kluber was fortunate the exciting rookie Hamilton is not an elite hitter. 

Total pitches: 20 (11 strikes, 9 balls). Type: 11 fastballs, 2 slurves, 6 cutters, 1 changeup.

Outs on: cutter, slurve, fastball. Hit on: cutter. Walk on: fastball.

EIGHTH INNING

LH Jay Bruce -- 88 cutter up, swinging strike; 93 fastball, single to left-center.

The skinny: Bruce beat shift again, this time more up the middle.

RH Todd Frazier -- 92 fastball inside, ball; 93 fastball outside corner, called strike; 89 cutter down and away, swinging strike; 84 slurve in dirt, ball; 83 slurve, foul tip; 94 fastball, ball; 90 cutter outsider corner, swinging strikeout.

The skinny: Frazier should have struck out on the previous pitch, which was on the outside corner at the belt; Davis gave him a break.

RH Devin Mesoraco -- 82 slurve, swinging strike; 88 cutter in dirt, ball; 88 cutter up, single to left-center.

The skinny: Mesoraco pounced on a hanger.

(LHP Nick Hagadone relieves Kluber)

Total pitches: 12 (8 strikes, 4 balls). Type: 4 fastballs, 5 cutters, 3 slurves.

Out on: cutter. Hits on: fastball, cutter.

Dr. Smooth chronicles: Brantley finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.

Brantley has multiple hits in five straight games (10-for-21). It is his third multi-hit streak of five-plus, the most by an Indian since Albert Belle's three in 1994.

El Oso's glove: Santana made a quality defensive play in the ninth, taking an RBI extra-base hit from Bruce. With two on and one out, Bruce sent a sharp grounder down the first-base line that Santana picked.

Looking ahead: The Indians and righty Josh Tomlin oppose one of the game's best, Reds righty Johnny Cueto, in the series finale Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

LeBron James would never be mistaken for fat, but the Cleveland Cavaliers star reportedly has dropped 'significant' weight.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Has anyone ever looked at LeBron James and said "That guy is looking heavy. He needs to drop some pounds"?

Perhaps it should be qualified with "Has anyone in his right mind ever asked ..."

And yet, look at this photo posted on James' Instagram account:

James is listed at 6-8, 250 pounds on the Cavaliers' roster (although many believe he was closer to 265). Throughout his career he's been a mass of coiled steel, a unique physical specimen with unparalleled speed and agility.

But, as Sports Illustrated points out, he is getting older ... he'll turn 30 in December. SI says there were some "whispers" last season on whether James had slowed a bit.

Perhaps James took that to heart. Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com tweeted Monday that James has cut carbs from his diet and has dropped "significant" weight. In the photo he does appear much trimmer.

SI says stars such as Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Steve Nash also adjusted their diets in the past in order to prolong their careers.

That has to be the hope for James. Carrying fewer pounds could result in more speed and quickness and less stress on his knees. Some might wonder if it will result in the loss of some strength, however.

It appears Cavs fans shouldn't worry about James showing up to training camp out of shape.

St. Edward lineman Dan Petticord becomes the eighth St. Edward football player to commit to a Division I.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- St. Edward offensive lineman Dan Petticord became the eighth Eagles football player to commit to a Division I college football team, as he announced he will play at Princeton.

"When I was looking at what school I was going to (select), I knew academics would play a huge role in where I was going to go," Petticord said. "At the end of the day, how many people are able to go play football at a Division I school, while also getting one of the best educations in the country? It was just a great opportunity for me."

Contact high school sports reporter Mark Kern by email mkern@cleveland.com or Twitter (@Markkern11). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau loves Shazier's range and productivity. Watch video

LATROBE, Ohio – Standing on Chuck Noll Field, where Hall-of-Fame careers have been birthed on muggy August days like this one, Ryan Shazier seemed to understand the weight of franchise history placed on his shoulders.

No rookie defender has started a regular-season opener for the Steelers since 2001. Not James Harrison. Not Casey Hampton. Not Troy Polamalu.

Shazier was 9-years-old when Kendrell Bell started the first of 16 games that year at inside linebacker. If the Ohio State product stays healthy he'll be the first in 13 years to earn the distinction when the Steelers host the Browns Sept. 7.

"It means a lot because of the guys who came before you," Shazier told cleveland.com Monday. "It makes you want to follow in their footsteps. You don't want to go somewhere that has a tradition of great players and fall off. You want build on what's been done here before and keep the tradition going."

The inside linebacker, selected No. 15 overall, is among a handful of first- and second-year players the Steelers need to excel in order to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Shazier possesses the speed and athleticism to play alongside Lawrence Timmons. If the 6-foot-1, 237-pounder can shed blocks and withstand the pounding, he gives defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau real options with blitz packages.

A season ago, the left-inside-linebacker position was troublesome for the Steelers, who started four players there including Polamalu, an All-Pro safety.

LeBeau, 76, likes Shazier's range and his productivity. Playing as a weakside linebacker, Shazier led the Buckeyes with 144 tackles while adding seven sacks last season.

"He was usually the prime hitter or one of the assisted hitters on almost any running play," LeBeau said. "I found out why in working with him day to day. He's tremendously quick and he's got as much speed as any linebacker I have seen. Those were the assets we saw and I think they are even stronger than what we identified."

The Pro Football Hall-of-Fame inductee and OSU alum attended Shazier's pro day in which he ran a sizzling 4.36 in the 40-yard dash on March 7. LeBeau would design blitzes for linebackers from Neptune if he thought it might help the Steelers, but takes he extra satisfaction when the player is a Buckeye.

The Steelers defense includes two OSU starters, Shazier and defensive end Cam Heyward, and reserve defensive back Will Allen.

"I used to tell (former Steelers linebacker) Lamarr Woodley and Larry Foote the only two people I ever liked from Michigan were them," LeBeau said. "We're always going to take the best player available, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad when it's a guy from Ohio State."

Over the years, the Steelers have drafted and developed talent so well they rarely needed to rush defenders into the starting lineup. A season ago, however, they tried to rely on rookie outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, a first rounder who produced just one sack and 31 tackles.

The Steelers are hoping youngsters Jones, Shazier and defensive end Stephon Tuitt can bolster a rebuilt unit that finished an uncharacteristic 13^th overall in team defense and 25^th in sacks.

A group that depended heavily on veterans in recent seasons features just two regulars, Polamalu (34) and cornerback Ike Taylor (34), over age 30.

"It's critical," Heyward said of contributions from Shazier and others. "Us being such a young group we don't have a lot of older leaders to fall back on. We have high expectations. We're not putting guys there to be there. We're looking for full-time players and full-time playmakers."

Shazier impressed in the first week in camp, using his quickness to beat veterans like LeGarrette Blount in a "backers-on-backs" pass-blocking drill.

But coaches didn't seem thrilled about Shazier leaving practice Sunday with a knee injury that coach Mike Tomlin called a "boo boo."

"Sometimes, you got to gut it out in practice, especially if you're a young guy," linebackers coach Keith Butler said. "You don't know what we're trying to do, you're still learning what we are trying to defensively -- which he is. He'll be OK if he can do that."

The rookie said he's learning plenty from Timmons, an eight-year pro. Like so many Steelers who came before Shazier, the veteran linebacker didn't become a starter until his third season.

"Coach Tomlin said I'm similar to Lawrence coming out of college," Shazier said. "Seeing how he's doing and how great he is I want to play next him."

Unlike Timmons or any other Steelers' defender since 2001, Shazier won't be able to ease into his job.

Cleveland sports fans wonder about Jim Thome's statue, Josh Gordon's defense and the new direction of the Browns' offense -- Bud Shaw's "You Said It"

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- "You Said It" is based on the premise that the only thing Cleveland sports fans need more than a championship is a sense of humor... 

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Midweek Edition)

Hi, Bud: Any chance the Browns will commemorate the 15th anniversary of that great 1999 club that set the franchise back on the path to future glory? Terry Kirby is itching to run out of the tunnel one more time – Tom Kahl, Portland, Oregon

Why do I get the feeling that if there's a Marc Edwards statue unveiling I'll hear from readers who say he deserves it more than Jim Thome

Bud: The Thome statue depicted the 1997 version of Big Jim, not the slight build of the 1991 Thome or the full-figured 2011 version. Which hair line will adorn your eventual bronze monument? -- Vince G., Cincinnati

Not sure but chances are I'll be pointing at the pre-game media buffet

Bud: Poor misunderstood Ray Rice just lost his composure once. Great guy. No history of misbehaving. Except for that time he spit in Phil Taylor's face. A class act all the way. Was there a second spitter, Jerry? – Steve S, Richmond Heights

That's gold Steve, gold.

Hey Bud: Just quoting one of our past Presidents: "I didn't inhale and never tried it again." – Bill Clinton ... just saying – Doug, Westlake

History does repeat itself in that it is as believable now as it was then.

Hey Bud: Wouldn't the Thome statue have been a little more accurate if it showed Jim's right hand pointing the bat and the left one "adjusting"? – Nate J, Brunswick

Obviously, you mean his helmet

Bud: Were those Tiger's red shirts I saw listed on ebay? -- Jim Lefkowitz, Pepper Pike 

I'm pretty sure Tiger just needs to swing a little harder.

Bud: So you and LBJ cross paths one day at the Costco and decide to swap rides a la Josh Gordon. What does the King get in return for exchanging his Bentley? -- Keith Jameson, Fairview Park

Since leg room would be an issue for him, he'd probably prefer the shopping cart to my Prius.

Bud: I see Coach Pettine plans to use a "north-south" offensive scheme for the Browns. Does he know the stadium runs east-west? – John Bertschler, Broadview Heights

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

Bud: Could we request our LeBron license plates be personally made by Jimmy Dimora? -- Michael Sarro

Repeat winners get time off for bad behavior

Bud: Do you think the Thome statue will grow bigger after a couple of years of, um, "maintenance"? -- Eddie Vidmar

Repeat winners allegedly take performance dehancers

The Patriots are not beloved, the NFL turns to technology and the Browns offense looks bad.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Chalk up another title for the New England Patriots. World's Most-Hated NFL Team.

From boston.com:

"A very-unscientific-but-interesting poll via the NFL Reddit and shared by CBSSports.com and other sites detailed what fans in each state tabbed as their most-hated NFL team. ... According to these maps, created by Kyle McCrum, the Patriots are the most-hated team in the United States when it comes to the all-important Electoral College. The Patriots earned most-hated status in New York, Florida and Indiana. giving the team 69 NFL Hate Electoral Votes. ... This hatred of Patriot Nation dominates the globe, as well. The same poll found the Patriots topping the hate charts in both South America and Asia."

Seriously, Boston fans have it all right now.

NFL links

The NFL is finally coming to Apple TV, but not how you want it (The Verge)

Here's how Microsoft plans to take over NFL sidelines (engadget)

THE NFL tried, and failed, to make extra points interesting (FortheWin)

Browns links

With or without Johnny Manziel, the Browns offense looks bad (USA Today)

Cleveland Browns focusing hard on one big NFL rule change (clevelandbrowns.com)

The commander of Cleveland's starting rotation delivered another stellar effort on Monday, as the Indians claimed the opening bout of the Battle of Ohio with a 5-1 victory.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The U.S. national team defeated the Soviet Union national team at Lake Placid in 1980. Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson. Goliath took one on the chin against David. Corey Kluber finally allowed an earned run.

Upsets happen from time to time. Not always, though: Kluber didn't crack a smile on his way to the dugout as fans displayed their appreciation with a standing ovation.

The commander of Cleveland's starting rotation delivered another stellar effort on Monday, as the Indians claimed the opening bout of the Battle of Ohio with a 7-1 victory.

Kluber wasn't even present when the Reds finally scratched across their lone run. He exited after 7 1/3 innings with two runners on and Nick Hagadone surrendered an RBI double to Devin Mesoraco. The run snapped Kluber's 17-inning scoreless streak and his stretch of 25 consecutive frames without allowing an earned run.

Kluber (12-6, 2.55 ERA) was backed by an offense that knocked out Cincinnati All-Star hurler Alfredo Simon after five innings. Lonnie Chisenhall submitted the key punch with a three-run homer over the center-field fence in the fourth. Michael Brantley plated the Tribe's first run with a groundout in the first. He tacked on run No. 5 with an RBI single to left-center in the fifth. Yan Gomes provided the final cushion with an eighth-inning round-tripper.

What it means

With their fourth consecutive win, the Indians (57-55) moved to two games above the .500 mark, one victory shy of their high-water mark for the season.

Good wood

Chisenhall registered his second home run in four August games. His only homer in the previous month came on July 1. His 11 home runs this season match his career high (11) set last year.

More on Commodore Kluber

Kluber has not lost a decision since a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers on June 30. He has yielded a total of 13 earned runs over his last 10 starts, nine earned runs over his last eight starts and three earned runs over his last four outings. In those four starts, he has posted a 0.79 ERA and has held opposing hitters to a .154 batting average.

Here's Yanny

Gomes extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a two-run homer in the eighth inning. The blast traveled an estimated 389 feet and landed to the left of the left-field bleachers. Gomes is batting .342 (13-for-38) with nine RBIs during that 10-game stretch and .400 (24-for-60) over his last 18 contests.

What's to come

The Battle of Ohio continues at Progressive Field on Tuesday, as Tribe hurler Josh Tomlin (5-7, 4.47 ERA) is slated to oppose Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto (12-6, 2.05 ERA). The Indians will have to make a roster move in order to recall Tomlin from Triple-A Columbus. The teams will reconvene at Great American Ball Park in the Queen City for games on Wednesday and Thursday.

Michael Bourn takes another crack at trying to get his left hamstring in game shape.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here are some quick hits from manager Terry Francona pre-game press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Bourn equation: The plan to get center fielder Michael Bourn back to the big leagues begins tonight in a rehab game at Class AA Akron. He has been on the disabled list with his troublesome left hamstring since July 6.

Francona said he's scheduled to play five innings Tuesday, seven innings Wednesday, take Thursday off and play seven innings each Friday and Saturday before taking Sunday off. Bourn would follow Sunday's off day with two nine-inning performances on Monday and Tuesday.

"Depending on how much baserunning he does, that can be changed," said Francona. "We'll certainly go by how he's feeling. That's the rough outline."

Bourn had surgery on his left hamstring last year. He reinjured it in spring training and started the year on the disabled list. He came off the DL, had another slight setback that did not require a DL stay before straining the hamstring on July 5 rounding third on July 5 on a 7-3 victory over Kansas City.

"We want to get him to the point where he can play and not think about it," said Francona.

Improvement: Francona said Nick Swisher (right wrist) is vastly improved. He took some swings in the batting cage Tuesday and then took BP with the rest of the team. He was not in Tuesday's lineup, but Francona said, "he's to the point where he can start being available -- if not tonight, then tomorrow."

With the interleague series moving to Cincinnati and NL rules Wednesday night, it's possible that Swisher might not be back in the starting lineup until the Indians open a three-game series against the Yankees on Friday at Yankee Stadium.

"I don't know if he'll play Wednesday," said Francona. "Some of it will be based on how he feels and some of it will be situational depending on what we want to do."

Swisher injured his right wrist Sunday in a 12-inning win over Texas. He left the game in the ninth inning after striking out three times.

Another day, another move: The Indians recalled Josh Tomlin to start against Cincinnati on Tuesday night. Outfielder Tyler Holt was optioned to Class AAA Columbus to make room.

"It's no surprise," said Holt. "I knew something was going to happen on Monday night."

The Indians also activated and released veteran outfielder Nyjer Morgan from the 60-day disabled list. Morgan injured his right knee May 14 in Toronto and did not play again.

"He's been rehabbing at his home," said Francona. "We knew he wasn't going to be able to play this year. Chris (Antonetti, general manager) and he talked and they decided to cut the cord."

Lead the way: Jason Kipnis, coping with the lingering effects of a right oblique injury that sidelined him for most of May, has had his ups and downs replacing Bourn in the leadoff spot.

He's hitting just .221 (23-for-104) since moving to the top of the order.

"I think he's had streaks where he's shown what he can do," said Francona. "He's had other times where I think he's been frustrated at the plate. I love the fact that we have him come coming around there at the top of the order late in the game. That's a nice feeling."

Kipnis has hit three homers, scored 15 runs and driven in 13 runs since the move. In his last five games, he's hitting .286 (6-for-21) with five runs.

"He never throws at-bats away," said Francona. "He has a presence that other teams have to respect."

Good sign: Reds ace Johnny Cueto started against the Tribe on Tuesday. Cueto has a lot of good numbers, but his hits (106) to innings pitched (162 2/3) jumped out at Francona.

"When you see that few hits to innings pitched, something is really good," said Francona. "That's incredible."

Readers weren't shy with their feelings about state Rep. Bill Patmon's proposal.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There was no shortage of opinions on a proposal to create a specialty license plate in Ohio to celebrate LeBron James' return to the Cavaliers while raising money for charity.

Thousands of readers saw the story on cleveland.com. Some of those who commented thought the idea was a slam dunk. Many more labeled it a bunch of bunk.

Rep. Bill Patmon, a Cleveland Democrat, has prepared legislation that would create a new "Witness 2.0" specialty plate for Ohio. Patmon has been talking with the LeBron James Family Foundation, a charitable organization based in Akron, and hopes the specialty plate could serve as a celebration of James' return while raising some money for the charity.

Motorists would pay an extra $20 for the specialty plate, Patmon said. The state would then split that with the charity.

Here's some of you had to say:

pixiejean

"A license plate celebrating that spoiled narcissistic brat should ABSOLUTELY NEVER happen, it is wrong to even suggest it."

schoat333

"We should wait to do thing like this until he wins us a championship. If/when he does that, I'm fine with it."

mars1

"Better idea. Instead of stroking the ego of that self-absorbed, egotistical nitwit, why don't we create a license plate honoring the Ohio military personnel that have sacrificed their lives in all the wars and conflicts that we've been involved in. Have the state donate the entire proceeds to a worthy cause such as The Wounded Warrior Project."

billybudd

"LBJ is worth over 100 million dollars. Why should we pay money into his charity? He can find his own charitable endeavors just as others do. He could give away millions if he wanted to be generous. Why do we glorify his wealth and criticize businesses as greedy?"

endrwggn

"I like the idea of a "home" plate. Something about "This is my home" or something to that effect. That way it's not so specifically Lebron, but still using his coming home. It seems it would be more widely appreciated and even more meaningful."

photo1

"I can come up with a list of hundreds of people that deserve a license plate ahead of James."

erieside

"Yes I would buy one if the extra money was going to a good cause."

Dieselbuck

"If people want to donate to a charity, let them do it w/out creating a license plate for it.  What other charities will next be lining up to have a special license plate created.  Stupid Idea."

Paul S. Serbu, 61, of Franklin, Ohio, has been charged on a criminal summons with disorderly conduct in a cemetery, a misdemeanor, Baltimore County Police said.

TOWSON, Md. -- An Ohio man was charged Tuesday after he was accused of urinating on the grave of former Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell and posting a video of it on YouTube.

Paul S. Serbu, 61, of Franklin, Ohio, has been charged on a criminal summons with disorderly conduct in a cemetery, a misdemeanor, Baltimore County Police said.

Serbu could face up to two years in jail and a $500 fine. The video has since been taken down on YouTube.

Modell died in 2012 at age 87. He spent 43 years as an NFL owner, overseeing the Cleveland Browns from 1961 until he moved the team to Baltimore in 1996 to become the Ravens. The move left many Browns fans bitter.

Modell and his wife, Patricia, are buried at Druid Ridge Cemetery in Pikesville.

A phone number for Serbu could not be found.

VIDEO: July 29 coverage from CBS station in Baltimore of the incident at Modell's grave:

The Cavaliers officially announced the signings of Mike Miller and James Jones, two shooters who won NBA titles with LeBron James in Miami.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers officially announced the signings of Mike Miller and James Jones, two shooters who won NBA titles with LeBron James in Miami.

Miller and Jones agreed to terms with the Cavs shortly after James announced he was returning to Cleveland and signed a two-year, $41 million contract with the club.

A 14-year veteran, Miller has played Orlando, Memphis, Minnesota, Washington and Miami. He's averaged 11.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Miller gives the Cavs a needed outside shooting threat and a player who knows how to get open for James.

Last season, Miller connected on 46 percent (107-233) of his 3-pointers with the Grizzlies.

Jones, too, can shoot. He has made 40 percent of his career 3s and won the league's 3-point shootout at the 2011 All-Star game.

The Cavaliers will introduce Miller and Jones at a news conference Wednesday. The team reportedly met with free agent forward Shawn Marion on Monday.

Photo: From LeBron James' Instagram account @kingjames: "Just got it in with my brother @letitflymm13 at my Alma Mater. Boy he got a cannon attached to his arm. #StriveForGreatness #LetItFly"

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James has finally met his new coach and general manager.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nearly a month after returning to the Cavaliers, LeBron James finally met with his new coach.

James and David Blatt got acquainted at the team's training facility in Independence Tuesday, ESPN reported. The get-to-know was also the first time James met in person with Cavaliers GM David Griffin.

James showed up about 10 pounds lighter after adjusting his diet and cutting down on carbs, the report said.

James later posted a photo on Instagram of himself working out with new Cavaliers swingman Mike Miller at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. The Cavaliers will introduce Miller along with free agent guard James Jones at a news conference Wednesday.

Blatt, heading into his first season as an NBA head coach, is eager to work with James.

"To say I'm excited and happy would qualify as one of the great understatements of the millennium," Blatt told reporters back in July upon finding out James had decided to sign with the Cavs.

Blatt said he's met James two other times, at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and London Olympics four years later when he was coaching the Russian national team.

It's been a hectic few weeks for James. After switching teams and then traveling the globe making appearances, he and his two sons spent time Monday helping fix up an Akron family's crumbling house, even operating a backhoe, as part of his work for his foundation. The segment will air on HGTV's "Rehab Addict" in the fall.

Will the Browns have Josh Gordon back for the second half of the season? They hope so.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are bracing themselves for at least an eight-game suspension for receiver Josh Gordon, league sources told cleveland.com.

Gordon's appeal hearing wrapped up Monday afternoon in New York City, and the decision on his indefinite ban could take anywhere from one to three weeks, a source said. If he wins, he'll resume his career without interruption, and if he loses, he'll be banished from the team and the league for at least a year.

But the two sides can also hammer out a settlement, and that's what the Browns are hoping for. Realistically, the best-case scenario would probably be about eight games, a source said.

But the Browns certainly aren't counting on it. They know that no NFL player has ever won an appeal based on second-hand smoke and that Gordon will be hard-pressed to end up with anything less than the indefinite ban.

But Gordon's legal team drove home the point that Gordon has tested negative 70 times since his rookie year in 2012 and that he barely tested positive for marijuana this time around.

In the event Gordon's ban is reduced to eight games, he'd be eligible to return Nov. 6 at Cincinnati, a Thursday night game on NFL Network. The final eight contests include three AFC North contests, two against the Bengals and one against the Ravens in the finale.

Of course, Gordon would have to stay clean during his time away, and efforts are underway to make sure that he has the right support system around him during the ban.

In the meantime, Gordon is practicing with the team, making big plays in practice -- including several big catches during a challenge period at the end of Tuesday's session -- and gearing up for Saturday's preseason opener in Detroit.

"As frustrating as it is for Josh, I think he's handled it well,'' said coach Mike Pettine. "He's been practicing hard, giving good effort, finishing plays. Assuming if we don't hear anything, then he'll be out there Saturday."

Receivers coach Mike McDaniel said working around the Gordon uncertainty hasn't been difficult.

"I try to stick to my job,'' he said. "My job is to develop players, so it really hasn't been an issue for me, and I just go and work on his craft with him. He's been very diligent when he's been here, and for the person, and for the whole team, we hope for the best and just wait for the process to get through itself and take care of itself.''

He said there's so many reps in training camp, that Gordon's aren't detracting from anyone else's.

"He fits very fluidly in that process because guys do need rest anyway,'' he said. "He needs to keep developing his game because at some point in time, he's going to put a Browns jersey on, and he's going to have to be productive. He's a very young player. It doesn't really hinder anybody else. He gets the most out of his reps during practice.''

Despite the looming suspension and missing practice to attend the appeal hearing, Gordon has been on point, McDaniel said.

"To his credit, he's been very, very good about coming into work and making it about football,'' he said. "In his mind, he wants to be as good as there is, so when you're showing plays of other people at his position doing things that he hasn't put in his game yet, he's interested and very competitive to work on that. I've had no qualms about how he's worked with me.''

A former Yale receiver himself himself, McDaniel has coached the likes of Texans receiver Andre Johnson, who led the NFL in receiving yards (1,575) yards and receptions (115) when McDaniel was with him in 2008.

"(Gordon's) as good as I've ever seen personally,'' McDaniel said. "I've been fortunate to be around some really great receivers, Rod Smith, Andre Johnson, Pierre Garcon. In terms of naturally talented and catching the ball, he's as good any one of them, and if you're in those categories, you're an excellent football player.''

Despite the fact Gordon led the NFL with 1,646 yards last year in 14 games, McDaniel feels his upside is tremendous.

"He's a very unique talent in that his ceiling, there's not much higher than that,'' said McDaniel. "At the end of the day, he led the league in receiving. If you extrapolated it to 16 games, it would've been the second-highest total in the history of the game, and he has a lot of room to grow as a route runner.''

"He is a very natural receiver, (the way he) catches it. He's just learning the nuances of NFL offenses because the best receivers are the ones that can get open in the timing of the play, so you have to kind of get a clock in your head of when to get open and how to do it against different techniques. That's our primary focus every day, but he's gotten a lot better going against these great corners.''

McDaniel has been showing Gordon game tape of players such as Johnson, and has found him a willing pupil. He, too, heard the reports of Gordon sometimes loafing in practice, but hasn't witnessed it during their time together.

"You show them the picture of 'okay, this is the way that the great ones practice,''' he said. "He as best he can has attempted to do that and that's always a work in progress when you're dealing with a person that everything's been easy his whole life athletically. So he right now is working harder than he's ever worked in his career and he hasn't reached his ceiling of work ethic. He'll continue to grow as he gets older and progresses as a football player.''

If Gordon does have to go, McDaniel hopes he can come back better than before.

"In anything in life, things happen and you can be regretful, you can have a bunch of emotions,'' he said. "At the end of the day, it's how he responds. And you can use something like this to define you as a person and your character. Wherever the process leads, I hope that he uses all of this to improve himself as a man, just like you'd like you've want anybody to respond to any sort of tribulation.''