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Elyria Catholic football season preview 2014: Keys to qualifying for playoffs, top players, schedule (video, poll)

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See a season preview for Elyria Catholic football, including top players, newcomers to watch, schedule, stats and more.

ELYRIA, Ohio – Check out a preview for Elyria Catholic's football team as it enters the 2014 season, which begins on the road against at St. Thomas Aquinas on Aug. 29. 

4 keys for qualifying for playoffs

1. Stick with Rankin: Senior running back Justin Rankin rushed for 1,388 yards for 13 touchdowns and collected 262 yards in the air with two touchdowns last season for the Panthers. Rankin will have to continue his production after making first team all-conference.

2. Develop QB: Coach Mike Polevacik is bringing starting cornerback Jacob Kuchta in as quarterback. The junior performed well during 7 on 7 drills  in July and will need to continue that effort for Elyria Catholic to be a threat in the passing game.

3. Bring up the youngsters, quickly: The Panthers have a young team, returning six seniors after a 6-4 finish. The seniors will have to pitch in motivating the young players.

4. Prepare well for last year’s playoff teams: Elyria Catholic has to start off strong as it hosts three playoff teams from last year in St. Thomas Aquinas, Central Catholic and Beachwood.

MORE ABOUT ELYRIA CATHOLIC

2014 schedule

OHSAA division, region: Division V, Region 16.

Conference: West Shore Conference.

2013 record: 6-4.

Coach: Mike Polevacik.

Coach’s record at school: 17-13 in three seasons.

Coach’s career record: 17-13 in three seasons.

6 key offensive players: 

Teddy Achladis, OL, Jr., 5-10, 220.

Sam Best, RB, Soph., 5-7, 165.

Myles Flowers, WR, Sr., 5-10, 150.

Nicky O’Neal, OL, Jr., 6-0, 250.

Justin Rankin, RB, Sr., 5-10, 185.

Cole Virgin, WR, Jr., 6-2, 170.

4 key defensive players: 

Darin Guice, CB, Jr., 5-8, 155.

Jake Jagielski, S, Sr., 5-10, 180.

Zac Sudnick, LB, Sr., 5-10, 185.

Dave Kuka, ILB, Jr., 5-10, 190.

Newcomers to watch: 

Dakota Skinner, NT, Soph., 6-2, 325.

Jeremy Smith, LB/WR, Soph., 5-10, 160.

Key stats from 2013: 

Rankin, 1,388 yards, 7.4 yards per carry, 13 TDs.

Follow Elyria Catholic all season

Bookmark the team’s cleveland.com webpage to see every football post pertaining to Elyria Catholic.

Follow @NEOVarsity and tag your high school sports tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

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


Cleveland Browns training camp Day 14: Live updates

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Get updates and chat with other fans as the Browns continue training camp today.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns are back on the practice field on Wednesday morning in Berea. Practice runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon with Mike Pettine and player availability after.

cleveland.com has training camp covered. See Tweets from Mary Kay Cabot, Tom Reed and others in the box below. Scroll down to the comments where Dan Labbe will be updating you with the latest from practice.

Make sure to check cleveland.com/browns all day for the latest training camp news.

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In Pink Flamingo show, Gay Games swimming athletes get loose, get silly and get into costume (slideshow)

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Six teams performed to the sold-out audience, who hooted and hollered, sweat in the humid pool air, and applauded everyone like proud parents at a school play. Each team concocted a skit to express the theme "Rock, Rubber and Scissors" – a nod to Cleveland's rock history, Akron's rubber history, and, um, hmm -- the scissor kick that is a key element of synchronized swimming? We think that was it. Or maybe it was just a nod to the old game of rock, paper scissors.

Behold the Pink Flamingo. It once perched proudly on the suburban American lawn, rendered in fluorescent pink plastic, doomed to become the symbol of middle-class kitsch, bad taste and all that was embodied in the advice given to Dustin Hoffman in the 1967 film "The Graduate": "I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. Plastics."

The Greatest Generation, flush in the boom times of the late 1950s and taking their first vacations of a lifetime to Florida, planted it in the garden and found it beautiful. Their children, the Baby Boomers, found it hilariously ironic and gave it as a housewarming gift to friends who left the city and succumbed to the siren song of the suburbs. In 1972, John Waters turned it into a gay cult movement with his low-budget indie film, "Pink Flamingos," which starred an enormous transvestite named Divine and chronicled a rivalry to be named "the filthiest person alive."

Ten years after that, in 1982, the Gay Olympics (now Gay Games) were born in San Francisco. By 1990, the Games included what would become one of its most popular events: Pink Flamingo, a show where serious, competitive swimmers let loose, get silly, and put on outrageous costumes to perform a hybrid of a high school talent show, drag extravaganza, party, Ballet Trockadero show and synchronized swimming competition.

The Gay Games 9 Pink Flamingo, held Wednesday night at the Cleveland State University natatorium, was all that and more.

Six teams performed to the sold-out audience, who hooted and hollered, sweat in the humid pool air, and applauded everyone like proud parents at a school play. Each team concocted a skit to express the theme "Rock, Rubber and Scissors" – a nod to Cleveland's rock history, Akron's rubber history, and, um, hmm -- the scissor kick that is a key element of synchronized swimming? We think that was it. Or maybe it was just a nod to the old game of rock, paper scissors.

No matter. If the Gay Games are reliably liberal in outlook, politics and purpose, the Pink Flamingo skits were quite, quite liberal in the interpretation of the theme. A couple of teams hit the "scissors" part of the theme by dancing a bit to music by the gay-icon group Scissor Sisters, for instance, and several turned the "rubber" element into rubber duckies in the water. Only a couple of teams ventured to perform actual synchronized swimming routines; the rest performed most of their skits on the pool deck, with a plunge into the water almost an afterthought.

The Cleveland team – all P. F. neophytes – tried the difficult synchronized swimming. With "Cleveland Rocks" as the main piece of music, two men and two women gamely executed some synchronized moves while teammates on the pool deck, wearing headdresses in the shape of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, waved signs.

The other teams – from New York, San Francisco, South Florida, Chicago and Paris – variously played babies clad in adult diapers escaping a babysitter; a mama duck and her 12 ducklings; a couple courting on swan and duck boats, and the demimonde of Paris frolicking and dancing.

The team from Paris, who had actual synchronized swimmers and competitive divers performing, took two of the three prizes, for Best Overall team and Best Representation of the Theme. San Francisco won for Best Costume.

But by the time the winners were announced, it hardly seemed to matter. After days of real and intense competition in the pool, this was a night off for the swimmers. It was the kind of event where choosing "winners" seemed beside the point: In Pink Flamingo, everyone is a winner.

Cleveland Indians fall to Arizona, 1-0, in 12 innings; settle for doubleheader split

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The Indians settled for a split in their doubleheader Wednesday against Arizona. They won the first game, 3-2, but lost the second, 1-0, in 12 innings.

CLEVELAND, Ohio –The Indians wasted leadoff hits in the 10th and 11th innings Wednesday night and it cost them a chance to sweep Arizona at Progressive Field.

It was the Diamondbacks who converted their chance to earn a doubleheader split with a 1-0 victory in 12 innings. The Indians won the first game, 3-2, on rookie Zach Walters walk-off homer in the ninth with two out.

CC Lee (0-1) walked Alfredo Marte to start the 12th. Pinch-runner Xavier Paul took second on a sacrifice bunt and scored the winning run on a single by Tuffy Gosewisch. The Diamondbacks are 10-3 in extra innings, while the Indians fell to 7-6 in extras this season.

Randall Delgado (2-3), who took the loss in the first game, was the winner. Addison Reed worked the 12th for the save, but not before giving up a one-out double to Lonnie Chisenhall.

Yan Gomes started the 10th with a pinch-hit single, but was stranded at second. Michael Brantley started the 11th with a double, but Delgado struck out Carlos Santana and Chris Dickerson and retired Walters on a grounder to end the threat.

What it means

The Indians (60-60) completed their fourth doubleheader of the season on Wednesday night. They are 5-3 in those four double dips. Over the last five years, they are 21-7 (L) in 14 doubleheaders.

The Tribe ends the interleague portion of its scheduled at 10-10.

The split kept the Indians five games behind first-place Kansas City in the AL Central. In the wild card race, they are five games behind the Tigers, who currently occupy the second wild card spot.

Arizona (52-68) has won five of its last 11 games. They are 6-10 against the American League.

Pivotal inning

After Ryan Raburn saved a run with a great catch in right field in the sixth, he almost gave it right back in the eighth.

Gosewisch opened the inning with a drive over Raburn's head in right. Raburn mishandled the ball as Gosewisch reached third on a double and error.

Lefty Marc Rzepczynski relieved Scott Atchison. He struck out lefty Ender Inciarte and walked switch-hitting Cliff Pennington to put runners on the corners. Rzepczynski, with the infield pulled in, struck out lefty David Peralta to bring Bryan Shaw in the game.

Shaw ended the inning, but he did it the hard way.

Righties are hitting .152 against Shaw, but he walked Mark Trumbo, a right-handed hitter, to load the bases and bring Miguel Montero, a left-handed hitter, to the plate. Lefties are hitting .342 against Shaw, but Montero sent a bouncer to Mike Aviles at third, who tagged the oncoming Pennington for the third out.

Do the math

Josh Tomlin needed only 50 pitches, 39 or 78 percent of them strikes, to throw 5 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out four and allowed four hits.

Arizona rookie Andrew Chafin, in his big league debut, threw five scoreless innings, but needed 101 pitches to do it. He struck out three, walked two and allowed three hits.

Chafin, who pitched at Kent State, threw 58 percent (59-for-101) of his pitches for strikes. He had a large cheering section at the ballpark.

Flying Raburn

The reason Tomlin didn't allow any runs was because of a great catch by Raburn against Peralta in the sixth.

Tomlin gave up a leadoff single in the sixth to Inciarte before retiring Pennington on a bouncer back to the mound. Lefty Nick Hagadone relieved to Peralta.

Peralta sent a drive toward the right field corner. Raburn made a diving catch on the warning track as Inciarte tagged up and went to third. Hagadone intentionally walked Trumbo to face Montero.

Montero swung and missed fastballs and 95 mph and 96 mph before grounding out to short on a 96 mph fastball to end the inning.

Swinging rookie

Rookie center fielder Tyler Holt had his first big-league hit in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader. He started in center field in the nightcap and had two more hits and made a diving catch to steal a hit from Peralta in the fourth.

Holt, on his third tour with the Tribe this year, joined the club Sunday in New York after David Murphy and Nick Swisher were placed on the disabled list.

What's next?

Thursday is an off-day as the Indians hold their annual golf outing at Quail Hollow. On Friday the AL East leading Baltimore Orioles come to Progressive Field for a three-game series.

RHP Corey Kluber (13-6, 2.46) will open the series for the Tribe against Lefty Wei-Yin Chen (12-4, 3.90) on Fria at 7:05 p.m. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS will carry the game.

Kluber threw six scoreless innings and struck out 10 against the Yankees in his last start.

The other pitching matchups for the series have RHP Carlos Carrasco (4-4, 3.60) vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (4-8, 4.51) on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and LHP T.J. House (1-3, 4.13) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (6-4, 3.90) on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

Akron RubberDucks to play doubleheader Thursday; playoff tickets go on sale

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The RubberDucks also will begin selling tickets to all possible playoff games beginning Thursday.

The Akron RubberDucks Class AA Eastern League game in Portland, Maine, was washed out by rain Wednesday and will be made up as a doubleheader Thursday.

Both games will be seven innings, beginning at noon. Akron is expected to start right-hander Will Roberts (11-11, 3.99 ERA) in the first game and right-hander Cody Anderson (4-9, 4.78) in the second. 

The RubberDucks also will begin selling tickets to all possible playoff games beginning Thursday. 

The Eastern League Divisional Playoffs begin on Sept. 3, with the first two games played at the home stadium of the second-place team. The remaining Divisional Playoff games on Sept. 5, 6 (if necessary) and 7 (if necessary) will take place at the first-place team's stadium.

If the RubberDucks make to the Eastern League Championship, Games 1 and 2 would be at Canal Park on Sept. 9 and 10.

Individual game prices will remain the same as during the regular season, beginning at $5 for general admission and $9 reserved seats.

Tickets can be purchased at the RubberDucks box office or by calling 330-253-5153. Tickets also can be bought online at www.akronrubberducks.com. The RubberDucks box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Unused playoff ticket credit will be applied to 2015 season tickets, mini-plans, and group or individual tickets. Unused 2014 regular-season tickets, 2014 flex-plan tickets and 2014 donation vouchers are not exchangeable.

The RubberDucks are in second place in the Western Division, 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Richmond Flying Squirrels. The top two teams in each division qualify for the playoffs and will play a best-of-five divisional series.

Notes: RubberDucks fans can win 2014 playoff tickets and 2015 season tickets on Friday during the "Rip It for Your Ticket" promotion. The free event from noon to 2 p.m. gives fans a chance to step into the batter's box at Canal Park and get two pitches from a pitching machine to try and hit a home run. Those who hit a home run will receive both 2014 playoff tickets and a season ticket for 2015. Those who reach the warning track will receive 2014 playoff tickets. ...

NFL discipline of Ray Rice is a joke: Linda D. Johanek

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Consider this: Roger Goodell promised a few years ago that the NFL would be tough on domestic violence. The Ray Rice case shows it didn't happen, writes Linda D. Johanek.

The NFL and its disciplinary system is a joke.

Consider this: Roger Goodell promised a few years ago that the NFL would be tough on domestic violence.

Football players have been suspended for four games for marijuana use and DUIs; the Browns' Josh Gordon may draw a one-year suspension for marijuana use; Robert Mathis with the Colts was suspended four games for taking illegal fertility drugs because he and his wife were trying to have a baby.

Ray Rice with the Baltimore Ravens received a two-game suspension for knocking his fiancé out cold and, as seen on video footage, dragging her "lifeless" body out of an elevator – a horrific crime.

Robert Gulliver, the NFL's chief human resources officer, said that the NFL doesn't tolerate instances of domestic violence. Really? It seems to me and many others who are outraged by this slap on a wrist that your actions are saying you absolutely do tolerate domestic violence. Clearly, actions speak louder than words.

I can't help but think that attitudes toward women, the blaming of domestic-violence victims and the business of making a profit off football players all contribute to this extremely light suspension.

I understand that domestic violence is complicated and many people in our society aren't aware of the psychological dynamics, the cycle of domestic violence and the devastating effects.

The No. 1 question I get when I am out in the community is, "Why do women stay?" I am forever explaining the answer and trying to raise awareness of the fear, threats and major safety issues that domestic violence victims face; the retaliation and increased beatings they face from the offender when they do speak up.

But answering those questions now distracts from the real issue here and puts the focus on the victim instead of holding the offender accountable. I hold a fundamental belief that all domestic-violence offenders have a choice to walk away instead of punching, beating, kicking and strangling. We all have a choice regarding our actions, and professional football players are no different.

I cringe to think about the message the NFL just sent to the many young boys who are football fans and who turn toward professional players as role models. Teen dating violence is already rampant and this message does not discourage dating violence or intimate partner violence. And the message to men is the same.

And what about the message sent to women, in general, and specifically domestic-violence victims? The NFL is working against many of us who are advocating for victim safety, offender accountability and awareness that domestic violence is a crime. The Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center works tirelessly to encourage the community to add their voice on this issue; speak up against this crime; say something to your buddy who is disrespecting women and minimizing violence against women.

There is much you can do to help raise awareness and prevent domestic violence. Domestic violence is preventable – but it takes all of us to help prevent it. It takes our public officials allocating more resources, funders supporting prevention efforts, and individuals not afraid to stand up against domestic violence. To learn more about domestic violence and how you can help, log onto www.dvcac.org and give our 24-hour helpline to someone in need: 216-391-HELP (4357) – it can and has saved people's lives.

The Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center implemented a few years ago, along with several partners, the White Ribbon Campaign, which is a national movement of men standing up and speaking out against violence against women. It seems to me that Roger Goodell needs to meet with these men of integrity – and perhaps he can learn something from them. I am writing a letter to Mr. Goodell and am asking you to join me to send him a strong message – loud and clear – that we disagree with his inadequate suspension of Ray Rice and are demanding that he take domestic violence more seriously. He needs to put his actions where his mouth is.

Please log onto http://www.nfl.com/contact-us, under "other comments" and send a strong message to the NFL and Roger Goodell. Thank you for doing your part in helping to reduce and prevent domestic violence.

Linda D. Johanek is the CEO of the Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center in Cleveland. This op-ed originally appeared on the DVCAC website.

Cleveland Browns hoping for more pass-catching production from Travis Benjamin

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The Browns need another deep threat if, as expected, they lose Josh Gordon to suspension.

BEREA, Ohio – Ten months removed from major knee surgery, Travis Benjamin believes he's still the fastest player in the NFL until someone proves otherwise.

Browns coach Mike Pettine saw firsthand how The Rabbit's speed in special teams can turn a game on its axis with a franchise-record-setting performance against the Buffalo Bills a season ago.

But Pettine, the former Bills' coordinator, hopes to harness some of that quickness for his pedestrian receiving corps, which will lack an established deep threat if Josh Gordon is lost to suspension for a failed drug test.

Benjamin has just 23 receptions in his first two seasons – last year missing the final eight games due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament. His 17.5 yards a catch average, however, is what likely intrigues the new coaching staff.

Absent Gordon, none of the Browns primary receivers, including Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron, unnerve defensive backs with their velocity. Pettine acknowledged Wednesday the significance of such speed.

"Yeah and I think in (Kyle Shanahan's) offense over the years he's had that guy, too, that can kind of take the roof off," Pettine said. "I think that's important."

The coach doesn't expect Benjamin to burgeon into a No. 1 receiver. Built like a Schwinn, he's not equipped for rough rides over the middle, between the numbers. Still, Pettine wants more than punt and kick returns from the University of Miami product.

If the Browns can establish him as a viable target, the 5-foot-10, 175-pounder can stretch a defense. A season ago, he caught just five passes and was targeted 13 times.

"I think that's critical," Pettine said. "It's hard to have a roster spot just for a guy and all he does is return. He has to be able to function on one side of the ball or the other . . . I think that's what you can have him be your third or your fourth (receiver). I think that's nothing but a positive thing."

Benjamin wants to maintain a role in the offense. He also has to catch the ball.

In the first 11-on-11 period Wednesday, he zipped past rookie corner Justin Gilbert only to drop a perfectly thrown ball from Brian Hoyer. It was reminiscent of an error earlier in training camp on a long pass from Johnny Manziel.

But Benjamin atoned for the Hoyer drop by beating coverage again and corralling a 40-yarder from Manziel on a deep crossing route. It kick-started his most productive day of camp and illustrated the kind of big play that can keep defensive coordinators honest, not allowing them to constrict the field against the Browns.

"Yes, absolutely," Benjamin said of being a deep threat in Gordon's potential absence. "Knowing that if Josh goes down, somebody's got to be the next man up and whoever's number they call, they've got to be ready to step up."

Benjamin did not play in Saturday's exhibition opener and isn't sure if he will return kicks in the preseason as he gets his right knee back to 100 percent.

He spent a good chunk of the past 10 months rehabbing the injury alongside Hoyer and receiver Charles Johnson, who also are returning from ACL tears. Benjamin believes he's faster now than before the Oct. 27 injury in Kansas City.

"Mostly I focused on my lower body and getting it stronger knowing that I had an ACL surgery," he said.

Undrafted free-agent receiver Taylor Gabriel also possesses ample speed, but while acknowledging his pass-catching ability, Benjamin doesn't think the rookie has the same giddy-up.

"It's night and day," he said. "I take the crown in that."

Benjamin, one of the league's top punt returners, will wear No. 11 this season instead of No. 80. He and Johnson decided to swap numbers in the offseason.

"I love it," Benjamin said. "(By the opener in Pittsburgh on Sept. 7) everybody will get used to 11."

Pettine would like nothing more than to see No. 11 running free behind the Steelers' secondary with a ball tucked securely under an arm.

Verbal commitments compilation of local NCAA pledges for week of Aug. 14

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Here's a list of recent Division I college athletic verbal commitments made by local athletes.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here's a list of recent Division I college athletic verbal commitments made by local athletes.

Check out the rundown of commitments from the week of June 26, July 3, July 17, July 24July 30 and Aug. 7.

Follow the links for more detail about each commitment.

Baseball

Aug. 13: Walsh Jesuit baseball OF Azim Qadri commits to Ohio State.

Boys Basketball

Aug. 7: Medina center Jon Teske commits to play basketball at Michigan.

 

Follow our new high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports Tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

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.


A more Florida-like offense for Ohio State? The Buckeyes may not have a choice in changing their approach in 2014

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"We'd be foolish not to try and get the ball on the perimeter a little bit more, whether that be in the run game or in short, quick passes," offensive coordinator Tom Herman said. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Hand off the ball to the big-bodied back and pick up five yards a pop.

"You mean, seven?" Ed Warinner quickly interjected.

Laughter ensued as if Ohio State's offensive line coach were joking. Warinner's face didn't change. Not even a hint of a smile.

"6.8. That's the stat, right?" He firmly asked. 

Yes, Ohio State averaged 6.8 yards per carry last season. And to indulge Warinner a little more, the Buckeyes' 308.6 rushing yards per game ranked fifth in the nation last season.

It's a point of great pride for coach Urban Meyer and his staff. It's borderline absurd how easy it was for Ohio State to run the ball. It's also the reason that for the second year into the Meyer era, the Buckeyes offense didn't closely resemble the high-flying offense he used at Florida to help the Gators win two national titles. 

This could be the year Ohio State sees that innovation. Because it has to now. 

Without running back Carlos Hyde, a second round NFL Draft pick, and four senior offensive linemen, Ohio State's offensive game plan is no a longer no-brainer. Things aren't as simple as handing it off to Carlos Hyde and watching him go. 

"We have to assess how we want to gain yardage now," Warinner said. "If we wanted to gain yardage last year a lot of times was just five guys and a tight end blocking and handing it off to the big boy Carlos and let him go. Now we have more speed and more options on the perimeter, so distribution of the ball and hitting different areas of the field can be a way." 

Warinner would probably settle for five yards a pop now.

If Ohio State reaches that goal this year, it probably won't because of old-fashioned, smash-mouth football. Most of the pieces that made Ohio State's offensive strategy so mindless are gone.

Warinner is still piecing together a reliable starting offensive line, Ohio State's main candidate to replace Hyde – Ezekiel Elliott – broke his wrist, and quarterback Braxton Miller still isn't 100 percent healthy after offseason shoulder surgery

That actually sounds like the Buckeyes could be in trouble. But Meyer assures everyone that there's nothing to worry about with Miller, Elliott should be ready for the opener and the offensive line is supposedly headed in the right direction. But ... 

"It's going to be a little different this year," Meyer said.

Again, it has to be. 

Ohio State's best – and the only proven – offensive weapon is Miller, but he anticipates hurting defenses differently in his senior year. Miller is always going to be a threat to run, but he said the offensive playmakers around him are deeper than they ever have been at Ohio State. 

The problem is that they're all unproven. Senior Devin Smith is a somewhat established deep threat and sophomore Dontre Wilson is supposed to have game-altering speed to help Ohio State push the perimeter, but neither has shown it can be consistent for an entire season. 

Neither has Elliott, a hybrid running back who still needs to recover from his wrist injury, freshman running back Curtis Samuel or receivers Corey Smith, Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall. That can't matter, though, because they're all Ohio State has to work with. 

Braxton Miller Michigan State 2012View full sizeOhio State quarterback Braxton Miller is Ohio State's only proven returning offensive weapon, but the Buckeyes have to keep his durability in mind.  

Someone has to make plays to unlock the door to the offense for which Ohio State fans have waited – the one that uses quick passes, sweeps, screens, reverses and every other innovative creation seen on SportsCenter during Florida's title runs. 

"We have added some juice outside, some speed outside, and at the running back position too, so those perimeter plays are going to be more successful and we're going to do them more," wide receivers coach Zach Smith said. "Where as before, we didn't really have that. So I guess, more Florida-y, because the speed we've recruited and brought in and guys are developing." 

That doesn't mean turning their backs on the rushing. Offensive coordinator Tom Herman stressed that Ohio State is always going to be a power-running team, it just may be mixed up a little more this year. 

"We'd be foolish not to try and get the ball on the perimeter a little bit more, whether that be in the run game or in short, quick passes," he said. 

In 2008, Florida's second national title year under Meyer, the Gators rushed for 231.1 yards per game, No. 10 nationally that year. Quarterback Tim Tebow and wide receiver Percy Harvin combined to rush for nearly 1,300 yards. Harvin also had 644 receiving yards that year. 

Ohio State knows it's going to get a certain amount of production from Miller. He's a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate. But can Wilson be the next Harvin?

Ohio State Dontre Wilson vs. Indiana 2013View full sizeOhio State is counting on sophomore Dontre Wilson to help open another offensive dynamic.  

It may not be fair to make that comparison considering Harvin was one of the most explosive offensive talents of the past decade, but this isn't the first time Wilson's name has been in the same sentence with the former Florida star. And Ohio State needs him to be good enough now. 

"Dontre Wilson, I am hoping he develops to be that guy," Meyer said. "He needs to touch the ball 'X' amount of times. The good thing in our offense is he can — it's very easy to get him the touches."

Now it's thinking time for Meyer, which is something he hasn't had to do since 2012. He has pieces – most of which are unproven – and a bigger picture to find. 

It could develop into a new type of offense. 

"I've always been a perimeter (advocate) my whole career, wanting to get great players the ball in their hands in space," Meyer said. 

Walsh Jesuit baseball SS Riley Minorik commits to Bowling Green

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Riley Minorik, a shortstop for Walsh Jesuit, committed to Bowling Green.

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio -- Riley Minorik, a senior shortstop for Walsh Jesuit's baseball team, committed to Bowling Green.

He said he chose the college because it felt like home and the coaches really made him feel wanted and important.

"Bowling Green just felt like the right place for me," he said.

Minorik is one of five Division I commits for the Warriors' Class of 2015. The other four are Ty Shoaf (Missouri), Connor Regan (Buffalo), Ryan Feltner and Azim Qadri (both to Ohio State) -- and the senior class likely isn't done there.

Last season, the shortstop amassed a .328 batting average including 11 RBI. In the spring, he will enter his third year on varsity.

Warriors coach Chris Kaczmar said what makes Minorik a good baseball player is his work ethic.

"He plays the game relentlessly and he plays the game the right way every day," Kaczmar said. "He's a player that his uniform is always dirty. He's a special talent. 

"He's got above average tools across the board with his best being his glove. He has tremendous range, good speed, a good arm. He's a well-rounded player."

Minorik said committing during the summer will help him focus on the team's goal of winning a state championship.

"I won’t lose focus because of it," he said. "It'll push me to be a better player and support the team."

Minorik was thankful to his coaches for supporting him and his classmates throughout their recruiting process. Being surrounded by future Division I talent, Minorik said, only helped.

"It’s been our goal to win a state championship," he said. "That helps not only us but the underclassmen to work harder and want it more. It’s a great feeling to see all these guys go Division I because I’ve seen where they’ve developed and how hard they’ve worked. I think it’s going to help a lot and give us a lot of confidence and hopefully have us come out and have a good year."

   

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Northeast Ohio Conference Lake Division football preview 2014: Predictions, top players, best games (videos, poll)

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Check out predictions, top players and the best games for the 2014 football season in the Northeast Ohio Conference Lake Division.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here is a preview of the Northeast Ohio Conference Lake Division for the 2014 football season, including predictions of the league race, top players and more.

Check cleveland.com/hssports all preseason for conference-by-conference previews, as well as team-by-team outlooks for each of the 136 area squads.

NORTHEAST OHIO CONFERENCE LAKE DIVISION

cleveland.com projected finish (overall, league record in 2013)

1. Brush (7-4, 5-0) 

2. Garfield Heights (7-3, 4-1) 

3. Valley Forge (4-6, 2-3) 

4. Parma (4-6, 3-2) 

5. Cuyahoga Falls (2-8, 1-4) 

6. Normandy (0-10, 0-5) 

Preseason awards

Preseason offensive MVP:

Richard Worship, Valley Forge, RB, Sr., 6-1, 240.

Preseason defensive MVP:

Anthony Kastelic, Garfield Heights, LB, Sr., 6-1, 215.

Preseason most valuable lineman:

John Todd, Parma, OT, Jr., 6-3, 285.

Other key players:

Bret Blevins, Cuyahoga Falls, RB, Sr., 6-0, 200.

Nate Boufford, Garfield Heights, G, Sr., 6-1, 252.

Tyrone Chambers, Brush, OL, Soph., 6-5, 325.

Aaron Crosby, Valley Forge, OL, Sr., 6-2, 265.

Dom Crute, Valley Forge, LB, Sr., 5-9, 200.

Samson Demand, Cuyahoga Falls, OL, Sr., 6-3, 260.

Matthew Draper, Brush, LB, Sr., 6-1, 200.

Wesley Galeti, Normandy, LB, Sr., 5-10, 185.

Jayden Groppi, Normandy, C, Sr., 6-0, 270.

Nabil Habib, Parma, OT, Sr., 6-3, 295.

Martin Kisner, Parma, CB, Sr., 6-0, 250.

Marcus Kiss-Benke, Normandy, LB, Sr., 6-2, 185.

Mitch Kurak, Normandy, LB, Sr., 5-8, 170.

Troy Lowe, Cuyahoga Falls, OL, Sr., 6-2, 240.

Moses Marshall IV, Brush, TE, Sr., 6-4, 215.

Darryl McCluney, Brush, RB, Sr., 6-3, 220.

Jameel Miller, Garfield Heights, QB, Sr., 6-0, 180.

Jordan Overton, Brush, WR, Jr., 5-10, 170.

Jeremiah Patterson, Brush, OL, Sr., 6-2, 297.

Nick Radcliffe, Cuyahoga Falls, WR, Sr., 6-1, 185.

Antonio Sanchez, Parma, RB, Sr., 5-6, 148.

DeVantae Sheppard, Brush, CB, Sr., 6-0, 190.

LaQuan White, Brush, CB, Sr., 5-9, 175.

Joe Yurik, Valley Forge, DL, Sr., 5-10, 185.

Outlook:

Brush has won the last three Lake Division crowns and appears primed to capture a fourth in the Northeast Ohio Conference's final year. Coach Josh Wells' team is also trying to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history.

The Arcs are big along both lines and feature depth and speed at the skill positions. Overton is a threat to score every time he touches the ball, whether that's in the backfield or as a receiver, where he caught 27 passes for 328 yards and 2 TDs last year. McCluney, who led the team in rushing with 686 yards on 127 carries, also scored 8 TDs. Look for Marshall IV to provide a big target in the passing game, where he had 12 catches for 243 yards and 2 TDs as a junior. Defensively, White leads a strong secondary where he registered 5 INTs and 28 tackles. Sheppard (32 tackles, 1 INT) and Teondre Reynolds (29/1) will provide depth and experience in the defensive backfield. Patterson has Division I college size and was impressive with 1.5 sacks in limited duty as a freshman last year. Glenville transfer Draper brings playoff experience to the mix and could be a difference maker at LB.  

Garfield could be the only Lake Division team that poses a legitimate challenge to the Arcs. Coach Chuck Reisland's Bulldogs were the last team to defeat Brush in divisional play back in Week 10 of 2011. Garfield will be led by Kastelic, who had 127 tackles including 29 tackles for loss and nine sacks on his way to being named NOC Lake Division Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. Miller is drawing Division I college attention on defense as a safety, but also provides Reisland with dynamic playmaking abilities on offense, where he registered 658 passing yards and 9 TDs to go along with 225 rushing yards. Gutzky returns to lead an offensive line that helped Garfield gain 3,200 yards on the ground last year. He was named to the All-NOC Lake Division first team and registered 29 pancake blocks according to stats provided by Reisland's staff.

Valley Forge will go as far as Purdue recruit Worship can carry it. The bruising tailback is the 2013 Lake Division Offensive MVP who rushed for 1,601 yards and 20 TDs. Along the offensive line, Yurik and Crosby will be asked to create running room for Worship. Defensively, Crute and senior Joe Zarlinga must make plays for a group that lacks experience and depth.

Parma welcomes back coach Bruce Saban, who guided the Redmen from 2003-05 before leaving to coach running backs at Case Western Reserve. The Redmen last won a Lake Division title in 2009 and must replace graduated QB Zach Toth on offense. A strong running game paced by RB Sanchez (900 yards, 10 TDs) could make the difference for Parma with OT Todd, a junior who recorded 20 pancake blocks last year, and OT Habib clearing the way.

Cuyahoga Falls' fortunes rest on the development of junior QB Mason Shook. Coach Sean Flaherty's team can protect Shook with All-NOC Lake Division offensive linemen Lowe and Demand and provide good targets in WR Radcliffe (All-NOC) and junior TE Steele Porter. Look for senior RB Blevins to lead a trio of ballcarriers, including juniors Duane Matthews and Jeremy Thomas.

First-year Normandy coach Rick Dornbush inherits a team that went 0-10 in 2013. The Invaders should have good depth and experience on defense with senior LBs Kiss-Benke, Galeti and Kurak. Groppi and junior Frank Ragone have good size up front. Dornbush will have to develop young skill position players, including junior WRs Ben Jones and David Flors as well as QB Baily Archacki. 

Top 3 games:

Oct. 3, Garfield Heights at Brush.

Oct. 3, Parma at Valley Forge.

Oct. 10, Brush at Valley Forge.

Contact high school sports reporter Joe Noga by email (jnoga@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@JoeNogaCLE). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Who will go when Michael Bourn is ready to return to the Cleveland Indians' lineup?: Zack Meisel's musings

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The Indians will need to make a roster move to clear a spot for Bourn. Who will go?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When Mike Aviles got home after Tuesday's rainout, he showed his wife a picture of him sliding on the infield tarp.

Aviles said she called him an idiot.

He said she knew he enjoyed acting like a kid when she said "I do." Aviles added that his family has four kids: his three children and himself.

The Indians' roster is full of kids. Injuries have forced the club to rely upon youngsters such as Tyler Holt, Zach Walters and Roberto Perez. Here are five thoughts on them and more.

1. Bourn to run: Michael Bourn is expected to rejoin the Indians in time for Friday's series opener against Baltimore. He'll play Friday and Saturday and rest on Sunday as he continues to progress toward 100 percent after missing more than a month with his latest hamstring malady. The Indians will need to make a roster move to clear a spot for Bourn. Who will go?

Bourn isn't the only limping outfielder. David Murphy and Nick Swisher are on the disabled list and Michael Brantley has spent most of his time at designated hitter over the last week to spare his sore knee. By the end of the nightcap of Wednesday's double header, the Indians' outfield was manned by three players -- Walters, Holt and Chris Dickerson -- who weren't even with the big league club the first three months of the season. Dickerson and Walters didn't even join the organization until July.

2. Kids clubhouse: Walters socked the walk-off home run in the opener of Wednesday's twin bill. Holt tallied four hits altogether and covered tons of ground in the outfield. Perez has settled in as Yan Gomes' backup behind the plate. Injuries and trades have sparked a youth movement, one that -- to this point -- has yet to hinder the team.

"I have to keep up with these young bucks," Raburn said. "They've come up and played their tails off. I'm just trying to keep up with them. They've been a great asset to have lately. They've come up with some big plays. It's nice to see."

3. Decisions, decisions: So who will go when Bourn returns? Francona hinted in New York over the weekend that the club wants to take a long look at Walters, who has flashed some pop in his bat at Triple-A and who lacks a permanent position. Holt has bounced between Cleveland and Columbus like a pinball, but his athleticism and ability to play all three outfield spots give him some value. Manager Terry Francona lauded his defensive performance on Wednesday. Bourn won't play every day upon his return -- he is slated for an off-day on Sunday -- so the Tribe will need some insurance.

4. Odd man out: Could the club part ways with Dickerson? The 32-year-old is batting .133 (6-for-45) over his last 17 games. He also doesn't appear to have much of a future with the team, with Holt, Walters (depending on an eventual position), Carlos Moncrief and Nick Swisher -- in addition to Brantley, Bourn and Murphy -- possibly playing into the team's outfield plans next year. Rosters expand on Sept. 1, so perhaps the team will temporarily dismiss someone who needs more minor league seasoning.

5. The catch: Raburn's diving grab in the sixth inning of Wednesday's nightcap drew rave reviews from his teammates and skipper.

Said Holt, who made a highlight-reel catch two innings earlier: "He was taking a few pointers from my book. He's a good guy. I was really excited for him to make that play. That was a big out for us right there. Tremendous effort."

Said Francona: "That's one of the best plays I've ever [seen]. That was an unbelievable play."

Said Raburn: "I didn't really know I had it until I looked in my glove."

John Adams football season preview 2014: Keys for reaching the playoffs, top players, schedule (video, poll)

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See a season preview for John Adams football, including top players, newcomers to watch, schedule, stats and more.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Check out a preview for John Adams football team as it enters the 2014 season, which begins on the road against Maple Heights on Aug. 29.

Check cleveland.com/hssports all preseason for conference-by-conference previews, as well as team-by-team outlooks for each of the 136 area squads. 

3 keys for qualifying for playoffs

1. Develop linebackers: John Adams is short on players at the linebacker position. The team will need to focus on acquiring players to fill those positions.

2. Take advantage of team's abilities: Raheem Townsend, Joey Johnson, Jasper Allen, James Singleton and Jordan Leverette are some of the returning athletes for John Adams. The coaching staff will need to find ways of using their athletic abilities on the field to win games.

3. Rise above the adversity: John Adams football team is aware of their practice conditions from the field to their equipment. But the team will have to look past the cosmetics of their program and build on their success last year. The team captured the city league championship and finished the season with a winning record of 6-5.

MORE ABOUT JOHN ADAMS

2014 schedule

OHSAA division, region: Division II, Region 3.

Conference: Senate Athletic.

2013 record: 6-5.

Coach: Gary Jackson.

Coach’s record at school: 37-40.

Coach’s career record: 37-40 as in eight seasons.

10 key players: 

Jasper Allen, DE, Sr.

Jovan Abernathy, DT/OT, Sr.

Jonte Baker, DB/S/OT, Sr.

Tavion Black, C/OG, Sr.

Joey Johnson, QB/WR/DB, Jr.

Jordan Leverette, WR/DB, Sr.

Tre’Von Madison, RB/DB, Sr.

Keyon McGraw, LB/RB, Jr.

John Singleton, DE/TE, Sr.

Raheem Townsend, WR/QB/DB, Sr.

(Note: Heights and weights not made available.)

Newcomers to watch: 

Datwain Jackson, DE/DT/OG, Sr.

Lonnie Grays, RB/DB, Soph.

Key stats from 2013: 

Won the Senate Athletic League championship last year.

Follow John Adams all season

Bookmark the team’s cleveland.com webpage to see every football post pertaining to John Adams.

Follow @NEOVarsity and tag your high school sports tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

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

Video: Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer in action on Day 14 of Cleveland Browns Training Camp

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Watch quarterbacks Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer in action as they run Kyle Shanahan's offense during 11-on-11 drills on Day 14 of Cleveland Browns Training Camp.

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns Training Camp is winding down with only two more practices remaining, but the competition between quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel continues to heat up.

The two have been splitting reps with the first-team by alternating each practice.

Head Coach Mike Pettine will decide today, an off day for the players, who will start Monday night against Washington and Robert Griffin III.

Hoyer started the first preseason game in Detroit.  He went 6-of-14 for 92 yards with a 65.2 quarterback rating in three series.

Manziel relieved Hoyer and played five series with the second team.  He was 7-of-11 for 63 yards and a 79.0 rating.

Pettine plans to name the starter for the season opener in Pittsburgh before the third preseason game at FirstEnergy Stadium against the Rams Aug. 23. 

On Twitter: @CLEvideos

Watch Sports Insider at 11:30 a.m. with guests Shane Austin of the Gladiators and Mary Kay Cabot

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Watch Sports Insider on cleveland.com today at 11:30 a.m. as we talk about the Browns next preseason game and preview the Arena Bowl with Cleveland Gladiators quarterback Shane Austin.


Live streaming video by Ustream

Shane AustinView full sizeCleveland Gladiators quarterback Shane Austin joins today's edition of Sports Insider at 11:30 a.m. 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Watch Sports Insider on cleveland.com today at 11:30 a.m. as we'll talk about the Browns' second preseason game on Monday night, Josh Gordon's looming suspension, the Indians' current homestand and the Cleveland Gladiators in the Arena Bowl on Aug. 23. 

Host Chris Fedor will be joined by Gladiators quarterback Shane Austin to preview the game. Mary Kay Cabot will stop by to talk Browns. 

Then, Paul Hoynes calls in at about 11:50 a.m. to talk about the up-and-down Indians. How crippling are the latest injuries to Nick Swisher and David Murphy?

Click play to watch live at 11:30 a.m. Post your questions and remarks in the comments section below.


Little League World Series: Parade, picnic kick off 2014 tournament (photo gallery)

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The annual parade and picnic kicked off the 2014 Little League World Series.

By John Beague, Special to PennLive

WILLIAMSPORT -- Rain earlier this week played havoc with practice schedules for the Little League World Series teams, but it gave the players an opportunity to mingle.

Complete coverage of the Little League World Series on PennLive.com

With practices pretty much limited to the batting cages, the approximately 200 players on the 16 teams spent a lot of time in the game room.

Their familiarity with each other showed Wednesday afternoon at the annual picnic hosted by the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The players interacted as if they had known each other for weeks, not just a couple days.

Brennan Holligan, a 6-2, 168-pound first baseman-pitcher, attracted attention when he picked up and carried teammate Drew Laspaluto, who is 4-7, 80 pounds. It mainly was done for cameras but Las Vegas manager Ashton Cave said the players are doing things like this all the time.

About half the Perth, Australia, team sang and danced the Macarena while the cameras clicked.

Hall of Famer Dave Winfield also mingled with the players and told them he would have thought he had gone to heaven if when he was their age he could play on fields like those in the series.

During a short talk, Winfield, who was a Little League coach in California the four yeas his son David played, said the players are proof positive "you can come from anywhere" and be a success.

"Each and everyone of you is going to be a hero," he said.

Winfield will throw out the first ball during the series opening ceremonies scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Thursday in Volunteer Stadium.

Today's Schedule (all times Eastern)

Thursday, Aug. 14
Game 1: Brno vs. Seoul, 1 p.m. (TV: ESPN)
Game 2: Chicago vs. Lynnwood, 3 p.m. (TV: ESPN)
Game 3: Perth vs. Humacao, 5 p.m. (TV: ESPN2)
Game 4: Las Vegas vs. Rapid City, 7 p.m. (TV: ESPN2)

St. Ignatius coach Chuck Kyle's former stars getting a 'reality check' with tough run of injury luck at Ohio State

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Scott McVey, Blake Thomas and now freshman linebacker Kyle Berger all dealt with serious injuries after coming to Columbus from St. Ignatius.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- More than three decades into his coaching career, St. Ignatius coach Chuck Kyle knows the score. Intimately familiar with the joys and successes of football, he knows the other side, too. He knows the game can be tough.

At this moment, he's talking about that side. And he's at something of a loss for words.

"I don't know what to tell you," Kyle said Wednesday afternoon. "You're not the first one to mention that, and I don't know what to say. Scott McVey was a heck of a player, and now we have this one."

This one is the knee injury to Ohio State freshman linebacker Kyle Berger, who re-injured his knee this week, the same knee in which he tore his ACL during a St. Ignatius scrimmage before his senior season last year. What has been mentioned is a string of tough luck for St. Ignatius players at Ohio State that has hit three players over the last five years.

Kyle Berger crutchesKyle Berger stayed upbeat last season as a St. Ignatius senior after tearing his ACL before he could play his senior seasons of football and basketball. 

"I think as the days went by last year, he said, 'Hey, that's life and now I've got a new challenge,'" Kyle said of Berger. "He was very upbeat that way. Now, just wow. He handled it really well, but this is the kind of thing that kept him going, like 'this will be over and I'll be at Ohio State.'"

Berger is with the Buckeyes, and Urban Meyer had several times mentioned Berger, a very athletic linebacker who was also a great basketball player (the kind of thing Meyer likes), as a freshman he was excited about.

But now his freshman season will be about rehab, not playing. And St. Ignatius is familiar with that in Columbus.

McVey, a major linebacker recruit, was forced to step away from football after his second year at Ohio State in 2011 after re-aggravating a shoulder injury several times. Then tight end Blake Thomas was forced to give up the game a year ago because of injuries at the start of his second year as a Buckeye.

(The most recent previous St. Ignatius Buckeye before McVey in the Class of 2010 was receiver Anthony Gonzalez in the Class of 2003, who went on to be a star and first-round NFL Draft pick.)

"It's a reality check, and it's a big reality check," Kyle said. "Because you've been recruited and this recruiting experience is not reality. It's bizarre. And then reality can hit you like this. And these kids are 18 years old and they have to handle this topsy-turvy roller coaster like this. It's amazing."

If Berger is looking for an upside, he may have to glance north.

Former St. Ignatius linebacker Jake Ryan, who was part of the same team and same high school class as McVey, is a fifth-year senior starter and leader for Michigan. He came back after tearing his ACL in spring practice of his junior year in 2013. An All-Big Ten pick in 2012, he played the second half of last season and has moved to middle linebacker in the heart of the Wolverines' defense this year.

"It's a stress off my shoulders," Ryan told cleveland.com at Big Ten media days of being fully healthy. "I feel 100 percent. I feel like nothing ever happened."

That's the feeling Berger will be shooting for someday. Kyle will be hoping for another comeback, while also hoping for the best with his next player headed to Ohio State - Wildcats' senior defensive end Dre'Mont Jones.

"This is definitely a downer," Kyle said. "You can appreciate a kid going through that last year, and all Kyle did was work really hard. He got so much stronger in the weight room.

"Something like this tests your mettle. You've got to hang in there."

Cleveland Indians' bad offense leads to loss to Arizona Diamondbacks: DMan's Report, Game 120, Wednesday

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The Indians went 2-2 against Arizona this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians played the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of a two-game series (and doubleheader) on Wednesday. Here is a capsule look from The Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff:

Game: 120.

Opponent: Diamondbacks.

Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland.

Time of day: Night.

Time elapsed: 4 hours, 16 minutes.

Attendance for DH: 17,562.

Result: Diamondbacks 1, Indians 0 (12).

Records: Diamondbacks 52-68, Indians 60-60.

Scoreboard watch: The Indians, who won the first game of the doubleheader, 3-2,  are 5.5 games behind first-place Kansas City (65-54) in the AL Central. The Royals defeated the Athletics, 3-0, in Kansas City, Mo.

Offensive offense: The Indians were fortunate to have split the doubleheader given their brutal performance at the plate for most of the day. The nightcap was especially ugly: The Indians went 8-for-41 with two extra-base hits against a collection of pitchers who should not be holding any team to 8-for-41 and zero runs. The Tribe went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

Inexcusable: The Indians finished 2-2 against Arizona, a bad team with injury issues. They needed to go 4-0. The losses came in 14 and 12 innings.

Busting loose: The Diamondbacks scored on Tuffy Gosewisch's one-out single off C-C Lee that drove in Xavier Paul.

Tomlin time: Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin allowed four hits and struck out four in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. He threw 39 of 50 pitches for strikes. (SportsTime Ohio had Tomlin for 51 total pitches).

Quality debut: Tomlin needed to be sharp because Arizona lefty and Kent State product Andrew Chafin held the Indians to three hits in five innings of his MLB debut. Chafin walked two and struck out three. He threw 101 pitches.

Economizing: Tomlin averaged 2.17 pitches per batter in breezing through the first two innings.

In the first, Ender Inciarte grounded* to second (one pitch), Cliff Pennington grounded to second (five) and David Peralta flied to left (one).

In the second, Mark Trumbo lined to first (two), Miguel Montero grounded to Tomlin (one) and Jake Lamb struck out swinging (three). Against lefty Lamb, Tomlin elevated the fastball inside for the third strike.

*The grounder actually was a liner knocked down by an athletic play from Jason Kipnis. Inciarte thought he had beaten the throw, but first-base umpire Tom Woodring disagreed. The Diamondbacks did not challenge.

First things first: Indians center fielder Tyler Holt singled with two outs in the second. It was the Tribe's first hit. Holt also had the Tribe's first hit in the first game of the doubleheader -- a two-out single in the third off lefty Vidal Nuno.

Another bang-bang play: Inciarte led off the fourth with an infield single to short. Jose Ramirez did well to range over the middle, glove the ball and throw on the run, but Inciarte had just enough speed. Unlike in the first inning, Inciarte clearly was safe.

Holt action: Holt short-circuited a potential Arizona uprising in the fourth. With one out and Inciarte on first, Peralta sent a sinking liner to left-center. Holt made a diving catch. Tomlin whiffed Trumbo for the third out.

Holt secured his second terrific catch in as many nights against Arizona. As the right fielder Tuesday, he dived to deny a hit. However, the play was washed out of the books, if not the highlights, because of rain.

Missed opportunity: The Indians put runners on second and third with two outs in the fourth. Roberto Perez swung through a full-count changeup down and away.

Yes, Perez swung at ball four. But more credit should go to Chafin than blame to Perez because Chafin refused to give in and sold the changeup with good arm action.

Tightrope: Tomlin escaped a two-on, none-out jam in the fifth -- an inning that has given him trouble throughout the season.

Montero singled and advanced to second on Lamb's single. The at-bats lasted a combined three pitches.

Alfredo Marte struck out swinging in three pitches. Marte's follow-through on the third strike conked Tribe catcher Perez on the top of the head/mask. Didi Gregorius popped to center and Gosewisch grounded to short.

Goose eggs through five: Tomlin and Chafin each opened with five scoreless while taking different routes to get there. Tomlin, who gave up three hits, threw 43 pitches; Chafin, who gave up three hits and walked two, needed 101.

Not messing around: Tomlin allowed a leadoff single to Inciarte in the sixth. After Pennington grounded to Tomlin, Indians manager Terry Francona signaled for lefty Nick Hagadone to face lefty Peralta.

Peralta socked Hagadone's first pitch, a 95-mph fastball, to deep right. Raburn covered plenty of ground, then dived on the track in front of the Arizona bullpen to deny an RBI extra-base hit. Inciarte tagged and went to third.

Trumbo was intentionally walked. Lefty Montero grounded sharply up the middle, where shortstop Jose Ramirez fielded and threw to first for the out. The Indians' shift prevented what would have been the game's first run.

Tightrope, Part II: Indians relievers Marc Rzepczynski and Bryan Shaw combined to strand a Diamondback who had reached third with none out.

Gosewisch led off with a double to right against Scott Atchison. It was the game's first extra-base hit. Gosewisch moved to third when Raburn fumbled the ball.

Rzepczynski entered and struck out lefty Inciarte. After Pennington walked,  Peralta struck out swinging. Shaw entered and walked righty power threat Trumbo. Montero grounded a 2-2 cutter (96 mph) to third, where Mike Aviles fielded and tagged Pennington in front of him.

Goose eggs through 10: Both teams had managed six hits and zero runs through 10 innings. They were a combined 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position.

Game of yards: Trumbo came within several yards of giving the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead in the 11th. Trumbo socked lefty Kyle Crockett's 1-2 fastball away to right. It landed in the seats near the pole, just foul. Crockett eventually struck out Trumbo.

Payback: Arizona righty Randall Delgado stranded an Indian who had reached second with none out in the 11th.

Michael Brantley led off against Delgado by sending a full-count changeup down the right-field line for a double. Carlos Santana and Chris Dickerson struck out swinging, bringing Zach Walters to the plate. In the ninth inning of the first game, Walters hit a walkoff homer off Delgado for a 3-2 victory. This time, Walters grounded to first.

Sportsman's Extravaganza show in Middlefield -- Outdoors Calendar for Aug. 15

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The inaugural Northern Ohio Sportsman's Extravaganza outdoor show is in Middlefield on Saturday to benefit the conservation programs on the local chapter of Safari Club International.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Outdoors Calendar for Aug. 15.

Aug. 16: Ohio State Park Duck Blind Lotteries. More than 290 permits at 17 state parks and two state wildlife areas that offer duck blind permits. For information visit parks.ohiodnr.gov/.

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

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

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

Aug. 16: Drawing for waterfowl hunting blind locations at Mosquito Creek Reservoir in Trumbull County. Doors open at 8 a.m. at the area headquarters, 8303 N. Park Ave., Bloomfield at 8 a.m. The blind drawing is at 9 a.m. Hunters must bring a 2014 hunting license and ODOW identification number.

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

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

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

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

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

Aug. 22: Registration deadline for annual post card lottery for Castalia State Fish Hatchery's Beginning Fly-Fishing Clinics. Sessions are held on Fridays from Sept. 5 through Oct. 10. For information visit wildohio.gov or wall 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Aug. 23: Eric Lewis Memorial Walleye and Perch Tournament, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Lake Erie at Sheffield Lake. Three-anglers teams. Entry $120 for walleye or perch divisions. Contact Craig Lewis at Erie Outfitters, 440-949-8934 or visit erieoutfitters.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sept. 5-6: Ohio State Trappers Association Convention and Show, Portage County Fairgrounds, 4215 Fairgrounds Rd., Randolph, Ohio. For information call Joe Young, 330-823-6711. Trapping and outdoors clinics, seminars and exhibits. Camping available on the grounds.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sept. 18: Public drawing for waterfowl blinds, hunting dates at LaDue Reservoir. Drawing at 5 p.m. at the Geauga County Fairgrounds in Burton. Bring 2014-15 hunting license. For information call the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 330-644-2293.

Sept. 20: 18th annual Save Our Heritage Rally, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, Aladdin Shrine Center, Columbus. Featured are Girls with Guns starts Norissa Harman and Jen Adams. Hunting and firearms exhibits, raffles and games. Tickets $50. Call 614-888-4868 or visit ussportsman.org/rally.

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

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

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

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

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

Sept. 21-22: 32nd annual Ducks unlimited Pymatuning Waterfowl and Outdoor Expo in Linesville, Pennsylvania. The expo opens at 9 a.m. each day, featuring calling contests, the Pennsylvania Duck Stamp Contests, decoy carving and a variety of waterfowl and hunting exhibits. For information visit pymatuningexpo.com.

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

Sept. 25: Controlled waterfowl hunting lottery for Mogadore Reservoir and Wingfoot Lake, 5 p.m., Pine Tree Lodge at Wingfoot Lake State park, 993 Goodyear Park Blvd., Mogadore. Applicants must bring 2014-15 hunting license. For information call the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 330-644-2293 or visit wildohio.gov.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2014-2015 HUNTING SEASONS

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

Coyote and wild boar: No closed season

Groundhog: Closed only during deer gun season.

Squirrel: Sept. 1-Jan. 31

Ruffed grouse: Oct. 11-Jan. 31

American woodcock: Oct. 11-Nov. 24

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

Cottontail Rabbit: Nov. 7-Feb. 28

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

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

Fox, Raccoon: Nov. 10-Jan. 31

2014-2015 DEER SEASONS

Deer Archery: Sept. 27-Feb. 1

Deer Antlerless Muzzleloader: Oct. 11-12

Deer Youth Gun: Nov. 22-23

Deer Gun: Dec. 1-7

Deer Statewide Muzzleloader: Jan. 2-5

2014-2015 WATERFOWL

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

Canada Geese: Sept. 1-15

Early teal season: Sept. 6-21

Rails and moorhens: Sept. 1-Nov. 9

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

2014-2015 TRAPPING SEASONS

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

Mink, Muskrat: Nov. 10-Feb. 28

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

Beaver, Otter: Dec. 26-Feb. 28

SPRING 2015 SEASONS

Youth Turkey: April 18-19, 2015

Spring Turkey: April 20-May 17, 2015

Mike Pettine could decide between Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer by Tuesday

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Browns coach Mike Pettine could decide between Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer by Tuesday, he told his radio show tonight.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns coach Mike Pettine could decide on his starting quarterback as early as Tuesday, the day after the Browns second preseason game in Washington on Monday Night Football.

Pettine announced Thursday that Brian Hoyer will start that game ahead of Johnny Manziel, but that both quarterbacks will receive equal reps with the first-team offense.

Pettine revealed on his radio show on 92.3 The Fan Thursday night that the big decision could some less than 24 hours after that nationally-televised game on ESPN.

"I'm sure we'll sit down at some point next week, maybe more than likely later in the day on Tuesday and get our heads together and see what we come up with," Pettine said.

Pettine stressed that the decision will be based on more than just the games, although they'll factor in heavily.

"We've been able to evaluate the quarterbacks literally with everything they've done," Pettine said. "How they are in the meeting room, how they are on the practice field, how they are when they're doing their individual period, how they are in the 7 on 7 and how they are in the team work."

Pettine has made it clear since the before the draft that he prefers a veteran over a rookie quarterback.

However, he provided some insight into the Browns' thinking on Tuesday when he described Hoyer as a virtual rookie.

"Brian is in a unique situation,'' said Pettine. "He does have years in the league, but it's hard to put that veteran label on him because he doesn't have that many career starts. In some aspects, he is a veteran because he's been around for so long in the league, but he's closer to being a rookie just as far as the number of snaps he's taken in live game situations."

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