Check out a capsule preview of the 2014 boys Division I district golf tournament at Pine Hills and vote in the poll.

Check out a capsule preview of the 2014 boys Division I district golf tournament at Pine Hills and vote in the poll.

The Global Games were created to bring more awareness to the game. It's a unique opportunity for the Cavs and they are one of five teams participating this preseason. Everyone in the organization understands what this trip is all about.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- As the Cleveland Cavaliers were preparing for their trip to Brazil, head coach David Blatt asked Anderson Varejao for advice, and "Wild Thing" provided some unique insight.

"He told everybody to bring their Speedos," Blatt said on Monday with a chuckle.

Blatt, a first-time NBA head coach, is open-minded. He has spent much of the off-season talking to players and coaches around the NBA, getting adjusted to life in the NBA. Varejao's advice is not something Blatt is planning to listen to.

"I have decided wisely not to bring a Speedo," he said.

That doesn't mean the new head coach hasn't planned some fun activities. Chemistry is important on a roster full of new faces, and the first team-bonding trip will be on Wednesday, shortly after the plane lands.

"I just like the fact that we allow the players to exercise their minds as well as their legs," Blatt said. "This isn't an opportunity that comes every day to go to Rio, to see a different culture, see different people and to represent our game in the way we should. I think you have to take full advantage of it."

The Global Games were created to bring more awareness to the game and the NBA. It's a unique opportunity for the Cavs, one of five teams participating. Everyone in the organization understands what this trip is all about.

"It's a huge honor," Blatt said. "This is something that means a lot to the NBA and a lot to basketball globally so for us to be chosen and to play against the Miami Heat, a four-time finalist, I think it's a great honor."

So LeBron James' first meeting with the Heat, a franchise with which he spent the last four years, comes in Brazil -- albeit in a game that doesn't count. Regardless, the emotions will be high. Saturday will be three months to the day that James chose to return to Cleveland. It's another aspect that makes the foray so anticipated.

"I think everybody is very cognizant," Blatt said. "I'm sure they understand it's a particular kind of game."

Given the setting is away from Cleveland and Miami, it could help take away some of the edge.

"I think it takes the pressure off of both sides, actually," Blatt said. "I really do."

The Cavs are hoping to form a bond off the court, but would also like to build on the progress made during the first week of training camp. It's mostly a business trip, a chance for a new-look roster to measure itself against another team expected to be a part of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

"I'm hoping now that every game we can take a step forward in terms of our execution at both ends of the court and in terms of our ability to play with different guys and different combinations," he said. "We are not going to let up from a basketball standpoint but I don't see anything as a disturbance. It's a plus that we can do something more than we normally do."

Then there's the unique opportunity for Varejao, who arrived in Cleveland 10 years ago, to play at home.  

"We are excited for him," Blatt said. "It means a lot to him and if it means a lot to him then it means a lot to us."

The Cavs have questions to answer. One is which player starts at center. Tristan Thompson and Varejao seem to be the two contenders for the job. Thompson got the nod vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv, but a lineup change is likely Saturday night. Blatt tried to play it coy on Tuesday when asked if Varejao would start.

"Yes, there's a chance of that," Blatt said.

The answer was written all over his face. He knows how much this trip means to Varejao and his team. Blatt plans to make the most of it in every way.

Cincinnati baseball earned a commitment from St. Edward's catcher Mason DeAnna.

Cincinnati baseball earned a commitment from St. Edward's catcher Mason DeAnna.

The Cavaliers play the Heat on Saturday in an exhibition game in Brazil.

MIAMI, Fla. — Northeast Ohio Media Group reporters Chris Haynes and Joe Vardon had some time to kill at the airport in Miami on their way to Brazil to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Miami Heat, so they decided to offer a few thoughts on the upcoming game.

The Cavaliers play the Heat, the team LeBron James spent the previous four season with, at 5 p.m. on Saturday in an exhibition game in Rio.

"It's a huge honor," Cavs coach David Blatt said. "This is something that means a lot to the NBA and a lot to basketball globally so for us to be chosen and to play against the Miami Heat, a four-time finalist, I think it's a great honor."

The wild-card Giants won 3-1 in the best-of-five Division Series.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants are on another October roll in their every-other-year pattern of postseason success.

Joe Panik scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning on Aaron Barrett's bases-loaded wild pitch, and the Giants edged the Washington Nationals 3-2 Tuesday night to return to the NL Championship Series.

The wild-card Giants won 3-1 in the best-of-five Division Series by also scoring on a walk and a groundout. Hunter Pence turned in a defensive gem in right field that helped hold the Nationals at bay as San Francisco won for the 11th time in its last 12 postseason games.

"It's been a remarkable journey. I wouldn't trade it for the world," Pence said.

Santiago Casilla put the potential tying run aboard in the ninth on a two-out walk to Bryce Harper, then retired Wilson Ramos on a grounder to end it. Casilla was mobbed on the mound as fireworks shot off from the center-field scoreboard.

San Francisco travels to St. Louis for Game 1 on Saturday. It's a rematch of the 2012 NLCS, when the Giants rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Cardinals on the way to their second World Series championship in three years.

Harper splashed a tying home run into McCovey Cove in the seventh, but Washington's season ended with a third straight one-run defeat, including that excruciating 2-1 loss in 18 innings Saturday in Game 2.

The Nationals never got on track offensively, lacking the power that carried them to an NL East title and the best record in the league at 96-66.

After his wild pitch snapped a 2-all tie, Barrett got set to intentionally walk Pablo Sandoval. But the right-hander sailed a toss way over the head of Ramos, who quickly retrieved the ball near the backstop. Ramos threw to Barrett covering the plate, where he tagged out a sliding Buster Posey.

The call was upheld after a replay review of 1 minute, 57 seconds, denying San Francisco an insurance run.

"It was just one of those weird plays where they ended up getting me," Posey said.

Just like a night earlier when Giants ace Madison Bumgarner's one miscue cost his team the game, Barrett blew it this time.

San Francisco hit consecutive one-out singles against Barrett in the seventh, and then Pence walked to load the bases for Sandoval.

Pence produced the play of the night when he slammed his back into an archway on the right-field wall to rob Jayson Werth of extra bases in the sixth. Fans enjoying the game from the outside portwalk witnessed the catch from just behind Pence and broke into frenzied cheers.

"That catch he made was unreal. It really brought momentum back in our favor," Posey said.

The very next inning, Pence could only watch as Harper hit a towering drive over the right-field arcade and between two boats among a large group of kayakers in the cove. It was the 104th splash homer at 15-year-old AT&T Park and third in the postseason.

Rick Ankiel did it for the Braves in the 2010 NLDS.

Hunter Strickland, the rookie reliever who gave up Harper's solo home run to the third deck in the seventh inning of Game 1 and then later said he would challenge the slugger again if given the chance, got his opportunity in the seventh and paid for it.

Still, Strickland did enough to earn his first postseason victory. Sergio Romo pitched a perfect eighth and Casilla closed it out before the celebration began.

Bumgarner, hat on backward, took off from the dugout and ran along the left-field fence and all the way around AT&T Park to lead a victory lap of Giants players slapping hands. Sandoval pumped his arms in the air and waved to fans.

"I think anyone that's here tonight sees what type of electric atmosphere this is, and we just love playing in front of these fans," Posey said.

Harper crushed a 3-1 pitch from Strickland, then appeared to give the pitcher a look as he rounded the bases before shouting out toward the field from the dugout.

San Francisco fans cheered when the rival Dodgers were eliminated by St. Louis at Busch Stadium earlier Tuesday, putting the Cardinals in their fourth straight NLCS. They went crazy once their Giants clinched another chance to play for the pennant, and the city is counting on the Giants' every-other-year trend of winning it all.

San Francisco won the World Series in 2010 and again 2012.

Washington rookie manager Matt Williams, groomed in the Giants' system as a player, and his stunned players head home to the nation's capital after a much quicker exit than they envisioned.

Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong didn't allow a hit until Ian Desmond's leadoff single in the fifth, the Nationals' second baserunner. Harper followed with a sharp double down the left-field line to put Washington on the board.

Pinch-hitter Nate Schierholtz walked two outs later and Vogelsong received a mound visit from pitching coach Dave Righetti before retiring Denard Span.

Winless in September, Vogelsong returned to his top postseason form. Pitching for the first time since Sept. 26 after going 0-4 in five September outings, Vogelsong allowed two hits in 5 2-3 solid innings.

The 37-year-old journeyman has not allowed more than one earned run in five postseason starts, winning Games 2 and 6 of the 2012 NLCS and Game 3 in a World Series sweep of the Tigers.

"That's as clutch as it comes," Pence said. "It's not an accident that he has the success he does in the playoffs. He's one of those tough, hard-nosed, gritty guys. He's prepared, works his tail off, he earns it. He deserves it."

Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez found several ways to hurt his own cause in the second. The Giants loaded the bases after Brandon Crawford's one-out single before Gonzalez misplayed Juan Perez's slow dribbler for an error. Vogelsong beat out a bunt single that went untouched and then Blanco drew a four-pitch walk to force home the first run.

Sandoval's 14-game postseason hitting streak was snapped with an 0-for-3 night.

LeBron James knows his status as the NBA's brightest star and the power he wields. He plans to use that power, but how?

CLEVELAND, Ohio – As LeBron James was busy putting 30 NBA owners on notice and lecturing players to be more "educated" about the league's finances on Monday, he reeled off a list of league business transactions that would make Forbes proud.

"We continue to see teams selling for billions of dollars, being purchased for $200 million, selling for $550 (million), selling for $750 (million), $2 billion, and now (Mikhail) Prokhorov is now possibly selling his majority stake in the Nets for over a billion," James said, as part of a longer discussion on what the NBA's new $24 billion TV deal means for the players' union.

In order, James was referring to:

• Prokhorov's $200 million purchase of the Nets in 2010;

• Herb Kohl's sale of the Milwaukee Bucks this year for about $550 million;

• The estimated $750 million Atlanta Hawks owner Bruce Levenson could get for his eventual sale of the team;

• Steve Ballmer's $2 billion purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers;

• Prokhorov's reported interest in reaping a huge return on the purchase he made of the Nets four years ago.

Phew.

What James said next was the shot heard in every NBA boardroom. He said that during contentious negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement in 2011 the owners claimed they were losing money, and "that will not fly with us this time."

That was the sound bite. But it was the totality of James' remarks Monday that showed his true status in the NBA, his recognition of where he stands as the players' most powerful voice, and his intention to use that power. His words leave one to wonder if, even at the age of 29, James is pondering the idea (however far in the back of his mind) that one day he could own an NBA team.

"I'm very educated, and I will use what I have to make sure our players are taken care of," he said.

But to what end?

James' remarks Monday seemed geared toward the short term, as in when the new TV deal kicks in and his personal contract with the Cavaliers ends following the 2015-16 season. The following year, the players could opt out of their bargaining agreement with the owners, likely given the revenues the TV deal will generate.

Each of those things individually – the TV deal, James' next contract, and the role he plays in the next round of negotiations with owners – will have an impact on James' legacy in the NBA and what he does when his career is over.

First, the contract

It was because of the TV deal – estimated at a value of more than $6 billion per year for the NBA – that James chose to sign a two-year, $42.1 million deal with the Cavaliers this summer.

He knew a looming TV agreement would generate huge money for the league, which would in turn raise the salary cap and give him even more earning power if he were a free agent in the summer of 2016.

On Tuesday, sources told the Northeast Ohio Media Group that by forgoing a four-year deal last July with the Cavaliers, and presumably signing a four-year contract with the Cavaliers in the summer of 2016, he will have made himself an extra $50.2 million (even more than the $43.5 million figure reported Monday).

It was a savvy business decision, one of many for James.

Growing footprint

In July, Forbes estimated that James had made $450 million in his 11 NBA seasons -- $126 million in salary and the rest in endorsements and business deals.

Away from basketball, James' empire is expanding rapidly. His TV production company has one show on the Starz cable network and is developing another with ESPN. His marketing firm represents Johnny Manziel.

James is also clearly the "face of the game" as teammate James Jones said Monday. His jersey was the league's top seller last season.

James and the Cavaliers will land in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday for a game Saturday against the Miami Heat. The NBA calls these preseason games in different countries its "Global Games" series. This is the third "Global Games" for James.

How badly does the NBA want to put James on display for the world to see? This game was scheduled before James joined the Cavaliers in July, when he was still a member of the Heat.

Like Mike?

James' earning power, his place in the sport, and the business acumen he has already shown makes it conceivable that James could have the kind of lasting power enjoyed only by Michael Jordan – still mentioned as perhaps the NBA's greatest player and a man who has enjoyed financial growth since his career ended, according to Forbes.

Jordan, of course, is now one of those 30 NBA owners James put on notice Monday. He purchased the then-Charlotte Bobcats for $175 million in 2010.

"MJ has not played basketball in over a decade and last played for the Bulls in the 1990s," said Michael Leeds, a Temple University professor and sports economist. "The fact that (Jordan is) still even mentioned in the same breath as LeBron is nothing short of remarkable and shows that LeBron has a ways to go before he becomes the factor that" Jordan was at his peak.

What's next?

Not yet 30, it is far too early to know or even really speculate what James will do once his career his over. It's conceivable James could one day seek ownership in an NBA team – he already owns a minority stake in the British Liverpool soccer team – even if now he's sounding like a labor leader preparing to take on the corporate suits.

On Monday, James spoke of how helpful it's been to play on teams with Jones, players' union vice president Roger Mason Jr., and Ray Allen to learn how the players' union works.

For what it's worth, James is neither the Cavaliers' player representative to the union nor is he union president.

But he has shown a knack for collecting, storing, and using information to his advantage. There is more to come.

Here are four reasons why the Indians should sign Victor Martinez and four reasons why they should not when he becomes a free agent after the World Series.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Detroit's early exit from the postseason courtesy of a three-game sweep by the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Division Series means the question can be asked earlier than anticipated.

How would Victor Martinez look hitting in the middle of the Indians' lineup for the next three or four years?

A rhetorical question, indeed, seeing how Indians' cleanup hitters batted .237 with 26 homers and 92 RBI this year. Martinez, meanwhile, hit .335 with 32 homers and 101 RBI as Detroit's No.4 hitter.

Overall, Martinez hit .335 with 33 doubles, 32 homers and 103 RBI. He struck out only 42 times and drew 70 walks in 641 plate appearances. If it wasn't for Mike Trout of the Angels, Martinez would be writing his AL MVP acceptance speech right now.

Martinez, 36 on Dec. 23, can be a free agent after the final game of the World Series. The four-year $50 million deal he signed with the Tigers after the 2010 season has expired.

Why Cleveland? The switch-hitting Martinez has roots here.

He was signed and developed by the Indians before being traded in a 2009 salary dump that brought him to tears. Martinez reportedly told friends that he'd like to re-sign with the Indians, but that was well before he produced a career season in his walk year. It has made him nearly indispensable to the win-today Tigers, who have captured four straight AL Central titles, but can't seem to win a World Series no matter how much they spend.

Here are four reasons why the Indians should and should not sign Martinez.

Pros

1. OK, even if you take away Martinez's numbers against the Indians in 2014 (.319, seven homers, 15 RBI), he's an offensive dynamo.

How much do you think Martinez could have helped this year when the Tribe scored three or fewer runs in half of its 162 games?

Despite averaging 3.71 runs per game after the All-Star break, the Indians weren't eliminated from the postseason until game No. 159. Imagine how Martinez, who hit .344 after the break and .378 in September, could have altered the Tribe's path?

2. The fire sale of 2009, when the Indians traded Martinez and Cliff Lee to help stop the flow of red ink, is one of several reasons fans continually cite for giving owner Paul Dolan and the team the cold shoulder when it comes to attending games at Progressive Field.

Bringing Martinez home could mend fences and put some fannies in the seats at the Tribe's beautiful, but empty ballpark.

3. The Tigers will almost certainly make Martinez a qualifying offer. If the Indians signed him, they would have to forfeit their No.1 pick in the June draft.

Surrendering a No. 1 pick would sting, but the Indians would also damage the team they've been chasing for four years in the AL Central. Miguel Cabrera, the two-time MVP, would lose his second talented bodyguard in as many years.

4. If 2014 was Jason Giambi's last as a player, Martinez could easily assume his role as a clubhouse leader. What's more, Martinez would be able to lead as an everyday player with a lot more pop in his bat than Giambi.

Manager Terry Francona was Boston's manager when the Indians traded Martinez there in 2009. Martinez loved playing for Francona and Francona has a great deal of respect for Martinez.

Cons

1. Martinez can play a little first base, but he's basically a DH.

The Indians already have an aging switch-hitting DH in Nick Swisher, whose season ended in August with not one, but two knee operations. Swisher will make $30 million over the 2015 and 2016 seasons. If he gets 550 plate appearances in 2016, and passes a physical at the end of the year, a $14 million option for 2017 kicks in.

The only way the Indians could sign Martinez is if they were able to trade Swisher. No one is going to take Swisher – regardless of how much of his contract the Indians swallow – without knowing he can play following his knee surgeries. Swisher would have to prove that in spring training and probably through the early part of the regular season.

Martinez will be signed, sealed and delivered long before then.

2. If the Indians felt confident that they could win the AL pennant next year, signing Martinez would make sense. But after getting shortchanged on the front end of four-year deals to Swisher and Michael Bourn, is it really good business to give another veteran a truck-load of money for three or four years?

3. Martinez had a career season this year at 35. He led the AL with a .409 on base percentage and the big leagues with an .974 OPS.

To think he's going to improve on his 2014 season, or even maintain it, at 36, 37, 38 and 39 is a big gamble. It is especially true in MLB's post-steroid era.

4. V-Mart would cost too much money.

This winter the qualifying offer for free agents is a $15.3 million one-year deal. Any team signing Martinez would have to pay him more than that annually over three to four years to land him. Unless a player like Bourn could be traded over the winter, there's no way ownership would approve that kind of contract not to mention finding enough playing time for Martinez and Swisher.

The Indians' payroll at the start of the 2014 season was about $85 million. It hasn't been that high since 2001 when it was $93 million in the second year of the Dolan ownership.

It's expected to be between $80 million to $85 million in 2015 as well.

The chances of the Indians signing Martinez are slim. The money involved and the manipulation that the roster would have to undergo make it improbable. But it's clear the Indians need to do something to improve their offense.

Playing one of the biggest games of the Big Ten season at home vs. Penn State on Saturday night, the Wolverines are currently favored by two points over James Franklin's Nittany Lions. Every Big Ten line inside.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Michigan football program seems to be in a downward spiral at the moment having lost four of its last five games, but there may be reason to look up if you're a Wolverine fan. 

Las Vegas says things are going to be better this weekend. 

Playing one of the biggest games of the Big Ten season at home vs. Penn State on Saturday night, the Wolverines are currently favored by two points over James Franklin's Nittany Lions. 

Penn State got off to a fast start this season by winning its first four games, convincing some that it could be a legitimate threat in the Big Ten despite being in the final year of playing with a depleted roster due to scholarship reductions. 

But the Nittany Lions got blown out at home two weeks ago to Northwestern. The Wildcats, all of a sudden, could be a Big Ten contender after following up that win with a surprising victory over Wisconsin on Saturday. 

Here are some other interesting Big Ten spreads this week: Illinois (+26) at Wisconsin, Iowa (+4) at Indiana, Northwestern (+4) at Minnesota and Purdue (+22) at Michigan State. 

Though Ohio State is on a bye week, be sure to keep up with the ongoing coverage we've had this week.

First, here's a quick look at our "QB Quest" series, one that details how hard it is to recruit elite quarterbacks from far away and how that relates direction to Urban Meyer and Ohio State. 

• Part 1: Why colleges try so hard, and mostly fail, to recruit high school QBs away from home

• Part 2: Massillon's Danny Clark, an elite QB and Ohio State commit, is Urban Meyer's dream scenario

• The raw data - tracking how far every elite QB of the last decade traveled for school

Other must-read links:

• Ohio State Buckeyes taking strides to protect QB J.T. Barrett's arm: Urban Meyer quick hits

• Brandon Wimbush, Ohio State's former top QB target, flips from Penn State to Notre Dame

• Buckeyes win 50-50 balls, Terrapins miss big throws: Ohio State-Maryland TV Rewatch

• Recruiting, pressure and Madden - Talking with top Ohio State '16 QB target Dwayne Haskins (Video)

The best questions will be part of our Q&A with Leonard Jackson.

The best questions will be part of our Q&A with Leonard Jackson.

The Cleveland Browns fell behind by 25 points Sunday but wisely stayed committed to the run -- Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns played less than a half hour of football Sunday and trailed 28-3.

That's not even enough time for a bad sitcom, which, come to think of it, is pretty much what Sunday was.

From the point they fell behind by 25 points, they ran the ball 25 times. Not only didn't Kyle Shanahan abandon the run, the comeback was entrenched in the ground game.

You know the old joke about the bacon-and-egg breakfast. The chicken makes a contribution, but the pig makes a commitment. The Browns under Shanahan are committed to the grind.

On the drive with 2:44 remaining in the half that made it 28-10 and restored the gleam, men, Brian Hoyer handed off five times alone. No panic whatsoever. On the road, even in a place as polite as LP Field, that's no easy thing.

The Browns ran 36 times and passed 37 times in a game they trailed for all except 69 seconds.

All the talk about Shanahan's 18-word play calls has disappeared since the final failed drive in Pittsburgh, when Hoyer only received part of the information he needed in his headset. 

The offense is hardly simplified. But Shanahan's intelligent design is built on a principle as elementary as, "Run, Ben, run." Or Terrance or Isaiah.

Hoyer has been sacked just five times. Ben Roethlisberger, by comparison, has been sacked 15 times. A lot goes into making sense of that statistic. The offensive line is protecting Hoyer well. No doubt.

Hoyer is making quick decisions. Remember last year, when the Browns switched from Brandon Weeden to Hoyer they went from having the slowest QB release time to the fastest in the league.

Shanahan's offensive philosophy accounts for the rest. Play-action is working. If defenses can't ignore the run even when the Browns are trailing 28-10 or 28-13, they can never ignore it.

Ben Tate averaged 5.6 yards per carry Sunday with a long run of 15 yards. Those are the kind of consistent gashes that leave scars on a defense.

We've had a lot of fun over the years with Butch Davis' rationalization after Jamal Lewis torched the Browns for a then-NFL record 295 rushing yards in 2003.

"On 25 of those carries," Davis said correctly, "they averaged 2.4 yards."

The other five were a land acquisition the size of the Louisiana Purchase.

The Titans wore down mentally as much as physically Sunday, knowing the Browns could get four or five yards when necessary. West averaged 4.4. That allowed the Browns to use the run to disguise the pass even more than usual.

If the only quibble with Shanahan involved the Browns getting away from the run on third and fourth down when twice they went for it, even that carries a small caveat. It's not as if the Browns didn't have open receivers on the failed plays. One, Hoyer overthrew. Another pass, with Jordan Cameron wide open, got batted down.

"Touchdown," Hoyer said, halfway through the question of how open Cameron was on fourth down at the Titans' 3. "That's a touchdown."

Through four games, we're seeing an experienced offensive coordinator maximizing weapons that (Cameron aside) no one thought were significant enough to give Hoyer a chance to succeed.

One of these games, the Browns might even get a healthy lead late in a game and some defense will get a mouthful of Tate, West and Crowell.

But even on those days the Browns spend on the high wire, like Sunday in Nashville, the sense of calm comes from being so well grounded.

For more Bud Shaw, read Spinoffs and You Said It

Stow horseman Ron Paolucci had the good fortune to buy the speedy two-year-old filly Ria Antonia in 2013 shortly before she won the rich $2 million Juvenile Fillies Stakes in the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park last autumn.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Stow horseman Ron Paolucci had the good fortune to buy the speedy two-year-old filly Ria Antonia in 2013 shortly before she won the rich $2 million Juvenile Fillies Stakes in the Breeders' Cup at California's Santa Anita Park last autumn. As a three-year-old, Ria Antonia has struggled for Paolucci's Loooch Racing Stables Inc.

Winless in eight starts this season, Ria Antonia finished last against the colts in the Preakness Stakes. Many considered her to be a non-factor in the Breeders' Cup if she returned to Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup Distaff on Oct. 31.

Not Paolucci, and not after Sunday's stellar second-place finish in Sunday's Grade I $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes.

Ria Antonia and four other fillies and mares were not given much of a chance against 1-5 favorite Close Hatches in the Spinster Stakes at Kentucky's  Keeneland. In a surprise early move, Ria Antonia, at 16-1 with Paco Lopez aboard, pressured front-running Close Hatches from the outside much of the mile, and powered past her in the final turn.

Unfortunately, said Paolucci, the 6-year-old mare Don't Tell Sophia took advantage of Ria Antonia's gritty performance.

"Ria Antonia did all the work, and when she got the lead in the stretch she relaxed," said Paolucci. "She didn't know Don't Tell Sophia was coming on the outside."

Don't Tell Sophia rolled to a 2½-length victory, followed by Ria Antonia and Molly Morgan. The win earned Don't Tell Sophia a trip to Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Ria Antonia's improved form also convinced Paolucci to head west with his three-year-old filly.

"It was a thrill to see (Ria Antonia) feeling better and racing better," said Paolucci. "Trainer Tom Amoss found she was anemic, and with good care her color has come back and she's gained 150 pounds. After this performance (on Sunday), I feel she's getting stronger every day and has a legitimate chance in the Breeders' Cup Distaff."

Paolucci is so convinced he's proposing a contest to Northfield Park or  ThistleDown Racino officials to give a couple of local fans an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the Breeders' Cup as his guests.

Ohio's best on Saturday: The five Best of Ohio races go off Saturday at Cincinnati's new Belterra Park. ThistleDown Racino railbirds should be familiar with many of the thoroughbreds chasing the $150,000 purses, richest in the history of the series for Ohio-breds, and not because ThistleDown hosted the Best of Ohio action in 2013.

Justalittlesmoke, a 17-1 winner of the Kindergarten Stakes at ThistleDown on Aug. 9, will again tackle Heat Transfer – winner of the Miss Ohio Stakes here on Sept. 26 -- in the seven-horse field in the John W. Galbreath Memorial, a 1 1/16-mile test for two-year-old fillies.

The biggest crowd of runners is a field 14 in the 1 1/8-mile Distaff Stakes. Ohio has a wealth of top fillies and mares, including ThistleDown winners Crafty Blue Kat and Floral Sky (dead heat winners in the Scarlet & Gray Stakes on Sept. 21) and Ohio Horse of the Year Needmore Flattery (Rose DeBartolo Memorial Stakes winner on Aug. 31).

Come-from behind stars Silver Tongued (Governor's Buckeye Cup on Sept. 7) and Plain Ol' Willard (Catlaunch Stakes on Sept. 28) are expected to duel late in the 1¼-mile Endurance Stakes. Also on tap are the 6-furlong Sprint Stakes and 1 1/16-mile Juvenile Stakes.

Ohio Derby winner scores again: East Hall doesn't get much respect, but that's to be expected. The three-year-old's lone win in 18 career starts came July 19 as a 9-1 shot in the $300,000 Ohio Derby at Thistledown Racino with Juan Leyva in the saddle.

In Saturday's Grade I $500,000 Indiana Derby at Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, Indiana, 16-1 East Hall shocked the favorites again with Luis Saez aboard. East Hall knocked off Vicar's in Trouble, who beat him in the Super Derby on Sept. 6 at Louisiana Downs, and survived an interference challenge.

Artspeak falters at The Red Mile: A winner of all seven of his career starts, two-year-old pacing sensation Artspeak owned by Brecksville's Joe Sbrocco was finally beaten on Saturday in the International Stallion Stakes at The Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky. Pressured by In The Arsenal, leader Artspeak went off stride in the stretch with regular reinsman Scott Zeron at the helm.

It was the fourth win in seven starts for In The Arsenal, driven by Brian Sears. Zeron said they'd changed bits with Artspeak to keep his aggressive style in check, and that may have worked against him.

Sbrocco expected to win with Artspeak, just as he always did with his recently retired two-time Pacer of the Year Captaintreacherous. He wasn't so sure if his two-year-old Ohio-bred pacer Friskie Lil Devil could upset high-powered Bell Flower in the $200,000 Ohio Sires Stakes Championship on Sept. 27 at Scioto Downs.

Bell Flower had been perfect in seven starts this season, with Friskie Lil Devil finishing second to her four times in OSS action. With Ronnie Wrenn Jr. in the sulky in the championship, Friskie Lil Devil led most of the way to a 1:55 victory, her third in 9 starts this season for Delaware, Ohio trainer Brian Brown. Brown's three-year-old filly pacer Color's A Virgin won the Jugette on his home track on Sept. 17.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are urged to refrain from three-goggle gestures due to its meaning in Brazil.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – The gesture in the photo you see above this post is an absolute no-no.

Yes, in the United States, it's a hand gesture players often use after they have just knocked down a 3-pointer. James Harden of the Houston Rockets makes it a priority following his deep balls as well as many others.

It's a comical, entertaining way of reminding the fans of who just buried that trey. It's all in good fun.

Well, around here, that gesture is not a form of entertainment. In fact, it's the exact opposite.

Holding up the "three-sign" or the "three-goggles" in a certain way while in Brazil could be mistaken for "f--- you" or "f--- off," I was informed. 

The NBA sent the Cavs and Heat a memo with a list of questionable gestures that shouldn't be used in Brazil, we're told. The last thing anybody wants is for the stands to clear immediately after a player nails a 3-pointer.

Can you imagine a player floating and waving the three-sign from one end of the court to the other? That wouldn't be good.

James Jones, the Cavaliers' 3-point marksman, says he was not made aware of the memo and knew nothing about the gesture being an insult in Brazil.

"Hey, that's why I just salute after I hit one," James said. "That's not offending anyone, right?"

I think you'll be fine, Jones.

So just for this weekend only, for everybody's safety including the media members in attendance, we have one request for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat on Saturday: Do a cartwheel after a made 3-pointer.

Johnny Manziel says "in no way, shape or form was I laughing in a negative way'' when the Browns fell behind 28-3.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel explained Wednesday that he wasn't laughing about the Browns falling behind 28-3 to the Titans when the cameras caught him chuckling immediately after a 75-yard touchdown pass that produced the embarrassing margin.

"I guess when things are kind of going that bad, you can almost -- instead of getting mad -- you kind of have to laugh it off every now and then,'' Manziel told cleveland.com. "Luckily for us, we turned it around, and the outcome was a lot better than it was then.''

Manziel said he doesn't recall exactly what he and practice-squad quarterback Connor Shaw were talking about that Manziel found funny at that particular moment.

"It was something maybe a play that happened a series before or something with our offense -- or maybe just something me and Connor were talking about,'' he said. "It definitely didn't have anything to do with the play that just happened or the current situation.''

He said it just looked worse than it really was because of the timing. The Browns went on to win 29-28 in what went down as the largest road comeback in NFL history, but things looked hopeless at 28-3.

"I think obviously the camera caught me at a time that was a little bit after the play,'' he said. "Me and Connor had been just talking periodically throughout the game about plays and what-not, but it just looked a little different than what was exactly the case.''  

Manziel said he appreciated that coach Mike Pettine defended him, saying Monday it was "no big deal'' and also "down 28-3, the way we were playing, I think you could term how we were playing laughable.''

"I think Coach Pettine knows that I care about this team, I care about the outcome week by week, regardless if I feel like I have an effect physically on the field or not,'' said Manziel. "I've been here during the week getting reps, mental reps, physical reps during the week, so I'm still a part of this team.

"So being down by that matter is not anything that's funny, but at the same time, like I said, it's almost like things are going so bad that all you can really do is laugh.''

Manziel said the episode was yet another reminder that he's still living in the fishbowl -- even though he's not starting. During preseason, he was caught by the TV cameras flipping the bird to the Redskins' bench.

"Obviously you wouldn't expect most backup quarterbacks in the league to be shown on TV after a 75-yard touchdown pass by the opposing team,'' he said. "Most backup quarterbacks wouldn't get on the screen right there, so for me, obviously it was just whoever's idea, whoever's running that, made that decision and for me, I've got to know that more than likely there's a camera on me at all times.''

At the same time, he said, "the people here in the building -- my teammates and coaches -- know that in no way, shape or form was I laughing in a negative way.''

Just another day in the life of Johnny Football.

"That's the way it goes,'' he said.

Athletes at Ohio's private and public colleges would face mandatory drug testing and repeat offenders could be kicked off teams and lose any state-supported financial aid, under proposed legislation in the Ohio House.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Athletes at Ohio's private and public colleges would face mandatory drug testing, and repeat offenders could be kicked off teams and lose any state-supported financial aid, under proposed legislation in the Ohio House.

If the measure passes, Ohio would be the first state in the nation to require drug testing and set penalties for college athletes caught using banned substances, according to Rep. Peter Beck, the Mason Republican co-sponsoring the bill.

Under House Bill 633, introduced Wednesday with bipartisan support, public and private colleges and universities would have to test all athletes for drugs during an annual physical and before they play in any championship games.

The bill would also require the schools to adopt a policy penalizing athletes caught using NCAA-banned substances, which range from steroids to drugs such as marijuana and heroin.

Alcohol use is exempted under the bill.

First-time offenders would have to complete an on-campus drug treatment program offered by the school. Repeat offenders would face a multi-game suspension, loss of any state-supported financial aid, and – after four violations – would no longer be able to participate in any sports at the school.

Ohio State players already face random drug tests administered by the university and the NCAA. School policy also allows tests for players suspected to be using drugs or who have been caught in the past. Last month, Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence was indefinitely suspended from the team after he failed a second drug test.

Beck said he doesn't believe there is a drug problem among college athletics, but he wants to make sure that any athletes who are using drugs are found and placed into treatment.

The lawmaker said he came up with the idea for the bill after hearing about two Pittsburgh Steelers players charged with marijuana possession.

"I said, 'well, they just didn't start with marijuana when they signed the contract,'" Beck said. "Maybe they started while they were in college."

Beck, who's leaving the Ohio House after this year, said he wasn't sure whether the bill would pass before the current legislative session ends in December. Democratic Rep. Zack Milkovich of Akron is the other sponsor of the bill.

Phone calls to the NCAA and Ohio State University seeking comment weren't immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.

LeBron James has star power in Brazil, despite language barrier.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Here, he's called Leh-brruh.

Ask Anderson Junior, a Brazilian teenager with huge diamond studs in each ear, to name his favorite NBA player, and that's the name that rolls off his tongue.

"Leh-brruh," for LeBron James.

James and the Cleveland Cavaliers arrived in Rio de Janeiro Wednesday to prepare for Saturday's preseason game against the Miami Heat. It's part of the NBA's "Global Games" series, an effort began by former commissioner David Stern to grow the NBA brand far beyond the shores of North America.

The Flamengo Club, in Rio, is barely the size of an American high school gym. But it houses the best basketball team in Brazil, and it is where the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat will practice this week.Joe Vardon, Northeast Ohio Media Group

The league, the Heat, and FedEx held a skills camp Wednesday for Brazilian youths at the rickety, American-high-school-sized gym where the Cavaliers and Heat will practice this week.

The biggest "name" at the clinic was former Miami Heat standout Alonzo Mourning, who now works in the Heat's front office. Shabazz Napier and James Ennis were the players in attendance.

But the excitement in the gym was because of James, even though he wasn't there.

"Well, he's been the face of basketball for quite some time now," Mourning said of James. Mourning is soon to be a Hall of Famer. "And I think he represents it very well. He's going to go down as one of the greats to ever do it.

"Obviously he's done a lot for our organization the past four years, and unfortunately he's moved on and will be starting a new chapter in his life. But he's done a lot for the game of basketball, and he's continually growing the brand of basketball, globally."

Brazil is a huge country in South America with 200 million people. It's also the home of Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao, who is thrilled to play Saturday with his teammates in front of his countrymen.

Rio, with a population of 6 million, hosted the 2014 World Cup and will be the site for the 2016 Summer Olympics. For an American who doesn't speak Portuguese – there is a language barrier here. But in interviews with some locals, it seemed James' stardom transcends that barrier.

Eduardo Ribeiro da Silva, a 30-something man from near Rio, gave thumbs up when he was asked in English if he knew about James. A conversation ensued in which the reporter typed questions in English into a Google translation website and da Silva responded in Portuguese.

"He's really, really popular here," da Silva said. "His presence is the solidification of basketball in Brazil. He only helps to popularize the sport."

Junior, the Brazilian teen who was at the camp with Mourning, spoke to the Northeast Ohio Media Group through an interpreter. He was asked if he liked James or Varejao – one of his country's favorite (basketball) sons – and he laughed.

"Leh-brruh," he said, again. "He was here for the World Cup, and now we get to see him play. My friends are so excited, we all want to go see him" at a local Nike store near the Heat hotel Thursday.

It is unknown whether James will indeed visit a Rio Nike store near a white, sandy beach, or if that was just hearsay. The Cavaliers have a team photo and practice scheduled for the day.

But that's the kind of hype he's generating.

As for the other "buzz" about this trip – James' first game against his old team – neither James nor the Heat were available to the media. Miami, which had a preseason game Tuesday night at home, canceled practice Wednesday.

Mourning said it's "not awkward at all" for the Heat to be playing James and the Cavaliers. On Tuesday, though, the Heat's Chris Bosh said he hadn't talked to James since he rejoined the Cavaliers, according to reports.

The best and worst matchups for quarterbacks in fantasy football leagues this week.

*This content is provided by our sister site, PennLive.com. For additional resources, check out PennLive.com's complete fantasy football coverage.

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A look at the best and worst matchups for quarterbacks in fantasy football leagues this week, including projected top 20 rankings:

THREE UP

Eli Manning, NYG, at Philadelphia: The younger Manning is working on a streak of four straight games with at least two touchdown passes. On a related note, the Giants have won three straight games in impressive fashion, averaging 35 points as the offense under first-year coordinator Ben McAdoo finds its stride. On the flip side, the Eagles defense has made little progress defending the pass, allowing the most passing touchdowns (13) and third-most passing yards (274 ypg) in the NFL. Given Manning's momentum and the Eagles' fundamental weaknesses, 300 yards and two touchdowns is a good baseline expectation.

Andy Dalton, CIN, vs. Carolina: The Bengals laid a colossal egg Monday night at New England and Dalton is off to a slow start through four games, but a rebound effort should be expected at home against Carolina. The Panthers have slipped since leading the NFL in sacks (60) and ranking second in total defense (301.3 ypg). The pressure has disappeared up front, and the results have shown against a suspect secondary. Four of the Panthers' five opponents have thrown at least two touchdown passes, and Carolina has already surrendered 10 passing scores, just seven fewer than ALL of last year. That trend should continue with Dalton.

Joe Flacco, BAL, at Tampa Bay: A Week 6 matchup against the Buccaneers represents a clash of two trends for Flacco. First, he has been exponentially better at home than on the road early this season, with a 6-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio at M&T Bank Stadium and a 1-to-2 mark in two away games. Second, Tampa Bay ranks among the NFL's worst in completion percentage (71.4, 31st) and passing touchdowns allowed (10, T-26th) while allowing three straight quarterbacks to throw for at least 300 yards and two touchdowns. That evidence supports Flacco emerging from his road funk.

THREE DOWN

Nick Foles, PHI, vs. New York Giants: The Giants have shown marked improvements on both sides of the ball, a suddenly high-octane offense putting up points in bunches and an athletic defense making big strides against notable opponents. New York's pass defense has been a revelation during a three-game winning streak, a blend of athleticism upfront and talent in the back end. The Giants lead the NFL with eight interceptions and are tied for third with five passing touchdowns allowed, including just three in their last four games. Foles already has four times as many turnovers (eight) as he did all of last season, a trend that could cause problems against an opportunistic foe.

Tom Brady, NE, at Buffalo: The Patriots rallied in the face of intense criticism on Monday night, blasting the groggy Bengals behind a vintage Brady performance. Hitting the road against a blue-collar Bills defense that leads the NFL with 17 sacks and hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer since Jay Cutler in Week 1 will be a different challenge. As big of a mistake as it was to declare Brady "finished" leading up to Week 5, it would be a similar miscalculation to says he's officially "back." He faces a good defense and still must address a void of playmakers, again placing Brady just outside QB1 territory.

Cam Newton, CAR, at Cincinnati: Newton has managed to do more with less this season, playing through offseason ankle surgery and a rib injury and throwing passes to a rebuilt receiving corps. The Panthers improbably sit atop the NFC South standings despite those issues and a defense that has slipped from its rank among the NFL's elite. All those things are great and prove Newton's worth as a player, just not in fantasy. Never one to post gaudy passing statistics, Newton has also stopped running, totaling just 14 carries for 42 yards in four games. Those statistical struggles are magnified against a quality Bengals defense.

WAIVER WATCH

Austin Davis, STL, vs. San Francisco: Davis gets put to a stiffer test after throwing for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns in each of his last two games. Those big efforts came in high-scoring affairs with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, the latter nearly featured a comeback from a 34-7 deficit. The 49ers make life a little more difficult on opposing quarterbacks, which makes Week 6 a perfect litmus test to help determine if Davis is a legitimate fantasy threat.

TOP 20 RANKINGS

1. Peyton Manning, DEN, at New York Jets
2. Philip Rivers, SD, at Oakland
3. Andrew Luck, IND, at Houston
4. Eli Manning, NYG, at Philadelphia
5. Jay Cutler, CHI, at Atlanta
6. Russell Wilson, SEA, vs. Dallas
7. Aaron Rodgers, GB, at Miami
8. Matt Ryan, ATL, vs. Chicago
9. Tony Romo, DAL, at Seattle
10. Matthew Stafford, DET, at Minnesota

11. Kirk Cousins, WAS, at Arizona
12. Andy Dalton, CIN, vs. Carolina
13. Colin Kaepernick, SF, at St. Louis
14. Nick Foles, PHI, vs. New York Giants
15. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT, at Cleveland
16. Cam Newton, CAR, at Cincinnati
17. Joe Flacco, BAL, at Tampa Bay
18. Tom Brady, NE, at Buffalo
19. Austin Davis, STL, vs. San Francisco
20. Brian Hoyer, CLE, vs. Pittsburgh

Check out the Week 7 Forward Progress high school football podcast.

Check out the Week 7 Forward Progress high school football podcast.

Other notes include Tank Carder winning a weekly special teams award and the Browns adding another player to the practice squad.

BEREA, Ohio – Browns linebacker Chris Kirksey expected the NFL-levied $8,268 fine he received for his hit on Titans quarterback Jake Locker.

But the rookie said the supplemental discipline -- which he plans to appeal -- won't change the way he plays or views himself. Kirksey delivered a forearm to Locker's helmet after the quarterback took several steps into the end zone on a touchdown run Sunday.

Officials flagged the inside linebacker for a personal foul and Locker called it a "cheap shot" following the Browns' 29-28 win.  

"I'm going to continue to play football and go out there, have fun and just go make plays," Kirksey said. "This is not going to slow me down at all. I'm just going to keep being myself and just keep going out there having fun.

"I know what type of player I am, I know what type of person I am and I know I play the game the right way. I'm not looking to hurt anyone, just trying to play physical defense."

Locker was checked for a concussion but returned to play only to leave later in the second quarter with a thumb injury. Kirksey said he's not concerned with being labeled a dirty player, adding he can't control how Locker views him.

"I got respect for Jake Locker," he said.

Browns coach Mike Pettine defended his player's character Monday and said there was no intent to injure even as he agreed with the call.

Kirksey was locked in pass coverage on the play and fighting to shed a blocker as the quarterback entered the end zone.

"I didn't realize how far I was in (the end zone)," Kirksey said. "But at the same time, I think my momentum carried me that way, especially wrestling with the guy I was covering."

Award time

Reserve linebacker Tank Carder earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his blocked punt that resulted in a safety against the Titans.

He learned of the award Wednesday morning when coach Mike Pettine flashed it on a board in a team meeting.

"I was like, 'me?" said Carder, who also contributed a special teams tackle. "It was awesome; it was a great feeling."

The punt block whittled the Titans' lead to 28-15 early in the fourth quarter.

"I think it kind of boosted the morale of the team and also it took away us having to go for two (points) after one of the touchdowns so it helped out huge, but it wasn't just that one play that helped us win the game," Carder said.

Comings and going

The Browns signed offensive lineman Braxston Cave to the practice squad. They were able to add a player after the Seahawks signed offensive line Patrick Lewis to their active roster from the Browns' practice squad.

Brownies

Reserve linebacker Eric Martin did not practice Wednesday. The Browns listed his absence as "Not Injury Related/Personal. ... Steelers Antonio Brown said Wednesday he couldn't "recall" whether he had talked to Spencer Lanning after kicking him on a punt return in the first game. Brown told Pittsburgh reporters following the Sept. 7 game that he had chatted with Lanning, a claim the Browns punter denied.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said he has talked with the Buckeyes about their standing in the national rankings after last week's poll shakeup.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It may be too early to have the talk, but Urban Meyer didn't want to wait around.

After seemingly being eliminated completely from the playoff conversation after losing to Virginia Tech in Week 2, Ohio State finds itself ranked 15th and on the cusp of College Football Playoff relevancy after three straight wins and one wild weekend in college football.

Five of the top eight teams in the AP poll lost for the first time ever last week. Any team with the most fleeting hopes of making the playoff now has a reason to talk about it.

So that's what Meyer did with the Buckeyes this week.

"We do that every year this time of year," Meyer said after Wednesday's practice. "I show the rankings and the teams. If you look at it, everything is wide open, college football is pretty open this year."

Meyer said they didn't spend a lot of time talking about it, maybe five minutes.

There's still a lot that needs to happen for the Buckeyes to be fully back in the conversation, namely winning out and hoping a handful of teams in front of them lose.

That's asking a lot, but it's not impossible.

"I can hear it, walking around campus or watching on TV," Meyer said. "So why not address it?"

Here are other notes and quick hits from interviews with OSU players and Meyer after Wednesday's practice.

• Meyer said the first bye week came at a good time. Ohio State responded to the first break with blowout wins over Cincinnati and Maryland. The Buckeyes are off again this week, but Meyer isn't so sure this break came at a good time.

"The thing we're concerned about is we had momentum, and it's been taken away," Meyer said. "So we gotta keep that momentum somehow."

• A number of players will be going home for the bye weekend, including freshman linebacker and Georgia native Raekwon McMillan. "He's earned that," Meyer said.

• The offensive line has made strides over the last three games. Center Jacoby Boren said they're becoming more comfortable playing together.

"I think we have a lot of good chemistry in there," Boren said. "It's tough when you lose great guys. It's taken a while for us to build that bond together. I think every game has helped us grow. I feel like we're all on the same page."

• Meyer said some early preparations for next week's game against Rutgers are underway. Another focus of this bye week is red zone play, where the Buckeyes have struggled this year.

During the first bye week, the Buckeyes did a lot of game reps in practice. Meyer said there hasn't been as much of that this week. Instead the focus has been on healing minor injuries and developing depth.

Mary Kay Cabot, Branson Wright and Dan Labbe talk Browns.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns take on the Steelers on Sunday following their historic comeback at Tennessee. cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe and The Plain Dealer's Branson Wright talked about that and more on Wednesday night's Browns Insider.

On tonight's show we discussed:

• Brian Hoyer's play.
• Was Chris Kirksey's hit dirty?
• Who has been the biggest surprise and the biggest disappointment?
• Who will win on Sunday?

You can watch the video above and be sure to join us again next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.