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Monday Night Football: Kaepernick tosses 3 TDs in 49ers' 31-17 win over Rams

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Kaepernick threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns, helping the 49ers erase an early 14-point deficit and beat the Rams 31-17 on Monday night.

ST. LOUIS -- Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers answered St. Louis' fast start with a big finish.

Kaepernick threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns, helping the 49ers erase an early 14-point deficit and beat the Rams 31-17 on Monday night.

Brandon Lloyd, Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree each caught a scoring pass for the 49ers (4-2), who have won three in a row. Ahmad Brooks and Dan Skuta had two sacks apiece for a stifling defense that sacked Austin Davis five times and permitted one first down on St. Louis' first six possessions of the second half.

"Our receivers did a great job today," Kaepernick said. "Our offensive line did a great job, protecting us and giving us time."

Kaepernick found Boldin zipping across the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown pass, capping a go-ahead 80-yard drive to start the second half. As the Niners were taking the 17-14 lead, several fans in the upper deck unfurled a large banner above the videoboard on the opposite end of the stadium as part of ongoing protests about the Michael Brown shooting in suburban Ferguson in August.

San Francisco then added to its advantage when Kaepernick connected with Crabtree for a 32-yard score with 13 seconds left in the third.

The Rams had one last chance to tie the game, but Dontae Johnson returned an interception 20 yards for the clinching score with 53 seconds to go.

It was a disappointing conclusion for St. Louis, which had 151 yards and a 14-0 lead after the first quarter on Benny Cunningham's 1-yard run and a 22-yard touchdown reception for Lance Kendricks.

St. Louis wore throwback uniforms -- royal blue and bright yellow -- to honor its 1999 Super Bowl title team and represented that winning squad very well for a short time. Guard Adam Timmerman joined wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt for an impromptu bob n' weave TD dance in the end zone at halftime.

The Rams haven't had a winning season since the Greatest Show on Turf petered out in 2003. They doubled their first-quarter scoring for the year with a start that mimicked their last home game when they led Dallas 21-0.

They lost that one 34-31, and this one was all San Francisco the rest of the way.

The 49ers scuffled to a 1-2 start coming off a third straight appearance in the NFC championship game, but have won 13 of their last 14 in October.

Davis was 18 for 36 for 205 yards. He threw for 300 yards each of the last two games with six touchdown passes.

Three of Davis' four interceptions have been returned for touchdowns, all in the fourth quarter at home.

The 49ers had four penalties before the end of their first possession, three accepted, and one the rest of the way. One of the early miscues, illegal contact on Eric Reid, handed the Rams a second first-and-goal on their opening drive capped by Cunningham's TD behind extra lineman Tim Barnes.

Rookie Tre Mason's first career carry was a 24-yarder that might have gone the distance had he not run into teammate Brian Quick. Three plays later, Kendricks got well behind the defense on a 22-yard catch that made it 14-0 late in the first.

The 49ers inched back on Phil Dawson's 54-yard field goal, his 10th in a row with four beyond midfield. They were backed up at their own 5 inside the two-minute warning but declined to play it safe and Lloyd whipped Janoris Jenkins in single coverage on an 80-yard touchdown catch with 14 seconds left in the half.

"We had Brandon Lloyd on a double move," Kaepernick said. "We liked the matchup. He did an amazing job."

Boldin made two third-down grabs on the go-ahead scoring drive in the third quarter, including one for 15 yards on 3rd-and-12 to the 20.

Ongoing protests over the death of Michael Brown made a quick appearance at the Edward Jones Dome during the second half. A banner reading "Rams fans know on and off the field black lives matter," was draped over the top of a jumbo videoboard in the north end zone during the 49ers' go-ahead drive and a few minutes later, about three-dozen protesters marched with their hands raised in an aisle just below the upper deck in the south end zone. Five police officers followed them.

The protests stem from the August shooting death of Brown, who was unarmed, by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.


Ohio State Buckeyes open as a 19.5-point favorites over Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Buckeye Breakfast

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According to VegasInsider.com, Ohio State is a 19.5-point favorite against Rutgers. And the Buckeyes have been reliable against the spread this season, posting a 4-1 record through their first five games.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Some Ohio State players and coaches expressed that they would have liked to play a game last week instead of having another bye because the Buckeyes were getting on a roll. 

Vegas doesn't think the week off will be a problem when Ohio State returns to the field this Saturday at home against Rutgers. 

According to VegasInsider.com, Ohio State is a 19.5-point favorite against Rutgers. And the Buckeyes have been reliable against the spread this season, posting a 4-1 record through their first five games. 

Ohio State's lone loss against the spread was its 35-21 loss to Virginia Tech on Sept. 6, a game in which the Buckeyes were favored by 11.5 points. 

Rutgers is 4-2 against the spread this season. It, too, had a bye week this past weekend, but the Scarlet Knights' 26-24 win over Michigan two weeks ago was one of those losses, as they were favored by three. 

Other interesting Big Ten lines: Iowa (+5) at Maryland, Purdue (+12.5) at Minnesota, Michigan State (-14.5) at Indiana and Nebraska (-7) at Northwestern. 

Be sure to keep up with our ongoing coverage for the Rutgers game this week, starting with everything we posted Monday: 

• More like Texas State? Urban Meyer wants more touchdowns from Ohio State in the red zone

• 'We're nowhere near what we'll be': Quick hits from Ohio State coach Urban Meyer's news conference

• Ohio State offensive, defensive lines best Rutgers coach Kyle Flood has seen in years

• The Bank of Ann Arbor won't close on Columbus day because "Columbus is in Ohio"

Aggressive by necessity: Cutting through mumbo-jumbo to examine Ohio State's life with early loss

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Never buy the rationalization that losing is better. So dropping game two to Virginia Tech this season was in no way a benefit for Ohio State, no way a blessing, no way what the Buckeyes needed. In 2012, the Buckeyes' undefeated season was John Simon-Tim Tebow comparisons and stories of unifying team toasts and Zach Boren flipping...

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Never buy the rationalization that losing is better. So dropping game two to Virginia Tech this season was in no way a benefit for Ohio State, no way a blessing, no way what the Buckeyes needed.

In 2012, the Buckeyes' undefeated season was John Simon-Tim Tebow comparisons and stories of unifying team toasts and Zach Boren flipping from offense to defense and the Kenny Guiton Purdue miracle - and yeah, Ohio State didn't need to lose for any of that.

In 2013, the Buckeyes' undefeated regular season was a dominant offensive line and more Guiton when needed and the Braxton Miller-Carlos Hyde zone-read combo and all those leadership classes and dropping 63 points on Penn State - and yeah, Ohio State didn't need to lose during the regular season for any of that.

So the 35-21 loss to the Hokies, which the Buckeyes could mull over again while relaxing and watching the rest of the country play Saturday, didn't bring everyone together or tighten the brotherhood or any of that. It was a loss, the Buckeyes didn't like it and they'd give up all the Buckeye leaves on their helmets for a shot at a do-over.

"We've come miles from where we were when we played Virginia Tech," senior tight end Jeff Heuerman said Monday. "I think we're a completely different team than we were against Virginia Tech. I think it would be a different outcome if we went back and played that game over."

He's not the first Buckeye to express that. But it's too late. And with the Buckeyes sitting through their second, and last, off weekend of the season on Saturday, they did get a reminder that while this certainly isn't better, it obviously is different.

With a home game against Rutgers in four days, the 4-1 Buckeyes will kick off their run of seven straight games to end the regular season, having dominated in their last three wins but unable to wipe away the one game that went wrong.

Urban Meyer gave his team the talk last week about where the Buckeyes fit into the national scene. He did the same thing last year at this time. The message to the undefeated Buckeyes in mid-October a year ago?

"We are indeed in the mix. Embrace it."

That can't be the same message now. Ohio State was No. 4 in the initial BCS standings last season when Meyer broached the topic. This season the Buckeyes are No. 13 in both polls, with the new selection committee still two weeks away from releasing its own initial top 25.

Ohio State Buckeyes 21, Virginia Tech Hokies 35View full sizeOhio State receiver Corey Smith (84) and the Buckeyes lost in week two to Virginia Tech and it changed the trajectory of their season. 

Talk real contenders right now, and Ohio State's not there.

"It kind of makes you angry," sophomore safety Tyvis Powell said.

"You have a better idea because you get to watch it now," Meyer said of the national scene, with his former assistant Dan Mullen, the head coach at Mississippi State, earning Meyer's No. 1 vote this week.

"Once again, I like our team. We're certainly nowhere near where we'll end up, in my opinion. We're still growing and getting better. We're a much better team than we were two weeks ago."

The early loss? No bearing, Meyer said. In 13 seasons as a head coach, he has lost as early as week two only twice, and within the first four weeks only four times. After the season-ending injury to quarterback Braxton Miller and the nagging injury that limited Heuerman early, he has liked the bounceback. 

For two years in Columbus, there was nothing to bounce back from in September, October or November.

"This is a unique experience. This is an extremely young team that got hit in the face in training camp with some injuries," Meyer said. "I didn't have my two offensive captains playing. That was a unique challenge. 

"The cool thing is you have a redshirt freshman quarterback grow up right in front of our eyes. You saw Nick Vannett start to grow up and be the tight end till Jeff got back. Now we can play them both. You saw (receiver) Mike Thomas grow up. 

"You've got to give credit to some guys that were absolutely non-factors a year ago (who) are having an impact on this team right now. That's a tribute, a credit to them. When a teammate goes down or you're struggling, someone has to step up.  We've witnessed that right before our eyes."

The confidence is back. It should be coupled with an understanding that the context has changed. The Buckeyes are rolling. But that's not enough. The four-team playoff, instead of the two-team BCS, increases the wiggle room. But the goal now is to roll in such a way to smooth out that early bump, at least in the minds of the committee.

Those 13 people won't care if anyone claims the loss woke the Buckeyes up. They'll care if what has happened since means the loss can almost be ignored.

"I think it makes you play harder because you've got something to prove," Powell said. "You lose early on and people are like, 'OK, scratch you out,' because you've got a loss. But it's like coming back from that loss and trying to prove to the world that you still do deserve to be in the big talk.

"What it has done is make everybody become more aggressive, on offense, on defense, the offense is scoring, the defense is playing better. Basically show the people who are going to pick the (playoff teams)  that you deserve to be in that game.

"Whereas last year the record just basically tells you that you should be in it. But now, I feel like you're performing, you have to perform now to make them believe that you deserve to be in the game.

"You have to come out and try to dominate every opponent now that we have suffered a loss. If we just were just barely beating people, they might say we're not good enough, so now we're trying to dominate every opponent that we play."

Be sure to like our cleveland.com Ohio State sports Facebook page, where we'll keep you up to date with everything that's happening in the world of Ohio State football, basketball and recruiting.

Urban Meyer, first loss of the season as a head coach

2001: Bowling Green, game four

2002: Bowling Green, game nine

2003: Utah, game two

2004: Utah, undefeated

2005: Florida, game five

2006: Florida, game seven

2007: Florida, game five

2008: Florida, game four

2009: Florida, game 13

2010: Florida, game five

2012: Ohio State, undefeated

2013: Ohio State, game 13

2014: Ohio State, game two 

Normandy girls cross country coach Karen Malec answers six questions: Varsity timeout

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The Normandy girls cross country team just won its sixth consecutive league championship.

The Normandy girls cross country team just won its sixth consecutive league championship.

Big Ten should root for Notre Dame to beat Florida State: 'First Four' College Football Playoff Poll

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Notre Dame is currently No. 5 in our "First Four" ranking, just outside the playoff picture. But that will change one way or another after Saturday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Want to make life even more difficult for a Big Ten trying to make the College Football Playoff? Throw independent Notre Dame into the mix.

The Fighting Irish are No. 5 in the latest "First Four" poll from our 13-member national mock committee, but Notre Dame isn't going to stay there. After Saturday's 8 p.m. showdown in Tallahasee against Florida State, the No. 2 team in our poll, the Irish will be either up or down next week.

If they're down after absorbing their first loss, they may not be out.

Saturday's game is more of a must-win for the Seminoles, who have wins so far over Oklahoma State (No. 15 in the AP poll) and Clemson (No. 24), but after Notre Dame don't have another ranked team on their regular-season schedule.

Lose at home to the Irish, and the defending national champs won't have a chance for the kind of impressive win that might help shake off that loss.

Notre Dame has a win so far over No. 23 Stanford, and after Florida State has games remaining against current No. 17 Arizona State and No. 22 USC. That means there's more opportunity.

Frankly, with the overall lack of strength of the ACC, a one-loss Big Ten champ like Ohio State or Michigan State might make a strong case against a one-loss FSU that lost at home to Notre Dame.

If it's Notre Dame that takes this loss, but doesn't lose again, the Irish will have more late-season chances to impress. The Seminoles and Irish may in the end up facing the same number of ranked teams. But with the off-field issues surrounding Florida State QB Jameis Winston this season, it's the Seminoles who may be more likely to fall off the radar with a loss.

And any top team falling is good for the eventual Big Ten champ. So the best bet for Ohio State and Michigan State may be to root for Notre Dame, rather than seeing a Florida State win that might allow both teams facing each other Saturday night remain in the playoff picture.

Here's my full ballot this week that I submitted for the AP poll, with Ohio State moving to No. 15, up two spots from No. 17, on my ballot. Overall, the Buckeyes were No. 13 in both polls this week. The top of this ballot also serves as my top 10 for the "First Four."


Top Ten

1. Mississippi State 

2. Ole Miss

3. Florida State

4. Baylor 

5. Notre Dame 

6. Arizona

7. Oregon 

8. Auburn 

9. Michigan State 

10. TCU 

The Rest

11. Oklahoma 

12. Alabama 

13. Oklahoma State 

14. Kansas State 

15. Ohio State 

16. Georgia  

17. Arizona State 

18. Nebraska 

19. USC

20. Marshall 

21. Minnesota 

22. East Carolina

23. Utah 

24. Iowa

25. UCLA

About the First Four Poll: Each week during the college football season, our committee of 13 national experts will rank the teams competing for a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff. These rankings will provide a look at how the contenders for the four playoff berths stack up in advance of the release of the first College Football Playoff rankings on Oct. 28 and provide an alternative perspective to those official rankings thereafter.

About the voters: We've assembled a baker's dozen of top college sports writers from coast to coast. They are: Nick Baumgardner, MLive.com; Ken Goe, The Oregonian; David Jones, PennLive.com; Jim Kleinpeter, NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune; Gary Laney, Advance Digital National Desk; Tom Layberger, Advance Digital National Desk; Doug Lesmerises, Northeast Ohio Media Group; Nick O'Malley, MassLive.com; Kevin Scarbinsky, Alabama Media Group; Keith Sargeant, NJ.com; Patrick Stevens, Syracuse.com; Jim Waggoner, Staten Island Advance; Brad Wilson, lehighvalleylive.com/The Express-Times.

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The First Four

Josh RobinsonMississippi State running back Josh Robinson (13) celebrates his 1-yard second-half touchdown run against Auburn as teammates run over to congratulate him in an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct 11, 2014. Mississippi State won 38-23. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

1. Mississippi State (130 points), 6-0

Previous rank: No. 3

Last week: def. Auburn, 38-23. This week: bye.

Projected playoff position: vs. Baylor in Sugar Bowl.

Davis Wade Stadium is not a place even the strongest teams want to visit. Texas A&M and Auburn both lost there in the last two weeks, and that pair of impressive wins makes Dak Prescott and the Bulldogs the First Four Poll's first unanimous No. 1 team of the season. Here's their issue going forward: The second half of the schedule includes three road games -- at Kentucky, Alabama and Ole Miss -- against opponents with a combined 16-2 record. Can the cowbell magic survive on the road?

Voters' take:

"This gets trickier every week. I've made Mississippi State a shaky No. 1. The Bulldogs' consecutive wins over LSU, Texas A&M and Auburn are impressive at first glance, although LSU and Texas A&M might not be as good in retrospect as they appeared to be when Mississippi State beat them. I'm still waiting for the Bulldogs to win a big game on the road. And, no, at this point LSU doesn't count." -- Ken Goe, The Oregonian

"So far, no teams have been tested as much and have passed those tests as well as State and Ole Miss. The Bullies get the edge because, while Bo Wallace has matured, Dak Prescott has grown into Cam Newton Jr." -- Kevin Scarbinksy, Alabama Media Group

Jameis WinstonFlorida State quarterback Jameis Winston (5) calls a play in the huddle during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

2. Florida State (110), 6-0

Previous rank: No. 2

Last week: def. Syracuse, 38-20. This week: vs. Notre Dame.

Projected playoff position: vs. Ole Miss in Rose Bowl.

If somebody is going to take down FSU before the playoffs, it would seem like Notre Dame would have the best chance. The Irish are, after all, the last ranked team on FSU's schedule and that includes a potential ACC championship game matchup, considering that no team in the ACC Coastal Division is currently ranked. This is good for FSU's chances at going unbeaten, bad for their chances if the Seminoles slip up.

Voters' take:

"One could make the argument that Florida State is peaking at the right time, so I will. The Seminoles aren't steamrolling everyone like they did last season, but they're also overcoming a good deal of early season issues to get set for a strong run to end the season, assuming they beat Notre Dame next week." -- Nick O'Malley, MassLive.com

"Hard to penalize Florida State for just continuing to win, but even harder to ignore Mississippi State's unprecedented accomplishments." -- Brad Wilson, The Express-Times/lehighvalleylive.com

Cody PrewittMississippi defensive back Cody Prewitt (25) returns an interception for a 75-yard touchdown against Texas A&M during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Bob Levey)

3. Ole Miss (107), 6-0

Previous rank: No. 4

Last week: def. Texas A&M, 35-20. This week: vs. Tennessee.

Projected playoff pairing: vs. No. 2 Florida State in Rose Bowl.

The schedule is setting up perfectly for the Rebels, who have two more ranked teams to play, both in Oxford. Not that the road is particularly daunting for this team, which sent the Kyle Field crowd home early by building a 35-7 lead early in the fourth quarter in College Station. The Ole Miss defense, which also did a number on Alabama, may be the nation's best.

Voters' take:

"Ole Miss is for real. Although, I'm starting to think that Texas A&M is not." -- Nick O'Malley, MassLive.com

"Speaking of the Rebels, another impressive win for them, too, a resounding 35-20 decision at A&M, proving the defeat of Bama last week was no fluke." -- David Jones, PennLive.com

Antwan Goodley, Michael DowningBaylor wide receiver Antwan Goodley (5) pulls down a touchdown pass over TCU safety Michael Downing (25) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/The Waco Tribune-Herald, Jerry Larson)

4. Baylor (85), 6-0

Previous rank: No. 5

Last week: def. TCU, 61-58. This week: at West Virginia.

Projected playoff position: vs. Mississippi State in the Sugar Bowl.

After piling up five wins over teams ranked below the top 40 in the most recent Sagarin ratings, the Bears finally broke through against elite competition, rallying from 21 points behind to win a shootout over TCU. Bryce Petty threw six touchdown passes for the Bears, who have a tough out this week against a West Virginia team that has two competitive losses to Alabama and Oklahoma as the blemishes in a 4-2 worksheet. If Baylor gets by this one, four of its last five games are at home.

Voters' take:

"One-loss Auburn and not 6-0 Baylor at No. 4 [on my ballot]? What in the name of Grant Teaff is going on here? TCU was the first varsity opponent the Bears played (okay, Texas is not that bad) and they allowed 58 points. The Tigers' lone flaw came at the hands of the new top team in the land." -- Tom Layberger, Advance Digital National Desk

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The Next Four

5. Notre Dame (69), 6-0

Previous rank: No. 6

Last week: def. North Carolina, 50-43. This week: at Florida State.

The Irish have one signature win over Stanford, and a road win over FSU this week would likely propel them over other undefeated teams. That is, of course, far easier said than done. Notre Dame struggled to put away a below-average North Carolina team. Even with FSU's own struggle to be sharp this season, that performance won't cut it in Tallahassee.

6. Auburn (53), 5-1

Previous rank: No. 1

Last week: lost to Mississippi State, 38-23. This week: bye.

Sure the Tigers just suffered their first loss, but don't count them out just yet. Auburn has a road win at Kansas State that makes its path to this point the most impressive of the one-loss teams. It won't be easy for AU to climb back into the First Four though. Still ahead are dates with South Carolina, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Georgia and Alabama. That might be the toughest second-half schedule in the country.

7. Alabama (52), 5-1

Previous rank: NR

Last week: def. Arkansas, 14-13. This week: vs. Texas A&M.

First, a loss at Ole Miss. Then, a scare at Arkansas. It's been a long time since Alabama has looked this vulnerable. Can a return home be what the doctor ordered for Nick Saban's bunch? Reeling Texas A&M is the first visitor to Bryant-Denny Stadium since the Tide pounded Florida, 42-21, on Sept. 20.

8. Oregon (36), 5-1

Previous rank: NR

Last week: def. UCLA, 42-30. This week: vs. Washington.

The Ducks are back in the "Next Four" after their second win over a ranked team, the first on the road. There will be opportunities for many more. Three 1-loss teams, two 2-loss teams and two ranked teams dot their second-half schedule.

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The Rest

Dropped out: No. 7 Arizona, No. 8 TCU.

Others receiving votes: TCU (18), Michigan State (17), Oklahoma (15), Georgia (12), Arizona (8), Marshall (3).

Dollars and sense: Examining the Cleveland Indians' payroll situation in preparation for the 2015 season

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The Indians will have plenty of contributing players earning the league minimum. Typically, this would be an ideal time to pounce on an established free agent or trade target or two, regardless of salary. Instead, the club is tied down by having tens of millions tied up in Swisher and Bourn.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians opened last season with a payroll of about $84 million. Veterans Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn accounted for one-third of that sum. The club received the most production -- and value -- out of players earning the league minimum, or something close to it.

How will the Indians' payroll shape up as the winter unfolds? How much money will the front office have available to spend, if it chooses to do so? Let's examine.

The wealthy

Swisher, who turns 34 in November, will earn $15 million in 2015 (and in 2016). Should he reach 550 plate appearances in 2016 and pass a physical, his $14 million option for 2017 will vest.

Bourn, who turns 32 in December, will earn $13.5 million in 2015 (and $14 million in 2016). He has the same qualifications as Swisher for a $12 million vesting option for 2017.

The Indians are stuck with these overbearing, all-but-untradeable contracts, a reminder of how unappealing free-agent signings can look in the long run.

The core

Last spring, the club signed second baseman Jason Kipnis, catcher Yan Gomes and left fielder Michael Brantley to long-term extensions.

Coming off of an All-Star season, Brantley will earn $5 million in 2015. He is signed through 2017 and the Indians hold an $11 million option on him for 2018.

Gomes will make $1 million next season, a bargain for the Tribe. He is signed through 2019, and Cleveland holds options on him for the two years beyond that.

Kipnis will earn about $4.2 million. His annual salary jumps quite a bit each year until 2020, when the Indians hold a $16.5 million option on him.

First baseman Carlos Santana is signed for $6 million in 2015. He will make $8.25 million in 2016 and then the Indians hold a $12 million option on him for 2017.

The extras

Right fielder David Murphy will make $6 million in 2015. Ryan Raburn will make $2.5 million. Reliever Scott Atchison, who will turn 39 a week before Opening Day, will earn $900,000.

The Indians have until three days after the conclusion of the World Series to either exercise or decline utility man Mike Aviles' $3.5 million option.

Save for Atchison, the rest of the Indians' pitching staff will earn either the league minimum or will be eligible for arbitration.

What it all means

The Indians owe slightly more than $54 million in guaranteed contracts for 2015. They have seven players -- Marc Rzepczynski, Josh Tomlin, Bryan Shaw, Lonnie Chisenhall, Chris Gimenez, Carlos Carrasco, Zach McAllister -- eligible for arbitration. All but Rzepczynski and Tomlin will be eligible for the first time.

Baseball-reference.com estimates those seven arbitration-eligible players will earn nearly $14 million next season. Carrasco could have earned more had he discovered his effective pitching formula earlier in the year. Chisenhall could have boosted his income with a better second half. Shaw should receive a hike in pay after setting the franchise record in pitching appearances.

Paul Dolan talks about plunge into free-agent market, Tribe's winning season Nick Swisher will earn $15 million in 2015. 

Still, the Indians will have plenty of contributing players earning the league minimum. Typically, this would be an ideal time to pounce on an established free agent or trade target or two, regardless of salary. Instead, the club is tied down by having tens of millions tied up in Swisher and Bourn.

Corey Kluber and Cody Allen will not be eligible for arbitration until next winter. Trevor Bauer and Danny Salazar are cost-controlled for another two years. Jose Ramirez, Kyle Crockett and T.J. House need a few more years of service time before they can earn considerable raises.

The Indians could discuss a long-term extension with Kluber later this winter. That would save them from potentially having to fork over exorbitant sums stemming from future arbitration cases.

Without any extensions, free-agent additions or trades, the club's payroll would hover around $73 million entering the 2015 campaign. That does not include Aviles' option, which also includes a $250,000 buyout if it is declined.

So, if the Indians desire a payroll in 2015 commensurate to the one they carried in 2014, they could have about $8-12 million to spend this winter. That won't get you what it used to.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Injuries have you thin at RB or WR? Grab these Week 7 replacements

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There are likely still some options on the waiver wire to fill in the holes created by recent injuries.

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

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Nothing will send fantasy owners to the waiver wire quicker than an injury, and Week 6 saw three season-ending knee injuries to players who were likely starters on most fantasy rosters: Wide receiver Victor Cruz, and running backs Stevan Ridley and Knowshon Moreno.

By now, the waiver wire has been pretty well farmed for talent, but in my league at least, there are still some options to fill in the blanks:

RUNNING BACKS

Antone Smith, Atlanta - Why this guy is still available in my league, I have no idea. All he does is score touchdowns. Yes, the Falcons use a stable of running backs, but none of them find the end zone like Smith, who has scored in four consecutive weeks.

What's even better is that among his five touchdowns this season, he is averaging 51 yards per score (51!!!) which is the tops in the NFL. This isn't a fantasy vulture, who pounds it in from the one and finishes with 6.1 points. He scores, and scores big. His last three weeks he has recorded outputs of 12.2, 14.5 and 12.9 points.

All that being said, it's a precarious venture relying on a guy who gets maybe seven touches all game. He's never had more than four carries, and he's never caught more than four passes.

But that end result? He scores, which is tough to argue against.  And among all fantasy running backs, he ranks 11th.

Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland - A lot of owners dropped Crowell once Ben Tate returned from injury, but it should be noted that Crowell has clearly won the backup job over Terrance West and is still in the rotation, where he is getting a decent workload.

Last week, while Tate carried 25 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns, Crowell saw 11 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown. For the season, Crowell is averaging a healthy 5.4 yards per carry.

And this week, Crowell and the Browns face Jacksonville, which has the league's worst defense. That means the Browns will be up and wanting to run clock , which bodes well for the backup.

Roy Helu, Washington - This is strictly an emergency, in-a-bind suggestion and an indication of how picked over the running back crop has become by Week 7.

Helu is the backup to Alfred Morris and has averaged a little more than six touches in the last three games, which is not ideal. His real value is his ability to get chunks of yards as a receiver out of the backfield: he's averaging 58 receiving yards over the last four games.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Malcom Floyd, San Diego --  He's not the top option for the pass-happy Chargers, but he is the top deep threat, which can translate into some big points. Last week against the Raiders, Floyd had five catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. The week before he had only three catches, but they were long, totaling 72 yards.

Brandon LaFell, New England - The Patriots offense has had a rebirth, and last week LaFell was at the center of it all. He had four catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Two weeks earlier, he had six catches for 119 yards. And while he isn't the No. 1 option, he has been on the field for the most snaps among the Patroits' receivers the past two weeks.

Former Cleveland Browns WR Greg Little signs with Cincinnati Bengals

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Little was chosen from a group tryout Tuesday that included former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Little was let go by the Browns in May.

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Former Browns receiver Greg Little has signed a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Little signed after the Bengals put receiver Marvin Jones on season-ending injured reserve. Jones is expected to have surgery on an injured ankle that has hindered him since the spring.

Little was among the receivers the Bengals brought in to work out Tuesday. They picked Little from a group that included former Raiders and Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor; and Cobi Hamilton, a former Bengals sixth-round draft pick.

The Browns, who play at Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 6, cut Little in May.

He was the Browns' second-round pick in 2011 as part of the trade with Atlanta that enabled the Falcons to draft Julio Jones, and was a controversial figure from the moment he landed on the Browns' doorstep.

He was suspended for all of 2010 at North Carolina for accepting improper agent benefits, and was known more in Cleveland for his drops than for his 155 receptions.

Last season, he lost his starting job for a few weeks to Davone Bess, who was struggling himself. Little was also cited for a series of traffic violations last year, including one after he totaled his Audi while drag racing on Ohio 176 near Spring Road, telling police he was traveling 127 mph in a 55 zone.

Little had the size (6-3, 225) and ability to excel, but failed to take his game to the next level in Cleveland despite  a promising rookie season. That year, he caught a team-high 61 passes for 709 yards and two touchdowns. He also dropped 14 passes, tied for second-most in the NFL.

Little and suspended Browns receiver Josh Gordon were close during Little's time in Cleveland.

Gordon tweeted Tuesday:


LeBron James to "expose" Xavier, Cincinnati to NBA basketball

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The people who gobbled up tickets in 30 minutes to see LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers play at Xavier University Wednesday will not be disappointed. James is going to play after sitting out Tuesday at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – LeBron James' absence Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks is a good thing for the people of Cincinnati.

James did not play in the Cavaliers' 106-100 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at The Q as part of the team's "veteran maintenance program" this preseason. With another preseason game Wednesday at Xavier University against Indiana, the Cavaliers planned to sit James for one of those two contests.

Because James didn't play against Milwaukee, the 10,250 people who bought tickets for the game at Xavier's Cintas Center will get a chance to see James play in person.

"LeBron will be back" Wednesday, Blatt said after Tuesday night's win.

The game sold out the day tickets went on sale Sept. 12. Xavier sold its allotted 3,000 tickets in 10 minutes, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

"He's the best player in the world and the great city of Cincinnati doesn't get exposed to NBA basketball. This is a great thing," Xavier men's basketball coach Chris Mack told the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

"I didn't have high expectations when the game was first announced because regulars in the preseason play very limited minutes, but I know the city of Cincinnati is extremely excited."

The Cavaliers said the decision to rest James Tuesday had nothing to do with perhaps saving Cincinnatians from the disappointment of not getting to see James play.

James played about 20 minutes in Cleveland's 122-119 overtime win over the Miami Heat in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday night.

Blatt said: "After this long trip to Brazil, which was not easy, and a particularly good and hard practice, we decided this was the best one in the near future."

James, who has nursed a sore back during training camp, wanted to make the flight with his teammates to Cincinnati. He'll make that flight having not put the stress of an NBA game on his back.

James was not available to reporters Tuesday, but a source said he was cognizant of southwest Ohio's excitement and wanted to deliver.

Tristan Thompson sat out Tuesday with a sore shoulder, but Blatt said "I very much hope that Tristan will be back" against the Pacers. Kevin Love and Anderson Varejao both banged their knees against Bucks players, but Blatt said he expected both to play Wednesday.

Mack said Xavier's players bought tickets to the game and would get the added benefit of watching James.

"To see the best player in the world playing on the floor you play on is important," Mack said. "They'll be able to hear him, how he communicates. Here's a guy who has it all and does the little things coaches stress."

Xavier and the Cavaliers have something else in common – the Musketeers  traveled to Rio, in August and played at the Flamengo Club, where the Cavaliers and Miami Heat practiced last week.

Cavaliers assistant coach James Posey graduated from Xavier and Pacers forward David West was the national player of the year for the Musketeers in 2003.

Cincinnati had an NBA team, the Royals, from 1957 to 1972.

This story was updated with additional information.

NLCS: San Francisco Giants beat St. Louis Cardinals, 5-4, in 10th on Randy Choate wild throw

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A wild throw by reliever Randy Choate on a bunt allowed Brandon Crawford to score the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the San Francisco Giants over the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 on Tuesday for a 2-1 lead in the NL Championship Series.

SAN FRANCISCO -- A wild pitch, a wide throw and an 18-inning marathon.

These playoff-tested Giants keep finding wacky ways to win in another special October.

An errant throw by reliever Randy Choate on a bunt allowed Brandon Crawford to score the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting San Francisco over the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 on Tuesday for a 2-1 lead in the NL Championship Series.

"Everybody's saying: 'How are the Giants doing it? How are the Giants winning games?'" said Gregor Blanco, who laid down the sacrifice. "We just really believe in each other. We play together."

Crawford drew an eight-pitch walk from Choate to begin the inning, ending a stretch of 16 straight Giants retired since Tim Hudson's two-out single in the fourth. After failing on two sacrifice attempts, Juan Perez singled to bring up Blanco.

Blanco fouled off a bunt try, too, but then pushed one to the third-base side of the mound and the left-handed Choate's side-arm throw sailed past lunging second baseman Kolten Wong, who was covering first base.

"We had trouble getting the bunt down," Crawford said. "So I was happy he got it down. He put it in a great spot and made those guys make a play, and fortunately (we) saw the throw go wide."

Randal Grichuk tied it with a solo homer in the seventh that chased Hudson.

Game 4 in the best-of-seven series is Wednesday night, with Ryan Vogelsong pitching for the Giants against fellow righty Shelby Miller.

Choate blamed himself. He has done pitcher fielding practice for decades.

"He did exactly what I wanted him to do," the pitcher said. "It was easy. It was right there and I blew it. The ball just sailed on me."

This walkoff win came 12 years to the day after Kenny Lofton's single in the ninth inning ended the 2002 NLCS against the Cardinals and sent the Giants to the World Series. It also came on a day Hall of Famer Willie McCovey surprised players with his return to the ballpark after a long stint in the hospital nursing an infection.

"Is this a rule we can't hit a home run?" a relieved manager Bruce Bochy joked, sitting back in his office chair.

In the Division Series clincher only a week earlier against Washington, Joe Panik scored the go-ahead run in a 3-2 win on Aaron Barrett's bases-loaded wild pitch. That came after winning Game 2 2-1 in 18 innings.

The Giants also scored the tying run in the ninth inning Sunday on a wild pitch, a 5-4 loss in Game 2 of the NLCS.

"We play interesting baseball, especially late in games," said Jeremy Affeldt, who pitched 1 2-3 innings in relief of Hudson.

Playing without injured catcher Yadier Molina, the Cardinals had their chances. They squandered Wong's double in the second before he delivered a wind-aided, two-run triple in the fourth.

Javier Lopez got the first two outs of the 10th before Jon Jay's single, just the third hit by a left-handed batter against Lopez since he joined San Francisco in 2010. Two of those are by Jay this series.

Sergio Romo entered and retired Matt Holliday on a full-count grounder to third that Pablo Sandoval snared and fired to first.

"We don't do anything easy," Bochy said. "We might have got a little lucky there with Perez when he couldn't get a bunt down and he gets a base hit. But Blanco laid down a beauty."

A.J. Pierzynski went hitless in four at-bats starting as Molina nursed a strained left oblique. St. Louis returned to AT&T Park in the postseason for the first time since losing Games 6 and 7 of the 2012 NLCS, which it had led 3-1.

Journeyman Travis Ishikawa hit a three-run double in the first to stake Hudson to a 4-0 lead in the right-hander's first postseason start beyond the division series in a 16-year career.

Hunter Pence's RBI double off John Lackey got things started in the first, the first time the Giants scored in the initial inning this postseason. Buster Posey and Sandoval hit consecutive two-out singles and Ishikawa followed an intentional walk to Brandon Belt to load the bases with his double.

The four runs were the Giants' most in the first inning in the postseason since scoring six against Joe Wood of the Red Sox in Game 7 of eight in the 1912 World Series.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Miller, making his second career postseason start and fifth appearance, faced the Giants twice in relief during the '12 NLCS, losses in Games 2 and 6 at AT&T Park.

Giants: Vogelsong has a 1.19 postseason ERA, and the Giants have won all five of his starts. He started the Division Series clincher against the Nationals, allowing one run in 5 2-3 innings.

PLUNKED

Hudson hit Lackey with a pitch on his left elbow in the fifth, making Lackey the first pitcher to be hit by pitch in the postseason since Steve Carlton was plunked by Tommy John in the 1977 NLCS.

___

AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley wrote this report.

Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Oct. 14, 2014 (slideshow)

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Cleveland Plain Dealer photographers John Kuntz and Gus Chan are at Quicken Loans Arena tonight as the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Milwaukee Bucks. The gallery of their photos will be updated throughout the game. Check back for all the action.

Cleveland Plain Dealer photographers John Kuntz and Gus Chan are at Quicken Loans Arena tonight as the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Milwaukee Bucks. The gallery of their photos will be updated throughout the game. Check back for all the action.

MLB free agent class 2015: There's help at third base, but it's limited and expensive

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Will Indians try to improve their offense by making a move at third base?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here is a look at the third basemen who could potentially be available this winter in the 2015 free agent class.

All players eligible for free agency technically become so at the end of the World Series, but there is a five-day period where a player's former team has exclusive negotiating rights. If a deal is not reached within those five days, all teams are free to make offers on all available free agents.

The following is not only a look at the available third basemen, but who could help the Indians for 2015 and beyond. This is part of a position-by-position look at this winter's free agent class.

Third basemen

Top of the class

1. Pablo Sandoval (.279/.324/.514), Giants: The switch-hitting Kung Fu Panda played 157 games, 151 at third. He hit 16 homers and drove in 73 RBI. His WAR (wins above replace player) rating jumped from 2.7 victories last year to 3.3 this year.

Sandoval is finishing a three-year, $17.15 million deal.

2. Aramis Ramirez (.285/.333/.427), Brewers: Ramirez went to the All-Star game this year, but faded in second half. He still has a great eye at the plate. Ramirez's deal includes a mutual option worth $14 million for 2015. It means either side can walk away from the deal.

Ramirez is at the end of a six-year, $70 million deal.

3. Chase Headley (.243/.328/.372), Yankees: The switch-hitting Headley hasn't come close to matching his big 2012 season (.286, 31 HRs, 115 RBI), but the deadline trade from San Diego to the Yankees seemed to awaken him a hit. With Alex Rodriguez scheduled to return in 2015, there doesn't seem to be a spot for Headley.

He made $10.5 million this year.

What the Indians need

There are those who believe that if the Indians do try to add to their offense this winter, the move could come at third base where Lonnie Chisenhall had a decent year, but rode the roller coaster of inconsistency. If that's the case, the improvement won't come from the addition of any of the third baseman listed above. They'll be too expensive and carry too much of the risk they took on with Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn.

Chisenhall dabbled in the outfield and at first base this year so that could be an option for him.

Potential free agent third basemen

Alberto Callaspo, Jack Hannahan, Headley, Kelly Johnson, Donnie Murphy, Chris Nelson, Aramis Ramirez, Mark Reynolds, Sandoval.

Grade: Talent drops off quickly at the hot corner.

Next: Shortstops

ALCS: Kansas City Royals one win away from World Series with 2-1 win over Baltimore Orioles

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The Kansas City Royals have embraced the bloop, bunt and sacrifice fly all postseason.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Mike Moustakas had his eye on the ball from the moment it left Adam Jones's bat, tracking it against the bright lights of Kauffman Stadium. When it settled into his glove and he tumbled into a dugout suite, a dozen fans were waiting to pick him right back up.

Just like Moustakas has picked up his team during its perfect postseason.

The third baseman with the four playoff homers dazzled with his glove Tuesday night. And when Billy Butler drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, the long-downtrodden Kansas City Royals were on their way to a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles and a commanding 3-0 lead in their AL Championship Series.

"It really did fire up the whole stadium," Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said of his teammate's circus catch. "Hats off to the fans in the dugout suite, pick him up and put him back on the field. That was great. Moose finding ways to get it done."

The entire team has found ways to get it done. The wild-card Royals have won 10 straight postseason games, including all seven this year, in their first playoff appearance in 29 years.

The only thing that's slowed Kansas City so far was a rainout Monday.

"We've got a snowball effect going right now," Butler said. "The confidence couldn't be any higher. That's when you come to the park each day, focus on the next pitch, focus on your job and just not be the guy to end the streak."

Fresh off a combined three-hitter, Kansas City will send Jason Vargas to the mound for Game 4 on Wednesday, trying to advance to its first World Series since 1985. Miguel Gonzalez will go to the mound for the Orioles.

"It's hard to take advantage of mistakes when they're not making any," Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce said. "This is tough, man. We've got one loss left. We've got to find a way to start pulling this out. We got to find somebody to get it done."

The Orioles are the 34th team to trail 3-0 in a best-of-seven major league postseason series -- the only team to come back and win was the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees, STATS said.

"It's been done before, so that gives you a chance," Jones said. "We've won four games before. Obviously, not in this situation. But we've won four games, four games, four games. So start tomorrow, start in the first inning and get some runs on the board."

The Royals' Jeremy Guthrie and Orioles' Wei-Yin Chen hooked up in a tense pitching duel for five innings Tuesday night, and the game was still 1-all when Chen gave up a leadoff single to Nori Aoki in the sixth. Eric Hosmer followed with a one-out single to put runners on the corners, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter brought in hard-throwing reliever Kevin Gausman.

Butler greeted him with a fly ball to left field for the tiebreaking run -- just the latest example of Kansas City doing all the little things right.

One of the best bullpens in baseball took care of the rest.

Winning pitcher Jason Frasor breezed through the sixth, and Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis nailed down the next two innings. Greg Holland worked a perfect ninth for his third save of the series, setting off a wild celebration in the stands.

In all, Kansas City pitchers retired the final 16 batters.

It was the 13th game to be decided by one run this postseason, matching the record set in 2011 and tied last year. Six games have gone to extra innings, including the Giants' 5-4, 10-inning victory over the Cardinals hours earlier in the NLCS.

"I wish I didn't have so much stake in it," Showalter said dryly. "I'd probably enjoy watching both teams play more than I do."

After failing to take the lead in the first two games of the series, Baltimore managed to strike first this night, temporarily silencing a frigid, flag-waving capacity crowd.

It happened in the second inning, when Pearce and J.J. Hardy hit back-to-back doubles for a 1-0 lead. Guthrie wiggled out of the jam, though, and grinded through five innings against his former team in his first start since Sept. 26.

Chen matched him pitch-for-pitch until the fourth, when the Royals put together one of their quintessential innings: a pair of bloop singles, a walk and a tying RBI groundout.

The Royals played catch up with their gloves, too.

Moustakas made a diving grab to rob Pearce of a single in the fourth. Then in the sixth, he tracked that popup by Jones into foul territory, steadied himself at a railing near the dugout, then extended himself to catch the ball and tumbled into the stands.

"They were both tremendous plays," Royals manager Ned Yost said.

The blue-clad crowd rose to its feet to give Moustakas a rousing cheer, and many fans were still standing when Butler drove in the go-ahead run in the bottom half of the inning.

By the time the Royals' "Big Three" of Herrera, Davis and Holland had closed it out, the Royals were on the verge of another postseason sweep.

"We've got to zone in on the task at hand," Holland said. "They're not going to lay down. We understand that."

STATS AND STREAKS

Orioles DH Nelson Cruz had his streak of six straight multihit playoff games end. He was 0 for 4. ... Pearce had been 0 for 9 in the series before his double in the second inning.

UP NEXT

Orioles: Gonzalez has not started since his final regular-season outing on Sept. 28. "I'm going to try as best as possible to give our team a chance," he said.

Royals: Vargas has also had a long stretch without a start, last taking the hill against the Angels in Game 1 of AL Division Series on Oct. 2. "I'll be ready to go," he said.

___

AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta wrote this report.




David Blatt not happy with three-point attempts following win over Milwaukee Bucks

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David Blatt wasn't too thrilled at the number of three-pointers his team took following win over Bucks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cavaliers kept their preseason-undefeated streak alive after staving off the Milwaukee Bucks, resulting in a 106-100 win Tuesday night at the Q.

The three-point ball was Cleveland's biggest weapon.

Kevin Love dropped in five out of seven. Dion Waiters knocked down three-of-six and rookie Joe Harris connected on two-of-four. As a team, the Cavaliers made a total of 13 three-pointers to the Bucks' seven.

It took Cleveland 34 three-point attempts to get its 13, but that is still a respectable 38 percent clip.

Before head coach David Blatt took questions following the victory, he sat at the postgame podium and thoroughly looked over the stat sheet for several seconds. He had a puzzled look on his face. Not your typical facial expression after a win.

I asked what stood out to him on the stat sheet.

"We took too many three-point shots. 34, for me, that's too many," Blatt replied. "We made a good percentage so from that perspective, you can say that it was worthwhile."

Considering that Blatt's starting unit consists of four guys who average three or more three-point attempts per game, his comments caught some by surprise.

Last season Kyrie Irving averaged 4.8 three-point attempts, Dion Waiters was at 3.6 per, LeBron James averaged 4.0 and Love averaged the most at 6.6 per contest.

This doesn't include Mike Miller, James Jones and rookie Joe Harris who is showing he might be ready for some spot duty. Blatt's offensive system is geared towards spacing and ball movement, which should equate to a lot of wide-open, long-range opportunities.

Cleveland has the personnel to take advantage of the uncontested jumpers. This may not be the last time the Cavaliers launch that many threes.

"I just thought we took too many," Blatt said. "I didn't think many of them were bad, though. Maybe their guys wanted us to do that and we settled a little bit."

The Houston Rockets led the league last year in three-point attempts. They hoisted 26.5 a night. It sounds like Blatt doesn't mind that number.

"We've got to be in the twenties, not above that," Blatt said. "But again, that's an arbitrary thing. If we come out and we make 15-for-32 or 16-for-32, I'm not going to be talking like this. You just got to shut up and let it go."

The Cavaliers were depleted being that Irving (ankle), James (rest) and Tristan Thompson (shoulder) sat the game out. The increased number of threes could be due to the Cavaliers settling because their best players were not on the floor to get them better looks.

Whatever the case may be, Blatt recognizes that tonight's win was still an accomplishment.

"We did a pretty good job tonight without LeBron, without Kyrie and without Tristan," he said. "Those are three very important players for us. Getting them back will be a positive for us."

Cleveland Cavaliers postgame show: Recapping the win against Milwaukee

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Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor, Joe Vardon and Chris Haynes recapped the win against the Bucks during the postgame show.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers topped the Milwaukee Bucks, 106-100, in the third preseason game.

Playing without Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Tristan Thompson, the Cavs were paced by Kevin Love, who scored 25 points on 8-of-11 from the field. Dion Waiters contributed 23 in 26 minutes, hitting 3-of-6 from three-point range.

The Cavs moved to 3-0 during the preseason, with a chance to stay undefeated tomorrow night in Cincinnati against the Indiana Pacers. 

Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor, Joe Vardon and Chris Haynes recapped the win against the Bucks during the postgame show.

The trio talked about the offense without three starters, Love getting more comfortable in the offense, what stood out, and what Waiters' role will be when all the pieces are healthy and playing together. 


Cleveland Cavaliers have found their backup point guard and LeBron James named favorite to win MVP: Fedor's five observations

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Here are five observations from the Cavs' win against the Milwaukee Bucks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers stayed unbeaten in the preseason, beating the Milwaukee Bucks, 106-100, in front of a near sellout crowd at Quicken Loans Arena. 

The offense, despite missing three starters, got into triple digits for the third straight game, getting 25 points from Kevin Love and 23 from Dion Waiters. 

Here are five observations from the win:

Cavs have their backup point guard: Kyrie Irving's injury history is well-documented and it goes back to his time at Duke where he played in just 11 games.

Irving missed his second straight preseason game on Tuesday night with a sprained ankle, and he is unexpected to play on Wednesday against Indiana as the Cavs continue to be cautious with their two-time All-Star point guard.

Irving's inability to play a full season was part of the reason the Cavs went out last off-season and acquired Jarrett Jack. But the veteran was traded this summer in a move to free up cap space to sign LeBron James. Jack's departure left the Cavs with a new question: Is there a reliable enough option to backup Irving on the roster?

The answer is yes. His name is Matthew Dellavedova.

The gritty Australian made the roster last year because of his toughness and defense. That's his calling card. But his role continues to evolve, and now he's playing a key role as Irving's backup.

"That's what I played all through college so I feel pretty comfortable playing point guard and I played point at the World Cup with Australia," Dellavedova said following Tuesday's game. "It's just getting used to these sets like coach Blatt wants, but I'm feeling more and more comfortable."

On Saturday in Rio, Dellavedova got the start and scored three points while dishing out four assists in 33 minutes. Despite the pedestrian numbers, Delly was third on the team in plus-minus, showing his on-court impact.

He continued his strong play on Tuesday after getting another start. Delly ran the point well, dishing out a team-high nine assists to go with five rebounds. His plus-minus was second best despite playing much of the night against a 6-foot-11 point guard, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

When Irving is sidelined, Dellavedova doesn't have to do too much. He just needs to be calm and steady while keeping the offense afloat and making good decisions.

"My role is the same each night," Dellavedova said. "I try to get everyone involved and play tough defense and bring energy."

That's what he's done during training camp and the preseason. His pay has allowed the Cavs to answer one of the few questions they had coming into the season. He's not Irving. The Cavs need Irving to compete for a championship. But it's nice to have a reliable backup that can stabilize the second unit. 

Two-headed dragon: Before the game, Blatt didn't sound very eager to name his starting center. With Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson, the Cavs have a "two-headed dragon" according to the coach. They will both play a bunch and bring a similar skill-set.

Neither player is adept offensively, but when it comes to rebounding, hustle and energy, few duos provide more than Thompson and Varejao. 

One part of the two-headed dragon was missing on Tuesday night. Thompson, who went through shootaround and warmed up prior to the game, was a late scratch because of a shoulder injury, which is not believed to be serious. Varejao made his second straight start.

"I don't think we have to choose anybody," Blatt said about naming his starter. "If one guy has played 26 minutes and another guy plays 32 minutes or they play 28 and 30, it doesn't make a difference. They're both equally effective and they both mix and match well with the other players out there."

Varejao finished with six points in 23 minutes before exiting early after bumping knees with Ersan Ilyasova. The injury is not considered to be serious and Varejao didn't have to go to the locker room after it happened. 

What's nice about both players is that they understand their roles. The attention drawn by James, Irving, Love and Waiters will keep Thompson and Varejao from having to do too much on offense. 

Designated marksman: When the Cavs drafted Joe Harris in the second round, he was joining a team coming off a 49-loss season. Given the lack of talent on the roster, it appeared Harris would have a chance to be in the rotation.

The wild off-season and logjam at the wing changed things. Harris' playing time as a rookie will be sporadic until he finds a specific role. As a four-year college player and coach's son, Harris has a ready-made game and high basketball IQ. But it's his shooting ability that could lead to him being more than just a towel-waving cheerleader at the end of the bench.

Harris, the first player off the Cavs' bench on Tuesday, made 2-of-4 three-pointers. In the three preseason games, 16 of Harris' 23 shot attempts have come from beyond the arc, including a run of 10 in a row that ended in the first half against the Bucks.

A true catch-and-shoot player, Harris will get plenty of open looks. After shooting 40 percent from three-point range as a senior, Harris is showing a smooth transition to the new distance, knocking down 37 percent of his attempts.

LeBron James is the favorite for MVP: Cleveland has had a series of luck, going all the way back to the NBA Lottery. The injury to Kevin Durant is the latest piece of good fortune.

Not only is Oklahoma City considered one of the best teams in the league, but Durant is the reigning MVP, and his injury opens the door from someone else to swipe the trophy from him.

LeBron James has bigger goals than winning another MVP, but the four-time recipient has become the overwhelming favorite, getting 5/6 odds in Las Vegas. 

"In what would have been a two way race for MVP once again, Durant's injury has moved LeBron James to the odds on favorite at 5/6," said Sports Book Manager for Bovada Kevin Bradley in an e-mail. "Oklahoma City will still be up there with the frontrunners in odds to win the championship, but losing Durant for the beginning of the season will surely hinder their chances going from 5/1 to 7/1 and making the Spurs the clear favorites out of the West at 7/2. The Thunder pre-injury had the highest posted win total of 57.5 and it has since dropped down to 52.5."

Durant has the second-best odds at 4/1, with Blake Griffin next at 12/1. James is not the only member of Cleveland's new Big Three getting attention from oddsmakers. Irving checks in at 33/1 and Kevin Love's odds have been placed at 35/1.

Hard work is paying off: Dion Waiters spent a lot of time this off-season working on his jump shot, which has been inconsistent his first two years. A career 42 percent shooter, Waiters ranked 92nd in the category last year and 115th in 2012-13. 

"I'm probably going to get a lot of open shots, so I worked on a lot of catch and shoot," Waiters said during Cavs Media Day in September. "If you're getting open shots, you've got to be able to knock them down."

It's only preseason, but Waiters looks like a different player.

I remember being at practice watching two players shooting. One was James. I couldn't identify the other. After a few conversations with other media members, we finally decided the other guy was Waiters. We didn't recognize him because of his shooting motion, which was smooth and consistent. He wasn't falling back on the release. That has carried over to the court.

The step-back, off-balanced fadeaway jump shots have been replaced by shots in rhythm and in the flow of the offense. Through three games, Waiters is shooting nearly 54 percent from the field to go with 40 percent from three-point range.

After his 23-point outburst, Waiters is averaging 18 points. He's also averaging 13 shot attempts and how he fits when all the pieces are in the lineup will be a running storyline. 

For now, Waiters is showing an impressive scoring punch and improved outside shot that makes the Cavs even more lethal, especially given the attention the Big Three will get from the opposing defense. 

Ohio State's Urban Meyer and Rutgers' Kyle Flood, a match made in special teams: Buckeye Breakfast

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Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and Rutgers coach Kyle Flood both take their special teams seriously.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Maybe when this is all over, Urban Meyer and Kyle Flood should get an apartment together.

Meyer's Ohio State Buckeyes host Flood's Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Ohio Stadium. Both coach's have exchanged pleasantries during their media availabilities this week, with Flood lavishing praise on Ohio State's offensive and defensive lines.

It seems Meyer and Flood also have a common interest: special teams.

Meyer, being a former special teamer himself, has made his love for that area of the game well known. He must love — and be concerned about — what Rutgers has done on special teams.

The Scarlet Knights have blocked 40 kicks since 2009, the most in the nation during that span. They lead the country with five blocked kicks this year.

Flood treats special teams the same way Meyer does, as a way for players to earn playing time at other positions.

"Guys want to be on that team because they know that team has had success and they feel like if they're on it they're going to have a success," Flood told Ryan Dunleavy of MyCentralJersey.com last month. "It's a good self-fulfilling prophecy, for sure."

Meyer acknowledged his fear of Rutgers' blocking game during the Big Ten coaches teleconference on Tuesday. But Meyer's teams have been dangerous in that area as well.

His teams are 22-0 since 2005 in games they've blocked a punt, including the Buckeyes' win over Kent State this season. Ohio State also has one of the best kick coverage teams in the nation.

So Meyer knows, and appreciates, good special teams play when he sees it.

"They have a really good punt block team is where I'll start," Meyer said Tuesday when asked what sticks out about Rutgers. "They're very aggressive. They bring a different look so you can tell they spend a lot of time on it."

Here's our Ohio State coverage from Tuesday

Doug, Ari and Bill shot another episode of the Ohio State, Big Ten football show. The video can be found at the top of this post.

Ohio State's offensive line still Urban Meyer's top concern: Buckeyes quick hits

ESPN.com's midseason All-Big Ten team: Just 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, and 5 Michigan State Spartans

Why don't Ohio State corners jam WRs? Buckeyes' DC Chris Ash answers press coverage questions

Keyshawn Johnson thinks Urban Meyer, Ohio State is a solid option for his son: Buckeyes recruiting

Big Ten should root for Notre Dame to beat Florida State: 'First Four' College Football Playoff Poll

Aggressive by necessity: Cutting through mumbo-jumbo to examine Ohio State's life with early loss

Ohio State Buckeyes open as 19.5-point favorites over Rutgers Scarlet Knights

LeBron James the favorite for NBA MVP, Las Vegas says

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LeBron James is favored to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player award by a Las Vegas sports book

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James would win the NBA Most Valuable Player award and his coach would be the second choice for the league's top coach, according to odds released by a Las Vegas sports book.

Bovada set 5/6 odds for the Cleveland Cavaliers' James to win the NBA's highest personal honor. It would be his fifth MVP award. The sports book also set 9/2 odds for Cleveland rookie coach David Blatt to be the NBA Coach of the Year, trailing only San Antonio's Gregg Popovich (3/1).

In a news release, Bovada manager Kevin Bradley said James is favored over Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant due to Durant's broken foot.

"In what would have been a two way race for MVP once again, Durant's injury has moved LeBron James to the odds on favorite," Bradley said.

Durant is the favorite to win the scoring title (James is third), and Cleveland's Kevin Love has the fourth-best odds to lead the league in rebounding.

Milwaukee's Jabari Parker, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft whom was passed over by the Cavaliers, is the favorite to be the league's rookie of the year. Parker finished with 18 points in Milwaukee's 106-100 loss to the Cavaliers Tuesday night.

Bovada's release did not include odds for NBA champion, but the Cavaliers are listed as the favorite (5/2) on Bovada's website.

Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 things to look for

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5 things to look for when the Cavaliers square up against the Pacer on Wednesday in Cincinnati.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cavaliers take their undefeated preseason record to Cincinnati where they'll play host to the Indiana Pacers.

Both teams are coming into the game with key guys out and question marks galore. But for the sake of keeping it to a minimum, here are five question marks I'd like to see answered during this contest.

1. LeBron finding his groove

James is six-for-19 from the field in two preseason games. He hasn't had trouble finding his teammates for easy baskets but he can't seem to get easy buckets for himself right now. Of course this is no concern for anyone. He'll soon figure it out. The city of Cincinnati is hoping he finds that rhythm tonight.

2. Tristan's shoulder

If he plays, will he be favoring that shoulder? Going up against Indiana's rough, big boys are a tough task for someone fully healthy let alone someone playing with one arm. It might be best to rest Thompson another game, but if he's a go, keep an eye on him in the paint.

3. Size matters

Do the Cavaliers have enough quality size to match up with the Pacers? In order to come out of the East, the bigs are going to have to play a huge part in advancing. Tristan Thompson, Anderson Varejao and Brendan Haywood will have their work cut out.

4. Is Delly for real?

Matthew Dellavedova has been playing some steady ball this preseason. Is he truly ready to be the backup point guard for a championship-caliber team? He sure looks the part currently. The Pacers smothering defense will try him out.

5. Indiana has something to prove

With Paul George out with that gruesome leg injury and Lance Stephenson departing for Charlotte, folks have written off the Pacers. But that's still a prideful group. They will definitely be on a mission to prove that they haven't lost that much. It is the preseason, but look for them to make a mini statement tonight. David West will have his guys ready this year.

Bedford football's Sean Williams talks community and character: Riding in Cars with Coaches (video)

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Get to know Bedford football coach Sean Williams as he talks about character, community and the greatest high school football player he's ever seen.

Get to know Bedford football coach Sean Williams as he talks about character, community and the greatest high school football player he's ever seen.

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