Around the major leagues, managers are on the move as contracts expire and top talents -- from Joe Torre to Tony La Russo to Ozzie Guillen -- face choices on staying, going or retiring.

APIn this March 15, 2010, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers' manager Joe Torre, right, and hitting coach Don Mattingly watch from the dugout rail as the Dodgers play the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning of a spring training baseball game in Tempe, Ariz. A Dodgers official speaking on condition of anonymity tell The Associated Press that Joe Torre intends to retire as Los Angeles Dodgers manager at the end of the season and will be replaced by hitting coach Don Mattingly.

The Browns will induct their 16 Hall of Famers into their new Ring of Honor on Sunday at halftime of the game between the Browns and Chiefs.

Plain Dealer Historical Photograph CollectionFive members of the Browns Ring of Honor are in this picture, taken Dec. 23, 1955. From left, Dante Lavelli, Frank Gatski, Paul Brown, Otto Graham and Lou Groza. Three days later the Browns beat the Rams, 38-14, to win the NFL title.

Their careers span 45 seasons of Cleveland Browns football, from post-World War II to the Cold War's end.

From Paul and Jim Brown to Bill Willis, from the glue fingers of Dante Lavelli to the sure-handed wizardry of Ozzie Newsome.

Many played in the mud and blood and stench from cigars when fans -- and the team's legendary head coach -- wore topcoats and felt hats. Some even played before facemasks, which, by the way, the coach and team founder invented.

The 16 Browns enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame comprise the team's first Ring of Honor class, their names to be unveiled at halftime today along the facade of the stadium's upper deck.

Browns fans lucky enough to have watched them play were left with a lifetime of memories. Revisit them now, with six of the seven living honorees, in their own words . . .

Editor's note: Jim Brown declined an interview request. He has said he will not attend the ceremony.

Joe DeLamielleure

Guard (1980-84)

Q. Most memorable game?

A. Red Right 88. I thought we were going to the Super Bowl. I really did. It just didn't happen.

Q. Most memorable teammate?

A. There were two -- Tom DeLeone and Cody Risien. Because I played between them, a guard plays between a center and a tackle, and those were two of my best friends on my team. And they had two of the best senses of humor. We had a lot of fun. And Cody, we were just good friends and we roomed together. I just remember being friends with them.

Q. What does being a Cleveland Brown mean to you?

A. Being part of one of the best franchises in the National Football League. Remember, I grew up in Detroit. I was a Browns and Lions and Green Bay fan my whole life. When you talk about the NFL, that's what you think of. When you think of the professional football, that's what you think of. Of course, now I played for and loved three of the worst teams in the Bills, Browns and Lions.

Q. What's one thing you remember about Cleveland Municipal Stadium?

A. The mud. And the pitcher's mound. You had to play with the pitcher's mound still in place. And also, coming out of the dugout, that was a great feeling. You'd just hear the crowd and think, man, I'm involved in professional football, that's for sure. Oh, and the Dawg Pound.

Q. Most memorable opponent?

A. Whenever we played Pittsburgh and I played against "Mean" Joe Greene. Just playing against the Steelers. We did pretty well against them, we held our own against them. But you always want to want to play the best, and you want to try to beat the best.

''''''''Q. What does this honor mean to you?

A. It means a whole lot, to tell you the truth. For one thing, being in the Hall of Fame is great. There are plenty of other players who could be in the Hall of Fame, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time with the right players. I'm very thankful, because I know there are other players who could be where I was. The other thing is my grandkids will be there Sunday. Three of my grandsons are coming and they didn't see me get inducted into the Hall of Fame, so they'll have a memorable day. Well, at least two of them will, I'm not sure the youngest one will remember. They're 10, 4 and 1 year old.

Leroy Kelly

Running back (1964-73)

Retired and living in New Jersey.

Q. Most memorable game?

A. Well, I only started one game with Jim Brown and that was against Pittsburgh (Oct. 9, 1965) when we used to play them on Saturday night in Cleveland. It was raining the whole game, and that's the only game I started with him because Ernie Green was hurt and we won the game (24-19) in like the last minute on a Frank Ryan pass to Gary Collins for the winning touchdown. And that game sticks out because it was the only game I started with him.

Q. Most memorable teammate?

A. I think probably "the Flea" [Walter Roberts] because we were rookies together [1964] and back there on specialty teams, returning kickoffs and punts. We roomed together out at Hiram [training camp] for a while. He was a good guy and I still talk to him occasionally. Having the opportunity to make a professional football team and especially the Cleveland Browns was just a great honor for me. Being drafted in the eighth round, it wasn't easy.

Q. What's one thing you remember about Cleveland Municipal Stadium?

A. The main thing would be probably coming down the tunnel there and coming out to the field and walking up to the steps there. It was a baseball stadium, too, so we had those steps coming up out of the tunnel there and the pipes that were in the tunnel. I liked running down toward the Dawg Pound (which were just called the bleachers back then) because it seemed like the field was slanted that way. You had more momentum going that way.

Q. Most memorable opponent?

A. I guess back then I'd say we had some real good games with the Dallas Cowboys. They had some good players. I remember their quarterback [Don] Meredith, he was a real good quarterback for Dallas at the time and, of course, Bob Hayes was there, a real speedy receiver. It was nothing like Pittsburgh and Cleveland, but it was sort of a nice rivalry we had with Dallas.

Q. What was it like playing for head coach Blanton Collier?

A. I liked Blanton because he knew the game of football. We learned a lot. I know I learned a lot from him coming from a small, predominantly black school at Morgan State. He made the transition to professional football very easy for me.

Q. How does a player follow the greatest running back the game's ever known?

A. You know, a lot of people were worried about Jim retiring, but the offensive line was still here. We had Gene Hickerson, Dick Schafrath, Monte Clark, John Morrow, John Wooten. So the offensive line was still there, and that's why in my first year as a starter I gained over 1,000 yards. And that was the main reason, the offensive line was still there, still young and still producing.

'

Mike McCormack

Tackle (1954-62)

Resides in Palm Desert, Calif., but won't attend ceremonies after recent surgery.

Q: Most memorable game?

A: I'd have to go back to the championship game in 1954. I just got out of the service. I'd been in New York and while I was in the service, I was traded to the Browns. While I was in the service, I heard the 1952 and 1953 championship games on service radio when the Browns lost. All of a sudden, we were back in the championship game with Detroit.

Although I was basically an offensive tackle, Paul Brown moved me into Bill Willis' spot on defense. Early in that game, we had gone ahead. Then the Lions went ahead. I was fortunate enough on a designed defensive stunt to steal the ball from Bobby Layne, which set up an early touchdown. We went on to win, 56-14. There were several others.

We had a great defensive team. I remember another game when we were leading the Philadelphia Eagles later that season. They got down to the 1-yard line. It was a 6-0 game. It was late in the game, and it was really the only time I was cited by Paul. On the first play, I made the tackle for a yard loss. The second play I made a tackle for a yard loss again. On third down, Don Paul kicked me in the butt and said, "They're going to try you again." Well, for some reason, the quarterback drew a delay of game, so they were third-and-5. I rushed the passer and he threw incomplete. Then on fourth down, I pulled out of the line and went into pass defense. I've still got the broken ring finger where I hit the ball and made it incomplete. In the Monday morning post-game, Paul gave me credit for that series of plays.

Q: Most memorable teammate?

A: Otto Graham, of course. And Marion Motley. I came from Kansas, where we did not have any black players. My first team was the [AAFC] Yanks, and I got to be good friends with Buddy Young. Then when I was traded to the Browns, Marion took me under his wing. He kept calling me "rookie" and I kept telling him I'd played one year already and had gone to the Pro Bowl. What a great guy he was. Then, of course, we had Dante Lavelli and so many great players.

Q: What does being a Cleveland Brown mean to you?

A: Success. The teammates and the success we had my whole career there.

Q: What's one thing you remember about Cleveland Municipal Stadium?

A: The one distinguishing factor was how, late in the year, the wind came in off Lake Erie and just swirled. It always made it seem colder than it really was. And I remember the fans. We stood in the dugout behind the goalpost until the announcer said, "And now, introducing the Cleveland Browns." The whole team was stretched out and we came out as one. That was kind of a trademark we had.

Q: Most memorable opponent?

A: [Baltimore Colts defensive end] Gino Marchetti. I remember playing against him in 1956 and he ate my lunch. On Monday morning, Paul got up there . . . he could really cut you up. I'll never forget sitting there. I was worried, anyway, because I knew my performance was not good. Paul stood in front of everybody. He would never scream or raise his voice. All he said was, "Michael, I don't know what happened. I just wonder what your parents would think of your performance yesterday." You don't think that cut me to the quick?

''Q: How did Paul Brown influence you?

A: I was fortunate to be in the NFL for 47 years, and I was with three of the greater icons of pro coaching: Paul Brown, Vince Lombardi and George Allen. Paul was a teacher. Paul taught football. More than anything, he was the epitome of what I wanted to do. I tried to teach the same way, but as a head coach, I guess my emotions got away from me. Every day in training camp -- you could go back to the third day of the third week and the Browns would be doing the same thing. Vince was a hard taskmaster. He drove teams. Of course, George loved old players. But Paul was a teacher first.

'Q: What does this honor mean to you?

A: It's a great honor. I've been fortunate in the 47 years to be honored. I've got a statue in Carolina. I've got a suite named after me in Carolina. This is a great honor. This is where I played, where my four children were raised and got their start in life. To be so honored, especially with the people I'm going in with -- one of my better friends at the time was Bobby Mitchell -- I think it's a great honor.

Bobby Mitchell

Halfback (1958-61)

Retired and living in the Washington D.C. area.

Q. Most memorable game?

A. Well, I had a few that I liked a lot. But one, ironically [because he was later traded there], was against the Redskins. I had a day in Washington that I rushed for 232 yards in only 14 carries and did a lot of things, punts and kickoffs. Just had a real great day.

[The speedy triple-threat scored three touchdowns that November day in 1959, including a 90-yard run on the second play from scrimmage to beat the Redskins, 31-17. He finished within 5 yards of Jim Brown's single-game rushing record at the time.]

Q. Most memorable teammate?

A. Jim Brown. We lined up together all four of my years in Cleveland, so I got a chance to see the big man run. That was really something to be a part of. I couldn't believe how good he was and I haven't seen anybody as good since.

Q. What's one thing you remember about Cleveland Municipal Stadium?

A. Heck, for the Cleveland Browns, 70,000 people was kind of commonplace, so it was very, very impressive to be out on the field and look up there and see all those people. I'll tell you one thing, it made you want to perform for them.

Q. Most memorable opponent?

A. We had some tough, tough days with the Steelers, and they had some good defensive players. I remember Ernie Stautner welcoming me to the NFL. Almost put me to sleep.

''Q. How was it being Washington's first black player?

A. My problem in Washington really was centered around whites in the town who couldn't accept a black star. So I had some pretty bad treatment in a lot of places. None of the treatment was from the club. It was all outside, and to this day there are certain things that still bother me. But that's life.

Q. What was it like having Jim Brown as a teammate?

A. I often tell people it was really something to be sitting in the locker room prior to going out on the field. The silence in the room normally is that all the players are thinking about the game. They want to get their thoughts together, that type of thing. But all our thoughts and focus, it seems, was on Jim. Is he ready? Is he going to play today the way we're used to seeing him play, and that type of thing. And all of a sudden, Jim would stand up and he'd start pulling up on his pants. Now, we're already dressed to go out, and as soon as he started pulling up on his pants, simultaneously there's a roar sort of going up in the locker room. "Let's go to work. Let's get going, let's get these guys!" It was like everybody was waiting for him to indicate that, "I'm ready to go." The coaches, too. I used to laugh about that. I wonder if everybody in the room is aware of what we do. We wait for a signal from him, and I don't think he even knew that. I doubt it, because we never talked about it.

Ozzie Newsome

Tight end (1978-90)

General manager of the Baltimore Ravens, a position he's held since 2002. Will miss ceremonies to attend Ravens game at Cincinnati.

Richard T. Conway / The Plain DealerTight end Ozzie Newsome says his two most memorable games with the Browns were his first game as a rookie in 1978, and the double-overtime playoff win over the New York Jets on Jan. 3, 1987.

Q: Most memorable game?

A: Two games stand out. First, the very first game as a rookie. We played the San Francisco 49ers, so it was the opportunity to be a starter, to play in that game . . . and, also the first time I touched the ball I scored a touchdown. And the overtime game with the Jets in the playoffs [In 1997. The Browns won 23-20 in double-overtime].

Q: Most memorable teammate?

A: I guess it was Calvin [Hill]. I chose him to induct me in the Hall, but we were also roommates. There was a 10-year age difference, and here I was a guy that grew up in the South and he was a guy who went to Yale. I think he had a different outlook on life than I did, being a 10-year veteran and me being a rookie. But some of the things he enjoyed, like going to art galleries and things like that . . . I'd say, "What?" His professionalism rubbed off on me. He was a very good mentor.

Q: What does being a Cleveland Brown mean to you?

A: I think Cleveland is a blue-collar town that really appreciated its Cleveland Browns. I was really honored to be a part of that, where you just came to work every day and did your job. I think that identified us and identified us with the city.

Q: What's one thing you remember about Cleveland Municipal Stadium?

A: Walking through the tunnel. It was run down, you could see the pipes. It was a little dark. And when you walked through that tunnel and you got to the baseball dugout and you come up those steps . . . The roar the crowd would have, it was unbelievable. And it was every time.

Q: Most memorable opponent?

A: Pittsburgh. My first years there, they won Super Bowls. In order for us to become a good football team, we had to beat Pittsburgh. It was two hours or less away, and our fans would travel there, their fans would travel [to Cleveland]. There would be more fights in the stands than there would be on the field. When you're trying to accomplish something you have to beat the best, and Pittsburgh was the best.

''''''Q: What does this honor mean to you?

A: It's another special recognition. You don't get that very often. I got a chance to read the transcript that Paul [Warfield] and Joe [DeLamielleure] had at the press conference, and I can echo every sentiment that they said.

Q: What did Art Modell mean to your career?

A: He was an owner, but he provided guidance. He provided support when I needed it. He gave me an opportunity to enter into a second career [as general manager], so I'm very beholden to Art. He's a friend of mine. We still talk. He still comes to practice. He's a true friend of mine. He has a lot of compassion. I know I can say this, but I think the wounds are so deep [with Cleveland] that it's probably not going to make a difference [how the city feels about him].

Paul Warfield

Wide receiver (1964-69, 1976-77)

Recently retired from the Browns front office, lives in California.

Q. Most memorable game?

A. [Although he won two Super Bowls with Miami and the 1964 championship with the Browns, the Warren, Ohio, native and lifetime Browns fan picked an exhibition game.] The very first night playing in Cleveland Browns Stadium in front of 80,000 [83,736 actually], I was sort of living that dream. It was unbelievable. [Warfield remembers dropping what would have been an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Frank Ryan.] We beat the Packers [20-17] that evening, fortunately.

Q. Most memorable teammate?

A. Marlin Briscoe [a former Miami Dolphins receiver who remains a close friend]. I admired him because he had to make transitions in pro football. He started as a quarterback [with Denver in the old AFL] when African-American quarterbacks were rare. Unfortunately for him, his tenure in Denver was not long-lasting, and he found himself in a position of being without a job. His opportunity to return to the NFL was as a receiver, a position he had never played before. Marlin was able to make that transition and make the team, which was difficult to do because he had to learn the position under the gun. He had never played wide receiver in college.

Q. What's one thing you remember about Cleveland Municipal Stadium?

A. A lot of wonderful things happened for me [in 1964]. I played with a team I certainly idolized as a youngster coming up, and then to play in Cleveland close to my hometown in Warren and to play in an NFL championship game, which at the time was the Super Bowl. To be in that stadium and to be on that field, to play against the Colts and Johnny Unitas. They had so many great players -- Lenny Moore, Jim Parker, Raymond Berry, Gino Marchetti . . . And I saw those guys in the '58 championship game, which is still the greatest game in NFL history.

Q. Most memorable opponent?

A. One always liked to compete against the very best competition, and I still have to go back to those Packer teams of the '60s. The team had to be at its very best to beat them. That's what the essence of competition was all about. They were symbolic of excellence.

Q. How surprised were you at being traded to Miami for the rights to draft QB Mike Phipps?

A. [Weeks before the 1970 NFL draft, Warfield was interrupted during a meeting in Akron with his Firestone tire business partners. Browns owner Art Modell was on the phone, calling to let him know he'd been traded to Miami for the third pick in the draft, which they used to select Purdue quarterback Mike Phipps. ]

As an Ohioan in Ohio, playing for one of the greatest teams in the NFL, and my career is productive at this point and voila, I get this telephone call out of the blue. I guess I could only describe it as a shocker.""""''""

Q. Your reflections on Miami?

A. Don Shula [hired shortly after the trade] certainly proved his greatness, the ability to pull us together in a short period of time, to make the personnel changes necessary to quickly turn it around. [Miami went from three wins in 1969 to 10 and a playoff appearance in Warfield's first season, and reached the Super Bowl the following year.] Gloomy and as dismal as it appeared to be, or looking up and asking, "Why [was I traded?]," if you decide with a positive attitude to do something, things have a way of working out. It actually turned out better because the fortunes sort of changed. The Browns sort of slid and Miami went all the way to the top.

Q. You returned to the Browns in 1976. What do you remember?

A. I was shut out [in his final game in 1977], and in my first game against Washington I was shut out, didn't catch a pass. It's ironic I entered the league not catching a pass and left the league not catching a pass.

Plain Dealer reporters Mary Schmitt Boyer and Jodie Valade contributed to this report.

Barret Loux, the sixth overall pick in the June draft Arizona, he failed the Diamondbacks' physical because of questions about his right shoulder and elbow. Now he's a free agent.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerIndians pitcher Mitch Talbot says his sore right shoulder is feeling better.

Clubhouse confidential: Right-hander Barret Loux, the sixth overall pick in the June draft, threw for about 15 teams late last week at College Station, Texas. Arizona drafted Loux in the first round, but he failed the team's physical because of questions about his right shoulder and elbow.

Loux was declared a free agent by MLB and is free to sign with anyone.

Brad Grant, Indians director of amateur scouting, would not say if they were one of the teams at Loux's throwing session, but he did say in a text message that they are "monitoring his situation."

No problem: Mitch Talbot, who pulled out of his most recent start with a sore right shoulder after one inning, played catcher before Saturday's thunderstorm hit and said everything felt fine.

He'll throw a bullpen session Monday and start against the Royals on Thursday at Progressive Field.

Stat of the day: Indians entered Saturday's game with a 3.79 ERA (225 earned runs in 534 innings) since the All-Star break. It's almost a full run lower than the 4.64 ERA (398 earned runs in 7711/3 innings) they posted going into the break.

The Browns" exuberance for the 2010 season took a huge hit in Tampa, but they're confident it'll return in full force with a win today over the Chiefs.

Brian Blanco / Associated PressJosh Cribbs and the Browns will be looking for win No. 1 on Sunday when they play the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Cribbs, left, and Matt Roth stand together before last week's season opener in Tampa.

The Browns' euphoria over the 2010 season took a hit last week in Tampa, but the team is confident it'll come flooding back with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs today in the home opener.

"We've got to get a win," said Josh Cribbs, who returned two kickoffs for touchdowns against the Chiefs last year to set the NFL career record with eight. "This is the week for us to start. We're desperate, our fans are desperate, and it'll mean a lot to our confidence and to this organization if we get it going this week."

If the Browns lose today to fall to 0-2, their chances of making the playoffs decrease dramatically -- to about 10 percent. Since 2000, only seven of 69 teams have done it. But the Chiefs, who beat the Chargers, 21-14, on Monday night, are a much more formidable opponent than the 4-12 team that the Browns defeated, 41-34, late last season.

"It really is a big game for us," said left tackle Joe Thomas. "It's our first home game, it's the Ring of Honor game, and it's really important to get the momentum swinging in the right direction. If we can get the fans behind us and get this first win at home, we'll be right back on track."

Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who caught a 41-yard TD pass in last week's loss to the Buccaneers, cautioned that it's too early to run for the hills.

"It's Week 2," he said. "It's not like we're off for the bye week trying to correct things. We're still upbeat. We just need to eliminate our mistakes and we'll be all right."

Of course, the Browns will mostly likely be without their starting quarterback Jake Delhomme, who suffered an ankle injury against the Bucs and is listed as doubtful. But the players are firmly behind Seneca Wallace, who had a fine preseason, one with three TDs, one interception and a 103.0 rating.

"People fail to realize that Seneca's been playing this game for a long time and he's been successful," said Massaquoi. "He got a lot of reps in the preseason and played really well. We're fortunate to have two really good quarterbacks."

Chiefs coach Todd Haley knows firsthand that Wallace can win games.

"When I was coaching in Arizona, Seneca played against us in some of those games," said Haley. "I've probably seen as much tape as anybody. I know he's somebody that can hurt you in a number of ways."

The Chiefs will be gunning for running back Jerome Harrison, who rushed for 286 yards and three TDs against them last season. Harrison had only nine carries last week, but is hoping for more this week.

"It's not like I'm over here licking my chops," said Harrison, who came off the bench last week behind Peyton Hillis. "No, this is going to be a tough one. I know Romeo [Crennel]. He's a great defensive coordinator. He's going to have something for us."

The Browns' offense will have to contend with Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson, who's forced 12 fumbles in his 61 starts, including one last week against the Chargers. Turnovers have been a huge emphasis for the Browns after Delhomme threw two interceptions and Hillis lost a fumble to hand the Bucs the 17-14 victory.

"We have to eliminate the self-inflicted wounds," said Cribbs. "We beat ourselves, and our home fans are not going to tolerate that. They deserve better."

The Browns also will get their first look at safety Eric Berry, whom they targeted with their No. 7 overall pick before the Chiefs picked him at No. 5. Berry finished second on the team last week with six tackles, but gave up a 59-yard TD pass.

"I played against him in college and he's a very talented guy," said Massaquoi. "He's a guy that flies around and makes big plays -- a great athlete."

Defensively, the Browns will have to try to outsmart offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who coached with most of the Browns staff in New England.

"They did a remarkable job against a really good football team in San Diego," said defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. "They have a lot of weapons. Last year, they just absolutely went up and down the field on us [491 yards], caused us a lot of problems in communication and they've only gotten better."

Charlie Riedel / Associated PressThe Browns saw first-hand how fast Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles can go through a defense, as he is doing here to Buffalo last season. Charles scored on a 47-yard run in last year's Browns win in Kansas City.

The run defense will be tested by running backs Thomas Jones and the speedy Jamaal Charles, who rushed for 968 yards over the final eight games, second in the NFL only to Tennessee's Chris Johnson. Charles scored on a 47-yard run vs. the Browns last year.

"Thomas Jones is a grinder, a veteran and a super player," said Ryan. "Then you've got this Charles, this home-run hitter. [Usain] Bolt might be faster, but that's about it. Unfortunately, we saw him do it to us last year. Is he the toughest guy in the world picking up blitzes? I don't know, I hope to find out. But he's a weapon."

Special teams-wise, the Browns hope to spring Cribbs after he was bottled up in Tampa. Conversely, the Chiefs' return game is improved, with rookie Dexter McCluster returning a punt 94 yards for a TD against the Chargers.

"The Chiefs are going to be fired up," said Scott Fujita. "That was a huge momentum booster for them, coming off a division win, on a Monday night that everybody got to see. We're going to have to be able to match their intensity early. Our whole mindset is about winning this first game at home."

UPDATED: The Ohio State defense forces five turnovers as the Buckeyes rout Ohio, 43-7.

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerThe Buckeye defense overwhelmed the Ohio University Bobcats, forcing five turnovers, including this fumble that was scooped up by defensive lineman Cameron Heyward in front of linebacker Brian Rolle.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State offense could neither rest nor reflect. Just as the Buckeyes would reach the sideline to discuss ...

Turnover. Second play of the game Saturday, OSU defensive back Devon Torrence tips a pass; Tyler Moeller intercepts it.

"You're getting some water and you're extending your legs and trying to bend your knees," OSU receiver DeVier Posey said, "and before you know it, you hear the crowd screaming to get back on the field. I have to keep my eyes on the scoreboard because I don't know what's going to happen next."

When his defense is on the field, that's Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor's time to confer with quarterbacks coach Nick Siciliano and go over the defense on every play from the previous drive. But it can be . . .

Turnover. Second play of Ohio University's fifth drive, OSU linebacker Ross Homan pops Bobcats quarterback Phil Bates, and Nathan Williams recovers the fumble.

"I'm looking at the clipboard," Pryor said, "and sometimes this year we're going over it and we hear a big roar, and we have the ball right back. And we can't go over the plays. So that's great on the defense's part."

In the coaches booth at Ohio Stadium, OSU offensive coordinator Jim Bollman has his play sheets organized by situation and where the team is on the field. He'll be studying what he's planning for the next series when . . .

Turnover. Second play of OU's sixth drive, OSU defensive lineman Cameron Heyward picks up a mishandled option pitch.

"You just change gears," Bollman said. "So we've got the ball; here we go."

Five times it happened in the Buckeyes' 43-7 win over Ohio. Five times the Buckeyes' defense forced a turnover on either the second or third play of a Bobcats' drive. The No. 2 Buckeyes (3-0) entered the game leading the nation in turnover margin after forcing seven in their first two games while not turning it over themselves. Last season, OSU forced 35 turnovers in 13 games, which tied for third in the country. But after two interception and three fumble recoveries against the overmatched Bobcats, not to mention Heyward's tackle in the end zone for a safety on the first play of another drive, the OSU defenders were almost wishing they could stay on the field longer.

But they can't help themselves.

"I feel like we're relentless," OSU middle linebacker Brian Rolle said. "We have everybody on defense running and hitting hard, and you're going to miss some tackles. But when we get to it, there's going to be some havoc."

The Buckeyes got two second-half turnovers on an Orhian Johnson forced fumble that Torrence recovered and an interception by Homan, but the offense didn't convert either of them. In the first half, as Pryor was setting an Ohio State record with 16 straight completions, when the offensive players jumped off the bench, they jumped quickly on the scoreboard, taking a total of 10 plays to turn the first three turnovers into 17 points.

"It's easier when the defense can give you the ball back that many times," OSU receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. "It's easy to find a rhythm when you have that many plays. It's completely different than having to sit around and maybe they score."

That wasn't much of a worry Saturday as the Bobcats were held to 2 yards and no first downs on 11 first-quarter plays. Ohio scored a touchdown on Ohio State's second-team defense with 6:14 left in the game, and OSU center Mike Brewster said coach Jim Tressel apologized to the defense for costing them a shutout. But for the game, Ohio State had a 439-to-158 edge in total yards and a 5-to-2 advantage in turnovers, with Pryor throwing two interceptions. Pryor completed 22 of 29 passes for 235 yards, had two touchdowns and two interceptions, and ran for a score. Tailback Dan Herron added two touchdown runs.

Two years after Ohio led the Buckeyes entering the fourth quarter, this game left no doubt.

"We didn't want that to happen," Pryor said of the 2008 game. "The games we're supposed to win, we want to win, and the games we're supposed to be in a dogfight, we want to come out on top. Any chance we get to step on the field with my brothers, we want to take full advantage and get better."

The offense had plenty of chances to get better Saturday and should again next week against Eastern Michigan. The special teams still had some problems, allowing a blocked punt and giving up a kick return for a touchdown that was called back by an obvious block in the back that created the play.

The defense dominated again, in limited action. Ohio State's offense ran 77 plays compared with 48 for Ohio.

"If they keep doing their job, I wouldn't mind playing 18 or 19 plays a game," Rolle said, "if our offense continues to score points and we continue to create turnovers."

Strongsville's volleyball team sprints out of the gate and keeps the pedal to the medal to win Saturday's Renee Roche Invitational at Independence.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Strongsville's senior defensive specialist/libero Amy Andreski felt if her team learned anything from Tuesday's Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division volleyball loss to Elyria, it's that you have to play hard from beginning to end.

It seems the Mustangs are quick learners because they came out strong Saturday to win three matches without dropping a game, including a 25-21, 25-19 victory over Brecksville-Broadview Heights in the title match of the Renee Roche Invitational at Independence.

"We have good chemistry," said Strongsville senior outside hitter/University of Maryland-Baltimore County recruit Alexis Plagens, who earned Player of the Tournament honors after totaling 10 of her 26 kills against the Bees.

"We were concerned with [Canisius recruit] Olivia Chrzanowski, Ashley King and Abby Brinkman on the other side of the net, but we have big blockers, good back row players and everybody came up big today."

Brecksville (9-4) was its own worst enemy against the Mustangs (10-1), ranked No. 15 in the first Division I coaches state poll.

The Bees pulled within 20-17 in the first game only to commit three hitting errors and a pair of double hits which allowed Strongsville to close it out. Brecksville had nine unforced errors in the second game, 14 for the match.

"Unforced errors were a problem for us all day," said Bees rookie coach Dan Irving. "What killed us today is we'd go on a mini run of two or three points, then make a mistake that would end the run. We just don't have one error and that's it. It's usually two, three or four in a row and that's why there's gray hairs in my goatee."

Mustangs senior middle hitter Sarah Gootee also earned all-tournament honors after accounting for four of her 14 kills in the title match. Andreski had 10 of her 26 digs coming against the Bees while senior setter Mandy Peterlin dished out 17 assists en route to totaling 59 on the day.

Chrzanowski, another all-tournament team choice, had nine kills and three aces against Strongsville while freshman setter Nikki D'Anna mustered 21 assists

"When we're staying in system, passing the ball well on our first contacts and our serve receive is going where we want the ball to go, we're a hard team to stop," said Mustangs coach Erick Sopata.

Filling in: Former Holy Name coach Karen Carter was helping assistant coach Greg Chmielecki because head coach Jenny Phillips had other business to attend to. Expecting her first child, Phillips went into labor early Saturday morning.

Three's company: Independence sophomores Caitlyn, Lauren and Alyssa Synek are triplets. Caitlyn, who stands 5-10 is the oldest by a minute while 5-8 Lauren and 5-7 Alyssa are separated by 30 seconds. The trio might have growing to do. Their dad, Rob, is 6-5.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bfortuna@plaind.com, 216-999-4665

Sauers uses a change in strategy to pull away from the lead pack and get the overall win, helping Hudson's girls finish fourth. Hudson's boys finish second.

BOARDMAND, Ohio — Hudson sophomore Caroline Sauers was greeted at the Spartan Invitational finish line by a friend who hugged her and said, "That was out of the blue!"

Well, yes, it was. On a clear, blue-sky day, dressed in a dark blue uniform, Sauers blew out of the lead pack and blew up a lot of predictions with her upset win in 19:10.93 Saturday at Boardman High School.

"I'm really surprised I won. Last year, I didn't do as well as I'd hoped and I ran here twice, and I thought maybe this wasn't the course for me. I was really nervous," said Sauers, who placed 21st at last year's Spartan Invitational, and 82nd at the 2009 regional meet on the same course.

Sauers was tucked in a tight pack of eight runners for much of the Division I race. Among them were 2009 Spartan champ Mackenzie Rankin of Louisville and 2009 Spartan champ Katie Betts of Stow.

"I had a new strategy this time. Instead of going out fast and staying in the front, I started out fast and set a comfortable pace," Sauers said. "Then when I was ready, I kicked it in the last mile. It worked for me."

Rankin finished second, nearly four seconds behind, followed by Green's Krista Roehlig, Betts and Brunswick's Selena Pasadyn.

It was a good day for Hudson all around, as well as teams from St. Vincent-St. Mary, McDonald and Pennsylvania powerhouse North Allegheny.

Hudson's girls were a respectable fourth behind North Allegheny, North Canton Hoover and Brunswick. The Explorers' boys were second to North Allegheny in Division I, and more importantly, ahead of league rival Solon, 156-207. Hudson's top four were separated by just 21 seconds between 13th and 28th, with Nolan Reilly leading the way (16:53.96).

"All four ran well," Hudson boys coach Rod O'Donnell said. "We will live or die on our pack as a team."

Hoping to break 16 minutes in his first race in two weeks because of an illness, Revere's Josh Sabo appeared disappointed with his third-place finish (16:10.55) in Division I behind a pair of North Allegheny standouts. Sabo led the first mile.

"I'm going to think of this race come state meet and I'm going to get mad about it," Sabo said.

SVSM won the Division II girls race to no one's surprise, and the Irish boys pulled off an upset of shorthanded Woodridge.

The Irish's Maria Arnone, Tessa Weigand and Marissa Rossetti finished 5-6-7 as SVSM beat rival Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, 60-87, in a fast-paced race.

"We run together and we know we can push ourselves in a tight pack. We know what it takes," Arnone said.

St. Clairsville senior Jamie Perzanowski set a hard pace and won in 18:57.35, and the runner-up was Maria Moore of Woodridge (18:57.82). Defending state champ Christina Blair of CVCA finished third and Perry's Abbie Clifford placed fourth.

"It was a big PR for me," said Moore, whose previous best was 19:24. "I learned I can go out with the top runners and stay with them."

Woodridge was missing two of its top three runners. Preseason No. 1 Kyle Cochrun still is out with a leg injury and Vibushan Sivakumaran was benched. So with the door open, SVSM became the first Division II team to beat Woodridge since 2005. Irish senior Jacob Swords was second in 16:30.48, 11 seconds behind Chillicothe Unioto's Adrian Ross.

"They had two guys out, and that's huge. We still have the utmost respect for Woodridge, but it was a good show for our guys," SVSM coach Dan Lancianese said.

McDonald won Division III boys and girls team titles. Berkshire junior Matt Pelletier (16:02) and Hawken sophomore Ally Markovich (19:27) were individual champs. Pelletier, Delta's Colin Fisher and Trinity's Nick Gliha led until the last half mile when Fisher made a move. Pelletier caught Fisher in a dead sprint in the last 100 meters and won by 2.75 seconds. Gliha was third.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661

The Wildcats, with the news of a schoolmate's death on their mind, keep control of their emotions and defeat Mentor.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter / The Plain DealerSt. Ignatius' Nicholas Bashour, left, and Mentor's Colin Eedy fight for a header in the second half Saturday in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — St. Ignatius won a soccer match it expected to on Saturday afternoon.

But the Wildcats had to play while dealing with unexpected emotions.

The area's top team, ranked No. 2 in the state poll, had little trouble taking care of Mentor, 9-0.

However, the home team played after learning that a member of its senior class had died.

Senior Adam Grodzik of Columbia Township and a member of the lacrosse team was killed in a car accident Friday night.

"Walking in, nobody knew," said senior Yianni Sarris, who used to lunch with Grodzik. "Guys were teary-eyed. I hoped it wasn't true. I went on Facebook and they had it already."

Sarris said the seniors gathered before the match, then joined their teammates in prayer.

Players wore memorials to their friend, inking "Adam" on their taped wrists. Sarris said the team dedicated the game and the season to their classmate.

They did not waste any time making their intentions known as they put up four goals over an 18-minute stretch of the first half.

Junior forward Matt Foldesy got things started when he beat Mentor senior goalkeeper Zach Mospens from 6 yards.

View full sizePDSt. Ignatius' Ryan Ivancic nearly loses his footing as he goes for the ball against Mentor's Kyle Raser in the first half Saturday.

Grodzik's death stirred memories of a year ago, when another classmate, St. Ignatius sophomore Dan Murphy was killed in an off-road vehicle accident.

"I didn't know [Adam] personally," said Foldesy. "Last year I lost both my grandparents a month apart and Dan [Murphy]. You know how hard that is to go through. We needed to come out with a lot of energy."

That was the case as goals by sophomore Tyler Sanda, senior Luke Blades and senior Ryan Ivancic soon followed.

There was plenty of substituting in the second half as Sarris had three goals, with juniors Noah Toumert and Preston Spurrier joining the club.

The Wildcats (8-0), ranked No. 3 in the nation in the ESPN Rise Fab 50 poll, are on a mission to win the state championship that just eluded them a year ago. They lost in a shootout to top-ranked Gahanna Lincoln.

"We like to think we are a family with the entire school, not just the soccer team," said St. Ignatius coach Mike McLaughlin. "I think we came together. Every game matters. That's how we want to approach the season."

Mentor coach Brady Dean said his Cardinals (5-4-1) hoped to give the top-rated club a better game.

"They were far superior to us," said Dean, whose club lost to fifth-ranked Strongsville, 5-0, a week ago. "I didn't want to pack it in defensively against them and went straight up. They got some early goals and we couldn't catch up."

St. Ignatius and Strongsville renew their rivalry in three weeks.

But thoughts were elsewhere late Saturday afternoon. It was announced that a rosary was being said after the game in the school's chapel.

That was of more importance than the scoreboard.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

Plain Dealer Buckeyes beat writer Doug Lesmerises gives his grades for Ohio State's performance on Saturday.

View full sizePD fileBuckeyes linebacker Ross Homan.

Ohio State linebacker Ross Homan: A

The All-Big Ten candidate was tied for the team lead in tackles with 11 entering the game, but he carried a bigger load against Ohio University, leading the Buckeyes with seven tackles, all of them solo. He also forced a fumble and intercepted a pass among the five turnovers the Buckeyes forced.

Linebackers coach Luke Fickell thought Homan loosened up a bit in the third game of the season. "We talked to Ross about relaxing and playing football," Fickell said, "and I think he got in the groove of things. I think we saw that from him, and hopefully he'll continue to do it. For him it's just a matter of getting in the flow of the game sometimes, and I think he did a great job.

"Sometimes I think it's just his nature to be an uptight guy. We need him to get in the flow because he's a factor."

Ohio State running back Dan Herron: A-

Herron ran for two touchdowns for the third time in his career while gaining 27 yards on nine carries. But this grade isn't based only on his offense.

With the Ohio State coverage units struggling, Herron joined the punt-cover unit Saturday, as backup running backs Jordan Hall and Jaamal Berry pitched in on the kickoff coverage. The coverage units weren't perfect against Ohio, but getting savvy offensive players onto the field should help the coverage cause.

View full sizeOrhian Johnson

"The coaches asked me if I wanted to do it and I was all for it," Herron said. "Whatever I can do to help the team, I went out and did my job. I think I'm a pretty good tackler, and I was hoping one time I could get down there and get a tackle. Hopefully I'll be in there more often and maybe I'll make a couple tackles."

Ohio State safety Orhian Johnson: B

The redshirt sophomore made his first start of the season replacing C.J. Barnett, who played well against Miami a week ago but suffered a knee injury that required surgery and will keep him out for the rest of the season. Johnson made three tackles and forced a fumble with a hustle play on the sideline that impressed senior linebacker Brian Rolle.

"I got a chance to get my hand around the ball and got it out," Johnson said. "You just try to get to the ball before the next man does. You see one person do it, and you say, 'I want to be the next man to make a big play.' "

Johnson will have to prove himself in coverage against a team that can throw, which may not happen for a few weeks, before it's clear he can handle filling Barnett's role.

"I feel I'm prepared to get the job done," Johnson said. "I'm honored that the coaches trust me enough to put me in that position. I feel like I did a good job."

The Ohio Bobcats: C

Two years ago, coach Frank Solich saw his team push the Buckeyes to the brink, holding a lead entering the fourth quarter. Clearly, Ohio couldn't match Ohio State's talent on Saturday, but the 1-2 Bobcats really had trouble getting going on either side of the ball while falling behind, 34-0, in the first half, and then the game was over.

"It was a long afternoon," Solich said. "Ohio State has a championship-caliber football team. We had to play perfect football, execute well, play penalty-free and win the turnover battle, none of which got done today."

-- Doug Lesmerises

Matt LaPorta's first career grand slam stakes Indians to early 5-0 lead against Kansas City.

Updated: 11:32 p.m.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Indians lead the Royals 5-4 Saturday night with the game delayed by rain headed into the seventh inning.

Slam city: Matt LaPorta gave the Indians a 5-0 lead with a his first career grand slam with two out in the fourth. LaPorta, in an 0-for-15 slump, hammered a 2-1 fastball from Sean O'Sullivan over the fence in center field for his 11th homer.

It was the Indians second slam in as many games and the seventh this season.

Michael Brantley, following a two minute rain delay, opened the fourth with a single. It extended his hitting streak to 18 straight games. It's the longest by an Indians rookie since Hall of Famer Larry Doby hit in 21 straight in 1948. It's the longest by an Indian of any status since Casey Blake hit in 26 straight in 2007.

Singles by Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo gave the Indians a 1-0 lead. Choo's single gave him eight RBI in the last two games. Shelley Duncan's single past third loaded the bases for LaPorta.

Rain, rain go away: The game has been delayed four times by rain. The delays have lasted 36 minutes, two minutes and 1 hour and 23 minutes. The fourth delay is still in progress. 

Masterson update: Justin Masterson, making what could be his last appearance of the season, gave up a leadoff single to Jarrod Dyson before retiring nine straight. After the Indians long fourth inning, he gave up singles to Mike Aviles and Billy Butler to start the fourth, but Wilson Betemit hit into a force play at third.

Play was stopped with a 2-2 count on Josh Fields as the umpires called for the tarp.

Warnings: After play resumed, plate umpire Mike Estabrook warned the teams after Choo was hit in the fifth and Justin Germano responded by hitting Lucas May to start the Royals half of the fifth.

Gerrmano quickly went off the tracks. He gave up two-run homers to Jai Miller and Mike Aviles to cut the Tribe's lead to 5-4 before getting through the fifth to make game official.

He retired the side in order in the sixth just in time to have the game stopped for a fourth time.  

The line: The starting pitchers did not return after play resumed following a 1 hour and 23 minute delay. Masterson pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits, struck out four and didn't walk a batter. O'Sullivan allowed five runs on six hits in four innings. 

Terrelle Pryor threw two interceptions looking for the big play, but he took a lot of smaller plays while setting an Ohio State record for consecutive completions.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / The Plain DealerFor 16 straight plays on Saturday, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor couldn't miss.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor completed 16 consecutive passes Saturday, the second-most in Big Ten history behind the 22 straight completed by former Iowa quarterback Chuck Long.

"Sixteen completions in a row? No way. That didn't happen," OSU center Mike Brewster said after the Buckeyes' 43-7 win over Ohio University on Saturday. "Wow. I was pretty tired. Now I understand why I was so tired."

Here's how the Buckeyes did it.

12:05 p.m.: After hitting tight end Jake Stoneburner on a play-action pass over the middle on his first pass of the game, Pryor misses this check-down to Dane Sanzenbacher on his second throw. He won't throw another incompletion for an hour and 21 minutes of real time.

12:18: The streak starts with another play-action pass, this one to fullback Zach Boren for a 3-yard gain. This is not an accident. Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman said the Buckeyes wanted to come out throwing, and they didn't mind giving Pryor a few easier throws than a week ago against Miami (Fla.), when he was 12-of-27. Pryor finished 22-of-29 for 235 yards Saturday.

"Some of them were little, short, 5-yard routes, and they were catching them and moving the ball seven, eight yards," Pryor said of the streak. "I think we came in thinking we would throw the ball a little bit and just try to get some rhythm going. We really wanted to focus on passing the ball and getting a good percentage."

12:20: Completion No. 3 is behind receiver Sanzenbacher in the flat, but he twists his body, reaches out and snags the pass and turns it into a 12-yard gain.

12:23: Completion No. 6 is a well-designed play in the red zone, where the Buckeyes struggled last week. On second-and-five from the 9-yard line, Ohio State spreads the field with five receivers then works Brandon Saine over the empty middle, where Pryor hits him for a 9-yard touchdown and a 10-0 Ohio State lead.

12:32: Completion No. 7 sees Sanzenbacher go deep to run off some defenders as DeVier Posey works underneath for a 35-yard catch-and-run, Pryor's longest completion of the game.

"I didn't know until five minutes ago that we had 16 straight," Posey said after the game. "That's kind of crazy."

Pryor runs in from 13 yards for a touchdown on the next play.

12:40: The streak is momentarily interrupted by the appearance of the second-team offense for a series, something the coaches were hoping to do in this game. Backup quarterback Joe Bauserman is 3-of-6 on a 42-yard drive that ends with a Devin Barclay field goal for a 20-0 Ohio State lead.

12:57: Completion No. 10 is another touchdown, as Pryor rolls right on second-and-goal from the 5-yard line and finds Stoneburner open. Pryor missed Stoneburner on a similar throw against Miami the previous week, though it wasn't the same play.

"I was just running a drag route," Stoneburner said, "and when Terrelle scrambled, they kind of forgot about me, so I was wide open."

1:23: With 1:06 left before halftime, the Buckeyes hit the field 55 yards from the end zone with a 34-0 lead, but they want more, primarily because they want to practice their two-minute offense.

"That was another good experience for them to have," Bollman said, "because you don't get too many chances like that. We hadn't been in too many two-minute situations."

An 8-yard completion to Dan Herron is completion No. 13 and allows Pryor to break the Ohio State record of 12 straight completions. He hits his next three passes for a total of 25 yards to set up first down at the 22-yard line with 25 seconds left before the streak ends and it all falls apart. Overall, the 16 completions go to seven players for a total of 165 yards.

1:26: Pryor underthrows a deep pass to Sanzenbacher over the middle at the goal line. He's then sacked, intercepted in the end zone while throwing late into double coverage, and intercepted again in the second half on another deep ball into heavy coverage.

"The first one, that was a stupid, stupid throw," Pryor said after the game. "The second one I got hit as I let it go, but I should have gone to my check-down. I think I played pretty stupid on those two passes. . . . You've got to not be greedy, and I think I got greedy on two of them.

"That's going to bother me. I know I forced it in. They didn't do anything special on defense; I just wanted a big play against Ohio U and I didn't get it."

He did get 16 straight little plays.

"Whatever they gave me, I was just taking it and throwing it in," Pryor said. "Everybody was catching them. That was from the linemen to me throwing the ball to the guys catching it. . . . It's a good step, but I'd like to go 25-of-25. Those two interceptions killed me today, messed up my whole day."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479

Mount Union won its 96th straight regular-season road game by routing John Carroll, 51-7.

Norm Weber

Special to The Plain Dealer

Mount Union, the defending national runner-up in Division III, won its 45th consecutive regular-season game with a 51-7 win over John Carroll on Wasmer Field.

It also marked the 96th consecutive regular-season road victory for the Purple Raiders (1-0 Ohio Athletic Conference, 2-0), who scored on their first nine offensive possessions.

Collinwood alumnus Cecil Shorts III became Mount Union's all-time leader in career touchdown catches when he snared a Neal Seaman pass for the Purple Raiders' second touchdown of the game.

"Any TD feels great, and any record is nice to break," Shorts said.

The score marked a change in quarterbacks for John Carroll (0-1, 0-2). After the kickoff, Devin O'Brien replaced Mike Locke.

After forcing Carroll to punt on its first possession, the Raiders mounted an 84-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead at the midway point of the first quarter.

Wes Ryder scored on a 3-yard run.

Kicker Tyler Almeida (Elyria), who nailed a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter and two 22-yard chip shots in the fourth, is 12-of-12 on PATs and 4-of-5 on field goals in two games this season.

Weber is a freelance writer in Lakewood.

Baldwin-Wallace 35, Heidelberg 20: Quarterback Ryan O'Rourke (Avon) and running back Tim Miker (Parma) each ran for more than 100 yards as the Yellow Jackets (3-0) defeated the Student Princes (1-1) in a Division III game in Tiffin.

Saginaw Valley State 49, Lake Erie 17: Aided by a pair of fumbles, the host Cardinals (1-2) scored on their first four possessions en route to a win over the Storm (0-3) in a Division II game.

Walsh 34, Notre Dame College 14: Dominic Williams rushed for 165 yards and scored a touchdown as the Cavaliers (3-0) defeated the Falcons (1-3) in a Division II game in Lyndhurst.

Denison 31, Hiram 24: Glenn Campbell (Akron/Buchtel) set single-game records with 15 catches and 217 yards to go along with two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough as the Big Red (3-0) beat the host Terriers (1-2) in a Division III matchup.

Wooster 31, Oberlin 14: Robert Flagg rushed for a career-high 150 yards as the Fighting Scots beat the Yeoman in a Division III game in Wooster.

Manager Manny Acta has been pleased with the work of his coaching staff this season. The decision to bring the staff back intact, however, will come from above.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerIndians manager Manny Acta says he's looking forward to continuing the team's rebuilding process during the off-season.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — At this time last year it was a foregone conclusion that manager Eric Wedge and his coaching staff would be fired. The firing came Sept. 30 with Wedge and his coaches agreeing to work the final six games of the season.

The Indians are in the final days of another bad season. They entered Saturday night's game against the Royals with 61-86 record and in fourth place in the AL Central. It's the same record Wedge's Indians had after 147 games last year.

This year, first-year manager Manny Acta is safe and looking forward to continuing the rebuilding process in the off-season. As for the coaching staff, Acta is happy with its performance.

"I'm very pleased with the job they've done," said Acta. "We've had a lot of young players come through here this year. Some weren't quite ready to be here and we've had to push them along.

"To me the coaching staff has done a very good job."

As for whether the staff will return intact next year, Acta said that call does not come from him alone. GM Mark Shapiro and incoming GM Chris Antonetti will have plenty to say about it.

Acta's coaches are Tim Tolman (bench), Tim Belcher (pitching), Jon Nunnally (hitting), Sandy Alomar Jr. (first base), Steve Smith (third base) and Scott Radinsky (bullpen). Ruben Niebla and Dave Wallace are assistants to the big-league staff. Niebla was sidelined by a knee injury in June and replaced by Armando Camacaro, a former minor league catcher for the Indians.

View full sizePDPitcher Aaron Laffey is back with the Indians, recalled from Class AAA Columbus.

Most of the coaching staff signed two-year deals at the start of the 2010 season.

Hello, Kansas City: The Indians have recalled left-hander Aaron Laffey from Class AAA Columbus. Laffey helped the Clippers win the Governor's Cup with a scoreless inning Friday night in a 13-2 victory over Durham.

The Clippers will play Class AAA Tacoma on Tuesday in Oklahoma City for the Class AAA championship.

Acta said a few more players will be called up after Tuesday. Apparently none of them will be starting pitchers as long as Mitch Talbot is in line to make his start Thursday against the Royals. Talbot has been nursing a sore right shoulder, but played catch Saturday and said he felt good.

As for Laffey, Acta said, "Laffey is on his way here. I'm not sure if he'll make it on time for [Saturday's] game. Columbus went through the most important part, which is winning the championship. It will be good for him to be here and gives us an opportunity to have some more bodies back there and be able to lessen the workload on some guys."

Laffey is 2-3 with a 4.62 ERA in 25 appearances, including five starts, with the Indians. This will be his third big-league tour of the season.

He was placed on the disabled list July 23 with a tired left shoulder. He started the year in the bullpen and was optioned to Class AAA Columbus to build up his arm so he could start for the Indians. The yo-yo act between the pen and rotation did not agree with Laffey's shoulder.

"He's a reliever right now," said Acta. "We'll sit down as an organization after the season and plan everything out and see where it takes us for next year."

Acta said Laffey has regained most of his lost velocity.

Real deal: Michael Brantley extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a single in the fourth inning Saturday.

Acta said this is not a mirage.

"This is who he is," said Acta. "This is what we anticipated from him. Everything is going to keep getting better for him."

Acta would not say Brantley has locked down the leadoff spot for next year.

"He's locking down a spot on the team," said Acta. "That is the main thing."

The Irish question: If Friday was the "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" promotion at Kauffman Stadium, why didn't Sean O'Sullivan start the game? Instead O'Sullivan started Saturday night.

To reach this Plain Dealer Reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

History doesn't favor Denny Hamlin as he enters the Chase as the top driver on NASCAR.

View full sizeAssociarted PressDenny Hamlin has momentum entering the Chase today in New Hampshire.

Denny Hamlin seemingly has all the momentum going into the start of NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup on Sunday at New Hampshire.

He is coming off a win at Richmond, giving him six victories, more than any other driver this season, and a 10-point lead over four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson.

But history is not on Hamlin's side.

Since the Chase for the Sprint Cup format was introduced in 2004, only two drivers who led at the end of the regular season -- Tony Stewart in 2005 and Johnson in 2007 -- won the championship.

A year ago, Mark Martin entered the Chase as the top seed and held the lead for three weeks after winning at New Hampshire and finishing second at Dover. He ended up second to Johnson in the final standings.

In 2008, Kyle Busch was the top seed after winning eight races but was shut out during the Chase and finished a distant 10th.

So Hamlin knows he's not necessarily the favorite to dethrone Johnson.

"A lot of people bash this race team about can't finish this or can't finish that," Hamlin said, "but we've got the most wins, and hopefully that's going to carry us through 10 weeks of the Chase."

Hamlin, 29, has made the Chase in all five seasons that he's driven full-time for Joe Gibbs Racing, but he's never been a real threat to win a championship. He was third in 2006, when he was the series Rookie of the Year, but his best finish since was fifth last year when he began the Chase fourth, dropped as far as 11th and rallied by winning at his home track of Martinsville and then at Homestead.

"I've made a lot of these Chases and made a lot of mistakes through these Chases," Hamlin said. "Every year I feel like we learn something. I feel this year I'm as clear as I've ever been, and we're winning at tracks we don't usually win at.

"The Chase lays out for us pretty good. If we can carry this momentum from Richmond through Loudon and Dover, we feel like we can run with anyone over the second half of the Chase."

Last year, Hamlin got off to a good start in the Chase, finishing a strong second to Martin, and moved up to third in the Chase. He followed that with a 22nd at Dover and a fifth at Kansas. Then, after he won the pole at California, an accident caused him to finish 37th; followed by an engine failure and 42nd place at Charlotte. That dropped him to 11th and killed his chances at the Chase.

"The last five races of the Chase always seem to be really good for us, and we always gain points from those last five," Hamlin said. "But the problem is: We race ourselves right out of it for the first two or three.

"So for me, it's about damage control at the beginning and trying to get the best finishes we can and see where we end up. If we are within shouting distance with five to go, then I'm pretty confident we'll have a good shot at it."

By Jeff McLane The Philadelphia Inquirer A few days before Michael Vick's return as a starting quarterback in the NFL, he asked another athlete for an autograph for the first time in his life. Four years ago, and for many reasons, such a thing would never have occurred. But that was then, when Vick was arguably the most electric...

By Jeff McLane

The Philadelphia Inquirer

Four years ago, and for many reasons, such a thing would never have occurred. But that was then, when Vick was arguably the most electric player in the league, earning millions and starring in TV commercials.

On this day -- as the Eagles' backup quarterback who will finally getting a shot against Detroit on Sunday because starter Kevin Kolb is recovering from a concussion -- he was just a dad fetching a memento for his 5-year-old daughter from her favorite player, wide receiver DeSean Jackson. When Vick, now 30, was on the cover of the Madden video game in 2004, Jackson was in high school.

The moment reflected how life has changed for Vick, about whom huge questions still swirl. Mainly, has Vick himself really changed and can he control his instinct to freelance -- sometimes to the detriment of his team -- and operate within an offensive system?

When Vick was a celebrity-athlete with the Atlanta Falcons for the first phase of his career, he never had a receiver as electrifying as Jackson. Vick's speed made him electrifying himself, but he was the quarterback, and quarterbacks were supposed to make plays with their arms, not their legs.

It was an internal battle Vick would wage with himself each week.

As a run-first quarterback, Vick's exploits were as often criticized as self-indulgence as much as they were admired for their athletic artistry.

Then, of course, came the indictment for dogfighting and gambling; the public outrage; and a federal prison sentence.

"This was once the highest-paid player in the league," said Ike Reese, the former Eagles linebacker who was once a teammate of Vick's in Atlanta. "And he lost his sense of entitlement. He's been humbled and he's savoring being back in the NFL."

Just his style

After his release from prison, with former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy as his ambassador, Vick looked forward to joining the Eagles mostly because they offered a chance to rehabilitate his playing style as he was trying to convince the world he had been rehabilitated in more meaningful ways.

Vick noted the success that Eagles coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg had in developing passing quarterbacks.

"We throw the ball more," Vick said. "So, here you have no choice but to get better in the passing game. It's like a passing camp during the summer."

Reid has praised Vick for mending his life as he has worked on his game.

"This is about Michael and him putting his heart and soul into getting things right in his life, and that's what he's done on and off the field," Reid said. "He worked really hard at that. He wanted to get things right and it can't happen without him saving his mind and doing what he's done."

While Vick's football comeback started when he was signed by the Eagles in August 2009, it began in earnest during the recent off-season as he worked himself back into football shape.

It kicked into high gear, however, when Vick replaced an injured Kolb last week and nearly rallied the Eagles past the Green Bay Packers in a 27-20 loss. He passed for 175 yards and a touchdown and ran for 103 yards playing the entire second half and a handful of plays in the first two quarters.

After last week's performance, there was an instance when the old, overconfident Vick resurfaced. If given four quarters, he said, "maybe we would have had a chance to win the game."

But other than that, Vick continues to say all the right things.

"It would be gratifying," Vick said Friday of leading the Eagles to a win over the Lions. "This team took a chance on me when not many others would."

He has pointed out that with the Eagles he doesn't have to be the one-man offense he was in Atlanta.

"I'm always going to be a confident quarterback," Vick said Friday. "I just have so many weapons around me and so much talent that you don't have to do it by yourself. At some point in Atlanta, I felt like I had to do it all, and really, I didn't. But that's just a growing process ... that's part of maturing."

Still, there are times that nag at the sensibilities of Vick-watchers.

He almost fumbled this chance with the Eagles last summer, when one of the codefendants in his dogfighting case was shot in the leg outside a Virginia Beach nightclub that was hosting Vick's birthday party. No one was charged, and investigators, the Eagles, and the NFL eventually decided that Vick was guilty of nothing more than poor judgment.

Even before Vick's legal problems with dogfighting, his star was fading in Atlanta.

"In 2005, the Falcons wanted him to play as a pocket passer and he resisted it," said Reese, now a sports talk radio host at WIP-AM (610). "He felt like his game suffered and that they were putting restrictions on him."

After a Dolphins win in which Vick threw for 228 yards, the quarterback barked at reporters, "From here on out, I don't want to hear that question -- if I can throw from the pocket."

Vick ran less in '05, but his passing numbers remained relatively the same and the Falcons finished 8-8 a year after they had reached the NFC championship game.

That off-season Vick claimed, "I got to be me," and in 2006 he went back to his freewheeling ways, rushing for more than 1,000 yards.

"But all it did was result in a 7-9 season, the coach getting fired, and a regime change," Reese said.

Then came the dogfighting-ring scandal and prison.

To help Vick make the transition to the type of quarterback they prefer, Reid and Mornhinweg worked on adjusting his throwing style so that he didn't stand too high when he set up to pass. And they drilled into him that it was fine to move about and outside the pocket, as long as he kept his eyes downfield and went through his reads.

Much of the work rested on Vick's shoulders. He had to alter his longtime habits as well as accept a lesser role. His dedication has been appreciated by many of his younger teammates, who had grown up wearing his Nike brand shoes and playing him in Madden football.

"He was a huge, maybe the biggest star in this league at one point," Eagles tight end Brent Celek said. "He never griped about anything. It says a lot about him as a person. And now he's got his chance."

A major change

Dungy, who has mentored Vick and championed his cause during his comeback, said there has been a major change in the player and the person.

"I think we saw the true Michael Vick," Dungy said of the game against the Packers. "Last year, I don't think he was ready physically to do that. He probably wasn't ready in terms of knowing their offense and all the work that had to be put in. Now he's at that point where I think he felt any time this year if they put him in he could go out and play winning football."

As unfair as it is to judge Kolb on his dreadful first half against Green Bay, it is equally unreasonable to reach a conclusion about Vick based on that game. He'll have Detroit and possibly Jacksonville the following week to further his cause of becoming a full-time starter again.

"Michael is excited to step in and play," Reid said. "As we all know, he was one of the great quarterbacks in the league before he was incarcerated."

Reid has emphasized that Kolb is the No. 1 quarterback, and it would appear unlikely that he would change his mind considering the investment the Eagles have made in the 26-year-old. But Vick could have something to say about that, or at the very least, help himself for next season.

'A great desire'

"He's got a great desire to do that, and that's all part of him resurrecting his career," Reid said. "He's a competitive, competitive guy. There's nothing more that he would like to do than start."

Vick took the week of extra attention in stride -- the swarm of reporters around his locker, the requests from national media outlets, and the additional phone calls from family and friends. He has been here before, after all.

"But I got a long way to go," Vick said.

If he's going to make his second act a successful one, Vick will have to remain as receptive and appreciative as he's been since his release from prison, when he accepted the help of Dungy, Reid, and Mornhinweg and a hotshot receiver willing to sign an autograph for his daughter.

"I'm interested to see what Michael Vick we're going to get Sunday," Reese said. "Will it be the old, overconfident Michael Vick that says, 'I can win this myself'? Or do we get the new Vick that trusts his coaches, the system, and his teammates?

"It's going to be interesting."

The Browns coveted former Tennessee safety Eric Berry with the No. 7 overall pick, but the Kansas City Chiefs beat them to the punch and picked him at No. 5. The Browns then drafted another favorite with the No. 7 pick -- cornerback Joe Haden -- and came back in the second round and selected Oregon safety T.J. Ward, who's off to a sensational start.

MIke Roemer / Associated PressThe Browns did not have a chance to draft safety Eric Berry after the Chiefs selected him in the first round of April's draft, but they are pleased so far with the play of second-round pick T.J. Ward, right, who is also a safety.

The Browns coveted former Tennessee safety Eric Berry with the No. 7 overall pick, but the Kansas City Chiefs beat them to the punch and picked him at No. 5.

The Browns then drafted another favorite with the No. 7 pick -- cornerback Joe Haden -- and came back in the second round and selected Oregon safety T.J. Ward, who's off to a sensational start. Now, the Browns are grateful for the way it worked out, because they got the premier cornerback in the draft and a safety they feel stacks up with Berry.

"[General Manager] Tom [Heckert] and I really liked him," said coach Eric Mangini. "It was a lot of the things everybody's starting to see [him do] in pro football. The thing I really like is that even if he's unsure about where he's going, he's going there fast and when he gets there, someone's going to get hit. He's confident. He's bright and he likes to hit people, which I appreciate."

Against the Buccaneers last week, Ward led the Browns with 10 tackles, including one for a loss on Kellen Winslow. He also forced a fumble and pressured Josh Freeman into an interception.

"If you just turn on the game, you'd never know T.J. was a rookie," said Haden. "The way he plays, the way he carries himself, he knows what's going on. He's already so comfortable."

Berry also had a fine debut against the Chargers, finishing second with six tackles. However, he blew one coverage, leaving a receiver open for a 59-yard TD.

"Really, I put that on myself because I'm the safety," Berry told the Kansas City Star. "When things go bad or when things aren't going the right way, it falls on me because it's my job to get the communication out and my job to make sure my corner knows what's going on. I can tell you that it will never happen again."

Browns running back Jerome Harrison worked out with Berry in the off-season and was impressed. "I've never seen a young guy work so hard. I could talk to him about what's going to happen and it wasn't like he was too big-time to listen. He's a great young man."

During the NFL Scouting Combine, Berry proclaimed himself the best player in the draft, citing his versatility and 494 interception return yards, second in NCAA history. But Ward isn't fazed by such talk.

"I don't try to stack up against Eric Berry," he said. "I'll leave that to other people. But I definitely thought I was one of the best safeties in this draft."

The Browns aren't arguing.

"T.J. Ward really is a tough guy and what a special guy he's going to be for a long time," said defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

The Chiefs feel the same way about Berry.

"He falls into that group of young guys that since day one on campus have really impressed us in a number of ways, not just in football ability," said Chiefs coach Todd Haley. "It's a good group of young men that want to be part of trying to help our team transition into becoming a good team."

The Wildcats outgain Akron, 544-172, and collect five sacks and don't turn the ball over for the third straight game.

View full sizeEd Reinke / Associated PressAkron quarterback Patrick Nicely, top, looks for a receiver as a teammate blocks Kentucky's Donte Rumph (99) during the first half Saturday in Lexington, Ky.

Will Graves / Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Derrick Locke ran for a career-high 166 yards and two touchdowns to lead Kentucky past Akron, 47-10, Saturday night.

Mike Hartline passed for 250 yards and two scores for the Wildcats (3-0), who won their 18th-straight regular season nonconference game. Kentucky opens Southeastern Conference play next week at No. 10 Florida.

The Wildcats took their time getting going against the Zips (0-3) before scoring touchdowns on six straight possessions to break it open.

Kentucky star Randall Cobb caught five passes for 43 yards and a touchdown but spent the second half on the sidelines with heartburn symptoms.

Locke made sure the Wildcats didn't need Cobb, darting through Akron's overmatched defense to become the seventh running back in school history to top 2,000 career yards.

The Wildcats outgained Akron, 544-172, and collected five sacks while failing to turn the ball over for the third straight game.

Joker Phillips became the first Kentucky coach to win his first three games on the job since Bear Bryant in 1946. Phillips took a page out of the irascible Bryant's book in the first half after a false start penalty pushed the team to the edge of field goal range.

Phillips gathered the players in a massive huddle and spent a good 45 seconds clearing his mind.

It took awhile, but the pep talk worked.

Kentucky ripped off 17 points in the final 7:49 of the half as Hartline got hot. He hit Cobb for a 13-yard touchdown pass -- thanks in part to a nifty move by Cobb at the Akron 5 -- then found Chris Matthews in the corner of the end zone on Kentucky's next drive to put the Wildcats up, 20-3, at the break.

Locke did the rest. He opened the second half with a 5-yard scoring run, then zipped through the Zips on a 56-yard touchdown burst, eluding a handful of arm tackles along the way. Locke's rushing total was the highest by a Kentucky back since Rafael Little rushed for 198 yards against Vanderbilt in 2005.

Locke's backups were nearly as good, as Ray Sanders and CoShik Williams added late touchdown runs of their own. The SEC's highest scoring offense had little resistance from the Zips, who were coming off an embarrassing loss to Football Championship Subdivision opponent Gardner-Webb last week.

Kentucky's defense limited Akron quarterbacks Patrick Nicely and Matt Rodgers to 6-of-24 passing for 105 yards, the majority of which came on a late scoring drive in garbage time.

Phillips had stressed his team needed to learn to play a complete game if it wants to compete in the SEC. The Wildcats still have a bit of growing up to do.

Akron hung around early thanks to the kind of lethargic play Kentucky had been able to avoid during wins over Louisville and Western Kentucky.

Penalties and an uncharacteristic case of the drops kept the SEC's highest scoring offense in check for most of the first half. Even the sure-handed Cobb allowed a couple of passes to bounce off his hands.

No matter. The Wildcats, thanks to some energetic urging by their coach, improved to 3-0 for the second time in three seasons.

The road will get significantly tougher next week. Kentucky hasn't beaten the Gators in 23 tries.

The Indians need Matt LaPorta's first grand slam, some good work by the bullpen and a snorkle and flippers to weather four rain delays and beat the Royals Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.

View full sizeEd Zurga / Associated PressThe Indians' Matt LaPorta hits a grand slam in the fourth inning during Saturday's game at Kansas City, Mo.

Updated 2:47 a.m.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- It rained and rained and rained Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.

No one built an ark, but it might not have been a bad idea as the Indians stayed afloat long enough to beat the Royals, 6-4, in a game that was delayed four times by rain for a total of three hours and 40 minutes.

The game itself lasted two hours and 57 minutes.

"It was a long day at work," said manager Manny Acta. "The rain didn't seem to want to go away.

Outfielder Trevor Crowe added, "That has to be a record for rain delays, right? We're lucky there was a lot of football on TV."

The Indians, one of the least powerful teams in the American League, used their second grand slam in as many games to win their third straight. Saturday's slam came off the bat of Matt LaPorta and the Indians needed everyone of the runs he delivered.

LaPorta, in an 0-for-15 slump, hammered a 2-1 fastball from Sean O'Sullivan (2-6, 6.58) with two out in the fourth to make it 5-0. It was LaPorta's first career slam and followed Shin-Soo Choo's slam in Friday's 11-4 victory.

"This is a big ballpark so I didn't know if it was out," said LaPorta, who has had an up and down year. "I'm just glad it went out. It's nice to come up big for the team." 

The Indians have hit seven slams this season. For a team that entered the game ranked 11th in the AL in homers, it's fair to say they've had more than their fair share of baseball's biggest hit.

Michael Brantley, following a two-minute rain delay at the end of the third, jump-started the fourth with a single. It extended his hitting streak to 18 straight games. It's the longest by an Indians rookie since Hall of Famer Larry Doby hit in 21 straight in 1948. It's the longest by an Indian of any status since Casey Blake hit in 26 straight in 2007.

Brantley hasn't worn out the baseball during the streak -- he entered the game hitting .284 (23-for-81) during the streak -- but he has been persistent. Asdrubal Cabrera and Choo followed with singles to give the Indians a 1-0 lead. Choo's single gave him five hits and eight RBI in the past two games.

Shelley Duncan's single past third loaded the bases for LaPorta.

"LaPorta's big blast helped us out," said Acta. "It gave us a five-run lead. . .He just had two days off to help him clear his head." 

Justin Masterson, making what was probably his last start of the season, gave up a leadoff single to Jarrod Dyson in the first before retiring nine straight. After the Indians' long fourth inning, Masterson gave up singles to Mike Aviles and Billy Butler to start the fourth, but Wilson Betemit hit into a force play at third.

Masterson had a 2-2 count on Josh Fields as the umpires called for the tarp. He did not pitch again in the game.

"We just sat around and watched a lot of football," said Masterson, on what the Indians did during the delays. "Everyone was watching the football games and wondering why the game wasn't called."

The Indians want to limit Masterson's innings to around 180. He's never started a full season in the big leagues before this season and they're trying to protect his arm.

After throwing 3 1/3 innings Saturday, he's at 176 1/3. It will be interesting to see if the Indians let him make a couple of relief appearances over the final 14 games of the season.

"I'll take what they give me," he said.

When play resumed in the fourth, Justin German relieved Masterson. He ended the fourth with no problems, but gave up four runs in the fifth to make it a 5-4 game. Rookie Jai Miller and Mike Aviles hit two-run homers. It was Miller's first big-league homer.

Germano, who needed to get through the fifth to make it an offical game, started the inning by hitting Lucas May. Plate umpire Mike Estabrook warned both teams.

Dusty Hughes high Choo with two on and one out in the fifth.

After hitting May, Germano quickly went off the tracks as evidenced by Miller and Aviles' homers. He worked his way through the fifth and retired the side in order in the sixth just in time to have the game stopped for a fourth time.

Masterson pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits, struck out four and didn't walk a batter. O'Sullivan allowed five runs on six hits in four innings.

There were four delays. The start of the game was delayed by 36 minutes. Then came a two minute delay just before the start of the fourth. Play stopped with one out in the bottom of the fourth for 1 hour and 28 minutes. Play was again stopped after Germano retired the Royals to end the sixth. That delay lasted 1 hour and 39 minutes.

The Indians made it 6-4 in the eighth on Jayson Nix's single following singles by Choo and Jordan Brown. Joe Smith (2-2), Rafael Perez, Frank Herrmann and Chris Perez followed Germano. Chris Perez worked the ninth for his 21st save. He's converted 16 of his last 17 chances.

"The bullpen did what it's done for us pretty much the whole second half," said Acta. "It stopped the bleeding and gave us an opportunity to stay on top during all the rain delays. . .And Nix's RBI  in the eighth was huge. We needed that cushion because of the way they've been swinging the bat against us."

The Indians are 7-6 against the Royals.   

The official scorer awarded the victory to Smith. When a starter doesn't go five innings, the official scorer can use his discretion to award the victory. Smith worked a scoreless seventh.

Brown was pinch-hitting for Travis Hafner. The Indians said there was nothing wrong with Hafner, but they didn't want to take a chance with his right shoulder stiffening because of all the rain delays.

When asked if he felt the game should have been called before nine innings, Acta said, "We played nine innings and no one got hurt. That's the main thing." 

To reach this Plain Dealer Reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

T.J. Houshmandzadeh probably wouldn't help the Browns that much, and Tony has a selfish reason for not wanting the team to sign him.

Q: Hey, Tony: What's your opinion on why the Browns weren't interested in T.J. Houshmandzadeh? For the past seven years I think a team in last place the year before won its division the next year. Wouldn't "Housh" help the Browns possibly be that team this year? Wishful thinking? -- Richard Borelli, Lakewood

A: Hey, Richard: I think their feeling is that if they are going to bring in anybody to displace a young receiver, it would be one with high-end speed. Housh doesn't fit that mold. Could he play for the Browns? Yes. Would he make a big difference? They must think not. On a personal note, I would not want to have to spell his last name in every game story I write.

Q: Hey, Tony: Joe Thomas has truly proven the wisdom of drafting him as a big step to rebuild the line. What concerns me is that in the Browns' depth charts that they have back-ups for everyone but him. Many view the left tackle position as the keystone of the offensive line, so why is no one listed as his backup? Are they tempting the Browns' horrible luck on injuries to key personnel -- remember LeCharles Bentley and Winslow the Lesser? -- Alan Fojt, Manassas, Va.

A: Hey, Alan: The Browns are currently going with only three offensive tackles on their roster -- Thomas, John St. Clair and Tony Pashos. Either St. Clair or Pashos would move to left tackle if Thomas is hurt in a game. Or guard Eric Steinbach could slide over. If Thomas was out of the lineup for more than a game, the Browns would be in a world of hurt.

Q: Hey, Tony: Nice article on Nick Sorensen. Got me wondering about what a guy like Nick, 10 years special-teamer. . . . What does he make doing that? I was wondering if I should come out of retirement. -- Dennis Bartlett, Queensbury, N.Y.

A: Hey, Dennis: According to NFLPA salary data, Sorensen makes a base salary of $760,000 in 2010. It's the last year of his current contract.

Q: Hey, Tony: I am very confused how you won't admit drafting [Montario] Hardesty was a mistake. You talk about the picks they gave up and how the fifth-rounders are not with their teams. This makes no sense since Hardesty was a second-round pick. Based on this logic we can look at every pick after Hardesty to see who is doing well.

The Browns need players on the field now. We can't wait till next year again. It's frustrating to hear you say it may be a bonus next year! The problem again with that approach is that he was supposed to play this year. I was also concerned with T.J. Ward's past injuries. -- Bill Thiro, Staten, Island, N.Y.

A: Hey, Bill: If Hardesty never plays again for the Browns, then the selection and trade obviously would be a huge blunder. But I'm not smart enough to project that he won't be back on the field next season. Yes, they will miss him in 2010. The good organizations recover from situations like this.

Q: Hey, Tony: What exactly is the major problem between the owners and the players and will this get resolved before it's too late? -- Angelo Costanzo, Cleveland

A: Hey, Angelo: It comes down to this: The players won the negotiating battle when the collective bargaining agreement was extended in 2006. The deal included the option for either side to "opt out" after 2009. The owners exercised that option. They want the players to give back some things. The deadline for resolving this mess is March. I think a resolution will come at the last minute. If not, both sides will suffer a tremendous backlash from fans.

Q: Hey, Tony: Was Joel Reinders picked up by anyone after he was waived, or is he headed to the CFL? -- Kevin F, Brunswick

A: Hey, Kevin: To my knowledge, Reinders has not signed with another NFL team or a CFL team.

Q: Hey, Tony: 'Thursday a few of the Vikings and Saints players came out onto the field and raised their hands pointing to the sky to represent they are all "one." I still don't truly understand what is going on with this CBA issue (nobody has said what the real issue is for a player vs. the league).

Most everyone talks about it being an uncapped year, but are the players not "one?" What's the purpose of the NFLPA? Are not all players part of the NFLPA? So, I guess what I'm really asking is, why did the players feel the need to do that, when their voice is the NFLPA?

Also, I was reading an article about what had happened, and Osi Umenyiora/Mathias Kiwanuka said the fans have a voice; what can we do other then just buying tickets? -- Justin Mitchell, Albuquerque

A: Hey, Justin: The raised-hands gesture of the Saints and Vikings was a message to owners, who may doubt whether the players are unified. I believe the fans are voicing their displeasure about the goings-on by staying away from NFL games in increasing numbers. Believe me, the decline in NFL attendance is getting everybody's attention on both sides of the labor issue.

Q: Hey, Tony: Would you agree that Jon Jansen and Justin Hartwig would be good pick-ups for an offensive line that is a little banged up? Why haven't the Browns picked either of them up from waivers? -- Robert Grace, Napa, Calif.

A: Hey, Robert: Hartwig is a center, and the Browns have no problem there. Jansen is strictly a right tackle and has had repeated injuries. I'm not sure he could help the Browns right now.

Q: Hey, Tony: With a 35- year-old starting quarterback and no third-string quarterback even close to being ready to play, why would the Browns put Seneca Wallace in the wildcat or whatever and risk injury? Seems like a greater chance of injury in the non-quarterback role. -- John Casey, Athens, Ohio

A: Hey, John: Excellent observation. I think it's easier to answer this way: It's a way of getting Wallace a few reps in a game and keeping him in the flow. Now that Jake Delhomme is injured and Wallace is starting, I believe you will see less of Wallace in any wildcat package.

Q: Hey, Tony: Is it true that Mangini would not be fired midseason, even if we began 1-7 or 2-6? If we finished 6-10, is there any hope Jon Gruden or Bill Cowher would arrive 2011? -- Mason Tucker, Galion, Ohio

A: Hey, Mason: I really don't want to begin answering those doom-and-gloom scenarios. As for Gruden, he told me last year he would not coach in the NFL for a minimum of two years. I believe him. Cowher, I believe, will be back in 2011, if the labor situation is resolved.

Q: Hey, Tony: Is Romeo [Crennel] still being paid by the Browns? If so, how much are the Browns paying and how much are the Chiefs paying? -- Rick Green, Cleveland

A: Hey, Rick: The money owed Crennel by the Browns is offset by what the Chiefs are paying him. Those figures are not available like player salaries because the coaches are not part of the union.

Q: Hey, Tony: Joe Haden said he never looks back when he's covering somebody. Are we going to need to keep a new statistic of how many would-be interceptions bounce off his helmet? -- Gary Shulman, Novelty

A: Hey, Gary: Give the guy a chance, huh?

Q: Hey, Tony: The Browns made 38 passing attempts and 23 rushing attempts in the opener, in wet conditions, and were never down by more than three points. I'm sorry, but Brian Daboll has got to go. -- Kevin C., Phoenix

A: Hey, Kevin: I just think experienced NFL play-callers are far more cognizant of the run-pass ratio during games.

Q: Hey, Tony: As easy as it would be to write about Delhomme's interceptions, the fumbles by [Peyton] Hillis or wondering if Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert really have improved the team compared to last year, tell us about some positives you took away from [last week's] game, and what you think the Browns can exploit or take advantage of vs. the Chiefs. -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.

A: Hey, Tim: The defense performed well. T.J. Ward was excellent in his first NFL game. Joe Haden can play and will improve by leaps and bounds over the course of the season. Marcus Benard continues to be productive and should be on the field more. Same for Ahtyba Rubin.

Mohamed Massaquoi looks real good. Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis ran well. The Browns' defense against the run was improved.

As for the Chiefs game, the biggest advantage the Browns hold is the fact the Chiefs are on the road after a short work week following a Monday night game.

Q: Hey, Tony: Who do you think is more upset at the loss to the Bucs, Mike Holmgren or die-hard Browns fans? -- Shawn Gray, Mansfield

A: Hey, Shawn: Both. Why would you question Holmgren's emotions after that debacle?

Q: Hey, Tony: Can you tell me when it is that [Eric] Mangini actually does any coaching on the sidelines during a game? He stands either with his hands on his hips, or with his arms crossed shaking his head, and rarely says anything! It's driving me crazy! -- Brad A. Watkins, Indianapolis

A: Hey, Brad: You only see him when the cameras are on him. There's a lot of conversation going on between him and the coaches. I do fault Mangini and his staff for not making adjustments in the second half.

Q: Hey, Tony: In the Tampa Bay game, why weren't more passes thrown to the wide receivers? Were they covered, or they couldn't get separation? What is your opinion of [Brian] Daboll's game calling in this game? -- FC, Los Angeles

A: Hey, FC: I think the pass routes need to be changed. The wideouts are sent on too many long patterns. I'd like to see the ball get into their hands more quickly on quick outs, inside slants -- patterns that enable them to separate from the defense with the ball, not without it. Daboll's play-calling was not good, obviously.

Q: Hey, Tony: After Delhomme's now customary meltdown I was stunned to hear fans put the loss on Mangini's shoulders, and start their Gruden and Cowher calls to the local radio shows. The fans screamed bloody murder last year when Mangini favored [Derek Anderson] DA (who is now starting in the NFL again and winning) over [Brady] Quinn, who is practically out of the league now.

This year Holmgren brings in washed-up Delhomme and they in turn blame Mangini still. Do these fans realize this team is in rebuild mode and Cowher and Gruden are not riding in on white horses to save the day? -- Michael Spitale, Galena, Ohio

A: Hey, Michael: I do think Mangini needs to win this year to stay as coach. What does that mean? Fewer than 10 losses, in my opinion.

Q: Hey, Tony: In the Tampa game, Harrison was 9-for-52 and Hillis was 9-for-41. The mix of pass to run from Daboll was about 70/30 against a weak run defense. Your team is up 14-3 and instead of pounding the ball on the ground or screen passes you call more downfield pass plays. As was the case last year, the biggest problem for this offense is Daboll as the offensive coordinator. When will Holmgren step in and get rid of the biggest problem with the offense: Daboll? -- Dave M, Lawrenceville, Ga.

A: Hey, Dave: I believe there is more pressure on Daboll than on any Browns offensive coordinator in recent memory. Why? Because of the presence of Holmgren and Gil Haskell, his longtime offensive coordinator who is an adviser to Holmgren.

Q: Hey, Tony: While I wasn't surprised that Hillis played so much, I was a bit surprised that Harrison played so little. Is he in some version of the doghouse? I thought perhaps Harrison's preseason fumble played a role, but Hillis got put right back in after his fumble. Any idea why Harrison has fallen out of favor? -- Stan Himes, West Des Moines, Iowa

A: Hey, Stan: These are the theories: Mangini didn't like Harrison's practice habits last year. While improved at picking up the blitz, Harrison is still a potential weakness there. Neither Mangini nor the new regime of Tom Heckert and Mike Holmgren believe Harrison can hold up over the long haul. Just theories, mind you.

Q: Hey, Tony: With all the ado about Jim Brown recently, I was thinking about what his contract amount might have been back in the early '60's and how that would compare with today's contracts with the top running backs in the NFL? I'm wondering what his worth back then would be, relative to today's top stars in actual dollars. -- Don P, Worthington, Ohio

A: Hey, Don: I'm not sure what Brown made in his heyday. I believe he was the highest-paid player in the league at one time with a salary of $100,000. Today, he would command a contract in the range of $8 million to $10 million a year. The problem nowadays is that running backs don't pull in the salary numbers of, say, quarterbacks and even receivers because their NFL life span is much shorter as a result of the pounding they take. No teams are willing to invest long-term in running backs.

Q: Hey, Tony: I am well versed on Tony's anathema list of subjects NOT to address, but maybe there is a loophole here since I am asking about coaches' attire for games rather than team uniforms.

How do the NFL dress police stipulate coaches appear on the sidelines on Sundays? Personally, I am not a big fan of the Bill Belichick una-bomber look with the hoodies and ripped sleeves. Are coaches not allowed to wear suits and ties along the sidelines? Does a suit make it hard for them to stuff their laminated play charts down the front of their pants (should be a fine for that!)? Why do they dress like ball boys and trainers? I miss the suits and ties (and derbies) of Paul Brown, Vince Lombardi, Blanton Collier, Hank Stram, etc. Thanks. -- Jim Albertson, Norman, Okla.

A: Hey, Jim: The league requires coaches to wear team-authorized attire. In recent years, the commissioner permitted former San Francisco coach Mike Nolan and Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio to wear suits and ties, but only for a game. The league is big on uniformity and does not encourage individuality.

Q: Hey, Tony: Are the Browns coaches too focused on outsmarting the opposition? What else explains Hillis when we were all expecting Harrison. There are plenty of similar examples going to the beginning of last year. Didn't they play best last year when they had limited options and just ran the ball? -- Randall Rupp, Winston-Salem, N.C.

A: Hey, Randall: I rest my case, your honor.

Q: Hey, Tony: There isn't one press conference that your buddy Bruce Drennan doesn't slam his colleagues in the media for not asking the right questions. Comments? -- Bobby Meyer, Elyria

A: Hey, Bobby: Drennan is mad that I beat him in the Par 3 Shootout on SportsTimeOhio.

Q: Hey, Tony: Based on what you saw after only one game from Josh Cribbs, did you like the underpaid hungry Josh better than the current Cribbs? To me, he looked like a guy who not runs like he just got paid. -- Brett Ormsby, Bay Village

A: Hey, Brett: You raise an interesting point. I am not saying that Cribbs is giving less effort after his $20 million new contract, but I have heard sources say that he seems to have gotten a big head. Hunger -- his inner drive -- certainly made him a Pro Bowl player after being not drafted out of Kent State. Keeping that hunger is imperative for Cribbs to reach even higher levels of play.

Q: Hey, Tony: Any chance the Jets inquire about Shaun Rogers' 'availability now that their NT Kris Jenkins has gone down for the year? Considering the recent trade history between the two teams and the high expectations in New York this year, I thought it might be a possibility. If you do think the Browns would put Rogers on the trade market, what do you think they would get in return? -- Josh Melitschka, Middleburg Heights

A: Hey, Josh: My gut feeling is that the Browns recognize Rogers as a great player and integral player in their defense and would not make him available in a trade. However, if an attractive trade offer materialized before the deadline in the season's sixth week, I am sure they would consider it. What could they get for him? It's hard to say because it seems like so many quality players have been traded for mid- to low-round draft picks.

Q: Hey, Tony: You mentioned that Mike Holmgren experienced his "Welcome to Cleveland" moment with the Jim Brown fiasco. Care to rank the top ten of these "moments" that seem to happen only with this franchise? -- Steve Cornelius, Avon Lake

A: Hey, Steve: Wow, great question. Without ranking them, I would include the following: Orlando Brown's meltdown after getting a penalty flag thrown into his eye. Bottlegate. LeCharles Bentley's knee injury on his first team rep at training camp. Kellen Winslow blowing out his knee while practicing motorcycle stunts. Tim Couch's crying interview after suffering a concussion and getting booed at home. The rash of staph infections and lawsuits filed by Joe Jurevicius and Bentley. I have to stop now. I'm getting a headache.

Q: Hey, Tony: Everyone, with the exception of the Browns management and leadership, questioned our current talent at wide receiver during the off-season. Not only did we not make any moves of significance, but we did not even draft any prospects. What were the Browns thinking? This simply seems to me like inept management and it is inexcusable. -- Drew Branham, Minneapolis

A: Hey, Drew: Well, they did draft Carlton Mitchell of South Florida in the fifth round. What were they thinking? They were expressing confidence in Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie, along with Josh Cribbs and Chansi Stuckey. Plus, they felt they had other priorities to address.

Q: Hey, Tony: ESPN has the Browns ranked as the worst team in the entire NFL. Do you think there is any merit to this? If so, does that mean it is time for Mangini to go? -- Dave Larson, Lorain

A: Hey, Dave: I do not think the Browns are the worst team in the NFL. I would rank the following teams lower: Detroit, St. Louis, Tampa Bay (don't say it), Jacksonville, Buffalo and Seattle (don't say it).

Q: Hey, Tony: If everyone realizes that the Browns right side of the offensive line is weak, how come the Browns do not look into trading for Logan Mankins, the holdout Pro Bowler who refuses to sign a contract in New England? -- Brent Kallay, Mentor

A: Hey, Brent: My guess is the Browns have a lot of money already invested in their offensive line and don't want to add what would be a sizable contract if they traded for Mankins.

Q: Hey, Tony: It seems like the Mark Sanchez trade may be paying off for the Browns with all the negative press he is getting. The other early draft winner seems to be Joe Haden versus Kyle Wilson, who was torched by the Ravens. What are your thoughts? -- Tom Quayle, Aurora

A: Hey, Tom: Yes, Sanchez continues to struggle. But the trade for Sanchez netted the Browns the three ex-Jets -- Abram Elam, Kenyon Coleman and Brett Ratliff -- in addition to draft picks that resulted in Alex Mack and David Veikune. While Mack has quickly developed into a sturdy center, I would not write off Sanchez. As a quarterback, his ceiling is much higher than Mack's. As for Wilson, I never understood the fascination with the cornerback from Boise State over the one from Florida.

Q: Hey, Tony: It seems to me that Mangini sticks with his guys at the expense of the Browns' best interests. Two examples to me are Elam and Barton. I have seen very little positive from either and yet Mike Adams and any other linebacker (pick one) occasionally make plays. Can you shed any light on this situation? -- Joel, Sidney, Ohio

A: Hey, Joel: Elam and Barton were brought over by Mangini because of their familiarity with his system and also to serve as locker room leaders who could assure the doubters that Mangini knew what he was doing.

Q: Hey, Tony: I know this is a jackpot of a question, but do you have an opinion on the report of Ines Sainz being treated unprofessionally by N.Y. Jets players in the locker room? I had never heard of her before, but it seems to me that she flaunts her physical attributes and that some catcalls should be expected. Does the NFL have a dress code for women reporters while they are in the locker room? -- Rich Smith, Columbus

A: Hey, Rich: As for your last question, I don't believe the NFL has a dress code for women reporters or men reporters in locker rooms. As for the general issue of Ines Sainz, I don't know her and don't know the facts of the situation in the Jets' locker room. I will say I have witnessed instances of players abusing reporters -- female and male -- and it is not a pretty thing to watch.

Q: Hey, Tony: With Delhomme getting injured, it got me thinking about our QBs. Is Colt McCoy making any progress as a third string QB? Is he learning the system well, and what are the possibilities of him playing any extended time this year, especially if Wallace goes down? -- Chris Lowe, Parkersburg, W.Va.

A: Hey, Chris: I think if Delhomme's injury was determined to keep him out for an extended period, the Browns would seek to acquire a veteran QB to back up Seneca Wallace.

Q: Hey, Tony: Why do the Cleveland Browns team shows like "Berea Report" and "The Red Zone" make excuses for Delhomme. He made the same mistakes that cost him in Carolina and now they're trying to blame the ankle? Why don't we go with Wallace and become the Cinderella team this year? We can win with Wallace at the controls. -- James Williams, Cleveland

A: Hey, James: The Browns have no editorial control over the "Berea Report" and "The Red Zone." The opinions are those of the individual panelists. They are entitled to their opinions, just like you. We shall see what Wallace can do, possibly beginning Sunday.

Q: Hey, Tony: Where do you get off starting your podcast with derogatory comments about ". . . bug-infested Florida?" With that remark you not only cast dispersions on the whole Tampa Bay area, you portray yourself as negative, dour and bush league. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Don't you remember the 2007 MLB playoffs when massive swarms of midges descended on Progressive Field and distracted Joba Chamberlain to the point of losing that game? Gimme a break and stop the stupid negative comments. Your readers are dropping like flies! -- Robert Simone, St. Petersburg, Fla.

A: Hey, Robert: I first used the phrase "bug-infested Florida" in a column I did lamenting the move (back then) of Indians moving their spring training camp from Tucson, Ariz., to Winter Haven, Fla. It drew so much attention that I have revived it several times and will continue to do so.

-- Tony

Even the Cavaliers aren't sure right now who they can target with their trade exception.

Q: Hey, Brian: Who are some of the players the Cavs can realistically target with their trade exception? -- Lee Thompson, Williard

A: Hey, Lee: The answer is, I don't know and neither does the team right now. The Cavs have until next July to use the $14.5 million and their plan is to be patient and see what develops. You just never know which players will become available as events take place during the season. Most teams looking to dump a player for an exception are when they are in distress and teams aren't in distress right now.

Fans should remain grounded, however. Do not expect the Cavs to be able to just trade for a star player with it. They can break it into pieces and, frankly, that is what is most likely. They may use it to absorb mid-level players in salary-cap clearing trades to pick up extra draft picks or prospects from teams looking to dump money.

Also, there are a handful of teams out there with large trade exceptions created over this wild summer. There's more money in trade exceptions out there right now than there's been in a decade so it doesn't have as much value. But it is a valuable asset that can be used many different ways.

Q: Hey, Brian: You wrote that the Cavs $14.5 million trade exception could be used for a player making up to $18.2 million. Is that right? I didn't think trade exceptions had the same rules as standard player trades. -- James Richards, Folsom, Calif.

A: Hey, James: What are you a salary-cap expert or something? You're right and I was wrong about that one. After review of the fine print, the trade exception does not apply to the standard 25 percent trade rule. So they most they could trade for is a total of $14.5 million in matching salaries.

Q: Hey, Brian: With Danny Ferry going back to San Antonio's front office, is there a chance the Cavs may look to make some trades with the Spurs for some Cavs players Ferry make want to bring in? -- Frank Wolacek, Peoria, Ill.

A: Hey, Frank: With Ferry's relationship with Spurs GM R.C. Buford and Mike Brown's relationship with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, there has long been very few secrets between the teams. Yet, they have not done business in the last five years so I wouldn't assume it would happen. But obviously there's a value in familiarity, so it is possible.

Q: Hey, Brian: Do the Cavs have an alternate blue uniform this season, or do they just have the white home and wine away ones they unveiled recently? -- Lauren, Cleveland

A: Hey, Lauren: No they won't. There are plenty of obscure uniform rules within the NBA and one of them is you can't have an alternate uniform for two years after you unveil a new uniform design. So there will be no alternate blue this season. However, the Cavs can still have special-edition uniforms and they'll wear those several times. Like I said, the rules are obscure.

-- Brian