The Buckeyes have been actively recruiting an elite 2016 offensive tackle in E.J. Price of Lawrenceville (Ga.) Archer, and the 6-foot-6, 290-pound prospect released his final top 10 on Tuesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State had an impressive haul of offensive lineman in the 2015 recruiting class. That doesn't mean Urban Meyer doesn't want more in 2016. 

The Buckeyes have been actively recruiting an four-star 2016 offensive tackle in E.J. Price of Lawrenceville (Ga.) Archer, and the 6-foot-6, 290-pound prospect released his final top 10 on Tuesday. 

Price gave hints for which programs are really making an impact in his recruitment because the top 10 he released was in order. Ohio State checked in at No. 3 behind Auburn and Michigan.

This is the final TOP 10...in order!!!! pic.twitter.com/lCvAzDUBgp

— Ej Price (@Ej_Price77) January 27, 2015

Rated by 247Sports the No. 14 offensive tackle in the 2016 class, Price also included Florida State, South Carolina, USC, Clemson, Alabama, LSU and Tennessee. 

Georgia, the in-state power, didn't make the cut, and Price could be the latest example for why Ohio State has found so much success recruiting the Peach State. 

Though National Signing Day for 2015 is still about two weeks away, Meyer already has six verbal commitments in the 2016 recruiting class, all of which are rated as composite four-star prospects by 247Sports. 

LeBron James said the Cavaliers play harder than before. Their loss last month to Detroit is an example.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Cavaliers' six-game winning streak follows a losing side of the same length, and the difference between the two is succinctly explained by coach David Blatt.

LeBron James is on the floor and the three new players the Cavs added via trade during their six-game losing streak are meshing well.

"In all fairness, before Andy (Varejao) went down, and then before LeBron went out, there was nothing wrong with our team. Nothing," Blatt said this morning prior to the Cavaliers' shootaround in preparation for tonight's game against the Detroit Pistons. "We were doing fine. We lost some of our biggest and best players and we had a tough period. The news guys who have come in have added a lot of energy, a lot of ability, a great spirit, and they've helped us."

There is one game, one loss, from this season that disrupts Blatt's narrative ever so slightly. And it came against the Pistons.

On Dec. 28, with James on the floor, the Pistons visited The Q and routed the Cavaliers 103-80. Cleveland had already lost Varejao to a torn Achilles by then and Kyrie Irving didn't play that day because of a minor injury, but the group of players the Cavs had available against the Pistons had just beaten the Orlando Magic on the road two days prior.

The Pistons, winners of just six games at the time, held multiple leads of 27 points in the game and drained a franchise-record 17 three-pointers. James scored 17 points, but committed seven turnovers and shot 5-of-19 from the field.

Statistically, it was the worst loss of James' career (23-point margin to a sub-.300 team), and as it turned out, it was James' last game until he returned Jan. 13 after two weeks of resting nagging knee and back injuries.

James, of course, has been brilliant since his return, averaging 30.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.1 steals in seven games and is the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

But when he's asked – and he's asked nearly every day – what's the difference for him and the Cavs from then to now, he doesn't just cite his health or the addition of new players.

He also talks about effort.

"Playing with a little more intensity, a little more sense of urgency to start the games," James said this morning. "Everything is not going to always be perfect. But we can cover for one another when we're playing hard. We've done that with a little more sustained than we did before."

This is not the first time this season James alluded to the Cavaliers playing at less than maximum effort. He first made the admission when the team was mired in a four-game losing streak in November, when he said he and his teammates took possessions off.

All four of those November losses were with James on the court, and that skid was followed by an eight-game winning streak. Five of Cleveland's last six losses were without James.

Since he returned, he has on multiple occasions suggested the Cavs didn't "compete" when he was out. Asked today what's the reason for the six-game winning streak, James said his team is "just competing, playing the game the right way."

"It's understanding how important, how hard it is to win in this league," he said. "Can't just show up, no matter who you have on the floor in this league."

The Cavs' loss to Detroit last month was two days after James used "chill mode" to describe his in-game approach against Orlando. Stories were circulating at the time criticizing James' body language and engagement in huddles and questioning his relationship with Blatt, as well as his commitment to the organization.

Body language and huddle participation are no longer issues for James, and the Cavs' front office has pushed back vehemently against the narrative of internal strife between the players and coach.

There is also little denying the positive impact that the Jan. 5 trade for J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, and Jan. 7 deal for Timofey Mozgov have had on the team. Count Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy as the latest admirer of Cleveland general manager David Griffin's work.

"Well they're playing great, but a lot of it's because the players," Van Gundy said. "They had a rough day (Dec. 28), they were without Irving, that makes a big difference, and they only had the one big guy in Tristan Thompson, which also makes a big difference. They've made some good moves with their roster, they're doing what they should do. Bringing LeBron James in, they're going for it now. They sacrificed some future assets to get Mozgov in there. They made a good trade with New York.

"Probably just looking at offensive talent, it's probably the most talented roster in the East. They're a major challenge right now."

Vote in our poll on which of five options for Miller makes the most sense, or add in your own choice for Miller's football decision.

COLUMBUS -- A year ago, Braxton Miller hadn't even had shoulder surgery yet. That arrived on Feb. 21, 2014, called "minor outpatient surgery" by Ohio State at the time.

But 12 months ago, Miller had decided to stay at Ohio State, his decision to bypass the NFL Draft affected by the hit he took early in the Orange Bowl that injured his labrum.

He had decided to be a Buckeye in 2014.

And he now he has to decide what he'll be in 2015.

Do yourself a favor, and find a Miller highlight package on YouTube to remind yourself what kind of player we're talking about here, because too many OSU fans seem to have forgotten what the two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year was like on the field.

And then remember the story after Miller's second surgery in August, and the idea that nothing is guaranteed after a second labrum surgery.

"I can tell you that the labrum doesn't heal particularly well," Dr. Mark Schickendantz of the Cleveland Clinic told me then. "The surgery is difficult, the blood supply is poor and it's hard to get these things to heal. It's a difficult thing to come back from. If you look across the board, successful return to play is not all that predictable. People don't understand how difficult it is to come back from that type of surgery."

That's where we are. There's a college football star who has seen people talking about his future for months. That hasn't been easy, and that won't stop.

• Where Braxton Miller still stands tall

No one should forgot what kind of player Miller was. But no one knows for certain what kind of player Miller will be now. And no one knows for certain just how Miller is going to approach the next step of his football life.

We won't pretend to know, even though Miller seemed to drop a hint about remaining at Ohio State with his words to the crowd at Ohio State's National Championship celebration on Saturday.

"It's a privilege and an honor to be a part of this national championship team," Miller said. "Guess what? We've got another year to do it."

Legacy does matter, at least in some way, to Miller. And he was appreciative of the reception Saturday, when fans chanted "one more year."

Love was amazing today! pic.twitter.com/W6ZiqGwVqi

— BRAXTON MILLER (@BraxtonMiller5) January 24, 2015

But he also would like to prepare himself to take a run at making money playing football.

Much of his decision will have to be determined by his health, and whether his shoulder is ready to be a full-time college football quarterback's shoulder in September. But his decision will have to be made before then.

Miller can transfer anywhere and play right away since he has received his undergraduate degree. Russell Wilson didn't transfer from North Carolina State to Wisconsin until the final days of June in 2011.

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller spoke to the crowd at the Buckeyes' National Championship celebration on Saturday.Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer

Miller has five months to work with. And five real choices.

1. Remain at Ohio State and fight for the starting quarterback job: If he's healthy, and that's a big if, what tells you that Miller couldn't win the starting job? J.T. Barrett worked the offense like a veteran last season and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting, but he worked it in the way in which Miller had described wanting the offense to work his senior season.

Lots of things came together in year three of Urban Meyer's offense at Ohio State that helped both Barrett and Cardale Jones succeed. Miller would have as well. It's stunning what those quarterbacks did as No. 2 and No. 3 on the depth chart. But remember who was No. 1 until that second injury in mid-August.

2. Remain at Ohio State and change positions: Again, go watch some highlights. Nothing is wrong with Miller's legs. And that speed and cutting ability looks like it could work in the pros, one way or another.

There were absolutely valid questions before Miller's injury as to whether he could be an NFL quarterback. Absolutely, he'd have a chance. But he wasn't a sure thing or a lock as a first-rounder or anything.

Miller wants to be a quarterback, but this option must be on the table if the shoulder just won't let him return to his form as a thrower. And look at some of the former college quarterbacks making their way at other positions in the NFL, including Denard Robinson and Julian Edelman. Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall just moved to cornerback during the Senior Bowl while prepping for the pros.

My possible comparison?

Josh Cribbs. But Josh Cribbs-plus.

Cribbs threw for more than 7,000 yards and ran for more than 3,600 yards as a quarterback at Kent State, but he made his NFL bones as a returner. I don't think you just make Miller, at this point in his life, a true receiver or a between-the-tackles true tailback.

But to let him get the ball in space and go, as some kind of slot guy or H-back or return man? He is fast and he is elusive and his is an elite athlete.

That type of transition could begin at Ohio State.

3. Remain at Ohio State but primarily focus on getting ready for the NFL: Say the recovery period for his shoulder is at the long end of the range, at a year. That puts him still coming back and trying to throw in mid-August, just two weeks before the start of the next season.

View full sizeBraxton Miller was ready to lead the Buckeyes in 2014 before a second shoulder surgery. Could he be their starting quarterback again in 2015?Paul Beaty, Associated Press 

Say he doesn't want to push it. Say he doesn't want to risk a third tear. Say he begins to understand that his college career just didn't end the way he wanted it to end, and that his real focus is the NFL Combine in February of 2016.

Miller could remain in the quarterback room, continue to learn offensive football, train like a maniac, be ready if Barrett and Jones get hurt, but, in truth, be working primarily on getting ready for the NFL.

4. Transfer to another college football power to be the quarterback: Name a major program with a quarterback opening, and Miller's name has probably been linked to it - Oregon, LSU, Florida State.

Regardless of what Miller has said so far, these options aren't out of the picture until it's too late for him to make the move. But his shoulder makes this more complex than just leaving to step in to replace Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota.

5. Transfer somewhere he has relationships and people know him: This is slightly different than option No. 4, because it would involve Miller finding a place with some familiarity, not just another powerhouse.

One option that has been floated by everyone is joining former Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman at Houston.

Another choice, completely made up right here, could be Youngstown State, where Jim Tressel, the man who recruited Miller, is the president, and former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, who coached against Miller in the Big Ten, is the new football coach. Again, that's nothing I've heard, just an idea in the search for familiarity.

Is there another option out there I'm forgetting? Add your thoughts in the comments and vote in our poll on what you think Miller should do.

"We treat Ohio as in-state," Stoops said. "That doesn't get talked about enough - is how much of a point of emphasis we put on Ohio from myself down to every assistant on the staff." Watch video

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The desk in Vince Marrow's small office faces the front door, so it's possible someone passing by may have seen Kentucky's recruiting coordinator do a little fist pump. 

Maybe it would be awkward to know Marrow is celebrating Ohio State's recruiting success, that his little gesture usually happens when Urban Meyer picks up a verbal commitment from a prospect who lives outside the state of Ohio. 

"More for us," said Marrow, his eyes widening. 

Peek your head through the door and look left. That's when it all starts to really make sense.

You'll find a large whiteboard with a list of 30 prospects Marrow has brought to the center of Kentucky's recruiting focus. It seems like it was pretty easy for Marrow to formulate the list considering it resembles the rankings of Ohio's top 50 prospects you can easily find at any recruiting service's website. 

"Ohio State can't take them all," Marrow said. "Now I feel pretty good when I have to battle Notre Dame, Michigan, because we have beaten those guys already. Wisconsin, Pitt, all those schools." 

Kentucky isn't afraid of Michigan, Wisconsin or Notre Dame? What world are we living in? That sounds crazy. 

But it's not. Kentucky's 2014 recruiting class illustrates Marrow's point. It was the first one he and head coach Mark Stoops built together in its entirety, and it had 11 prospects from the state of Ohio, eight rated in the top 20 in the state. 

Ohio State didn't have room for those players, but the high school talent depth in Ohio is only paralleled by, at most, three other states in the country. The Ohio players Kentucky signed in 2014 are really good. 

They are the ones that should be trickling out to Big Ten programs like Michigan State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue, Indiana, all of them. Those talents aren't staying in the Big Ten. 

Which is why Kentucky assembled a 2014 class that ranked No. 22 overall according to 247Sports.com, an absurd feat considering the Wildcats are 2-14 in the SEC play the last two years under Stoops.

Only two Big Ten teams – Ohio State (No. 3) and Michigan (No. 20) – assembled better classes in 2014. Think about it – the team that went 2-10 in 2013 signed more talented recruiting classes than all but two teams from the Big Ten. 

That's how important recruiting Ohio is.

And that's why Kentucky has become the Big Ten Killer. 

"Honestly, that's how Michigan State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Notre Dame, they all benefit from the kids from Ohio that Ohio State wasn't taking," Marrow said. "The issue is now, we have been beating them on those guys the last two years. 

"I love rolling up my sleeves and going to work. The proof is in the pudding. A couple major Big Ten schools offered eight (of our Ohio commits), some offered all of them, and they didn't get one. Do your homework, it speaks for itself."

Marrow speaks confidently despite the fact Kentucky has only won seven games in the past two seasons. He has that glow in his eye because Kentucky isn't losing the recruiting game, which gives him an aura of confidence that the Wildcats are an emerging SEC power built with Ohio talent. 

View full sizeKentucky head coach Mark Stoops knew that attacking Ohio was going to be a central focus for the Wildcats since day one on the job. Timothy D. Easley, AP 

Kentucky knows its place, too. Stoops and Marrow are smart about their approach, wise in the understanding that it needs to pick its spots. That was evident again Tuesday night when the Buckeyes flipped three-star defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton of Pickerington (Ohio) Central from the Wildcats. 

Ohio State is going to take the cream of the crop in Ohio. Meyer hasn't let an elite prospect he wants from Ohio leave for college in three years, so Kentucky isn't going to get in too deep with head-to-head battles with the Buckeyes. 

It's seems weird on the surface, but it's natural that Marrow – and to some extent, Stoops – pull for Ohio State.

You know who Marrow and Stoops were rooting for in the title game because, well, the Buckeyes can now afford to take an even more national recruiting approach as champions. 

"With the greater success they have and how well they recruit and how much they can go coast-to-coast, and I know how hard Urban works, it only helps us," Stoops said. "They can only take so many guys. That's just it." 

Kentucky is supposed to be intimidated by Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin. Ohio State's leftovers – the really good ones, anyway – are supposed to stay in Big Ten country. 

So why is Kentucky making the rest of the Big Ten look so bad? It helps that Stoops and Marrow are from Youngstown, were high school teammates at Cardinal Mooney under Stoops' father, Ron, and have a ton of relationships in the state. 

View full sizeUrban Meyer is still the king of pulling top Ohio talent, but Kentucky has come in and recruited the state better than any other Big Ten program.Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com 

But it's about relentless effort – sound familiar? Stoops has dedicated time for every single one of his assistants to go through Ohio in the spring, and Kentucky has approached Ohio like Ohio State. 

"We treat Ohio as in-state," Stoops said. "That doesn't get talked about enough - is how much of a point of emphasis we put on Ohio from myself down to every assistant on the staff."

Plus the distance makes sense. Kentucky is an SEC school that plays in the deepest, most talented conference in college football ... and it's an hour away from Southern Ohio. The location couldn't be any more perfect for Stoops' first head coaching job. 

So come on Darrell Hazell, Kevin Wilson Tim Beckman, Pat Fitzgerald – any of you. 

Who is going to be the reason Marrow doesn't fist-pump when only Ohio State is out of the picture?

Who is going to challenge ... Kentucky? 

"I'm going to tell you this - my wife graduated from Ohio State, my mother-in-law, my father-in-law, my brother-in-law," Marrow told cleveland.com during an in-person interview last week. "The only person I told was my brother-in-law and he had an an attitude, man. They bleed Ohio State." Watch video

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Vince Marrow was home for Christmas when he first heard that he was going to have the opportunity to leave Kentucky for an assistant coaching position on Michigan's staff under Jim Harbaugh.

That should've been a source of real excitement for Marrow, to go help rebuild Michigan's program by being the Wolverines' point man for recruiting the state of Ohio. 

• The Big Ten Killer - Why Kentucky's presence in Ohio is keeping Ohio State's conference down

Marrow, though, opted to keep the news to himself. He was surrounded by family members who also happen to be a pro-Ohio State crowd.  

"I'm going to tell you this - my wife graduated from Ohio State, my mother-in-law, my father-in-law, my brother-in-law," Marrow told cleveland.com during an in-person interview last week. "The only person I told was my brother-in-law and he had an an attitude, man. They bleed Ohio State." 

That's not the entire reason Marrow stayed with Mark Stoops at Kentucky. Stoops was given the resources to give Marrow a considerable raise, which helped, but Marrow said that he's excited about what he's building at Kentucky. 

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Marrow helped Kentucky sign 11 Ohio prospects in its 2014 class, eight of which ranked as top-20 players in the state of Ohio. 

But the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is real, and it's one his family takes seriously. The thought of wearing a Block M on his hat and going into Ohio as a Wolverine crossed Marrow's mind.

"Bro, I got to be honest with you," Marrow said. "It's a unique thing, man. It's Ohio State-Michigan. It's still a job, but you think you do that, you know what that means. If (going to Michigan) would ever happen, I would wonder how my family would handle that. I am telling you – they bleed blue because I am here, and they bleed Ohio State." 

Harbaugh is smart enough to know that Michigan will enjoy a resurgence in recruiting because of his name alone, but he was also smart enough to recognize how important recruiting Ohio is to his success. 

Landing Marrow would have been a slam dunk for the Wolverines. But Marrow's outside allegiance to Ohio State actually turned out to be a big break for the Buckeyes. 

"It wasn't hard to me at the end of the day because I knew where I wanted to be," Marrow said of his decision to stay at Kentucky. "But if you play it out in your mind, and when I was thinking about it, I thought, 'I wonder how that's going to go over with my family.'

"They kind of made it clear over Christmas. They weren't excited. When I was going to take the job at Kentucky, they were excited. They didn't sound like that with Michigan." 

 

Hughes and Jackson are the team's top two leading scorers.

Hughes and Jackson are the team's top two leading scorers.

Watch as Mentor girls basketball players Brittany Fillar and Erika Motiejunas take part the Origami Fortune Teller game.

Watch as Mentor girls basketball players Brittany Fillar and Erika Motiejunas take part the Origami Fortune Teller game.

Tim Tupa transferred from Navy to Bowling Green and from QB to WR.

Tim Tupa transferred from Navy to Bowling Green and from QB to WR.

Gilmour is ranked No. 4 in Division III in the Ohio Ap state girls basketball poll.

Gilmour is ranked No. 4 in Division III in the Ohio Ap state girls basketball poll.

Deflategate was a scandal so unnecessary, given the unthreatening nature of the New England Patriots' opposition, that it recalls Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Deflategate is a product of the Watergate break-in, at least in its terminology and maybe more so in the figure at the center of the controversy.

The Watergate scandal in the 1970s brought down a sitting American President, Richard Nixon, and led to the annoying habit of tagging "gate" on the end of any scandal forever after.

This flap about footballs with the air sucked out of them figures for Bill Belichick, the New England coach, who began here as one of the all-time air-sucker-outters, a virtual human Hoover vacuum, when it came to deflating Browns fans enthusiasm.

Many charge now that Belichick is a recidivist, a "Belicheat," a serial scoundrel, with the Spygate fine in 2007 serving as the prelude to the footballs in the AFC Championship Game, which were "aired out" in more ways than by Tom Brady's arm.

Belichick even took to an interview podium to give an hotly disputed scientific explanation for the missing two pounds of air pressure per square inch (psi) in the footballs. Belichick didn't say, "I am not a crook," but it was close.

When he was here a generation ago, Belichick was terse and uncommunicative when he was not mumbling mysteriously or cursing casually, none of which made covering him a Sunday in the park. Still, it is hard to believe he knowingly tolerated this chicanery. It was so unnecessary, given the opposition.

Then again, Watergate was ridiculous and unneeded too. It was overkill in the run-up to the 1972 election.

At the time of the break-in, Nixon was almost certain to be matched against as easy an opponent as the Indianapolis Colts were for the New England Patriots. In 1972, the Democratic nominee for President was indeed George McGovern, who was effectively propagandized as a radical. McGovern came from a sparsely populated state, South Dakota, known mostly for a mountain that looks like presidents.  George McGovern was never going to be one of them.

Yet for some reason Nixon chose to start his own Spygate program before an election that was in the bag.

Just so, Belichick is accused of masterminding Deflategate, with a henchman releasing enough air from the Patriots' supply of game balls to make them easier to throw and catch under the sodden conditions.

Why?

Against the Colts, the forward pass was as vital as it was at Ohio State when Woody Hayes was in charge.

The Patriots ran the ball down the Colts' throats. They ran 250-pound LeGarrette Blount behind six offensive linemen – the five normally used and a sixth, Cameron Fleming, who would report in as an eligible receiver.

Belichick needed the passing game the way he needed Bernie Kosar in the '90s here.

The Colts, who were trampled by the same mastodon game plan, 42-20, in November, lost the AFC final, 45-7, in what amounted to a long instant replay. Four straight times the Pats have routed the Colts.

The real surprise is that Belichick is under fire and not Chuck Pagano, the Colts' coach, who made no adjustments other than perhaps buying miracle stain removers for the laundry in case his team got run over again.

Whether the deflated balls were a result of weather conditions or a rogue equipment man, the fact is that the Patriots' defense kept the Colts' Andrew Luck from having the luxury of time to find someone, anyone, who was open.

In the course of the game, too, the Patriots' Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola all dropped passes that were catchable with balls that were deflatable off the arm of their quarterback, Tom Brady.

To me, Deflategate wasn't as bad as a player with a whole bat rack full of corked bats (the Indians' Albert Belle in 1995).

It wasn't Bob Feller and Bob Lemon stealing signs from a perch inside the scoreboard at old Municipal Stadium with the aid of a telescope from Feller's World War II Navy ship, the battleship Alabama. Feller thought the telescope was worth five games in the win column to a Tribe team that won the 1948 World Series, the franchise's last championship, after a one-game playoff for the pennant.

There was no uproar about the iconic, gruff and colorful Feller after it came out years later. 

Many fans here defended Belle during, unavoidably, Batgate.

The best analogy for Belichick and Deflategate isn't to a politician or to baseball players, even though that sport has a high tolerance for bending the rules. It is to a football coach.  

As a well-known former coach said after the "Tattoogate" scandal and its cover-up cost Ohio State coach Jim Tressel his job: "Why did Jim think he had to cheat to win at Ohio State?"

Both Central Catholic and Hudson are off to strong starts in 2014-15.

Both Central Catholic and Hudson are off to strong starts in 2014-15.

Matthew Finkler, a Kirtland tight end and linebacker, committed to play football for Bowling Green.

Matthew Finkler, a Kirtland tight end and linebacker, committed to play football for Bowling Green.

The Indians consider him the most skilled defensive third baseman in their organization. They also named him the recipient of the Lou Boudreau Award, given to the top position player in the farm system. Should Lonnie Chisenhall falter, Urshela could get a look.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Giovanny Urshela's pursuit of the Indians' third base gig will begin as soon as his left knee fully heals. That could be soon.

Urshela is at the Indians' spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz. He has been fielding ground balls hit directly at him, said Carter Hawkins, the club's director of player development. He has not yet progressed to taking batting practice.

The 23-year-old third baseman sprained a ligament in his knee when sliding into third base during a Venezuelan winter league game in November. He underwent an examination in Cleveland, but the team decided against surgery. Urshela was batting .398 (43-for-108) with three home runs and 22 RBIs in winter ball.

Urshela will likely begin the 2015 season at Triple-A Columbus, where he posted a .276/.331/.473 slash line with 13 home runs and 65 RBIs in 104 games last year. The Indians consider him the most skilled defensive third baseman in their organization. They also named him the recipient of the Lou Boudreau Award, given to the top position player in the farm system. Should Lonnie Chisenhall falter, Urshela could get a look.

Hawkins said Urshela should be ready for spring training. Pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear on Feb. 18.

"We certainly won't rush him on that," Hawkins said. "He's on pace and we're excited about the recovery he's had thus far."

Pick a spot: At James Ramsey's first spring training, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny posed him a question.

"Where do you prefer to play?"

Ramsey had moonlighted at all three outfield spots in college. Center field was going to be his primary position in pro ball, but Matheny wanted an honest answer and Ramsey wanted to provide a response that would satisfy his skipper. After hesitating, Ramsey replied that he could play all three outfield spots.

"He said, 'Hey, I'm going to ask you the same question next spring training and I want you to say all three like you said the first time, but I want you to mean it,'" Ramsey said. "So I went out to the fall league and played all three that year and came into spring training and played equal parts at all three positions."

Acquired from St. Louis for Justin Masterson last July, Ramsey played 26 games in center and two games in left for Triple-A Columbus. He compiled a .284/.365/.468 slash line in 109 at-bats.

The Indians have a glut of veteran outfielders ahead of him, but Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher, Brandon Moss, David Murphy and Ryan Raburn all dealt with injuries last season. Should they be stricken again in 2015, Ramsey could make his big league debut.

"We'll put him wherever he has the best opportunity," Hawkins said.

Based on merit: Ryan Merritt received the Bob Feller Award, given to the top pitcher in the Indians' farm system.

"It was a great honor," Merritt said Tuesday. "It really just fires me up to do it again next year."

Merritt logged a 13-3 record and 2.58 ERA in 25 starts at Class A Carolina last season.

"He was pretty dominant from start to finish in the Carolina League, which is a difficult league to have consistency in, just because you're seeing the same teams and players day after day," Hawkins said. "There are only eight teams in the Carolina League.

"He did it even though he's not throwing high 90s and he's not throwing a wipeout slider. He did that with consistency of command and his stuff and his mindset. He's a bulldog. He fights."

Merritt walked through the halls of Progressive Field this week, passing by posters of Kyle Crockett and Cody Allen, guys who made quick ascents through the Tribe farm system.

"This is what you strive for your whole life," Merritt said. "You set your goals to be here some day. We're getting a glimpse of where we can be some day.

"It gives you confidence. It lets you know that you can make it, too."

Check out which games to watch for in Wednesday's girls basketball action.

Check out which games to watch for in Wednesday's girls basketball action.

The Bengals grabbed a double-overtime win over Cleveland Heights.

The Bengals grabbed a double-overtime win over Cleveland Heights.

Cavaliers mascot and Trailblazers center get into it on Twitter.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Portland Trailblazers center Robin Lopez is on a personal crusade against NBA mascots. Lopez spent much of 2014 battling various costumed opponents. Here's The Oregonian's Mike Tokito from last April: 

"Lopez has amassed nice little file of playful mascot incidents this season. In December, Lopez had a tussle with Hooper, the Detroit Pistons' horse-like mascot who wore a wig that looked like Lopez's well-known hairdo. He has also had a shove for Stuff the Magic Dragon in Orlando and expressed his distaste for Toronto's mascot, Raptor, in an interview with Willamette week."

So how did Moondog get roped into all of this...aside from being a mascot, of course? It started with this tweet from Zach Lowe ...

Gonna be pissed if Blazers-Nets is off. Had planned to confront @rolopez42 on his chronic mascot abuse. He must be publicly shamed.

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) January 26, 2015

... and this response from Lopez:

@ZachLowe_NBA It's a sign from above, I'm on a mission from God like Jake and Elwood. Moving on to @CavsMoondog #NoComeuppance

— Robin Lopez (@rolopez42) January 26, 2015

Moondog was quick with a response:

No offense @rolopez42, but I only feud with the more high profile of twin brothers. No one remembers the mascot fights with Ed Mikan.

— Moondog (@CavsMoondog) January 26, 2015

And then it was on:

@CavsMoondog Yeah but people are going to remember what I do to you for years. I dedicate this to all us Ed Mikans out there. #EdMikan4Ever

— Robin Lopez (@rolopez42) January 26, 2015

Dear @rolopez42, I refuse to make you famous. Your hero, @CavsMoondog

— Moondog (@CavsMoondog) January 26, 2015

Drop the mic, Moondog.

@CavsMoondog ...you win this round...

— Robin Lopez (@rolopez42) January 26, 2015

I...I think I just got got by @CavsMoondog...Is this how Jay-Z felt after Ether...? #JayAndIHaveALotInCommon

— Robin Lopez (@rolopez42) January 26, 2015

So there you go. Robin Lopez concedes to Moondog for now. Lopez is currently out with a broken hand, so it's likely that Moondog is safe for now.

Moondog did offer one last piece of advice:

Pay Attention @rolopez42: RT @cesarmillan: Most of you know my rule “no touch, no talk, no eye contact” for when you first meet a new dog.

— Moondog (@CavsMoondog) January 27, 2015

A video posted by Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) on Dec 9, 2014 at 8:03pm PST

Inside is a list of five prospects Ohio State still has alive on their big board for the 2015 recruiting class.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Urban Meyer said Ohio State is practically done assembling its 2015 recruiting class on Saturday, but don't let that comment fool you.

The Buckeyes aren't kicking up their feet. 

After flipping Kentucky commit DaVon Hamilton of Pickerington (Ohio) Central earlier this week, Ohio State is now up to 25 verbal commitments. 

With National Signing Day a week away, Ohio State wouldn't mind increasing that number by one or two.

In order to do that, Meyer has to land commitments from prospects still on his recruiting board, but also keep some of the current commitments that have been visiting elsewhere in the class. 

Let's take a look at who is still on the board at this point for Ohio State: 

• Five-star LB Porter Gustin of Salem Hills, Utah – USC is considered the favorite to land the 6-foot-5, 245-pound prospect, but Meyer was in Utah this week trying to make Ohio State a real player. Gustin is scheduled to take an official visit to Columbus this weekend, and given Meyer's reputation as a closer, it's possible the Buckeyes could be in very good position by the end of the weekend. 

• Five-star DT Terry Beckner Jr. of East St. Louis, Ill. – Rated by 247Sports the No. 3 defensive tackle in the class, Beckner is the type of talent Ohio State would make room for despite the fact it just added Hamilton. Beckner took an official visit to Ohio State last weekend, and though Missouri still seems like the team to beat, it wouldn't be a surprise if Meyer pulled this one off. 

• Four-star OT Isaiah Prince of Greenbelt (Md.) Eleanor Roosevelt – The 6-foot-6, 272-pound prospect was once really high on Ohio State, but he unexpectedly committed to Alabama in late January. That should have been the end of it, but Prince actually made an official visit to Ohio State this past weekend. Becuase he's still committed, Alabama has to be the favorite, but Ohio State and in-state Maryland are still both in play for the stud offensive tackle. 

• Four-star WR K.J. Hill of North Little Rock, Ark. – Ohio State hosted Hill for an official visit last weekend, but the Buckeyes are still seemingly on the outside looking in for the 6-foot, 188-pound prospect. A former Arkansas commit, Hill is very high on Alabama and is officially visiting the Razorbacks this weekend. 

• Three-star OT Venzell Boulware of Fairburn (Ga.) Creekside – Despite being committed to Tennessee, Boulware took an official visit to Ohio State last weekend. Cleveland.com stopped in on Boulware's high school on Thursday – the day before his visit started – and the offensive lineman said Meyer sent him a message the day he committed to the Volunteers that read, "You're still going to be a Buckeye." However, Boulware left Columbus without flipping his commitment, so this one should be interesting during the next week. 

There's more to the story of how Ohio State can close out this class than who it's going to add. It's also about keeping two commitments in tact, as five-star quarterback Torrance Gibson of Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage and four-star cornerback Carlton Davis of Miami (Fla.) Norland both officially visited other programs last weekend. 

Gibson has officially visited Auburn and LSU in each of the past two weekends and momentum is not in Ohio State's favor. The Buckeyes' cloudy quarterback situation has allowed other programs to sell Gibson on being the future and potentially seeing the field sooner. 

One week until National Signing Day.

It's drama time.

Kevin O'Connell, 29, also has ties to Brian Hoyer and Browns coach Mike Pettine and offensive coordinator John DeFilippo.

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Former NFL quarterback Kevin O'Connell, who helped Johnny Manziel prepare for the draft last year, is interviewing for the Browns quarterbacks coach vacancy today, according to a report.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the meeting.

O'Connell, 29, also has ties to Brian Hoyer and Browns coach Mike Pettine and offensive coordinator John DeFilippo.

A former San Diego State dual-threat quarterback, O'Connell was originally a third-round pick of the Patriots in 2008, and was beaten out for the backup job to Tom Brady in 2009 by Hoyer.

O'Connell ranks first in rushing yards and second in career rushing TDs among San Diego State quarterbacks. He spent time with the Jets on and off in 2009, 2010 and 2011, where he worked with Pettine and DeFilippo, who was assistant quarterbacks coach in 2009.

O'Connell, who works for Massillon native and quarterback guru George Whitfield at Whitfield Athletix in San Diego, helped Manziel prepare for the draft along with Whitifield.

If the Browns hire O'Connell, it's a sign that they might be trying to give Manziel an opportunity to get his career on track.

The Browns have also interviewed former Falcons quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas and former NFL quarterback Steve Walsh for the job, according to reports. Walsh was seen talking to Browns officials at the Senior Bowl last week.

Thomas, 37, is another coach with strong ties to Pettine. A Falcons assistant for the past seven seasons -- including the last three as quarterbacks coach -- Thomas worked with Pettine when both were with the Ravens in 2002-03 and again in 2005. Thomas worked with wide receivers and quarterbacks, and Pettine was a defensive assistant.

The Browns also reportedly interviewed former Bills quarterback Todd Downing for the job, but he was hired by the Raiders in the same capacity.

The Browns are looking to replace Dowell Loggains, who was fired Jan. 8 when Kyle Shanahan resigned as offensive coordinator. Loggains was hired last week as Chicago's quarterbacks coach.

Pettine said last week he'd like to have the vacancies for quarterbacks coach and wide receiver coach filled by the end of this week.

Cleveland Browns' quarterback Johnny Manziel took a beating in a espn.com story late last week. This week, teammate Joe Haden spoke up for Manziel, saying he "gets it now." But Haden's hopes see way too optimistic based on what we've seen -- Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Browns' All-Pro cornerback Joe Haden has routinely shared encouraging words about Johnny Manziel, most recently on CBS Radio's "Tiki and Tierney"  show.

"Just coming from college, it's a lot more responsibility and a whole lot more is going to be on his plate," said Haden. "He got to start the last couple of games, but going into this offseason, I think he knows what he has to do."

Manziel needs all the support he can get less than a week after a damaging espn.com story quoted an unnamed teammate calling his rookie season a "100 percent joke."

Locker rooms don't speak in one voice. Manziel has his fans in Berea. My guess is the split on him falls more along the lines of defense/offense than veteran/rookie.

If you're not in the huddle with him, you probably like his confidence. If you're on defense, you might even appreciate some of the difficulties he could pose as a running quarterback.

But if you understand the demands on a NFL quarterback and see him failing to put in the work, he's not a guy to get behind. Then he might be a joke.

Haden said "everything about my boy Johnny is overblown."

Perhaps truer words were never spoken because Manziel's talent looked overblown.  That's a huge problem.

He's not the fastest guy on the field. Nowhere close. Even if he were, that's asking for trouble in the NFL.

"There's a reason why there's no old running quarterbacks in the NFL,"  ESPN's Ron Jaworski said in a radio interview this season with 850-WKNR.

Manziel is giving away a lot physically. If you're going to show up in the NFL as short as Russell Wilson, you have to work like Russell Wilson. You need the pocket instincts of Russell Wilson.

You have to want it as badly as Russell Wilson wants it. And that's just for starters.

With all due respect to Joe Haden, there's not much evidence his boy gets that.

Kyrie Irving's 55-point outburst in the Cavaliers win over the Trail Blazers Wednesday night can be summed in three words: Ky-remarkable. Ky-ridiculous. K-amazing. Watch video of how the team celebrated in the locker room.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Kyrie Irving's 55-point outburst in the Cavaliers' win over the Trail Blazers Wednesday night can be summed up in three words.

Ky-remarkable. Ky-ridiculous. K-amazing.

Irving shook off an 0-for-7 start, going 17-for-29 the rest of the way including a Cavaliers franchise-record 11 three pointers. His trey with 6.4 seconds left proved to be the game-winner as the Cavs won their eighth straight.

"I'm gracious that the shot went in and had the confidence of my teammates and coaching staff to go out there and make a big-time shot," Irving told reporters.

It was the second-most points in a game by a Cavaliers player in franchise history, behind only LeBron James' 56 at Toronto in 2005.

In the locker room, it was James who led the dousing of Irving in a beverage bath.

lol better quality moment with my brothers. #thankful

A video posted by Kyrie Irving (@k1irving) on Jan 28, 2015 at 9:47pm PST