Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed fill you in on what Johnny Manziel said after the second day of minicamp. Plus highlight video of what Manziel said. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel says the persona of Johnny Football is behind him and he is now dedicated to football and helping the Cleveland Browns win.

Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed fill you in on everything Manziel said following the  second day of mandatory minicamp.

Topics include: 

• Johnny Manziel closes the chapter on Johnny Football and the money sign.
• A new dedication to football and fulfilling his first-round selection in the 2014 draft.
• Manziel regrets the distractions he caused last year, which he called a disaster.
• The short window for Manziel to prove he can play in the NFL.
• How he has looked in practice this year playing with the second and third teams behind Josh McCown.
• Head coach Mike Pettine seeing improvement in Manziel.

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Johnny Manziel met with reporters after Wednesday's practice and was asked about how he's working through his second minicamp in the aftermath of rehab. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel spoke for the first time since checking himself into rehab in January, and it proved to be the swan song for Johnny Football.

"The money sign will not be back,'' Manziel said in a 13-minute press conference on day two of mandatory minicamp, his first since the final week of the 2014 season. "I won't be making it.''

He won't be answering to Johnny Football either. Trying to live up to the persona last year -- complete with inflatable swans and a visit to Justin Bieber's wild pad -- landed him in the Caron addiction treatment center for 10 weeks.

"At times Johnny Football probably took over me a little bit and I bought into that,'' said Manziel. "I didn't do my best to hush things down, push down the hype. At times I welcomed it with immaturity and just accepted that a little bit and that's my fault. At the end of the day everything that happened last year is not on anybody else but myself.

"I guess I wasn't prepared to handle the type of spotlight that I got, and all the hype that came with it. So moving forward, I'm trying to do my part to just push that down, suffocate that a little bit and try and live my life and come out here and I'm happy being back out here on the football field.''

With his agent Erik Burkhardt looking on and having huddled with him for a long time on the field before the press conference, Manziel declined to discuss his time in rehab or what he was being treated for. He thanked the media for being respectful, thanked coach Mike Pettine and and Jimmy Haslam and all those in the Browns organization who visited him while he was in treatment, and then he slammed the door shut on questions about his possible substance abuse, and on his pre-rehab antics.

"My private life and what goes on, that's documented enough,'' he said. "I'm sitting here eager to talk about the 2015 Cleveland Browns, what we have this year and what we have in this locker room moving forward. I'm trying to really close a chapter on my life and move forward. Not one that I'm very proud of. Not one that I want to look back on very much and draw back on, that's for sure.

Manziel admitted that his rookie season felt to him like the train wreck it looked like from the outside, including those six unfortunate starting quarters. Even Mike Pettine noted Tuesday that folks either want to see Manziel fail in a big way or succeed in a big way.

"Last year for me personally was a disaster,'' Manziel said. "I didn't come out and perform. That's what it comes down to. Regardless of everything else, what matters on this field is what really matters, but I think there is a fine line of some people who have a lot of hope in me and a lot of faith and who are truly fans and a lot of people who think -- and it's even my fault -- the way that I've built myself up, I set myself up for a little bit of failure in that regard if I didn't come out as a rookie and really perform. There's a very fine line between those two groups of people for sure.''

He acknowledged that he drew negative attention to himself all the way to the bitter end, when he was fined for the final game of the season for oversleeping for his hamstring treatment the day before. Less than a month later, he checked himself into intensive inpatient rehab for undisclosed issues.

"Off the field, I was a little bit of a distraction,'' he said. "I feel bad about that today. I feel bad about that throughout the last months of my life really thinking back and seeing how much of my life outside of this field and outside of this locker room was documented. It's not fair for Joe Haden to be having to answer questions about me every day. It's not fair for Joe Thomas and all these guys to just continue to have questions asked about me. That's part of the reason why I'm up here today, to finally get me out here and get me answering these questions because I don't think it's fair for them.''

Manziel, who recently made headlines for spiking a water bottle in response to a heckling fan at the Byron Nelson Golf Classic, declined to confirm that he's brought his good friend and former high school offensive coordinator, Julius Scott, to live with him from back him in Kerrville, Texas.

"I'm trying to keep a lot of my private, personal life exactly that,'' said Manziel. "I've made steps to ensure a better chance of success for me moving forward, so I will leave it at that. My private life has been out there to a maximum degree. Whatever I can do to help quiet the noise that has surrounded this team and surrounded myself, I don't want that anymore. I just want to be another player on this team that is in here trying to get better and trying to be successful.''

Manziel acknowledged that he took other measures to bury Johnny Football, including moving out downtown hotspot The 9 and into a quiet, west side golf community. He also has LeBron James and James' righthand man Maverick Carter and others watching out for him.

"I think I've done a good job throughout this offseason of really trying to get back to my roots and who I really am as a person,'' he said. "Obviously, as you guys know, I moved. I got back to doing some things that I grew up doing that I really enjoy. I'm here in Cleveland. Obviously, I've kind of made this my home, so moving forward just doing things that I really, truly love to do.''

That doesn't mean Manziel is a hermit. He's attended Cavs playoff games, played in a local Pro-am and sat ringside at the Q Tuesday night at the WWE Raw event, where he was called out by Seth Rollins and was interviewed backstage. He's also been seen out socially, and WMMS 100.7 called for fans to send in their photos of Manziel in protest of those supposedly being told not to snap his picture.

So how can anyone trust that he's really changed this time? Afterall, he's said the same things many times before, including just days before he overslept the day before the season finale and Browns security personnel had to go to his apartment to wake him up.

"It's actions,'' he said. "Actions speak way louder than words. So as much as I may have intended to do some of those things last year and really, truly wanted to, I don't feel like I was in a position personally and now I think I'm doing the right things and taking the right steps necessary to be exactly what this organization drafted me to be. I don't want to give up on that fact at all. I'm not giving up on the fact that they brought me in here as a first-round pick and want to see something out of me. That's not lost on me, and hopefully not on the people in this locker room, either.''

That's not to say Manziel feels ready to step in and start right away. He knows that Pettine has declared Josh McCown the favorite to start the season and that he doesn't want a divisive battle in camp. He's also still learning John DeFilippo's new offense and how to be a pro. He dropped three shotgun snaps in one team period on Tuesday, but fit the ball into some tight windows on Wednesday and looked sharper.

"Right now it's early,'' he said. "I'm doing some good things and doing some bad things. That's part of the OTA season. Some days you come out, you really feel like you have it down. the next day the defense'll come out and throw a little bit of wrinkles at you and you have to go back to the film and evaluate.''

Manziel said the ball is coming out better and he's not getting as crossed up trying to spit out lengthy play calls. With a year under his belt, he's able to focus more on the protections, his progressions and reading his defensive keys. Manziel made several nice plays in red zone drills Wednesday, including rolling right and firing a TD pass into Rod Smith.

"That's the biggest step for me right now is trying to get everything to come second-nature,'' he said.

He discovered just how much he loves the game when he had 10 weeks to look inward.

"I definitely missed it,'' he said. "I knew from the second that I got back around these guys and the way that they treated me in this locker room from the day I got back -- I really can't even put into words how special that was for me,'' he said.

Manziel has also been mentored by McCown, who watches film with him and spends extra time on the field with him.

"He's been awesome since the day I walked in,'' said Manziel. "He's a Texas guy, he's from right down the road from where I was born and raised. So we have a little bit of a connection there. He's been really cool and we've been able to talk about a lot of things about back home. He's really helped me a lot.''

McCown has never even met Johnny Football. And if Manziel keeps to his word, he never will.

 

Cleveland sports fans are the definition of "patient," while sports fans of some other cities are the definition of "spoiled" -- Bud Shaw's You Said It.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You Said It is based on the premise that the only thing Cleveland sports fans need more than a championship is a sense of humor...

 YOU SAID IT

 (The Thursday Edition)

Bud: I always figured you for a true humanitarian.  (Like you), I, too, pity the poor Chicago fans. And, upon reflection, I guess it's a good thing the Warriors prevailed because they hadn't won a championship in 40 years! And, the Bay Area's fans hadn't savored any sort of championship since the last World Series - almost 8 months ago!  -- Mary

They may require some help but seven-month-olds all over Northern California can finally hold their heads high.

Hey Bill: One final thought on Kevin Love's injury. Is it fair to say he was KO'd by the Celtics? Get it? KO=Kelly Olynyk. That's gold. Allow me: First-time You Said It winners receive a t-shirt - Al, Solon

The standards are pretty high for consideration as a You Said It winner. Like getting my name right, Arnie.

Hey Bud: We should be thrilled the Indianapolis Colts raised a banner reading "2014 AFC Finalist." Now people can stop making fun of us for the 1995 parade -- Pat

As long as we're known for wearing basset hound masks and barking into TV cameras, I don't think that parade is the reason they're making fun of us.

Hey Bud: No jinx for LeBron, but the Cavs did "run out of talent." Has this ever happened to you with You Said It contributors? - Nate J., Brunswick

You mean never not happened, right?

Bud: Andre Iguodala made 10 of 28 free throws and the guy he guarded averaged 36 points a game. Iquodala was named MVP of the finals. When do you get your Pulitzer?  -- Migra

First-time You Said It winners get recognized for being better than average.

Bud: Did Albert Einstein get his definition of insanity by watching the Indians pitch to Miguel Cabrera? - David S.

Repeat winners hit it out of the park.

Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Thursday's affair between Cleveland and Chicago.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Thursday's affair between Cleveland and Chicago. 

Pitching matchup: Danny Salazar (6-2, 3.54 ERA) vs. Jason Hammel (5-2, 2.81 ERA)

Lineups

Indians

1. 2B Jason Kipnis

2. SS Francisco Lindor

3. LF Michael Brantley

4. 1B Carlos Santana

5. DH David Murphy

6. RF Brandon Moss

7. C Yan Gomes

8. CF Michael Bourn

9. 3B Giovanny Urshela

Cubs

1. CF Dexter Fowler

2. 1B Anthony Rizzo

3. 3B Kris Bryant

4. C Miguel Montero

5. SS Starlin Castro

6. LF Chris Coghlan

7. RF Chris Denorfia

8. DH Kyle Schwarber

9. 2B Addison Russell

The tradition of Lake Erie yellow perch fishing is strong along Ohio's North Coast. Finding perch eager to bite has been a concern this year.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Yellow perch are still in short supply this year. Lake Erie anglers and experts have many theories for why the popular panfish are not biting.

Fisheries biologist Travis Hartman is a yellow perch expert who believes the fish are siimply not in the traditional locations where they're caught most every spring and summer.

"Yellow perch fishermen target the same places every year," said Hartman. "My guess is the perch aren't schooled up in the normal areas for some reason. Perch prefer feeding on emerald shiner minnows, which are temperature sensitive. With cooler water temperatures this year, the shiners and the perch seem to be in deeper waters."

Hartman said commercial trap net catches of perch were good in early May both east and west of the sand bar stretching from Lorain to Vermilion about four or fives miles offshore. Anglers used to near-shore catches need to scout those deeper waters to find both schools of shiner minnows and yellow perch.

Don Moore at Harbor Bait & Tackle in Painesville said some yellow perch are finally starting to bite in 38 feet of water off Fairport Harbor, usually a perch hot spot. He thinks perch are feasting on larvae emerging from the bottom of Lake Erie and have full stomachs. Moore also wonders if large schools of walleye are keeping them away.

The army of perch fishermen in the Lorain-Avon Lake areas are deeply concerned the yellow perch population is in decline, said Craig Lewis at Erie Outfitters in Sheffield Lake.

"If the perch population is 200 million, then where are they all hiding?" asked Lewis. "We've filleted a lot of walleye this winter and spring, and they haven't had bellies full of yellow perch. If the water is too cold for perch to bite, or walleye are a concern, then why do we catch both through the same hole in the ice in winter?"

The yellow perch fishing has perked up a little bit off Beaver Park on the west side of Lorain. The Lorain area usually gives up a wealth of 30-fish limits of perch at this time of year.

Western Basin anglers often blame commercial netters for a lack of yellow perch. The perch population there had been in a slump, said Hartman, but in five of the past six years the nets have been banned from the Western Basin. A few good hatches has the perch population on the rise, although the majority will be smaller than eight inches.

"I believe it's a distribution issue," said Hartman. "The yellow perch are not where they're normally caught, and anglers need to do something different. A good start is to head to deeper waters where the perch guys don't normally fish and use sonar gear to scout for the schools of perch."

Dad's Day gifts: If you haven't rounded up a Father's Day present, time is running out. Dad's special day is Sunday. Here are some easy answers to the thorny question of what to get dad.

• An inflatable life vest. Dad might not own a boat, but if he often joins others on the water, this is a good choice. We all hate to wear life jackets. The inflatable jackets are lightweight, cool and are more readily worn.
• An electric fish fillet knife. Buy one with a electrical cord. Rechargeable batteries don't last and are expensive to replace.
• A multi-tool with a belt holster is invaluable when work needs to be done in the field or on the water.
• A thermos or insulated tumbler. A personal favorite is the tervis tumbler. It keeps coffee hot and iced tea chilled.
• A fishing trip with a regular charter guide or aboard a party fishing boat.
• You can't go wrong with a gift certificate for dad's favorite fishing or hunting shop.

Shooting for Sarah: Shotgunners are rallying to sign up for the Shoot For Sarah on Aug. 9 at the WR Hunt Club in Clyde, Ohio, south of Sandusky. The 50-target benefit sporting clays shoot is for Sarah Gardner, wife of club manager Jamie Gardner, who was badly injured in a car accident in March. Sarah Gardner is still in a wheelchair, but working hard in expensive rehabilitation to get back on her feet.

The shoot and lunch is $50. Reserve a slot by calling 419-547-8550 or visit wrhuntclub.com. (A disclaimer: I'm a member of the club, will be one of the shooters, know few in the industry as wonderful as the Gardners and will be easy to beat).

Reel Recovery works: Hats off to Cleveland area angler Joe Scaletta and his band of volunteers and sponsors, as well as the Rockwell Springs Trout Club in Clyde, Ohio. They teamed to host Reel Recovery this week, a fly fishing retreat for men with cancer. The national program provides a safe, enjoyable streamside adventure while sharing their experiences with cancer and to catch a few trout. Reel Recovery sponsors provided meals, lodging and fly fishing tackle.

Camp Perry matches: Registration is open for the NRA National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches that will take over Camp Perry, the Ohio National Guard facility on the Lake Erie shoreline. The First Shot ceremony is July 6 at 10 a.m., kicking off the pistol competition through July 12. The small-bore rifle and high-powered rifle competitions are July 14-29, followed by the long-range rifle championships July 29-Aug. 14. For details visit TheCMP.org.

Needing help for a bullpen that covered seven innings a night earlier, the club promoted relievers Kyle Crockett and Jeff Manship to the big league roster.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cubs' 17-0 bludgeoning of the Indians on Wednesday left quite an aftermath for the Tribe from a roster standpoint.

Needing help for a bullpen that covered seven innings a night earlier, the club promoted relievers Kyle Crockett and Jeff Manship to the big league roster. To clear the necessary roster space, the Indians designated pitcher Shaun Marcum for assignment and optioned utility player Zach Walters to Triple-A Columbus.

Marcum started Wednesday's lopsided affair, but he departed after two innings. He surrendered six runs, as Chicago proceeded to register a 17-0 triumph. 

"I wasn't throwing anything where I wanted to," he said. "It was just one of those things where if I try to throw it in I missed away, if I tried to throw it away I missed in. It just wasn't a good day all around."

Marcum went 3-2 with a 6.00 ERA in six starts with the Tribe. He walked eight and struck out 26 in 30 innings. He limited the opposition to a .309 on-base percentage, but served up eight home runs. 

The Indians used nine pitchers -- including outfielders Ryan Raburn and David Murphy -- on Wednesday, so the call for extra relief help is no surprise.

"You kind of know when you have a night like that, there's potential for that," said manager Terry Francona. "There's always the potential that that could happen. That's why you probably try to be a little bit patient with the starter hoping he can reel it in. Losing the game is tough, but when you have to make roster moves on top of it, it doesn't help."

Crockett posted a 5.91 ERA in 21 1/3 innings with the Clippers, though he allowed 10 of his 14 earned runs in his first 5 1/3 frames.

"Lately, he's been better," Francona said. "When he first got down there, by his own admission he kind of got roughed up -- and it's probably the first time its ever happened -- and kind of second-guessed some things and tried to do some things different, but he's working back toward what he does. Again, we needed some pitching, and he'll throw strikes."

Manship owns a 6.46 ERA in 72 career big-league outings with the Twins, Rockies and Phillies. He logged a 1.99 ERA with nine walks and 31 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings with Columbus.

Walters, who has routinely ventured north and south on I-71 this season, has collected four hits in 27 at-bats with the Indians. With Francisco Lindor and Giovanny Urshela occupying the left side of the infield, the club can deploy Mike Aviles in his typical utility role.

With Marcum off of the active roster, the club will need a new fifth starter. Francona said the club will announce the addition on Friday. That pitcher will toe the rubber on Sunday and Trevor Bauer will be pushed back until Monday's series opener against the Tigers. Jhoulys Chacin, who compiled a 3.21 ERA in seven starts with Columbus, opted out of his contract on Thursday. 

Cody Anderson, who is on the 40-man roster, owns a 2.33 ERA in three starts since a promotion to Triple-A. Michael Roth (5-2, 3.28 ERA) and Toru Murata (5-2, 2.93 ERA) are not on the 40-man roster, which is at capacity. TJ House landed on the 7-day minor league disabled list on June 10 (retroactive to June 8) because of shoulder soreness. He was sidelined earlier this season because of inflammation in the shoulder.

Intense linebacker, playing for his fourth organization in four seasons, trying to make the most of latest chance. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Scott Solomon has a nickname that sounds like a slasher flick.

Now playing On Demand: "Bloodbath."

It's quite the moniker for a Browns defender who's made 16 career tackles over three seasons while playing on the fringes of four NFL rosters. Solomon's humble stat line and journeyman's pedigree, however, aren't dulling the enthusiasm of defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil, who appreciates the outside linebacker's intensity.

"I think the offense calls him 'Bloodbath' because (he's) like a heat-seeking missile coming off the edge," he said.

The coordinator's scouting report on the player's ability to challenge blockers also produces video-game imagery: "It's going to be a car accident when Scott Solomon meets a pulling guard or a fullback."

Six weeks ahead of training camp, coaches are either extremely high on Solomon's chances to contribute or trying to get the attention of more high-profile teammates playing similar positions.

Maybe, it's a bit of both. O'Neil made his statements regarding Solomon on the same day he challenged 2013 first-round pick Barkevious Mingo to battle for a starting role.

Browns linebacker Scott Solomon pressures Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in a game last season.  Joshua Gunter, Northeast Ohio Media Group

What's clear about the Rice University product is he knows only one speed, and he made the most of his limited late-season reps last year. Promoted from the practice squad Dec. 20, Solomon registered four tackles and a sack in his Browns' debut, a 17-13 loss at Carolina. He added three more tackles in the 20-10 season-ending loss in Baltimore.

"What really drives an offensive lineman nuts is a guy who takes three plays off and then turns it on and makes you look stupid," Browns guard John Greco said. "(Solomon) can do that on any play. You know what you are going to get and you know you better have your chinstrap buckled."

Solomon, 26, is not nearly as descriptive about his play as others. He likes the "Bloodbath" nickname - given to him by Browns offensive linemen a year ago -- but doesn't play it up around reporters. He speaks like a player still trying to find his footing in the league.

He has been cut five times since the Titans drafted him 211th (seventh round) in 2012. He's also seen action with the Jets and Buccaneers. Solomon admits the string of releases fostered doubt, but that his family has supported his desire to keep pursuing the game.

"You just have to stay strong, believe in yourself, stay confident and stay ready," he said.

Solomon isn't sure who within the organization recommended him after the Bucs cut the San Antonio native at mid-season, but Browns inside linebacker coach Chuck Driesbach served as his college defensive coordinator.

O'Neil envision Solomon as an "early down" contributor. The coordinator likes his physical nature and willingness to set the edge, funneling ball carriers back inside. The club ranked dead last against the rush a year ago.

"I think that he brings something to the table that we were missing last year, especially on early downs," O'Neil said. "We talk about aiming point, hand placement, his ability to set the edge in the run game. ...

"Being unselfish and being willing to take on two blockers at the point of attack, sacrificing your body so an inside backer can scrape through over the top and make a tackle for a loss. Those are things we've had other places I've been. We had them at times last year. It was inconsistent. Scott is going to give us a very steady player on the edge doing those kinds of things."

NFL practices feature little actual hitting, but it sounds as though Solomon pushes the envelope on contact.

"I was fortunate enough to pull against Paul Kruger and we had a little more of (an) agreement," Greco said smiling. "We have watched (Solomon) enough on tape and I know how the guy plays. I peek over there before the snap and if he's over there I know I'd better get serious."

Browns fans have been pitched the "mad dog in a meat market" line before. But Solomon isn't former linebacker Mike Junkin, a first-rounder who never lived up to the hype. He's a career depth player battling for a spot in a rotation.

Mandatory minicamps are made for Scott Solomon stories. The outside linebacker will return to Berea in late July to prove he's something more.

Get live updates and chat with beat writers Zack Meisel and Paul Hoynes in the comments section below as the Indians and Cubs battle at Progressive Field. Cleveland's Danny Salazar will oppose Chicago's Jason Hammel.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get live updates and chat with beat writers Zack Meisel and Paul Hoynes in the comments section below as the Indians and Cubs battle at Progressive Field. Cleveland's Danny Salazar will oppose Chicago's Jason Hammel.

Game 65: Indians (30-34) vs. Cubs (35-28)

First pitch: 7:10 p.m. ET at Progressive Field

TV/radio: STO; WMMS FM/100.7; WTAM 1100.

Bourn, who was ejected from the Indians' 6-0 victory at Wrigley Field, is appealing the penalty and remains in Thursday's starting lineup.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Major League Baseball has suspended and fined Michael Bourn an undisclosed amount for making contact with home-plate umpire Phil Cuzzi on Tuesday.

Bourn, who was ejected from the Indians' 6-0 victory at Wrigley Field, is appealing the penalty and remains in Thursday's starting lineup. He is eligible to play until the league reviews the situation.

Bourn disagreed with Cuzzi's ruling during his fourth-inning at-bat, in which he struck out looking. Along Bourn's path to his center field position in the ensuing frame, he made a pit stop at home plate and released his frustration. Cuzzi tossed him.

Bourn explained his take on the argument and subsequent dismissal after Tuesday's game.

"I went up to him (on the way to center field) and told him I thought the ball he called me out on was six inches outside," Bourn said. "It was because I looked at it (on video). He said, 'That's what you came to tell me?' I said 'Yeah.' Then he said, 'You should wait until you come up to bat the next time to tell me.' I told him I felt like saying it now ... and he tossed me.'

"I didn't cuss at him or nothing. I felt I had a right to talk to him. But I don't feel I got my money's worth."

Said Tribe manager Terry Francona, who was using the restroom while Bourn and Cuzzi conversed: "I think Phil's point was, 'Hey, if you have something to say, wait until you come up next time.' I think sometimes it's different. He threw somebody else out, too, so who knows. Those things happen."

GM David Griffin wants to retain core group and add a few young pieces to Cavaliers' roster.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin addressed the media for the first time since the Finals loss to Golden State and made it clear that he intends to bring his core group back.

Had it not been for two devastating postseason injuries to Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, the city might be hosting a parade on East 9^th and Superior. Sustaining the nucleus while also adding a few young pieces is the team's main priority going into the off-season.

But it won't be easy.

The Cavaliers have eight players who can test free agency this summer, which means Griffin and his staff are going to have their work cut out.

They have four players with player options for next season. LeBron James' is worth 21.5 million, Love's is valued at $16.7 million, J.R. Smith's is at approximately $6.4 million and Mike Miller stands to collect $2.9 million.

Miller is the only player expected to exercise his option. He told Northeast Ohio Media Group in February he anticipated doing so.

For financial reasons that are understandable, Griffin fully expects the other three to decline their option and hit free agency. But he's confident they will all return as Cavaliers.

"I think everybody who has the potential to opt out in this climate probably will, and I anticipate that we've created the kind of environment and culture that they want to be part of," he said. "I have no reason to believe that any of those players don't want to be back, quite frankly."

Smith's deadline to submit his player option papers to the team is June 24, Love's is June 25, and James and Miller's fall on June 29, I'm told. Griffin has not been notified of their plans yet.

Tristan Thompson, Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova will become restricted free agents. Griffin revealed he would extend all three qualifying offers, giving the Cavilers the right to match any offer sheets a competitor issues.

Offensive rebound extraordinaire Thompson and defensive expert Shumpert will receive hefty raises. It is uncertain what the market holds for Dellavedova, who had a high-profile postseason.

The Cavaliers have the pockets to keep their free agents, but it will be costly. They are estimated to go $27 million over the $67.1 million salary cap and could go $12.3 million over the $81.6 million luxury-tax threshold, which kicks in a tax penalty to the league.

One of James' conditions before returning to Cleveland was the organization would spend to obtain and retain talent even if it meant going deep into luxury tax penalties. With three to five years of prime basketball left, James wanted to insure that his talents wouldn't be wasted on bad teams.

That's also why he designed his contract in such a way that he could become available after each season, to keep pressure on the organization. He'll likely sign another one-year deal with a player option on the second season.

It truly costs to be the boss, and the Cavaliers will soon have to break out the checkbook and deliver come July.

Barkevious Mingo wants to rush the passer more, but defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil has called on him to step it up against the run and as an edge-rusher if he wants a starting role. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil would like to see third-year linebacker Barkevious Mingo take more steps forward this year instead of backwards in more ways than one.

Specifically, he challenged the 2012 No. 6 overall pick to get better at rushing the passer and stopping the run if he wants a starting role. As it stands, the teams' best cover 'backer will be limited mostly to passing downs.

"When we came out of training camp last year, we thought Mingo was one of our best outside 'backers,'' O'Neil said. "We all know about the (shoulder) injury he suffered in play two of the season. He is going to have to compete for playing time on early downs. He's going to have a role in our sub-packages.

"No one is guaranteed anything on the defense. Joe Haden knows that, Donte Whitner knows that and Karlos Dansby knows that. You're going to have to earn playing time. We're deep in every position group. Mingo is going to have to come back ready to go, and he's going to have to earn it."

Mingo, who played all last season with a torn labrum that required surgery after the season, was used primarily as a coverage linebacker last year instead of the edge-rusher he was drafted by the previous regime to be. He also didn't play the run as well as the Browns expected him to, but having only one good shoulder didn't help. Mingo underwent surgery in the offseason and has been wearing a red caution jersey during offseason practices and minicamp, where he's been limited to 7-on-7s.

But now that he's almost 100% healthy, O'Neil wants the LSU product to live up to his top-10 status. Last year, with his limited opportunities to rush, he recorded only two sacks, down from five in his rookie year.

"Right now, he's by far our best outside linebacker in coverage,'' said O'Neil on the last day of minicamp. "Now, we're going to see where he is when we get back to training camp and the pads come on of how he is at outside 'backer setting the edge, how he is as a defensive end rushing the quarterback and that kind of stuff. We were very optimistic about Mingo coming out of training camp last year.''

Since that time, the Browns have added to their outside 'backer pile by signing former Titans 2012 seventh-round pick Scott Solomon off their practice squad and drafting Nate Orchard in the second round out of Utah. Solomon, O'Neil's new "it'' defender, excels at stopping the run, and Orchard was tabbed to rush the passer. What's more, edge-rusher Armonty Bryant is coming back from his torn ACL. That could leave Mingo out on first and second down unless he tops the others in those categories.

"We've improved the depth, we've improved the competition in that room with a Scott Solomon, a Nate Orchard, like we have in every room,'' said O'Neil. "Guys are going to have to earn it. We don't care where you were drafted, when you were drafted, how much you're getting paid; the best 11 guys and the guys who earn their roles are the guys who are going to play."

Mingo, the NFL's 11th-best coverage 'backer according to profootballfocus.com, will be hard-pressed this season to wrestle starting reps away from Solomon, who will help shore up the 32nd-ranked run defense.

"Scott is very quickly becoming one of my favorite players on the defense,'' said O'Neil. "The offense calls him 'Bloodbath' because it's like a heat-seeking missile coming off the edge. I do see him competing with Armonty Bryant once he's full go at the rush linebacker position. I see him getting a considerable amount of reps on early downs. He's going to have to earn his reps in later downs in passing situations, but he is definitely going to help us on the edge in the run game."

That's not to say that O'Neil has an issue with Mingo, who gutted it out all last year on the bum shoulder. It's just that he's slated to be more of a role player than a starter.

"He's done a great job,'' said O'Neil. "I think where Mingo has really taken a step this year is he's been able to participate in all of the passing stuff, all of the 7-on-7 drills with the redshirt on - I'm sure you guys have seen him out there. Coming out of LSU, he had no experience with that stuff.''

Mingo, who signed a  four-year rookie contract worth $16.347 milliion guaranteed, said he's up for the challenge.

"This whole team's built on competition,'' he said. "We have to compete for our jobs day in and day  out. I wouldn't expect anything less.  And I'm ready as soon as I can get out there.''

 Mingo acknowledged that he'd still love to be turned loose again to sack the quarterback. He had a sack in each of his first three NFL games -- and then a total of four in his next 27 thanks in large part to the job switch.

"That's what I love to,'' he said. "I love putting pressure on quarterbacks. I come off the edge. My role was altered when these coaches came and I accepted that role. I'm good with that role. I like it, although I would still like to rush every now and then -- but it's being unselfish and doing what's asked of us.

Mingo has no idea if he'll be used more as a rusher in 2015 -- but if he demonstrates the ability to get there, they'll surely send him.

"I'm not a coach but that's why I like this system,'' he said. "We have different players coming from different positions doing different stuff. You never know what you're going to be doing week in and week out.''

 He acknowledged that O'Neil gave him marching orders and let him know exactly what he expects.

"Definitely,'' he said. "I'll even (include) coach (Mike) Pettine. It's not just me. They challenged everybody to come back in shape, ready to play, be intheir playbook. It's a general challenge to everybody to come back a better player than what you left.''

And if Mingo can do that, he just might gain the edge.

Glenville's Marcelys Jones is leaving the Ohio State football program after one year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State sophomore offensive lineman and Glenville High School product Marcelys Jones has decided the leave the Buckeyes football program.

An Ohio State spokesperson and Glenville football coach Ted Ginn Sr. confirmed the news to Northeast Ohio Media Group on Thursday.

"It was a shocker to me as well as everybody (at Ohio State)," Ginn said. "I think he feels he needs to find another place to go I guess. That's about all I know."

Jones played sparingly for the Buckeyes during his freshman season, seeing the field in Ohio State's 66-0 win over Kent State. It seemed like Jones might have had a shot to crack the two-deep on Ohio State's depth chart this season, and he even saw some time at center in the spring.

But Ginn said Jones wants to explore opportunities to play elsewhere.

"He made the decision," Ginn said. "He just needed to do something different."

An exact destination for 6-foot-4, 315-pound Jones isn't known yet, but reports of him having interest in Kentucky came out shortly after the news that he was leaving Ohio State. The Wildcats were one of the 13 programs who offered the four-star Glenville prospect before he committed to Ohio State.

Hearing that Ohio St OL transfer Marcelys Jones has been given permission to speak to Kentucky and may visit soon. Would be a HUGE get

-- Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) June 18, 2015

Jones enrolled as part of the Buckeyes 2014 recruiting class along with Glenville teammates Erick Smith and Marshon Lattimore.

It appears Jones' departure now puts Ohio State at the scholarship limit of 85. Ohio State was set to add a 27-man 2015 recruiting class this summer, but it was reported this week that incoming freshman Mirko Jurkovic did not qualify academically, leaving Ohio State at 86 scholarships.

Team sources told NEOMG that Ohio State planned on grayshirting another incoming freshman, but that's not necessary now with Jones' departure.

The start of the Indians game against the Cubs on Thursday night has been delayed by rain.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The game between the Indians and Cubs scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m. Thursday has been delayed by rain.

The team announced that the game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Indians are scheduled to send right-hander Danny Salazar to the mound to face the Cubs and right-hander Jason Hammel. Salazar in trying to win his seventh game and will be facing the Cubs for the first time in his career.

Salazar, with 87 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings, has won three of his last for decisions over a stretch of seven starts.

Hammel is 2-0 in his last three starts.

The Cavaliers want David Blatt as coach and he said his relationship with LeBron James is "more than meets the eye."

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - Part of coaching the best basketball player in the world is giving him the room to be great.

Making sure he "feels empowered," Cavaliers coach David Blatt said. Even when he barks at the bench, demands a player substitution or a different play call, or calls his own timeout.

Blatt was talking, of course, about LeBron James.

"He is a galvanizing player," Blatt said Thursday, as he and Cleveland general manager David Griffin addressed the media to wrap up the season that ended Tuesday night with a loss in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

Blatt said he "absolutely" intended to return next season and Griffin said "we very much intend to keep this group together" as he praised Blatt.

"He is our best player," Blatt said of James. "He's the league's best player. He's a winner. He's a proven champion. I think it's important that he feels empowered and at the same time that he knows that he's very much a part of this team. And I think he's exhibited that, and always put the team's success beyond his."

The James-Blatt relationship was consistently a topic of discussion in NBA circles this season, especially early, when James' disconnect with and lack of trust in Blatt was apparent. 

In May, the Cavs quietly confirmed to the Northeast Ohio Media Group that James was frustrated in December, but agreed to give Blatt a chance when the front office upgraded the roster through trades in early January.

On Thursday afternoon, not long before the Blatt-Griffin press conference, ESPN's Marc Stein published an opinion column ripping James for his treatment of Blatt during Finals. Stein based the column on the body language and verbal demands Stein witnessed from James through his proximity to the court as ESPN/ABC's sidelines reporter.

Blatt said Thursday he changed how he coached with a player of James' caliber on the roster.

"Now if he has felt that he has what to say and wants to impose his will in terms of influencing in a positive way on those around him, that's a good thing," Blatt said. "That's a good thing for all, and I certainly encourage that and certainly respected the fact that LeBron's heart was in the right place."

Griffin recalled James' own words from June 1, prior to the start of the Finals, when James said Blatt had done "a helluva job" guiding the Cavs to the point.

"I think sensational sells now, and certainly with a team like ours the more sensational the better," Griffin said.

"We literally won an incredible number of games against very, very good teams playing radically different styles from each other. So from a purely basketball perspective, I'm not quite sure exactly what anybody is looking to have happen."

James can become a free agent later this month, and the Cavs expect him to decline his option on his current contract so he can seek (from them) a new one-year deal. James told the Northeast Ohio Media Group he is "happy where I'm at."

But the flexibility within his contract also gives him enormous leverage over the Cavs, including, if he chose to fight this battle, who coaches the team. The Cavs aren't expecting that fight.

According to multiple sources, James never asked the organization to fire Blatt, even during his period of discontent in December. James is not overly enamored with Blatt, but is more concerned with who is teammates are than who is coaching him. He's also clashed on occasion with his past coaches, Miami's Erik Spoelstra included, and has a history of publicly praising opposing coaches.

During the Cavs' playoff run, James intermittently chided and praised Blatt. After a Game 1 loss to Chicago in the second round, James openly blamed the game plan. And after James beat the Bulls in Game 4 on a buzzer-beating shot, he offered (unsolicited) that he changed Blatt's original play in the huddle prior to that shot so that he would get the ball.

In April, when Blatt was catching heat because of a report that James was calling his own plays, James compared himself to NFL superstar quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

"You don't allow me to call plays throughout the course of a game, then that's not good for our team," James said.

Blatt said "people sometimes judge things on a game or on a period of time and they forget that we're in there working together and striving to make the utmost of our team and of our situation day to day.

"And a bond develops over time that is a lot more than what meets the eye," said Blatt, who called coaching James "invigorating and exhilarating."

Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed fill you in on how the team looks at the end of minicamp. Plus videos with John DeFilippo on the quarterbacks and Barkevious Mingo. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed fill you in on how the team looks on the final day of mandatory minicamp.  The Browns now are off until the start of training camp begins in late July. 

Topics discussed include:

• Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo says that if the season opener against the Jets were tomorrow, Josh McCown would be the starting quarterback.
• How McCown has looked on the practice field. 
• The offensive line will be even stronger this year with the addition of 19th overall draft pick Cameron Erving starting training camp at right guard.
• The wide receivers with the addition of Brian Hardline and Dwayne Bowe.
• The competition at running back will be fierce with Duke Johnson added to the mix.
• Outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo will have to fight for a starting job.
• Pro-Bowl safety Tashaun Gipson misses minicamp with a hamstring injury after signing his contract tender.
• A new defensive line with Danny Shelton and Xavier Cooper.

On Twitter: @CLEvideos

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Offensive line coach Andy Moeller said he can't recall teaching a rookie three positions, but the assistant said Erving has excelled at the challenge.

BEREA, Ohio - Rookie offensive lineman Cameron Erving spent his spring learning multiple positions.

His focus will narrow as training camp opens in late July.

Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said the No. 19 overall pick likely will begin camp at right guard. He will compete with incumbent John Greco.

That doesn't mean Erving won't see some practice reps at center and left tackle. Erving is the Browns' heir apparent at center should Alex Mack opt out of his contract at the end of the season. In the meantime, it was presumed he would battle for the starting job at right guard or tackle.

"Right now, all the tape on Cam is not going to be pretty because we're playing him at three different spots, but in the big picture, like I always talk about - I try to think as big picture as I can - it's going to help us in the fall," DeFilippo said. "The kid is going to have exposure at a lot of spots on the offensive line."

Offensive line coach Andy Moeller said he can't recall teaching a rookie three positions. It's a lot to ask, but the assistant said Erving has excelled at the challenge. The first-round pick did not participate in drills this week as he nursed an undisclosed injury.

DeFilippo has been pleased with both Greco and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, who the coordinator said has improved his pass protection in the off-season.

Greco is used to challenges for his starting spot, although he's never battled a first rounder.

"I play right guard and that's what I'm going to focus on coming into camp and kind of let the cards fall as they will," he said.

Gilbert out again

Cornerback Justin Gilbert missed the final two days of minicamp with an excused absence as he deals with a family issue.

Busy rookie

DeFilippo is keeping rookie Duke Johnson busy at practice. Beyond his running back duties, the coordinator has been splitting him out at receiver. That's always been an option, DeFilippo said, but they're using him often at receiver during minicamp due to injuries.

Brownies

Players who rode stationary bikes instead of practicing included: Erving, Nate Orchard, cornerback Tramon Williams, free safety Tashaun Gipson, defensive lineman Phil Taylor and receivers Marlon Moore and Josh Lenz.

Quotable

Defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil on his players' assertion they have one of the league's top secondaries: "I think we have the potential to definitely be the best secondary in the NFL. "We've got to prove it every year. The best secondaries, in my opinion, are usually playing in January."

After falling short in the pursuit of a championship, Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin, the team's bespectacled architect, will try to build on what he accomplished in his first full season at the helm.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- After falling short in the pursuit of a championship, Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin, the team's bespectacled architect, will try to build on what he accomplished in his first full season at the helm.

As he outlines the off-season's proper blueprint, Griffin will look to his Big Three -- LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving -- for help.

"We want to raise this like a family," Griffin told Northeast Ohio Media Group following Thursday's press conference. "LeBron's opinion matters a lot. As does Kyrie's, Kevin's and Mike Miller's. I definitely take that into account. When we talk about what we don't have enough of I put a lot of credence in the opinions of our veterans because I think we have a lot of really high basketball IQ veterans. Things they think and share with me are meaningful for sure."

Griffin and his staff have already started, motivated by a Finals loss against "big brother" Steve Kerr.

When the final seconds of the season were ticking away and James was leaving the court to adoration from the fans at Quicken Loans Arena, it was clear there was plenty of work ahead. Not only was James exhausted, but injuries forced a one-time offensive juggernaut to morph into an ugly, grind-it-out unit.

"I think towards the end LeBron was being asked to carry far too heavy a burden offensively," Griffin said during the press conference. "Frankly, with the other two out he was our only real offensive playmaker, and it was by design that you built it that way because you want to put the right pieces around him."

James had just completed a mesmerizing run and delivered a Finals performance for the ages, but it wasn't enough against the Warriors -- a deep, balanced and complete team.

"The one thing that we did see in Golden State and it was something that was very difficult for us to deal with, is they have an incredibly versatile team of multiple facilitating playmakers," Griffin said. "That's something that coming into last year we told you all we were trying to impact and improve, and we certainly did. That's something we're going to continue to work upon. The more play making facilitators you have that know how to play the game, the better off you are, and I think you saw the value of that in the team that ultimately did win."

Griffin's plan last off-season was the same one that other personnel gurus have implemented on a James-led team. With he and Irving wreaking havoc on defenses thanks to an attacking style, the goal was to find shooters -- the offensive weaponry capable of making collapsing defenses pay. Also, with a young roster, lacking postseason experience, Griffin sought veterans.

He traded for Kevin Love, a versatile power forward who was just as comfortable floating beyond the three-point line as he was working inside. Then Mike Miller and James Jones, former members of Miami's championship roster, signed as free agents, reuniting with James. 

After two in-season trades, the pieces came together and the results were sterling -- until the final series when the Cavaliers became a one-man show.

"From a fit standpoint that's why we were 33-3," Griffin told NEOMG when asked about role delineation. "But that's a fine line because we built it to go around three ball-dominant play creators and two of them were hurt. I was probably one short."

Matthew Dellavedova looked uncomfortable in the bigger role. J.R. Smith fizzled out during the worst possible time. Iman Shumpert, whose offensive repertoire has always been spotty, was less than 100 percent, and couldn't deliver the necessary playmaking. It led to the Cavs' once potent offense sputtering to the finish line as it averaged 93.5 points in the six-game series.   

"It's hard," Griffin said. "You can only do so much with so many bullets. It's difficult to find the right piece that's capable of being that playmaking facilitator but can also live without the ball when the Big Three are healthy. It's a unique thing."

That's Griffin's challenge.

The Cavs will have plenty of internal discussions. Love, James and Smith have player options while Tristan Thompson, Dellavedova and Shumpert are restricted free agents and will receive qualifying offers. But finding that "right piece" will require Griffin extending the search beyond the organizational walls.

"We're incredibly blessed to have ownership that's going to support this at the absolute deepest level," he said. "So as we move forward building this, we won't have any concerns of anything other than what is the right piece to win. We're about delivering championships. So we're really blessed in a way that I don't think any other front office or coaching staff could be in terms of the (financial) support we'll get."

Boosting the second unit, which ranked last in the NBA in points per game during the regular season and was maddeningly inconsistent during the playoffs, will be one of the top priorities. 

"I think from my perspective relative to the bench, yeah, we'd like to add some younger pieces," Griffin said. "We'll have some roster spots that we can change a little bit, and we'd like to get guys that are more in a 26 to 30 (age) range perhaps. Maybe finding the peak of their career." 

James has spoken all season about experience being the greatest teacher and getting to, and losing in the Finals, was a lesson for everyone, including Griffin. He learned plenty from the Warriors and will carry the knowledge with him. But even in the loss, Griffin was encouraged by what the scrappy and undermanned roster accomplished.

"We have a group that's literally willing to lay everything on the line for each other," he said. "They played like that and I was really proud of that. This is a team that's as representative of the ethos of the city as any team you can really have."

Griffin called last year's off-season "monumental" as he almost built a champion. Now it's time for the next project.

"I think as we start this process, we're not only going to look at how important is continuity, but how can we continue to build on what we've done in a measured, sustainable way?

"No matter what success you have in the playoffs, you look at that as a group that has the potential to be special, special good."

Johnny Manziel has made strides this offseason, but not enough to siphon any first-team reps away from Josh McCown, who will head into camp as the odd-on favorite to start the season. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo met with his staff Wednesday to pencil in the depth chart coming out of the offseason, and quarterback Josh McCown still came out No. 1 ahead of Johnny Manziel.

"I'm gonna echo coach (Mike) Pettine's words, because he and I are on the exact same page about this,'' DeFilippo said before the final minicamp practice Thursday. "I don't see a change for right now going into training camp. I just don't. I think Josh is playing at a high level right now. I think Josh is doing the things we want him to do. There's a long time before we kick off against the Jets. There's four preseason games to play.

"Last year I was at a place where we were sold on a starter, too (in Matt Schaub), and then a rookie (Dererk Carr) came in and outplayed him in the preseason. I think coach said today there were 86 days or something like that until we kick off against the Jets. So 86 days in the NFL world is an eternity. For right now, if we were lining up against the Jets tomorrow, which we're not, I wouldn't see that changing, no.''

McCown's status as the favorite to start the season has been cemented with a solid preseason, one that may have even exceeded the expectations of the coaches.

"I've been very, very impressed with Josh,'' said DeFilippo, who coached McCown in Oakland in 2007. "Josh and I talk about it all the time. He's a better quarterback now than he was in 2007. I think he's much better. I think he'll tell you the same thing. I haven't seen anything from an arm strength standpoint, from an athleticism standpoint to tell me that his game has declined at all. He's much better in situational football, a much smarter quarterback than he was in '07.

"And that comes with time, he's played a lot of football. I've been very, very pleased with Josh. Obviously, the intangibles with Josh are as good as any quarterback in the league, in terms of his leadership, in terms of being a good person, in terms of his work ethic. All those things that you're looking for in a starting quarterback, Josh McCown has.''

McCown's been such a team player, helping to mentor young guys like Johnny Manziel and Connor Shaw, that DeFilippo has had to remind him to think of himself every now and again.

"He's very even-keel, and the thing Josh has done a really good job of is that he helps guys get lined up,' said DeFilippo. "I have to kind of hold him back a little bit and have him concerned about doing his own job. That's when he has peaks and valleys in practice sometimes, he's worried about the 10 other guys and not himself.

"So I've been preaching to Josh all spring, No. 1, you need to worry about yourself and playing quarterback for this football team and trust that these other 10 guys on the team are pros and they're going to know what to do also. Josh has been everything we thought he was going to be in terms of his leadership, you've just got to keep him going.''

DeFilippo inherits a hungry McCown, one who's eager to prove his 1-10 record from last season in Tampa Bay wasn't him and that he's more the quarterback who threw 13 touchdown passes against only one interception in Chicago in 2013.

 "Absolutely,'' said DeFilippo. "I think any competitor wants something to prove. That's why we're all here, we're here to win football games for this team, for this city, for our owner. Any competitor wants to go out there and have something to prove, whether you're coming off a Super Bowl victory or you're coming off a 1-10 as a starter.''

In practice, McCown has put good spin on the ball, even on his longer throws. He's displayed good mobility and excellent footwork. Most of all, he knows where to go with the football and when to throw it away or pull it in and run. In one four-play red zone drill Wednesday, he threw touchdown passes to Andrew Hawkins, Gary Barnidge and Duke Johnson.

"I think the thing Josh and I have which maybe benefits us, I wouldn't know the stats on this, is our familiarity we have with each other,'' said DeFilippo. "If any of those (other) guys had known the OC before, known when we lined up day one in pass install, and knew how to call the play without really looking at the playbook, that would be a situation I think that might be a little bit different. But we're going to have a great plan and we're going to go from there.''

That's not to say that DeFilippo hasn't been impressed with Manziel too, because he has. But the plan, for now, is for Josh McCown to start the season.

 

Free-agent point guard Mo Williams is open to returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cavaliers have an obvious need for a ball-handler capable of creating scoring opportunities for themselves and others. There's a candidate increasingly intrigued with potentially filling that void.

Soon-to-be unrestricted free agent point guard Mo Williams is "more than interested" in making a return to Cleveland, sources close to the guard informed Northeast Ohio Media Group.

However, due to their own pending powerhouse free agents, the Cavaliers will be limited in what they can offer. All they will have at their disposal is the taxpayer mid-level exception and the veteran's minimum. Williams is seeking a multiyear deal, and the Cavaliers and Hornets are two of the teams at the top of his wish list, a source revealed.

The addition of Williams and retaining their core group would be a sizable improvement for a roster that was two wins away from ending a 51-year major pro sports championship drought in the city.

Come July 1, the two parties are expected to communicate if Williams is open to the team's exceptions.

The 12-year veteran continues to play at a high level. In 41 games with Minnesota this past season in a reserve role, Williams averaged 12.2 points, and in his 27 appearances for Charlotte, his scoring output shot up to 17.2.

The 32-year-old put up a 52-point game in January for the Timberwolves before being traded to the Charlotte for backcourt depth and assistance in making a playoff push.

He played two seasons with the Cavaliers from 2008-10. Along with LeBron James, Williams helped the team compile a league-best 66-16 record in his first year with the franchise. He was voted an Eastern Conference All-Star that same year.

Williams and James have a great relationship, I'm told. If a deal could be worked out, I'm told the four-time MVP would welcome him with open arms.

The second-year corner is an example of the quality depth the Browns are building in the secondary. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Pierre Desir made a handful of good plays on the final day of Browns spring practice Thursday.

It served as a reminder of how well the lanky corner performed in the final two games last season when given extended reps. It interrupted what almost was a redshirt season for the rookie from small-college Lindenwood University.

The Browns want to utilize his length - Desir is 6-foot-2, 206 pounds - in certain matchups against larger receivers and tight ends this season. But there's no rush to move him into the starting lineup. Not in this secondary.

Desir represents a rare luxury for a franchise boasting few since 1999. They are deep at defensive back, which allows the coaching staff to hone Desir's talent and technique.

Depth and development at the NFL level - what concepts.

Maybe they don't mean much to a segment of a fan base weary of losing and searching for a franchise quarterback. But this is one way good teams get built. Unless you think the Steelers were just lucky all those years with their parade of outside linebackers. Greg Lloyd would finally stop abusing Browns quarterbacks and along comes Joey Porter, then James Harrison.

The NFL bills itself as a league that enables its members to improve immediately through the draft. That's true to a point, but creating a reservoir of depth is also important. Look what the Seahawks have done.

The Browns are constructing a formidable secondary not just with Pro Bowlers Joe Haden, Tashaun Gipson and Donte Whitner but with K'Waun Williams, Justin Gilbert and Desir. They're deep enough to use a seventh-round pick in May on Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who won't play a down this season because of a serious knee injury suffered prior to the Rose Bowl, but is considered a first- or second-round talent. That pick could be a gem in a few years.

Positional depth isn't a topic that produces many Internet clicks or callers to Bruce Drennan until indestructible center Alex Mack breaks his leg in Week 5. The lack of adequate reserves at interior offensive line helped harpoon a promising start last season. General Manager Ray Farmer used a first-round pick on versatile Cameron Erving to ensure they don't get caught in the same position again. I wasn't in favor of using such a high pick on a lineman, but I understand the thinking, especially with Mack's opt-out clause looming at the end of the season.

Plenty of eyes rolled when Farmer said the talent of players 1 through 22 in the NFL are "in the same ballpark." Mine included. His larger point about the need for capable reserves is nevertheless valid. Which brings us back to Desir. The young corner is mature beyond his years and he's blessed with a strong work ethic. It wouldn't be shocking to see him become a starter in the next two years.

Receiver Paul Browning has a pass attempt batted away by defensive back Pierre Desir in practice Thursday.John Kuntz, Northeast Ohio Media Group 

"He's progressed as we would expect given ... how he approaches it," coach Mike Pettine said. "He's had some good days this spring. He knew there were some technical things to work on. He was a good example of a guy that got with his coaches and (they said), 'Hey, these are the things you need to improve on.' He's attacked those every day.

"We're encouraged by his progress, He's one of the guys that's taken a pretty good leap from one to two."

Desir enjoys learning from veterans Haden and 32-year-old Tramon Williams. He buys into the idea the Browns are building one of the league's better secondaries and longs to be a part of it.

"The older guys like Whit and Haden are pushing us because they want to be the best," Desir said. "We're just going out there to try and achieve that goal."

The Browns won't win consistently until they find a dependable quarterback. That's reality in the NFL today. But defending the pass, as the Browns did well with regularity last season, keeps you in a lot of games. The club no longer has to rush a Leon McFadden into a lineup and watch Tom Brady shatter his confidence. It can withstand a painful rookie season from Gilbert and still lead the NFL in passes defensed and opponent quarterback rating.

Browns secondary coach Jeff Hafley isn't satisfied. He's challenged his players to become better tacklers to improve a woeful run defense. Maybe then we can discuss this group's place among the NFL elite. Until then, Hafley keeps coaching up Desir and other youngsters in the secondary.

It's an encouraging sign for a team that doesn't specialize in them.