Odds are also that a lineup featuring the same names that presently patrol the Indians' clubhouse won't provide the necessary support to propel the team into some October plans next year.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians preserved the strength of their team at the trade deadline. They resisted opponents' overtures at their starting pitchers.

But what about that offense, that underwhelming group of hitters that hasn't backed the starting staff with much support?

General manager Chris Antonetti jettisoned Brandon Moss and David Murphy from the roster. Marc Rzepczynski was sent to San Diego as well. Enter Jerry Sands, man. And Lonnie Chisenhall and Tyler Holt. And, eventually, a few other familiar faces such as Jesus Aguilar and Nick Swisher and Zach Walters.

The Indians are about to conduct another two-month experiment, in which Chisenhall, Sands and other hitters will attempt to place themselves in the organization's good graces.

Antonetti said Friday that the team would focus on internal candidates for its lineup from now until the end of the regular season. That would seemingly rule out any additions via a waiver deal in August. Anyone with enticing value would have trouble clearing waivers, anyway.

So, the offseason would seem to be the Indians' most opportune time to acquire a bat or two or three. Of course, it was last year, too. That's when the Tribe traded for Moss, who didn't pan out as the club had hoped.

"At the end of the season," Antonetti said Friday, "we'll sit down and assess where we are and where we may have needs. At that point, we'll have better information and a better understanding of what our internal alternatives are."A season founded on late-October aspirations has evolved into a tryout camp of sorts.

The Indians don't have much in the form of elite hitting prospects in the upper ranks of their farm system. Holt and James Ramsey might better the team defensively, but they don't wield imposing lumber. The jury is out on Walters and Aguilar.

The Indians' starting rotation is locked up -- and for only a pocketful of spare change -- through at least the 2020 campaign. The offense will need a face lift over the winter, though. The Indians can't rest on their laurels and assume that those already in tow will seamlessly progress or that those who excel over these final two months will turn that production into a year-long tear in 2016.

Money will undoubtedly factor into the equation. Swisher and Michael Bourn are still on the bankroll, after all. The Indians won't have much financial flexibility until owner Paul Dolan remembers the combination for the lock on his safe.

Somehow, though, the Indians need a few new hitters, likely via trade. Odds are, the team's unfathomably appalling clip with the bases loaded (.130/.230/.156 -- .386 OPS vs. league average .735 OPS) will improve, regardless of the bodies standing in the batter's box. Odds are, the team's deplorable slash line with runners in scoring position and two outs (.173/.306/.277 -- .583 OPS vs. league average .691 OPS) will improve, regardless of who occupies the spots in Terry Francona's lineup.

Odds are also that a lineup featuring the same names that presently patrol the Indians' clubhouse won't provide the necessary support to propel the team into some October plans next year.

We try to tackle Ohio State's quarterback battle for the third time.

CHICAGO -- We promised we would update the Buckeyes QB Hot List every time something happened that could sway our opinions on the Ohio State quarterback battle.

Well we just wrapped up Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, and we got some more insight from Urban Meyer on what exactly will go into the decision.

* Meyer's gut feeling: How last year could shape the quarterback battle

We shot a video in Chicago on Friday -- they'll get better from here on out -- about what we learned about the Buckeyes over the last two days. We talked mostly about the quarterbacks, so you'll get a sense on where we're leaning.

But the hard numbers are below.

Before that, here's how it broke down after combining the results of our second hot lists with the second reader poll:

1. J.T. Barrett 63% (253 out 400 possible points)

2. Cardale Jones 31% (123)

3. Braxton Miller 6% (24)

* QB Hot List No. 2

* QB Hot List No. 1 

And now our third version of the Buckeyes QB Hot List:

Doug Lesmerises' QB Hot List:

1. J.T. Barrett (80)

2. Cardale Jones (20)

3. Braxton Miller (0)

Breakdown: Urban Meyer talked in Chicago about Braxton Miller at quarterback - a bit. Enough that I almost wanted to slide Miller back to one percent, but for the start of the season, it's just not going to happen physically. So my change was to add another five percent to Barrett and drop Jones to 20 percent.

No one can be eliminated until camp starts, but Meyer talked about how the competition has already begun, with the leadership and weight room work and academic responsibilities of the quarterbacks charted this summer. He also explained that there does remain room for his gut to influence the decision - it's not just numbers.

But while he praised both leading quarterbacks, he seemed to most often lead with Barrett, then add kind words of Jones as well. So that strengthened my reasoning to have Barrett continue to lead this list.

Ari Wasserman's QB Hot List

1. J.T. Barrett (70)

2. Cardale Jones (25)

3. Braxton Miller (5)

Breakdown: If  Miller were completely healthy, he would be my pick to be Ohio State's quarterback. His running ability is unparalleled, and he's at least on par with Barrett and Jones as a passer. He's an H-Back now, but I'm not ever going to make him zero percent until he has completely made the position switch. 

If it were solely between Jones and Barrett, I think the starter should -- and will be -- Barrett. Though Jones' postseason run was something you could base a movie on, Barrett is the better overall player. Go back and watch the Michigan State game to remind yourself if you've forgotten.

Bill Landis' QB Hot List

1. J.T. Barrett (65)

2. Cardale Jones (30)

3. Braxton Miller (5)

Breakdown: I re-watched the Michigan State game last week, mostly because I don't know how to enjoy my summer, but also because I wanted to make sure there wasn't something I was missing.

All along I've been convinced that Jones didn't do anything in the last three games of the season that Barrett couldn't do. My beliefs were reaffirmed from watching the Michigan State game. Barrett had to make some of the same deep throws Jones had to make, and did so with a little more accuracy in my eyes.

Yes, Jones can throw it 80 yards, but let me know the next time Ohio State runs the 80-yard streak. I'm not trying to knock Jones down a peg, just explain that I don't see the gap in ability that some seem to see between Barrett and Jones. I think at worst, it's even. 

And after seeing the way Meyer lit up at the prospect of mixing Miller into the offense as an H-back or receiver. I think Barrett's athletic ability gives the offense more options, and Meyer knows it.

Danny Salazar won his ninth game of the season on Friday night with eight strong innings against Oakland. Lonnie Chisenhall and Michael Bourn keyed a game-winning rally in the ninth inning.

OAKLAND, Calif. - Danny Salazar knows what Corey Kluber feels like.

Kluber has been deserted by his offense for most of the season. Salazar has shared that feeling for the last three starts.

Unlike Kluber, however, Salazar has had better luck when it comes to wins and losses. That was evident Friday night when the Indians beat Oakland, 2-1, with a ninth-inning rally keyed by two of manager Terry Francona's lost souls -- Lonnie Chisenhall and Michael Bourn.

Chisenhall, recalled from Class AAA Columbus on Thursday, started the winning rally with a single off Eddie Mujica (2-3). He stole second and scored the winning run on Bourn's ground rule double to right center.

It was Chisenhall's third hit of the night. Bourn, who has struggled to produce for the first three years of a four-year $48 million contract, is hitting .389 (14-for-36) since the All-Star break.

Salazar (9-6, 3.47) allowed one run on one hit in eight innings. He struck out four and walked one to end his two-game losing streak. The run was unearned

Cody Allen pitched the ninth for his 21st save.

Oakland starter Kendall Graveman was almost as good as Salazar. He came into Friday's start on a three-game losing streak, the first of the three losses coming against the Indians on July 10. In those three games, he allowed 14 earned in 12 innings.

On Friday, Graveman held the Indians scoreless until they scratched out the tying run in the seventh. Yan Gomes scored from third on a throwing error by shortstop Marcus Semien.

It was Semien's 29^th error.

Gomes started the two-out rally with a single. Chisenhall doubled him to third. Gomes scored when Giovanny Urshela sent a bouncer to Semien. He charged the ball, but made a high throw to first as Urshela ran his way out of trouble.

The A's took a 1-0 lead in the third on Urshela's error.

Salazar walked Mark Canha to start the inning. He gave up a single to Eric Sogard to chase Canha to third.

Semien sent a sharp grounder to Urshela with Canha going on contact. If he had fielded it cleanly, Urshela could have easily thrown out Canha at the plate, but the ball squirted off his glove and between his legs.

It was Urshela's third error of the season, but Salazar limited the damage by striking out Billy Burns, inducing Brett Lawrie to hit into a force play at second and retiring Josh Reddick on a fly ball to center.

What it means

The Indians (48-54) have won three straight to improve to 28-22 on the road. They are 15-10 against the AL West.

Oakland (45-59) has lost three straight and is 10-17 against the AL Central. The A's have lost seven of their last eight games.

Ripped by replay

Francisco Lindor started the fourth with a single to the hole at short. He didn't advance because Graveman picked him off.

First base umpire Stu Scheurwater called Lindor safe on his dive back to the bag. The A's challenged and Lindor was called out after a review of 1:45.

Tribe D

Remember the Indians defense last year? They led the big leagues in errors.

They entered Saturday's game tied with Seattle for fourth in fielding percentage at .985. Their 55 errors were the third fewest in the AL.

Nice pitching

In the last four games, the Indians' rotation is 3-1 with a 1.03 ERA.

They have allowed four runs in 35 innings. Those four starts belong to Salazar, Carlos Carrasco, Corey Kluber an Trevor Bauer. Carrasco, Kluber and Bauer threw complete games.

Thanks for coming

The Indians and Indians drew a crowd of 28,152 fans to O.co Coliseum on Friday night.

What's next?

Rookie right-hander Cody Anderson (2-2, 3.26) will face Oakland right-hander Aaron Brooks (0-0, 6.23) on Saturday at 9:05 p.m. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS will carry the game.

Anderson will be trying to end a two-start losing streak. In his last start he allowed seven runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Royals. Anderson, from Quincy, Calif., will be pitching in front of family and friends.

The A's acquired Brooks from Kansas City as part of the Ben Zobrist deal. He made two relief appearances in four tours with the Royals this year. He was 6-5 with a 3.71 ERA in 18 games, including 17 starts, at Class AAA Omaha.

Anderson has never faced the A's. Ditto for Brooks and the Indians.

On the first day of camp in full pads, running backs Duke Johnson and Terrance West came up limping. Jimmy Haslam says they might be out a little while, but the Browns are hoping that's not the case.

Berea, Ohio -- Not long after Browns defensive end Billy Winn was carted off the field with a potentially serious knee injury on Saturday, running backs Duke Johnson and Terrance came up limping with injuries of their own that could sideline them for at least a little while.

Johnson, the third-round pick out of Miami, suffered a hamstring injury on a run in team drills a little more than an hour into practice, and Terrance West tweaked a calf muscle about 15 minutes later.  It was the first day of practice in pads, and the casualties were high. Both running backs headed into the facility after practice for further exams.

"I'm not sure what Pett (coach Mike Pettine) said about practice,'' Browns owner Jimmy Haslam. "I know he was disappointed we got a couple people banged up a little bit. A couple of the running backs look like they might be out a little bit, but good effort, and it's good to see everybody out here hustling around.''

Johnson, who's been running with the third team behind West and Isaiah Crowell, sat out the rest of the practice and had the hamstring wrapped with ice for awhile.

Not the way he wanted to end the first day in pads?

"I'll be all right,'' Johnson said. "I've experienced much worse. I just felt something in my hamstring, stopped for precautionary reasons. We're going to take a look at it today.''

West also hobbled off the field after running the ball in 11-on-11s. He looked to be in pain, sat out the rest of practice and also had the calf wrapped with ice.

"I'm good,'' said West as he walked into the facility. "About to get it checked on now. I'll be back tomorrow. I'll be back.''

With Johnson and West hobbled, the Browns were short at running back. Glenn Winston is also sidelined with a knee injury and hasn't practiced yet this camp.

It paved the way for Browns running back Shaun Draughn (5-11, 205) to have another fine day. Draughn, signed by the Browns as free agent last December and re-signed in March, has been chewing up yards in camp and catching passes out of the backfield.

"He is (earning more snaps),'' said coach Mike Pettine. "He is a quiet kid and that's how he is on the field. He just does his job. There is not a lot of flash there. Like a lot of guys, he very quietly fills the grade sheet with pluses."

Of course, the Browns are hoping that Johnson and West will be back soon. In the meantime, Draughn, Crowell and rookie Luke Lundy will carry the load.

Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed report on Day 3 of training camp. Plus videos from Jimmy Haslam's press conference. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed fill you in on what happened during Day 3 of training camp. 

Topics include:

Owner Jimmy Haslam said "We're not going to blow things up" this year when ask how patient he will be with General Manager Ray Farmer and Head Coach Mike Pettine. 

Haslam also said that what Johnny Manziel did in the offseason, which included a stint in rehab, was what he needed to do and anything less would have been unacceptable.

The first day in full pads resulted in several injuries.  The most serious could be defensive lineman Billy Winn who injured a knee.

Running backs Duke Johnson tweaked a hamstring and Terrance West injured a calf. 

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Defending race winner Scott Dixon is on the pole after posting a record speed of 125.869 mph

LEXINGTON, Ohio -- Scott Dixon said his qualifying tour around the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday was not his smoothest. But it was fast enough to earn the pole at a blistering one-lap record speed of 125.869 mph. Fellow Chevrolet driver Will Power will be beside him when the Honda Indy 200 begins Sunday.

"I messed up the quick lap in (turns) 12 and 2,'' Dixon said. "The car definitely has some good speed in it."

So the stage is set for the 2 p.m. start at Mid-Ohio, with local favorite Graham Rahal well back on the grid, at 13.

The race will cap a weekend schedule that has focused on Dixon's chase for the pole speed record previously held jointly by Dario Franchitti (1999) and Gil de Ferran (2000) at 124.329 mph. By the end of qualifying, 11 drivers topped the mark.

Still, this is a race Dixon and his Chip Ganassi Team has dominated.

"A lot of it is the team,'' said Dixon, who has won two of the last three here. "The team has won seven of the last eight."

Now the attention turns to the race itself, where passing around the 13-turn, 2.258-mile road course is hard to come by.

"It is difficult,'' said Dixon, the defending race winner. "It is definitely tough to pass in this place."

The points race: With three races left, the standings going into Mid-Ohio weekend has Juan Pablo Montoya first in the points race, 42 notches ahead of Rahal in a Chevrolet-Honda battle. But Rahal is alone as the four drivers behind him in the standings all race with Chevrolet power.

Considering that the final race of the season, Aug. 30 at Sonoma, California, is worth double points, this title chase is far from a done deal.

About Cleveland: Honda's contract as title sponsor for the Mid-Ohio race is up after 2016. Privately Honda officials say "hard negotiations" are ongoing. Yet because of Honda's big presence in the series and in nearby Columbus, it is doubtful the power plant will pull its sponsorship from the rural hills of Ohio.

At the same time, a Honda official made it clear "we are very interested" in a Cleveland race, and under the right situation could see themselves, "at the least as an associate sponsor" underneath a title sponsor.

There has been a lot of interest and negotiations to bring the Grand Prix of Cleveland IndyCar race back to Northeast Ohio for the first time since 2007. But the major hurdle remains luring a title sponsor. Getting Honda on board would be a major plus.

"Cleveland is big, and Ohio is a big market for us,'' the Honda official said. At the same time he expressed concern with the lack of internal administrative history for Cleveland within the IndyCar ranks, particularly now that Derrick Walker will no longer be in the IndyCar executive room. Walker, the president of operations and competition, said this week he is leaving the organization.

Walker had history in Cleveland not only as an administrator in the open wheel ranks, but also as a former team owner and race engineer. That is no small loss considering the issues involved with putting the race on at Burke Lakefront Airport.

It's working!: According to IndyCar insiders, once a week, every week, they receive an anonymous postcard complete with a different photo from around the city that always has three simple words written on it -- "BRING BACK CLEVELAND!" It's unconfirmed, but it is believed one staffer has all the postcards posted somewhere on a wall.

Rookie Cody Anderson faces the A's on Saturday night looking for his first win since July 9. He's 0-1 in two starts since the All-Star break.

OAKLAND, Calif. - Here are the lineups for Saturday night's game between the Indians and Athletics at O.co Coliseum.

INDIANS

DH Jason Kipnis.

SS Francisco Lindor.

LF Michael Brantley.

1B Carlos Santana.

C Yan Gomes.

RF Lonnie Chisenhall.

3B Giovanny Urshela.

CF Michael Bourn.

2B Mike Aviles.

RHP Cody Anderson, 2-2, 3.26.

ATHLETICS

CF Sam Fuld

C Stephen Vogt.

RF Josh Reddick.

DH Billy Butler.

1B Ike Davis.

LF Mark Canha.

3B Max Muncy.

SS Marcus Semien.

2B Eric Sogard.

RHP Aaron Brooks, 0-0, 6.23.

Join beat writer Paul Hoynes for live updates during chat session Saturday night for the Indians game with the A's at O.co Coliseum.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Get live updates and chat in the comments section below with beat writer Paul Hoynes as the Indians and Athletics play the third game of a four-game set Saturday night at O.co Coliseum.

Game 103: Indians (48-54) vs. Athletics (45-59)

First pitch: 9:05 p.m. ET at O.co Coliseum.

TV/radio: STO; WMMS FM/100.7.

The Browns owner did not leave himself much wiggle room, but his sentiment is sound. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - At age 61, Jimmy Haslam ranks among the fittest owners in the NFL.

But can he backpedal as fast and as far as Pro Bowl corner Joe Haden? We might find out in January if the Browns regress from a 7-9 record and Haslam opts to change his coach and front office again.

Addressing reporters Saturday, he offered a resounding endorsement of coach Mike Pettine and General Manager Ray Farmer. In what's already become a training camp filled with headline-grabbing statements - Dwayne Bowe's assessment of Josh McCown as a potential top-five quarterback is your clubhouse leader - the owner not only delivered a strong declaration, but didn't couch his sentiment during follow-up questions.

"We're not going to blow things up, OK?" Haslam said when asked for his thoughts on a potential losing season and how it would impact a decision on the leadership in place. "I think we're on the right track, so we're not going to blow things up. I understand why people might ask that after a couple of bumps in the road the first couple of years, but we're not going to do that. I think we're putting in place a good foundation."

There's nothing wrong with a vote of a confidence and most fans are savvy enough to understand an owner has the right to change his mind. Especially one who jettisoned two coaches and management teams in his first two years.

Haslam probably should have allowed for some wiggle room -- the sound bite will play continually in December if the Browns are sitting on three wins - but his support is not misguided particularly as it applies to Pettine.

The Browns need continuity. They also need a franchise quarterback and, in the NFL, you rarely find one without the other. With all due respect to the well-intentioned Bowe, Haslam understands the club doesn't have a game-changing quarterback and is willing to endure one more sub-.500 season provided it doesn't go off the rails. (Because that's never happened in Berea.)

Haslam is surrounded by stability in the AFC North and at some point he must commit to an identity, giving it a chance to take root. The Browns are building around resilience, defense and running the ball. Those traits don't garner the lead highlight on SportsCenter, but they keep you in a lot of games. Haslam pointed to the Browns' effort in a 20-10 season-ending loss at Baltimore - a game with Connor Shaw at quarterback and reserves filling the lineup against a desperate opponent - as evidence to how hard the team played for the coaching staff.

Hired by former CEO Joe Banner, Pettine navigated a season fraught with high-profile distractions that would have tested the resolve of a veteran coach. The Johnny Manziel drama. The maturity issues involving Justin Gilbert and Terrance West. The Josh Gordon saga.

The first-year coach earned the respect of veterans in the room.

"I think Pettine is an incredible kind of coach, my kind of guy," receiver Andrew Hawkins said Saturday. "He's all business. He's not a show-favoritism guy, not a lot of fluff, not a man of many words. He wants production. He wants hard work. There are no gray areas and I appreciate a coach like that."

Farmer's first year was more uneven. He was strong in free agency and solid after the first round of the 2014 draft, but Gilbert and Manziel are potential huge whiffs. The Textgate scandal, which will cost him the first four games of the season, is a potential career-defining moment.

But Farmer admitted his mistakes and Haslam allowed him to continue when some might have considered a change justified. As Pettine is wont to say, it's about actions and not words. The fact the Browns didn't mortgage the future in pursuit of Marcus Mariotta or select a first-round receiver suggests the owner is willing to give the tandem time to construct the team in their image.

"I think we've got the right people in place to, over a period of time, be successful here,'' the owner said. "And we're clearly focused on doing that."

Haslam's long view is refreshing and, perhaps a sign of a boss who's maturing on the job after three years of tumult. Yosemite Sam has to keep his side arms holstered at some point, right?

It would be foolish to take Haslam's remarks Saturday as a blanket promise that Pettine and Farmer return in 2016. Too many things can go wrong over the course of a season (because that's never happened in Berea) which is why the owner should have tempered his comments slightly.

Maybe, he's tired of being perceived as trigger-happy. Maybe, he's trying to squash rumors of discord or simply relieving some pressure prior to season in which few expect the Browns to contend.

Haslam's overall message, however, was the right one. Just remember nothing said in August is binding in January.

Watch as Browns first-round draft pick Danny Shelton strapped on full pads for the first time this season. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns strapped on full pads for the first time this season during the third day of training camp Saturday.

Spend the day with first-round draft pick, nose tackle Danny Shelton, as he got to do two of the things he excels at, hitting and stopping the run.

The emphasis was the run game and defending the run with contact allowed, but no tackling to the ground.

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Cleveland Gladiators have easy time with Spokane Shock, 59-42

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Gladiators snapped a four-game losing streak with an easy win over the Spokane Shock Saturday night. The 59-42 victory  catapulted the team into the Arena League playoffs, despite a sub-.500 record.

Even for an indoor game, the Gladiators put the contest away early at Quicken Loans Arena. On the game's second play, receiver Collin Taylor took a screen pass 29 yards for a score. The nifty run after the catch was a sign of things to come. Taylor would score four more times, including one a few plays later when Quarterback Shane Austin found him in the left corner of the end zone for a 21-yard tally.

The Gladiators made it the ArenaBowl championship game last summer, but this year's playoff hopes were sagging as the team had lost seven of their previous 10 games.

A visit from Spokane, now 6-11, was the remedy for the Gladiators, now 8-9.

Spokane Quarterback Arvell Nelson, a product of Glenville High School, had a shaky game. An early first quarter interception put his team in a quick hole. Three mistakes in the second half ended any hope of a comeback.

With the Shock down 31-14 as the second half began, Nelson fumbled at his own goal line. Gladiator defensive back Joe Phinisee grabbed the bouncing ball and went into the end zone.

Nelson would throw a pick on the Shock's next play, then lose a fumble at the Gladiator's goal line as the fourth quarter began.

Austin went 20 for 35 on the night for 235 yards for the Gladiators. Taylor led both teams with 9 catches and 142 yards. He has 41 TD receptions.

The Gladiators play their last regular season game at home next Saturday against the Philadelphia Soul, the squad they will play in the post-season. The Soul has the best record in the American Conference.

Spokane has made the playoffs, too -- in the National Conference where the top two teams are running away with their divisions.

Lonnie Chisenhall, in his sedond game since being recalled from Class AAA Columbus, had three hits and scored the winning run Friday night against Oakland.

OAKLAND, Calif. - Friday night was a good one for Lonnie Chisenhall.

He had three hits, stole a base and scored the winning run in a 2-1 victory by the Indians over Oakland. And the best ball he hit all night was an out.

In his first at-bat, Chisenhall lined out to the fence in center field as Billy Burns made a nice running catch in the second inning.

"That might have been the best ball I hit," said Chisenhall. "It's encouraging when you have four quality at-bats. It's what I've been moving toward."

Chisenhall was making his second start since being recalled from Class AAA Columbus on Thursday. He was optioned on June 7 and some felt he'd burned through all his chances with the Tribe. The Indians, however, needed a bat following the trades of David Murphy and Brandon Moss.

"It's nice to see him have a little success early when he comes back," said manger Terry Francona. "Hopefully, that will help his confidence."

Chisenhall, who hit .280 (44-for-157) at Columbus, singled to start the ninth with the score tied, 1-1. He stole second and scored on Michael Bourn's ground-rule double to the gap in right center. It was Chisenhall's first steal of the year.

Chisenhall rejoined the Indians as a utility man. Rookie Giovanny Urshela has taken his old job at third base.

He made his second straight start in right field Saturday night, homering in the fifth inning.

"Each time out there I'm feeling a little better," said Chisenhall.

Bourn, like Chisenhall, has spent much of this season lost at the plate. It looks like he's found something as of late. He's hitting .389 (14-for-36) in 11 games since the All-Star break.

"I just keep playing baseball," said Bourn. "That's all I can really do. Keep playing and taking one at-bat and one-game at a time."

Easy does it: For the third time in the last five games, All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis was in the starting lineup as the Tribe's DH.

"His throwing (right) shoulder is a little bit sore," said Francona. "I don't think it's anything we need to worry about. We're just trying to stay out ahead of it.

"It doesn't hurt him hitting. I just wanted to let him DH another night. I don't think that will hurt him."

Francona was going to DH Jerry Sands on Saturday night, but decided to go with Kipnis at DH.

"We hope Kip can bounce back Sunday and be OK," said Francona.

Sickbay: Ryan Raburn has lost about seven pounds while dealing with a stomach issue for the last four weeks.

"I'm taking medication from the trainers and I feel OK," said Raburn.

Say goodbye: Closer Cody Allen said this time of year is tough on friendships. In the span of four days, the Indians traded Murphy, Moss and reliever Marc Rzepczynski. The Rzepczynski trade happened just before Friday's deadline.

"You don't want to see anyone go," said Allen. "It was tough to see Zep go. He's a bullpen mate and I really enjoyed my time here with him the last couple of years.

"He came over in 2013 and gave us a big boost out of that bullpen. Good guy, good friend. You hate to see anybody leave."

The Indians went through the same thing last year with the trades of Justin Masterson and Asdrubal Cabrera.

"It's part of the business," said Allen. "It's always tough, but everybody deals with it."

Finally: Nick Swisher will report to Class AAA Columbus on Tuesday to continue his rehab assignment He's currently player at Class A Lake County. ... Switch-hitting outfielder Abraham Almonte, acquired from San Diego for Rzepczynski, will report to Columbus on Monday.

The Tribe's offense once again failed to report to duty Saturday night in a loss to Oakland. Their defense wasn't too good either. The Indians are 11-42 when they score three or fewer runs.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Cody Anderson pitched well Saturday night in front of a large group of family and friends at O.co. Coliseum. Unfortunately, two elements of the Indians' game did not offer the rookie right-hander adequate support.

One of the elements has become all too familiar this season. The second was not as Anderson and the Indians fell to Oakland, 5-1, to end their three-game winning streak.

The Indians season-long flaw, a lack of offense, was in full view once again. The Indians were rendered defenseless by right-hander Aaron Brooks, who was making just his second start in the big leagues and first appearance with the A's.

The A's received Brooks from Kansas City as part of the recent Ben Zobrist trade. The Indians and Brooks were seeing each other for the first time and the the right-handed owned a decided edge in winning his first game in the big leagues.

The Indians are 11-42 when they score three or fewer runs.

The second element that hurt Anderson was defense. First baseman Carlos Santana's throwing error in the fifth inning led to Oakland's second run.

The Indians were a dreadful defensive team last year. They finished last in the big leagues in errors.

The Tribe worked hard on its defense in spring training. They also changed the left side of their infield, going with rookies Giovanny Ursela and Francisco Lindor at third and shortstop, respectively, in June. The improvement has been easy to see.

They came into Saturday's game tied for fourth in the AL in fielding percentage with Seattle. But they did not look sharp in the fifth when Oakland scored twice to take a 3-1 lead.

Anderson (2-3, 3.38) started the inning with a strikeout, but Max Muncy bounced a double against the wall in right field. Anderson walked Marcus Semien and Eric Sogard lined a single to right.

Lonnie Chisenhall, playing just his second game ever in right field, threw out Muncy at the plate for the second out. With Anderson's cheering section from Quincy, Calif., screaming behind the visitors' dugout, it looked like the Tribe would escape.

Sam Fuld, however, singled again to right field. Chisenhall threw home, but Santana cut off the throw as Semien scored for a 2-1 lead. Santana threw wildly to third to try and get Sogard, who scored easily on the error for a 3-1 lead.

Chisenhall, recalled Thursday from Class AAA Columbus, tied the score 1-1 with a homer off Brooks (1-0, 3.09) in the fifth. It was his fifth of the season and first since May 27 against Texas.

In Friday's 2-1 win over the A's, Chisenhall had three hits, stole second and scored the winning run on Michael Bourn's double in the ninth inning.

The A's stretched the lead to 4-1 on Semien's two-out homer in the seventh. The homer ended Anderson's night.

What it means

The Indians (48-55) dropped to 28-23 on the road. They are 15-11 against the AL West.

It was just their fifth loss in the last 15 road games.

The A's (46-59) snapped a three-game losing streak. It was just their third win in the last 11 games.

Young arms

Anderson allowed three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out four, walked two and allowed six hits on 100 pitches.

In his previous two starts, Anderson allowed 11 runs on 18 hits in 8 1/3 innings. In those starts, he had trouble getting his fastball down in the zone. That was not a problem Saturday night as the A's spent a lot of time swinging and missing at his diving fastball

Brooks, who made two relief appearances with the Royals before the trade, allowed one run on five hits in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter in 94 pitches.

What's next?

The Indians and A's end this four-game series Sunday when Trevor Bauer (8-8, 4.13) faces Oakland ace Sonny Gray (11-4, 2.16) at 4:05 p.m. ET. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS will carry the game.

Bauer is coming off a complete-game, 2-1, loss to Kansas City. It was his first complete game in the big leagues. This will be his first start against the A's.

Gray, Oakland's Cy Young candidate, threw a two-hit shutout against the Tribs on July 12 at Progressive Field. He is 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA against the Indians in his career.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Aaron Brooks gave up one run in 7 1/3 innings as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Cleveland Indians, 5-1, Saturday night at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien homered and scored twice. Here is a pocket-sized look at the game. No DVR review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast was necessary. One word:...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Aaron Brooks gave up one run in 7 1/3 innings as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Cleveland Indians, 5-1, Saturday night at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien homered and scored twice.

Here is a pocket-sized look at the game. No DVR review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast was necessary.

One word: Dud.

Streaks ended: The Indians (48-55) had won three in a row.

The Athletics (46-59) had lost three straight.

Cold again: The Tribe offense has resumed being offensive.

On Wednesday afternoon in Cleveland, the Indians defeated the Royals, 12-1. In three games since, all against the Athletics in Oakland, they have scored a total of six.

They won the first two games of the series only because of their fantastic pitching and the Athletics' offensive slump. The finals were 3-1 and 2-1.

And it is not as if the Tribe faced clones of Catfish Hunter, Dave Stewart and Bob Welch. The Oakland starters -- right-handers Chris Bassitt, Kendall Graveman and Brooks -- combined to allow four earned runs in 21 innings.

In the series finale Sunday afternoon, the Indians will, indeed, encounter a beast in  All-Star righty Sonny Gray (11-4, 2.16 ERA). On July 12 in Cleveland, Gray threw a two-hitter in a 2-0 victory.

Fast fact: The Indians lead the American League with 26 games of one or zero runs. (courtesy of Fox SportsTime Ohio postgame show.)

Lonnie to the rescue: In each of the past two games, right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall has shown the way offensively for the Tribe.

Chisenhall was promoted from Class AAA Columbus on Thursday and went 0-for-3. But he was 3-for-4 with a double Friday and 1-for-4 with a homer Saturday. He smoked a Brooks fastball deep to right in the fifth to tie the score, 1-1.

In the bottom of the fifth, Chisenhall threw out Max Muncy attempting to score from second on a single.

Chisenhall's teammates the past two games have gone a combined 9-for-59 (.153) with eight singles, one double and three walks.

Stellar first impression: Brooks, acquired from Kansas City in the Ben Zobrist trade earlier in the week, made his Oakland debut. He allowed five hits, struck out five and walked none in his first MLB start since May 31, 2014.

Brooks went to school on Graveman, who held the Tribe to one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings Friday by using primarily a fastball and changeup. Once again, Tribe batters swung as if they were allergic to the changeup.

Oakland relievers Drew Pomeranz and Edward Mujica, each of whom was once employed by the Indians, combined for three strikeouts and zero hits allowed.

Solid work: Indians right-hander and California native Cody Anderson allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.

Anderson's changeup was good, on balance, but Oakland did damage against the fastball.  

Bitter pills: One player on each team remained in a long hitless slide.

Mike Aviles, once again subbing for Jason Kipnis at second base, went 0-for-3 in nine pitches. He is in an 0-for-24.

Oakland All-Star catcher Stephen Vogt was 0-for-4 and is in an 0-for-25.

(Kipnis was the designated hitter Saturday and went 0-for-4. He is 1-for-12 with one single and one walk in the series.)

Ohio State hasn't lost in Champaign, Ill., since 1991.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here's our schedule breakdown of Ohio State's season, as we assign a chance for each opponent to beat the defending national champion Buckeyes. We'll continue multiplying those chances until we reach our final number, the chance we think Ohio State has to go 12-0 during the 2015 regular season.

Illinois Fighting Illini

vs. Ohio State: Saturday, Nov. 14 in the 10th game of the year. A kickoff time has yet to be announced.

2014 record: 6-7, 3-5, tied for fifth in the Big Ten West.

Bowl: The Illini made their first bowl under coach Tim Beckman in 2014, losing to Louisana Tech, 35-18, in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Illinois has reached five bowl games since 2001.

Returning starters: 15 (eight offense, seven defense).

Phil Steele preseason rank: No. 67

Week before the OSU game: Illinois will be coming off a road game against Purdue. This game against Ohio State comes after road games against Penn State and Purdue, and before a road date at Minnesota.

It's one of three Big Ten home games for Illinois, who was supposed to play Northwestern in Champaign but moved the game to Chicago. It's the only time the Illini will play at home in November.

Chances to beat Ohio State: 0.2 percent. The chances of the Illibuck Trophy returning to Champaign are slim. Ohio State hasn't lost to Illinois since 2007, and the Buckeyes haven't lost in Champaign since 1991. The Buckeyes were up 48-0 in the third quarter against Illinois last year in Columbus before cruising to a 55-14 win.

This is the lowest percentage we gave a Big Ten team in this schedule breakdown, and the second-lowest overall. We gave Hawaii a 0.1 percent chance. Beckman is 0-7 against ranked opponents at Illinois.

How they could compete with Ohio State: Keeping the Buckeyes under 50 points would help. That's something Illinois hasn't done since 2011, losing to Ohio State by a combined 167-71 in the last three meetings.

Illinois has finished No. 112 in the country in total defense the last two season according to cfbstats.com, so that's easier said than done. The only thing Illinois really has going for it is that Ohio State has games against Michigan State and Michigan to end the season after this one. But let's be honest, that doesn't really mean anything. 

On their offense: It's easy to rag on Beckman and the Illini, but they actually have some nice offensive pieces. It's just so happens that the best player might not be on the field when Ohio State comes to Champaign.

Receiver Mike Dudek, who would've made our top 50 players in the Big Ten list had he not tore his ACL in April, is hoping to make it back by midseason. If he does, Illinois will have a player who was Second-Team All-Big Ten as freshman after finishing with 1,038 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2014.

Without him it could be tough for Illinois' passing game to get going, but the Illini do have five of their top six receivers back. And there's quarterback Wes Lunt. He was No. 38 on our list, and is a guy who has experience as a starter at Oklahoma State and Illinois. He threw 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in the first four games of 2014 before injuries slowed him down for the rest of the season.

With Dudek out, running back Josh Ferguson might become the No. 1 target in the passing game. Ferguson had 735 rushing yards and 427 receiving yards in 2014. The offensive line has five players back with starting experience.

On their defense: Finish 112th in total defense two years in a row? Beckman's solution was not to fire defensive coordinator Tim Banks, but rather give him some help. Beckman hired former NFL assistant Mike Phair to be co-defensive coordinator in February.

Defensive end Jihad Ward was No. 48 in our Big Ten top 50, and could develop into a dynamic pass rusher after posting 51 tackles and three sacks last year. He has some people in Champaign thinking of Whitney Mercilus.

Outside linebacker Mason Monheim was the only player on Illinois' defense to get named First-Team Preseason All-Big Ten by Phil Steele. He's got 35 career starts, and finished with 111 tackles last year. The Illini return three defensive backs to a defense that was 48th in passing defense last year.

Projection: If Lunt can stay healthy, and Dudek gets back by the middle of the season, maybe Illinois can play well enough to keep Beckman in Champaign for another year. Maybe.

But that losing streak against Ohio State will continue. And it's likely to get ugly again.

Previous games

* Virginia Tech: 10 percent chance to win

* Hawaii: 0.1 percent chance to win

* Northern Illinois: 2 percent chance to win

* Western Michigan: 1.1 percent chance to win

* Indiana: 4 percent chance to win

* Maryland: 2 percent chance to win

* Penn State: 3 percent chance to win

* Rutgers: 0.7 percent chance to win

Here's what Cody Anderson, Terry Francona and Lonnie Chisenhall had to say about the Indians 5-1 loss to Oakland at O.co Coliseum. Watch video

OAKLAND, Calif. - Cody Anderson didn't know how many people made the trip from Quincy, Calif. on Saturday night to watch him pitch at O.co Coliseum against the A's.

"They might have shut the town down," said Anderson, whose hometown is about a five-hour drive away from Oakland.

No matter how many there were - Anderson said he figured there was close to 100 - they were loud and had a good time despite the Indians losing 5-1 to Oakland.

Anderson took the loss, but he pitched better than in his last two starts when he allowed 11 runs on 18 hits in 8 1/3 innings. On Saturday, Anderson allowed three earned runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings.

"It was fun," said Anderson. "It was almost like making my debut again. The energy was fun."

Anderson struck out four walked walk two in 100 pitchers.

Here's what manager Terry Francona thought.

"He pitched pretty damn good. He was down more. He threw his change up. He actually threw some pretty good breaking balls. He let some balls in the middle of the plate that really hurt him.

"He fell behind (Marcus) Semien and you can't throw him a fastball in the middle because that's what he does. He made some mistakes to the bottom of the order to set-up innings, but he did OK."

Explanation: Marcus Semien, with two out in the seventh and Oakland leading, 4-1, homered on a 2-1 pitch."

On Oakland rookie Aaron Brooks, who held the Indians to one run in 7 1/3 innings to win his first game in the big leagues.

"He threw a lot of strikes. He established his fastball for strike one and then just started throwing off-speed stuff down . . . We pulled a lot of ball and that was just playing into what he wanted us to do."

Explanation: Brooks was making just his second big-league start. The A's acquired him from Kansas City in the Ben Zobrist trade just before Friday's deadline.

On Lonnie Chisenhall's throw from right field that erased Max Muncy at the plate in the fifth inning.

"I thought it was good. I looked like he'd been out there for a while. On the ball before (Muncy's double) I thought he might have given up on it too soon. But then he came in and threw the ball better than most right fielders.

Explanation: Chisenhall, the Indians opening day third baseman, played just his second game in right field Saturday. He fielded a single by Eric Sogard and threw out Muncy at the plate to keep the score tied, 1-1.

What happened on Chisenhall's second throw in the inning?

"There was a lot on that throw, but it's up the line maybe three or four feet. So we're not going to get the guy at the plate, but it was still a very good throw."

Explanation: Sam Fuld followed Sogard with another single to right that scored Semien from second base. Chisenhall fielded Fuld's single and threw home, but first baseman Carlos Santana cut it off. He tried to get Sogard going to third and threw the ball away as Sogard scored on the error for a 3-1 lead.

On Santana cutting off Chisenhall's throw.

"He did the right play. He just didn't move his feet and threw the ball away. We had him (Sogard) at third. He just didn't move his feet and because of that the ball sailed on him?"

Lonnie Chisenhall.

On the throw from right field.

"Fortunately, I've been able to work on it. I made a few while I was in Columbus. You try to keep the ball down, keep it through the cut-off me. It was a good time and good situation for it."

Explanation: Chisenhall, optioned to Columbus on June 7, was recalled Thursday.

On hitting a home run in the fifth for the Indians only run Saturday.

"Just hitting the ball hard is encouraging. I felt I took some healthy swings today. I'm swinging at good pitches and I took some borderline pitches. I'm moving in the right direction."

Explanation: Chisenhall, in Friday's 2-1 victory, went 3-for-4 and scored the winning run in the ninth. On Saturday, he homered in four at-bats.

Tommy Armstrong was recruited by Tim Beck at Nebraska and shared some more information about Ohio State's new quarterbacks coach. Watch video

CHICAGO -- Tim Beck won't be the man who decides Ohio State's quarterback battle.

Not because Urban Meyer doesn't trust him. It's because Meyer said that's not a fair burden to place on a guy who's been the Buckeyes' quarterback coach for a little over seven months.

Instead it will be Meyer's choice. Maybe with some input from new offensive coordinator Ed Warinner. But mostly, if not solely, Meyer's.

* Why Beck thinks he's a good fit at Ohio State

If this was a year ago, you could bet Tom Herman would've been a big part of that conversation. Herman was given as much credit as anybody for the way Ohio State's quarterbacks performed last year. That's how we knew Herman, as the engaging, cerebral quarterback coach who got the best out of J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones in the Buckeyes' National Championship run.

Beck we don't know as well. The players in the quarterback room are still getting to know him, just as everyone outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center is.

But there was a guy at Big Ten Media Days who knows Beck very well. Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong was recruited by Beck out of Texas in 2012, and worked as Beck's starter the last two years.

I spent a few minutes at Armstrong's roundtable interviews in Chicago to try to get to know Beck a little better:

* Beck was hired by Meyer in large part because of his ability to recruit Texas, something Herman did well for three years in Columbus. Armstrong was a four-star quarterback from suburban San Antonio who was one of the highest-rated players in Nebraska's 2012 class.

We've seen what Beck can do already, he helped Ohio State lock up 2016 Texas quarterback prospect Tristen Wallace. What makes him so effective in Texas? Armstrong described him as relentless.

After first spotting Armstrong on a trip to recruit his high school teammate, former Texas running back Malcolm Brown, Beck made frequent trips back to make sure Armstrong knew he was his guy. He got Armstrong to pick Nebraska over offers from Oregon, TCU, UCLA and others.

"Honestly it's the relationship he builds with players," Armstrong said. "We built a great relationship after we first met each other. He's a great guy. He cares about his position, his team, his players." 

* Beck is quite fond of that slicked-back hairstyle he wears. He's got kind of an Eddie Munster without the widow's peak thing going on with his hair, something that's completely lost on the players he coaches.

But whenever Armstrong made fun of him for it, Beck just walked through practice running his hands through his hair.

"He would say, 'I look good, I look good,' and brush it back," Armstrong said.

You don't care about Beck's hair. That's not the point. It's that Beck knows how to roll with the punches and keep things light. Think that might go far in a quarterback room that includes Cardale Jones?

* What about his coaching style? He likes to throw things at his quarterbacks.

We saw Beck work a little bit this spring, and he was putting the Buckeyes' quarterbacks through footwork drills where he threw bean bags at their feet and made them step around them while keeping their eyes downfield. The objects he throws at quarterbacks apparently get a little bigger behind closed doors.

"He had graduate assistants throw yoga balls at us," Armstrong said. "They threw tackling pads at us."

It sounds unorthodox, but there's a method to Beck's madness. And he gets away with throwing things at his players because they trust that he's making them better.

"He loves what he's doing," Armstrong said. "There's times where he might stay overnight in the film room just to have every single thing set for the week. That's why he's a great coach. He goes that extra mile to get his players prepared."

Graham Rahal has some work to do at the Honda Indy 200 as he trails pole-sitter Scott Dixon on the starting grid, 13th, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

LEXINGTON, Ohio -- Mid-Ohio's 2015 Honda Indy 200 was not good in qualifying Graham Rahal's quest to take over the top spot in the driver standings. He was well behind Scott Dixon's record-setting effort. Now it's race day. Dixon is the man to beat as the defending champ, while Rahal is 13th on the grid.

The Honda Indy 200 race is at 2 p.m. today, televised live on CNBC (1:30-4:30) and shown again on the NBC Sports Network from 6-8:30. Check back here for live scoring and updates from the track and get reports on cleveland.com.

While the Honda Indy 200 is the headline event, here is what else is happening at Mid-Ohio today.

Site: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio.

7:45 a.m.-8:45 -- Pace Car/2-Seater on track
8:50-9:40 -- Pro Mazda Race 2
9:45-10:15 -- Verizon IndyCar Series warm up
10:30-11:35 -- Indy Lights Race 2
11:50-12:55 p.m. -- Pirelli GT Race 2
1 p.m. -- Verizon IndyCar Pre Race
2 p.m. -- Verizon IndyCar Series Race

HONDA INDY 200

TV: Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (CNBC, 1:30-4:30 p.m.; NBC Sports Network, 6-8:30 p.m.).
Track: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (road course, 13-turns, 2.258 miles).
Race distance: 203.22 miles, 90 laps.
Last year: Scott Dixon raced to his fifth victory at the track in the last eight years. Dixon's Chip Ganassi race team has won the last six straight races at the track.
Last race: Ryan Hunter-Reay won at Iowa Speedway on July 18 for his third victory at the track in the four years. He led the first U.S. podium sweep since the 2006 Indianapolis 500.
Driver to watch: After native son Graham Rahal, now second in the points race, TK is the man. Tony Kanaan began his early racing career at Mid-Ohio in several support series and is racing this season for the Chip Ganassi team, which has won six straight times at Mid-Ohio.
The points race: Team Penske's Juan Pablo Montoya leads the season standings, 42 points ahead of Graham Rahal with three races left. Montoya won the Indy 500 and season-opening race at St. Petersburg. He won the CART race at the Mid-Ohio track in 1999.
Did you know: While Chevrolet has pretty much dominated the entire series this season Honda has made a late push with Honda drivers winning two of the last three races. ... The only driver in the top six in the standings without a victory this season is No. 4 Helio Castroneves.
Next race: ABC Supply 500, Aug. 23, Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Before you move on to Day 4, here's what you need to know from Day 3. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- If you were betting on the offense to continue its strong play from Friday in practice on Saturday ... well, you're out a few bucks. It didn't happen.

But a lot did. Jimmy Haslam gave Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer early votes of confidence. Cardale Jones was in attendance. Jim Tressel was there, too. Of course Terrelle Pryor was there, but he was in a Browns uniform.

So, before you move on to Day 4, here's what you missed from Day 3.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on 2015: 'We're not going to blow things up'

Mary Kay Cabot

"Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, who was ridiculed from coast to coast for firing Rob Chudzinski after one season, has vowed not clean house despite what happens in 2015.

"'We're not going to blow things up, okay?'" Haslam said during a press conference at Browns training camp Saturday." Read more >>

Jimmy Haslam's endorsement of Browns' Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer, while strong, not misguided

Tom Reed

"Addressing reporters Saturday, he offered a resounding endorsement of coach Mike Pettine and General Manager Ray Farmer. In what's already become a training camp filled with headline-grabbing statements - Dwayne Bowe's assessment of Josh McCown as a potential top-five quarterback is your clubhouse leader - the owner not only delivered a strong declaration, but didn't couch his sentiment during follow-up questions." Read more >>

Jimmy Haslam: 'We've not at all given up on Johnny' Manziel -- and it doesn't have to happen this year

Mary Kay Cabot

"What's more, Haslam stressed that Manziel doesn't have to prove this year he can cut it to stick around.

"'I think it's important -- everybody forgets he's barely 22 years old,' said Haslam. 'He's still young, so I think over the next couple of years we've got to see if Johnny can be a legitimate quarterback or not. I don't want to put too much pressure on him or our coaches to say it has to happen this year.'" Read more >>

The secondary responds at Cleveland Browns training camp: Who won the day?

Dan Labbe

"Donte Whitner and Joe Haden didn't hesitate when the offense started to get going on Friday morning. Shortly after quarterback Josh McCown had gone down the line of his receivers showing his appreciation for them making plays, Whitner and Haden were right there telling them things would be different when the pads went on.

"It was all said with a smile, but as soon as team drills started on Saturday, there wasn't any joking around." Read more >>

Jim Tressel on Terrelle Pryor's pending return to Ohio Stadium with the Browns: 'That's got to be thrilling to him'

Doug Lesmerises

"It was Ohio State day at Browns camp. Both current Buckeye quarterback Cardale Jones and former coach Jim Tressel were there to watch. And Tressel saw his former star quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, playing his new position.

"There's even more ahead for Pryor and the Buckeyes." Read more >> 

Browns first-round cornerback Justin Gilbert was passed over for a chance to start at cornerback Sunday in favor of second-year corner Pierre Desir, whom the coaches love. Watch video

Berea, Ohio -- The Browns had a prime opportunity Sunday to see just how far cornerback Justin Gilbert has come in his bid to live up to his 2014 No. 8 overall status.

It was the second day straight day in full pads, and starting cornerback Tramon Williams, the eight-year veteran of the Packers, was given a veteran's day off off to rest.

But instead of calling on No. 21 to start opposite Joe Haden and cover the likes of Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins on a steamy day in Berea, the Browns gave the nod to fast-rising 2014 fourth-round pick Pierre Desir instead.

"Why was Pierre out there first today?'' secondary coach Jeff Hafley said Sunday. "Because he earned it. And that's how we're going to be in the room. Whoever earns it is going to be who goes out, whether it's with the twos, (or) if Tramon takes a day off, it's with the ones. That could change tomorrow. It could've changed halfway through practice.

"But when you create competition, you've got to be fair, and whoever earns it is going to be the next guy in. And Pierre earned it today, so today he got the nod.''

The move was consistent with what happened at the end of last season, when Desir (6-2, 206) got the start ahead of Gilbert in a loss to the Panthers. That game, Desir, who played at Division II Lindenwood in Missouri, totaled seven solo tackles and two passes defensed. By that time, of course, Gilbert had all but come unraveled in what teammates such as Donte Whitner and Karlos Dansby described as a wasted season. 

This offseason, the reviews on Gilbert have been good, and he promises to have straightened out whatever his demons were last season. But the Browns demonstrated Sunday that draft pedigree means nothing when it comes to playing like a Brown. They'll put the best man on the field, even if he starred in the Mid America Intercollegiate Athletic Association instead of the Big 12.

"To (Desir), it's all the fundamentals and the knowledge of the game,'' said Hafley. "When he came he was extremely raw fundamentally. He's so much quicker, faster, his technique is so much better. And then his knowledge of the game. He's starting to understand things. He's starting to understand, I can play outside leverage here, I can play inside leverage here, I can slow down here, I don't always have to be in a rush.

"So the more experience he gets, the better he's going to be. And I think (assistant secondary coaches) Bobby Babich and Aaron Glenn, I think those guys spending extra time with him, I think they've done a really good job. And he's put in the work. He's got a chance. he's done a really good job so far. but it's early.''

Conversely, the Browns still need Gilbert to step it up in all areas, especially in the laser focus necessary to excel at the position. Gilbert, who started only two games last season and was suspended for the season finale for being late to a team meeting, has made good progress, but has a ways to go.

"I think he's done a good job,'' said Hafley. "The key for him is still consistency. I thought he had a good practice today, which was nice to see, as we made some adjustments with him yesterday and he came out and he did a good job today. I just keep telling him, just be your best today.''

Last season, Gilbert told Northeast Ohio Media Group that he sometimes resisted the coaching, thinking that he became a top 10 pick by doing things his way. Apparently, he still sometimes reverts to his old ways.

"It really is both (work ethic and technique),'' said Hafley. "It's coming out here with focus to just be the best on every single play, and that's mentally and physically. It's day 4 in training camp and you've got to lock in and you've got to use your techniques and do your job.''

Chances are, neither Desire nor Gilbert will unseat Williams, 32, by the opener.

"I think if you look right now, Tramon's with the ones,'' said Hafley. "I mean, he's done a great job, he's really bought in, he came in in great shape and he's really had a good couple of days, it's still early.''

Besides, he doesn't look nine years older than Gilbert when he's running around out there. Williams has kept up with the likes of Taylor Gabriel, who ran a 4.29  
at his Pro Day, and speedy Andrew Hawkins.

"Just watching him run against Gabriel and Hawk (tells me he's not old),'' said Hafley. "Hawk went on a shallow cross and it looked like he was shot out of a cannon. He looks young still to me, so he can go. The way he takes care of his body, the way he approaches the game. He sits in front of the room and he's got like a beginner's mentality. He's in there taking notes, asking questions. To me, that says a lot about him. When guys do that, they get it, they know how to be pros.''

The Browns are hoping a lot of that will rub off on Gilbert.