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Cavaliers Comment of the Day: Impressed by Mo Williams

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"Mo Williams sounds ready to step up and accept the role that is needed and expected of him by the coaching staff and his teammates. He actually gets it and cares about the organization, his teammates and the fans." - Running_On_Empty

Byron Scott, Mo WilliamsView full sizeByron Scott will be counting on Mo Williams to drive the Cavaliers' offense in 2010-2011.

In response to the story Mo Williams on whether LeBron James quit and if he really considered retirement - Cavaliers media day, cleveland.com reader Running_On_Empty has gained some respect for Williams. This reader writes,

"Mo Williams sounds ready to step up and accept the role that is needed and expected of him by the coaching staff and his teammates. He actually gets it and cares about the organization, his teammates and the fans."

To respond to Running_On_Empty's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Ohio State Comment of the Day: Unsure about OSU's running game

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"How can it not be obvious to everyone on the staff what is obvious to everyone watching: Saine and Herron dance into the holes and tip toe while Berry and Hall pound it into the line, hit the holes hard and play like running backs in the Big Ten are supposed to." - ScriptOhio02

saine.jpgView full sizeSome questions remain about Brandon Saine and Ohio State's running game.

In response to the story Pryor's versatility not unmatched in OSU history; Stoneburner hurting? Buckeye Leaves, cleveland.com reader ScriptOhio02 isn't thrilled with OSU's top two running backs. This reader writes,

"How can it not be obvious to everyone on the staff what is obvious to everyone watching: Saine and Herron dance into the holes and tip toe while Berry and Hall pound it into the line, hit the holes hard and play like running backs in the Big Ten are supposed to."

To respond to ScriptOhio02's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Glenville High maintains positions in national football polls

Ohio State Buckeyes football: Notes from Jim Tressel's news conference

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Tressel said the Buckeyes will know later in the week whether starting tight end Jake Stoneburner can play after hurting his ankle against Eastern Michigan.

jake-stoneburner.jpgJake Stoneburner

News and notes from Jim Tressel's news conference this afternoon. Ohio State visits Illinois on Saturday at noon to open Big Ten play.

* The status of tight end Jake Stoneburner, who injured his ankle against Eastern Michigan, is up in the air for Illinois on Saturday.

"I'm expecting that we'll know a lot more Wednesday or Thursday," Tressel said. "He claims he'll be fine. Sometimes when you roll those ankles, you can either get back quickly or not, and so we'll just have to see how he works."

Reid Fragel would start if Stoneburner can't go.

* Tressel said No. 3 cornerback Travis Howard and backup linebacker Dorian Bell, who were out last Saturday with injuries, would return. That helps the special teams, and Howard's absence was noticed when starting cornerback Chimdi Chekwa left Saturday's game with back spasms and the Buckeyes went to No. 4 corner Corey Brown. Chekwa should also be fine for Saturday.

* Tressel said he wasn't worried about some of the big pass plays the defense gave up against EMU. He was happier with the 10 series when the OSU defense forced the Eagles to punt after three plays. The goal each game is five series like that.

"They had about three big plays, which that doesn't normally happen," Tressel said. "I think two of them were just outstanding catches. One they hit up the seam. They did a nice job with a misdirection pass. They fooled us. And we didn't reroute a receiver, kind of snuck into the seam on us and it was, you know, one for their side. But there weren't any glaring things on those plays, other than they executed and you'd not like them to have quite that much time to throw that ball quite that far."

* Tressel praised Illinois cornerback Justin Green, who originally made an oral commitment to Ohio State, then decided to go to Illinois in part because he wanted to be a running back.

"It's sort of not fair, is it?" Tressel said with a smile. "He's supposed to be playing corner for us. He's a great kid. What are you going to do? You make decisions and handle the adversity and deal with what comes your way and that's obviously what he's doing and he's got great speed out there."

* Tressel noted this stat: In the lifetimes of the current players, those around 21 or 22 at least, Ohio State is 10-9 against Illinois.

 

Pro Football You-Pick-The-Winner Contest: Week 4

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It's Week 4 of our contest, sponsored by The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com, and we're sweetening the pot.

Football Picks contestThis is the fourth of 17 contests. Enter for a chance at a $250 gift card.
As we enter Week 4 of the NFL season, and Week 4 of our You-Pick-The-Winners contest, things are going so well we've decided to sweeten the pot.

Starting this week, each week's finalist will receive a $25 gas card in addition to becoming eligible for the $250 prize at the end of the season. (Yes, we'll give cards to our winners in Weeks 1, 2 and 3, too: you folks should expect to hear from us soon.)

The contest is simplicity itself. We're asking for straight-up picks, no point spreads. Whoever picks the most games correctly gets the $25 gas card and becomes a finalist for a $250 gift card to be awarded at the end of the regular season. The finalist also will be invited to appear on our weekly predictions show, hosted by Branson Wright and Chuck Yarborough. If there's a tie, whoever guesses closest to the total score of the Browns' game without going over will become the finalist.

Ready to play?

Questions? Take a look at the official rules.

Weekly high school football computer ratings used to determine playoff field released

Dez Bryant's dinner tab for his Cowboys teammates: $54K

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Dallas Cowboys rookie learns a $54,000 lesson about the wisdom of following tradition.

dez-bryant-max-faulkner-fort-worth-startlegram.JPGView full sizeCowboys rookie Dez Bryant was able to elude a Houston defender ... but not the piper when it came time to make good on a deal to take his Dallas teammates to dinner. The tab was more than $54,000.
Dallas -- In the end, it would have cheaper, a LOT cheaper, for Dallas Cowboys rookie Dez Bryant to go along with the traditional hazing and carry fellow receiver Roy Williams' pads to the locker room.

But Bryant, the Cowboys' No. 1 draft pick who received an $8.3 million signing bonus, refused, saying he'd been brought to Dallas "to play football, not to carry another player's pads."

Instead of taking umbrage, veteran Williams got revenge. Calvin Watkins, writing for espndallas.com, tells the story:

Williams excused it, saying then that Bryant, who received $8.3 million in guaranteed money from his rookie contract, would just have to take the team out to dinner and get him some new shoes.

Well, that dinner happened Monday night. The final tab: $54,896.

Bryant took the offensive players out to Pappas Bros. Steakhouse. Williams, however, made sure Bryant got the message, inviting defensive players as well.

And guess who was left holding the bill afterward.

"They got the young fella," said Bryant's adviser, David Wells. "What could he say? He had to pay it unless he wanted to wash dishes for a month."

Players ordered basically everything on the menu and even took home bottles of wine.

Presumably, all Bryant took home was a hefty credit card receipt ... and a few gallons of whine. And it's a sucker bet to think that the shoes Williams will want will come from a discount store.

Browns Comment of the Day: Why didn't team add a receiver?

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"While Daboll has been terrible, I still put some of the blame on Holmgren and Heckert for not picking up a decent wide receiver in the offseason." - durangodawg

mohamed-massaquoi.jpgView full sizeMohamed Massaquoi is the Browns' top deep threat this season.

In response to the story Tony Grossi talks about the Browns loss to Baltimore and more - Podcast, cleveland.com reader durangodawg thinks Brian Daboll has been bad, but it's not all his fault. This reader writes,

"While Daboll has been terrible, I still put some of the blame on Holmgren and Heckert for not picking up a decent wide receiver in the offseason."

To respond to durangodawg's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Byron Scott's first training camp workout keeps the Cavaliers on their (exhausted) toes

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When Byron Scott's first practice ended Tuesday, players were lining up to get into the large cold tub at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

scott-vert-mug-ss.jpgView full sizeByron Scott said he was pleased by his team's conditioning level following the first day of practice -- not that his players all necessarily believed him.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- When Byron Scott's first practice as Cavaliers coach ended after three sweaty hours Tuesday, players were lining up to get into the large cold tub at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

From the outset, Scott has promised that his team would not lose a game this season because they weren't properly conditioned, an offshoot of his plan to play an up-tempo style. In meetings and phone calls with players after he was hired in June, Scott gave fair warning that players should arrive to camp ready to run. So far, he's backed it all up.

Unlike most other teams, Scott is not employing two-a-day practices during training camp. NBA rules limit teams to three hours of court time per day, though more time is allowed for stretching, meetings and watching film. Most coaches break that up into two sessions of 90 minutes each, but Scott prefers one practice a day for three hard hours.

And they were hard.

"Guys came to camp in a lot better shape than I expected," Scott said. "So our first running thing we did I kind of cut it short because they were in pretty good shape."

Oh really?

"Did he? As far as cutting something short, we didn't feel it as players," Daniel Gibson said. "Thank you, Byron, if that what happened."

Scott does heavy running at the start and finish of each practice in camp and then runs a crisp schedule so players are doing drills while fatigued to help build up stamina.

But the finish seemed to make the biggest impression. The players run three series of shuttle sprints (foul line, half court, opposite foul line, full court) in a row in groups and everyone must complete them within two minutes. Scott and his assistants watch closely to make sure the players touch each line. Cheating means they have to start over.

Then they run three more.

"I saw a couple guys throw up, I'm not going to point them out, but it is good for us," Jawad Williams said. "It wasn't nothing fun, my feet are on fire."

Breakfast wasn't the only thing that didn't make it for some. Rookie Samardo Samuels cramped up and missed about the last half-hour. But otherwise, every player made it through the first day's challenge.

"Whoa, it was very tough. But I know it is going to bring us closer together, it's got to," Gibson said. "Everybody made it through and we pushed each other the whole way. We're going to start to love him for it, but right now it's tough on us."

Varejao on leave: Anderson Varejao was excused from practice so he could return to Brazil following the death of his grandfather. It was especially bad news because it came on Varejao's 28th birthday, which was Tuesday. The team wasn't immediately sure how long he'd be away.

The Jamison option: It seems there's a three-man race for the starting small forward spot between Jawad Williams, Joey Graham and Jamario Moon. But Scott said that he's planning to take a look at Antawn Jamison during the preseason as well.

The team wants to give J.J. Hickson playing time at power forward, but he and Jamison both play the position. If Jamison could play small forward, which he's done at times in his career, it may solve some issues. In the past, however, Jamison has had trouble defending quicker small forwards.

"I think he is a guy who can play both those positions," Scott said. "I know that I'm going to experiment with it in preseason and see how that works."

Powe update: While most of the Cavs were running to the point of exhaustion, the team keep a close eye on forward Leon Powe. Now about 18 months off his major knee surgery, Powe is closer to 100 percent, but the team is still being cautious. The hope is that Powe can be a regular contributor this season.

"With Leon we have to take it slow," Scott said. "I've told him he has to be honest with him and I left it up to him to let me know how he was feeling. We don't want to push him too far. It is a gradual progression with him to get him going."

A brother's confidence helps fuel Manny Acta: Indians Insider

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Manny Acta's adopted brother, Fernando, predicted that Acta would one day manage in the big leagues. He died before that came to pass, but Acta has a picture of Fernando hanging in his office.

UPDATED: 11:01 p.m.

cabrera-hurt-tigers-ap.jpgDetroit's Miguel Cabrera wasn't very pleased that he was injured while scrambling back to first base for a Luke Carlin pickoff throw Monday night.

INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: One of the biggest questions facing the Indians as they prepare for 2011, just as it was this year, will be how much they can get from DH Travis Hafner?
Hafner has played in 115 games and batted 385 times this season. It’s his most action since 2007, the year before the surgery on his right shoulder that changed his career. Hafner, hitting .275 (106-for-385) with 29 doubles, 12 homers and 48 RBI, believes he can still hit 25 to 30 homers a year.
“The power is still there,” said Hafner.
There are no assurances, except that Hafner will be one more year removed from the 2008 operations when camp opens next year. His game is built on power and that’s the one thing that has been missing for three years.
“Overall, I’ve been a lot healthier this year than I was last year,” said Hafner. “And I think I’ll be even healthier next year.”
Hafner will make $13 million in each of the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Stat of the day: The Indians entered Tuesday with a 4.31 ERA. Last season they finished the year with a 5.06 ERA. It was the second-highest ERA in club history.
Paul Hoynes

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On the walls in Manny Acta's office are pictures of Frank Robinson and Felipe Alou, two men instrumental in helping him find his way to the big leagues as a manager.

There is another picture of a man in a graduation gown. He's the one who predicted Manuel would manage in the big leagues one day.

"That's my brother, Fernando," said Acta several hours before Tuesday's game between the Indians and Tigers was rained out and rescheduled as a Wednesday doubleheader starting at 4:05 p.m. at Progressive Field. "I was coaching for the Mets and he told me that I was going to manage in the big leagues."

Acta was the Mets' third base coach in 2005 and 2006. He was hired as Washington's manager before the 2007 season.

Fernando Acta never saw his brother manage the Nationals.

"He died right before I got the job," said Acta. "He had a brain aneurysm."

Acta was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.

"My mom adopted Fernando when he was 3 years old," said Acta. "He had polio. He was at home in the Dominican when he died. It's not like here. In this country if someone has a brain aneurysm, they put you in a helicopter and fly you to a hospital.

"At home, the ambulance didn't have any gas. You had to pay for the gas. By the time he got to the hospital, it was too late."

There are five games left in Acta's first season as Indians manager. When it's over, he will have managed 572 games in the big leagues.

"Fernando always said I'd manage in the big leagues," said Acta. "He never got to see me. That's why I put his picture on the wall. So he can see me now."

To pick or not to pick: If you wondered why Miguel Cabrera was staring at Tribe catcher Luke Carlin in the seventh inning Monday night, here's the reason.

Cabrera was upset that Carlin attempted to pick him off first. Cabrera, an American League MVP candidate, stepped back to the bag awkwardly, sprained his right ankle and had to leave the game.

X-rays on the ankle were negative, but he was not scheduled to play Tuesday. Cabrera could return to the lineup this weekend in Baltimore or miss the rest of the year.

Tuesday afternoon, Cabrera told reporters, "Maybe he's trying to prove he can play in the big leagues. I didn't expect that play. I'm not a fast runner. I'm not trying to steal second base."

Detroit's Ryan Raburn was on second base when Carlin attempted his pickoff.

Said Carlin, "A couple of innings before the seventh, we intentionally walked him. On the bench after the inning, somebody told me he was taking a pretty big lead and that I might be able to pick him off if he got on base later in the game.

"When he got the hit off Smitty [Joe Smith, in the seventh], I thought I'd take a shot at it. It's unfortunate he got hurt, but I'm going to try and get as many outs as I can against that team. They're a good-hitting team."

Carlin, who joined the Indians from Class AAA Columbus on Thursday, said he got the pickoff sign from first baseman Matt LaPorta.

Cabrera is hitting .328 (180-for-548) with 45 doubles, one triple, 38 homers and 126 RBI. He's the American League leader in RBI, tied for second in homers and third in batting average. Against the Indians, he's hitting .346 (18-for-52) with two homers and 11 RBI this year. In his career, Cabrera is hitting .314 (70-for-223) with 15 homers and 47 RBI.

Santana update: Catcher Carlos Santana will report to Goodyear, Ariz., in two weeks to begin serious rehabilitation on his left knee.

"I'll be there for a long time," said Santana, who is still using crutches as a precaution, but doesn't look like he needs them.

"My knee feels much better," he said. "I haven't done much rehab on it."

Let's play two: Wednesday's traditional doubleheader will begin at 4:05 p.m. Fans may exchange their tickets from Tuesday's game for Wednesday's doubleheader or any April or May game in 2011, excluding the season opener on April 1.

SportsTime Ohio will carry both games. Gates open at 3 p.m.

Finally: Trevor Crowe takes a 13-game hitting streak into Wednesday's games. ... Shin-Soo Choo was tied with Victor Martinez and Curtis Granderson for third place in the big leagues with 23 RBI in September. Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki is in first with 40, followed by teammate Carlos Gonzalez with 24.

Lake Erie Monsters ready to win, says coach David Quinn

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David Quinn, the ultra-intense coach of the Monsters, has been counting down the days for training camp to finally arrive.

david quinn.jpgLake Erie Monsters coach David Quinn: "We've had success away from the rink; now it's time to have success on the ice and make the playoffs."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- David Quinn, the ultra-intense coach of the Monsters, has been counting down the days for this one to arrive. The Monsters officially open their fourth training camp, and second under Quinn, Wednesday at noon.

The practice at Hoover Arena in Strongsville is open to the public.

Quinn began the countdown last spring, the moment Lake Erie wrapped its third consecutive AHL season with a sub-.500 record and no playoff berth.

"We've had success away from the rink; now it's time to have success on the ice and make the playoffs," he said. "It really is time. I know the players feel the same way."

Quinn stopped just short of guaranteeing a Calder Cup berth for his club, the top affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.

"I've learned the hard way that you can never predict exactly what's going to happen at this level because there's so much out of your control," said Quinn, who begins his second season as a pro head coach. "But I think we've put ourselves in position to weather the types of call-ups and injuries we've sustained the last few years.

"What I will guarantee is, we'll compete hard, night in and night out. And I know we have the talent to match the work rate, so we should be in good shape."

Quinn expects 34 players to be in camp.

"We'll have four or five more trickle in from Colorado over the next week before the season opens," he said. "We'll probably end up keeping 23 guys."

The Monsters will play an intrasquad scrimmage Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at Hoover Arena, 15381 Royalton Rd. Admission is free.

The Monsters do not have a preseason game scheduled. They begin their fourth AHL season Oct. 8 against Syracuse at The Q.

Key players returning include center Phil Dupuis, who has been with the club since the inaugural season, and left winger Justin Mercier. Mercier played at Miami (Ohio). Goalie Jason Bacashihua also is back. Bacashihua was with the Monsters for the first two seasons before playing with Hershey last season.

"I'm really excited about this season, because we've got a lot of young guys who are hungry," Mercier said. "We've got the talent. If we do what we do well, we'll make the playoffs."

Rookies expected to make noise include defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Colby Cohen.

Newcomers with AHL experience include right winger David van der Gulik and center Greg Mauldin.

"I love the things we've done in the off-season," Quinn said.

Are expectations weighing down the Cincinnati Bengals? Tony Grossi's Scouting Report

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The Bengals are defending division champions, but even their fans sense that something's keeping them from the Super Bowl.

bengals-palmer-tumble-vert-ap.jpgCarson Palmer was sent tumbling out of bounds by this Week 1 hit from New England's Devin McCourty. Although the Bengals are 2-1, there's a sense in Cincinnati that their team isn't yet on a path to glory.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's a sign of the times in Cincinnati that Bengals fans are complaining about an "ugly" win.

The Reds have clinched first place in their division and are preparing for the postseason. The Bengals are defending champions of the AFC North and are now being scrutinized for style. Cleveland's sports teams should have such problems.

"Not too many teams have to make excuses for winning like that, but I guess we do," coach Marvin Lewis said after his team struggled to a 20-7 win over Carolina despite forcing four turnovers. "So we'll just move forward and I'll say little, our players will say less, and that's the way it will be."

Having already knocked off Baltimore, the Bengals (2-1) bring an eight-game winning streak in division games to Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday. Their 6-0 sweep of Cleveland, Baltimore and Pittsburgh last season earned them the division title, but not the respect nationally to be considered prominent Super Bowl contenders.

Part of that skepticism may be due to the expectation that Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens will combust and the Bengals will fail to produce back-to-back titles for the first time since the strike-shortened 1982 season.

But there is also growing concern about whether quarterback Carson Palmer can deliver a Super Bowl like Bengals field leaders Boomer Esiason and Ken Anderson before him.

Palmer has struggled to form a chemistry with Owens. Rookie passing targets Jordan Shipley and tight end Jermaine Gresham have been more productive. The upgraded offensive weaponry was supposed to be the final links in returning the Bengals' offense to top-10 caliber.

But Palmer's early numbers continue a downward trend that began five years ago, coinciding with a major knee injury suffered in a 2005 season playoff game against Pittsburgh.

Since compiling a passer rating of 101.0 in that season, Palmer's rating has fallen to 93.9, 86.7, 69.0 (in an injury-plagued season of four games) and 83.6. He's at 71.3 through three games this season.

One thing is for sure: Palmer's offensive line has never been as strong as it was in 2005. The Bengals' two Super Bowl teams had quality lines anchored by future Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz. This one is still suffering from the club's apparent whiff in the 2009 draft.

The Bengals made Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith the sixth pick of that draft. Nobody doubted Smith's talent, but there were questions about maturity and his ability to stay in shape.

Smith got off to a horrible start his rookie year with a holdout and foot fracture on his second day of practice. He continues to battle a weight problem. He wasn't even active for last week's game.

Had the Bengals chosen a different highly rated tackle that year -- Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher were available -- they might have an offensive line that could lift Palmer and their offense to the elite level and carry the team to the Super Bowl.

TONY GROSSI'S SCOUTING REPORT

Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Sunday, 1 p.m., in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Record: 2-1.

Last game: Beat Carolina, 20-7, Sept. 26, in Charlotte, N.C.

Coach: Marvin Lewis, 58-58-1, eighth year.

Series record: Bengals lead, 38-35.

Last meeting: Bengals won, 16-7, Nov. 29, in Cincinnati.

League rankings: Offense is 14th (19th rushing, 14th passing), defense is 10th (13th rushing, 11th passing) and turnover differential is plus-4.

bengals-gresham-vert-ap.jpgRookie tight end Jermaine Gresham has quickly become one of Carson Palmer's favorite targets in the pass-oriented Bengals offense.

Offensive overview: Yes, they've given Carson Palmer the weapons, but his protection has weakened from a year ago. The addition of receivers Terrell Owens and rookie Jordan Shipley, plus rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham, have resulted in more throwing. As a result, the line has been exposed as a less-than-stellar unit. Coordinator Bob Bratkowski has used second tight end Reggie Kelly to help protection. The two-tight end set often results in Gresham running routes and sometimes lining up wide. Running back Cedric Benson and backup Bernard Scott are a solid tandem. When the going gets tough, the Bengals can gash a defense with their running game, but it's no longer their bread and butter.

Defensive overview: This unit has undergone quite a transformation. It's tough, physical, versatile and opportunistic. Led by the all first-round cornerback trio of Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph and Adam (formerly Pacman) Jones, the defense has produced eight turnovers in the last two games. Evidence of their impact is the Bengals have allowed QBs to complete only 54.2 percent of their passes -- second-lowest in the NFL -- despite getting only two sacks. Coordinator Mike Zimmer likes to keep his four-man front fresh with an eight-man rotation. With Antwan Odom out last week, Zimmer moved edge rusher Michael Johnson into the end position, but they can easily meld into a 3-4 look with Johnson at outside linebacker. Zimmer will blitz and not fret about leaving Hall and Joseph in single coverage.

Special teams overview: Ex-Jet and ex-Buckeye kicker Mike Nugent has been a godsend. Counting preseason, he's had field goals of over 50 yards in four of his last five games. Nugent is 8-of-8 with a long of 54, and he's tied for fifth with five touchbacks. Punter Kevin Huber is 18th in gross average (43.6 yards) and 14th in net (38.8). Quan Cosby, Bernard Scott and Adam Jones all can go the distance as returners. The coverage units are suspect. They were hit with a 97-yard kickoff return TD by Brandon Tate of New England.

bengals-nugent-kick-horiz-ap.jpgFormer Ohio State kicker Mike Nugent has found an NFL home booting long-distance field goals for the Bengals.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Quarterback Carson Palmer: He's been good at massaging the egos of his receivers with good ball distribution, but he's ranked 22nd with a rating of 71.3. That rating is 16 points below his career mark. He's 8-2 vs. the Browns.

Receiver Chad Ochocinco: So far, he and Terrell Owens are co-existing like, well, Batman and Robin. His 20 catches for 237 yards lead the team, but there has been only one opportunity for a TD celebration. In 17 games against the Browns, he has 11 TDs -- most against any team.

Cornerback Leon Hall: He leads an opportunistic secondary with two interceptions and four passes defensed.

Injury report: DE Antwan Odom (wrist), CB Adam Jones (shoulder), and DE Jonathan Fanene (hamstring) missed the last game.

Small world: Receivers coach Mike Sheppard entered was Browns tight ends coach in 1993 and receivers coach in 1994-95. ... Safety Chris Crocker was a Browns third-round draft pick in 2003 and played for them through '05. ... Running back Cedric Peerman was with the Browns in 2009. ... Kicker Mike Nugent attended Centerville High School and Ohio State.

Cleveland Indians-Tigers game postponed and rescheduled as doubleheader Wednesday

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Tuesday game between the Indians and Tigers was postponed by rain and rescheduled as a doubleheader on Wednesday.

UPDATED: 9:06 p.m.

rain-delay-indians-cc.jpgWaiting in vain in the rain, a handful of devoted baseball fans attempt to outlast the heavy mist that surrounded Progressive Field Tuesday night. The game was called without a pitch being thrown, and will be played as part of a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon beginning at 4:05 p.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tuesday night's game between the Indians and Tigers was postponed because of rain and rescheduled as a traditional doubleheader starting at 4:05 p.m. Wednesday at Progressive Field.

Fans may exchange their tickets from Tuesday's game for Wednesday's doubleheader or any April or May game in 2011 excluding the season opener on April 1.

SportsTime Ohio will carry both games.

Pitching matchups for the doublheader will be the Indians' Mitch Talbot vs. Detroit's Max Scherzer in the first game and Josh Tomlin vs. Justin  Verlander in the nightcap.  

Gates open Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Guilt and pain: Ex-NFL QB Eric Hipple preaches understanding when it comes to suicidal depression -- Terry Pluto

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Suicide can happen in any family at any time, says former Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Hipple.

mckinley-broncos-suicide-ap.jpgThe suspected suicide of Denver Broncos second-year wide receiver Kenny McKinley has once again raised the public profile on depression and how to find treatment.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A few weeks ago, Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley died when he shot himself. It seemed shocking, a 23-year-old special teams player making $395,000.

His 2-year-old son had come to visit only 10 days before McKinley's death.

"He just had his second knee injury," said Eric Hipple. "There had to be fear that he may never play again. There could have been other issues. Suicide often comes down to dealing with a loss, and a fear of becoming a burden."

This is the same Eric Hipple who played quarterback in the 1980s for the Detroit Lions. He also Outreach Coordinator for the University of Michigan Depression Center, where he specializes in suicide prevention and helping families and friends of people who have committed suicide.

Hipple's 15-year-old son committed suicide, which is why he is so dedicated to talking and teaching about a subject so few want to discuss.

"I can look back now and see things in Steven's life where he was battling depression," said Hipple. "But I didn't know then what I do know. I didn't see it coming."

eric-hipple-mug.jpg"Those of us who have been through this need to help each other," says former Detroit Lions QB Eric Hipple. "And please, if you think about suicide, go see a psychologist or a doctor. Get some treatment. Don't wait."

Hipple said people usually handle the suicide of someone close to them three ways:

1. Denial: They pretend it was an accident or a prank that went terribly wrong.

2. Guilt and anger, because friends and relatives beat themselves up for not seeing it coming. Or they blame the schools, the doctors, or someone else for not spotting the problem.

3. Resignation: The person had been suffering with mental illness for years, so the suicide wasn't a surprise.

Hipple added that families and friends of those who lose someone to suicide need help, especially from others who have been through the same ordeal. No one really wants to talk about this, Hipple said.

"My way of coping was guilt and anger," Hipple said. "I was involved with Jeff as a dad, but I still thought I could have been a better father."

Hipple went through months of drinking and drug use. He filed for bankruptcy. He was arrested for drunk driving after driving home from the Silverdome following a Monday night Detroit Lions game -- and did 58 days in the Oakland County Jail.

It was a long journey from the day in 2000 that his son killed himself with a shotgun to the time in jail to enrolling at the University of Michigan to being given the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Hipple will speak Sunday night at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as part of the Annual "Into The Light Walk" sponsored by the Suicide Prevention Education Alliance. For more information, check helppreventsuicide.org.

"At least 80 percent of suicides come from someone who is suffering from some form of mental illness," Hipple said.

Hipple's son was a star on the freshman high school basketball team. But late in the season, he began to isolate himself. He stopped working in school and his grades slipped.

"He had classic signs of depression," said Hipple. "But I didn't know it."

Hipple added, "The only reason I didn't commit suicide after my son died is I knew how hard it was on everyone around him. Otherwise, I think I would have done it. I was that depressed."

Now, Hipple knows that mental illness runs in his family -- one member had schizophrenia, another was bipolar. Hipple realizes now that he showed many of the same symptoms of depression as his son.

It's so much easier to talk about a family member who died of cancer, or even was an innocent victim who was killed by a criminal. Hipple said people who have someone in their family who commits suicide need to be especially on guard "because studies show they are six times more likely to attempt suicide."

Why?

"Because the pain of suicide is just so great," Hipple said. "It's hard to describe unless you have been close to someone who did commit suicide. That's why those of us who have been through this need to help each other. And please, if you think about suicide, go see a psychologist or a doctor. Get some treatment. Don't wait."

Here's a Big 11 list of topics as Big Ten prepares for conference play

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Here are 11 things to keep in mind as the league kicks off conference play Saturday in its 115th season, with the Buckeyes opening at Illinois.

stanzi-iowa-psu-ap.jpgCan Iowa's Ricky Stanzi (a Lake Catholic graduate) lead the Hawkeyes to a third straight win over Penn State this Saturday? That's just one of Doug Lesmerises' Big 11 topics.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State without a Big Ten title? Buckeyes' running back Dan Herron admits it would be weird not to win it.

"It would be very strange," the OSU fourth-year junior running back said Tuesday. "I don't want to be part of that group that doesn't win it. I want to be the guy that says I won it every year I was here. ... It never gets old."

This is the last year of the old Big Ten as we know it. Here are 11 things to keep in mind as the league kicks off conference play Saturday in its 115th season, with the Buckeyes opening at Illinois.

1. Ohio State is trying to tie the Big Ten record of six straight conference titles, matching the Buckeyes' run from 1972-1977. There are no "Drive Past Five" or "Get a Fix on Six" banners at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

"Any time you win the Big Ten, that's a huge accomplishment," senior linebacker Ross Homan said. "But you can't just go in and say, 'This is our year again.'"

2. Next season, when Nebraska joins the league and the Big Ten goes to two six-team divisions with a title game, a conference championship will be more difficult to come by.

Beyond winning an extra game, there won't be any co-titles. Five of Ohio State's six titles in their '72-'77 stretch were shared, as were recent championships in 2005 and 2008. Under the new setup, the Buckeyes would have lost the tiebreaker to reach the title game to Penn State after the Nittany Lions beat them in 2005 and 2008, so those titles wouldn't have happened.

3. The Big Ten is tied with the SEC for the most teams in the top 25 (six) and tied with the Big 12 for the most undefeated teams (six). Indiana and Illinois each have a game yet to play, but so far the Big Ten is 34-8 in nonconference play. Since 2006, the year college football went to 12 games, the Big Ten lost 12, 9, 12 and 12 nonconference games.

So the league must be better, right?

"This may be the best the Big Ten has been in a long time, and that's not just my opinion," Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said, saying he's heard the same sentiment from others.

4. Broken down, that 34-8 record includes a 9-1 record against lower-level FCS schools; an 18-2 mark against teams from the MAC, Sun Belt, Conference USA, Mountain West and WAC; and a 7-5 record against BCS conference schools and Notre Dame.

5. Maybe the conference is deeper, but there are questions at the top for the teams picked to finish second and third behind Ohio State. Iowa lost at Arizona and Wisconsin beat Arizona State by one point at home.

6. Iowa's loss killed national title darkhorse buzz for the Hawkeyes, but they can still establish their Big Ten bonafides against Penn State this week. Iowa beat the Nittany Lions the last two seasons as underdogs but are favored in Iowa City, and the Hawkeyes have to assert themselves.

"I'm not sure why [Penn State would] be considered the underdog," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz told reporters in Iowa City on Tuesday. "I'm looking at a team that's won 51 games [in the last] five years, they don't give up points. I mean, I think our biggest margin of victory in this series is 12 points back in '03. We've had tough games with them or we've gotten nailed pretty good."

7. Wisconsin has battled injuries and been happy to survive.

"I made a statement to our guys during Sunday's meeting that what we've done every week is we've won the football game," Badgers coach Bret Bielema said at his news conference this week.

8. The 4-0 Badgers could be vulnerable at 4-0 Michigan State because the Spartans, with the tandem of Edwin Baker (112 yards per game) and Le'Veon Bell (99 ypg), have been running it as well as Wisconsin has with John Clay (125 ypg).

"Last year we weren't able to run it as effectively," MSU coach Mark Dantonio said. "I think we're getting good production from our backs."

9. That makes the Spartans a Big Ten darkhorse, in part because they don't have Ohio State on their schedule. Dantonio will be back at Saturday's game two weeks after suffering a mild heart attack.

10. The other coach to watch this week is Minnesota's Tim Brewster, who could really use a win against Northwestern after a 1-3 start. He said the idea that he's worrying about his job is ludicrous.

"I mean with all my heart I believe we should and could be 4-0 at this particular point with our football team," Brewster said at his Tuesday news conference in Minneapolis. "I understand our fans' frustration. I understand. But you know what, just compound that about 50 times, okay, and that's me."

11. Undefeated Indiana vs. undefeated Michigan could be a first-one-to-50 battle. The teams are second and third in the Big Ten in scoring offense and eighth and 10th in scoring defense.

"We have to play a lot better defense than we have at times this year," Rodriguez said.

12. A bonus, in honor of Nebraska. The Buckeyes entered the season as conference favorites, and they should be perceived as even bigger favorites now. The rest of the conference has to prove otherwise, as Ohio State hits the road for the first time.

Illinois coach Ron Zook said this about quarterback OSU Terrelle Pryor: "It's a great challenge to play an awfully good football team," Zook said, "and arguably maybe the best player in college football."

Injury update: OSU coach Jim Tressel said backup cornerback Travis Howard and backup linebacker Dorian Bell are expected back this week after missing the Eastern Michigan game. The status of tight end Jake Stoneburner, who injured his left ankle Saturday, will be determined later in the week.


A.M. Cleveland Indians links: Grady Sizemore expected back to start 2011

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Grady Sizemore is expected to be ready to start spring training with the Indians in February 2011.

grady-sizemore-ap.JPGView full sizeGrady Sizemore, who missed most of 2010 after microfracture surgery on his knee, is expected to be healthy and ready to play by the time the Indians start spring training in February.
Cleveland, Ohio -- With five games remaining in the 2010 season, the Indians are already looking and planning for the 2011 season. Of course, being 26 games out of first place as of today, they COULD have been planning since mid-June.

Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon-Journal is reporting that one of the missing stars from this season -- outfielder Grady Sizemore -- is healing well from microfracture surgery on his knee and should be ready for spring training in February. But fans might want to use ink to write him in as the Tribe centerfielder.

Grady Sizemore is expected to be ready for spring training in February after recovering from microfracture surgery on his knee. Michael Brantley has played center field in his absence and shown he can perform at a high level.

So which player will open the season in center and which player will be in left?

''We won't even think about those decisions until Grady gets healthy,'' manager Manny Acta said Tuesday. ''Grady was just in Vail [Colo.], and everything went well.'' Sizemore visited the Vail clinic of Dr. Richard Steadman, who performed the surgery, for a progress check.

Cue John Fogerty: "Put me in coach / I'm ready to play / center fieeeeeeeeld."

Yesterday once more
Starting Blocks admits an affinity for some aspects of the good ol' days, when baseball was played in the summer sunshine, pitchers batted (and could actually hit)  and mitts, not mittens, were part of the uniform.

We don't miss the segregation, but we DO like the whole idea of old-school doubleheaders. Today, the Tribe and Tigers are doing the "let's play two" thing at Progressive Field because of Tuesday night's rainout.

The first game starts at 4:05, the second, 20 minutes after the first ends. This is only the second time this season that the Tribe has played a traditional doubleheader. But gee whiz, what a great thing. The Indians' Curtis Danburg said those who held tickets for Tuesday's game may exchange it for tickets to today's doubleheader, or for a single game in April or May 2011. Tickets for today's game will actually be good for both games of the twin bill.

By the way, the last game is the last time you'll see the Indians at Progressive Field until 2011. Which could be a boon or a bane, depending on your perspective.

From The Plain Dealer
Just because the Tribe was off doesn't mean beat writer Paul Hoynes was. His story in today's paper centers on the inspiration Indians manager Manny Acta takes from the memory of his late adoptive brother, Fernando. Fernando told Acta he'd be a big-league manager when the Tribe skipper was still a base coach with the Mets. Just before Acta was named manager of the Washington Nationals, Fernando died of a brain aneurysm.
 




Ohio State Buckeyes A.M. Links: Intangibles; Illinois has been trouble for OSU; Walking wounded

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 Columbus Dispatch reporter Ken Gordon noticed how the Ohio State Buckeyes started to jell once they returned from the Rose Bowl in January. A win can do wonders for a team. In an interview with wide receiver DeVier Posey, he tells Gordon how this team has become closer. "It's something about this year," Posey said. "The guys that I...

jtresselmf.jpgOhio State coach Jim Tressel


Columbus Dispatch reporter Ken Gordon noticed how the Ohio State Buckeyes started to jell once they returned from the Rose Bowl in January.

A win can do wonders for a team.

In an interview with wide receiver DeVier Posey, he tells Gordon how this team has become closer.

"It's something about this year," Posey said. "The guys that I get to get dressed with in the locker room every day, those are some of my best friends - those are some of the guys that probably are going to be in my wedding someday.

"Any time you get to add that element into it, having a friend playing next to you, it just gives you that extra edge to want to fight for your teammates. So I really feel like that's the difference - how close we are, and our chemistry."

But most teams, writes Gordon, will say they work hard and have confidence and closeness. But there is a distinctly different feel about this group - an attitude, edge, maturity - something hard to define.

"Their work ethic is very good. They love to prepare," coach Jim Tressel said. "They really genuinely enjoy one another's company and push one another, are happy for one another when good things happen.

"I like where we are. Now, we'll find out how good we are."

 

Fighting Illini

Illinois lost its first game but now they're on a roll as the Buckeyes come rolling in on Saturday.

Toledo Blade reporter Matt Markey writes how No. 2 Ohio State is just 11-9 against Illinois since 1988.

"It seems like they've played us tough every time," Ohio State senior defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said as the Buckeyes looked toward opening Big Ten play against the Illini. "Us older guys, we remember what happened three years ago. We expect another tough battle with Illinois."

That particularly sore spot for the Buckeyes that Heyward referenced was the 2007 meeting with Illinois, in which the Illini stunned No.1 ranked and previously unbeaten Ohio State 28-21 in Ohio Stadium. That stopped a 29-game regular season winning streak by the Buckeyes, and their 21-game Big Ten winning streak.

"We've had some wild games (with Illinois)," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday. "Illinois is going to be good, and the facts prove that."

Going back to 1988, only Michigan has a better conference record against Ohio State (11-10-1) and more wins over the Buckeyes than the nine Illinois has in that period.
 
 

Walking wounded

It's so bad for Illinois that coach Ron Zook will have to make some tough choices on which players will face the Buckeyes on Saturday, writes Chicago Tribune reporter Shannon Ryan.

Zook plans to meet with athletic director Ron Guenther to discuss whether Hugh Thornton, a sophomore offensive lineman, can play after his arrest over the weekend after being involved in a fight in a bar.

"There's still too much gray out there (to make a decision)," Zook said Tuesday.

The better news for Illinois, writes Ryan, is that some injured players are making their way back, although defensive back Terry Hawthorne will not be one of them. Hawthorne has missed the first three games with a foot injury.

 

Browns Comment of the Day: Picking the Browns on Sunday

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"Carson Palmer should no longer be considered an elite quarterback. I smell an upset, folks." - kellygreen44

carson.jpgView full sizeCarson Palmer and the Bengals visit Cleveland on Sunday.

In response to the story Are expectations weighing down the Cincinnati Bengals? Tony Grossi's Scouting Report, cleveland.com reader kellygreen44 is picking an upset Sunday. This reader writes,

"Carson Palmer should no longer be considered an elite quarterback. I smell an upset, folks."

To respond to kellygreen44's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme idle today, might practice Thursday or Friday

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Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme (ankle) will sit out practice today, but coach Eric Mangini said he might be back in practice Thursday or Friday. It's not yet known if Seneca Wallace will start Sunday against the Bengals.

 

jake.jpgJake Delhomme might return to practice today, but his availability for the Bengals game Sunday is unknown.

CLEVELAND -- Browns coach Eric Mangini said today that quarterback Jake Delhomme (ankle) will sit out practice today, but could return Thursday or Friday.

If he can't play Sunday against the Bengals, Seneca Wallace will start for the third straight week. Mangini was pleased with Wallace's performance against the Ravens, one in which he earned a 103 quarterback rating.

Delhomme, who suffered a high ankle sprain week one in Tampa, has been in a walking boot ever since.

"I anticipate Jake coming back (to practice),'' said Mangini. "We'll see where he is. I want Jake to be healthy. That's not a knock on Seneca. But Jake does some good things for us offensively (too).''

In other Browns news:

* Right tackle John St. Clair, who left the Ravens game with an ankle injury, will be idle today. Tony Pashos replaced him in Baltimore and Mangini was pleased with his outing.

* The defensive line will be thin today, with three starters resting with injuries: Shaun Rogers (ankle, hip), Robaire Smith (back) and Kenyon Coleman.

* Rookie right guard Shawn Lauvao will return to practice after missing the first three games with an ankle injury.

  

Indians Comment of the Day: The manager doesn't matter

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"Connie Mack couldn't win with this team. No disrespect to the players, but this is a Minor League team. I save money and have a better time watching the Lake County Captains." - IndCle1

Cleveland Indians fall to Oakland A's, 6-1View full sizeManny Acta's record with the Indians this season is bad, but he hasn't had much to work with.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians-Tigers game postponed and rescheduled as doubleheader Wednesday, cleveland.com reader IndCle1 thinks it doesn't matter who the manager is, this team is just bad. This reader writes,

"Connie Mack couldn't win with this team. No disrespect to the players, but this is a Minor League team. I save money and have a better time watching the Lake County Captains."

To respond to IndCle1's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.
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