The third-year pro is coming off a career-performance in his transition to outside linebacker. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Armonty Bryant is 6-foot-4 and 258 pounds of elasticity and contortion.

Edge rushers are known for speed and power, ranking among the best athletes on a football team. Not all, however, can twist and turn off a blocker, knifing their way past an opponent like Kyrie Irving snaking around a defender in the lane for a scoop shot.

After watching Bryant record a career-high 2-1/2 sacks in the Browns' 28-14 win over the Titans, teammate Paul Kruger spoke of what makes the converted defensive lineman unique.

"He can bend really well," Kruger said. "He has really awkward movements that allow him to get around an O-lineman. He's extremely slippery, where he can't stay blocked. A guy will have him and then he'll find a way to bend or move or get out of the block. They are not typical movements when you watch him play."

The 25-year-old Bryant probably won't make a habit of registering multi-sack games. The Titans' offensive line appeared suspect and rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota was often guilty of holding the ball too long in trying to decode the Browns' coverages and work through his progressions.

But the third-year pro's conversion to outside linebacker is among the more intriguing developments on the club's defense. The Browns haven't been able to develop a consistent edge rusher opposite Kruger despite the major investment at the position since the start of the 2013 season.

Journeyman Scott Solomon remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Rookie Nate Orchard is just returning to the lineup after missing time with a back ailment. Coaches prefer using Barkevious Mingo in pass coverage.

Enter Bryant, the small-college, seventh-round pick who's evolved into the club's best find from a poor 2013 draft. He led the Browns' sack parade Sunday - the club logged seven for the first time in three years - and extinguished the Titans' last threat with a strip sack of Mariota.

Coach Mike Pettine and defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil inherited Bryant a year ago and immediately became enamored with his potential. Pettine liked how the youngster squeezed between blockers and used his angular frame in ways other defensive linemen could not. But the Browns lost Bryant to a Week 5 knee injury, ending his season.

Sunday's win was fueled by a pair of players rebounding from torn ACLs - Bryant and Travis Benjamin, who accounted for three touchdowns. Benjamin shredded his knee midway through the 2013 season and Bryant used the lithe receiver as a resource in his own recovery.

"When I first came back I asked Travis every day, 'Does your knee still hurt, what does it feel like, is it different, is it harder to make your cuts, how did you feel your first year?'' Bryant told reporters Monday. "He would just tell me, 'Trust it the best you can and just go out there and just play, don't think about it.'"

Bryant dropped about 10 pounds to prepare for his switch to outside linebacker, which he sometimes played at East Central University in Oklahoma.

O'Neil said the staff first discussed the position switch in the spring not long after the club lost Jabaal Sheard in free agency to New England. Sheard is a solid player, but he's more rigid on the rush than the nimble Bryant.  

"I've just always tried to use my flexibility and my movement and my agility and everything like that to get past linemen," Bryant said. "And, I feel like last year, playing on the inside, having everything happen so quickly, has helped me out on the edge because I can see a lot more things."

The Browns were utilizing Bryant at both positions before committing him to outside linebacker in training camp. The moved made sense given their depth on the line and lack of it on the perimeter.

Bryant, who has high hair on loan from Cosmo Kramer, is an eager learner. He arrived in Berea with off-field issues involving alcohol and marijuana, but befriended Mingo and narrowed his focus.

The Wichita Falls, Texas native must improve against the run. Among his responsibilities are setting the edge and funneling run plays back inside. The Browns were gashed for a second straight game as the Titans rushed for 166 yards. As Orchard returns to fitness, one would anticipate them sharing reps. Bryant played 52 snaps Sunday, according to ProFootballFocus.com, with the second-round pick earning just 13.

Former CEO Joe Banner and his staff deserve credit for discovering Bryant. Now, it's up to the player and coaches to get his game to the next strata. Bryant remains a raw talent, but Sunday offered a tantalizing glimpse of what he offers a defense.

"There's no doubt he has athleticism," O'Neil said.

Bryant is not all about speed and power. He's "slippery," in the words of Kruger, with "awkward movements" that could make him a different kind of pass-rushing natural for the Browns.

Here are high school sports highlights from Monday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here are high school sports highlights from Monday. See below for information on how you team’s accomplishments can be recognized in these daily roundups.

BOYS GOLF

Western Reserve Conference tournament: Willoughby South took the inaugural tourney crown at Quail Hollow with a 346 overall score, edging Riverside by four and Chardon by seven.

Riverside’s Anthony Julius took the individual tourney crown with his 78. Willoughby South was paced by sophomore Joe Svitasky’s 82.

Hudson 145, Wadsworth 173: The Explorers had the top three finishers, including medalist Will Kurtz with a 32, Dave Sexton at 34 and Nolan Laughlin at 38. Justin Vaughan led Wadsworth with a 40.

GIRLS GOLF

Chagrin Valley Conference tournament: Spurred by two sophomores Independence claimed the league postseason crown, and Sophia Trombetta shot an 80 to win the tournament at Legend Lake Golf Club in Chardon.

The Blue Devils finished with an overall score of 372. Hawken was second at 401, followed by Perry (432) and Cuyahoga Heights (439) in the eight-team field.

Hawken senior Isabella Joseph finished second with an 82, but was crowned league MVP for having the CVC’s best average for the season.

Trombetta’s teammate Lyndsay Blum, also a sophomore, shot an 83 to finish third. Perry’s Lindsey Miller was fourth, followed by Perry’s Amanda Brown and Cuyahoga Heights’ Taylor Wilson.

NDCL 173, Chardon 179: Reva Morris’ 39 helped Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin to victory. Teammate Avery Owens shot a 41, while Chardon was paced by Clare Lundblad’s 41.

Solon 174, Strongsville 195: Jennifer Wang won medalist honors for Solon with her 38. Teammate Rachel Markle added a 44.

GIRLS SOCCER

Westlake 1, Bay 1: Westlake scored an equalizer in the second half from Merideth Hansen. The host Rockets got on board first, courtesy of Maddie Holmes.

Mayfield 2, Kenston 1: The host Wildcats broke a 1-all tie at halftime. Their goals came from Tyler Kilka and Marissa Handel. Jenna Rock added an assist.

Rachel Pidala scored Kenston’s goal.

Avon Lake 2, Wadsworth 1: Bri Carlin and Olivia Siko each scored for Avon Lake, which edged the Grizzlies. Emily Arrellano scored for Wadsworth.

Cloverleaf 2, Buckeye 1: Brooke Wolfe’s two goals lifted Cloverleaf past the Bucks, who took a 1-1 tie into halftime with Olivia Hartley’s score.

Berea-Midpark 3, St. Joseph 1: Haley Morgan scored off a Frannie Smith assist, but the Titans were too much at home.

Rocky River 4, Padua 0: The visiting Pirates scored twice in each half.

Gilmour 4, Shaker Heights 1: The Lancers used a three-goal second half to open their lead. Alyssa Behrend scored twice, and Gilmour remained unbeaten at 9-0.

AD challenge with girls soccer team .......have a good laugh pic.twitter.com/km8okkjA7Q

— Wellington Sports (@WEVSD_sports) September 22, 2015

BOYS SOCCER

Solon 1, St. Edward 0: A first-half goal propelled the Comets to their road victory.

Valley Forge 1, Amherst 1: Brandon Davidson of Valley Forge and Amherst’s Colin O’Connor traded second-half scores in this draw.

North Olmsted 5, Cleveland Heights 3: The Eagles earned a nonleague win at home.

Chagrin Falls 5, Perry 2: Chagrin Falls preserved a 3-2 halftime lead for a road victory.

Hornets Win! Great game @kirtlandsports Bradley Hauptman scores two goals. Kirtland defeats Beachwood 2-1 pic.twitter.com/D0hvFkVpJY

— Kirtland Hornets (@kirtlandsports) September 21, 2015

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

North Olmsted 3, Avon Lake 1: Allison Smith’s 29 assists set up three teammates for double-digit kills in the Eagles’ 19-25, 25-17, 25-15, 25-21 win. Elise Jarachovic had 13 kills, McKenna Marcus added 12 and Zoe Kamenos had 10. Kenzie Zauner helped the defense with 19 digs.

Emily Schillinger led Avon Lake with 11 kills, while setter Kaitlyn Applegate had 27 assists. Tate Rybarczyk had 26 digs for Avon Lake.

Olmsted Falls 3, Avon 1: Kacie Burton dished out 45 assists for the Bulldogs, the majority to Lexi Lombardo, who had 23 kills. Katie Edgington added 12 kills.

For Avon, Domenica Marino and Maddy Jerdonek each had 17 assists. Hallie Schroeder scored a team-best 13 kills.

East Tech 3, John Hay 0: Carrione Cardwell’s 15 kills helped East Tech to a 25-9, 25-20, 25-11 win. Morgan Daniel had 14 assists.

Berea-Midpark 3, Westlake 1: Paige Ward had 11 kills for Westlake, but the Titans emerged with a 26-24, 25-20, 20-25, 25-18 win.

Fairview 3, Brooklyn 1: Fairview left Brooklyn with a 13-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-14 rally.

Clearview 3, Oberlin 0: Aszure Chamberlin had 11 digs, five kills, three service aces and four assists for Oberlin, but Clearview swept the Phoenix. The host Clippers won, 25-21, 25-14, 25-10.

Madison 3, Brush 0: Madison left with a 25-11, 25-6, 25-23 road victory.

@FirelandsFalcon Varsity Volleyball Wins from behind over black river pic.twitter.com/xjV9eLAweX

— Firelands Sports BC (@FirelandsSports) September 22, 2015

FIELD HOCKEY

Magnificat 3, Hawken 2: The visiting Hawks cut into a 3-1 halftime difference, but Magnificat proved too much behind Taryn Zwissler’s two goals and Claire Siviligoj, who added a third.

Shaker Heights 8, Orange 0: Jessica Morford scored three times, while Caroline Webster and Drew Hubbard each added two goals for the Raiders.

GIRLS TENNIS

Lake Ridge 3, Parma 2: Lake Ridge won all three singles matches to secure its victory. Ally Cui, Riya Lakkaraju and Sarah Freeman won for the Royals. Freeman rallied at third singles, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, vs. Parma’s Youjin Lee.

St. Joseph 3, Beaumont 2: First and second singles wins from Hannah Schuette and Cassie Van Etten were critical for St. Joseph.

Solon 5, Strongsville 0: Alexis Ratner’s 6-4, 6-2 win vs. Strongsville’s Paige Meyers at first singles helped set the tone for the Comets. Sarah Zhou and Hannah Caplin also secured singles victories.

North Royalton 5, Elyria Catholic 0: Alexa Baldari won, 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1 singles vs. Kathryn Scarvelli, and North Royalton won at home. Cassie Shokles and Elizabeth Kelly also won for the Bears.

Medina 4, Shaker Heights 1: The Bees won all but No. 2 doubles. Becca Liebler, Emily Speckman and Makayla Velic all won for Medina.

Brush 4, Eastlake North 1: Eastlake North’s Katie Ponsart won at first singles, but the Arcs won elsewhere, including a 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) comeback for Hannah Peterson at No. 2 singles.

Conneaut 4, Harvey 1: Amanda Chadwick and Abbie Webster won at first and second singles to lead Conneaut. Harvey scored a No. 3 singles win from Megan Preston, 6-3, 6-0.

Hathaway Brown 4, Massillon Jackson 1: Lauren Gillinov scored a 6-0, 6-1 win at first singles for victorious Hathaway Brown.

Brunswick 5, Euclid 0: The Blue Devils won convincingly on the road.

How your team can be included in these roundups

These roundups are based on box scores and game notes entered in cleveland.com’s database by school or team representatives. If your team is not participating in the box score program please contact your athletic director or coach and encourage them to do so. They can obtain instructions and database login information from High School Sports Manager Kristen Davis at kdavis@cleveland.com.

For more high school sports news, like NEOvarsity on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The Browns aren't tipping their hands about whether Johnny Manziel or Josh McCown starts Sunday. But coach Mike Pettine seems to be leaning to McCown.

BEREA, Ohio - The Browns had a perfect reason to start Johnny Manziel on Sunday. 

That was the near-decapitation of veteran quarterback Josh McCown. In last week's season opener, McCown took a helmet-to-helmet hit in midair at the goal line. McCown's body spun, like a helicopter crash landing, and his head did, too. He suffered a concussion and could not start Sunday. Manziel did, and helped produce a 28-14 victory over Tennessee at the lakefront.

Maybe Manziel's two big plays on touchdown passes to Travis Benjamin do not make him a starter, as I noted after the Browns-Titans game. Still, Manziel whipped up a kind of hero sandwich, with a big play early, a big play late, and a calorie-conscious nothing in between.

Actually, two quarterback fumbles happened, too. One was caused by not being strong enough with the ball and another by a hit in traffic. "That can't become his flaw," said Browns coach Mike Pettine.

Perhaps it is a positive development that only one major flaw is now under discussion for Manziel, after his rookie season partying, oversleeping, and apparently using the playbook as a doorstop to the man cave.

The Oakland Raiders, however, are coming to town this Sunday. That's a game the Browns can win, to keep the spurious concept of momentum going. As I argued at the end of the recent college season, statisticians and mathematicians say momentum doesn't exist. Fans, however, hold it as close to their hearts as the backup quarterback until, oftentimes, he actually plays.

That doesn't apply here, either to McCown, who played too boldly, not badly, or to Manziel, who played with flashes of his electrifying creativity at Texas A&M.

The Browns say the quarterback decision is "TBD." As in "to be determined." Also, you better believe, it is "to be debated."

Browns coaches will meet Monday night. Players will take Tuesday off. And doctors will decide whether or not to clear McCown to practice on Wednesday. Sometime or other, a puff of white smoke will rise from a chimney in Berea.

Also "to be determined" is whether the season is about player development or chasing every last gleam of victory. McCown probably gives the Browns the better chance to win Sunday. The feeling here is that is probably the way they will go.

Pettine has a track record of sticking with veterans. He played it coy through much of last season, too. He stayed with Brian Hoyer until he wasn't just circling the drain, but needed to be extricated by Roto-Rooter. Last season probably was doomed by Hoyer's November slump. But Manziel sealed the deal, when his game readiness was pronounced dead on his arrival at the line of scrimmage against the Bengals.

Since then, new year, new attitude has been the Manziel mantra, following off-season rehab for his off-the-field behavioral problems.

"(Manziel) has made it a positive conversation," said Pettine of the quarterback debate. "To have a young quarterback who's gone through a lot, who's gone out and led his team to a win - I'm proud of him. If you said early in the off-season this was going to happen, a lot of people would have said that was a pretty slim chance."

Let's say Manziel starts and the Browns beat Oakland. Then comes a killer stretch of games: at San Diego, at Baltimore, and against Denver at FirstEnergy Stadium. For those challenges, the Browns might want snaps to be handled by a veteran who's been on the road and seen it all.

By then, of course, benching Manziel after two straight hypothetical wins would inspire palm-to-forehead smacks at Browns Backers clubs everywhere.

"Johnny's made a lot of progress in the right direction," said Pettine.

Progress in the wrong direction is a logical impossibility. Off their 16-year record, though, you can never rule out the Browns giving it a shot.

Meyer is scheduled to meet with the media Wednesday evening, and at that time he anticipates revealing who's going to start Saturday vs. Western Michigan.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer didn't know whether Ohio State was going to start Cardale Jones or J.T. Barrett at quarterback when he was asked Monday. 

A day later, Meyer has a better idea. 

"But," Meyer said on the Big Ten teleconference, "I'm going to wait to let you know." 

Meyer is scheduled to meet with the media Wednesday evening, and at that time he anticipates revealing who's going to start Saturday vs. Western Michigan. 

Though Barrett got the most amount of reps in relief of Jones in Ohio State's narrow 20-13 win over Northern Illinois last week, Meyer said he felt like the Buckeyes had a really clear starter in Jones. 

The view of that could be changing, though. 

"I did have a very clear starter, the guy who starts," Meyer said. "The first game, it worked very good. The second game, not so good, and I wanted to give the other guy reps. The third game was not good at all.

"We're going to have a really clear starter this week, at the right time. I kind of already know who it is." 

Other tidbits from the teleconference: 

* Meyer was asked about Ezekiel Elliott's lack of production, and he said it was because Ohio State's interior offensive line was struggling and the perimiter blocking from wide receivers has been lacking. 

"In the famous 85-yard run vs. Alabama," Meyer said, "he wasn't even touched." 

* Meyer also said that Ohio State's wide receivers haven't performed up to standard, then tied that into why the quarterback play may have been less than desirable, also. Meyer said getting the receivers up to par has been an emphasis in practice this week. 

See Ohio High School Athletic Association football playoff computer points for teams throughout the state.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Here is the first weekly high school football computer poll, released Tuesday afternoon by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

The computer ratings are released every Tuesday afternoon beginning after the fourth week of the season, with the final report on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Again this season, there are seven football divisions. The largest schools are in Division I, which is divided into two regions. The top 16 teams in both Division I regions will qualify for the playoffs. The top 20 schools in both Division I regions are shown below.

Schools in Divisions II through VII are each divided into four regions. The top eight teams in each region will qualify for the playoffs. The top 12 are shown below.

Click here for the full report listing every team in Ohio
 
Division I  (top 16 from both Division I regions will qualify for the playoffs)
Region 1 - 1. Lakewood St. Edward (3-1) 10.1061, 2. Westerville Central (4-0) 10.0, 3. Findlay (4-0) 9.125, 4. Berea-Midpark (4-0) 9.025, 5. Tol. Whitmer (3-1) 8.975, 6. Lewis Center Olentangy (3-1) 8.55, 7. Strongsville (3-1) 8.225, 8. Elyria (3-1) 7.95, 9. Stow-Munroe Falls (4-0) 7.8, 10. Mentor (3-1) 7.75, 11. Powell Olentangy Liberty (3-1) 7.425, 12. Canton GlenOak (3-1) 7.325, 13. Canton McKinley (3-1) 7.0227, 14. Medina (3-1) 6.55, 15. Tol. Start (3-1) 6.25, 16. Solon (3-1) 5.4133, 17. Massillon Jackson (2-2) 5.125, 18. Shaker Hts. (3-1) 4.85, 19. Austintown-Fitch (2-2) 4.75, 20. North Royalton (2-2) 4.375
 
Region 2 - 1. Lancaster (4-0) 10.625, 2. Fairfield (4-0) 10.1, 3. Cin. Colerain (3-1) 9.925, 4. Upper Arlington (4-0) 9.4872, 5. Hilliard Darby (4-0) 9.375, 6. Cin. Elder (3-1) 9.325, 7. Cin. St. Xavier (3-1) 8.925, 8. Huber Hts. Wayne (4-0) 8.6352, 9-tie. Springboro (3-1) 8.575, 9-tie. Pickerington North (3-1) 8.575, 11. Gahanna Lincoln (3-1) 8.2985, 12. Hilliard Davidson (3-1) 8.025, 13. Reynoldsburg (3-1) 7.625, 14. Grove City Central Crossing (3-1) 7.5808, 15. Beavercreek (3-1) 7.075, 16. Galloway Westland (3-1) 6.875, 17. Liberty Twp. Lakota East (3-1) 6.6, 18. Mason (2-2) 6.225, 19. Centerville (2-2) 6.0, 20. West Chester Lakota West (2-2) 5.975
 
Division II  (top 8 from all regions in Divisions II through VII will qualify for the playoffs)
Region 3 - 1. Aurora (4-0) 9.7, 2. Chardon (4-0) 9.025, 3. Warren G. Harding (4-0) 9.0038, 4. Mayfield (4-0) 8.925, 5. Copley (4-0) 8.175, 6. Hudson (3-1) 7.7, 7. Maple Hts. (4-0) 7.625, 8. Brecksville-Broadview Hts. (4-0) 6.625, 9. Green (2-2) 5.775, 10. Painesville Riverside (2-2) 5.725, 11. Madison (3-1) 5.375, 12. Akron Ellet (3-1) 5.35
 
Region 4 - 1. Perrysburg (4-0) 10.975, 2. Grafton Midview (4-0) 10.325, 3. Avon (3-1) 8.925, 4. North Ridgeville (3-1) 7.775, 5. Medina Highland (3-1) 7.075, 6. Holland Springfield (3-1) 6.425, 7. Tol. St. John's (3-1) 6.25, 8. Sylvania Northview (3-1) 6.05, 9. Cle. Glenville  (3-1) 6.0366, 10. Olmsted Falls (3-1) 6.0, 11. Whitehouse Anthony Wayne (2-2) 4.675, 12. Fremont Ross (2-2) 4.325
 
Region 5 - 1. Worthington Kilbourne (4-0) 10.05, 2. Logan (4-0) 9.425, 3. Uniontown Lake (3-1) 7.6, 4. Pataskala Licking Hts. (3-1) 7.45, 5. Massillon Perry (3-1) 7.2, 6. Cols. Franklin Hts. (3-1) 6.625, 7-tie. Wooster (3-1) 6.125, 7-tie. Mansfield Senior (3-1) 6.125, 9. Mount Vernon (3-1) 5.95, 10. Cols. Northland (3-1) 5.75, 11. Cols. Walnut Ridge (2-2) 5.2, 12-tie. Dresden Tri-Valley (3-1) 4.975, 12-tie. Cols. West (3-1) 4.975
 
Region 6 - 1. Cin. La Salle (4-0) 14.625, 2. Cin. Glen Este (4-0) 9.425, 3. Cin. Turpin (4-0) 9.3, 4. Miamisburg (4-0) 8.375, 5. Lima Senior (3-1) 7.3, 6. Kings Mills Kings (3-1) 7.15, 7. Vandalia Butler (3-1) 6.825, 8. Riverside Stebbins (4-0) 6.5366, 9. Trenton Edgewood (3-1) 6.325, 10. Cin. Winton Woods (2-2) 5.825, 11. Cin. Withrow (2-2) 5.175, 12. Sidney (3-1) 4.9811
 
Division III
Region 7 - 1. Poland Seminary (4-0) 10.425, 2. Akron Archbishop Hoban (4-0) 10.225, 3. Akron St. Vincent-St Mary (4-0) 9.225, 4. Medina Buckeye (4-0) 8.475, 5. Alliance Marlington (3-1) 7.075, 6. Louisville (3-1) 6.725, 7. Painesville Harvey (3-1) 6.3, 8. Canfield (3-1) 6.125, 9. Chesterland West Geauga (3-1) 5.9, 10. Akron Buchtel (2-2) 3.6061, 11. Mentor Lake Cath. (2-2) 3.5556, 12. Ravenna (2-2) 3.525
 
Region 8 - 1. Cle. Benedictine (4-0) 8.8, 2. Clyde (4-0) 8.35, 3. Bay Village Bay (4-0) 7.8, 4. Sandusky Perkins (4-0) 7.7, 5. Bowling Green (4-0) 7.35, 6. Ashland (3-1) 7.225, 7. Lexington (4-0) 7.2, 8. Rocky River (3-1) 5.9, 9. Tol. Central Cath. (2-2) 5.0638, 10. Mansfield Madison Comp. (2-2) 4.525, 11. Cle. John Hay (3-1) 4.325, 12. East Cle. Shaw (2-2) 3.675
 
Region 9 - 1. Jackson (4-0) 9.125, 2. Zanesville (4-0) 8.825, 3. Cols. Hamilton Township (3-1) 7.725, 4. Granville (3-1) 7.65, 5. Cols. Bishop Watterson (3-1) 6.375, 6. Cols. Independence (3-1) 5.85, 7. Bexley (3-1) 5.225, 8. Cols. St. Francis DeSales (3-1) 5.1111, 9. Cols. Eastmoor Acad. (2-2) 5.05, 10. Chillicothe (2-2) 4.525, 11. Cols. Beechcroft (2-1) 4.3333, 12. Marietta (3-1) 4.0
 
Region 10 - 1. St. Marys Memorial (4-0) 8.725, 2. Tipp City Tippecanoe (4-0) 8.5, 3. Celina (3-1) 7.225, 4. Cin. Northwest (4-0) 7.075, 5. Trotwood-Madison (3-1) 7.025, 6. Wapakoneta (4-0) 6.875, 7. Goshen (3-1) 5.2891, 9. Piqua (2-2) 5.1, 9. Piqua (2-2) 5.1, 10. Wilmington (3-1) 4.625, 11. Mount Orab Western Brown (3-1) 4.45, 12. Day. Carroll (3-1) 4.25
 
Division IV
Region 11 - 1. Perry (4-0) 8.975, 2. Mogadore Field (4-0) 7.625, 3. Mantua Crestwood (3-1) 7.425, 4. Peninsula Woodridge (4-0) 7.175, 5. Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (4-0) 6.55, 6. Oberlin Firelands (3-1) 5.875, 7. Jefferson Area (3-1) 5.725, 8. Hubbard (3-1) 5.425, 9. Cortland Lakeview (3-1) 5.275, 10. Youngstown Ursuline (2-2) 5.075, 11. Pepper Pike Orange (3-1) 4.85, 12. Streetsboro (3-1) 4.6
 
Region 12 - 1. London (4-0) 7.3788, 2. Ottawa-Glandorf (3-1) 6.6, 3. Cols. Bishop Hartley (2-1) 5.7222, 4. Caledonia River Valley (3-1) 5.575, 5-tie. Wauseon (3-1) 5.4, 5-tie. Port Clinton (3-1) 5.4, 7. Napoleon (3-1) 5.15, 8. Plain City Jonathan Alder (3-1) 5.025, 9. Springfield Kenton Ridge (3-1) 4.8131, 10. Lewistown Indian Lake (3-1) 4.35, 11-tie. Vermilion (2-2) 3.15, 11-tie. Oak Harbor (2-2) 3.15
 
Region 13 - 1. Johnstown-Monroe (4-0) 10.35, 2. Steubenville (4-0) 9.1338, 3. St. Clairsville (3-0) 7.4444, 4. Zanesville Maysville (4-0) 7.375, 5. Wintersville Indian Creek (4-0) 6.95, 6. Salem (4-0) 6.65, 7. Byesville Meadowbrook (4-0) 6.05, 8. Carroll Bloom-Carroll (3-1) 5.7, 9. Canal Fulton Northwest (3-1) 5.35, 10-tie. Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (3-1) 5.15, 10-tie. Heath (3-1) 5.15, 12. Newark Licking Valley (2-2) 4.95
 
Region 14 - 1. Middletown Bishop Fenwick (4-0) 9.975, 2. Hamilton Badin (4-0) 8.7348, 3. Cin. Indian Hill (4-0) 8.325, 4. Germantown Valley View (4-0) 8.075, 5. Kettering Archbishop Alter (3-1) 6.9, 6. Reading (4-0) 6.85, 7. Cin. Mariemont (3-1) 5.425, 8. Waverly (3-1) 5.25, 9. Cleves Taylor (2-2) 5.175, 10. Clarksville Clinton-Massie (3-1) 4.975, 11. Cin. Wyoming (3-1) 4.8106, 12-tie. Circleville Logan Elm (3-1) 4.8, 12-tie. Circleville (3-1) 4.8
 
Division V
Region 15 - 1. Columbiana Crestview (4-0) 7.55, 2. Magnolia Sandy Valley (3-1) 6.4, 3. Canton Central Cath. (3-1) 5.675, 4. Garrettsville Garfield (3-1) 5.475, 5. Leavittsburg LaBrae (3-1) 4.925, 6. Rootstown (4-0) 4.675, 7. Canfield South Range (3-1) 4.6, 8. Gates Mills Hawken (3-1) 4.2336, 9. Wickliffe (2-2) 4.2, 10. Sullivan Black River (3-1) 4.125, 11. Burton Berkshire (2-2) 4.05, 12. Navarre Fairless (2-2) 3.9
 
Region 16 - 1. Milan Edison (4-0) 7.825, 2. Doylestown Chippewa (4-0) 7.625, 4. Swanton (4-0) 6.3, 4. Swanton (4-0) 6.3, 5. Apple Creek Waynedale (3-1) 6.175, 6. Johnstown Northridge (3-1) 5.4432, 7. West Salem Northwestern (3-1) 5.375, 8. Creston Norwayne (3-1) 5.3, 9. Elyria Cath. (3-1) 5.025, 10. Gahanna Cols. Acad. (3-1) 4.65, 11. Findlay Liberty-Benton (3-1) 4.25, 12. Archbold (2-2) 4.15
 
Region 17 - 1. Chillicothe Zane Trace (4-0) 8.85, 2. Cadiz Harrison Central (4-0) 7.35, 3. Bidwell River Valley (4-0) 6.375, 4. Ironton Rock Hill (3-1) 5.65, 5. Wheelersburg (4-0) 5.4, 6. Minford (3-1) 4.875, 7. West Lafayette Ridgewood (3-1) 4.675, 8. Wellston (3-1) 4.475, 9. Albany Alexander (3-1) 4.125, 10. Coshocton (2-2) 3.0581, 11. Belmont Union Local (2-2) 2.875, 12-tie. Sugarcreek Garaway (2-2) 2.725, 12-tie. Piketon (2-2) 2.725
 
Region 18 - 1. Coldwater (4-0) 8.025, 2. Brookville (4-0) 6.5, 3. Bethel-Tate (2-1) 6.0556, 4. Jamestown Greeneview (3-1) 6.05, 5. Cin. Hills Christian Acad. (3-1) 5.775, 6. West Milton Milton-Union (3-1) 5.725, 7. Cin. Madeira (3-1) 5.6212, 8. Versailles (3-1) 5.025, 9. London Madison Plains (3-1) 4.875, 10. St. Bernard Roger Bacon (3-1) 3.875, 11-tie. Springfield Northwestern (3-1) 3.6, 11-tie. Richwood North Union (2-2) 3.6
 
Division VI
Region 19 - 1. Columbia Station Columbia (4-0) 8.05, 2. Cuyahoga Hts. (4-0) 7.375, 3. Jeromesville Hillsdale (4-0) 7.325, 4. Lisbon David Anderson (4-0) 6.55, 5. Kirtland (3-1) 5.7, 6. Smithville (3-1) 5.55, 7. Rittman (3-1) 4.6, 8. New Middletown Springfield (2-2) 4.15, 9. Columbiana (3-1) 4.1, 10. Garfield Hts. Trinity (3-1) 3.95, 11-tie. Brookfield (3-1) 3.925, 11-tie. Loudonville (3-1) 3.925
 
Region 20 - 1. Columbus Grove (4-0) 6.275, 2. North Robinson Colonel Crawford (3-1) 5.725, 3. Defiance Tinora (3-1) 5.275, 4. Gibsonburg (4-0) 5.25, 5. Metamora Evergreen (4-0) 5.175, 6. Defiance Ayersville (4-0) 5.15, 7. Attica Seneca East (3-1) 4.7, 8. Delta (3-1) 4.65, 9. Bucyrus Wynford (3-1) 4.525, 10. Sycamore Mohawk (3-1) 3.625, 11. Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (3-1) 3.45, 12. Liberty Center (2-2) 3.225
 
Region 21 - 1. Lucasville Valley (4-0) 7.75, 2. Bainbridge Paint Valley (4-0) 7.5, 3. Beverly Fort Frye (4-0) 6.375, 4. Grandview Hts. (3-1) 5.85, 5. Newark Cath. (3-1) 5.425, 6. Fredericktown (3-1) 5.3712, 7. Hannibal River (3-1) 5.2, 8. Chesapeake (3-1) 5.125, 9. Cols. Bishop Ready (2-2) 3.925, 10. Cardington-Lincoln (3-1) 3.75, 11. Barnesville (3-1) 3.45, 12. Centerburg (2-2) 2.9836
 
Region 22 - 1. Cin. Country Day (4-0) 7.2778, 2. Mechanicsburg (4-0) 6.0, 3. West Liberty-Salem (3-1) 5.825, 4. Maria Stein Marion Local (4-0) 5.7222, 5. Spencerville (4-0) 5.025, 6. Williamsburg (3-1) 4.9886, 7. St. Henry (3-1) 4.95, 8. Delphos Jefferson (3-1) 4.925, 9. Bluffton (4-0) 4.225, 10. Miamisburg Day. Christian (2-1) 4.0556, 11. Cin. Summit Country Day (2-2) 4.025, 12. Cin. Purcell Marian (2-2) 3.8106
 
Division VII
Region 23 - 1. Warren John F. Kennedy (3-1) 5.95, 2. North Jackson Jackson-Milton (4-0) 5.575, 3. Toronto (4-0) 5.225, 4. Mogadore (3-1) 4.4596, 5. Monroeville (3-1) 3.95, 6. Vienna Mathews (3-1) 3.8876, 7. New Philadelphia Tuscarawas Central Cath. (3-1) 3.725, 8. Cle. Hts. Lutheran East (3-1) 3.475, 9. Norwalk St. Paul (3-1) 3.45, 10. Windham (3-1) 2.975, 11. Wellsville (2-2) 2.775, 12. Fairport Harbor Fairport Harding (2-2) 2.65
 
Region 24 - 1. West Unity Hilltop (4-0) 5.575, 2. Lucas (4-0) 5.0631, 3. Kansas Lakota (3-1) 4.575, 4. New Washington Buckeye Central (3-1) 4.5, 5. McComb (3-1) 3.975, 6. Hicksville (3-1) 3.7866, 7. Arlington (2-2) 3.625, 8. North Baltimore (3-1) 3.575, 9. Convoy Crestview (2-2) 2.85, 10. Leipsic (1-3) 2.025, 11. Pandora-Gilboa (2-2) 1.875, 12. Lima Perry (1-3) 1.2285
 
Region 25 - 1. Danville (4-0) 5.8, 2. Caldwell (4-0) 5.525, 3-tie. Corning Miller (4-0) 5.25, 3-tie. Portsmouth Sciotoville (4-0) 5.25, 5. Bellaire St. John Central (4-0) 4.9646, 6. Glouster Trimble (3-1) 4.375, 7. Sarahsville Shenandoah (3-1) 3.95, 8. Portsmouth Notre Dame (3-1) 3.725, 10. Beaver Eastern (2-2) 2.5821, 11. New Matamoras Frontier (2-2) 2.4571, 12-tie. Lancaster Fisher Cath. (2-2) 2.1, 12-tie. Crown City South Gallia (2-2) 2.1, 12-tie. Belpre (2-2), 2.1
 
Region 26 - 1. Cin. Miami Valley Christian Acad. (4-0) 5.9192, 2. Troy Christian (3-0) 5.0556, 3. Fort Recovery (4-0) 4.65, 4. DeGraff Riverside (4-0) 4.325, 5. Covington (3-1) 3.625, 6. Cin. College Preparatory (3-1) 3.3393, 7. Ada (2-2) 3.3, 8. Dola Hardin Northern (3-1) 2.9785, 9. Cin. Hillcrest (2-2) 2.3646, 10. Springfield Cath. Central (2-2) 2.3535, 11-tie. Minster (2-2) 2.25, 11-tie. McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley (2-2) 2.25

Tristan Thompson's contract dispute with the Cavaliers has no apparent or tangible impact on LeBron James' future with Cleveland, sources said.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - As the standoff over Tristan Thompson's contract lingers, LeBron James has not tried to leverage his considerable clout with the Cavaliers to get his friend and teammate more money.

Thompson, a 24-year-old reserve power forward who made a name for himself starting in Kevin Love's place for most of the Cavs' run to the NBA Finals last season, is a restricted free agent and represented by James' agent, Rich Paul.

James and Paul structured the two-year, $47 million contract James signed in July so James could become a free agent next summer and maintain leverage over the team.

But a source close to James said Thompson's contract is a "non-discussion right now" for James as it relates to his own future, and a team source said the Cavs believe "LeBron's goals don't change relative to Tristan Thompson or anyone. Be as good as we can be for as long as we can be."

In other words, the nuclear option, or James demanding the Cavs pay Thompson what he wants or else, doesn't appear to be on the table.

Thompson is seeking a five-year, $94 million contract. The team, meanwhile, has offered a five-year, $80 million contract and has already come up from its original offer to reach that number, according to a source.

Training camp starts one week from today, and Thompson has until Oct. 1 to either reach an agreement on a long-term deal with Cleveland or sign the one year, $6.9 million qualifying offer the Cavs extended him that would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Paul has told numerous media outlets, including the Northeast Ohio Media Group, that Thompson would not re-sign with the Cavs next summer if he is forced to accept the team's qualifying offer now.

Here's where James could flex his muscle and apply pressure to the front office in Thompson's favor, only he hasn't done it. James privately expressed to the team his desire for Thompson to be in Cleveland long term, and publicly he called the re-signing of Thompson the team's "No. 1 objective" in August.

But sources said James has not applied pressure internally for the Cavs to acquiesce to Thompson's salary demands. And, back in August, James told reporters that "things need to be worked out from his side and the Cavs." Basketball observers at the time saw James' statements as an opportunity passed for him to push Cleveland toward paying Thompson's asking price.

There is ample time for James to apply that pressure - one Tweet is all it would take - and on Monday James will take questions from reporters at the team's media day for the 2015-16 season.

If no resolution has come to Thompson's contract, James could make some emphatic statement of support for Thompson on Monday (he probably will), adding that the fifth-year pro has proved his value to the organization. Or, he could reiterate the contract is something for Thompson and the team to negotiate.

There was already a small pivot from James as it related to Thompson this summer.

James' camp - again, he and Thompson share the same representation - made it known that while James was likely going to re-sign sometime during free agency, he wanted to see how the team fared in the free-agent market. From Paul's perspective, negotiating a new deal for Thompson was the top priority.

But then on July 9, the first day free agents could sign new contracts, James agreed to a new deal. He signed it the next day. Talks between the Cavs and Thompson had already hit a snag by that time.

For broader context, Love's five-year, $113 million deal with Cleveland was done, as was Iman Shumpert's four-year, $40 million deal.

Additionally, James was to host a red-carpet screening of his first feature-length film, Trainwreck, July 10 in Akron, an event that was pulled together only about a week prior and may have been dampened a little if there were any doubt about James' immediate future in Cleveland.

The Indians have an uphill climb toward a potential berth in the American League Wild Card Game. That, however, is not preventing the team from planning ahead.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have an uphill climb toward a potential berth in the American League Wild Card Game.

That, however, is not preventing the team from planning ahead.

The Indians announced on Tuesday that tickets for the AL Division Series will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. ET on Oct. 2. That gives fans a week and a half to prepare. And by that point, there might be some clarity regarding the Wild Card race.

The Indians entered Tuesday's action 4 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros with 14 games remaining. Cleveland trailed Houston by only three games in the loss column. To reach the ALDS, of course, the Tribe would have to secure a Wild Card berth and then win that one-game playoff, which will likely be played at Yankee Stadium against New York.

Playoff tickets will, initially, be sold online only at Indians.com/Postseason. Should there be any leftover tickets on Oct. 3, fans can purchase them online, at the Progressive Field box office or at the Indians' team shop.

Fans who make a deposit toward 2016 season tickets earn priority access to all postseason games in Cleveland. Those with 2015 season-ticket packages also have priority on postseason tickets and can purchase additional playoff seats prior to the public sale.

The Indians begin a three-game set at Target Field against Minnesota, another wild-card contender, on Tuesday evening.

* Seven questions facing the Tribe during the season's stretch run

Browns quarterback Josh McCown came close to being cleared last week and is optimistic it will happen this week. Coach Mike Pettine said he has one more step in the protocol. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Josh McCown came very close to passing his concussion tests last week and it looks promising for this week, a source told Northeast Ohio Media Group.

If McCown passes, he'll get strong consideration to start Sunday against the Raiders, according to the source. He can return to the practice field as early as Wednesday afternoon if he's cleared.

The Browns have also considered starting Johnny Manziel, who beat the Titans 28-14 on Sunday.

McCown was listed as the starter and Manziel the backup on the unofficial depth chart released by the team Tuesday, but coach Mike Pettine has repeatedly said the depth chart doesn't mean much in terms of the starting lineup on gameday.

He also told NFL Network Tuesday morning that McCown had another step to go in the concussion protocol, which was likely the exam by the independent neurologist.

That means McCown -- who was symptom-free last week according to the source --  likely passed one or both of his baseline tests administered by the Browns' specialist on Tuesday.

Last Friday, McCown came close to passing both of the baseline tests, a cognitive exam and a physical one, but failed one of them by a slight margin, the source said.

Later that day, Pettine said in his press conference, "when you have a setback, it resets the clock.''

McCown attended Sunday's victory over the Titans, during which Manziel threw touchdown passes of 60 and 50 yards to Travis Benjamin to earn his first career victory.

On Monday, Pettine made it clear that Manziel made the quarterback decision more difficult because of his spirited performance "and that's a good thing.'' He also lamented, however, that Manziel fumbled twice in the second half on sacks for the second straight week.

During his NFL Network interview on Tuesday morning, he said the club was comfortable with the plan after it's "what-if'' meeting on Monday night.

"Until Josh is cleared then to me that's information (on who the starter is) we don't really need to put out,'' said Pettine. "As a coach, we have enough issues dealing with what real circumstances we have. We've talked about it, we feel comfortable with where we are. We're going to talk to those guys today but we'll also find out where Josh is. He has another step in the protocol and we'll have a lot more information by the end of the day (Tuesday)."

Despite the Browns finding out more on Tuesday, an off day for the players, they had no plans to update the media until Wednesday when the team begins preparations for the Raiders.

But Pettine felt good after the meeting Monday night.

"It was a real positive conversation, a lot of good opinions,'' he said. "I think we're all on the same page, but the quarterbacks aren't in until later this afternoon. We'll go ahead and talk to them then, but it's still a hypothetical. Until Josh is cleared from the concussion protocol then we'll have to act accordingly."

He stressed Monday that seeing what their 2014 first-round pick can do would not be a factor.

"We're tasked with winning football games, and the decisions we make are what gives us the best opportunity to win this Sunday,'' said Pettine. "I know that on the outside those things get brought into it. And we've already seen circumstances have come about for us to get an evaluation of him. We're not going to use a season and look at it that way, and say 'hey we need to know.' We think over the natural course of events, we'll find out.''

During halftime of the Monday Night Football game on ESPN, Chris Mortensen stated that McCown would "likely'' start if he's cleared to play. That was certainly the plan last week, and there is plenty of sentiment for sticking with McCown, the uncontested starter throughout training camp.

Manziel's crowd-pleasing performance gave the Browns plenty to think about, but he completed only 8 of 15 attempts for 172 yards and was lucky that this teammates recovered the two fumbles.

According to profootballfocus.com, Manziel earned a -2.7 pass grade against the Titans, bringing his season grade to -6.9. The site reported that Manziel continues to struggle throwing to his left within 20 yards. In two outings, he's 1-for-7 for 17 yards and 1 INT with a combined -4.3. pass grade.

Manziel earned a 133.9 rating, but the fumbles don't factor into the rating. He lost the ball both times he was sacked -- a fact that will not be lost on the Raiders. All told, that's four fumbles on sacks the past two weeks, with two lost against the Jets.

"He just needs to be much more protective of the football,'' said Pettine, adding that he only had two hands on the ball on one of those four fumbles. "That can not become his flaw. We have to get that cleaned up. We were fortunate that we got them both back. The quarterback position, we've put the ball on the ground five times in two weeks. You're not going to be able to win consistently like that in this league.''

After completing his first four passes, Manziel hit a dry spell, going 3-for-10 for 22 yards before the 50-yard TD to Benjamin. They also got conservative in the second half to protect their 21-0 lead.

Meanwhile, the Browns were happy with McCown's 17-play, 90-yard drive in the opener before he lost the ball on his dive into the end zone, the play when he suffered the concussion. McCown, who has a much better command of the offense than Manziel, would likely be more consistent during the course of a game.

But Manziel, who displayed some of his Johnny Football flair, hasn't made the decision easy.

Here are some other excerpt from Pettine's NFL Network interview:

On McCown:

"Josh [McCown] has been outstanding. Anybody that knows him just knows how genuine he is, how truly passionate he is about football and about his teammates, and just wanting to win regardless of what his role is. That was a big part of our discussion when he came in for his free agent visit, that he wanted to not only be considered to be the quarterback but also that he wanted to mentor the young guys in the room. He's exceeded those expectations. It's like having another coach in the room. Kevin O'Connell the quarterbacks coach does an outstanding job. John DeFilippo, his background with quarterbacks is well documented. The dynamic in that room - I spent a lot of time in there - is outstanding."
 
On how Johnny Manziel has been on the practice field:
 
"He's been really good. He's been dialed in. He takes it from the meeting room to the walkthrough to the practice field and it showed up in the game. His big issue that he needs to work on is ball security; he's put the ball on the ground four times in two games and we have to get that cleaned up. He knows that. But to me, just very proud of him considering the ground that he's traveled since the spring. But when he's in the building he's been great. Practices hard and it shows up, just like we want all of our guys to do; we want to be able to take it from the meeting room to the practice field and make sure it makes it to the game."
 
On throwing the ball 15 times against the Titans:
 
"We're going to throw the number of times that it takes to win. I think when you look at successful teams, the teams that are throwing around 20-25 [times], I'm willing to bet that their record is pretty good. And that's obvious when you're running the ball when you get a lead so your attempts are going to be down. I just saw the formula really unfold on Sunday that we did a good job running the football which set up some of the throws. We could be a little more selective. We got a three-touchdown lead so we didn't want to throw it all over the lot. We wanted to make sure the clock was moving and that kind of stagnated us in the third quarter a little bit; I think we got a little predictable. But when they got to 21-14 and we had to make a throw at the end we were able to do it."
 
On if he expects this to be a breakout year for Travis Benjamin:
 
"It's certainly shaping up that way. Travis is a special guy. Anybody that knows him that's been around him just knows what high-character guy he is. He's going through a lot having torn the ACL two years ago and last year he struggled with his confidence on punt returns but still really started to evolve as a receiver; made some big plays for us last year and just had a tremendous offseason. You could tell he is fully back, so confident in the knee and it really showed up. He has elite speed; I think we all saw it on the punt return after he made the initial cut, just the ground that he ate up just to run through a bunch of angles. But it's great to have that type of speed on the field. In think it opens up a lot of things. There is always that threat to the defense that he's going to get behind them and I think it's going to force teams to maybe put a little more attention his way which might open some other things up."
 
On if Isaiah Crowell will get the primary carries or if the Browns will have a running back by committee:
 
"I'd probably lean a little bit towards saying it's a committee. Everything will be game planned, who is a better matchup for who we're playing. But I thought Cro responded this past Sunday. Bouncing back from the first game against the Jets where he knows he didn't play well and we didn't block well for him upfront. But the challenge to him was let's break some tackles, get your pads down and he responded. We challenged him all week, kept asking him how many tackles he was going to break and I don't know what the final count was but it was a bunch. He played really well and hopefully he's going to carry that confidence into this week."

The Tra'Von Chapman experiment is on hold as Akron head coach Terry Bowden turns to Tommy Wodson as his starting quarterback.

AKRON, Ohio -- Akron Zips football head coach Terry Bowden played no games this week with his quarterback carousel. He named sophomore Tommy Woodson the starter after Woodson came off the bench to lead the Zips to a resounding 52-9 victory over Savannah State last Saturday.

Woodson, from Pennsylvania, will take the Zips' (1-2) first snap on the road against Louisiana-Lafayette (1-1), a team that had a bye week to prep for Saturday's 7 p.m. contest.

"I think Tommy Woodson deserves to start,'' Bowden said. "I don't know if we're ready to make a decision on Kyle Pohl (head injury) yet. How the rotation plays out, we'll see.''

That means sophomore quarterback Tra'Von Chapman, who struggled while starting the first three games, will be the likely backup for the 6-1, 228-pound Woodson, who was 12-for 20 for 207 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception.

And Chapman (10-for-35, 157 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT for the season) could fall to third in line if senior Pohl is cleared by Wednesday. It would be a quick drop for Chapman, the hyped sophomore product of Kent Roosevelt who has fallen well short of expectations after first signing with Pitt, then transferring to Ashland and now with the Zips.

"Chapman is a competitor, he doesn't like it,'' Bowden said.

The Zips' MAC schedule, which does not include West Division powers Northern Illinois, Toledo or Western Michigan, is certainly manageable, starting with a homecoming game Oct. 3 vs. Ohio (3-0). But the Zips need to lock in on a quarterback.

"This is not the end of the story, it is where we are right now,'' Bowden said of his quarterback carousel. "I think you have to assume at some point it could be (settled). At some point, I want it to be."

With a strong performance against the Ragin' Cajuns, Woodson could be the man. That team won nine games last year and has gone to a bowl game four straight seasons, which Bowden is quick to point out.

"This is a very good program,'' he said. "Dad-gummit, that's where we want to be."

The Indians and Twins, starting Tuesday night, will play each other seven times in the next 10 days. Each team needs to win the majority of those games to have a shot at overtaking Houston for the second AL wild card.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Join beat writer Paul Hoynes for a live chat and updates as the Indians and Twins open a three-game series with wild-card implications Tuesday night at Target Field.

Game No. 149: Indians (74-74), Twins (76-73).

First pitch: 8:10 p.m. ET

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio, WTAM, WMMS

The Cavs hired Brandon Weems, close friend and former teammate of LeBron James with his own basketball resume, to scout college players.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers hired former St. Vincent-St. Mary standout and college basketball assistant coach Brandon Weems as a scout, a team source told Northeast Ohio Media Group.

Weems' hiring was first reported via Tweet from ESPN. He will scout college players for the Cavs, a source said. 

Weems is indeed a close friend and high-school teammate of LeBron James, but comes to the Cavs having served the last two seasons as an assistant at NCAA Div. I Oakland University in Michigan and before that at Drexel.

Perhaps most notably for Weems, he spent three seasons on John Calipari's staff at the University of Kentucky and was a part of the coaching staff that directed the Wildcats to an NCAA championship in 2012.

James calls Weems his "little brother," and attended Oakland games when the Cavs or Miami Heat where in town to play the Detroit Pistons.

LeBron James stands with Brandon Weems at a St. V championship game after both had graduated. Paul Vernon, Associated Press

According to a 2009 report from the Plain Dealer, Weems was hired as a graduate assistant by Calipari shortly after James visited the coach on Kentucky's campus in July of that year.

But Weems also has his own relationship with Cleveland's front office, dating back to his Kentucky days when current Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin was working for the Phoenix suns.

Weems played college ball at Walsh University in North Canton and was an All-American there, leading his school to an NAIA national title.

Former St. Edward forward Kipper Nichols was released from his scholarship to Tulane.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Former St. Edward boys basketball player Kipper Nichols was released from his scholarship on Monday, Tulane head coach Ed Conroy said in a release.

Tulane athletic director Rick Dickson said the team gave Nichols his release for personal and family reasons.

Nichols, a two-time cleveland.com All-Star selection and state champion in the 2013-14 season, committed to Tulane on Apr. 17. He was also considering Butler and Northwestern.

"This was a very hard decision to make, and I appreciate the overwhelming support from the entire staff and team during my family's time of need," Nichols said in the release. "My mother and I are both extremely grateful for the opportunity provided by coach Conroy, Tulane University's coaching staff and the team.

"I am also very thankful for Tulane's Athletic Director Mr. Rick Dickson, Ms. Caltha Seymour, Coach Anthony Wilkins, Coach Shammond Williams, Coach Quannas White and everyone that helped me while I was there. I enjoyed my time at Tulane University and I wish the staff and team the best of luck."

As a senior for the Eagles, Nichols averaged 18.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game to lead his team to the Division I state semifinals.

In the 2013-14 season when St. Edward won the Division I state championship, Nichols was named the Most Outstanding Player of the state tournament.

St. Edward coach Eric Flannery could not be reached for comment.

Danny Salazar will be looking to improve to 3-0 against the Twins this season when he faces them Tuesday night at Target Field.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Here are the lineups for Tuesday night's game between the Indians and Twins at Target Field.

INDIANS

2B Jason Kipnis.

SS Francisco Lindor.

LF Michael Brantley.

1B Carlos Santana.

RF Lonnie Chisenhall.

C Yan Gomes.

CF Abraham Almonte.

DH Chris Johnson.

3B Jose Ramirez.

RHP Danny Salazar, 13-8, 3.48.

TWINS

CF Aaron Hicks.

2B Brian Dozier.

1B Joe Mauer.

DH Miguel Sano.

3B Trevor Plouffe.

LF Eddie Rosario.

RF Torii Hunter.

C Kurt Suzuki.

SS Eduardo Escobar.

RHP Ervin Santana, 5-4, 4.55.

UMPIRES

H Tom Hallion, crew chief.

1B Dan Bellino.

2B Bruce Dreckman.

3B Alfonzo Marquez.

Manager Terry Francona met with Bauer before Tuesday's game against the Twins and told him he hasn't been "banished' to the bullpen. Bauer on his new role: "I'm fine. Tell me when to pitch and I'll pitch."

MINNEAPOLIS - Trevor Bauer is pitching out of the bullpen for the first time since his freshman year at UCLA.

"I started out as closer for like the first month of the season," said Bauer on Tuesday before the Indians opened a critical three-game series against the Twins at Target Field. "I saved my first (save opportunity) and blew my next four. Then they made me a starter."

Bauer has made one relief appearance since the Indians moved him to the bullpen on Sept. 16.

"It's fine," said Bauer. "Tell me when to pitch and I pitch. It's the same deal (as starting)."

When Corey Kluber rejoined the rotation for a Sept. 17 start against Kansas City after being sidelined with a strained right hamstring, the Indians didn't want to go with a six-man rotation. Bauer, 3-4 with a 7.54 ERA in his last eight starts, was moved to the bullpen.

Asked how he reacted to the news, Bauer (11-12, 4.69) said, "Tell me when to pitch and I'll pitch. That's how I approach everything. If this is what's best for the team to win, than that's what I'll do."

When manager Terry Francona made the move, he told Bauer that the organization still considers him a starter.

"When he does pitch, we want him to do well," said Francona. "The idea that we had (when the move was made) is that we had 17 or 18 games left and we are trying to win every game we can.

"We were pretty open with him about it. Our end-game goal is not to have him in the bullpen. He could very well start a game or two the rest of the year. We'll see how it goes."

The Indians went into Tuesday night's game 4.5 games out of the AL's second wild card spot. The Twins were three games out and the Angels 3.5 games out.

Bauer played catch with bullpen coach Jason Bere on Tuesday and threw a bullpen session. He also met with Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway.

"We spent some time with him today," said Francona. "Just because he's in the bullpen doesn't mean the season is lost. We're continually trying to work and get him feeling really good about things.

"I thought we had a good productive meeting today basically so he knows he's just not banished to the bullpen. That's not how we feel."

Asked if he felt the move to the pen was temporary and that the organization still sees him as a starter, Bauer said, "I think they see me however they're going to see me. Ultimately, we're trying to win games right now to make the playoffs. Whatever is best for the team is best for the team.

"I guess that's how it's going to be long term as well. Whatever is best for the team to win that's what's best for the team."

In his only relief appearance, Bauer pitched one scoreless inning Saturday night against the White Sox. Bauer has a long warm-up routine when he's starting, but Bere said he's had no trouble getting ready faster.

The Indians did let him know an inning ahead of time that he was going into the game.

"I can get ready," said Bauer. "I prefer to take my time getting ready, but tell me when to pitch and I'll pitch. Whether I pitch tonight in the second inning or tomorrow in the third. Three weeks from now in the 12^th inning ... whatever. Just tell me when to pitch."

Francona said Bauer's success begins with commanding his fastball.

"I think everything goes off of that," he said. "We've talked to him about ways to do that, even in his catch game. He doesn't shortchange you on work or effort.

"We want to make sure we're on the same page in everything he does. We had a good meeting today where we want to make sure that we're not just telling someone to do something. We need to get better, too. I thought he did a good job of talking about things that are important to him.

On the prowl: Francona on the pursuit of a wild-card spot with 14 games left, "It's stating the obvious, but we need to treat every game like it's a playoff game. It's kind of fun.

"I'd rather be in the lead, but we'll show up tonight and be really excited to play this game. The Twins are almost in the same situation, but they're a little ahead of us. We need to win every game we play, that's how we look at it."

Finally: The Indians are expected to add some players Wednesday after Class AAA Columbus plays Fresno for the Class AAA championship Tuesday night in El Paso, Texas. Columbus won the International League title and Fresno, Houston's top farm club, won the Pacific Coast League championship.

Michael Brantley injures right shoulder on attempted catch Tuesday night in the third inning against the Twins at Target Field.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Michael Brantley, one of the keys to the Indians second half surge left Tuesday night's game against the Twins after batting in the fourth inning with an injured right shoulder at Target Field.

Brantley injured his shoulder attempting to make a diving catch on Aaron Hicks' RBI triple in the third inning. Brantley momentarily had the ball, but lost it when he hit the warning track in left center field.

The Twins went on to score three runs in the inning.

Michael Martinez replaced Brantley in left field.

Check out high school highlights from Tuesday's action across Northeast Ohio.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here are high school sports highlights from Thursday. See below for information on how you team’s accomplishments can be recognized in these daily roundups.

FIELD HOCKEY

Hudson 8, Kent Roosevelt 0: Eight players scored goals for the Explorers, who peppered the Roosevelt goalkeeper with 26 shots. Katharine Murray, Erica Pinto and Eliza Green each had assists.

BOYS GOLF

Cleveland Heights 193, Brush 219

Fairview 189, Brooklyn 209: The Hurricanes got a 40 from Amanda Baker, but three Warriors shot 47 or better, led by Peter Butterfield's 45.

Padua 155, Holy Name 170: Ben Jones carded a 36 and Joe Onorato a 37 to lead the Bruins. Mitch Andrus was the low man for the Green Wave with a 39.

GIRLS GOLF

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 165, Padua 191, Beaumont 207: Avery Ovens shot a 38 to lead the Lions past the Bruins. Michaela Thomas fired a 40 for Padua. Erin Adams led Beaumont with a 43.

Westlake 183, North Olmsted 211: Emily Funkhauser's 41 led the way for the Demons.

BOYS SOCCER

Andrews Osborne 4, St. Martin de Porres 1

James Rhodes 4, John Hay 3

Open Door 3, Cuyahoga Heights 2: Christian Bell, Tyler Haas and Brad Novak scored goals for Open Door, which rallied for two in the second half for the win. Eric Holler and Mark Shafer scored for the Redskins.

GIRLS SOCCER

Cuyahoga Heights 6, Harvey 3: Brooke Wilson scored two goals and had an assist for the Redskins, while Lexi Martin added a goal and an assist.

Lake Ridge Academy 6, Sandusky 0: Yana Miller scored all six goals for Lake Ridge. Assists went to Maria Scarpitti, Maria Jansko, Allison Hamer, Jeannie Medwetz and Megan Wolff.

Lutheran West 2, Columbia 1: Abriana Rondin scored two second-half goals and Mackenzie Miles had four saves for the Longhorns.

GIRLS TENNIS

Chardon 4, Harvey 1: Lindsey Nichols of Chardon defeated Shania Huler of Harvey 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.

Geneva 5, Willoughby South 0: Amy Vaeckette defeated Angie Adams 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles for the Eagles.

Magnificat 4, Westlake 1

Medina 4, North Royalton 1: Becca Liebler of Medina defeated Alexa Baldari in three sets at No. 1 singles, 7-6 (7-2), 1-6, 6-2.

Saint Joseph Academy 5, Lakewood 0: Cassie Van Etten of St. Joseph Academy defeated Cari Northrop of Lakewood 6-4, 6-3 at No. 2 singles.

Shaker Heights 4, Twinsburg 1

VOLLEYBALL

Amherst 3, North Ridgeville 0: Ashley Makruski had 19 kills and London Voss added 34 assists as the Comets rolled in straight sets.

Columbia 3, Brooklyn 0

Holy Name 3, Parma 1: Green Wave hitter Kailee Cunningham had 15 kills and Carly Stepic dished out 26 assists.

Kenston 3, Willoughby South 1

Lutheran West 3, Oberlin 0

Mentor 3, Euclid 0: Rayjon Harris had 6 kills and Jessica Lisy added 5 for the Panthers in a losing effort.

Olmsted Falls 3, Westlake 0: Lexi Lombardo had 17 kills and 4 blocks, and Katie Edgington added 11 kills and 4 blocks for the Bulldogs.

Padua 3, Beaumont 0

Revere 3, Copley 0: Viktoria Farian had 7 aces for the Minutemen.

How your team can be included in these roundups

These roundups are based on box scores and game notes entered in cleveland.com’s database by school or team representatives. If your team is not participating in the box score program please contact your athletic director or coach and encourage them to do so. They can obtain instructions and database login information from High School Sports Manager Kristen Davis at kdavis@cleveland.com.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Ervin Santana allowed one run in seven innings and the Minnesota Twins benefitted from a butchered ball/strike call by plate umpire Tom Hallion en route to a 3-1 defeat of the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn. Tribe left fielder Michael Brantley exited in the middle innings because of a...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Ervin Santana allowed one run in seven innings and the Minnesota Twins benefitted from a butchered ball/strike call by plate umpire Tom Hallion en route to a 3-1 defeat of the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn. Tribe left fielder Michael Brantley exited in the middle innings because of a right-shoulder injury.

Here is a capsule look at the game after a DVR review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast:

Stuck in neutral: The Indians (74-75) are not playing like a team desperately seeking a playoff berth. Their past nine games have gone L-W-L-W-L-W-L-W-L.

Minnesota, a much more legitimate contender for the second AL wild card, improved to 77-73. 

Not this time: The Indians won their previous eight series openers.

Lights out: The Tribe lost primarily because of dominant pitching by Santana, Glen Perkins and closer Kevin Jepsen.

Santana gave up five hits, walked one and struck out seven in his fifth straight superb start. The Tribe had few answers for his slider (to righties) and changeup (to lefties).

Perkins stranded two runners in the eighth. Jepsen allowed a two-out double to Yan Gomes in the ninth, after which Abraham Almonte struck out.

Simply terrible: Salazar should have been nine up, nine down in 30 pitches. Instead, the third inning continued and the Twins scored three to make it 3-0.

Lefty Eduardo Escobar watched a full-count fastball (94 mph) zip to the inside corner below the belt. Salazar, Gomes and everybody watching thought it was strike three -- except plate umpire Tom Hallion. For reasons known only to Hallion, he called it a ball.

Fox SportsTime Ohio's K-box confirmed what the eyes had in real time: The pitch was 100 percent in the zone.

Fox SportsTime Ohio analyst Rick Manning said: "What is wrong with that? I would like to know.''

Fox SportsTime Ohio play-by-play voice Matt Underwood said: "It's got the plate.''

Manning said: "And it wasn't high. That's got to be a strike.''

In the top of the first, Hallion punched out Carlos Santana on a 3-2 breaking pitch that Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki received just above the ground. Santana -- and Suzuki -- thought it was ball four.

Fox SportsTime Ohio finally showed the K-box for Santana's "strikeout.'' Somehow, the top of the ball barely clipped the lowest part of the zone on the inside corner.

Whereas the pitch to Santana could be considered borderline, though, the pitch to Escobar could not.     

Underwood said: "Salazar's pitch is a strike. Period.''

Lefty Aaron Hicks sent a 3-1 fastball to left-center, where Brantley dived and almost made the catch. The ball rolled away from Brantley for an RBI triple. (Brantley jammed his right shoulder on the dive and exited the game after his next at-bat. Michael Martinez replaced him.)

Right-handed batter Brian Dozier, in a 1-2 count, ripped a fastball near the letters to left-center for an RBI hustle double.

Dozier, who had been struggling, hunts fastballs above the belt. And Dozier has been successful against Salazar's fastballs in previous meetings.   

Manning said: "You can't throw that guy a high fastball. This guy is a dead-high-fastball hitter.''

Lefty Joe Mauer, down in the count, 1-2, worked it to 2-2. He served a changeup on the outside corner at the thighs to left-center for an RBI hustle double. For Mauer and his opposite-field approach, a changeup above the knees on the outer half amounts to stealing.

Incredibly, the Twins notched three straight extra-base hits without any of the balls getting to the track on the fly or to the wall on the ground.

Miguel Sano walked.

Trevor Plouffe grounded sharply into the hole at short for what seemed destined to be an RBI single and 4-0 lead for the Twins. But Tribe shortstop Francisco Lindor made a diving pick and erased Plouffe by the length of a cleat.

Plouffe's grounder came on Salazar's 56th pitch of the game.

Yes, Salazar ultimately is responsible for the hits by Hicks, Dozier and Mauer. Yes, Salazar needed to execute his pitches better, especially given that he had Dozier and Mauer in 1-2 counts at one point in the ABs. Regardless, Hallion's brain cramp must not be glossed over.

Hallion is not the sole reason the Tribe lost. The Twins deserved to win. But Salazar should have been out of the third inning in a scoreless game. He might as well have allowed three unearned runs charged to Hallion.

One of these days, hopefully sooner than later, MLB will use a computerized strike zone to eliminate the type of brutal call Hallion made in the third inning.

But wait. There's more.

With Twins on first and third and none out in the seventh, Tribe reliever Jeff Manship threw a full-count fastball to Mauer that was over the plate and scraped the knees.  Hallion called it a ball.

K-box showed the pitch to be higher than the one to Santana.

Incredibly, Manship escaped the bases-loaded, none-out jam by striking out Sano (swinging) and Plouffe (looking) and getting Eddie Rosario to pop to first.

Michael Brantley declines to talk to reporters about his injury until Wednesday when he has more information. Watch video

MINNEAPOLIS -- Left fielder Michael Brantley was in the locker room after the Indians 3-1 loss to the Twins on Tuesday night, but told a team spokesman that he didn't want to talk to reporters about his injured right shoulder until Wednesday when he had more information.

Brantley left the game in the game in the fourth inning after grounding out to shortstop. In the third inning, he injured the shoulder on a diving attempt to catch a triple by Aaron Hicks that scored the Twins first run.

"On the play where he dove in left field he jammed his shoulder," said manager Terry Francona. "It was hard for him to get extended when he was hitting. So we got him him and got him iced. 

"He's already talking about playing tomorrow. We'll see. We'll see how he shows up at the park."

It has been a trying year for Brantley. He dealt with back problems in spring training and throughout much of the first half. In mid-August, he was given a few days off because of a sore left (throwing) shoulder.

Now he's injured his right shoulder.

Brantley, however, has produced through the pain. He's hitting .314 (164-for-523) with 45 doubles, 15 homers and 84 RBI. Brantley has scored 68 runs and stolen 14 bases in 15 attempts.

With just 13 games left in the season, and the Indians trying to run down the second wild card spot, this would not be a good time to lose Brantley. The Indians will play the Twins six more times in the next nine days and Brantley is hitting .395 (15-for-39) with one homer and seven RBI against them.

Houston owns the second wild card spot, but the Angels are two games out and the Twins 2 1/2. The Indians are 4 1/2 out.

Utility man Michael Martinez,  a switch-hitter, replaced Brantley in left field. Francona could have gone with Jerry Sands, Mike Aviles or Ryan Raburn, but he wanted a left-hander to face Twins right-hander Ervin Santana.

"He's a switch hitter and we didn't have a left-hander on the bench," said Francona. "I felt like he can catch the ball as good as anybody out there and if we wanted to pinch-hit a right-hander we could. But have a switch-hitter was probably our best best."

In the eighth, with two out and runners on second and third, Martinez hit a hard grounder behind second, but second baseman Brian Dozier turned it into the third out.

"He squared that ball up," said Francona.

Danny Salazar gave up three runs in the third inning Tuesday night, while Twins right-hander Ervin Santana held the Indians to one run in seven innings.

MINNEAPOLIS - The first of seven games between the Indians and Twins over the next 10 days, each one dripping with wild card implications, did not go well for manager Terry Franona's team on Tuesday night at Progressive Field.

Ervin Santana, who entered the game 3-10 lifetime against the Indians, stymied them for seven innings as the Twins used a three-run third inning to key a 3-1 victory.

The Indians not only lost the game, but they watched left fielder Michael Brantley leave in the fourth inning with an injured right shoulder.

Brantley was injured trying to catch Aaron Hicks' RBI triple in the third inning. Brantley ran the ball down in left center field, dove and momentarily had the ball before losing control when he hit the ground. Brantley batted in the fourth before leaving the game.

Michael Martinez replaced him in left field.

The Twins took a 3-0 lead against Tribe starter Danny Salazar in the third. All three runs scored after Salazar retired the first two batters in the inning.

The trouble started when Salazar walked Eduardo Escobar, the No.9 hitter, on a disputed 3-2 pitch. Salazar thought it was strike three, but plate umpire Tom Hallion called it ball four.

Hicks followed with his triple to left center for a 1-0 lead. Brian Dozier, who entered the game hitting .533 (8-for-15) against Salazar, doubled to left to make it 2-0. Joe Mauer followed with a double to left for the third run.

After Miguel Sano walked, rookie shortstop Francisco Lindor bailed Salazar out of further danger with a great stop and throw against Trevor Plouffe to end the inning.

The Indians scored their only run in the fifth. Following a Yan Gomes double to start the inning, Gomes moved to third on Abraham Almonte's grounder to second. Chris Johnson, with the infield playing back and conceding the run, struck out, but Jose Ramirez picked him up.

Ramirez sent a sharp grounder to first that Mauer didn't handle cleanly. Gomes scored and Ramirez went to second on the error after being credited with a hit and RBI.

The Indians missed a great chance to tie the game when Johnson and Ramirez singled to start the eighth. Closer Glen Perkins entered and Jason Kipnis, on a call from the bench, advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt.

Perkins retired Lindor on fly to right that wasn't deep enough to score pinch-runner Mike Aviles. Martinez then grounded out sharply behind second base to Dozier to end the threat.

Kevin Jepsen pitched the ninth for his 13th save.

Salazar, who entered the game 2-0 against the Twins this season, allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings. Salazar (13-9, 3.51) struck out four and walked three.

Santana (6-4, 4.31) allowed one run on five hits in seven innings. In his only other start against the Indians this year, he allowed eight runs in 2 1/3 innings.

What it means

The Indians (74-75) failed to climb above .500 for the sixth time in the last 11 games. They are 5-8 against the Twins this year and 2-5 at Target Field.

The Twins (77-73) improved to 3-5 on this 10-game homestand.

With the Angels beating Houston on Tuesday night, the Indians remained 4 1/2 games behind the Houston for the second wild-card spot. The Angels closed to two games and the Twins to 2 1/2. 

Tuesday's loss dropped the Indians tragic number to be eliminated in the AL Central race to one. Their tragic number to be eliminated in the wild card is eight.

Slapping leather.

Lindor stole a hit from Plouffe to end the third inning. Lindor made a diving stop, popped up and bounced a throw to first that just beat Plouffe to the bag.

Magic man

The final score score could have been worse if not for Jeff Manship channeling Harry Houdini.

Manship, facing one of his old teams, relieved Salazar to start seventh and immediately loaded the bases as Hicks doubled, Dozier singled and Mauer walked. Manship regrouped and retired the next three batters.

What's next?

RHP Corey Kluber (8-14, 3.44) will make his second start Wednesday night since being sidelined with a strained right hamstring. He did not pitch from Aug. 30 through Sept. 16. Kluber is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in three starts against the Twins this season.

RHP Phil Hughes (10-9, 4.58) will start for the Twins. Hughes was on the disabled list from Aug. 14 through Sept. 15 with lower back pain. First pitch is 8:10 p.m. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS will carry the game.

Browns wide receiver and punt returner also calls winning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week 'a blessing.' Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The photo told the story.

Travis Benjamin, right before halftime, is hurdling over Tennessee punter Brett Kern on his way to the end zone, just one of the 11 Titans special teamers he left in his wake. Benjamin was rewarded for his effort on Wednesday when he was named the AFC's Special Teams Player of the Week.

"It's a blessing," Benjamin said on Wednesday after practice. "I think it's my third one since I've been here. So just a compliment to me and appreciate those 10 guys on the punt return blocking for me and leading my way home."

Benjamin returned that punt 78 yards for a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Titans and totaled 154 return yards, the third-most in a single game for a Brown. He is now tied for second for the most punt-return touchdowns in franchise history. It's a sharp turnaround for a player who briefly lost the job a season ago on a team that had to resort to designated punt catcher Jim Leonhard.

"I didn't get to practice well (last season)," Benjamin said, "because being hurt, being out, missing those reps, missing those practices that I was out. But this year I'm ready to go."

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin leaps over Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern during his punt return for a touchdown.John Kuntz, Northeast Ohio Media Group 

Benjamin missed most of 2013 with a torn ACL, suffered during a kick return in a loss to Kansas City. Benjamin returned last season and appeared in all 16 games. He managed 8.5 yards per return with a long of just 37.

"I feel way different (this year)," Benjamin said. "I feel faster. I feel like it's no relapse into what I have to do. I feel so much faster this year.

"I did mostly running (in the off-season) because last year I was rehabbing, so this year I got a chance to run more."

Benjamin appears to have taken a step forward as a receiver, too, a year after catching 18 passes. He's one-third of the way to that total and has matched his 2014 touchdown total with three already this season.

"I always felt like I can change the game each and every time on the field," Benjamin said when asked if he knew he had it in him to be a big-play receiver. "I can be that playmaker that can take over a game because my speed and my ability to get open."

Benjamin said that, even though it's been four years since he last ran the 40-yard dash, he believes his time would be "probably 4.2 (seconds), low 4.3."

Is he the fastest player in the league?

"I would say so," Benjamin said. "You've never seen a player just put speed on tape each and every time."

Benjamin's timing for his scorching start couldn't be better. He's in the final year of his 4-year, $2.577 million rookie contract. If he continues playing well, he stands to get a hefty raise to his $660,000 base salary.