As the baseball postseason starts its long, chilly journey into Bud Selig’s November, I’m going to ask America a favor — not a big one — in regard to the American League playoffs: Root for the Tampa Bay Rays. Root against the New York Yankees.

Associated PressB.J. Upton, right, and his Tampa Bay Rays teammates should be cheered on by all baseball fans outside of the New York City area.

As the baseball postseason starts its long, chilly journey into Bud Selig’s November, I’m going to ask America a favor — not a big one — in regard to the American League playoffs:

Root for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Root against the New York Yankees.

(I don’t mean to slight Minnesota and Texas, but the division-rival Rays and Yankees might be baseball’s two best teams, plus the Twins and the Rangers both deserted my once beloved, now beleaguered hometown of Washington, D.C., leaving the nation’s taxation-without- representation capital with the perpetually woebegone Nationals.)

Now, I have never been to Tampa Bay and I don’t know anyone who lives in Tampa Bay. I couldn’t find Tampa Bay on a map if you gave me a map of Tampa Bay, and the newspaper there has never run my column. So, trust me, I have no spiritual affinity for Tampa Bay.

(Incidentally, the team doesn’t even play in Tampa — the stadium is in St. Petersburg, another town with a newspaper that’s never run my column. The entire state, in fact, rejects Couch Slouch. Go figure. Florida is brimming with my core demographic — people who still read newspapers — and I can’t reach a single one of those captive retirees.)

On the other hand, since 2006 I have lived in New York City three months a year. Alas, the 25 percent New Yorker in me grows weary of the 75 percent of my fellow Manhattanites whose world view is defined by the Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Knicks, Nets, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, WFAN and that dog that won’t stop barking in the next apartment.

(If I hear one more subway dissertation on what’s wrong with Javier Vazquez, I’m going to marry the Statue of Liberty and return her to France.)

At the moment, the Yankees have 27 World Series titles and the Rays none. No one outside of New York and New Jersey will care if, in another month, the count is 27 to 1.

Anyway, Rays vs. Yankees is Bambi vs. Godzilla, minus Godzilla’s charm.

The Yankees have three bonafide Hall of Famers in Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera, plus four others on the roster — CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mark Teixeira — conceivably could get there. The Rays have a middle reliever whose uncle once drove past Cooperstown on a family vacation.

The Yankees have a $210 million player bankroll; they even have a line item in their budget for Jeter’s acting coach. The Rays’ payroll is $76 million — that doesn’t even cover the Yankees’ infield costs — and because of a recent budget cutback, the team travels without a designated hitter.

The new Yankee Stadium cost $1.6 billion. Tropicana Field was largely funded through double coupons.

There have been Broadway musicals and network documentaries about the Yankees. I’m not sure Rays games are even televised.

New York is the media capital of the world. Tampa Bay, I believe, has a town crier.

(By the way, New York also has the best food in the nation, but the Tampa-St. Pete area has 24 Chili’s and 24 Applebee’s, which means there’s some good eatin’ in almost every neighborhood.)

While the Big Apple is overripe with sports devotion, Tampa has a healthier daily routine. I like that most Tampa residents ignore the Rays. In their final 15 home games of the season, they had six crowds under 18,000. None of the September home games against the Yankees drew 30,000, and the final homestand of the year included a crowd of 12,446.

(Why fight traffic to Tropicana Field to watch the Rays when you can drink some Tropicana at home and watch “Glee” at a fraction of the cost?)

So, please, America, let’s rally ’round the team with no fans and no titles.

Frankly, I’d move to Tampa Bay tomorrow, but I fear I’d run into too many New Yorkers.

Ask The Slouch!

Q: Since the Mayan calendar sets us up for an apocalyptic ending on Dec. 21, 2012, do you think the Evil Powers have already hired Tim McCarver as color commentator, just to make it that much worse? — Les Utz, Frederick, Md.

A: They wanted McCarver, but he couldn’t commit in case the 2012 World Series is still in progress.

Q: Why doesn’t the NFL referee announce the offending official’s number when a blown call is reversed via instant replay? Then scorn and shame can be heaped upon him. — Michael LaRoche, Indianapolis

A: I believe you are ahead of your time. It shall come. Q: Do you think the pending legislation on embryonic stem cells will inhibit USC’s program for in vitro recruiting? — Dean Runkle, Herndon, Va.

A: Pay the man, Shirley.

Q: Just wondering—when I’ve been married for a total of 10 years, and five to the same woman, does that give me the right to veto any trade? — Andrew Salomon, Brooklyn, N.Y.

A: Pay the (marrying) man, Shirley.

You, too, can enter the $1.25 Ask The Slouch Cash Giveaway. Just e-mail asktheslouch@aol.com and, if your question is used, you win $1.25 in cash!

Norman Chad is a freelance writer in Los Angeles

Penalties, especially in the second half, have hurt the Cleveland Browns this season. T.J. Ward's personal foul against receiver Jordan Shipley in the endzone in the second half on Sunday was one of penalties that usually hurt the Browns. But not this time, writes Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour. In their first three games, writes Ridenour, the Browns led in the...

John Kuntz/The Plain DealerCleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis

Penalties, especially in the second half, have hurt the Cleveland Browns this season. T.J. Ward's personal foul against receiver Jordan Shipley in the endzone in the second half on Sunday was one of penalties that usually hurt the Browns.

But not this time, writes Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour.

In their first three games, writes Ridenour, the Browns led in the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Baltimore, but penalties and turnovers cost them.

It was turning into a here-we-go-again against the Bengals, but the Browns held on.

''It was in the back of everybody's head we'd been leading every fourth quarter,'' left tackle Joe Thomas admitted afterward. ''But at the same time there was a lot of determination out there. A lot of people who said 'This is not going to happen again, we're going to put it on our shoulders, especially on the offense. This is on our shoulders, we're going to win this game and not make the defense go out there any more.' ''

Browns linebacker David Bowens said the coaches' point of emphasis last week was to finish.

Good and bad

ESPN's James Walker writes about his likes and dislikes when it comes to the Bengals and Browns game.

Walker liked how hard the Browns have played, and how hard Peyton Hillis has run over the past two weeks.

It was a much-needed first win of the season for the Browns (1-3). Things were getting antsy in Cleveland after playing tough but blowing three straight fourth-quarter leads. A win provides some confidence and optimism that the Browns at least have a chance to turn things around.

 

 

 

Defense steps up

Kenyon Coleman didn't think he was going to play on Sunday. He healed just in time, thanks to the prayers from teammate Brian Schaefering. Stephanie Storm writes on Ohio.com:

In an effort to help Coleman, fellow defensive lineman Brian Schaefering prayed for him. Then when Coleman went to the Browns' facility Saturday to work out, he felt good enough to run.

''I'm just going to be real,'' Coleman said. ''My teammate prayed for me and that's when it turned around. You can't tell me that didn't happen, because even I didn't think I was going to play. Twenty-four hours ago, I was a scratch. So there's no doubt in my mind [it was a miraculous healing].''

 Coleman finished with a sack and two fumble recoveries. He played so well that coach Eric Mangini cracked  how Coleman (who didn't practice last week) will probably want to miss practice all this week.

Crying foul

The Cincinnati media is crying foul following the Browns' victory over the Bungals Bengals. Cincinnati.com reporter Chick Ludwig questions a late call and he hopes T.J. Ward gets punished for his punishing hit on Jordan Shipley.

It was a phantom flag at Cleveland’s 12-yard line that helped the Browns burn the final 4:41 off the clock and seal their 23-20 victory over the Bengals on Sunday.

Ward got hit with a personal foul — half the distance to the goal line. He should’ve been thrown out of the game. Here’s hoping the league fines and suspends Ward for his classless act.

The Indians lose to end the season. Everybody who's surprised, raise your hands.

View full sizeAssociated PressLuke Carlin gets a handshake from third-base coach Steve Smith after hitting a home run in the Indians last game of the 2010 season, a 6-5 loss to Chicago on Sunday.

Join us for the a live Browns chat today with The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi. Is Peyton Hillis the team's new No. 1 running back? Can the Browns build off this win heading into a tough stretch of games before the bye? We'll get into all of that with Tony at noon.

Chat live with Tony Grossi today at noon.

Join us for the a live Browns chat today at noon with The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi.

Is Peyton Hillis the team's new No. 1 running back? Can the Browns build off this win heading into a tough stretch of games before the bye? We'll get into all of that with Tony at noon.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Tony's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

The Indians have announced several front office moves.

 

Chuck Crow | The Plain DealerChris Antonetti official takes over as the Indians' general manager today, one of several front office moves the club announced.

CLEVELAND -- The Indians front office got a makeover Monday.

Along with the previously announced promotion of Mark Shapiro to Club President and Chris Antonetti to Executive Vice President, General Manager, the Indians announced several other front office promotions.

Mike Chernoff has been named Assistant General Manager, where he will continue to oversee the club's professional scouting and baseball analytics and will also be involved in all aspects of Baseball Operations, primarily assisting Antonetti in player acquisitions, contract negotiations and the day-to-day operations of the department. He has been with the team for seven seasons and has been Director of Baseball Operations since 2007.

John Mirabelli has been promoted to Vice President, Scouting Operations, after serving 11 years overseeing the Scouting Operations and nine years as Assistant General Manager.

Ross Atkins has been named Vice President, Player Development. He is in his 15th season with the Indians and his fourth as Director of Player Development.

Andrew Miller has been named Assistant to the President. He has been a member of the Baseball Operations Department since 2006 and since November of 2008 has been in the role of Assistant Director, Baseball Operations. As Assistant to the President under Shapiro, Miller will play a key role in strategic planning in all areas related to business, brand and Progressive Field strategy and development, in addition to advising Baseball Operations on decision-making and strategic planning.

 

PD reporter says safety's hit wasn't a cheap shot, and he shouldn't be gun-shy about delivering hard hits in the future.

T.J. Ward might be fined for this hit Sunday against the Bengals, but Dennis Manoloff says he shouldn't let that stop him from being a physical presence in the future.

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.

Let's go to the highlights:

• The Browns earned a hard-fought win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Which player do you think was the Browns' MVP in the game? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.

• Today's guest, Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff, says that after watching the game again last night, he thinks this is the most physical team the Browns have had in years. He also says T.J. Ward's hit was not a cheap shot, and that even if he is fined for it this week, he shouldn't be gun-shy about putting big hits on opposing receivers. DMan says the Browns need to keep that physical edge.

He also talks about how he likes the way the Browns' offense plays with Seneca Wallace at the helm.

SBTV will return Tuesday with Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes breaking down the baseball playoffs. Don't forget to play our You Pick the Winners Contest where you can outpick Chuck and Branson Wright each week and earn an appearance on SBTV, a $25 gas card and a chance at a $250 gift card.

Europe reclaims the Ryder Cup in dramatic final-match win by Graem McDowell.

View full sizeAssociated PressGraeme McDowell's victory in the 12th and final match of the tournament won the Ryder Cup for the host team from Europe, 141/2-131/2.

Newport, Wales -- Europe reclaimed the Ryder Cup, winning a thriller that went down to the final singles match Monday.

The Americans rallied from a three-point deficit to tie the score, bringing the title down to the 12th match. But U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell made a clutch birdie putt at the 16th and was conceded his par putt at No. 17. Hunter Mahan flubbed a chip shot, then missed a last-gasp putt from off the green to save par.

The Europeans won 141/2-131/2 to reclaim the cup won by the Americans at Valhalla two years ago. This was the closest Ryder Cup since 1999, when the Americans rallied from a 10-6 deficit at Brookline for a one-point win.

The youngest American, 21-year-old Rickie Fowler, gave the visiting team hope of pulling off an improbable comeback when he won the final three holes to halve his match with Edoardo Molinari. Fowler rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt at the 17th to extend the match, then made an 18-footer at the final hole to stun the Italian.

A few minutes later, Zach Johnson finished off a 3-and-2 win over Padraig Harrington, evening the score at 131/2.

That brought it down to McDowell vs. Mahan.

The Northern Irishman was 3 up with seven holes left. But he made a bogey at No. 12, and an errant tee shot at the 15th, a short par-4, handed Mahan another hole.

With Fowler's half-point, Mahan merely had to halve his match for a 14-14 tie that would've kept the trophy in American hands.

But McDowell rolled in a slick, downhill putt from 15 feet at No. 16 for a brilliant birdie at one of the toughest holes on the course. When Mahan made a mess of the 17th, the winner didn't even have to bother with his final putt.

"The U.S. Open felt like a back nine with my dad back at Portrush (his home course in Northern Ireland) compared to this," McDowell said. "I was nervous. Wow! It's a different feeling. It's just so much pressure."

The decision to have McDowell in the anchor spot worked brilliantly for captain Colin Montgomerie.

"There was a reason why he was put there," Ian Poulter said. "He's the U.S. Open champion. He pulled it off."

McDowell was engulfed by his teammates on the 17th green, but perhaps the biggest cheers were reserved for Monty. One of Europe's greatest Ryder Cup players, he now has a win leading the team in what he called the highlight of his career before the event even started.

The Europeans then set off on a victory lap back to the clubhouse behind the 18th hole, where they sprayed the fans with champagne from a second-floor balcony, serenaded by chants of "Ole! Ole! Ole!"

"I didn't hit a shot, so it wasn't much of an achievement," Montgomerie said. "But at the same time, it's a proud, proud moment."

It was anything but that for the Americans.

"We came close," U.S. captain Corey Pavin said, "but we didn't quite get there."

The Europeans were inspired by a conference call with ailing Seve Ballesteros earlier in the week, and the guy who helped end American dominance in the Ryder Cup was on everyone's minds after another European victory. Ballesteros is battling brain cancer and wasn't well enough to travel to Celtic Manor.

"Seve is at home watching this because he can't be with us right now," Poulter said. "Every player out there knew what he meant to European golf. We know what this means to him. We brought this trophy back. It's a special day."

"I hope he's proud of us," added Sergio Garcia, who didn't make the European team but served as an assistant captain. "It meant so much for him to call us earlier in the week."

The singles were played on a warm, sunny day -- a striking contrast to the previous three days at Celtic Manor. Torrential rain and two long delays forced the first Monday finish in the 83-year history of the event.

It was worth the wait.

The Europeans got off to a strong start in singles, but Pavin backloaded his lineup in hopes of rallying at the end. It almost worked.

Tiger Woods played in the eighth spot and routed Francesco Molinari 4 and 3, even after losing the first two holes. The world's top-ranked player finally looked like it, holing out from the fairway at No. 12 for eagle and playing 15 holes at 9 under.

Phil Mickelson, who lost all three of his team matches, played in the 10th spot and beat Peter Hanson 4 and 2.

But the Europeans put up just enough points to reclaim Samuel Ryder's gold chalice. Poulter, Luke Donald and 46-year-old Miguel Angel Jimenez -- the oldest player at this Ryder Cup -- won their matches. Rory McIlroy pulled out a crucial half-point against Stewart Cink, whose putter went ice cold down the stretch.

Then at the end, McDowell clinched it, adding to a brilliant year that already featured his first career major title at Pebble Beach over the summer.

"No regrets at all," Pavin said. "I'm quite content with everything -- except maybe the result."

Looking back, the U.S. will know that it ruined a chance to win in Europe for the first time since 1993 with its performance on Sunday.

In the last six team matches, Europe won five and halved the other to take command of the match, bringing a daunting three-point lead into the singles. The U.S. won every other session in the event: the opening fourballs, the first six alternate-shot matches, and finally the singles.

It wasn't quite enough.

Should this team just keep riding Peyton Hillis? Will Jake Delhomme start on Sunday if he's healthy? Tony Grossi tackled those questions and more in his weekly chat today

Chat live with Tony Grossi every Monday at noon.

Should this team just keep riding Peyton Hillis? Will Jake Delhomme start on Sunday if he's healthy?

Tony Grossi tackled those questions and more in his weekly chat today on cleveland.com.

Among the other topics discussed:

- Was T.J. Ward's hit dirty? Is that hard-hitting attitude refreshing to see on this team?

- What's going on with Mohammed Massaquoi? Is it him or the quarterback?

- What happens with Jerome Harrison moving forward?

- Was the playcalling better this week than in the first three games?

Cavs get off easy with coach Byron Scott's definition of a "light" workout.

View full sizeAP FileCavs coach Byron Scott said he took it easy on his new team on Sunday, limiting practice to about two hours.

Byron Scott went easy on the Cavaliers on Sunday. They worked on some defense, scrimmaged for a bit, shot free throws and went home to watch football. All told, it was about a two-hour practice.

''I guess you can equate this to their day off,'' he joked.

Scott came to Cleveland with the reputation of running physical, demanding training camps. He has lived up to the image.

The players haven't gotten a day off yet and there doesn't seem to be one coming in the near future. His reasoning is simple — this isn't a veteran team that knows his system. The Cavs' first preseason game is Tuesday night (against the Bobcats at The Q at 7 p.m.) and the season begins in about three weeks, but the players are still trying to learn his offense.

''I want them to be in the gym every day,'' Scott said. ''Especially at this stage of what we're trying to learn and teach. Every day is a work day and benefits us as a basketball team. There's other teams that have guys that have been together for years. They can take days off. We haven't. We have to make sure that we use every day to the best of our ability.''

Ohio Stae coach Jim Tressel is rare when it comes to coaches, and not just because he wears a sweater vest. Tressel is rare, writes Wall Street Journal reporter Hannah Karp, because he is the only college football coach that teachs an academic class  ---- during the football season. The Wall Street Journal captures a typical academic (not coaching) day for...

Marvin Fong/ The Plain DealerCoach Jim Tressel

Ohio Stae coach Jim Tressel is rare when it comes to coaches, and not just because he wears a sweater vest.

Tressel is rare, writes Wall Street Journal reporter Hannah Karp, because he is the only college football coach that teachs an academic class  ---- during the football season.

The Wall Street Journal captures a typical academic (not coaching) day for Tressel. Which includes a class of 49 students. He teaches them the art of coaching.

And the Wall Street Journal was impressed.

But Mr. Tressel's performance in the classroom, a place where few top coaches dare to venture these days, is downright riveting, and there's a growing number of students on the waiting list to prove it. "He's a legend," whispered senior Tim Weaver, an actuarial-science major from Canton, Ohio, sitting in a desk at the back of the class last week.

And just because it's a football class taught by a coach, it isn't easy.

In addition to frequent pop quizzes on the weekend's key plays and a midterm heavy on the history of football, students must observe practices at local high schools and at OSU and prepare scouting reports on offense, kicking, defense and personnel. They must also design a ninth-grade-level training program for players of a position of their choosing, with a suggested five-week drill progression.

Two years ago, Buckeyes offensive lineman Connor Smith says he got a B in part because on the midterm he forgot the two things a quarterback must do besides "not turning over the ball." (Those are making great decisions and big plays,).

 

 

Monday morning quarterback

The Columbus Dispatch has a breakdown on what was good and bad about Saturday's victory over Illinois.

The defense was impressive, writes reporter Tim May, and as defensive end Nathan Williams put it, when Terrelle Pryor limped off for a while, the defense had to step up and save the day.

It was gashed a couple of times by the Illini and their talented redshirt-freshman QB Nathan Scheelhaase, but in the second half OSU - playing without its cannonball Tyler Moeller - gave up only three points. The bottom line is the only thing that truly matters. 

May didn't particularly like the job done by the offensive line. He writes that it took OSU too long to make blocking adjustments against an Illinois defensive line that did what it always does: slant, angle and befuddle.

Just like Purdue's defensive front, the Illini almost always make the OSU line look like a bunch of fellows who just started playing together. One man missing a block is akin to one singer being flat in a barbershop quartet. The harmony is horrendous.

Browns coach Eric Mangini said T.J. Ward, who's been accused of taking a cheapshot at rookie Jordan Shipley, is not a dirty player.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerBrowns safety T.J. Ward knocked Cincinnati's Jordan Shipley out of the game with this fourth-quarter hit that resulted in a roughness penalty. Eric Wright (right) had initially broken up a pass intended for Shipley before Ward arrived.

CLEVELAND -- Browns coach Eric Mangini said today "T.J. Ward is not a dirty player. He's an aggressive player and that's what you love about him.''

But he said he wants his rookie safety to play within the rules and not hit a defenseless player in the head. Ward hit rookie receiver Jordan Shipley helmet-to-helmet in the end zone of Sunday's 23-20 victory over the Bengals. Shipley left the game with a concussion and did not return.

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer and receiver Terrell Owens both accused Ward of taking a cheap shot at Shipley. Both yelled at Ward after the game, and he said he ignored them. He said he thought it was a clean hit and "I would do it again.''

Mangini said Ward didn't get away with anything because he was flagged and the Browns gave up a touchdown on the next play -- one that could've helped cost them the game.

Mangini said he doesn't want to take away Ward's aggressiveness, just for him to play within the rules. He said Ward can expect to receive a fine letter from the NFL later this week.

"Will this team be any better next year with all of these promotions? Not likely. Sounds to me like they should have all been fired, not promoted." - hotbod

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerWins were hard to come by for the Indians during Mark Shapiro's tenure as GM.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians announce front office moves, cleveland.com reader hotbod doesn't think the team's performance on the field merits promotions. This reader writes,

"Will this team be any better next year with all of these promotions? Not likely. Sounds to me like they should have all been fired, not promoted."

"The Squeelers and Rat Birds have been hitting hard for years. It's about time the Browns step up." - SonHouse

View full sizeThe Plain DealerIt hasn't taken long for T.J. Ward to become a favorite among Browns fans.

In response to the story T.J. Ward's hit just one example of how physical these Cleveland Browns are, says Dennis Manoloff (SBTV), cleveland.com reader SonHouse is glad to see the Browns playing physical. This reader writes,

"The Squeelers and Rat Birds have been hitting hard for years. It's about time the Browns step up."

The four-week suspensions of Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Santonio Holmes are over.

View full sizeAP FilePittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Santonio Holmes finished their four-week suspensions and returned to work at the Steelers' facility. The first game either can play will be against the Browns in two weeks because the Steelers have a bye this week.

Pittsburgh -- Ben Roethlisberger learned something during his four-week suspension: He's a lousy spectator.

Roethlisberger says he never got comfortable watching the Pittsburgh Steelers play during his absence, even though they went 3-1 without the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

He returned to their practice facility Monday, where offensive coordinator Bruce Arians already had drawn-up plays waiting for him to review. Roethlisberger attended a team meeting in advance of Tuesday's practice, his first since training camp.

Roethlisberger will have two full weeks of work before the Steelers play Cleveland on Oct. 17. He wishes the Steelers had a game this weekend -- instead, it's their bye week --because he misses playing.

NFL fines Cecil after TV cameras caught him using his right hand to make the gesture when officials flagged his defense for an infraction during the second quarter of Titans' 26-20 loss to Broncos.

Associated PressTitans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil calling signals during a training camp practice session.

Nashville, Tenn. – Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil has been fined $40,000 by the NFL for an obscene gesture at game officials.

The league on Monday said Cecil violated a rule that prohibits use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures to game officials.

Television cameras caught Cecil using his right hand to make the gesture when officials flagged his defense for a neutral zone infraction during the second quarter Sunday. The penalty gave Denver first-and-goal, and Kyle Orton threw a 2-yard touchdown pass on the next play for a 7-0 lead.

Cecil declined comment after the game, a 26-20 loss in which the Titans were flagged 10 times for a season-high 111 yards in penalties.

"I, for one, am excited. Win or lose, I am a Cavs fan. To me, that is what a fan is. And I think there will be plenty to be interested in. I am curious about the development of Sessions, Hickson and Boobie. While I am predicting between 30-35 wins, I am not gauging this season in wins. For me, it is all about the development of the young players." - oversea

View full sizeGus Chan | The Plain DealerFinding out what the Cavaliers have in Ramon Sessions will be a key to 2010-2011.

In response to the story Ramon Sessions, Daniel Gibson bright spots in ragged Cleveland Cavaliers scrimmage, cleveland.com reader oversea is sticking by the Cavaliers win or lose. This reader writes,

"I, for one, am excited. Win or lose, I am a Cavs fan. To me, that is what a fan is. And I think there will be plenty to be interested in. I am curious about the development of Sessions, Hickson and Boobie. While I am predicting between 30-35 wins, I am not gauging this season in wins. For me, it is all about the development of the young players."

Cast your vote to decide where we send one of our reporters on Friday night.

Vote in the Week 7 You Pick the Game high school football contest to decide where we send one of our reporters Friday night. Voting is open until noon Thursday. The winner is announced in Friday's Sports section.

"As of now, the gap between what Alabama is and what the others are striving to be is huge. Don't think any of them would stand a chance on the field with 'Bama." - obie

View full sizeJohn Bazemore | APAlabama, with Mark Ingram (22), are off to a convincing start in 2010.

In response to the story Hobbled Ohio State Buckeyes still standing after getting a scare at Illinois, cleveland.com reader obie thinks the national title is Alabama's to lose. This reader writes,

"As of now, the gap between what Alabama is and what the others are striving to be is huge. Don't think any of them would stand a chance on the field with 'Bama."

T.J. Ward will be fined, justifiably, for his hit on Cincinnati's Jordan Shipley Sunday. But every team would take a player who can deliver such a blow.

Mark Duncan / Associated PressThe ball had already eluded Cincinnati's Jordan Shipley when T.J. Ward administered the hit that kept reverberating on Monday. Regardless of the fine handed out by the NFL, says Bill Livingston, the Browns are likely very pleased by the physical reputation being built by Ward and the defense.

• Browns' Mangini: Ward is not a 'dirty guy'

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- T.J. Ward is on the last line of the Browns' defense. He is a safety, a term with ironic connotations after what happened Sunday.

Browns' linebacker Scott Fujita said the back of the defense is full of players who are "head-hunters by design."

Their hits are savage for a reason. Their job is to "fly around," which means hurling their body recklessly at opponents. Their mandate is to "break up" passes, which means instilling in the receiver the paranoia that everyone is, indeed, out to get him. For them, there is no single "point of contact" then, only a world of hurt.

The message the Wards of the NFL deliver is for opponents to watch themselves and to walk on egg shells. But any player so coerced has lost his initiative.

"For safeties trying to make a play on the ball, especially in the end zone, it's hard to have pinpoint accuracy on where you hit someone," said Fujita.

There is a framework of rules designed to lessen player concussions and to police head-to-head contact. Post-game study of film often must be used to divide "right" from "wrong" on hits and to calibrate fines for violations. The game is that fast. Contact is that hard to decipher at such a fast-forward pace.

Ward drove his helmet into the head of Cincinnati's Jordan Shipley Sunday in the end zone, felling Shipley as surely as if he had gotten on the bad side of a lightning bolt. If Shipley wasn't out cold, he was close to it. His eyes, teammates said, were rolling up, like a shade flying up to let storm glare fill a room.

Tony Dejak / Associated PressThe dazed look of Jordan Shipley after Ward's hit on Sunday is hardly unusual -- no matter how much the NFL wants to sanitize its league, says Bill Livingston.

The play did not save points. It cost them. It led to a first down by penalty and on the next play to Cincinnati's final touchdown in the Browns' 23-20 win.

Replays showed the ball hit the ground after Eric Wright broke up the pass an instant before the hit. Ward cocked his shoulder, but he rocketed into Shipley helmet to helmet. Even though Bengals coach Marvin Lewis Monday cited the play as a "forearm to head" shot, Ward's forearm missed everything.

The realization that the hit was helmet-to-helmet came only after repeated replays on YouTube. It shows how tough the referees have it.

It also shows the inherent contradiction of football. It must be played on the farthest fringes of control at high speed. But blows to the head are off limits, and the flags will fly if they are delivered, and Big Brother in the NFL office will be watching the game films to calculate possible fines.

Ward will justifiably be fined, because defenseless players like Shipley have to be protected.

At the same time, Ward is in the NFL because he is a big hitter. He played in an elite program at Oregon because opponents' heads were on a swivel in the secondary, on Ward alert. And now, he is in the NFL because he is a big hitter.

"He is an aggressive, physical guy that's a big hitter. That's one of the things that's really attractive about him. One of the things I love about him, the way he can do that," said Browns coach Eric Mangini.

The Browns -- even the offensive players who had to empathize with Shipley (for there, but for the grace of a crossing pattern, go they) -- say Ward is not a dirty player. Yet players know what is a good, clean, hard hit and what is not. Had it been a Browns receiver who caught the full, circuits-blowing charge of such a blow, their quarterback, Seneca Wallace, would have been protesting just as loudly as was Carson Palmer.

Mangini also noted the play came on third down. "We were penalized for it, and it cost us a touchdown," said Mangini. "I don't think he got away with anything. It gave them a new set of downs and a touchdown instead of a field goal [on fourth down]."

Mangini said he expects Ward to be fined. Still, every team wants a big hitter like Ward.

On the streets of Cleveland, it is assault and battery. On the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium Sunday, it was half the distance to the goal.