Johnny Manziel threw for 270 yards and a touchdown in leading the Browns over the 49ers and earning a grade of A-: DMan's QB Report.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Quarterback Johnny Manziel went 21-of-31 for 270 yards and one touchdown as the Cleveland Browns handled the San Francisco 49ers, 24-10, Sunday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium. Manziel was intercepted once and sacked twice.

Here is a capsule look at Manziel's performance after a DVR review of the Fox Sports telecast:

Prelude: The Browns (3-10) snapped a seven-game losing streak. The 49ers (4-9)  were coming off a victory over the Bears in Chicago.

Locked in: Manziel started for the first time since Week 10 at Pittsburgh. He had been demoted during the Week 11 bye and was the No. 3 QB for Week 12 against Baltimore and No. 2 for Week 13 against Cincinnati.  

No question that Manziel faced a bad outfit, and he received plenty of help. Regardless, Manziel deserves unconditional credit for a game well-played and for his contributions to the decisive victory.

Manziel improved to 2-2 this season, 2-4 in his two-year career.

Periodically checking stats, or waiting for the final book, was not necessary to judge Manziel's performance. He easily passed the eye test.

His attributes were tangible and intangible. Among them:

* Command of the offense. He was decisive with his movements, and teammates followed his lead. Decisiveness fueled good tempo, which benefitted the rushing (230 yards) and passing attacks. The Browns possessed the ball for 37:39. 

* Poise. He did not panic against the various looks from 49ers defensive coordinator Eric Mangini. Manziel played fast, but not in a hurry.

* Pocket production. He made numerous plus-plays from between the tackles, which must happen for an NFL QB to be successful over the long haul. He resisted the temptation to tuck and run at the first sign of trouble.

* Quick-thinking. He created an assortment of plays by using his mind.

* Arm strength. He powered the ball to all areas, including the all-important boundaries.

* Patience. With the interception being the notable exception, he didn't try to force the issue and took what the defense gave him.

* Elusiveness. He used athleticism to avoid losses or gain yards by pass or run.

Final grade: A-

Summary: Manziel made a glaring mistake -- the interception -- and several high throws. He occasionally was uncertain in the pocket. On balance, though, Manziel and the Browns have every right to be pleased with what transpired. One game does not a franchise quarterback make (especially against the current edition of 49ers), but Manziel continued to take positive steps on the field. At the very least, he created ample intrigue for his trip to Seattle in Week 15, when the Browns play a formidable Seahawks team that is on fire.

Piece by piece: Here is a breakdown of each Browns pass play:  

FIRST QUARTER

First possession (0-0)

1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 20

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun in empty backfield, complete to WR Travis Benjamin on left for 8 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Manziel unfazed against pressure up middle from a four-man rush. Manziel might have hit his right fingers on LG Austin Pasztor's helmet on release; he was shaking fingers after throw.

Fox Sports analyst and former Browns quarterback Brady Quinn said: "One of the best things about Johnny Manziel is his ... footwork, and he also keeps a solid base. That's where he gets a lot of his power. He's not the biggest guy, but he gets every bit of power and strength into his throws, utilizing his whole body.''

1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 31

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun in empty backfield, incomplete intended for WR Brian Hartline on short right.
• Skinny: OUT OF POCKET by design. Manziel play-faked jet sweep to Benjamin and rolled right. Hartline unable to catch fastball that was throw across Manziel's body.

2-and-10 @ Cleveland 31

• Result: POCKET. Manziel, from shotgun, complete to RB Isaiah Crowell on left for 9 yards.
• Skinny: Misdirection screen. Crowell made catch at Cleveland 27 and sifted through traffic.

1st-and-10 @ San Francisco 48

• Result: POCKET. Manziel, from under center, complete to TE Gary Barnidge near left sideline for 23 yards.
• Skinny: Play-fake. Wide-open Barnidge made catch outside numbers at San Francisco 30.

Quinn said: "Nice play design by offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. Used Travis Benjamin to help clear out room on that side of the field for Barnidge.''

2nd-and-9 @ San Francisco 24

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Benjamin on short left.
• Skinny: POCKET. Throw sailed high and wide.

3rd-and-9 @ San Francisco 24

• Result: POCKET. Manziel, from shotgun, incomplete intended for RB Duke Johnson Jr. on short left.
• Skinny: Throw sailed high.

Quinn: "Watch (Manziel's) feet: He's going to read the right side of the field first. He starts coming back to the left, but he doesn't really get the feet all the way back toward the sideline in order to make a more accurate throw... Maybe still a little rust getting back into it.''

(Travis Coons field-goal attempt blocked.)

Second possession (0-0)

2nd-and-6 @ San Francisco 11

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun in empty backfield, complete to Hartline over middle for 10 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Manziel looked right before spotting Hartline open for what appeared headed for a touchdown. However, Hartline fumbled after being wrapped up in front of goal line. Hartline recovered at 1.

(Crowell rushed twice, the second for a 1-yard touchdown. It was Cleveland's second offensive TD in first quarter in past 11 games, and third rushing TD this season.)

Third possession (Browns, 7-0)

1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 33

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, complete to Barnidge near right sideline for 30 yards.
• Skinny: OUT OF POCKET by necessity. Manziel escaped pressure up middle from four-man rush and rolled right. Barnidge made catch at San Francisco 45.

Quinn said: "This is what makes Johnny Manziel so dangerous. You just can't prepare for this. Manziel scans the field, gives a pump-fake to freeze the defense, and does a tremendous job of keeping his eyes downfield.''

(Drive ends with RB Glenn Winston fumble.)

SECOND QUARTER

Fourth possession (Browns, 7-0)

1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 36

• Result: Manziel, from under center, complete to Benjamin near right sideline for 24 yards.
• Skinny: OUT OF POCKET by necessity. Manziel escaped pressure from four-man rush, rolled right and threw a fastball on run to Benjamin, who was open because Manziel extended the play.

Quinn said: "Watch Manziel work the pocket... Look at him rip that ball. Like it.''

2nd-and-2 @ San Francisco 32

• Result: POCKET. Manziel, from shotgun, complete to Benjamin on right for 0 yards.
• Skinny: Screen. 49ers closed in a hurry.

3rd-and-2 @ San Francisco 32

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, complete to WR Marlon Moore on right for 12 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Big-time play in big spot. Manziel scanned field before locating Moore, who made catch at San Francisco 26. Manziel lowered release point.

Quinn said: "This is the maturation process that we're seeing with Johnny Manziel. He's going to read the left side of the field, he's not going to see anything, but he's patient. He doesn't leave the pocket, doesn't panic, and ends up finding Moore open for the third-down conversion... Look at his eyes -- works them across. These are the sorts of things you're looking for in a young quarterback trying to make his case to be the quarterback of the future.''

2nd-and-13 @ San Francisco 23

• Result: Manziel, from under center, complete to Hartline on right for 13 yards.
• Skinny: OUT OF POCKET by design. Manziel, off boot action, rolled right and threw on move. He made it look easy. Hartline caught pass outside the numbers at San Francisco 13.

2nd-and-goal @ 14

• Result: Manziel, from under center, complete to Johnson on right for 6 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Basic screen.

3rd-and-goal @ 8

• Result: POCKET. Manziel, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Barnidge over middle/right in front of end zone.
• Skinny: Wisely low throw to covered Barnidge.

Quinn said: "Nowhere to throw the football.''

(Coons kicks field goal.)

Manziel game totals: 10-of-14 for 135 yards.

Fifth possession (Browns, 10-0)

1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 22

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Benjamin over middle/right.
• Skinny: POCKET. Benjamin seemingly should have made catch at Cleveland 39, but he gator-armed. 

3rd-and-7 @ Cleveland 25

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, sacked by Arik Armstead for minus-8 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Armstead overpowered Pasztor. Manziel had little-to-no chance.

Sixth possession (10-3)

Quinn said: "You look at Manziel in the pocket, and he's moving his feet and getting through his progressions as you would like to see. And he's able to get outside and run and make some of those big, elusive plays that we kind of know him for from his time at Texas A&M.'' 

1st-and-15 @ Cleveland 15

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun in empty backfield, sacked by Quinton Dial for minus-11 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Manziel given plenty of time against three-man rush but uncertain about what he wanted to do. Johnson wide-open near left sideline on wheel route but Manziel never saw him.

2nd-and-26 @ Cleveland 4

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Johnson over short middle/left.
• Skinny: POCKET. Dangerous pass. Off Johnson's hand.

3rd-and-26 @ Cleveland 4

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, sacked by Corey Lemonier for safety NULLIFIED by Lemonier facemask.
• Skinny: POCKET. Browns fortunate. 49ers five-man rush was effective even as Johnson had pancake block on LB NaVorro Bowman.

2nd-and-9 @ Cleveland 20

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun in empty backfield, complete to Hartline on right for 6 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Basic underneath.

3rd-and-3 @ Cleveland 26

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, complete to Benjamin on left for 9 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Throw off back foot. Benjamin wide-open on slant in part because inside receiver, Moore, ran an excellent pseudo pick route.

(2-minute warning)

2nd-and-7 @ Cleveland 38

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Johnson on short left NULLIFIED by LB Gerald Hodges interference.
• Skinny: POCKET. Hodges too tight against Johnson.

1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 40

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun in empty backfield, complete to Hartline over middle for 12 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Quality throw under pressure against five-man rush.

1st-and-10 @ San Francisco 48

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun in empty backfield, scrambles up middle for 4 yards.
• Skinny: OUT OF POCKET by necessity. Manziel made something out of nothing.

2nd-and-6 @ San Francisco 44

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun in empty backfield, intended for Hartline over middle intercepted by S Jaquiski Tartt at San Francisco 31.
• Skinny: OUT OF POCKET by necessity. Manziel scrambled left and, near sideline, threw floater against his body. Tartt spied, easily picked and returned to Cleveland 44. Obviously, Manziel made a bad decision and throw. Moments later, while seated on the sideline, he whacked his head with a computer tablet multiple times in frustration.

Seventh possession (Browns, 10-3)

(Manziel kneels.)

Manziel totals at half: 13-of-20 for 162 yards, INT, two sacks.

THIRD QUARTER

Eighth possession (Browns, 10-3)

1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 11

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, complete to Hartline on right for 24 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. High snap. Quality throw (sidearm) and catch (fingertip). Hartline made reception at Cleveland 19.

Quinn said: "Johnny Manziel is so good at these quick-hitting plays. He does a nice job of getting the football in the shotgun, finding the laces, and delivering accurately upfield.''

2nd-and-9 @ Cleveland 36

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, complete to Moore over middle for 11 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Moore broke tackle at Cleveland 41, gained yards for first down.

2nd-and-9 @ Cleveland 48

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Benjamin on short left.
• Skinny: POCKET. Benjamin bobbled, CB Kenneth Acker PBU. Almost intercepted. 

3rd-and-9 @ Cleveland 48

• Result: OUT OF POCKET by necessity. Manziel, from shotgun, scrambles left for 7 yards.
• Skinny: Manziel made a 7-yard gain must-see TV.

Manziel game totals: 15-of-23 for 197 yards, INT, two sacks.

Ninth possession (Browns, 10-3)

1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 22

• Result: Manziel, from under center, complete to Hartline on left for 34 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Double-play-fake. Hartline wide-open. Manziel knocked down after release.

2nd-and-5 @ San Francisco 39

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun in empty backfield, complete to Barnidge for 8 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Manziel beat zone-blitz pressure; 49ers ended up rushing four.

Quinn said: "Manziel's got that lightning-quick release.''

1st-and-10 @ San Francisco 31

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, complete to Hartline on left for 3 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Screen.

2nd-and-7 @ San Francisco 28

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, complete to Barnidge over middle/right for 21 yards.
• Skinny: OUT OF POCKET by necessity. Manziel given time in pocket, then extended the play and threw on the move.

1st-and-goal @ 7

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Barnidge over short middle/right.
• Skinny: POCKET. Manziel back-foot throw in face of pressure from seven-man rush. Pass too high and slightly behind.

2nd-and-goal @ 7

• Result: Manziel, from under center, complete to Hartline on left for 5 yards.
• Skinny: POCKET. Slant. Hartline exited holding front of left shoulder.

3rd-and-goal @ 2

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, complete to Barnidge for 2-yard TD.
• Skinny: POCKET. Superb play. Manziel backpedaled to avoid pressure from seven-man rush.

Quinn said: "Eric Mangini said: 'I want you to beat me when I pressure you with the blitz,' and Johnny Manziel did just that. He saw the quick throw, was able to get depth and take more time, and find Barnidge for the touchdown. Manziel didn't allow the blitzer to get to him on time. He understands where the free guy is coming from, drifts away from that ... and fires a strike.''

Manziel on drive: 6-of-7 for 73 yards, TD.

Manziel totals: 21-of-30 for 270 yards, TD, INT, two sacks.

FOURTH QUARTER

Tenth possession (Browns, 17-3)

3rd-and-2 @ Cleveland 17

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun in empty backfield, scrambles up middle for 8 yards.
• Skinny: OUT OF POCKET by necessity. 49ers rushed four, but one stood and waited to see what Manziel would do. Manziel given time, then slithered his way for important first down. 

2nd-and-goal @ 6

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Moore on short left.
• Skinny: POCKET. Pass appeared to whistle through Moore's hands at 4.

3rd-and-goal @ 6

• Result: Manziel, from shotgun, incomplete on right sideline NULLIFIED by CB Marcus Cromartie holding.
• Skinny: OUT OF POCKET. Manziel extended play before a throwaway (supposedly intended for Darius Jennings). Manziel mixed it up with LB Ahmad Brooks afterwards. His ability to buy time likely forced the holding penalty.

(Crowell rushed twice, the second for a 3-yard touchdown.)

Manziel game totals: 21-of-31 for 270 yards, TD, INT, two sacks.

Eleventh possession (Browns, 24-3)

(No passes.)

Twelfth possession (Browns, 24-10)

(Three kneel-downs.)

Johnny Manziel, supported by a strong running game and defense, led the Browns past the 49ers on Sunday. What does it mean going forward?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel knocked some sense into himself after a first-half interception, and it helped him pull out the 24-10 victory over the 49ers in his first game back from his benching.

After rolling left and throwing back across his body for Brian Hartline, Manziel was picked off by safety Jaquiski Tartt at the San Franciso 31 with 1:10 left in the half and the Browns up 10-3.

Fortunately for Manziel, the defense forced a three-and-out and 49ers weren't able to cash in for the second time of the half on a takeaway.

But instead of breathing a sigh of relief, Manziel slammed his helmet to the turf on the sidelines and then smacked himself in the head five straight times with his Microsoft Surface tablet while he sat on the bench in a ballcap.

The tantrum was captured on film and caught fire on Twitter and Vine.

"Looking at the Surface I saw that they dropped, Gary (Barnidge) wide open,'' he said. "To get a touchdown there before the half on a busted coverage, you have to make them pay on things like that. That doesn't happen all the time in the NFL. I was more upset knowing that we;re going to be watching that on film tomorrow and watching Gary run right down the middle of the field wide open.''

Manziel, who's been known to throw a golf club or a water bottle or flip the bird to an opponents' bench and who's been to anger management classes, acknowledged that he was over the top.

"Josh (McCown) and everybody did a good job of making sure, 'Take some deep breaths. Let it go.' Learn from that and know that this isn't freaking (Texas) A&M,'' he said. "Just throw it away. Second down, third down. Live to fight another day. There's a learning point going into the next week, going into the future. I probably shouldn't have overreacted the way that I did, but it is the NFL. When those chances are there, you have to make the most of them."

His head emerged unscathed, but how about the tablet?

"The Surface did survive, I believe,'' he said.

Coach Mike Pettine didn't witness the headbanging firsthand.

"He beat me to it then,'' Pettine quipped.

Knowing that he has to pick his battles with the mercurial young quarterback, Pettine wasn't about to rip for berating himself over a pick.

"It would bother me more if he was just, 'whatever,' and walked off,'' said Pettine. "That was a natural reaction. He was upset with himself because he knew it. He knew it right when it happened. We are not going to over-coach that.

"Let's say it was a receiver that broke off from the route and he ended up throwing an interception and his body language was negative towards that play, then you would have an issue with that. When it's towards himself over frustration of doing something boneheaded, I have no problem with it."

This Surface paid the price for that Johnny Manziel interception https://t.co/LVECAXnM9t

— J.A. Adande (@jadande) December 13, 2015

By the time Manziel got to the locker room, he was over it.

"I shook it off once we got in here,'' he said. "Coming out in the second half, we thought if our defense got a stop, we would get the ball and drive it down the field. We wanted to come out and respond. Like I said, make sure it doesn't happen again. Don't leave the ball out there. Don't float it up. Learn from it, and throw it away."

Pettine agreed.

"He wasn't in here pouting about it,'' he said. "He put it behind him and showed no ill effects of it in the second half."

Manziel, who heard the "Johnny, Johnny!!" chants in the third quarter, kept his composure enough in the second half to snap the Browns' seven-game losing streak and even his record on the season to 2-2 -- albeit against the 27th-ranked pass defense in the NFL, and one minus its best pass-rusher in Aaron Lynch (concussion).

Extending plays on rollout and bootlegs, he completed 21 of 31 attempts (68%) for 270 yards, with one touchdown and one interception for a 92.1 rating. He was also sacked twice and rushed seven times for 15 yards. Supported by a season-high 230 yards rushing -- including 145 by Isaiah Crowell -- and a season-high nine sacks by the relentless defense, Manziel was able to work some of his Money Manziel magic, which is what he signed on a fan's $100 bill before the game.

So, is it time to get excited about Manziel, who was given these final four games to prove he could be the Browns' quarterback of the future?

"Sure, he did some good things,'' said Pettine. "He did a lot more good than he did bad. Like all of our players, there is a lot to learn from. To go out and execute a gameplan and win a football game - people asked me what did I expect from him - we expected him to do his job and for most of the game he did."

Manziel, who got plenty of sideline help from McCown, acknowledged it was important for him to come out and play well, especially after he was benched the previous two games for the lying to the coaching staff about his bye weekend escapades.

"I've only gotten to play six or seven games,'' he said. "I know the number is starting to climb, but for me, these mean a lot to me. I still have a lot to prove. I feel like I'm just getting started. I'm going to continue to play, continue to fight. I know these guys are going to be with me too."

He looked in control during the game, motioning receivers to keep running or adjust their routes while he was on the run. He displayed great chemistry with Gary Barnidge (five catches, 84 yards, one TD) Brian Hartline, who caught eight passes for 107 yards before leaving the game with a season-ending broken collarbone that will require surgery.

"Every time I've been behind center and gotten a chance to make another start, I feel more confident,'' he said. "I feel that I'm able to go through my reads. I'm able to slow down all the protection stuff and make sure we have a guy on a guy and able to sit back there and know you're protected. For me personally, it's continue to try and progress.''

Manziel's teammates were impressed with his game.

"That guy's a baller,'' said Travis Benjamin (4 catches, 41 yards). "It doesn't matter if he sat out for two weeks and came back. Each and every time he comes out there, he's willing to set the tone and make plays that matter."

Related: Brian Hartline out for the season with a broken collarbone

Said Duke Johnson (13 runs for 78 yards): "That's Johnny. No matter how long he sits or how long he doesn't play, Johnny is going to be ready when the time comes."
Safety Donte Whitner predicted on Friday that Manziel would have a fantastic game -- in spite of his critics.

"He's becoming what a lot of people don't want to see him become and that's a true quarterback,'' Whitner said. "He's throwing the football from the pocket, but he can also break out of their and throw the football, so I want to continue to see Johnny continue to get better and better and I want to see him lead this offense and lead this football team. There are some people that are skeptical, some people that probably don't want to see that, but I do.''

Of course, things will get much tougher over the final three weeks, with games against the Seattle and Kansas City on the road, and Pittsburgh at home. All three teams are gunning for the playoffs, and the Seahawks -- who beat Baltimore 35-6 on Sunday -- own the No. 2 defense in the NFL, and No. 4 against the pass.

In five of their last seven games, they've surrendered 13 points or less. The Chiefs are tied for 10th in total defense, including 14th against the pass. Besides, Manziel won't have one of the team's best receivers in Hartline.

"It is going to be a challenge,'' he said. "We obviously know what we;re up against these next couple of weeks. We are going to have come in and prepare hard this week and make sure we are on our stuff on a long trip to Seattle. It's a great feeling personally but even a better feeling being in the locker knowing that we get a Victory Monday, get a chance to get another win. That's what it's all about in the NFL.''
Another thing that Manziel has pounded into his head.

Browns rush for a season-high 230 yards in 24-10 win over the Niners.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The franchise of Marion Motley, Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly entered Sunday's game at FirstEnergy Stadium dead last in rushing.

The Browns had an inside linebackers (Karlos Dansby) with more touchdowns than their leading ground gainer (Isaiah Crowell). The team's last rushing TD coincided with their last win, which for those taking their Ginseng know was Oct. 11 on a Josh McCown scramble in Baltimore.

That's what made the Browns' 24-10 win over the toe-tagged San Francisco 49ers so surprising. An offense with more balance issues than a baby giraffe finally put it all together for its most complete performance of the season.

The Browns rushed for 230 yards -- the most since Nov. 7, 2010 against New England -- committing to the run early and sticking with it the entire afternoon. Isaiah Crowell (145 yards) and rookie Duke Johnson (78 yards) each enjoyed career days.

As the organization looks toward next season, it needs to remember this effort and realize it can never again be so one-dimensional.

"It's hard to lose a game when you have 200 yards rushing," left tackle Joe Thomas said. "You make it so hard on a defense when you run the ball effectively. They have to overcommit to stopping the run and it opens the pass game wide open."

Obviously, the story of Sunday was the return of Johnny Manziel from his intentional grounding by coach Mike Pettine. The quarterback looked sharp in making plays inside and out of the pocket, completing 21-of-31 passes for 270 yards with a TD and interception.  

But the Browns (3-10) have thrown the ball relatively well all season no matter who's under center. It's the running game that's been a mess for various reasons. The club had been averaging 73.9 yards per game -- or roughly half of what next week's opponent, the Seahawks, produces (146.6).

Crowell's two rushing touchdowns Sunday doubled the Browns' season output. All three wins have included a running TD.

The Niners (4-9) are awful, and nobody among the visitors save for former Browns kicker Phil Dawson seemed emotionally invested. The game, however, served as a good reminder about the importance of offensive balance - something Cleveland often exhibited last season in fashioning a 7-9 record. The Browns ran the ball 41 times, and team that's surrendered the NFL's most sacks only saw their quarterback flattened twice.

Where's this commitment to the rushing attack been all year? Crowell wondered the same thing.

"I think about it all the time," said Crowell, who had runs of 54 and 50 yards against the Niners. "Right after the game I thought about: 'What if we did that all the time?' We'd have a lot more victories."

Pettine refused to be drawn into a discussion of whether he regrets not making a greater effort to run the ball this season. Only the Lions and Dolphins have fewer attempts.

The Browns ran it effectively early last season before center Alex Mack broke his leg and many assumed they would return to that formula.

First-year offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, however, has favored the pass. The Browns ran for 100-plus yards Sunday for the first time in six games.

In fairness to DeFilippo, the team rarely had run it efficiently. Crowell had not looked good and the line wasn't opening many holes. The loss of offensive line coach Andy Moeller - he was let go following a domestic issue prior to the season opener - had a significant impact.

Also, the Browns have played from behind seemingly the entire season, forcing them to throw more often. It's worth noting, however, former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan almost never abandoned the run.

"We're not going to sit here and lament," Pettine said when asked if he regrets not running more this year. "A lot of it was matchups, a lot of it was defensive looks that we felt we could take advantage of (passing) . . . That's a good game plan by Flip (DeFilippo). We recognized a weakness, and we exploited it."

It was nice to see Johnson more involved in the running game. He's developed into a playmaker, but mostly as a pass catcher either out of the backfield or split wide. Johnson earned 13 carries and registered a robust 6.0 yards per attempt against the Niners' porous run defense.

Maybe Crowell's outing lifts the second-year player from a season-long funk. He flashed the kind of burst Sunday we saw so often a year ago. His performance will be difficult to duplicate in the final three games, though. The Seahawks, Chiefs and Steelers all rank among the top-eight in rush defense.

How the Browns finish on the ground is not vital as their plan to remedy the run game in the offseason. It's hard to imagine them not adding a running back in the draft and perhaps another road-grading offensive lineman.

You can't compete in the AFC North without a decent rushing attack. Look at the success of the Steelers and Bengals.

Sunday was a long time coming for Browns' running backs, who finally caught and passed Dansby in the TD count. The organization must ensure it's better equipped to run the ball next season.

It couldn't get any worse.

 

On Sunday evening, Wallace flipped his commitment from Ohio State to Oregon after officially visiting the Ducks over the weekend. Wallace changed his bio on his public Twitter account to say, "Oregon WR/ATH Commit." Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- You could see the tide turning. 

Though Ohio State had a verbal pledge from four-star quarterback Tristen Wallace of DeSoto, Texas, the Buckeyes were beginning to recruit other quarterbacks. 

On Sunday evening, Wallace flipped his commitment from Ohio State to Oregon after officially visiting the Ducks over the weekend. Wallace changed his bio on his public Twitter account to say, "Oregon WR/ATH Commit." 

Rated the No. 4 athlete in the 2015 recruiting class in the 247Sports composite rankings, Wallace has seemingly decided to change positions along with his college destination.

Ohio State had him as a quarterback, but the Buckeyes were clearly in love with his athleticism, as Wallace was a raw athlete that likely would have taken a few years to be a college-ready quarterback. 

One of Ohio State's top quarterback targets for 2016 before Wallace committed was four-star prospect Dwayne Haskins of Potomac (Md.) Bullis School. When Ohio State accepted Wallace's commitment in April, the Buckeyes seemingly moved on. 

That changed last week. 

Though Haskins committed to Maryland a month after Ohio State got the Wallace commitment, the Buckeyes recently got back in touch with the 6-foot-3, 198-pound prospect. Haskins was in Columbus this weekend for an official visit. 

Here are Sunday’s high school sports highlights for Northeast Ohio.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here are Sunday’s high school sports highlights. Check below for information on how to make sure your teams’ games are included.

GIRLS SWIMMING

Ned Reeb Memorial Invitational: Walsh Jesuit had three champions, including two individuals.

Walsh Jesuit junior Carly Hart won the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.37, edging Gahanna Lincoln’s Ally Wharton by almost 2 seconds. In the 100 butterfly, junior Hannah Gresser took the championship final for Walsh Jesuit in 56.32.

As for team efforts, Walsh Jesuit’s 200 medley relay took home gold in 1:47.47.

In the overall team standings, Upper Arlington’s 305 points netted first place. Walsh Jesuit was sixth to lead Northeast Ohio schools. Gilmour placed 12th.

BOYS SWIMMING

Ned Reeb Memorial Invitational: Cincinnati St. Xavier won as a team with 469 points and Columbus St. Charles was second with 348. University School placed third at 259, and St. Ignatius was seventh with 144 points among Northeast Ohio schools.

University’s Charlie Stewart-Bates was second in the 200 freestyle. His 1:44.28 time missed first place by 0.32 seconds. He also finished fourth in the 500 free, timing in at 4:48.27. Teammate Scott Bowman was second in the 100 butterfly and fourth in the 100 backstroke.

University also finished fourth in the 400 free relay, which included Stewart-Bates and Bowman. The Preppers added fifth-place finishes in the 200 free relay and 200 medley relay.

Medina 228, Brunswick 75: Medina broke its pool record in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:21.27 by Spencer Savage, Derek Walker, Anthony Petruzzi and Josh Burns.

Additionally, Burns won the 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly, while Walker took the 50 and 100 freestyles. Petruzzi was victorious in the 200 IM and 100 breastroke.

The Bees are 3-0 and 2-0 in the Greater Cleveland Conference.

ICE HOCKEY

Avon 6, Benedictine 1: Zach Zwierecki scored three times, Joe Goetz added two goals and Danny Fielding had 12 saves for Avon. Bengals goalie William First had 29 saves, facing 35 shots.

Hudson 3, Kenston 2: The Explorers outlasted Kenston at home.

Kenston 1, Rocky River 1: Both teams scored in the second period of their draw.

Nordonia 4, Brooklyn 3: A three-goal second period rallied the Knights from a 2-0 deficit.

Parma 3, Bay 2: Parma rallied with two third-period goals. Joey Gallo, Nick Szafarski and Tommy Arthur scored for the victors. Chris Eifert scored twice for Bay, which also got 33 saves from Sean Gulley. Parma goalie Ryan Pinson had 24 saves.

St. Ignatius 5, Glenbrook North 2: Brian Russell scored twice, and the Wildcats went on to victory after a 3-2 first-period edge. Dylan McKeon had 27 saves between the pipes for St. Ignatius.

BOWLING

Nordonia Classic: The Triway boys rolled a collective 3,688, edging host Nordonia by eight pins at the 21-team event. Triway also beat Nordonia in match team play, winning two of three baker games.

Triway’s Jacob Yoder bowled a 731 series, while Garfield Heights’ Nathan Marek (713) and Chace Cogar of Triway (713) also broke 700.

On the girls side, Tallmadge’s 3,110 bested the field. Green won the match play, beating Stow.

Nordonia’s Morgan Rittenberger rolled a 622, while Green’s Jen Johnston finished with a 604 to lead the girls field.

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. 

Browns coach Mike Pettine, who's been rumored to be on the hot seat, gets a chance to catch his break after the Browns snap seven-game losing streak.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mike Pettine hopes the Browns' 24-10 victory over the 49ers will stop the sky from falling for at least a week.

"Winning tends to do that,'' he said. "I tell the guys all the time: when you win, there's an overreaction, and when you lose, there's an overreaction. When you had the streak that we had of losses, there's a multiplier to it - people driving by the building to see if it's on fire.

"Like we say in this league, winning doesn't heal everything, but it helps. To take a Sunday and go out and win a football game, it is a great feeling for our players."

The victory snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Browns, one that left them with the worst record in the NFL at 2-10 and had folks speculating about Jimmy Haslam "blowing things up'' even though he said in August that he wouldn't.

In fact, Pettine was asked Thursday about a report on ESPN Cleveland that owners Jimmy Haslam and Dee Haslam, team president Alec Scheiner and general manager Ray Farmer had a meeting at the Haslam's house to discuss the future, without Pettine.

"It could be true, if I wasn't a part of it, I know there have been a lot of meetings,'' said Pettine. "When you get to this point, you start 'Where are we now? It's getting towards the end of the season, what are our thoughts moving forward?' I just know there is a lot of stuff that gets thrown out there. I can't get caught up in that -- who's meeting with who. I'm tasked with getting this team prepared to play a game. We want to go out and get this feeling, taste out of our mouths. That's all I'm focused on.''

The Browns have a tough finish -- with road games in Seattle and Kansas City -- and the season finale against the Steelers at home on Jan. 3. All three teams are 8-5 and gunning for the playoffs, and Seattle and Kansas City both have top 10 defenses.

The Steelers, who defeated the Bengals 33-20 on Sunday and knocked Andy Dalton out of the game -- and likely for the season -- are on a roll and will likely still be scrapping for a wildcard spot when they come to town. The Seahawks, owners of the No. 2 defense,  knocked off the injury-riddled Ravens 35-6 on Sunday and the Chiefs beat the Chargers 10-3.

It could get ugly over the next three weeks for the 3-10 Browns, so they chose to savor this victory.

"It's just a good feeling,'' said Pettine, who could be on the hotseat after losing 15 of his last 18. "We come in everyday, we put in long hours, we work hard, spend a lot of time together and there's no reward for that. To celebrate a win - I know it's been a long time, 50 something days since it was in October - anytime you win, it's just that positive energy.

"We did some things wrong and there are some things we're going to learn from the tape and teach off of it. We know what lies ahead of us - the schedule that's two games on the road - but we won a football game today and our guys went out and they earned it. To me, that's a great feeling just to see them earn it and celebrate it."

Related: Johnny Manziel knocks some sense into himself 'but just getting started'

The victory will also quiet speculation that some players quit with nothing to play for. The game -- in which the Browns rushed for 230 yards, the most since 2010, showed that the Browns are all still playing their hearts out.

"We said we wanted to play for pride at the end of the year,'' said Johnny Manziel, who evened his record at 2-2. "We know we can't get into the playoffs or do anything like that, but for us, to see what each and every guy in this locker rooms made of. Who is going to come out and play hard for us with these three remaining games? One down, three to go. I'm not sitting here saying we're going to win them all, but I can tell you for sure that we're going to come out and we're going to fight.

"Each and every guy we have in this locker room is going to come out and compete until the very end. That was the biggest thing that I saw. Everybody, offense, defense, special teams all the way around, they kept fighting they kept making plays so whatever the outcome is these next couple of weeks, we're going to have fun and try and play for pride like I said."

Safety Donte Whitner, who called Friday for Jimmy Haslam to retain the coaching staff, indicated the game validates that.

"It feels so good to get a win,'' he said. "With all the close games that we lost and all the games that we felt like we should've won, we should have 6 or 7 wins right now. That's just the way the NFL goes sometimes, but we have to keep fighting. We have a bunch of guys in this locker room that aren't going to give up no matter what the record is. I'm just glad we were able to come out and win this game."

So is Pettine, who turned off his seatwarmer for at least the next six days.

Dawson made a return to Cleveland and said he was touched by the reception he got from Browns fans Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - In some ways, it was a typical day for Phil Dawson at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The kicker did his job to perfection and his team left the building a loser.

He knew that feeling all too well during 14 seasons with the Browns. But Sunday was no ordinary afternoon on the blustery lakefront for Dawson, who returned for the first time since leaving via free agency following the 2012 season.

The Niners' specialist earned a standing ovation from the crowd after his former team honored him with a first-quarter video tribute. The 40-year-old fan favorite, who brought his wife and three kids with him, was clearly moved by the unexpected gesture.

As a camera beamed his sideline image onto the giant video boards above both end zones, Dawson tapped his heart in gratitude.

"I wanted the people to know how special it was to me and that all the love that was coming my way was mutual," Dawson said following the Browns' 24-10 win.

"I told people, 'When I'm an old man and my memory's starting to fade I hope the good Lord lets me remember today because it's about as good as it gets,'"

Dawson contributed a 44-yard field goal and an extra point.

The kicker arrived early to the stadium as he always did with the Browns and visited with old friends. It was an emotion homecoming for Dawson, who holds the franchise record for most field goals (305), and is second in scoring (1,271 points).

One of the NFL's most meticulous players admits he was caught off guard by the Browns' decision to honor him on the scoreboard.

"I figured after the little deal they did in pregame that was going to be it,' he said. "So I kind of exhaled and was trying to find my rhythm. Then, all of a sudden, boom. I'm trying not to break down on the sideline and zero in on kicking and paying attention to the wind. It was just hard to find that balance today.

"I don't think I have words to do it justice. I want to thank the Browns organization for doing that and the fans for making it so special."

Dawson offered kind words for young Browns kicker Travis Coons, who's 20-of-23 on field-goal attempts, but has had one blocked in each of his last three games.

"Missing kicks is never fun, but he's having a great year," Dawson said. "Way better than my first year here. Everybody just needs to remember that."

Dawson, a pending free agent, was asked if he'd consider returning to Cleveland. The Browns allowed him to walk despite a Pro Bowl season in 2012.

"I can't answer that right now," he said. "But it's a special, special place and I love it."

 

Our final list of the top 10 football players in the Big Ten.

After battling an illness in Cleveland, J.R. Smith joined his teammates in Orlando and will add depth to the Cavaliers' backcourt.

ORLANDO, Fla. - After battling an illness in Cleveland, J.R. Smith joined his teammates in Orlando and went through a full practice Sunday at Freedom High School.

"I feel great. Compared to then, I feel 100 percent better," Smith told cleveland.com.

Guard Matthew Dellavedova was held out of practice with lower back soreness. It's not expected to cause any missed games.

Smith had a bug, the same one he says Kevin Love had not too long ago. He wasn't able to be with the team when it left Thursday, and missed Friday's blowout win over the Orlando Magic, his fourth missed game of the season.

He arrived in Orlando on Saturday. He said if he wasn't feeling better after a day or so, he was "absolutely" prepared to sit out the entire two-game road trip that ends in Boston on Tuesday.

"I had a 24-hour virus or whatever the doctor wanted to call it," he said. "So, I just had to stay away from the team and make sure it didn't flow throughout the team."

With Smith back, the team's depth at shooting guard is strong. Returning from preseason wrist surgery, Iman Shumpert was spectacular in his season debut on Friday, finishing with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting to go with three rebounds off the bench in 24 minutes.

"Amazing," Smith said of Shumpert's performance. "He looked like the Shump of old. He was just all over the floor, getting his hand on deflections, playing with so much energy and pride like he always does. I was proud of him. I've seen him battling injuries over and over and over again, but the way he came back the last game was impressive."

The expectation is Shumpert will eventually rejoin the first unit, perhaps as soon as Tuesday.

"The expectation is, and he's already done it, that he's going to move into a winning lineup," coach David Blatt said, evading the starting lineup specifics. "Because he helps us win. How and when we're going to move things around, we'll see. No particular hurry with that."

Blatt hasn't informed either player -- or Jared Cunningham, who started the last game -- of his decision. According to Smith, it doesn't matter who starts.

"Nah, we don't even talk about that," Smith said. "Because whoever coach puts in the lineup whether it be myself, Jared [Cunningham], Shump, it doesn't even matter because with this team, we're so dynamic. You can go with so many different lineups. It could change daily if you wanted it to."

Five-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence announced his commitment to Clemson on Monday during a ceremony at his high school. He chose the Tigers over Ohio State, N.C. State, North Carolina, Alabama and Florida.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer is hoping to add a stud defensive tackle to his already stacked 2016 recruiting class. 

He'll have to keep searching. 

That's because five-star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence announced his commitment to Clemson on Monday during a ceremony at his high school.

The 6-foot-5, 330-pound prospect chose the Tigers over Ohio State, N.C. State, North Carolina, Alabama and Florida. 

Rated the No. 2 defensive tackle in the 2016 class in the 247Sports composite rankings, Lawrence officially visited Ohio State on Nov. 21 for the Buckeyes' loss to Michigan State, but he was very busy on the recruiting circuit ever since. 

Lawrence wasn't the only defensive tackle still on Ohio State's recruiting board. The Buckeyes are also involved with five-star Rashan Gary of Paramus (N.J.) Catholic and four-star Antwuan Jackson of Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove, who is announcing his college decision Thursday. 

Jackson and Lawrence both took official visits to Ohio State on Nov. 21. 

Jae Crowder would like an apology from J.R. Smith for that punch in Game 4, but it doesn't look like he's going to get one.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Boston Celtics forward wants an apology from Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith on Tuesday when the two meet for the first time in nearly eight months.

Crowder is apparently still miffed with Smith for landing an unexpected backhanded punch to the right side of his face in Game 4 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

The Celtics forward told reporters in Boston on Monday that he 'hopes he apologizes' and if not, then they'll just play ball.

After informing Smith of Crowder's comments, it didn't sound like he would be asking for forgiveness any time soon.

"I mean, we'll just play ball," Smith told cleveland.com after practice on Monday.

Obviously irritated with the topic, Smith refused to exert much energy into the incident that cost him the first two games in the next round with Chicago. He didn't have much to say.

"Honestly man, I'm done with that whole situation," he said. "I'm not even going to feed into it."

The blow occurred while the two were battling for position for an anticipated rebound opportunity early in the third quarter. Crowder immediately dropped to the floor upon impact and sprained his left ACL in the process. Smith was accessed a Flagrant 2, resulting in an automatic ejection.

It was also the game Kevin Love suffered a dislocated shoulder. The Cavaliers swept the Celtics, but it was a competitive, physical series. When asked if that was one of the most physical series he's been a part of, Smith responded, "Nah. It's just playoff basketball."

It should be an interesting reunion at TD Garden.

Dan Labbe, Michael Reghi, Bud Shaw and Chris Fedor share their opinions on why Dwayne Bowe was inactive once again. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns took the field without wide receiver Dwayne Bowe once again Sunday. The $9 million pass catcher was inactive despite a rash of injuries to the receiving group. 

Did Sunday show that there is something deeper with Bowe? Are there other reasons besides ineffectiveness for him to be inactive?

Dan Labbe, Michael Reghi, Bud Shaw and I offered our opinions as part of our weekly series of videos.

Watch the video above.

The team has been stationed in Florida since Thursday. It had a training camp feel to it.

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Cleveland Cavaliers wrapped up their final practice in Orlando on Monday before taking off to Boston for Tuesday's game.

"We had a couple of good days of practice and the guys were very focused and that was good," head coach David Blatt said.

The team has been stationed in Florida since Thursday, with practices carrying a training camp feel. Cleveland defeated Orlando soundly on Friday, was given Saturday off and practiced Sunday and Monday.

The weather stayed in the low 80s. That was one of the reasons why the Cavaliers didn't return to Cleveland late Friday evening.

"It was a chance for us to get a few concentrated days of practice in with our group and keep the guys together for a few days," Blatt said. "And at the same time, not freeze our buns off."

Some players, including James Jones, Matthew Dellavedova and J.R. Smith, visited Walt Disney World on Saturday while others just relaxed in their rooms.

The team appeared to have enjoyed themselves while handling business on the court. It was a successful trip.

LeBron James had a love affair with Boston's Garden, until the Cs ripped Kevin Love's arm out of socket. Watch video

BOSTON -- LeBron James has a mostly illustrious history against the Boston Celtics in their building.

Yes, there were those years when the Cs pushed James' Cavs out of the playoffs at TD Garden, but one of James' best games (as a member of the Miami Heat) was there. He's averaging nearly 29 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in the playoffs at the Garden.

James' regular-season numbers there are fantastic, too.

But at the end of completing a four-game sweep of the Cs at the Garden last spring, Kelly Olynyk ripped Kevin Love's arm out of place. For better or worse, that series against Boston all but ruined the Cavs' chance to win the Finals, even though they got there and gave Golden State a run.

The point is, James loved playing in the Garden. But how does he feel now, ahead of Tuesday night's game there, knowing that he and the Cavs have a score to settle?

The Cs messed up James' chance at title No. 3. I break it down in this video.

Gary Barnidge says the Browns are not about to turn their back on Johnny Manziel just because he's struggling with issues.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel's teammates still have his back despite everything he's done off the field, and despite outsiders saying he can't be trusted.

"We are a team,'' tight end Gary Barnidge said on a conference call Monday. "You have to stick behind everyone on the team. You can't just alienate certain people and say, 'Oh, we are not dealing with you because of this, this and this.' Altogether, we are a team. We are going to need everyone on the team to succeed.

"When it comes to all the other stuff, that is what the coaches help with. We talk to him and we do all that type of stuff, but he has to hear it from the coaches and from us. He's going to learn.''

After Manziel beat the 49ers 24-10 on Sunday in his first start off of his two-game suspension, two-time Pro Bowl safety and two-time Super Bowl-winner Rodney Harrison said on NBC Sports that he'd never want to play with Manziel because he can't be trusted.

 "It's hard for anybody outside to speak (on it),'' said coach Mike Pettine. "That's the what-if. The bottom line is, he's not in our locker room. He doesn't see him every day, and I think he'd have a lot more respect for him (if he was). Talk to a guy that's in the locker room like Gary Barnidge, who sees the noticeable difference from a year ago, the improvement there, the commitment, the dedication, the wanting to get it right, making sure that the details are right. So it's hard for me to really lend any credence to any opinions that are outside of our locker room.''

In addition to Harrison, an anonymous NFL defensive coach told ESPN's Mike Sando the same thing: that no matter how much improvement Manziel shows on the field -- and he made strides against the 49ers -- he can't be counted on off it.

Related: Johnny Manziel feels like he's just getting started

"The reason (his teammates are standing by him) is because most of the time they spend with him, the vast majority is in the building,'' said Pettine. "They see what we all see. Here's a guy that shows up to work every day excited.

"He puts in his preparation so he grinds in the meeting room. He asks great questions. He brings up good points. Guys respect that. They can tell when he talks that he's getting into that information when he's out of the building and it carries over onto the practice field.''

They also see a guy who slammed down his helmet and hit himself in the head five times with his Microsoft Surface tablet after his interception at the end of the first half against the 49ers.

"They see a guy that's competitive, that wants to win, goes out and works hard on the practice field and it carried over into the game,'' said Pettine. "They see him in game, in the huddle, his presence and what he's been able to do. That gets our guys going. When they see him frustrated after throwing a boneheaded interception and get after himself a little bit, there's some respect there because they see how competitive he is."

Barnidge didn't see Manziel's sideline outburst during the game, but doesn't have a problem with it.

"I know he saw something that he missed that he didn't want to miss,'' Barnidge said. "That's part of the game. Guys get upset. Nobody says anything when (Patriots quarterback) Tom Brady slams his down on the ground or anything like that, but because Johnny is always in the media with that kind of stuff, it becomes something that gets brought up.

"He's just passionate about it. That's a huge aspect. That's something you want. You want someone who is passionate about the game."

Barnidge, who caught five passes for 84 yards, including a 2-yard td also didn't know that Manziel was made at himself for missing a wide open Barnidge over the middle on the pick.

"I could have guessed that could have been part of it,'' said Barnidge. "You're not going to see someone every game. Every play, you are not to see something every time. You have your reads and you go through your reads, and if it doesn't work, you might miss somebody, which happens. It happens to everybody. He is going to see it and he is going to learn from it and get better."

Barnidge also believes that Manziel learned from his two-game benching for lying to the coaching staff about partying over the bye weekend.

"I definitely think he is starting to see it,'' he said. "It has shown in the way he is playing on the field, in practice and in the game and everything else. He's just going to keep learning. He's a young guy. He is going to keep learning and keep maturing as he gets older. That is a credit to him, too. We are going to be behind him no matter what, too."

Barnidge also thinks that Pettine holding Manziel accountable for his actions -- demoting him to third string just seven days after naming him the starter for the final give games -- was beneficial.

"(Pettine's) done a good job,'' he said. "It has shown by the way he played this past week, and when he gets his opportunity to play, he is showing that it is helping. It is going to help him in the long run. I think Johnny sees that as well."

Buoyed bye a re-awakened running game and pass-rush, Manziel completed 21 of 31 attempts for 270 yards with one touchdown and one interception for a 92.1 rating.

"I thought it was a solid performance,'' said Pettine. "The mistake before the half is well-documented-- that's glaring-- but other than that I just thought he was in great command of the huddle. I thought he had a great sense of the plan and how they were playing us and making in-game adjustments. As I said yesterday, I thought he did a real good job in the run game.

"We had a lot of stuff that he had to orchestrate to get us in the right run and I thought he did a good job of that and I think that kind of goes unnoticed. Overall, I just think he made good decisions. He was accurate with the football. When he could stay in the pocket, he did and made plays. There were times, we all saw, where he has that special ability to extend the play and was able to do that numerous times with solid success. Overall, I think it was a good day for him."

Barnidge was asked if there will ever come a day when he's not asked about Manziel.

"Probably not,'' he said. "He is a very energetic player. He is a great talent, and I think he is newsworthy. Everyone wants to talk about him. He has done so much since college and coming into the NFL. I think it is always going to be a topic. There is nothing wrong with that though."

He stressed that players can't allow it to become a distraction.

"It only becomes a distraction if you allow it to be. I think we have done good as a team not allowing any type of distractions, no matter whether it is anybody or anything that distracts us from anything. We just keep doing what we do out there and play and work."

 Of course, Pettine knows the true test of Manziel as a starter will come over the next three weeks, when he faces the Seahawks and Chiefs on the road and the Steelers at home. The Seahawks, led by red-hot quarterback Russell Wilson and the league's No. 2 overall defense, have won four straight to improve to 8-5.

"We know this is a formidable opponent in one of the most hostile environments in the league,'' said Pettine. "We're going to go up there and cut it loose. It starts with this week. We're going to have a great deal of respect for them but we're not going to be intimidated by them. We're going to plan to travel out there and play a good football game."

Mount Union and St. Thomas are evenly matched 14-0 teams heading into the Stagg Bowl NCAA Division III national championship on Friday. Both feature balanced offenses that trend toward power running games and aggressive defenses. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Something has to give in the Stagg Bowl 2015 Friday between No. 1 Mount Union and No. 4 St. Thomas, with the NCAA Division III national championship at stake in Salem, Virginia.

The two 14-0 teams nearly are statistical twins, both with balanced offenses that trend toward power running games. Both feature aggressive defenses that make hay behind the line of scrimmage. UST and Mount Union are the only teams in college football averaging more than 50 points while allowing fewer than 10.

Mount Union gets more turnovers, but St. Thomas has a deeper bag of special teams tricks.

Mount Union has trailed just once all season - a brief 6-0 deficit last week - and St. Thomas has never trailed in the second half.

Both coaches spoke Monday about being ready for bad moments, and answering with good.

"We have to be patient against them and their style of play,'' UMU coach Vince Kehres said.

"You've got two teams that are 14-0 and have had more than their share of success,'' St. Thomas coach Glenn Caruso said. "The team that will be able to mitigate that failure - because not all of us are perfect, and it's going to happen - will determine how this game is going to go.''

The difference, of course, is that Mount Union has been here before -- many times. This is its 19th Stagg Bowl, including a 28-10 victory over St. Thomas in 2012. That loss is the Tommies' only other Stagg Bowl.

Here's a quick breakdown:

Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl

• Who: No. 1 Mount Union (14-0) vs. No. 4 St. Thomas (14-0)
• What: NCAA Division III football national championship game.
• When: Friday, 7 p.m.
• Where: Salem Stadium, Salem, Va.
• TV: ESPNU. Jason Benetti (play-by-play); Rene Ingoglia (color), Kayce Smith (sideline).
• Live stream: WatchESPN.com
• Radio: WDPN, 1310-AM, and WRMU, 91.1-FM
• Live stats: athletics.mountunion.edu

• Series: Mount Union is 1-0. It defeated St. Thomas in the 2012 Stagg Bowl, 28-10. 

About Mount Union

• Location: Alliance, Ohio
• Enrollment: 2,200
• Affiliation: United Methodist Church
• Coach: Vince Kehres (third season, 42-2)
• Playoff road: Mount Union defeated St. Lawrence, 55-23; No. 20 Albright, 66-7; No. 11 Wesley, 56-35, and No. 5 Whitewater, 36-6.
• Playoff history: Eleven national championships (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012); 19 Stagg Bowl appearances (11 in a row); 27 playoff appearances (24 in a row).
• Notable NFL alumni: Dom Capers, Packers defensive coordinator; Pierre Garcon (Colts, Redskins), Chris Kern (Lions) Ron Lynn, NFL assistant coach; Cecil Shorts III (Jaguars, Texans); Nick Sirianni, NFL assistant coach.

Scouting the Purple Raiders

Big stop: The defense is coming off one of the best performances in recent memory. Whitewater did not score a touchdown, did not reach the red zone (20-yard line), gained 48 yards in the second half and and did not convert any of its last nine third downs.

Solid up front: Defensive linemen Tom Lally (18 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss), Mike Furda (11.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions), Duram Alarms and Mike Vidal excel at stopping the run and getting into the backfield. They will have their hands full for the second week in a row against a big, cohesive offensive line. Lally, cornerback Tre Jones and safety Alex Kocheff (81 tackles) were first-team All-North Region. Jones is playing on an injured knee, but held Whitewater's top receiver without a catch.

Nemeth hot: Running back Logan Nemeth has been a force since becoming a starter Week 8. He has 747 yards and 10 TDs in four playoff games while averaging 7.1 yards per carry. The 5-10, 195-pound senior is fast and deceptively strong with a keen eye and cutback ability.

Flexible QB: Senior Taurice Scott is adept at taking what the defense gives: 171 yards rushing in the playoff opener, 330 yards and five TDs passing in the quarterfinals. Last week: an efficient 187 yards and three TDs and not turnovers rushing and passing combined. Possession receiver Tim Kennedy has 80 catches, and 19 of Jordan Hargrove's 59 receptions have been touchdowns. Kennedy also averaged 10.3 yards per punt return.

Notable: Jake Antel has made 11 of 16 field-goal attempts, with a long of 44 yards. ... Mount Union's 6-0 deficit in the first quarter Saturday is the only time it has trailed this season. ... It has scored 137 points off 30 turnovers this season, and committed just seven turnovers. It has won the last 155 games in which it won the turnover margin (since 1996).

About St. Thomas

• Location: St. Paul, Minn.
• Enrollment: 10,245
• Affiliation: Catholic Church
• Coach: Glenn Caruso (eighth season, 87-13)
• Playoff road: St. Thomas defeated LaVerne, 57-14; No. 10 Saint John's 38-19; No. 7 Wabash, 38-7; No. 2 Linfield, 38-17.
• Playoff history: Seven playoff appearances (six of last seven years); one Stagg Bowl appearance (2012).
• Notable NFL alumni: Lineman Walt Kiesling, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame; current Seattle Seahawks General Manager John Schneider; Vince Lombardi Jr., former Seattle Seahawks assistant GM; Jim Gustafson (Vikings); Neal Guggemos (Vikings, Giants), and Ryan Collins (Ravens).

Scouting the Tommies

Seminarian power: A team that had no preseason All-Americans players and was ranked No. 14 steadily improved all season while riding the shoulders of the nation's top running back, Jordan Roberts. The seminarian who was a Division I transfer this year from South Dakota. He leads all NCAA backs with 32 rushing TDs and has 1,957 yards (6.0 per carry).

Streaking QB: Senior John Gould is is a pocket passer averaging 204 yards passing per game and has thrown 25 TDs with 11 interceptions. He is 16-1 since becoming the starter and St. Thomas has scored at least 30 points in all 17 of his starts. (Mount Union's 43 games is the only 30-point streaker longer in Division III.)

Young defense: Only one of St. Thomas' top seven tacklers is a senior. Sophomore linebacker Steve Harrell has 84 tackles, 14 for losses, and six sacks. Senior defensive back Jordan Young has four interceptions and a forced fumble.

Tricksters: The Tommies have converted several fake kicks and punts, and made national headlines in November when its extra-point holder flipped a no-look, backhand pass into the end zone that was caught for a two-point conversion (see video below).

Notable: St. Thomas has played a sightly more difficult schedule with eight victories over teams that were ranked at some point this season... Paul Graupner has made 8 of 12 field-goal attempts with a long of 51 yards... The Tommies have committed 22 turnovers.

Head-to-head comparison

                                                                              Mount Union            St. Thomas

• Points Per Game                                               53.6                 52.5
• First Downs Per Game                                       28.3                 25.7
• Rushing Yards Per Game                                    317.6              258.1
• Passing Yards Per Game                                    238.3              271.4
• Total Yards Per Game                                       555.9              529.4
• 3rd Down Conversion% Off.                                50%                 50%
• 4th Down Conversion% Off.                               52%                 67%
• Opponent First Downs Per Game                         10.9                 12.4
• Opponent Rushing Yards Per Game                      78.1                 81.7
• Opponent Passing Yards Per Game                     141.3               144.9
• Opponent Total Yards Per Game                        219.4               226.6
• Opponent 3rd Down Conversion% Def.                 22%                 23%
• Opponent 4th Down Conversion% Def.                 45%                 32%
• Touchdowns                                                    103                  101
• Opponent Touchdowns                                        13                    19
• Field Goals                                                          11                    8
• Turnovers Lost                                                    7                    22
• Turnovers Gained                                               30                    32

Browns Joe Haden had an injury-plagued year, with a concussion that caused him to miss seven of the last eight game. Now he'll miss the final three as well.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Joe Haden's star-crossed season ended Monday with a trip to injured reserve with his concussion, but expects a full recovery for next year.

Haden has missed seven of the last eight games with his concussion, first suffered against the Ravens on Oct. 11, and aggravated against Arizona Nov. 1. He was never able to pass the concussion protocol and ran out of time. He'll miss the final three games of the season for a total of 10 with the concussion.

"This has been an extremely difficult season for me personally," Haden said in a release. "It's upsetting that my year has ended this way. I really want to be out there with my teammates trying to help finish this season strong and on a positive note.''

"We've all learned how important it is to be very thorough with concussions and I appreciate the care the Browns have provided for me. Although, I haven't been able to clear protocol the specialist I have met with have told me they expect a full recovery. I'm looking forward that, returning to form, having a good offseason and an even better 2016 season."  

The two-time Pro Bowler also missed the fourth game of the season in San Diego with a rib injury and broken finger.

But his woes began way back in training camp when he suffered a pulled hamstring and missed much of the season. It was the same injury that set back others players such as Duke Johnson, Dwayne Bowe and Terrelle Pryor.

With Haden out, the Browns have struggled all season long defensively, both against the run and the pass, ranking at or near the bottom of the NFL all year.

 "It's huge (to lose Haden),'' safety Donte Whitner said last week. "There's certain guys in the NFL that get looked at a certain way because of things that you can do and how you can affect the offense and cornerback is one position,'' said safety Donte Whitner. "Not having Joe and not being able to put him in 0 coverage and take one side of the defense away or add that other guy in the box to stop the run, it's a huge trickle-down effect.''

Whitner surmised that the defense went as Haden went this year. The Browns are 3-10 and rumors abound that changes will be made after the season.

"If Joe was healthy all season and played up to his capabilities all season then I believe that our defense would be a lot better than what it is right now,'' he said. "You can go to another team and bring a great pass rusher in that's going to give you 16-20 sacks, that's going to change you tremendously. That's going to allow you to only rush with four and be able to help put extra guys into coverage. It's a huge trickle-down effect. We wish he was out there, we wish he was healthy and we do need him back as soon as possible because when he's out there and playing his best, our defense is playing at its best."

A video circulated on the internet Monday of Haden dunking a basketball, but it proved to be old. It raised some eyebrows among fans, who have missed the shutdown corner this year.

"I think Joe is as frustrated as anybody else,'' coach Mike Pettine said on a conference call Monday afternoon before the move was announced. "The video, I don't think that's recent from what I'm told. No, I know he's close and we'll see how it plays out. I just know he's very frustrated and wants to be out there with his teammates."
 
In addition to placing Haden on IR, the Browns also waived offensive lineman Gabe Ikard and claimed offensive lineman Kaleb Johnson off waivers from Baltimore. They also signed receiver Rannell Hall off Tampa Bay's practice squad with Brian Hartline set to undergo surgery Tuesday on his broken collarbone.

Hall is a 6-0, 200-pound rookie out of Central Florida. Originally signed by Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent, he has spent eight weeks on the Buccaneers' practice squad this season. At UCF, he appeared in 49 games and caught 45 passes for 2,051 yards with nine touchdowns, while adding 264 rushing yards, two touchdowns and 2,083 kickoff return yards.

Johnson is a 6-4, 300-pound rookie out of Rutgers. Originally signed by Baltimore as an undrafted free agent, he spent the first 11 weeks of the season on the Ravens practice squad before being elevated to the active roster. He was inactive for one game before being waived on Dec. 12.

Commissioner Rob Manfred declined to reinstate Pete Rose, 74, into baseball after reviewing his case and meeting with Rose.The former Cincinnati Reds great was banned from the game in 1989 for gambling.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - This is it for the Hit King. He's gone down swinging for the last time.

Pete Rose, 74, will almost assuredly go to his grave without being reinstated into the game he played so hard and discarded with such casual arrogance.

Commissioner Rob Manfred on Monday denied Rose's latest bid for reinstatement. Rose, the game's all-time leader in hits, has been on baseball's permanently ineligible list since 1989 for gambling as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.

In reviewing the original case against Rose, Manfred found evidence that he gambled on games in 1986, and perhaps in 1985, when he was a player-manager for the Reds. Rose, in the past, contended that he gambled on games only as the Reds manager in 1987.

Manfred, in explaining his decision, cited that upon Rose's original ban, which gave him the right to seek reinstatement, former Commissioner Bart Giamatti asked him to "reconfigure' his life. When Manfred met with Rose in September to hear his case, Rose told Manfred that he still bet on sports, including baseball, but only after initially denying the question. Manfred said Rose did not "remember many facts' from the Dowd Report - MLB hired investigator John Dowd to look into allegations of Rose's gambling when they originally surfaced -- that uncovered evidence that he bet on baseball in 1985 and 1986 as a player-manager.

In rejecting Rose's bid for reinstatement, Manfred wrote, "I believe that, at a minimum, there must be objective evidence which demonstrates that the applicant has fundamentally changed his life and that, based on such changes, the applicant does not pose a risk for violating Rule 21 in the future. Here, what has been presented to me for consideration falls well short of these requirements."

Rule 21 prohibits gambling in baseball.

Manfred, in another part of his decision, wrote, "Mr. Rose has not presented credible evidence of a reconfigured life."

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's full decision on Pete Rose:

The decision upheld the original ban that prevents Rose from associating or working with any major- or minor-league team. He said Rose could work for a third party that does business with MLB. Rose served as an analyst for Fox Sports during the World Series between Kansas City and the New York Mets.

Manfred said his decision has no influence on whether Rose would be a candidate for the Hall of Fame. In 1991 the Hall of Fame ruled that no ineligible player could appear on a Hall of Fame ballot voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Since Manfred went to some length to separate his decision from Rose's Hall of Fame candidacy, some have seen this as Manfred giving his OK to the Hall of Fame putting Rose on the ballot. By any interpretation, however, that is a stretch. BBWAA members eligible to vote for the Hall of Fame have already shown their reluctance to vote for players from the steroid era regardless of their statistics and direct evidence against them. The question of how they'd vote for Rose, a great player on the field and an admitted breaker of baseball's No.1 rule, is anything but a given. The Hall's series of veteran committees, many comprised of Rose's peers, might take an even dimmer view of welcoming Charlie Hustle to Cooperstown.

Rose repeatedly denied that he gambled on baseball after his original ban in 1989. It wasn't until 2004, in an autobiography, that Rose admitted he gambled on games. But he said he only did so as manager of the Reds and he only bet on the Reds to win.

Manfred's decision even brought that into question. Manfred wrote that Rose told him he bet on every game as the Reds manager in 1987. Manfred told him he had evidence - a betting notebook from Michael Bertolini - that showed Rose bet on only specific Reds games that year. Manfred wrote, "Thus, Mr. Rose's wagering pattern may have created the appearance to those who were aware of his activity that he selected only games that be believed the Reds would win."

As the umpire says, "Strike three, you're out."

In between Games 3 and 4 of a first-round playoff series with the Boston Celtics last season, a shirtless James was fooling around at the end of a practice at TD Garden.

BOSTON -- LeBron James returns Tuesday to the scene of the, well, it wasn't a crime, but it was a pretty crazy shot.

In between Games 3 and 4 of a first-round playoff series with the Boston Celtics last season, a shirtless James was fooling around at the end of a practice at TD Garden when he drained a full-court, overhand shot.

Well, the NBA announced Monday that that shot, James' 94-footer on April 25, was the league's most viewed Vine, with more than 23 million views, or loops. The NBA made the announcement in a news release celebrating the league's 1 billion Vine "loops" -- the first organization to rack up that many loops, according to the NBA.

The Cavs, by the way, play Boston for the first time this season at TD Garden on Tuesday.

For your viewing pleasure, here are four other top NBA Vines. WARNING: The next two feature Steph Curry and his daughter, Riley.

Jones received his offer from Syracuse on Dec. 12, two days after receiving an offer from Air Force.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio – St. Edward senior wide receiver/defensive back Carl Jones has verbally committed to play football at Syracuse.

He announced the decision on his public twitter account.

After sitting down and talking with family, I have decided to commit to the Syracuse University!!! #OrangeNation 🍊🍊🍊 pic.twitter.com/fW0vnOKyf1

— Carl Jones (@Jones11_) December 15, 2015

Jones received his offer from Syracuse on Dec. 12, two days after receiving an offer from Air Force.

Jones was the third-leading receiver for St. Edward, which won its second straight Division I state title Dec. 5. He had 28 catches for 475 yards and four touchdowns. He also saw significant time at defensive back, especially in the playoffs. He had 24 tackles, nine passes defensed and an interception entering the state final.

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