Here's today's roundup of stories about the Browns.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns have a lot of work to do on their roster coming off a 3-13 season. New head coach Hue Jackson takes over a team that was abysmal defensively and inconsistent offensively.

It's part of the reason that ESPN.com's Pat McManamon wrote about the importance of making sure they don't lose possibly three offensive linemen this off-season: Alex Mack, who can opt out of his contract; Mitchell Schwartz, who is a free agent, and Joe Thomas, who could ask to be traded.

"If the Browns let three offensive linemen go, they'll be creating needs that don't currently exist. They'll be saying goodbye to a future Hall of Famer, two Pro Bowlers and an underrated right tackle.

"Compounding the problem is the Browns lack the depth to replace one tackle, let alone two. Cameron Erving was supposed to be the versatile backup last season, but his poor footwork and lack of strength were glaring as a rookie. The Browns can't count on him to replace anyone at this point."

Read Pat's full piece over at ESPN.com.

That being said, there are some building blocks here, at least according to Jason Garcia at Fox Sports. He starts with the obvious choice, Gary Barnidge:

"Barnidge (79 rec/1,043 yds/9 TDs) exploded onto the scene with the finest season from a tight end in Cleveland since Kellen Winslow Jr. (82/1,106/5) in 2007, also matching Ozzie Newsome's franchise record for touchdowns at the position. Even more surprising is that Barnidge waited until his eighth season to have his best year. The Browns were certainly thankful that he did since he was the best threat in an offense short on weapons. Barnidge will turn 31 at the start of next season, but the contract extension he received in December ensures that he'll be a mainstay on the offense for at least the next three seasons."

The rest of Garcia's entries are, understandably, stretches: Josh Gordon, Danny Shelton, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. Check out the full list over at Fox Sports.

More Browns links:

Former Browns WR Joe Jurevicius is Now Cleveland Laundromat Mogul (Scene)

5 possibilities for Johnny Manziel when Browns dump him (NY Post)

Browns are 200-to-1 to win Super Bowl LI, 100-to-1 to win AFC (LineMakers)

The Cleveland Browns attracted a top head coaching candidate in Hue Jackson, who clearly has already found a comfort zone inside an out-of-the-box organization.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The worry has subsided (for now) that the Browns' organizational structure could cause issues for a head coach concerned about navigating new waters filled with big fish.

Or, as Hue Jackson would say, "Hue Jackson's in town, baby."

While Hue Jackson says he doesn't care about picking players as much as coaching them, it's pretty obvious he's comfortable in talking about some elements of talent acquisition.

Even taking into account it's easier to be comfortable in January than it is under mounting losses in November, Jackson isn't losing any time presenting himself as the man in charge.

"If there's a quarterback there at pick No. 2 or pick No. 32 that we feel is the best option, the best fit, for our organization, then we need to go get him," Jackson told Bleacher Report's XM Radio. "I do believe that this team does need a quarterback."

This is not exactly like Bill Belichick saying the Patriots need a quarterback. It's rather obvious. But it's a new head coach who doesn't seem too worried about speaking on behalf of the organization.

And maybe another indicator that analytics will be used to support football decisions and not drive them.

* Asked why J.R. Smith showed up less than 50 minutes before Monday night's lopsided loss against Golden State, Cavs head coach David Blatt either didn't want to discuss it or really didn't know.

"I was not aware of that," Blatt said, according to espn.com. "So if that's true or not, I don't know. If it is, that's not a good thing, that's for sure."

Apparently the Cavs need to synchronize their watches, or hire a 23^rd assistant coach to help keep track of player arrival times.

* Smith was ejected in the third quarter for running through a pick without even pretending to play defense. Sometimes players get a little off track and need a reminder about the keys to success:

It's "show up early and leave late."

* Ron Rivera has banned hoverboards at the Carolina Panthers facility.

"I caught them drag racing in the friggin' hallways one time, too," Rivera told the media.

Add that quote to the list of Things Vince Lombardi Never Said.

* Cam Newton and Carson Palmer are the first Heisman-winning quarterbacks to  face off in the NFL playoffs, which sounds impossible.

No, Jason White v. Eric Crouch never happened, but good try.

* Palmer and Newton are two of seven Heisman-winning QBs on active rosters this season. The others: Sam Bradford, Robert Griffin III, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota and - you know him, you used to love him, you can live without him - Johnny Manziel.

* A petition on the website bringJohnny2dallas.com had 3,562 signatures late Tuesday afternoon.

Three of the signatures: Cleveland Browns, Mike Pettine, Johnny Manziel.

* Line of the week: ESPN's Ethan Strauss on Kevin Love Monday night:  "Cleveland elected to trap Curry, but asking Love to be your trap can be like asking water to be your umbrella."

* One benefit to Love defensively? Kyrie Irving feels better about himself.

* The Broncos were skeptical about Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder injury if by "skeptical" you mean they considered it a lie.

Linebacker Von Miller told the media, "I read through the bluff."

Other Broncos said they didn't see any evidence of an injury in Roethlisberger's velocity, accuracy or distance.

Then again, they'd been watching Peyton Manning throw in practice all week.

* Left-handed Compliment of the Week:

The Broncos found some support from former coach Brian Billick, whose Ravens played the Steelers enough to give Billick an up-close view of Roethlisberger.

"There's no one tougher than Ben Roethlisberger by far in the NFL, but he's a drama queen," Billick told a Denver radio station.

So ... which is it?

* Runner-up Left-handed Compliment of the Week:

The Broncos' Antonio Smith was asked a loaded question and answered with both barrels. Is Tom Brady a crybaby?

"That would be an accurate statement. I've never seen any quarterback look to the referee right after he gets sacked more than Brady ... he's a great competitor. You know it's coming. He's going to cry about the hit but he's going to take the hit and keep going."

For Smith and Billick to be any more passive aggressive, they'd have to change their names to LeBron James.

* Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, infamous for his clock mismanagement, is off the hook for a glacier-like drive that took more than five minutes off the clock with his team trailing 27-13 and just 6:29 remaining.

Pro Football Talk tells us Pro Football Reference studied 2,111 drives since 1998 involving teams needing two scores with less than seven minutes remaining.

Only one took longer than the Chiefs v. Pats.

Doug Pederson, K.C.'s offensive coordinator in that game, said Monday he took over play calling in the second half.

Eagles fans happy they no longer have to watch Reid manage the clock welcomed their new head coach this week.

Doug Pederson.

* I remember the Eagles' coaching search when it took place in Berea three years ago and Doug Pederson's name was Rob Chudzinski.

* The Packers have told running back Eddie Lacy he must trim down before next season. Lacy struggled with his weight in his third year. He was noticeably heavier and slower.

Somehow he "broke" a run for 61 yards in the playoffs. Only way that run could've taken longer was if Doug Pederson called it.

On Tuesday, the Buckeyes offered 2018 quarterback Phil Jurkovec of Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Richland a scholarship. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound prospect just completed his sophomore season.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State got a commitment from 2016 quarterback Dwayne Haskins of Potomac (Md.) The Bullis School on Monday. 

The Buckeyes have had a commitment from 2017 quarterback Danny Clark of Akron Archbishop Hoban since he was a freshman. 

So naturally, Urban Meyer has his eyes set even more into the future. On Tuesday, the Buckeyes offered 2018 quarterback Phil Jurkovec of Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Richland a scholarship. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound prospect just completed his sophomore season. 

Though Jurkovec has yet to earn a rating in his 247Sports profile, some experts have compared him to former Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Who needs a rating, though? If you want to know how good Jurkovec is, just take a look at his scholarships list. Along with Ohio State, he also has offers from Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Temple, Tennessee, Tennessee, UCLA, West Virginia and Wisconsin. 

As a sophomore, Jurkovec put up 2,560 yards and 20 touchdowns passing and rushed for another 1,250 yards and 11 more scores. 

Check out Jurkovec's highlights below:

Some news and notes concerning Ohio State's H-backs from Tuesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- One Ohio State H-back is on the road to recovery, while another made a decision that shows he could be back to full health.

Buckeyes H-back Curtis Samuel posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday that he underwent successful surgery for an undisclosed issue. ElevenWarriors.com reported that the surgery was on Samuel's foot, and that the recovery time could be up to six weeks.

We're six weeks from the start of spring practice on March 8, so that means Samuel could miss some or all of spring ball. Ohio State did not release an official statement about Samuel's surgery.

If Samuel misses spring ball, that would mean he misses an important part of the preparation for what he's expecting to be a big 2016 season. Samuel spoke with cleveland.com after the Fiesta Bowl, and said while he's not sure if he'll be used primarily as a receiver or a running back, he does expect to have a bigger role in the offense as a junior.

Samuel moved from running back to H-back this season, finishing with 39 total touches for 421 yards and three touchdowns.

Wilson, Clark, Landers to join track team

Ohio State announced on Tuesday that H-back Dontre Wilson, receiver James Clark and defensive tackle Robert Landers would be joining the Buckeyes track team for the indoor season.

Wilson and Clark will be sprinters, while Landers will throw shot put.

This is presumably good news about Wilson and his bothersome foot. He broke his foot during the Michigan State game in 2014, and has had trouble getting completely healthy since then.

Urban Meyer said Wilson is at a good place weight-wise, and could see more action out of the backfield in 2016. First, Wilson has to show that he can stay healthy. This move to the track team suggests that he's making progress.

Check out all the important info you need to know before you plan your Super Bowl 50 party.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Super Bowl 50 will be played Sunday, Feb. 7, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers.

The Super Bowl participants will be determined Sunday when the Broncos and Patriots (AFC), and Cardinals and Panthers (NFC) play conference championship games.

And yes, it's Super Bowl 50, not Super Bowl L. The NFL is suspending Roman numerals for the game to celebrate the milestone. Next season's finale will be Super Bowl LI.

Here's what you need to know:

What: Super Bowl 50.

When: Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. ET.

TV: CBS.

Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Phil Simms (analysis), Tracy Wolfson (sideline), Evan Washburn (sideline).

Halftime show: Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Beyonce.

CBS Pregame programming

11 a.m. ET: Super Bowl 50: Before they were pros (NFL Films).

Noon ET: Road to the Super Bowl (NFL Films).

1 p.m. ET: Phil Simms All-Iron Team: Super Bowl Edition.

2-6 p.m. ET: The Super Bowl Today.

The Browns have the No. 2 pick and need a quarterback. So do they have to take one? Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns need a quarterback and have the No. 2 pick. Do they have to take a quarterback at No. 2, though?

Bud Shaw, Michael Reghi and I talked about it as part of our weekly series of videos. Even if it's a reach, do they have to take one? Watch the video and tell us in the comments.

There a lot of guys in these highlights you won't see again as Buckeyes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- This is it, Ohio State's last reel of highlights from the 2015 season that ended with the Buckeyes wrapping up a No. 4 spot in the final polls with a 44-28 win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.

From Joey Bosa to Ezekiel Elliott, from Taylor Decker to Darron Lee, from Joshua Perry to Michael Thomas, there are a whole lot of Buckeyes in these highlights that you won't be seeing on the field as Buckeyes again.

Take a look. The highlights next year will include a lot of new faces.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski was upset about a late non-call in Duke's loss to Syracuse, the third straight loss for the Blue Devils.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - March Madness does not begin until, well, March but the 2015-16 college basketball season has already been full of thrills and surprises.

Which team is No. 1, or how long will it stay No. 1 has been an early theme. North Carolina was the preseason No. 1, then gave way to Kentucky. Michigan State moved to the top, then surrendered it to Kansas, which lost it to Oklahoma this past Monday. And then Oklahoma fell to Iowa State about 10 hours after being elevated to the top.

But one of the biggest shocks this season is the slip of defending champion Duke. The Blue Devils have lost three straight for the first time since 2007. Duke has not lost three in a row to unranked opponents since the 1968-69 season.

Duke's losing streak began with a five-point loss at Clemson last week. The Blue Devils followed that defeat with a 95-91 loss last Saturday at home against Notre Dame. The Irish shot 50 percent from the field. It was only the third time this season Duke has allowed an opponent to shoot that well.

On Monday night, Syracuse beat Duke by two, also at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Those losses are attributed to the team's youth and an injury to senior Amile Jefferson, who averaged 11.4 points and 10.3 rebounds before he was sidelined with a fractured foot in December.

Now Duke's success rests on Jefferson's return. Things don't get any easier, as a three-game road trip begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at North Carolina State.

Kent State improved to 4-1 in the MAC with a 76-68 victory over Ball State on Tuesday.

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Kent State won the battle of division leaders Tuesday with a 76-68 victory over Ball State in a Mid-American Conference men's basketball game.

Kent State (13-5, 4-1 MAC) got 22 points from Xavier Pollard and 20 from Kellon Thomas in dropping Ball State to 12-6, 3-2.

The Golden Flashes, beginning a stretch of four of five games on the road, jumped out to a 10-0 lead and were never headed, building a 37-30 halftime lead. Ball State got to within 61-59 with just over three minutes remaining, but KSU managed to hang on.

Ball State came into the game holding opponents to a league-low 62.9 points per game and 39.4 percent shooting from the field, but the Cardinals couldn't control the Flashes, who shot 51 percent (25-of-49) from the field and 42.9 percent (6-of-14) from the 3-point line.

Pollard was 9-of-15 from the field, while Thomas was 11-of-12 at the foul line. Jimmy Hall also reached double figures with 14 points and Chris Ortiz had 12 rebounds for the Flashes.

Ball State was led by Ryan Weber with 16 points and Jeremie Tyler with 11.

Kent State has won 13 straight over Ball State, including the last five in Muncie.

Up next: Kent State will be on the road again Saturday, playing at Bowling Green at 4. ... The Golden Flashes host Eastern Michigan on Tuesday at 7.

Hall 6-10 2-2 14, Spicer 2-4 3-4 7, Pollard 9-14 1-1 22, Thomas 4-9 11-12 20, Edwin 0-0 0-0 0, Jones 0-1 0-0 0, Ortiz 2-6 2-4 7, Cancer 0-1 0-0 0, J. Walker 2-3 0-0 5, Davis 0-1 1-2 1. Totals 25-49 20-25 76.

Calhoun 4-9 0-0 9, House 3-9 2-3 8, Weber 5-11 2-2 16, Kiapway 3-5 0-0 8, Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Tyler 4-12 0-0 11, Davis 0-2 0-0 0, Sellers 1-1 2-2 5, Moses 3-7 3-6 9, Wells 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 24-59 9-13 68.

Halftime-Kent St. 37-30. 3-Point Goals-Kent St. 6-14 (Pollard 3-5, J. Walker 1-2, Thomas 1-3, Ortiz 1-3, Jones 0-1), Ball St. 11-24 (Weber 4-9, Tyler 3-7, Kiapway 2-4, Sellers 1-1, Calhoun 1-3). Fouled Out-None. Rebounds-Kent St. 36 (Ortiz 12), Ball St. 28 (Calhoun 10). Assists-Kent St. 14 (Pollard 4), Ball St. 18 (House 7). Total Fouls-Kent St. 18, Ball St. 21. A-3,190.

Akron snapped a two-game losing streak on the road with a big offensive surge against Eastern Michigan.

AKRON, Ohio -- Strong post play and sizzling second-half 3-point shooting lifted the Akron Zips to a 92-88 victory over Eastern Michigan on Tuesday night, the first of three Zips home games in Rhodes Arena.

EMU (10-8, 2-3) arrived with talented freshman James Thompson (6-10) averaging a double-double on the season. But the Zips (14-4, 3-2) countered with the inside tandem of 6-11 Pat Forsythe and massive 6-10, 300-pound Isaiah Johnson, which combined for 33 points and 11 rebounds.

"I thought Isaiah Johnson (22 points, eight rebounds) really impacted the game,'' EMU coach Rob Murphy said. "Those two bigs gave us problems. They protected their home floor."

They frustrated Thompson into foul trouble, including a second-half technical as he finished with nine points and seven boards. It snapped a 13-game streak of double-figure scoring for the rookie from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

But the Eagles led at the half and seemed to have the momentum until five straight 3-pointers got the Zips rolling. Akron's Reggie McAdams hit three straight.

"Coach drew a play up for me at halftime and I hit one,'' McAdams said. "When one goes in you keep shooting them."

The 6-5 senior was 7-of-12 behind the arc, including two big ones back-to-back late in the game, finishing with 28 points. That helped the Zips snap a two-game losing streak.

"He did a great job of catching and shooting,'' Murphy said of McAdams. "He was the story tonight."

Here is a look at memorable moments from Jan. 20.

Hue Jackson has talked to Al Saunders about joining the Browns. He was Jackson's offensive coordinator in 2011 with Oakland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hue Jackson is calling upon his old Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders to help him run the offense in Cleveland.

Jackson interviewed Saunders last week and is expected to come on board soon, a league source told cleveland.com.

One of the most respected minds in offensive football, Saunders, 68, served as Jackson's coordinator when he was head coach of the Raiders in 2011. Together, they coaxed 6,072 yards out of the offense -- second most in club history.
They also produced 84 explosive plays of 20 yards or more for second in the NFL, and finished first in two-minute scoring offense.

Jackson and Saunders, the former head coach of the Chargers from 1986-88, also worked together in Baltimore, coaching second-year quarterback Joe Flacco to his second playoff berth in 2009.

CBS Sports' Jason LaCanfora first reported the Browns' interest in Saunders.
In Oakland in 2011, Saunders had former Browns quarterback Jason Campbell playing some of the best ball of his career before breaking his collarbone against the Browns. Campbell was 4-2 at the time of the injury, and Saunders was convinced he was a playoff-caliber passer.

Former Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders.AP file 

"I've always felt Jason has the ability to be one of the premier quarterbacks in the National Football League,'' Saunders told cleveland.com in 2013. "I've worked with (Hall of Famer) Joe Montana and Kurt Warner and some of truly great ones in the National Football League, and there's only a few guys like that. But Jason has the skills and the personality -- and with the system that he's in right now -- to be able to perform at an elite level.''

Sanders, who came out of retirement in October to serve as interim coach Dan Campbell's senior offensive assistant in Miami after Joe Philbin was fired, has a more impressive resume than almost anyone in football.

Related: Ray Horton interviewed for defensive coordinator Tuesday

He took over for late Hall of Fame finalist Don "Air'' Coryell as head coach of the Chargers in 1986 and served as full-time head coach there in 1987-88.

He also worked under Dick Vermeil in St. Louis, where he was part of the "Greatest Show on Turf'' Super Bowl champions. As associate head coach/receivers, Saunders helped the Rams set NFL records in 2000 in yards (7,075), passing yards (5,232) and points (540).

Saunders, who's been a coordinator for the Chiefs, Redskins, Rams and Raiders, has been a part of 15 playoff teams, five division titles and one Super Bowl championship. On 20 occasions, his offensive units have ranked first in the NFL in either total offense, passing, rushing or scoring.

If all goes as planned, Saunders will come to Cleveland and help his friend get the Browns' offense rolling.

Jackson also interviewed Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton in Cleveland on Tuesday and hopes to lure him away from the Titans, a league source told cleveland.com. Jackson will also nterview Vikings running backs coach Kirby Wilson to be his running game coordinator this week, likely on Wednesday, a source told cleveland.com. His Vikings contract expired on Tuesday.

Jackson talked to former Lions coach Jim Schwartz last week about being his defensive coordinator, but Schwartz was hired by the Eagles Tuesday for that role.

The three-star defensive back had 23 Division I offers.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio – St. Edward football player Tony Butler committed to Nebraska on Wednesday during a ceremony at his school.

Butler received 23 Division I college offers, but had narrowed his final four to Arizona State, Clemson, Michigan and Rutgers before altering it to Arizona State, Nebraska and West Virginia. He originally committed to Pitt in March before decommitting in June to reopen his recruitment.

Tony Butler has committed to Nebraska. pic.twitter.com/cxa1RbhE00

— Bill Greene (@BillBankGreene) January 20, 2016

He took official visits to Nebraska and Rutgers and cancelled a planned Jan. 15 official visit to Arizona State. He did not receive an offer from Ohio State.

Butler is rated the No. 22 prospect in Ohio’s Class of 2016 (three stars) according to 247Sports composite rankings.

Check out Butler’s player page on cleveland.com, which includes photos, videos and an off the field look at the St. Edward senior.

He had 42 tackles and an interception in 2015. The interception came in the Division I state final win against Huber Heights Wayne. Butler was first-team All-Ohio and a cleveland.com first-team All-Star in 2015.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, had three interceptions as a junior and scooped up a fumble in the final minutes to seal the Eagles' victory against Wayne in the 2014 state final.

Butler committed to Pitt in March, but still wanted to take visits to other schools. By June he decided to part ways with Pitt, saying “I felt I was doing myself a disservice and the Pitt staff a disservice by taking other visits while committed. So I decided to part ways.” 

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko on Twitter (@ScottPatsko) by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

"I've been reading them stuff, psychological stuff," Matta said. "But I think, just trying to continue to hammer home the importance of being in the moment and being a part of what we're trying to do. ... You doing your part, this guy does his part, and you have to do that possession after possession after possession on both sides of the ball." Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Thad Matta was having a conversation last week with SMU coach Larry Brown and it brought him back to 2004. 

Though SMU is currently 17-0 and ranked in the top 10, Brown's team is banned from the NCAA Tournament. Matta's memory clicked. 

"My first year here in early December when we announced that we were banned from postseason play, Matt Sylvester said, 'This ought to be fun, no pressure on us this year. We can just play,' " Matta said. 

It's not that Matta would ever long for a season in which his team can't compete for the biggest prize, but as he looks at his young Ohio State roster this year, he would like to create that "no pressure" mantra. 

Ohio State is playing at No. 22 Purdue on Thursday coming off an embarrassing 100-65 loss at Maryland. Two games before that, the Buckeyes lost at Indiana, 85-60. 

Those two games would imply Ohio State has reached disaster mode. But the Buckeyes (12-7, 4-2 Big Ten) are tied for fourth in the conference and have major opportunities to work back into the NCAA Tournament picture. That starts with Purdue. 

Matta has to find the balance between alleviating pressure at a time when his Buckeyes are playing critical games that will likely decide their postseason fate. 

"It's funny when you think about that, the no pressure (mentality). Just going out and playing. And that's something I've tried to get these guys to understand," Matta said. "I think that's the element with a young basketball that I'm trying to get guys to be mindful of 'Hey, just go out and do your job. Just play.' I think that's where we've got to get better and when things don't get well, we can't be putting negative thoughts into our heads."

Matta is an avid reader. He even shared a quote from American novelist George R.R. Martin during his newsconference: "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." 

So one of the things he's been doing is sharing quotes from the book he's reading with his team. Matta wouldn't say which book -- "I never like to divulge my information," he joked -- but it's just an motivational idea. 

"He's on page 36 I think," guard JaQuan Lyle said. "There's more than 250 pages in that book, so who knows how many more quotes we'll get." 

Matta has also been tinkering with travel schedule to get things right. 

"We're searching for (the answer), just trying to find some luck," Matta said. "Maybe what we're eating? But, it is a growth process." 

JaQuan Lyle and Ohio State have a big challenge at Purdue on Thursday after being blown out by Maryland last weekend. Jay LaPrete, Associated Press 

It's all about growth with a team like this.

Motivational tactics can work, but this season has reached a point where it's about whether Ohio State's youthful team can consistently compete with college basketball's best, especially on the road. 

In the Buckeyes' last two chances, they haven't done that. But this is still a team that beat Kentucky, a team that's won four of their first six in the Big Ten, perhaps the deepest conference in college basketball. 

Maybe Ohio State is too young to be ready for that consistency.

Or maybe it's about pushing the right buttons to bring it out. 

"I've been reading them stuff, psychological stuff," Matta said. "But I think, just trying to continue to hammer home the importance of being in the moment and being a part of what we're trying to do. ... 'You doing your part, this guy does his part,' and you have to do that possession after possession after possession on both sides of the ball.

"For me, it's about getting these guys to accept the challenge. Obviously with the two losses we had last week, we have to sort of change how we're looking at things in terms of the approach, but, probably most importantly, in the game what has to be done." 

Tell us what you think will happen with the Browns receiver. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has applied for reinstatement.

Gordon was suspended for at least a year on Feb. 3, 2015 after multiple violations of the league's substance-abuse policy. A league source confirmed Wednesday to cleveland.com that Gordon has applied for reinstatement, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell now has 60 days to make a ruling.

That leaves more questions: Will the NFL lift its indefinite ban? Will Gordon even play again for the Browns?

Tell us what you think in the poll to the right and in the comments section below.

Here's a trip down memory lane on the Gordon saga. Maybe these stories will help your decision.

Jan. 25, 2015

Jan. 28, 2015

Jan. 29, 2015

Jan. 29, 2015

Feb. 3, 2015

Feb. 3, 2015

Feb. 11, 2015

Feb. 17, 2015

Feb. 18, 2015

Aug. 10, 2015

Dec. 16, 2015

Jan. 20, 2016

Also, the topic was recently debated by Bud Shaw, Michael Reghi and Dan Labbe.

Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

Talent or the lack of it often trumps Xs and Os, as the Browns have learned over the years.

BEREA, Ohio - The environmentally friendly Browns have chosen to recycle a defensive coordinator.

The decision to hire Ray Horton for the second time in three years is unusual and earning the Browns mixed reviews. The trepidation is understandable given how Horton's one season (2013) produced four wins and lots of long-winded explanations for why his defense struggled in the red zone, fourth quarters and on third downs.

In fairness to the affable Horton, the team's first-round draft pick, Barkevious Mingo, rarely got to the quarterback after Week 4 and he couldn't run the gambling defense that served him well in Arizona because he lacked the proper personnel. The best schemes in football aren't going to save you when Tom Brady finds Leon McFadden locked in single coverage.

It's not to excuse Horton's shortcomings in a 4-12 campaign that saw the Browns squander late-season leads to the Jaguars, Patriots and Bears. Anyone with eyes knows that wasn't the league's eighth-best defense regardless of the rankings.

It's not just about X's and O's or dollars and cents - of which the Browns invested many a season ago and received precious little in return. The franchise needs to upgrade its talent, particularly along the front seven.

Related: Browns hire Ray Horton

The Browns have employed 10 defensive coordinators over the past 17 seasons and none consistently stopped the run. What does that tell you?

Good personnel make calling a great game much easier. It's why the Bills thrived in Jim Schwartz's 4-3 base defense in 2014 after playing well in Mike Pettine's 3-4 scheme a year earlier. It's why the Cardinals and Seahawks remain stout no matter who's coordinating their defenses. Arizona has gone from Horton to Todd Bowles to James Bettcher with no drop off in the past four seasons.

The Seahawks survived the loss of coordinator Dan Quinn to lead the NFL in scoring defense in 2015. Just a guess here but Bobby Wagner, Michael Bennett, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman might have had something to do with it. The ear-to-ear grin we saw on Ahtyba Rubin's face after the Seahawks whipped the Browns' 30-13 on Dec. 20 suggests his supporting cast and not the schemes of Jim O'Neil played a bigger role in his revival.

This isn't to say the coordinator is entirely at the mercy of his talent. O'Neil appeared overwhelmed in his second season as coach Mike Pettine spent more time with the offense. Some players, edge rusher Paul Kruger especially, questioned the scheme. The defensive production dipped dramatically despite the pricey unit's preseason boasts. Conversely, the Steelers showed marked improvement under first-year coordinator and former Browns assistant Keith Butler even with a suspect secondary.

Talent and athleticism, however, are cornerstones for any team. Corner Joe Haden had a poor start to 2015, but the pass defense collapsed once he was lost to a season-ending concussion in Week 8.

As Horton returns to Cleveland he faces daunting challenges. He must:

* Revamp one of the league's worst linebacker corps.

* Lobby management for help despite the fact previous administrations have dedicated high first-round picks on Mingo, Justin Gilbert and Danny Shelton in the past three years.

* Add impact players at edge rusher, inside linebacker, cornerback and maybe free safety depending on whether the Browns re-sign Tashaun Gipson.

* Hope Shelton demonstrates progress, Nate Orchard builds on the end of last season and Haden regains his 2014 form.

Otherwise, the defense is good to go.

It's staggering to consider the amount of assets that went into building the NFL's 27^th ranked defense a year ago. Arguably, the best acquisitions in the past four years are a pair of aging front-seven players (Desmond Bryant, Karlos Dansby) and two undrafted free agents (Gipson, K'Waun Williams).

If a team doesn't have enough talent it matters little what base defenses or exotic blitzes a coordinator designs. Horton has spent the past two years in Tennessee where his units ranked 27th (2014) and 12th (2015) overall.  An improved second season - one that saw the addition of his mentor Dick LeBeau - was hindered by mid-season injuries to outside linebacker Derrick Morgan and corner Jason McCourty.

It's a reminder the players often make the schemes -- not the other way around.

So debate all you want about the merits of Horton 2.0. The success or failure of the defense next season will be determined primarily by the players acquired and retained, not the man coordinating them.

Get the latest updates and analysis on the Cleveland Cavaliers game against the Brooklyn Nets.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to bounce back after their worst loss of the season when they play the lottery-bound Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

Follow along in the comments section as Chris Haynes, Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor bring you observations and analysis throughout the game.

Make sure to follow Haynes, Vardon and Fedor on Twitter.

Game 40: Cavs (28-11) vs. Nets (11-31)

Tip off: 7:30 p.m. at Barclays Center.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Ohio; WTAM AM/1100, WMMS 100.7 FM, 87.7 FM (ESP)

Cavs probable starting lineup: Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Timofey Mozgov.

Nets probable starting lineup: Donald Sloan, Joe Johnson, Wayne Ellington, Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez.

Ray Horton is finalized his deal to become the Browns defensive coordinator. Al Saunders will be senior offensive assistant and Kirby Wilson will be running game coordinator.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ray Horton is back as Browns defensive coordinator and Hue Jackson filled all of the other key positions on his coaching staff.

Horton, who ran the Browns defense here in 2013 under Rob Chudzinski, left his job as defensive coordinator of the Titans to join Jackson in Cleveland. Ironically, he was still on the Browns payroll for 2016 from the last time around.

A source said Horton has already requested permission to bring some of his Titans assistants to Cleveland.

Jackson also hired his former Raiders offensive coordinator Al Saunders as senior offensive assistant, Pep Hamilton as associate head coach/offense and Kirby Wilson as running game coordinator, sources have told cleveland.com. The Browns also hired former Colts offensive line coach Hal Hunter for the same role here.

Saunders, 68, was senior offensive assistant with the Dolphins; Hamilton was fired in November by the Colts; and Wilson was running backs coach of the Vikings the past two seasons.

Jackson's inaugural Browns staff has plenty of NFL playcalling experience on both sides of the ball. Saunders, who's coached in the NFL since 1983, has been an offensive coordinator for the Chiefs, Redskins, Rams and Raiders. He's also been head coach of the Chargers.

Hamilton called plays for the Colts from 2013 until he was let go eight games into this season with quarterback Andrew Luck and the offense struggling after a sensational 2014. He was replaced by Chudzinski.

And Horton, 55, has been a defensive coordinator for five seasons, including two with the Cardinals, one with the Browns and the last two with the Titans.

Horton was still under contract with with Tennessee, who on Wednesday named his longtime boss Dick LeBeau as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator. In Cleveland, Horton will have a chance to emerge from LeBeau's shadow and try to establish himself as a head coach candidate again.

Related: Hue Jackson: 'We're chasing greatness'

He's been interviewed several times for head coaching vacancies including with the Cardinals and Titans.

On Saturday, John Wooten, Chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, told The Tennessean and cleveland.com that Horton was insulted that the Titans waited so long to interview him for their head coaching vacancy. They talked to him Saturday morning, just hours before they promoted interim coach Mike Mularkey to head coach. Horton, however, later told reporters that he wasn't insulted and that the interview went well. He also said he was talking extension with the Titans.

In 2015, Horton's defense finished 12th overall and seventh against the pass. They were 18th against the run and 27th in points allowed with 26.4 per game. Horton runs a 3-4 defense, which is similar to former Browns coach Mike Pettine's base scheme.

In Cleveland, Horton's defensive finished No. 9 overall, raising it 14 spots above the previous season. Cleveland also ranked third in the NFL in fewest yards per opponent pass attempts (6.15) and ninth in pass yards allowed. Cornerback Joe Haden and safety T.J. Ward both earned their first Pro Bowl appearances under Horton.

Related: Tom Reed writes that the players make the coordinator

Horton, who took the Titans job after that season when Chudzinski was fired, also liked rookie Barkevious Mingo, the No. 6 overall pick, as a pass-rusher that year, so it will be interesting to see how he uses Mingo -- or if the Browns will even keep him. They had trade offers for him in November but opted to keep him.

Horton, a former second-round pick of the Bengals who played defensive back in the NFL for 10 seasons, spent the last half of the 2013 explaining the team's fourth-quarter collapses. The defense crumbled in the final two minutes of the half and the game, surrendering a league-high 145 fourth-quarter points.  

"We need somebody to step up and not take that back step and say, 'I'm going to wait for somebody else to do it,'" Horton said in December of that year. "To me, that's been the biggest disappointment is, our big-time players play well, but we also need our role players do their role. Whether that's being in the right gap, making the tackle, knowing your assignment, because there's too many guys playing at a high level for us to be successful for three quarters, and then come crunch time, two minute, kind of play a different-style game."

In Saunders, Jackson now has one of the most respected offensive minds in football on his staff. He served as Jackson's coordinator in Oakland in 2011 when they went 8-8. Together, they coaxed 6,072 yards out of the offense -- second most in club history. They also produced 84 explosive plays of 20 yards or more for second in the NFL, and finished first in two-minute scoring offense.

Jackson and Saunders, the former head coach of the Chargers from 1986-88, also worked together in Baltimore, coaching second-year quarterback Joe Flacco to his second playoff berth in 2009. In Oakland in 2011, Saunders had former Browns quarterback Jason Campbell playing some of the best ball of his career before breaking his collarbone against the Browns. Campbell was 4-2 at the time of the injury, and Saunders was convinced he was a playoff-caliber passer.

Sanders came out of retirement in October to serve as interim coach Dan Campbell's senior offensive assistant in Miami after Joe Philbin was fired.

As for Hamilton, Jackson hopes to help revive his career here the same way that Marvin Lewis did for Jackson after he was fired by the Raiders. Jackson has has said he'd like to call his own plays in the early, but will groom Hamilton for the role down the road so he can re-join the pipeline of future NFL head coaches.

Hamilton was thought of as a future head coach after the 2014 season, when the offense finished first in the NFL and third overall.

Wilson, 54, bring 17 years of experience coaching NFL running back including four who rank in the top-30 for all-time career rushing yards (Emmitt Smith, Curtis Martin, Edgerrin James, Thomas Jones and Adrian Peterson).

In 2015, Peterson finished first in the NFL with 1,485 yards rushing. Before joining the Vikings in 2014, Wilson spent seven season coaching Steelers running backs (2007-13). In 2013, rookie running back Le'Veon Bellmissed the first three games of the season and still broke the Steelers rookie record for most yards from scrimmage (1,259). Bell finished with 860 rushing yards and 8 rushing TDs, 3rd-most among NFL rookie RBs in 2013.

In his time as an NFL assistant coach, Wilson has been a part of 3 teams that have participated in the Super Bowl, including 2 Super Bowl Champions (Tampa Bay, 2002; Pittsburgh, 2008).

Hunter, who was let go by the Colts, is the son of former Browns offensive line coach Hal Hunter.

While Josh Gordon was suspended from the Browns, here's a look at some of the highlights from his Twitter account.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns WR Josh Gordon applied for reinstatement into the NFL on Wednesday for the indefinite suspension he received on Feb. 3, 2015.

Here is a look back at the year he spent away from the team via his Twitter account including him staying in shape, his ventures into art and his thoughts on the Browns.

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith was ejected during the second half of Monday's loss against the Golden State Warriors.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith was ejected during the second half of Monday's loss against the Golden State Warriors, a judgment head coach David Blatt feels was mostly about Smith's reputation as a troublemaker.

"In looking at that play I'm not sure that if that was someone else that's a flagrant foul in all honesty," Blatt said prior to Wednesday's game against Brooklyn. "But that was not my decision. That was someone else's decision. Nonetheless we did talk about it."

Smith lowering his shoulder and launching himself into Golden State small forward Harrison Barnes, who was attempting to set a screen for Stephen Curry, was deemed unnecessary and excessive contact. Following a video review, Smith's dismissal was confirmed, as he received a flagrant foul 2. 

"I wasn't surprised," Smith said Wednesday. "Anytime it's up for a question whether (a foul is) a flagrant or whatever, I'm going to be on the worst end of it. So, I wasn't surprised."

Despite his checkered past, which also includes a flagrant foul in Game 5 of the NBA Finals and a two-game suspension for the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals last year, Blatt and other teammates have made it clear they still fully support Smith.

"I already knew it was out there," Smith said of the support. "There's no stopping that. It's great to hear from our coach because he understands that's just something I have to take heed of and be conscious of every time I'm on the court."

Following Monday's game, Blatt said he would have a conversation with Smith about controlling his emotions, especially in pressure-packed games.

"Coach and I talk all the time," Smith said. "For me to play aggressive, that's what keeps me on the court. Sometimes it just doesn't work in my favor so I just got to try to be conscious of it but at the same time, understand there's a difference between my fouls and everybody else's."

The two also had a chat about Smith arriving 48 minutes prior to tipoff on Monday. Blatt said Wednesday at the team's shootaround that the matter had been "addressed internally" and wouldn't go into any more detail. 

"That wasn't as big as it was made out to be," Smith said. "There was a lot of stuff that contributed to it but it doesn't matter. I was late. So that's not really going to help the situation."