Kelsey Smigel scored three goals, and her sister, Alyson, netted the other as Walsh Jesuit's girls soccer team earned a 4-1 victory Monday at Columbus St. Francis DeSales. Kelsey Smigel, a senior, converted one first-half goal and two in the second half for the Lady Warriors (11-1-3), ranked fourth among Ohio's Division I teams by the state's coaches.

Kelsey Smigel scored three goals, and her sister, Alyson, netted the other as Walsh Jesuit's girls soccer team earned a 4-1 victory Monday at Columbus St. Francis DeSales.

Kelsey Smigel, a senior, converted one first-half goal and two in the second half for the Lady Warriors (11-1-3), ranked fourth among Ohio's Division I teams by the state's coaches.

Junior Alyson Smigel scored in the second half. Goalkeeper Caitlin Jakubek made four saves for Walsh, which has allowed just six goals this season. DeSales' record fell to 9-3-2.

Cloverleaf 3, Archbishop Hoban 2: Sweeper Katie Kolovka scored the game-winning goal with five minutes left as the Colts improved to 11-2-2. Heather Buckwald netted Cloverleaf's other two goals, one in each half. Hoban fell to 9-4-1.

Valley Forge 3, Fairview 1: The Patriots (10-4) got two goals from Jordan Gaglione -- both off crossing passes -- and another from Jessica Mertens on a free kick. Fairview slipped to 7-5-2.

North Ridgeville 2, Elyria 0: Goals by Paige Gorzelanczyk and Kayla Zingale, assists by Patty Covarrubias and Sydney Ramage and goalie Samantha Wiles' six saves keyed the Rangers' win. North Ridgeville outshot the Pioneers, 16-6.

Boys soccer

Western Reserve Academy 3, Waterloo 0: Forward Joseph Marmerstein scored goals in the fifth and 16th minutes for WRA (11-3-1), which also got one goal from Rishav Banerjee and played superb defense in front of goalies Charlie Horton (one save) and Scott Schultz (two saves).

Girls tennis

Kenston 3, Revere 2: Victoria Marchant won first singles and Shea Marks claimed second singles before Mandy Marchant and Keirstan Kure clinched it for the Bombers (11-8) with a first-doubles victory. Revere is 14-5.

PLAIN DEALER TOP 25 FOOTBALL POLL Records through Sunday. Previous week's ranking in parentheses.

PLAIN DEALER TOP 25 FOOTBALL POLL

Records through Sunday. Previous week's ranking in parentheses.

1. Glenville, 7-0 (1): Hosts John Adams on Friday.

2. Solon, 7-0 (2): Hosts Nordonia on Friday.

3. St. Edward, 7-0 (3): Hosts Cincinnati St. Xavier on Saturday.

4. Maple Heights, 7-0 (4): At Canfield on Friday.

5. Lake Catholic, 6-1 (5): Hosts No. 19 Padua on Saturday.

6. Twinsburg, 7-0 (6): Hosts Hudson on Friday.

7. Mentor, 4-3 (8): Hosts Shaker Heights on Thursday.

8. Willoughby South, 6-1 (9): At Eastlake North on Thursday.

9. Buchtel, 5-2 (10): At Kenmore on Saturday.

10. Walsh Jesuit, 5-2 (11): Hosts Benedictine on Friday.

11. St. Vincent-St. Mary, 5-2 (7): At Cardinal Mooney on Friday.

12. Avon, 7-0 (13): Hosts Midview on Friday.

13. Aurora, 6-1 (14): Hosts Perry on Friday.

14. Avon Lake, 6-1 (15): Hosts Westlake on Friday.

15. Amherst, 7-0 (17): Hosts Brecksville-Broadview Heights on Friday.

16. Strongsville, 5-2 (19): Hosts Brunswick on Friday.

17. Parma, 6-1 (18): At Garfield Heights on Friday.

18. Copley, 7-0 (20): Hosts Green on Friday.

19. Padua, 5-2 (--): At No. 5 Lake Catholic on Saturday.

20. Elyria Catholic, 6-1 (11): At Cleveland Central Catholic on Saturday.

21. West Geauga, 6-1 (22): At No. 22 Chagrin Falls on Friday.

22. Chagrin Falls, 6-1 (--): Hosts No. 21 West Geauga on Friday.

23. Medina, 6-1 (24): Hosts Mayfield on Friday.

24. Manchester, 7-0 (25): Hosts Fairless on Friday.

25. Tallmadge, 7-0 (--): Hosts Wadsworth on Friday.

Dropped out: Archbishop Hoban, Shaw and Perry.

You Pick the Winners football contest for Week 6 is now open.

This is the fifth of 17 contests. Enter for a chance at a $250 gift card.

Ben Roethlisberger will start, but who will be on the bench behind him? And really,does it matter?

View full sizeAP FileBen Roethlisberger will be the Steelers' starting quarterback for the first time this season. But who is there if he falters, or the rust shows through?

Unless coach Mike Tomlin reveals his decision at his weekly news conference today, or decides to tell one of his backups later in the week, the selection will remain a mystery for at least a couple more days. And maybe until game day.

Here's why:

Unlike the routine under Bill Cowher, who always had the No. 2 quarterback take some snaps with the first-team offense at the end of a Friday practice, Tomlin does not let his backup quarterback work with the starters at all, not even for a series.

So Batch and Leftwich will split time as the scout-team quarterback this week and nothing else. They won't know who the top backup is until Tomlin tells them.

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports. Hear Terry's thoughts on the Browns' loss to Atlanta and their quarterback situation, the Cavaliers' preseason and more.

Terry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Hear Terry's thoughts on the Browns' loss to Atlanta and their quarterback situation, the Cavaliers' preseason and more.

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

The last four Cleveland quarterbacks to lose in Pittsburgh aren't here ... and other fun facts to ponder.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz,
The PDColt McCoy is likely to draw his first NFL start as quarterback of the Cleveland Browns against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Something positive to keep Colt McCoy in a good frame of mind before he's fed to the wolves in Pittsburgh ...

• The one statistic that has kept the Browns in every game: Third in the NFL in red zone defense. They've yielded only four TDs in opponents' 14 trips inside the 20-yard line.

• The Browns are still the only team not to allow a touchdown on the ground. (OK, no cracks about the routine long TD passes behind the secondary.)

• The Browns haven't won in Pittsburgh since 2003 -- Tim Couch's last win in a Browns uniform. The good news is that none of the quarterbacks who have started for them in Pittsburgh since then will play Sunday. They were: Jeff Garcia (2004), Trent Dilfer (2005), Derek Anderson (2006, '07, '09), and Bruce Gradkowski (2008).

• Linebacker Marcus Benard has more sacks (3.5) than Pittsburgh's James Harrison (3.0), a former NFL defensive player of the year.

• Defensive end Kenyon Coleman's three fumble recoveries lead the league.

• The Browns have allowed only seven sacks in five games -- tied for seventh-fewest in the NFL.

• Josh Cribbs has three kickoffs returned for a TD against Pittsburgh. That matches the most ever by a player against a single opponent.

And there you have it. Seven reasons for McCoy to feel good about his first NFL start Sunday in Heinz Field.

Shannon Threat of Cleveland is the winner of the Week 5 Pro Football You-Pick-the-Winners contest. Entries are being accepted for the Week 6 contest.

View full size

PD reporter: With a rookie QB and a banged-up Peyton Hillis, Browns will need a big day from Cribbs just to stay close.

The Browns may be worried about Colt McCoy - show in the preseason against the Rams - getting shell-shocked like Tim Couch, Dennis Manoloff says

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

Let's go to the highlights:

• The Browns are missing their top two quarterbacks as they prepare for Sunday's rivalry game against the Steelers. If the improbable happens and Colt McCoy beats the Steelers, what should the Browns do next? Buy a lottery ticket? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.

• Today's guest, Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff, says it will be difficult for the Browns to beat Pittsburgh unless Josh Cribbs has a huge day in the return game. He also talks about whether Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will be rusty after serving his NFL-imposed suspension.

SBTV will return Wednesday. And don't forget to play our You Pick the Winners Contest where you can outpick Chuck and Branson Wright each week and earn an appearance on SBTV, a $25 gas card and a chance at a $250 gift card.

The running back who had a big game in last year's 13-6 win over Pittsburgh could sign soon with the United Football League.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerRunning back Chris Jennings, who played a key role in last year's win over the Steelers, could be headed to the UFL.

CLEVELAND -- If the Browns want to bring back running back Chris Jennings for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, they'd better hurry.

 Josh Arnold, Jennings' agent, said Tuesday, "If something doesn't happen soon, we may go the UFL (United Football League) route. There's a few teams involved there."

 Jennings has been "on the street" since cut by the Browns in early September. Arnold said he has kept in touch with the Browns, but there is nothing imminent this week.

 Jennings burst on the scene with a 73-yard rushing game and a 10-yard touchdown run in the Browns' 13-6 win over the Steelers in Cleveland in December. It was the club's first rush TD by a back last year.

 The Browns may begin the practice week for the Steelers' game with leading rusher Peyton Hillis limited with a quadriceps muscle injury. Hillis pulled the quad at practice last week and then aggravated it at least two times in the Atlanta game on Sunday.

Can the Browns beat Pittsburgh on Sunday? How would Byron Scott handle it if the Cavaliers went in to complete rebuild mode? Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto was online, tackling those questions and more in his weekly chat

Terry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto was online, tackling those questions and more in his weekly chat on cleveland.com earlier today.

Among the other topics discussed:

- What's a reasonable expectation for the Browns the rest of the season?

- How can this team get their running game going if Peyton Hills is out on Sunday?

- How much does it hurt the Cavaliers to not have Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao playing yet?

- Could Anderson Varejao become trade bait if this season goes in the tank?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings that there is no timetable for wrapping up an investigation of an Internet report that the Vikings quarterback sent racy text messages and lewd photos to a former New York Jets game hostess.

View full sizeAssociated PressThe NFL is investigating if former Jets game hostess Jenn Sterger received lewd text messages and photos from former Jets QB Brett Favre in 2008.

CHICAGO - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has no plans to meet with Brett Favre — for now.

Goodell said Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings that there is no timetable for wrapping up an investigation of an Internet report that the Vikings quarterback sent racy text messages and lewd photos to a former New York Jets game hostess.

"We're just looking for facts now," Goodell said at the meetings. "I am going to deal with it as we get the facts."

As for meeting with the game's all-time passing leader, Goodell said nothing is planned "but if it is something that would help us get to a conclusion and it is warranted, I will do so."

The investigation, announced last week, centers on a report by the sports website Deadspin that in 2008 Favre, then with the Jets, sent the photos and messages to Jenn Sterger.

Sterger's manager, Phil Reese, declined to say if his client has talked with the NFL.

"This is something that allegedly happened two years ago," Reese said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "We don't want a quick resolution, but the proper resolution."

Favre could be fined or suspended under the NFL's personal conduct policy.

"One of the reasons we instituted the personal conduct policy ... to make everyone understand their responsibilities," Goodell said. "We're not going down a line of speculation and hypothetical situations."

Favre has not responded to questions about the Deadspin report.

Deadspin reported the voicemails include a man asking to meet with Sterger, who now is a TV personality for the Versus network. The website posted a video that contained those messages and several below-the-waist photos — said to be of Favre — that were allegedly sent to Sterger's cell phone.

Deadspin also reported that Favre pursued two female massage therapists who worked part time for the Jets. The website didn't identify the women, however the Jets have said they gave contact information about them to the league.

Two high-profile quarterbacks recently were penalized for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Former Falcons star Michael Vick returned to the league in 2009 with Philadelphia after missing two seasons for his role in a dogfighting ring. He served an 18-month sentence in prison.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for six games in April after he was accused of, but not charged with, sexually assaulting a 20-year-old woman at a Georgia college bar. Goodell shortened that ban to four games just before the season, and Roethlisberger will return to the field on Sunday against Cleveland.

___

AP Sports Writer Rick Freeman in New York contributed to this story.

Maple Heights added perfection to its girls volleyball regular season, doing it the hard way. Rallying from a 2-0 deficit, they got the five-game victory at St. Joseph Academy on Tuesday night to cap the first unbeaten regular season in school history.

Maple Heights added perfection to its girls volleyball regular season, doing it the hard way.

Rallying from a 2-0 deficit, they got the five-game victory at St. Joseph Academy on Tuesday night to cap the first unbeaten regular season in school history.

Tai Lattimore dished out 55 assists as Maple Heights won the match by scores of 20-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-20 and 15-11. Arielle Love had 28 kills and 13 service points, with five aces. Shirjoma Jacobs added 15 kills and 25 digs for the Mustangs, ranked No. 8 in the Division I coaches poll.

The Jaguars drop to 12-9.

Bay 3, Rocky River 0: The Rockets, ranked No. 13 in Division II, improved to 19-2 overall and clinched the West Shore Conference title at 13-0. Bridget Doughty had 30 assists.

Kenston 3, Perry 0: The Bombers (21-1, 9-0) successfully defended their Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division title with the victory.

Lauren Landsman had 11 kills and 13 digs, with Jaime Kosierok contributing 10 kills and five blocks for Kenston, ranked No. 2 in the Division II coaches poll.

Mayfield 3, Twinsburg 0: Mikayla Zernic had 34 assists for the Wildcats (13-8).

Kent Roosevelt 3, Coventry 0: The Rough Riders (20-1, 12-1) clinched their first Portage Trail Conference Metro Division title.

Boys soccer

North Royalton 3, Lakewood 0: The Bears clinched the Northeast Ohio Conference River Division title with the win.

Artiom Klimenko, Brian Beckrest and Jacob Lagania scored for the Bears (6-6-3, 4-0).

Walsh Jesuit 1, St. Edward 0: Sophomore forward Nick Parianos had the game's long goal as the Warriors (13-2) extended their winning streak to 10 games. Senior goalkeeper Nate Casper got his fourth shutout of the year. The Eagles drop to 4-8-3.

Copley 5, Tallmadge 0: Senior forward Jay Bogdanoff scored all three of his goals in the first half for the Indians (6-7-2, 4-3) in the Suburban League contest.

Highland 3, Wadsworth 1: Goals by sophomore Paul Burns, junior Anthony Double and senior Matt Guzik helped the Hornets (12-2-1, 7-0) win the game and the Suburban League title.

Girls soccer

Chardon 5, Willoughby South 0: Senior forward Devon Beckwith scored three goals as the Hilltoppers (12-3-1, 6-0) won the Premier Athletic Conference championship. It's the first title for Chardon in either boys or girls soccer.

Freshman goalkeeper Lindsey Lyons recorded her third shutout of the season.

Orange 1, Aurora 0: Midfielder Rachel Garson scored the lone goal as goalkeeper Rebecca Tenney got the shutout for the Lions (10-3-3).

West Geauga 1, Mentor 0: Junior midfielder Taylor Tercek scored the goal and senior goalkeeper Lauren Kelly got her sixth shutout of the season for the Wolverines (13-0-2).

Field hockey

Hathaway Brown 3, WRA 2: Midfielder Hope Obernesser broke the 2-2 tie with the game-winning goal in the second half. The visiting Blazers improved to 13-1-1, with Western Reserve Academy standing 10-1-3.

MASSILLON, Ohio -- Just when you think that maybe the Highland girls golf team can't play any better, that perhaps it has reached the apex of its season, it climbs another mountain. It happened on Tuesday when the Lady Hornets, boosted by a career round by one of their lesser-known sophomores and a typical one by their highly-regarded sophomore,...

MASSILLON, Ohio -- Just when you think that maybe the Highland girls golf team can't play any better, that perhaps it has reached the apex of its season, it climbs another mountain.

It happened on Tuesday when the Lady Hornets, boosted by a career round by one of their lesser-known sophomores and a typical one by their highly-regarded sophomore, shot a 15-over 303 to run away with the Division I district golf championship at The Legends of Massillon.

Second place went to defending champion Massillon Jackson, which finished 15 shots behind at 318, preventing schools from the Cleveland area from sweeping the four qualifying spots for next week's state tournament on the Ohio State University Gray Course.

Hudson (333) and Brecksville-Broadview Heights (337) also qualified. Hudson, led by Natalie Goodson's 6-over 78, will play in the state tournament for the third time in the last five years while Brecksville, led by a 79 by senior Tess Stevens, advances for the first time since 2003.

Walsh Jesuit junior McKenzie Bell (77), defending district champ and All-Ohioan Nicki Henry (79) of Kenston and Wadsworth freshman Alice Ho (79) earned three of the four individual qualifying spots. Henry, The Plain Dealer's reigning player of the year, returns to the state tournament for the second year in a row.

How impressive was Highland in winning the first district title in school history? Jackson won this event last year with a score of 338 and Highland was second at 345.

The victory, keyed by sophomores Jessica Porvasnik and Jessica McRae, did not surprise coach Mary Becker.

"Having been the runner-up here last year and watching Jackson get that championship trophy was great motivation for them this year," said Becker. "They just keep getting better and better."

While Becker might not have been surprised by her team, she had to be at least startled by McRae's round. She had not broken 80 this season until her front-side 33 set up a 74 to finish second to Porvasnik's medalist round of even-par 72.

"On the drive down here we were all focused," said McRae, whose round included four birdies on putts that ranged from 10 to 20 feet. "This is the big time. My round was all putting. I wasn't hitting the ball close enough for tap-ins but I was able to make some putts."

Porvasnik, who has pretty much carried the Hornets all season and is a star in the making, said her round would have been lower had it not been for a four-putt on the ninth hole.

"I left few shots out there," she said. "But this feels great. We really wanted to beat Jackson. Now, we have something bigger to shoot at."

Juniors Stephanie Horvath (78) and Lauren McKinzie (79) completed Highland's scoring.

Junior Angela Codian's 76 led Jackson, which qualified for the third year in a row.

 It comes down to this for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers ---- the offensive line needs to step up. Ohio.com reporter Nate Ulrich writes that no matter who is at quarterback, it all comes down to the line. The Browns' top two quarterbacks, Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme, were both under siege this past Sunday...

John Kuntz | The Plain DealerBrowns offensive tackle Joe Thomas

It comes down to this for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers ---- the offensive line needs to step up.

Ohio.com reporter Nate Ulrich writes that no matter who is at quarterback, it all comes down to the line.

The Browns' top two quarterbacks, Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme, were both under siege this past Sunday when they faced the Atlanta Falcons. They literally limped off the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium with mangled right ankles.

Meanwhile, banged-up running backs Peyton Hillis and Jerome Harrison had only 28 and 6 rushing yards, respectively. As a whole, the offense produced only 48 yards on 20 carries (2.4) after compiling 173 and 116 yards on in the ground the previous two weeks.

The best way for the Browns to win on Sunday, writes Ulrich, is to run the ball. Of course that won't be easy because the Steelers have the NFL's fourth-ranked defense and are No. 1 against the run. Plus Hillis is not 100 percent.

 If the offensive line's performance doesn't improve, neither will the running game, and the Steelers thrive on such occasions. They have forced 12 turnovers and have 11 sacks in four games. Outside linebacker James Harrison, an Akron native and former Kent State University standout, leads the Steelers in each category with three sacks and three forced fumbles.

Support for Seneca

News-Herald reporter Jeff Schudel writes that Seneca Wallace (when healthy) should be the Browns starting quarterback.

Schudel has nothing against Jake Delhomme's character. Schudel writes that he's actually a nice guy, but it's Wallace when it comes to the starting quarterback position.

None of that matters on Sunday afternoons. Football is about numbers, and the numbers involving Delhomme since a divisional playoff game between Carolina and Arizona on Jan. 10, 2009, when Delhomme was quarterbacking the Panthers have been decidedly bad.

Over a span of 14 games, beginning with that playoff game, Delhomme has thrown 10 touchdown passes and 27 interceptions. Now he can't avoid the pass rush because his injured right ankle won't listen to his brain.

Roethlisberger

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not worried about quarterback Ben Roethlisberger when it comes to his game against the Browns on Sunday, writes Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Scott Brown.

Roethlisberger will make his season debut Sunday. It will be the seventh-year veteran's first regular-season game since last January.

Roethlisberger was roundly cheered by Steelers fans during training camp and the preseason, and Tomlin said he expects the franchise quarterback to get a "warm reception" Sunday.

"I really think that's the nature of Steeler Nation," Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. "I know we're excited about having him back. I know he's excited about getting back with his teammates and performing for our fans in Heinz Field."

Tomlin doesn't anticipate Roethlisberger having trouble getting back into the flow, writes Brown.

Buckeyes travel plans include a stop at a hoppin' Camp Randall to face the Wisconsin challenge.

View full sizeMarvin Fong,
The Plain DealerSafety Jermale Hines (7) is the Old Man of the Ohio State defense, and is bringing the kids along just fine, thank you.

"We talk quite a bit (about) if you come to Ohio State, you not only get to come and play in the Horseshoe a lot of times, but you get to go to places like Camp Randall and the Big House (at Michigan) and Beaver Stadium (Penn State) and Kinnick Stadium (Iowa) and on and on," Tressel said. "That's one of the bonuses in our minds about being in the Big Ten, so I know our guys are looking forward to that."

It appears the players have bought into it. In supposedly the toughest environments, the Buckeyes have thrived recently.

Ohio State has won its past six Big Ten night road games, dating to a loss at Penn State in 2005. Since then, the Buckeyes have flourished in "blackouts" (at Iowa in 2006 and Purdue in 2007), "whiteouts" (at Penn State in 2007) and at Camp Randall, where they won in 2008.

By contrast, the Buckeyes have been ambushed in that span in supposedly much less threatening environments, such as losing to Illinois on senior day at Ohio Stadium in 2007 and at 1-5 Purdue last season.

But a Big Ten road game at night? Not a problem.

"I think it's kind of funny that they're jumping around," defensive tackle Dexter Larimore said. "Even teams' fight songs, if they have a cool fight song, it doesn't intimidate me or anything. It kind of motivates me, as well."

Jermale Hines has helped lead an Ohio State secondary that ranks 13th nationally in pass defense. After the 2010 Rose Bowl, the Buckeyes said farewell to veteran safeties Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell, with Coleman being the team's only consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection. Tyler Moeller returned from a head injury to start at the "star" position -- a safety-linebacker hybrid used in Ohio State's nickel package -- but he's now out for the year with a torn pectoral muscle. Promising sophomore C.J. Barnett also won't return following a knee injury, and junior Nate Oliver has been banged up.

Ohio State's two-deep for Saturday night's showdown at No. 18 Wisconsin lists Hines as the starting free safety, sophomore Orhian Johnson, a first-year starter, at strong safety, and true freshman Christian Bryant at the "star" position.

There's little doubt as to who leads the group.

"It's been an experience trying to tell guys what to do and where to be, just helping them out as much as I can," Hines said. "Somebody came along and did it to me, Kurt and Anderson and those guys, so I'm just looking to give back and do the same thing."

One reason Ohio State belongs at the top is Heisman hopeful Terrelle Pryor who showed Saturday against Indiana that he could throw the football all around the field.

Against an Indiana team that gave up 42 points to Denard Robinson and Michigan, Pryor threw for a career-high 324 yards and three touchdowns, completing 80 percent of his passes despite a left quad strain (in the Buckeyes' 38-10 win).

Pryor's spectacular season has the Buckeyes' offense in the Top-20 in yards per game, rushing yards per game and sixth in the country in points per game.

Some collectors nationwide are still interested in products showing James as a Cavalier. And Fathead.com says it will sell a Miami Heat version of James once the season starts.

View full sizeA Wisconsin company is trying to sell this calendar, printed before LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat. Cleveland-area residents aren't showing much interest in James merchandise, but his brand is popular elsewhere.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It was horrible timing by a company called Perfect Timing Inc.

The Wisconsin company printed and shipped a 2011 Cleveland Cavaliers calendar featuring LeBron James on the cover -- then James quit the Cavs in a live ESPN broadcast July 8.

Needless to say, the $14.99 calendar is not selling in Cleveland. Not even collectors -- people who might value an unopened James calendar -- are buying his merchandise here.

But James' brand remains marketable in other parts of the country, where he's become an even larger national figure, said Tina Facca, assistant professor of marketing at John Carroll University's Boler School of Business.

"Some collectors may still want to revel in the team's heyday," she said. "Those products will still sell" - just not in Cleveland.

Perfect Timing quickly revised its Cavs calendar to feature Mo Williams on the cover, but the original Turner Licensing NBA calendar is still for sale in several stores, including major bookstores, Costco warehouses and some sports shops.

At B&B Sports Cards in Fairview Park, "anything with a Cavs uniform on it and LeBron James, all that stuff is being discounted big-time," said owner Bob Prunty.

Cavs blankets bearing James' image used to sell for $30. They're now barely moving at $15.

"People just aren't buying a lot of his stuff, especially here," Prunty said.

But Prunty does have a basketball James autographed as a high-schooler during a visit to Parmatown Mall, and some unopened collectible wax boxes with his rookie card, which he expects out-of-state fans might like.

And Cardboard Heroes' website -- also catering to out-of-staters -- is offering his autographed basketballs for $899.95 and autographed Cavs jerseys for $999.95.

The stores also carry James' No. 6 Miami Heat shirts at prices up to $80. A few fans have bought them here, but Miami residents are crazy about them. As of mid-September, the Miami Heat had seen merchandise sales rise 1,000 percent over last year, with a long waiting list for James' jerseys.

Fathead.com, the Michigan retailer owned by Cavs majority owner Dan Gilbert, created headlines nationwide when it slashed the prices of James' Fatheads from $99.99 to $17.41 - the year Revolutionary War traitor Benedict Arnold was born.

All four James Fatheads -- life-size wall decals -- quickly sold out at the cut-rate price.

Fathead President Todd Lunsford said that although James remains "Fathead-worthy," fans won't see him in any Heat Fatheads until later in the season because "we use authentic game shots as Fatheads."

"With the new uniforms, traded players, new logos for some teams, etc. . . . we're still researching and designing as many products as possible with the launch of the season, and will continue to release products throughout the season as we have always done," he said via e-mail. James' Heat Fatheads will sell at full price.

Meanwhile, Cleveland-area stores are still trying to clear out their James merchandise.

Cardboard Heroes, a sports apparel and memorabilia store at Beachwood Place mall, SouthPark mall in Strongsville and Great Northern Mall in North Olmsted, still carries James' Cavs jerseys, MVP T-shirts, photos of him with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal and an autographed 16"-by-20" photo, all discounted.

But not one shopper at the Beachwood store has bought one of James' Cavs calendars.

"Customers ask about it all the time. They're just as confused as we are as to why we have them," said employee Kurt Blakeway.

Cardboard Heroes also has plenty of options for James' haters, including T-shirts priced at $19.95 to $22.

The current best-seller?

"Lyin' King," with No. 23 slashed out and the quote: "I've got a goal and that's to bring a championship to Cleveland, and I won't stop until I get it. - King James."

 Should college athletes get paid? It's an age old question but it has resurfaced since former sports agent Josh Luchs claims in a Sports Illustrated article that he paid college players. He said  he and partner Steve Feldman met with former Ohio State receiver Santonio Holmes, and Holmes told him he'd already been taking money from an agent. Luchs says he...

APFormer Ohio State receiver Santonio Holmes

Should college athletes get paid? It's an age old question but it has resurfaced since former sports agent Josh Luchs claims in a Sports Illustrated article that he paid college players.

He said  he and partner Steve Feldman met with former Ohio State receiver Santonio Holmes, and Holmes told him he'd already been taking money from an agent.

Luchs says he paid 30 players.

He says Roethlisberger is a quality quarterback and will be prepared to take on the Browns on Sunday.

Mike Adams of the Browns wraps up Cincinnati's Andre Caldwell during their Oct. 3 game.

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

Let's go to the highlights:

• Browns defensive back Mike "Pops" Adams is today's special guest. He talks about the team's preparations for the the Steelers, and how the Browns aren't expecting Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger to be rusty or off his game despite serving an NFL-imposed suspension.

He also talks about Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan; and he discusses his Rising Stars Foundation, a non-profit organization Adams founded with the Arizona Cardinals' Gerald Hayes to help improve neighborhoods and the lives of children in their hometown of Paterson, N.J.

Branson and Chuck discuss today's Starting Blocks poll on who is the hardest-hitting DB in the NFL. Cast your vote in today's poll.

SBTV will return Thursday. And don't forget to play our You Pick the Winners Contest where you can outpick Chuck and Branson Wright each week and earn an appearance on SBTV, a $25 gas card and a chance at a $250 gift card.

Browns coach Eric Mangini admitted he's leaning toward starting rookie quarterback Colt McCoy Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Joshua Gunter, The PDCleveland Browns' quarterback Colt McCoy is likely to start Sunday in Pittsburgh because of injuries.

CLEVELAND -- Browns coach Eric Mangini said today he's "leaning toward'' starting rookie quarterback Colt McCoy Sunday in PIttsburgh.

The Browns top two quarterbacks, Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace, are both nursing their high ankle sprains today and are not expected to be ready to play.

Mangini said he wouldn't "rule out'' starting newly-signed Brett Ratliff, who's never taken a snap in a real NFL game, but it's more likely he'll go with McCoy since he's been with the team since draft day and has been taking reps all along. Ratliff, on the hand, was waived in the final cuts Sept. 4 and  spent time with the Jaguars before landing on the Patriots' practice squad.

McCoy, the Browns' third-round pick out of Texas, was supposed to watch and learn all season, but Manginii cautioned shortly after the draft about McCoy's prospects of playing, "I never say never.'' Today he said, "you just never know'' what might happen regardless of a players' position.

McCoy is the winningest quarterback in NCAA history with 45 victories in 53 starts. If he starts in Pittsburgh, he'll face the Steelers' fourth-ranked defense.

In other Browns news, key players such as running back Peyton Hillis, nosetackle Shaun Rogers and ends Robaire Smith and Kenyon Coleman were all idle today. Mangini said he expects some of the injured players, including Hillis, to practice this week.