Take a look ahead to training camp with our next position preview: Defensive line Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns defensive line, much like the rest of the defense, is seeking a fresh start under a brand new coaching staff in 2016. It's also, again, much like the rest of the defense, a group emphasizing youth. 

The oldest player in the group is 30-year-old Desmond Bryant. The next-oldest player is 28-year-old Armonty Bryant, who may or may not be able to suit up for the Browns this season. 

Beyond that, the onus is on players the team has added the last two seasons reaching their potential. A first-round pick, two third-round picks and an undrafted free agent make up the core of the competition both inside and out. Behind them, there are guys who are ready to sneak into depth roles should someone falter in camp. 

Much like the outside linebackers, whom I will get to later this week, the hope is for strength in numbers with this group. Defensive line coach Robert Nunn, who joins the Browns after six seasons with the Giants, plans to rotate players through the line on game days. 

"I've always rotated quite a bit," defensive line coach Robert Nunn said. "My whole career I've always had guys rolling in there. If you've got a hat on Sundays you're going to be in the game and that's just kind of been a rule and unless somebody's just really hot we'll be rolling quite a bit." 

Here's a look at the group making up the Browns defensive line room as training camp approaches. 

Key players

Desmond Bryant 

Coming off of his most productive season in terms of sacks in his career, Bryant is reunited with Hue Jackson, his head coach in Oakland in 2011, and Ray Horton, his defensive coordinator here in 2013. Now the elder statesman in the defensive line room, the former undrafted free agent has ascended into a leadership role for a young group. 

"We're going to lean on him, lean on his leadership," Nunn said. "The really good defensive lines I've been around and coached, those rooms, a lot of them policed themselves. My job was easy when we had good defensive lines and I'm counting on him and expect him to be in the front and take charge and get these young guys moving in the right direction." 

It says something about a player of Bryant's age being kept in the middle of a youth movement. It's the same reason the likes of Tramon Williams, Paul Kruger and Joe Thomas were kept. A team, even in the midst of a rebuild, needs leaders. 

Armonty Bryant 

OK ... so follow along here. Bryant converted to outside linebacker last season, registering a career-high 5.5 sacks, second on the team. This season, at least in the spring, he was back with the defensive line. 

None of that will really matter, though, to start with since Bryant will miss the first four games of the regular season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. He also could face further suspension depending on the outcome of his legal case involving felony drug possession of Adderall and Oxycodone stemming from a traffic stop last December. 

Or, to put it shortly, the Browns could use Bryant's ability, regardless of position, but it's still unclear as to when they will have it. 

NFL suspends Armonty Bryant four games

Carl Nassib 

From a physical standpoint, Nassib is as enticing a prospect as any on the Browns roster. The third-round pick out of Penn State measures in at 6-foot-6. He may be a bit on the light side at 273 pounds, but that doesn't stop Nunn from raving about him. 

"It was exciting watching him," he said, "a guy that's (6-foot-6) that can bend as easy and can bend his knees as easy as he can. It's exciting." 

The only problem for Nassib so far: staying out of the training room. 

"I bust his chops about it, but he's got to be available, No. 1," Nunn said. 

Nassib is expected to play all over the line once he is on the field on a regular basis. 

John Hughes 

Entering his fifth season with the Browns, he's shown flashes of being a productive player along the defensive line. He's spent his career here moving around between tackle and end. His physicality is the trait that stands out to Nunn. 

"John's a guy that is going to look better when the pads come on than he does out here running around in our underwear," he said. "He's get-down-and-dirty and bloody his knuckles up and that's when he is going to show up more." 

Xavier Cooper 

A third-round pick a season ago, the man who has been called "Baby Suge" for his resemblance to music producer Suge Knight will try to build on a rookie season that was mired in inconsistency both in playing time and production. 

Nunn said that Cooper, despite "tweaking a groin or something," got off to a good start during the team's offseason program. He collected 13 career sacks in three years at Washington State and had 1.5 sacks his rookie season. He will likely play mostly end this season. 

Jamie Meder 

The Parma native was a pleasant surprise last season working at tackle.  

"I came in and, just kind of watching the tape of Jamie and then getting him out here, I was excited about Jamie," Nunn said. 

Meder appeared in all 16 games a season ago and could, at the least, offer depth in the middle of the line. 

Danny Shelton 

He's lighter this season by about 30 pounds, already at his goal weight of 335 pounds. 

"The first thing you notice about Danny is that he's really committed to his weight," Desmond Bryant said. "The coaches have a set goal for him and, from what I understand, he's already reached his season goal, so you see that dedication. I think he's developing more into a leader. He's been more vocal in the locker room. He's setting up stuff for guys to do off the field. We did a little paintballing, go-karting thing the other day that Danny set up. I think that the stage is set for him to do great things." 

Shelton's goal this season is to become a three-down player, meaning on top of getting better stopping the run, something he did with mixed results a season ago, he'll have to pressure the quarterback more and disrupt up the middle. It's why the Browns made him their top pick in 2015 and, like so many others on the defense, he'll get a fresh start in trying to live up to expectations. 

Fighting for roster spots 

Dylan Wynn 

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015, he spent time on the Browns practice squad during last season. In four seasons at Oregon State he collected 7.5 sacks, including 4.5 his senior season. 

Nile Lawrence-Stample 

Played 24 games at Florida State before signing with the Browns as an undrafted free agent. NFL.com's draft profile says Lawrence-Stample "is a run-stuffer, pure and simple. The nose tackle eats double teams for breakfast, lunch and dinner." He'll compete to backup on the interior. 

Kyle Rose 

A graduate of Centerville High School, just south of Dayton, Rose signed as an undrafted free agent. He is 6-foot-4, 295 pounds and attended West Virginia. 

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The guy on his cell phone not paying attention to the game. The mom chasing her kids around the batting cages. Check out the five types of fans you'll see at a Cleveland Indians game at Progressive field. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- At an Indians game at Progressive Field, you can count on hot dogs, beer, mustard and -- seeing certain types of fans. Here's a few of our favorites.

The Stressed Parent - They arrive armed with baby wipes, an emergency supply of snacks, and as much patience as humanly possible. The Stressed Parent spends 80% of the game making sure that children aren't climbing in the rafters, and 20% of the time watching the field.

The Selfie Obsessed - To the Selfie Obsessed, the world is merely a backdrop for their self-portraits. High angles and just the right amount of lip pouting is much more important than, you know, the game.

The Awkward Date - A first date at a ballgame might sound fun, until the second hour of the game and you realize you have nothing to talk about. The Awkward Date will spend the remaining innings having a staring contest with the scoreboard and wondering if they could go get a soda and never return.

The Serial Texter - Thumbs flying quicker than fastballs, the Serial Texter is holding a conversation with everyone but the people they're physically around. A close cousin to the Selfie Obsessed.

The Superfan - The Superfan wears team gear everyday of the week, knows players stats better than the ages of his children, and may cause you bodily harm if you disagree with his take on yesterdays game. The Superfan is also convinced this team could go all the way, if only they could advise the coach. 

Of course none of these are you, right? You're a perfect fan.

A bandwagon fan guide to the 2016 Cleveland Indians (video)

Few 18-year-olds stand at 6-foot-6, with the athleticism to roam the outfield and the power to hit baseballs over trees.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mickey Mouse socks stand out. He has another pair with rubber ducks on them.

The size 15 shoes catch your eye. He's quick to point out that he also has a fox tail on his keychain.

"I'm a little out there with my stuff," said Will Benson, the Indians' first-round amateur draft selection. "You'll be seeing me doing a lot of funky fashion trends. Hopefully, I'll be a trendsetter."

He already stands out. Few 18-year-olds stand at 6-foot-6, with the athleticism to roam the outfield and the power to hit baseballs over trees. So, yeah, those qualities stand out, too.

It's not what leaves the first impression, though.

"The first thing that attracts you to Will Benson [is] that smile and that presence," said Brad Grant, the Indians' director of amateur scouting.

"The gap helps a lot," Benson interjected, as he showcased the small space between his front two teeth.

This is no ordinary teenager.

Cleveland Indians number 1 draft pick in the 2016 draft Will Benson, on the field before the game against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on June 17, 2016. Chuck Crow/PD 

This is a kid who hoped he'd slide past the San Diego Padres at No. 8 and fall to the Indians at No. 14 because he felt a stronger connection with Cleveland's brass.

"Not many kids are saying, 'I want to [drop] to 14,'" Benson said, "but I made it to 14 and I'm very thankful."

This is a kid who plans to continue driving his 2001 Ford Explorer, despite landing a multi-million dollar contract.

"It works," Benson said. "It gets me from Point A to Point B. I'll take that."

This is a kid whose parents passed along athletic genes. Ted, his father, played basketball at Purdue in the early '80s. He has to duck as he walks down the tunnel leading from the Indians' dugout back to the clubhouse. Ramona, his mother, danced in college. Benson's sister now does so professionally around the world.

"They've given me an image of what hard work can do for you," Benson said.

This is a kid who, the Indians hope, can develop into a star.

"He's a guy who has a chance to be a five-tool player," Grant said, "a guy who has a chance to hit the ball a long way and [he's] a tremendous person at the same time, from a tremendous family."

When Ted and Ramona met at Purdue, Ramona pleaded with Ted to attend one of her dance competitions.

"Hey, look," she said, "you need to come watch me dance at least one time."

"You need to come watch me play basketball one time," Ted countered.

Ramona only caught one of Ted's games: his last one.

"I was an engineer major," Ramona said, laughing. "We didn't have time to go to games."

Now, Ramona works as a business manager for a real estate company. Ted works in banking. Therefore, Benson's plans for his newfound earnings don't come as a surprise.

"We talked about donating to my school," Benson said. "Of course, I'm going to do tithes to my church. Also, put money toward the facility I want to create. I will save up. And also give back [to my parents]. They don't want me to give back [to them], but I'm going to, whether they like it or not."

Benson still wants to earn his degree. He would like to major in finance. He was recruited to play baseball at Duke, where he also could have played basketball.

Who is Benson on the diamond?

Offensively, he admires Miguel Cabrera.

"He's a smooth killer," Benson said. "A smooth assassin. I'd like to be that one day -- maybe even better. That's a tough task. Tough words. But, I'm going to put in the work necessary to do so."

Benson said he needs to be "a lot smoother" in the batter's box.

"I think I try to do too much sometimes, and I think that's natural at a young age," Benson said, "because the girls are there to see the long ball."

Will Benson, an outfielder from The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, smiles after being drafted No. 14 by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft, Thursday, June 9, 2016, in Secaucus, N.J.AP Photo/Julio Cortez 

Indians scouts charted 165 of Benson's trips to the plate last season. They worked with him a few times on some mechanical changes with his hitting approach. It paid immediate dividends.

"Will felt it right away," Grant said. "Balls were going 450 feet away and going up over trees. I hadn't ever seen anything like that before."

Defensively, Benson wants to snag every fly ball in sight.

When he played for Team USA in October, his coach nicknamed the outfield the "No-Fly Zone" and made T-shirts that displayed the moniker.

"I didn't want that title to die, so I'll just keep it going with me," Benson said, "and, hopefully whoever I'm out there with, we'll make sure we're actually a No-Fly Zone and it's not just words."

On and off the field, Benson marvels at Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward. Benson was part of Heyward's L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct) ambassador program in Atlanta.

"He was a really good role model," Benson said.

Benson isn't shy about wanting to engage in community service. He dreams of creating a facility that encourages pickup baseball games.

"It's a sad sight," he said. "It's hard to afford a $400 bat when you only have to spend $20 on a basketball or $15 on a football. Inner city kids are not filled with cash [to] buy all these gloves, a nice bat and nice cleats.

"I think when kids are given the necessary equipment, that's when baseball will become a joy and that's how baseball can become the No. 1 sport again.

"Pickup baseball isn't really a thing right now but hopefully with the facility I want to create, we will have place a kids can just go in [and play]."

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, left, talks to Will Benson, an outfielder from The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, after Benson was drafted No. 14 by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft, Thursday, June 9, 2016, in Secaucus, N.J.AP Photo/Julio Cortez 

That's a lofty goal for a guy who turned 18 last month.

"He's always been an old soul," Ramona said. "We have to remind ourselves that he's actually a lot more mature than your average 18-year-old."

Grant said CC Sabathia and Francisco Lindor, a pair of former Indians high-school draft selections, were the same way. Benson met Lindor at Progressive Field after he signed his contract with the Indians.

"He's actually a really cool guy," Benson said. "He gave me a hug. I'm all about hugs."

"Yeah," Grant said. "He's about hugs."

Hugs, Mickey Mouse socks and a big smile. That's your typical 18-year-old who stands at 6-foot-6 and might possess five-tool ability.

"That's just me," Benson said. "I'm different."

The Cleveland Indians Class AA minor league team -- the Akron Rubber Ducks -- have been revived in three years after a name and ownership change,

AKRON, Ohio -- "A ballpark needs a community a lot more than a community needs a ballpark."

That's what Jim Pfander told me as we walked through an empty Canal Park.

Pfander is the general manager of the Akron RubberDucks, who are preparing to host Wednesday's Eastern League All-Star game. This is a big deal, but it's another sign of a franchise that has been revived. It's about Ken Babby's ownership, which takes nothing for granted when it comes to appealing to fans.

To quote another Akronite, LeBron James: "In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned."

In the last three years, Babby and his staff have been earning back the support of Akron's baseball fans.

As I wandered through Canal Park, I kept thinking about how the home of Akron's Class AA franchise looked a few years ago.

Part of the scoreboard didn't work, another part would flicker on and off.

I called a friend who is a long-time season ticket holder. He talked about the place "being dirty and dark. They just let it go."

The fans were subdued, the entire place seemed tired.

Very, very tired.

I wondered if Akron had grown weary of minor league baseball. But I also was very aware the previous ownership did little to spark any interest in the team.

Those were the last days of the Akron Aeros.

When Ken Babby prepared to buy the franchise after the 2012 season, his front office did some market research.

"We found that people liked really Orbit (the cat mascot) and some liked the color scheme (purple)," said Adam Liberman, the team's director of public relations.

But that was about it.

"I was an intern with the Aeros in 1997, their first season," added Liberman. "When I came back here in 2012, everything felt the same, looked the same, even smelled the same."

Babby and his staff knew things had to change. They owed that to the community.

A DUCK OR A RAT?

One of the first changes was the nickname.

The team was called the Aeros.

"A lot of fans thought it was 'arrow,' a play on the team being affiliated with the Indians," said Liberman.

There's a long story behind how the team was called the Aeros, as in space theme. It originally was going to be the 'Blast,' and that was changed because of the death of Akron astronaut Judy Resnick in the Challenger explosion.

Exactly why the previous ownership was enamored with the idea of astronauts and outer space for Akron is a mystery.

"In the minors, you want your nickname to be fun," said Pfander. "One of the names suggested by a fan was the RubberDucks. Once upon a time, they actually made rubber ducks in Akron."

Babby said he actually liked "Canal Rats." The Ohio & Erie Canal runs through Akron. But he thought "Canal Rats" didn't reflect well on the city.

"I also liked Tire Jacks," said Babby.

Lots of names were mentioned.

"We played with the theme of rubber, Akron once being the Rubber City," said Liberman. "We liked RubberDucks a lot better than something like Rubber Chickens."

The name change was before the 2013 season. The franchise had been the Aeros for 16 years.

"Other GMs of franchises that changed their names told me prepare for about three months of a backlash from fans," said Pfander. "I swear, it lasted about three days."

The key was the logo.

The Rubber Duck comes with teeth.Terry Pluto / Plain Dealer 

"We didn't want our players wearing a little yellow rubber duckie," said Liberman.

So they came up with one tough looking duck, and he has big, mean teeth.

"Not many ducks have teeth," laughed Pfander. "We didn't want a Daffy Duck logo."

The general manager said the original design came in with a duck in "Pittsburgh Steelers colors... No way that would work. It's just like all the purple in the park. That's the Baltimore Ravens' colors."

So the team made blue the key color. And they sell lots of Rubber Duck souvenirs.

Liberman said the minors are full of quirky nicknames:

• Fresno Tacos
• El Paso Chihuahuas
• Lansing Lugnuts
• Montgomery Biscuits
• Hartford Yard Goats

So if you hate the RubberDucks nickname, just know it could have been worse.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS

I was at the first game at Canal Park in 1997. Jaret Wright pitched for the home team. He ended that 1997 season starting Game 7 of the World Series for the Indians in Miami.

The franchise had just moved up Interstate 77 from Canton to a wonderful, mini-Jacobs Field type park. Remember, this was 1997 when the Tribe sold out every home game. The Browns were gone. The economy was strong. The Indians were winning big. It was a great time to be involved in pro baseball in Northeast Ohio.

Akron had a 51-90 record that first year, but drew 473,232 fans. In the next two seasons, the team attracted more than 520,000 fans.

There were not a lot of creative promotions. The ballpark was superb, and summer on Main Street in Akron turned the Aeros into a hot ticket.

But that was years ago.

It's not enough to simply have a stadium and open up the gates with a sign out front proclaiming: GAME TONIGHT.

"You have to have so much more than talking about the top prospects we have on the roster," said Liberman.

Hardcore fans want to see Brad Zimmer, Clint Frazier and Nellie Rodriguez. Long time Akron fans can tell you about all the Tribe stars that have passed through the ballpark.

But the minors is about families and kids having a good time.

Other than a few special areas, most seats are $9 and $5. Hot dogs are always $2.

During the glory days of the franchise, Akron sold about 3,500 season tickets. Now, it's 1,400.

Pfander said picnics are at least 20 percent of business. People come to the park in groups for picnics, and the stadium has areas in left and right field for that.

SPENDING MONEY

Since taking over the team in 2013, Pfander estimates Babby has put about $7 million into the Stadium.

The scoreboard was replaced. Everything was painted. "The park got the first deep clean in years," he said.

About 1,400 seats were removed bringing the capacity down to about 7,700. That created the picnic and party areas. Going to the game is a social experience for a lot of fans.

In 2012, Akron drew 256,473 fans -- the lowest total since the team came up from Canton in 1997.

In the first three years of Babby's ownership, attendance has been:

• 2013: 295,459
• 2014: 350,704
• 2015: 340,916

And this season they are on a pace to draw more than 350,000.

The team has four mascots -- Orbit the cat, two ducks and a purple pigeon. The promotions seem to never end.

"When you come to our games, we want it to be a place where you can let your problems go for a day," said Babby. "Coming to a Ducks game won't solve relation problems or health problems, but you can get away from some of those worries for a few hours at an affordable price."

 

A visual history of the Cleveland Indians facing off against the New York Yankees.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees both have storied histories, with the origins of both teams dating back to the beginning of the 20^th century.

And the Yankees are a crucial part of Indians' history. The two clubs clashed several times during the Indians' playoff runs in the 1990s.

In 1997, the Tribe beat the defending World Series champs in the American League Division Series on their way to the World Series. The Indians lost to the Yankees in six games in the American League Championship Series in 1998.

The two teams met again in 2007. The Indians won a division series against New York in four games, only to fall to the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS.

A four-game regular-season series between the two clubs ended Sunday, with the Yankees winning three of those games. We decided to take a look through our archives and singled out some of the best pictures of the Indians and Yankees facing off against one another through the years.

The pictures date back to the 1920s, and feature some of the all-time great baseball players (Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle among them).

The Indians and the Yankees have played each other 1,967 times, according to Baseball-Reference.com. The Yankees have triumphed more often than not, winning 1,094 of those games.

Scroll through the gallery above to see the pictures from our archives.

Akron players Bradley Zimmer and Nellie Rodriguez featured in Eastern League All Star Game Home Run Derby.

AKRON, Ohio -- The big boppers will take the stage Tuesday night at 8:05 in Canal Park for the Home Run Derby, part of the Eastern League All-Star Game events. The EL All-Star Game is Wednesday night at 7:05.

The top three home run hitters in the league, and four of the top six will be among the eight competitors, four from each division.

The Akron RubberDucks will be well represented as first baseman Nellie Rodriguez, No. 3 in the league with 16 home runs, and outfielder Bradley Zimmer, who is sixth with 14 homers, will compete on the West squad. The other two players for the West are Ryder Jones from Richmond and Jason Krizan from Erie.

The Reading Fightin' Phils dominate the East squad, led by Rhys Hoskins, who leads the league with 24 home runs. He is joined by teammates Dylan Cozens, No. 2 with 23 homers, and Jorge Alfaro, who is No. 9 with 11. The final participant for the East is Trenton's Kyle Higashioka, who has nine.

The Home Run Derby format will be three rounds, cutting down from eight to four players, four to two, then the final showdown for the title. Each player will get two minutes each round. Pitchers for the competition will come from the coaching staffs for each team.

Prior to the Home Run Derby there will be a celebrity softball game featuring former Cleveland Indians star Carlos Baerga and former Olympian and Akron native Butch Reynolds.

Home Run Derby Participants

Eastern Division

• Rhys Hoskins, Reading (Philadelphia) 24 (1st)
• Dylan Cozens, Reading 23 (2nd)
• Jorge Alfaro, Reading 11 (T9th)
• Kyle Higashioka, Trenton (New York Yankees) 9 (T14th)

Western Division

• Nellie Rodriguez, Akron (Indians) 16 (3rd)
• Bradley Zimmer, Akron (Indians) 14 (6th)
• Ryder Jones, Richmond (San Francisco) 8
• Jason Krizan, Erie  (Detroit) 7

Tuesday events:

6 p.m. -- VIP autograph session followed by team photos and "Keep On Playing" meet-and-greet with kids from the LeBron James Boys & Girls Club.

7 p.m. -- Celebrity Softball Game, Team Carlos Baerga (Eastern) vs. Team David Wallace (Western).

8:05 p.m. -- 2016 Eastern League Home Run Derby.

Fireworks to follow the Home Run Derby.

Terry will talk all things Cleveland sports in his latest podcast.

View full sizeTerry Pluto talks Cleveland sports at 11 a.m.Allison Carey/The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at 11 a.m. as he talks Cleveland sports.

Terry will talk about the state of the Indians at the All-Star break. We'll also look ahead to Browns training camp and talk about Cavs free agency.

You can jump in the comments section below and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Pluto's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in MP3 format.

The Indians are in great position to win the division and make a deep playoff run. That's not predicated on getting MIchael Brantley back as much as the starting rotation remaining healthy -- Bud Shaw's Spinoffs

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians lost three of four to the Yankees going into the All-Star break.

If you consider that stumbling, then I guess they've stumbled to a 6 1/2 game lead.

Danny Salazar, who won't pitch in the All-Star game citing mild elbow discomfort, is expected to pitch coming out of the break.

As long as the rotation remains healthy, the Indians will win the division.

And that comes from someone who watched the 1964 Phillies lose a 6 1/2 game lead with 12 to play.

Not that I'm still scarred by that or anything.

* The wife of former Dolphins corner Brent Grimes used the term "jew buddies" in a social media post reference to Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, then said there was nothing wrong with it.

"Think I'm going to tweet racist remarks in an attempt to offend TWO PEOPLE? Lmao! Why would I?"

Not sure if she's saying she'd save that for a bigger audience, or what.

* When Brent Grimes, now with Tampa, cashed his checks in Miami, Miko ripped Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

 She hasn't backed off her assessment, still referring to Tannehill as a "wide receiver" and saying her husband was only too happy to join a team with quarterback Jameis Winston.

"(I) knew this qb stunk the minute we signed to this team," she said of Tannehill.

That was December, three months after she was arrested for disorderly conduct in the parking lot before a Dolphins game.

In, no doubt, another case incident of being totally misunderstood.

* The Glazer family, which owns the Bucs, is Jewish.

* Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi is high Tannehill and the Dolphins' offense under new head coach Adam Gase.

"Seeing how he's been able to work with coach (Adam) Gase and seeing what he's been doing on the line of scrimmage, just being able to make those different calls and things like that, it's been really cool to see and I'm excited to see him blossom and really dominate this year," Ajayi told reporters.

Born in London, Ajayi and his "fancy Brit chaps" better steer clear of Miko Grimes.

Can Indians carry a good first half out of the All-Star break?

* Via ProFootballTalk, the Browns apparently voided Johnny Manziel's contract before cutting him. The move saved the Browns $2.1 million.

More money to put into the next quarterback study on how to identify top draft picks.

* East Lansing police confirmed to ESPN that Warriors forward Draymond Green was arrested after an early-morning scuffle with another man.

Hard as that is to believe.

* Jordan Spieth is the latest to back out of Rio.

While other players (Dustin Johnson) have cited the zika virus as their reason for skipping the Olympics, Spieth cited more general "health concerns."

Spieth called it the toughest decision he ever had to make.

I'm a true believer of Olympic golf," he told reporters at the British Open.

Just not enough to, you know, go.

* Tim Duncan of the Spurs retired quietly after 19 seasons. No press conference. No Duncan quotes in the Spurs press release.

ESPN's Bruce Bowen, who played in San Antonio, said  Duncan never wanted to stand out above his teammates, never got caught up in calling them "my guys" or "my team."

Wonder who does that?

* Speaking of LeBron James, Bulls' draft pick Denzel Valentine is calling No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons "a mini-LeBron."

After a handful of summer league games.

So no pressure.

* An eighth grader in Nebraska beat Russell Westbrook with a half court shot in a game of one-on-one at Westbrook's basketball camp.

No word on whether Westbrook immediately tried to join 'em, since he couldn't beat 'em.

* Dwyane Wade said of starting a new career chapter with the Bulls, "I'll always be a Heat."

Which rolls right off the tongue.

* Stephen Jackson, who last played in December 2013, wants to make a comeback and is targeting the Golden State Warriors.

And you thought there wasn't a 38-year-old the Cavs hadn't recruited? Think again.

* Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell isn't insisting he's worth the $15 million a year he referenced in a recent rap song.

"I'm not a real greedy guy. I don't play football just for money or things like that," Bell told ESPN.com. "I just want to be valued. Wherever it  is - whether it's $15 million or lower or higher -- I think we will get to an agreement eventually."

He's willing to accept higher? Now, that's being flexible.

Not sure coming off major knee surgery is a good time for a NFL running back to talk money.

But it probably makes more sense that getting the attention of the Rooney family via a rap song.

* Chris Berman's walkoff line after Giancarlo Stanton dethroned Todd Frazier to win Monday's Home Run Derby:

"In a year we lost Muhammad Ali, down goes Frazier."

For several reasons - the least of which is Ali wasn't part of the "down goes Frazier" fight -- that makes "I'll always be a Heat" sound eloquent.

 * Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin thinks J.J Watt is over-rated because the Texans haven't won enough games.

"You won the Defensive Player of the Year the last three years, and in those three years your record was 2-14, 9-7, and 9-7," Irvin said on NFL Network when Watt showed up at No. 3 on the list of the league's Top 100 players.

 "The Texans haven't won a thing ... J.J. Watt's been the baddest man in the league and they haven't gotten close to any kind of championship."

I guess Watt should've caught more passes from Brian Hoyer?

* For Irvin's money, he'd pick Carolina's Luke Kuechly over Watt.

""I'm taking the middle linebacker that makes everyone around him play well," Irvin said. "That's who I'm taking."

You know the best way for Watt to win more games in Houston and justify his ranking?

Wait for Panthers' quarterback Cam Newton to get traded there.

C'mon Watt. Make it happen.

Stipe Miocic talks about Brock Lesnar and who he might want to fight next after his title defense against Alistair Overeem at UFC 203. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - During a recent press tour promoting UFC 203 in September, Northeast Ohio native and UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic was hit with an inevitable question.

During a Facebook Live Q&A, a fan asked Miocic if he'd be willing to fight Brock Lesnar. The question was posed before Lesnar's UFC 200 domination of top-10 heavyweight Mark Hunt. But something tells us Miocic wouldn't change his answer (which you can hear in the video above).

"I want to thank every single school for the opportunity to further advance my athletic and academic endeavors. After praying on it, I will be moving forward exclusively with these six schools."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Five-star safety Jeffrey Okudah of Grand Prairie (Texas) South hasn't been that shy about saying Ohio State is one of the leaders in his recruitment. 

So it was no surprise on Monday evening when Okudah included the Buckeyes in his top six along with Clemson, Florida State, Oklahoma, Georgia and USC.

"First off, I want to start off by saying happy birthday to my beautiful mother," Okudah wrote on Twitter. "After nothing but 52 years of hard work and perserverence, I am glad to say you will NOT have to pay a dime for my education. 

"Next, I want to thank every single school for the opportunity to further advance my athletic and academic endeavors. After praying on it, I will be moving forward exclusively with these six schools." 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me along my journey! #GodisLove pic.twitter.com/tCi9ad7gwu

-- Jeffrey Okudah III (@TheJeffOkudah) July 12, 2016

Rated the No. 1 safety in the 2017 recruiting class in the 247Sports composite rankings, Okudah is perhaps the Buckeyes top-remaining target on their 2017 recruiting board. 

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect has been considered one of the most complete safety prospects in years and his addition into Ohio State's class could help in Urban Meyer's quest to assemble the best class -- on paper -- in program history. 

Just my opinion, but Jeff Okudah is the most unique DB prospect since Jalen Ramsey. In terms of cover skills, versatility, athleticism, size

-- Marc Givler (@MarcGivlerBG) July 8, 2016

Okudah worked out an Ohio State camp last summer and unofficially visited the Buckeyes this spring. He's expected to visit Oklahoma for the Ohio State game on Sept. 17. 

According to Williams, Crowell told him he regretted the post and that he was caught up in the heat of emotion.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Isaiah Crowell took another big step Tuesday by calling Cleveland police chief Calvin Williams and apologizing for an Instagram post showing an illustration of a police officer having his throat slashed by a hooded figure.

Williams was speaking Tuesday at a media event about security preparations for next week's Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena when he revealed that the Browns running back called him. He said he has purposely avoided looking at the image Crowell posted on Instagram.

According to Williams, Crowell told him he regretted the post and that he was caught up in the heat of emotion after two black men - Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minneapolis - were fatally shot by police. 

The call to Williams came a day after Crowell issued a public apology for the post on his Twitter account and through the Browns media relations department.

With racial tensions running high in the country in the wake of the fatal shootings of five police officers in Dallas on Thursday, many fans and some media, including ESPNCleveland's Bruce Hooley, have called for Crowell's immediate dismissal by the Browns.

The Browns currently have no plans to do that, but stressed in a statement Monday that he must back up his words with action.

"We have spoken to Isaiah regarding his extremely disturbing and unacceptable social media decision,'' the Browns said Monday in the statement, attributed to a team spokesman. "It was completely inappropriate and we have made him aware of our high level of disappointment. Isaiah has apologized but also knows that just an apology is insufficient and that he must take steps to make a positive difference after a very negative and impactful post.''

Before making any determination on possible discipline for Crowell, the Browns will give him a chance to redeem himself by being part of the solution instead of the problem. At this point, both the team and the NFL seem satisfied that Crowell took the post down immediately, acknowledged his mistake and is taking measures to show how genuinely remorseful he is.

The call to Williams was another example of Crowell being willing to back up his apology with positive action.

Browns: Crowell's apology not enough; he must back it up with positive steps

Crowell: 'I was very wrong in posting that image'

- Cleveland.com's Kris Wernowsky contributed to this report.

With hordes of runners headed our way for the RNC, we Cleveland-area runners have the chance to share our favorite running routes and lead convention guests on runs throughout the region.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Never mind the nation's top office. Visitors to the Republican National Convention will also be running for their health.

That's where we come in. With so many runners headed our way, we now have the chance via Canalway Partners to share our favorite routes and lead convention guests on runs throughout the region. To transcend party lines and prove that running, like music, is a universal language.

Most times, when traveling, I'm stuck running on treadmills and main roads. I usually have neither the know-how nor the means to seek safer, more enjoyable spots or the expertise of a local. Let alone the company.

What a difference it would make if I did. I don't even want to think about all the beautiful locations I've inadvertently skipped, and will surely miss in the future.

Now apply that thought to Cleveland specifically. Imagine visiting here as a runner and wasting all your miles on Marginal Road or one of the main, heavily trafficked thoroughfares, when far pleasanter runs are to be had in the nearby Cleveland Metroparks or Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The thought almost breaks my heart.

Here's how to help conventioneers avoid that fate. It's too late, sadly, to submit official route suggestions to Canalway Partners, the nonprofit that both presents some of my favorite races in Northeast Ohio and supports the Towpath Trail. But I checked: you can still chime in at canalwaypartners.com, mapmyrun.com, or on this page, verbally, in the form of a comment.

No region is off-limits. Given the vast footprint of the convention, there are visitors looking for ideas everywhere from downtown and the inner-ring suburbs out to Solon and Fairlawn. Me, a resident of Shaker Heights, I recommend anything in the vicinity of Shaker Lakes, along North or South Park Blvd. I also enjoy the new Acacia Reservation and the many paths in the South Chagrin Metroparks.

Routes, though, aren't all our guests need. They also - no commentary intended - require leadership, volunteers to head up group runs of four to eight miles, daily July 18 to 22. These can take place on any roads or trails near one of the 10 official lodging clusters. To sign up, fill out the form at towpathtrilogy.com/rnc or call Canalway Partners at 216-520-1825.

I've written about the merits of group running before, but I'll do so again now. They're worth repeating.

Put simply, nothing beats it. I do most of my running solo, but when I get the chance to join a group or meet up with even one other person, I leap at it.

Not only do I tend to run harder and longer with company but the time and miles also pass much more quickly. Instead of distance or pace, I fixate on my partner, and thereby achieve my goals unconsciously. There's a reason most marathons now offer pace groups.

You've benefited before. If you're reading this, chances are good you've run in a group at least once and enjoyed the comforts of someone else setting the pace and leading the way.

Time to pay it forward, to be a good running citizen. Cleveland may be the official host of the convention, but yours could be the face Republican runners truly remember.

Schiano, hired by Urban Meyer in December, served as an assistant at Penn State from 1991 to 1995 while Jerry Sandusky was the defensive coordinator. Sandusky is now in prison for sexually abusing children.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State football assistant coach Greg Schiano saw former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky abuse a boy while Schiano served as a Penn State assistant more than 20 years ago, according to testimony unsealed in a civil lawsuit on Tuesday.

Sandusky was convicted in 2012 of 45 counts of sexual abuse of young boys. He coached at Penn State for 31 years, serving as the defensive coordinator from 1977 until his retirement in 1999.

That means Sandusky served as Schiano's direct boss while Schiano was Penn State's defensive backs coach from 1991 to 1995.

Former Penn State assistant coach Mike McQueary has testified previously he saw Sandusky abusing a boy in a shower in 2001 and told Penn State head coach Joe Paterno about it.

* Much more on the latest Penn State documents from PennLive.com

In the testimony from 2015 unsealed Tuesday, McQueary said he also had discussed Sandusky's abuse of children with Tom Bradley, who was a Penn State assistant from 1980 to 2011 and who took over as defensive coordinator for Sandusky in 2000.

In that testimony, McQueary states that Bradley told him he had heard of Sandusky's abuse before, including from another assistant in the 1990s. According to the McQueary testimony, Bradley said that assistant was Schiano.

"Greg had come into his office white as a ghost and said he just saw Jerry doing something to a boy in the shower," McQueary said in a deposition. "And that's it. That's all he ever told me."

At that time, Bradley was Penn State's linebackers coach. He would have been on the same coaching level as Schiano, with Sandusky their immediate superior as defensive coordinator and Paterno their ultimate boss.

Messages for Schiano and Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith were not immediately returned Tuesday.

Bradley, who stepped in as Penn State's interim coach on November of 2011 after Paterno was fired, is now the defensive coordinator at UCLA.

From the deposition

 

Browns running back Isaiah Crowell shared a brutal, horrific image on Instagram. He deleted it quickly and apologized. The Browns and Crowell have a chance to make something positive out of the incident -- Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Isaiah Crowell shared a horrific image on Instagram in a moment of runaway stupidity, deleted it within 60 seconds and later apologized for it.

Call it stupidity and leave it at that. Anything else is conjecture.

Racist? Inexcusably hateful?

We don't know Crowell's disposition. We would hesitate to attach those motivations to the police officers involved in the incidents that preceded Crowell's social media post.

In the team statement released Monday night, the Browns say Crowell's apology isn't enough to simply move along and show up at training camp as if nothing happened. 

That can't be a surprise to Crowell who must know he has done more damage to his name than even Steelers' running back Rashard Mendenhall did to his own with his Tweets following Osama bin Laden's death. It wasn't only the difference between Mendenhall's words and a Crowell's use of such a graphic image.

The Steelers didn't cut Mendenhall. When they did suspend him, it was because he missed a game not when he questioned how a plane could take down the twin towers or spoke of hearing only one (anti bin Laden) side.

 "We have spoken to Isaiah regarding his extremely disturbing and unacceptable social media decision," the statement read. "It was completely inappropriate and we have made him aware of our high level of disappointment.

"Isaiah has apologized but also knows that just an apology is insufficient and that he must take steps to make a positive difference after a very negative and impactful post."

Should the Browns cut Crowell? He carries their name, their colors. Only they stand to gain or lose from his employment.

If they think he's a staunch advocate of violence against police, why would they want that association?

If they think he's a young emotional black athlete angered by recent police shootings of black citizens, a young man who shared an ugly image and now truly regrets it, they have every reason to keep him.

Crowell issues apology for graphic social media image

The world isn't a safer place if Crowell loses his job. Your children won't benefit from having one less bad role model taking handoffs on Sunday afternoon while their father curses the TV set. Stop with that, please.

What we can say with certainty is Twitter and Instagram and online comment sections won't suddenly become kinder, gentler places with Isaiah Crowell robbed of his pro athlete soap box.

Not surprisingly, most of the "cut Crowell now" talk comes from social media where the answer to Crowell's extreme views seems to be to clamor -- not for understanding or a meeting of the minds -- but for him to be dealt with to the extreme. They want his immediate and irretrievable dismissal.

In saying Crowell knows he must "take steps to make a positive difference," the Browns are calling him out as well as themselves.

Now, comes the question. Will they follow through?

This is a cutting-edge organization, right? Okay, prove it.

Take the iniative. Take positive steps using the Crowell incident.

 Bring black athletes and Cleveland police together in community settings. Make something positive of it. Bridge the gulf.

The Browns have an opportunity to pay more than lip service to an employee's embarrassing behavior. His apology isn't enough. Their statement isn't either.

How would cutting Crowell hasten anything but making players more conscious about using social media? They should be anyway.

That would only change behavior, not thinking.

Do something real. The obsession Monday was with with the punishment Crowell should receive. Would severe punishment make everybody feel better? Why?

Make a fine or a suspension part of the story.

Just don't make it the end game to an issue that is far more nuanced than that, an issue whose solution is exponentially more complicated than sending one player packing.

The Indians and Twins will continue their three-game series at Target Field on Saturday evening. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs square off.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Indians and Twins will continue their three-game series at Target Field on Saturday evening. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs square off.

Game 90: Indians (53-36) vs. Twins (32-57)

First pitch: 7:10 p.m.

Broadcast info: SportsTime Ohio, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM, Indians Radio Network

Pitching matchup: RHP Trevor Bauer (7-3, 3.30 ERA) vs. RHP Tyler Duffey (5-6, 5.20 ERA)

Fact du jour: The Indians boast the best winning percentage of any American League team.

At nearly 35, Nate Thurmond defied age in the Cleveland Cavaliers Miracle of Richfield season, filling in for injured Jim Chones and making life miserable for the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After the miracles ran out in Richfield in 1976, Dave Cowens of the Boston Celtics paid tribute to Nate Thurmond, the fallen, grizzled giant who had defended him with such tenacity and intensity.

Asked what it was like playing Phoenix's Alvan Adams in the NBA Finals after the Celtics' six-game victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in that season's Eastern Conference finals, Cowens said, "It was like a wall had been knocked down."

A second Russell

Thurmond, who died Saturday just nine days short of his 75th birthday, was Boston defensive stopper Bill Russell, without the rings. 

He never had the supporting cast Russell enjoyed in those days before NBA free agency, when a great team could be kept together as long as team management wished. At 6-11 and 225 pounds, Thurmond had quickness that at least compared with Russell and the same defensive mind-set that made Russell Wilt Chamberlain's nemesis in the NBA of  the 1960s.

High school "plus/minus"

Thurmond learned that at Akron Central under legendary coach Joe Siegferth. A Bowling Green graduate, Siegferth steered Thurmond to his alma mater rather than to Ohio State with its stacked Jerry Lucas-John Havlicek teams. 

It was probably for the best, although the Buckeyes were recruiting Thurmond, too. A relatively raw player, Thurmond would have not gotten the minutes with the Buckeyes that he got with the Falcons.  

Siegferth maximized Thurmond's skills. He stressed defense, using a forerunner of  the "plus/minus" system for efficiency long before it was a recognized statistic.  The coach would tell Thurmond that if he scored 10 points and the man he was guarding scored 15, he was a minus-5 in the coach's book.

Defense was not an overriding concern in the '60s except with the dynastic Celtics and in the free throw lanes wherever Thurmond stood sentinel or even in the mid-range areas around the key.

Thurmond used his foot speed to defend power forwards when he and Chamberlain, at center, were teammates for parts of two seasons with the San Francisco Warriors.

Praise from Kareem

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar called Thurmond the toughest defender he ever faced, saying, "When I scored on Nate, I know I've done something. He sweats, and he wants you to sweat too."

Defense was often a head-to-head business then. Zone defenses were illegal, although the rule was often tested by clever coaches. Double-teaming the ball-handler was not strictly legal because the second defender often was interpreted as guarding an area (thus playing a zone) and not a man before leaving his primary defensive responsibility.

Thurmond overcame these restrictions by being an avid student of the game. When Abdul-Jabbar was playing in Los Angeles with the Milwaukee Bucks as a rookie on the night before he would face Thurmond for the first time, Thurmond flew on his own dime to Southern California to see the game. He closely studied Kareem's footwork and learned exactly where he wanted to plant his foot for his skyhook.

Thurmond held him to 16 points in a season in which Abdul-Jabbar averaged 29.

A Finals loss to Wilt's Sixers

Thurmond never won an NBA championship, although he was so well respected that he is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, inducted in 1985. With Rick Barry as the scoring star and Thurmond as the last line of defense, the Warriors lost a six-game series to Wilt's Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Finals.

The first quadruple-double

Controversially traded to Chicago for center Clifford Ray in the 1974-75 season, Thurmond was so determined to show the Bulls his worth that he recorded the first-ever quadruple double with 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and (in the second season of the stat) 12 blocked shots.

Richfield and Jericho

When the Bulls traded Thurmond to the Cavs after 13 games in 1975-76, he brought a winning attitude to a team that just beginning to realize how good it could be. 

When asked to replace starting center Jim Chones, who broke his foot in practice before the Boston series began, Thurmond, like the other Cavs, was incredibly energized by the screaming crowds at the old Richfield Coliseum. Perhaps the cheers allowed Thurmond to carry the exhausting burden of his new responsibilities at nearly 35 years of age.

After Thurmond retired, he often replayed a tape recording of the cheers that shook backboards in the Coliseum locker room as coach Bill Fitch tried to diagram plays on them.

In the Finals, the Celtics met the upstart Suns, who had stunned the defending champion Warriors in the Western Conference final with a seventh-game victory on the road.

Then Joshua blew his trumpet and the walls tumbled down.

Gomes, clad in a white sheet and holding flowers, sacrificed the chicken to the baseball gods with one, swift slice, as "Circle Of Life" and "Hakuna Matata," from The Lion King soundtrack, blared throughout the room.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The four masterminds behind the operation spoke softly so Yan Gomes wouldn't overhear.

Jason Kipnis, Mike Napoli, Lonnie Chisenhall and Chris Gimenez ventured to Target on Saturday. They bought a chicken. They bought a blade. They bought a pinata. They bought candy. They bought capes and costumes and maracas and kazoos and tambourines.

In all, the four spent an estimated $500, all for what they hope will prove to be a season-altering ceremony for the Indians' starting catcher.

About four hours before Saturday's first pitch, Napoli read a speech in the dimly lit visitor's clubhouse at Target Field. When Napoli wrapped up the monologue, Gomes, clad in a white sheet and holding flowers, sacrificed the chicken to the baseball gods with one, swift slice, as "Circle Of Life" and "Hakuna Matata," from The Lion King soundtrack, blared throughout the room.

Napoli, donning a rainbow cape and a "Party At Napoli's" T-shirt, placed his left hand on Gomes' head and read: "We have prepared this exorcism to honor thy holiness and to absolve Yan Gomes of any wrongdoing that he may have committed towards thee. We urge you to forgive his obsession with the octagon and bestow him with your guidance and grace on the diamond. Please accept these offerings as atonement for him straying from the righteous path. Be kind and just in your willingness to accept him and not condemn him any further. In the name of Jobu, amen."

The rest of the team, in unison, then said "Amen!"

Part 1: Sacrificial Ceremony for Yan Gomes! The Baseball Gods and Jobu have been very unkind to one of our own. So we offer up this ceremony and these sacrifices as peace offerings and gifts! May the hits be plenty!! Roll Tribe!!!

A video posted by Jason Kipnis (@jasonkipnis22) on Jul 16, 2016 at 1:32pm PDT

"We sacrificed a chicken to the baseball gods and Jobu," Kipnis said. "We gave them gifts and peace offerings. Hopefully, they'll accept them and turn the tide on our catcher."

After the ceremony, Gomes struck the pinata and splattered candy across the room. Gimenez told assistant hitting coach Matt Quatraro that Gomes' bats were sizzling as Quatraro and Gomes worked in the batting cage.

"His first hard contact after the ceremony was after he just smoked the pinata," Gimenez said.

Gomes is batting .163 with a .198 on-base percentage this season. He worked with assistant coach Mike Barnett over the All-Star break in Knoxville, Tennessee. The two watched film of his form at the plate from 2014, when he captured a Silver Slugger Award.

Gomes still seeking answers at the plate

Gomes' results on Friday perfectly represented his 2016 campaign. In one at-bat, Joe Mauer made a lunging catch on a broken-bat liner that appeared destined for right field. In another, second baseman Brian Dozier made a diving stop and threw him out. Gomes also slapped a 106-mph line drive to third baseman Miguel Sano in another trip to the plate.

"We were like, 'We need to do something for the kid,'" Kipnis said. ... "He was laughing. He was all in good spirits and it went over really well. It was fun."

Manager Terry Francona said it "was clubhouse humor to the Nth degree."

"I'm still trying to gather myself," Gomes said after the ceremony. "That was something."

Part 2: The Blessing

A video posted by Jason Kipnis (@jasonkipnis22) on Jul 16, 2016 at 1:33pm PDT

Part 3: The Sacrifice

A video posted by Jason Kipnis (@jasonkipnis22) on Jul 16, 2016 at 1:35pm PDT

Henrik Stenson shot 3-under 68 in the third round of the British Open on Saturday at Royal Troon in Scotland. He enters the final round with a one-shot lead over Phil Mickelson.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Henrik Stenson of Sweden leads Phil Mickelson of the United States by one stroke entering Sunday's final round of the British Open at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Stenson, who shot 3-under 68 in the third round and is 12-under overall, holds a 54-hole lead in a major for the first time in his career.

Click here for final-round tee times. Golf Channel is televising from 4-7 a.m. and NBC Sports from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Based on ball-striking, alone, Mickelson is fortunate to trail by just one. He periodically was errant off the tee and from the fairway, forcing him to put on a classic Mickelson scrambling clinic en route to 1-under 70. Stenson was much more precise from tee to green.

Barring flameouts by Stenson and Mickelson, a finite number of other players has a realistic chance at the Claret Jug. Bill Haas of the United States is third at 6-under; Andrew Johnston of England fourth at 5-under; and J.B. Holmes of the United States fifth at 4-under.

As pointed out by NBC announcer Mike Tirico, the pairing of Stenson and Mickelson on Saturday had the feel of a Ryder Cup match. It was a shot-for-shot showdown, with palpable ebbs and flows. Neither player let the other get away from him.

The back nine featured a pair of two-shot swings in Stenson's favor.

On the par-4 13th, Mickelson birdied to get to 12-under and Stenson remained at 10-under. But on the par-3 14th, Mickelson missed a short par putt and Stenson rammed in a birdie putt.

Mickelson reclaimed a one-shot lead with a birdie at the par-5 16th. But on the par-3 17th, Stenson birdied and Mickelson bogeyed.

Mickelson scrambled for par at the par-4 18th.

Stenson finished with five birdies and two bogeys; Mickelson, three birdies and two bogeys.

Mickelson, 46, won the 2013 British Open at Muirfield and owns five major titles overall. Stenson, 40, is seeking his first major title.

The British Open, contested on a rotation of courses, is the oldest major. This edition is No. 145.

Royal Troon is relatively short (3,445 yards) and available for scoring on the front nine (par 36), but is long (3,745 yards) and increasingly difficult on the back nine (par 35) largely because of a left-to-right wind in the face.

BRITISH OPEN 2016

When: Thursday-Sunday.

Where: Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, Scotland.

Course: Par 36-35 -- 71 (7,190 yards).

Purse: 6.5 million pounds ($8.47 million). Winner's share: 1.175 million pounds ($1.53 million).

Defending British Open champion: Zach Johnson, United States.

Previous British Open at Royal Troon: Todd Hamilton of the United States defeated Ernie Els of South Africa in a four-hole playoff in 2004.

Other "champion golfers of the year'' at Royal Troon: Arthur Havers (1923), Bobby Locke (1950), Arnold Palmer (1962), Tom Weiskopf (1973), Tom Watson (1982), Mark Calcavecchia (1989), Justin Leonard (1997).

Golfers from the United States have won the past six at Royal Troon.

TV SCHEDULE (all times EDT):

• Sunday: Golf Channel, 4-7 a.m.; NBC Sports, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ROUND 3 LIVE LEADERBOARD

LINKS

• Live blog from Royal Troon (theopen.com)
• Live streaming Royal Troon (golfchannel.com)
• Course guide for Royal Troon (theopen.com)
• The Claret Jug (theopen.com)
• The Open champions (theopen.com)

Nate Thurmond was a Hall of Fame center in so many ways, and veteran Cleveland Cavaliers and their fans have special memories.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There are many stories about Nate Thurmond, but few are like this one.

Former Cleveland Cavaliers radio broadcaster Joe Tait has a special place in his heart for the Akron native and Hall of Fame center, who died of leukemia Saturday at the age of 74.

The Cavaliers traded for Thurmond early in the 1975-76 season. That's when Thurmond met J.R. Tait, the father of Joe Tait.

"My father was like many of his generation who grew up in rural areas," said Tait. "He wasn't a bigot, but he had very little contact with black people. He had no interest in meeting black people."

Tait's father had the nickname of "The Judge," and not because he was Mr. Warm & Fuzzy.

While Tait's father never used racial slurs or told racial jokes, he feared black people. He lived in Amboy, Ill.

Then he met Nate Thurmond.

The Cavs were playing in Chicago. J.R. Tait met his son at the team hotel near O'Hare Airport.

Tait introduced his father to all the players. His father knew nothing about sports, and had never heard of Thurmond. But suddenly, this 6-foot-11 black man was talking to J.R. Tait as if they grew up in the same neighborhood.

Thurmond invited J.R. Tait to sit next to him on the team bus from the hotel to arena, a 45-minute ride.

"They talked and talked," said Tait. "I had no clue what they were talking about. Then they sat next to each other on the ride back to the hotel."

Later, J.R. Tait would ask his son, "Who is Nate Thurmond?"

"He's an outstanding player," said Tait.

"Well, he's an outstanding human being," said J.R. Tait.

Tait said that meeting made his father reconsider some of his views about race.

"The next time we came to Chicago, my father met me at the hotel," said Tait. "Before he could even say hello to Nate, Nate came over and shook his hand and they started talking again. My father was always impressed with how Nate remembered him and his name."

Tait recalled Thurmond being "a sharp, almost elegant dresser. He had impeccible manners. He was so classy."

THE PRESENCE, THE LEADER

Tait then told another story.

It was not long after Thurmond joined the Cavs for the 1975-76 season. The Cavs had played in Milwaukee. The next night, they had a game at the old Richfield Coliseum.

When the team arrived at the Milwaukee airport, they discovered the flight (they flew commercial back then) didn't have enough seats for all the players. So the Cavs boarded a bus for Chicago, figuring it would be easier to find a flight from Chicago to Cleveland.

But they still couldn't find a commercial flight with enough open seats for the team.

"We ended up waiting for Wright Airlines to send a flight from Cleveland to Chicago to get us," said Tait.

Hours passed before that private plane arrived. The players began to complain.

"Nate went to each player and talked to them," said Tait. "His message was that 'You're a pro, you make a lot of money to play basketball. Millions of people would love to have your job. So sit there and relax ... We got a game tonight. When you become a pro, you act like a pro ... so do it."

Because those words came from Thurmond, the tension lifted.

"The plane didn't arrive until late," said Tait. "We arrived in Cleveland so late, the game started at 10 p.m. And we beat the crap out of New Orleans that night. Nate was the reason."

The final score was 112-90.

THE TRADE, THE CHANGE

The Cavs were 6-11 at the time when coach Bill Fitch sent Steve Patterson and Eric Fernsten to the Chicago Bulls for Thurmond.

Thurmond was 34 years old. His 6-foot-11, 225-pound frame was mostly arms and legs. His knees sometimes felt like broken glass rubbing against what was left of the cartilage.

He could only play about 15-to-20 minutes a game. He was always at practice, but couldn't scrimmage much because of his knees.

"But he was a presence," said Tait. "We had a bunch of young guys on the team -- and they had to look up to Nate."

And not just because he was tall. Thurmond was a seven-time All-Star. He was a shot-blocker, an elite rebounder and defender. For his career, he averaged exactly 15 points and 15 rebounds.

He was utterly unselfish, never worrying about scoring.

"He never cared if he took a shot," starting center Jim Chones has often said. "He thought about winning."

Thurmond played during the Golden Era of centers (1963-77), dueling in the middle against Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob Lanier, Wes Unseld and Dave Cowens.

Thurmond was a natural leader. Coaches trusted him. Players respected him. Fans of his teams loved him because he was such a gentleman.

The Cavs of 1975-76 had a strong roster: Austin Carr, Campy Russell, Foots Walker, Jim Chones, Bingo Smith, Dick Snyder, Jim Cleamons and Jim Brewer being the key players.

They had a determined, young coach in Bill Fitch.

THE PLAYOFFS, THE MIRACLE

But this group hadn't won anything. This was Fitch's six season as coach, and he had yet to make the playoffs.

Thurmond joined the team and became part of a second unit with Russell, Carr and Walker coming off the bench.

"The fans at the old Coliseum roared when they saw Nate come to the scorer's table to check into the game," said Tait.

The Cavs were 43-22 after they traded for Thurmond. They beat Washington in the first round of the playoffs. Three of the Cavs four playoff victories were by scores of 80-79, 92-91 and 87-85.

The close games. The screaming crowds at the old Coliseum. The stories of fans screaming "LET'S GO CAVS ... LET'S GO CAVS" about 45 minutes before the game and keeping  it up all night.

Cavs players from that era insist the crowd was so loud, the locker room walls shook. During halftime, two players held the blackboard as Fitch diagrammed plays -- because everything was shaking from the crowd noise.

Everything was so unexpected, so new...

The playoffs...

The winning...

The aging star from down the road in Akron...

Thurmond was a hometown hoops hero, the first Cavs star from Akron before LeBron James.

Thurmond's father worked at Firestone for 30 years. Thurmond played on the same Central Hower High School team as fellow Hall of Famer Gus Johnson. Thurmond later attended Bowling Green University. 

His dream -- like that of LeBron James -- was to bring a title to Cleveland.

True to Cleveland sports history, Chones broke his foot in practice after the first round victory over Washington. Chones was the team's leading scorer (15.8 points) and second-leading rebounder (9.0). He didn't miss a single game until the Cavs were ready to play Boston in the second round.

Tait and others from that era insisted the Cavs would have defeated Boston with a healthy Chones. They lost in six games. The playoffs were only three rounds, and Boston advanced to then beat Phoenix for the title.

"We had the best team in the NBA by the end of that (regular) season," said Tait. "We were going to win the title."

But they didn't.

Yet, memories are precious to those who were there. As Tait said, it was a special time. You can't judge it by the numbers.

Thurmond averaged only 4.6 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Cavs that season, playing 17 minutes a game.

But his Number 42 hangs from the rafters at Quicken Loans Arena.

"I don't care what anyone says, that number belongs up there," said Tait. "If you were there that season, you'd know why."

Manager Terry Francona, with Zach McAllister on the disabled list, has been using Jeff Manship and Dan Otero in the seventh inning.

MINNEAPOLIS - The Indians are looking for someone to pitch the seventh inning. The job used to belong to Zach McAllister, but he's on the disabled list with a sore right hip and headed to the minors for a rehab assignment Monday.

In his absence, manager Terry Francona has used Jeff Manship and Dan Otero to get to Bryan Shaw and closer Cody Allen.

"We've talked to Zach and told him we want him back, but we don't want to just put up a drop dead date," said Francona. "That doesn't seem to make sense. We want to get him back when he can really help us because he's important out there."

Francona liked using McAllister in the seventh with a lead because he could go more than one inning.

"We've kind of had to piece it together," said Francona. "We've used Manship against certain hitters and Otero has done a good job pretty much all year wherever we've pitched him."

McAllister (2-2, 5.40) has made 30 appearances, but went on the disabled list after allowing seven earned runs in 1 1/3 innings over his last two appearances. Manship entered Saturday's game having allowed one earned run over his last 16 games. Otero hasn't allowed a run in 15 of his last 17 games.

Testing, testing: Catcher Roberto Perez is at Class AAA Columbus, his third stop in his rehab assignment following surgery on his right thumb. He started his rehab for the Arizona Rookie League Indians before moving to Class A Lake County on Wednesday.

There's a chance that Perez, when his rehab assignment expires, could be optioned to Columbus.

"Roberto, being a catcher, needs to have a bunch of repetition," said Francona. "Not only is he a catcher, he's a guy who had surgery, this will be good for him. Guys who miss time during the year, that's a hard one. If you rush, I mean look at what happened with Gomer (Yan Gomes) last year. He came back, but it was hard."

Tribe's Brantley, Pererz working their way back

If Perez is optioned to Columbus, that would delay a tough catching decision at the big league level where Gomes and Chris Gimenez reside. Gomes and Perez opened the season as the Tribe's catching tandem.

Brantley update: Michael Brantley was scheduled to play Saturday night at Class AA Akron, but didn't. He went 0-for-4 Friday for the RubberDucks.

Francona said Brantley, recovering from surgery on his right shoulder, did not suffer a setback.

"He's feeling good," said Francona. "He wanted to play, but it was a decision by the trainer."

Brantley begins 2nd rehab assignment

Brantley is three games into his second rehab assignment. When asked if Brantley would play consecutive games on Sunday and Monday at Akron, Francona said, "Well, I don't know if we have a goal like that. I think the goal is if he shows up and feels good, he plays. Then he and the medical people will continue to map out what's in his best interest."

Hall of Fame: Torii Hunter was inducted into the Twins' Hall of Fame before Saturday's game. The Indians, almost to a man, were in the dugout to show their appreciation to a man that took great delight in hitting their pitching staff.

Hunter, in 19 seasons, hit .275 (223-for-812) with 37 homers, 131 RBI and a .805 OPS against the Indians.

"I will consider it an honor to be here to watch," said Francona.

Finally: Tyler Naquin entered Saturday night's game leading AL rookies with a .309 batting average. ... Francisco Lindor leads the big leagues with three or more hits in 16 games. ... Mike Napoli entered Saturday's game ranked fifth in the AL with 62 RBI.