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IndyCar 2016: Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio schedule, TV, updates (video)

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Graham Rahal is the defending champion as IndyCar returns to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the 2016 Honda Indy 200. Here's the complete track schedule, TV schedule, link to live scoring and updates. Watch video

LEXINGTON, Ohio -- Graham Rahal, who won his first race last season here at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, is back to defend his title at the IndyCar Honda Indy 200.

Practice sessions are scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. with the afternoon session televised by NBCSN. The race is scheduled for Sunday at 2:45 on CNBC. You can follow along live all weekend at IndyCar's Race Control.

Rahal, a native of Dublin, Ohio, put a lot of miles on his Honda engine during the recent Mid-Ohio tire test. He needed to get past a certain miles limit to get a new engine, which he will now have to make his defense and look to rise into the Top 10 of the points race. He is currently 11th.

Honda has struggled this season, even more than last year, as the top three drivers in the points race -- Simon Pagenaud, Will Power and Helio Castroneves -- all use Chevrolet and all race for Team Penske. The highest Honda driver in the standings is Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi, who is seventh. Indy is the only race Honda has won all season.

HONDA INDY 200
Site: Lexington, Ohio
Schedule: Friday, practice, (10 a.m.), practice (NBCSN, 2 p.m.); Saturday, practice, (9:45 a.m.), qualifying (NBCSN, 2 p.m.); Sunday, practice (10:15 a.m.), race (2:45 p.m.), CNBC.
Track: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (road, 2.26 miles)
Race distance: (202.3 miles, 90 laps)
Last year: Graham Rahal took first in his home state, his first of two wins in 2015.
Last race: Will Power won for the third time in four races -- with a second-place finish in between -- in Toronto.
Fast facts: The IndyCar series visits its ninth road/street course of the season at Mid-Ohio. Scott Dixon has been dominant on this course, winning five times since 2007. ... Chip Ganassi Racing has won 10 times in Ohio, including six of the last seven races. ... Simon Pagenaud heads into the weekend with a 47-point lead over Power in the championship race.
Next race: ABC Supply 500, Aug. 21, Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

COMPLETE WEEKEND TRACK SCHEDULE

Friday

7 a.m. - Gates Open  
7:45-8:15 a.m. - Pro Mazda practice
8:30-9 a.m. - USF2000 qualifying
9:15-9:45 a.m. - Indy Lights practice
10-11:15 a.m. - Verizon IndyCar series practice
11:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. - Pro Mazda qualifying
12:15-12:45 p.m. - Pirelli World Challenge GTS qualifying
1-1:45 p.m. - USF2000 Race #1
2-3:15 p.m. - Verizon IndyCar Series practice (NBCSN)
3:30-4 p.m. - Indy Lights practice
4:15-4:45 p.m. - Pirelli World Challenge GT-GTA-GT Cup practice
5-6 p.m. - Pirelli World Challenge GTS Race #1

Saturday

7 a.m. - Gates open
7:50-8:20 a.m. - Indy Lights qualifying
8:35-9:25 a.m. - Pro Mazda race #1
9:45-10:30 a.m. - Verizon IndyCar Series practice
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. - Pirelli World Challenge GTS race
12-12:45 p.m. - Pirelli World Challenge GT-GTA-GT Cup qualifying
1-1:45 p.m. - USF2000 Race #2
2-3:15 p.m. - Verizon IndyCar Series qualifying (NBCSN)
3:30 - 4:20 p.m. - Indy Lights Race #1
4:35-5:45 p.m. - Pirelli World Challenge GT-GTA-GT Cup Race #1
6-6:50 p.m. - Pro Mazda Race #2

Sunday

7 a.m. - Gates open
9:15-10 a.m. - USF2000 Race #3
10:15-10:45 a.m. - IndyCar Warm Up
11-12:05 p.m. - Pirelli World Challenge GT-GTA-GT Cup Race #2
12:20-1:25 p.m. - Indy Lights Race #2
2:45 p.m. - Verizon IndyCar Series Race (CNBC)

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)


NASCAR 2016: Pennsylvania 400 weekend schedule, TV, updates (photos)

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Kyle Busch looks to tame Pocono for first time in his career at NASCAR's Pennsylvania 400 this weekend. Here is the weekend schedule, TV schedule and link to NASCAR's Race Center for live scoring.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- NASCAR's Kyle Busch is on a late-season roll which could very well lead to a second straight Sprint Cup championship as the series makes its stop in Long Pond, Pa for the Pennsylvania 400. But the Pocono Raceway oval is one of two tracks (Charlotte) where Busch has never won.

The race is Sunday at 1:30 p.m. on NBCSN. Friday's qualifying at 4:15 p.m. will also be seen on NBCSN. You can follow along live all weekend at NASCAR's Race Center.

With the season winding down, much of the focus is on Tony Stewart, who is retiring at the end of the season, and on Jeff Gordon, who has come out of retirement to sub for Dale Earnhardt Jr. This will be the second straight race for Gordon and the third straight race Earnhardt has missed while recovering from concussion symptoms.

So far there has been no definitive word about when, or if Earnhardt will return, or how long Gordon will remain as his replacement. Not all 16 spots on "The Chase" grid, which is six races away, are secured yet so there is still lots of fender bending to come before that field is officially set.

WEEKEND NASCAR RACE SCHEDULE

SPRINT CUP
PENNSYLVANIA 400
Site: Long Pond, Pennsylvania
Schedule: Friday, practice, NBCSN (11 a.m.), qualifying (NBCSN, 4:15 p.m.); Saturday, practice (NBCSN, 11 a.m.); Sunday, race, 1:30 p.m., NBCSN.
Track: Pocono Raceway (oval, 2.5 miles).
Race distance: (400 miles, 160 laps).
Last year: Matt Kenseth held off Brad Keselowski and Jeff Gordon to win despite leading just two laps.
Last week: Kyle Busch won from the pole in Indianapolis to capture the weekend sweep.
Fast facts: Busch has posted four top-five finishes at Pocono, but he has never won here. ... Busch is tied with Brad Keselowski with four wins in 2016. ... Jeff Gordon will again drive the No. 88 car this weekend as Dale Earnhardt Jr. continues to recover from concussion-like symptoms. Gordon was 13th in his return to the series last week. ... Kyle Larson grabbed a spot on the Chase grid by finishing fifth in Indianapolis.
Next race: Cheez-It 355 at the Glen, Aug. 7, Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New York.

XFINITY
U.S. CELLULAR 250
Site: Newton, Iowa
Schedule: Friday, practice (NBCSN, 5 p.m.), practice (NBCSN, 7 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (NBCSN, 4:15 p.m.), race, 8 p.m., NBCSN.
Track: Iowa Speedway (oval, 0.875 miles).
Race distance: (218.75 miles, 250 laps).
Last year: Ryan Blaney led for all but eight laps in a dominant run at Iowa's short track.
Last race: For the third race in a row, Kyle Busch won both the pole and the race. Busch has won seven Xfinity races so far in 2016.
Fast facts: Sam Hornish Jr. became the third driver with multiple wins at Iowa when he won there for the second time in his season debut in June. ... Josh Berry will make his 2016 debut in the No. 88 car for JR Motorsports. He was 12th at Iowa in 2014. ... Joey Gase drove the pace car for Saturday's race around nearby Des Moines on Wednesday, operating as an Uber driver for two hours. The proceeds will go to charity.
Next race: Zippo 200 at the Glen, Aug. 6, Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New York.

CAMPING WORLD TRUCK
POCONO MOUNTAINS 150
Site: Long Pond, Pennsylvania
Schedule: Friday, practice (FS1, 12:30 p.m.), practice (FS1, 3 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (FS1, 9:05 p.m.), race, 1 p.m., FS1.
Track: Pocono Raceway (oval, 2.5 miles)
Race distance: (150 miles, 60 laps)
Last year: Kyle Busch picked up his first series win of 2015, holding off Kevin Harvick.
Last race: Kyle Larson won on the dirt at Eldora after a crash took out pole-sitter Bobby Pierce.
Fast facts: Brett Moffitt, the Sprint Cup rookie of the year in 2015, will drive the No. 11 truck for Red Horse Racing. Moffitt debuted for Red Horse at Kentucky, finishing 31st after engine trouble. ... Tyler Reddick, the series runner-up last season, has posted top-10 finishes in six of his last seven races after a slow start.
Next race: Unoh 200, August 17, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tennessee.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

Ranking the top 25 Big Ten football players for 2016: Nos. 25 through 11

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Once again we're raking the best football players in the Big Ten. Starting with Nos. 25 through 11.

MAC Football 2016: Phil Steele makes bold predictions about upcoming season (video)

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Elton Alexander interviews football expert Phil Steele on the upcoming Mid-American Conference football season. Watch video

DETROIT, Mich. - Western Michigan and Bowling Green were chosen by the Mid-American Conference media to win their respective divisions in the annual preseason football poll.

Phil Steele, one of the top football prognosticators in the country, agrees that Western Michigan will likely win the West, but the Broncos will not have an easy trip to the top.

Steele, in a video interview with Elton Alexander of The Plain Dealer, says several teams will challenge Western Michigan for the crown in the West, including Central Michigan, Toledo and Northern Illinois.

Steele has an even more interesting prediction when it comes to the East. It is crowded at the top. Steele picks Bowling Green, Akron and Ohio University to finish in a three-way tie for first.

Will Josh Gordon hit the ground running good routes when he returns? -- Bud Shaw's You Said It

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Cleveland sports fans wonder how prepared Josh Gordon will be when he returns from suspension and what role Bryan Shaw will play in the Indians' pennant race.

Why Robert Griffin III is a better option than Josh McCown (video)

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Dan Labbe joins Chris Fedor and Bud Shaw to discuss why Robert Griffin III is a better starting quarterback option. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns head coach Hue Jackson has a specific plan for his starting quarterback, wanting to name the top guy prior to the first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. The only question is whether it will be Robert Griffin III or Josh McCown. 

The two players are expected to split reps during training camp, which starts on Friday afternoon. But most signs point to RG3 as the team's starter even though he didn't play in 2015.

Browns beat reporter Dan Labbe joined Sports Insider on Thursday to discuss what makes Griffin the better option than McCown.

Watch the video above. 

Which player linked to the Indians in trade rumblings would make the biggest impact? (video)

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Zack Meisel joins Chris Fedor and Bud Shaw to discuss the best option for the Indians at the trade deadline. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With three days until the MLB trade deadline, a few moves have been consummated, and there's still plenty of speculation.

For the Indians, expected to be active, there are lots of names being floated. Milwaukee catcher Jonathan Lucroy, Yankees slugger Carlos Beltran, Rays versatile outfielder Steve Pearce and relievers Will Smith, Joe Smith and Andrew Miller all seem to fit what the team would be looking for at the deadline. 

Which player being linked to the Indians would make the biggest impact? Beat reporter Zack Meisel joined Sports Insider to answer that question. 

Watch the video above. 

Emory Jones, 4-star 2018 quarterback commits to Buckeyes: Ohio State football recruiting

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Jones is the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 recruiting class.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Add another name to the mix for Ohio State's crowded quarterback future.

Emory Jones, a four-star quarterback in the Class of 2018, announced his commitment to the Buckeyes on Friday in an exclusive video with Bleacher Report. Jones is the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 class according to the 247Sports composite ratings.

You can watch the video below.

He chose the Buckeyes over other finalists Tennessee, Clemson and Georgia.

Jones, from Franklin, Ga., was recently in Columbus for Ohio State's Friday Night Lights camp. He's the second commitment in Ohio State's 2018 class, joining four-star running back Brian Snead. Snead committed at Friday Night Lights.

Jones' commitment to Ohio State continues Urban Meyer's and Tim Beck's hot streak when it comes to recruiting quarterbacks. The Buckeyes have four-star prospects Danny Clark and Tate Martell coming in 2017, and have four-star 2016 quarterback Dwayne Haskins on campus already.

Ohio State's quarterback future at Friday Night Lights


Emory Jones commits to Ohio State: Watch highlights of the Buckeyes newest quarterback

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Jones committed to Ohio State on Friday and became the second member of the Buckeyes 2018 recruiting class. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State added another future quarterback on Friday with the commitment of four-star 2018 prospect Emory Jones. The Georgia native chose the Buckeyes from a final group that also included Tennessee, Clemson and Georgia.

Jones, from Heard County High School in Franklin, Ga., is the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the class and the No. 34 overall prospect in the country according to 247Sports' composite ratings.

Watch the video above to see Jones in action and get an idea of what Ohio State's newest quarterback commit looks like.

Snapchat coverage from opening day of Cleveland Browns training camp: Follow along

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Follow cleveland.com on Snapchat for behind the scenes coverage and the latest news and analysis Friday from the start of Cleveland Browns training camp.

BEREA, Ohio -- Get behind the scenes coverage and the latest news and analysis Friday as the Cleveland Browns begin their training camp.

Cleveland.com Browns writer Scott Patsko will be covering all the angles on and off the field all day Friday on cleveland.com's Snapchat account.

Here's how you can follow along:

Add cleveland.com on Snapchat. Our username is clevelanddotcom

Patsko, along with fellow Browns writers Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe, will be at the Browns facility in Berea for all the festivities, which kick off at 11:30 a.m. with players available for interviews on the field before practice. Practice runs 3-5:30 p.m. and will be followed by interviews with new Browns coach Hue Jackson.

Related: Live training camp updates on Twitter

See photos and videos as the players get back to business, interviews with fans in attendance, sites of the training facility, and more.

Talk Indians trade deadline, Browns training camp and Cavaliers with Dennis Manoloff at 12:30

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DMan will talk all things Cleveland sports with host Chris Fedor.

DManTalk Cleveland sports with Dennis Manoloff during his weekly podcast today at 12:30

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get your questions ready and join the Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff today at 12:30 p.m. as he talks all things Cleveland sports.

DMan and I will talk about the Indians as the trade deadline approaches, the Browns' start of training camp and the storylines to follow this off-season. We will also talk Cavaliers moves.

Jump in the comments to ask your questions and talk along with us.

Ride along with Elton Alexander as he tours Mid-Ohio at 140 mph (videos)

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Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a unique race track that is a test for drivers ... and for reporters who ride along in a race car, as Elton Alexander did. Watch video

LEXINGTON, Ohio -- The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is unlike most circuits on the IndyCar series in that it is a 2.4-mile, 15-turn permanent road course, able to hold races for everything from motorcycles to trucks, with sports cars, IndyCars and NASCAR Xfinity in between. It's also a popular site for engine and tire tests.

Earlier this week, I took a tour of the course with Nate Stacy, at 16 the youngest driver on the Pirelli World Challenge GTS. We rode in his new Mustang Boss 302s, reaching speeds up to 140 miles per hour in stretches, then practically coming to a dead stop, dropping almost immediately to 5-10 mph for turns in some corners.

What you don't get a sense of from video or TV is the flutter in the stomach you get at the various elevation changes. There are several quick up-and-downs that are unique to this track, and the sensation at these speeds is dramatic, much like riding a roller coaster.

This was not my first ride at Mid-Ohio. When I started covering the auto racing beat, The Plain Dealer sent me here for a one-week driver course. It was a way to learn the sport, to get the feel for driving race cars at high speeds on a tight track. And to understand the terminology and how to apply it in my coverage.

That class was a few years ago. The cars have changed some, but the track remains one of the best on the circuit.

Here are six things to think about racing at Mid-Ohio as you prepare to watch this weekend's IndyCar Honda Indy 200.

1. It's tight: Because the IndyCars are capable of going so fast, and able to dive so deep into the corners for braking, there are not a lot of clear chances to make a clean pass, other than coming off the last turn heading down the pit straightaway. There will some "chicken" being played, particularly in the corners as drivers take it to the limit in an attempt to make a pass.

2. It's twisting: Drivers will tell you, this is a very technical race course. It's up hill and down hill; left turn and right turn; tight corners and sweeping corners. And even the longest straightaway on the back side of the track actually has a gentle subtle arc to it.

3. There's only one: Unlike many circuits that have two or even three racing lines where a driver can go fast, make passes and get ahead of the competition, Mid-Ohio really only has one, and everybody has to use it, or suffer the consequences.

"If you make a mistake in one corner, you'll probably make a mistake in the next two, three or four before you get it back together again,'' Stacy said.

Because of that, drivers are deliberate about when they look to make a pass, and often try to push the racer in front of them into making a mistake, as opposed to hard side-by-side racing.

4. It's hot: Do not underestimate the impact of a hot day on drivers and their ultimate level of performance. And it is often very hot at Mid-Ohio. A high sun and a hot car combined with the physical strength needed to handle these cars for 90 laps take a strenuous toll on the body.

The continuous gear shifting, braking, and turning -- left and right -- is far different from racing on an oval, and by the end of the race can lead to a potential mistake. It is no surprise the drivers who traditionally do well at Mid-Ohio are among the most physically prepared.

5. Experience is key: This is not a race for a young driver to have immediate success. Rookie Alexander Rossi caught on quick and fast to win the Indianapolis 500, but Mid-Ohio is a different beast, particularly in the midst of competition.

Scott Dixon has won five times at Mid-Ohio. Defending winner Graham Rahal, Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan, just to name a few, did a lot of racing early in their careers for race teams based at Mid-Ohio.

6. It's physical: Rahal, at 6-2, 190 pounds, is one of the bigger drivers on the circuit and feels a track like Mid-Ohio is a place where his physical strength and ability to handle a big car late in the race is an advantage few others on the circuit have. Until you have driven a car -- any car -- around Mid-Ohio for even five or 10 laps in competition, it is tough to understand just how physically draining it can be.

The race is scheduled for Sunday at 2:45 on CNBC. You can follow along live all weekend at IndyCar's Race Control.

Resetting Ohio State's future quarterback situation after commitment of Emory Jones

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Ohio State continues to add talent to its quarterback room. So how are things shaping up for the future? Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Emory Jones walked out of Ohio Stadium last Friday night feeling pretty good about himself.

"I felt like this was my best performance at a camp I've ever had," Jones said after the Buckeyes Friday Night Lights camp.

He did look good, going throw-for-throw and often bettering the pair of 2017 Ohio State quarterback commits in his workout group. Urban Meyer watched and smiled as Jones let it rip near the south end zone of Ohio Stadium.

But the truth is Jones could have looked average, or not worked out at all at Friday Night Lights and that wouldn't have changed his standing with Meyer. Jones has been the top name on Ohio State's quarterback recruiting board since the Buckeyes first made contact with him.

The relationship between Jones and Ohio State has been strong for some time. His commitment to the Buckeyes on Friday was expected. It always seemed a matter of when, not if. But that doesn't take away from the impact of adding another elite quarterback to the mix.

Jones seems pretty far along in his development, and still has two more seasons of high school football left. We could be talking about a special, special prospect by the time he gets to Columbus.

Emory Jones at Friday Night Lights

So what does that mean for the future of the quarterback position at Ohio State?

First, let's reset the room. Here are Ohio State's scholarship quarterbacks over the next several seasons, and what the group could like if nobody leaves early:

2016: J.T. Barrett (R-Jr.); Stephen Collier (R-Soph.); Joe Burrow (R-Fr.); Dwayne Haskins (Fr.).

2017: Barrett (R-Sr.); Collier (R-Jr.); Burrow (R-Soph.); Haskins (Soph.); Tate Martell (Fr.); Danny Clark (Fr.).

2018: Collier (R-Sr.); Burrow (R-Jr.); Haskins (Jr.); Martell (Soph.); Clark (Soph.); Jones (Fr.).

2019: Burrow (R-Sr.); Haskins (Sr.); Martell (Jr.); Clark (Jr.); Jones (Soph.).

2020: Martell (Sr.); Clark (Sr.); Jones (Jr.).

2021: Jones (Sr.).

Here are some thoughts on the future of the position:

* All of these players aren't going to stay. Competition at the position is a good thing, but once a winner is named people are going to start looking elsewhere. There's too much talent in that room to have guys holding clipboards their entire career.

* When will we see the next quarterback competition? If Barrett leaves after the 2016 season -- which is possible with another strong effort like he had in 2014 -- then start the clock on all the guys behind him.

That means a battle between Burrow and Haskins for the starting job in 2017, one Haskins could certainly win despite being younger than Burrow and likely a redshirt freshman when that season begins. I would expect whoever wins that battle to hold the job through at least the 2018 season.

But what if Barrett doesn't leave? That muddles things even more.

Watch Emory Jones' highlight tape

* The addition of Jones is exciting right now, but it's possible he's won't really be in a battle for the starting job until 2020. That's five seasons from now. That's both an indicator of how well Ohio State is recruiting the position, and also the reality these players are willingly throwing themselves into.

* There isn't an easy fix to this situation via a position change. There's not Torrance Gibson in this group, an elite athlete you think can thrive at someplace other than quarterback. This whole thing will get shaken out at quarterback.

* Lastly, put Jones down as another recruiting win for quarterbacks coach Tim Beck. For all of his struggles on the field last season, Beck has done a good job helping the Buckeyes secure elite talent. Meyer will and should get most of the credit, but the position coach plays a big factor. So give Beck some credit for landing Haskins, Martell and Jones.

Cleveland Browns training camp 2016: Day 1 live updates from Berea

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Get updates from cleveland.com Browns reporters Mary Kay Cabot, Dan Labbe and Scott Patsko.

BEREA, Ohio - The Browns begin their 2016 training camp Friday, their first under coach Hue Jackson.

Eleven training camps dates are open to fans. Check out our visitor's guide for what you need to know about attending. But if you can't make it, we have you covered.

Cleveland.com Browns reporters Mary Kay Cabot, Dan Labbe and Scott Patsko will be there. Follow along with live updates in the Twitter widget below and also in the comments. We'll have complete camp coverage at cleveland.com/browns.

Look for updates beginning at 11:30 a.m. when players speak to the media, and also from 3-5:30 p.m., when the team holds its first practice of the season.

Follow Mary Kay, Dan and Scott on Twitter by clicking on their names.

Following Minnesota Twins' lead, Cleveland Indians attempt to break news via Progressive Field scoreboard

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On the out-of-town scoreboards adorning the left-field wall, the Indians reported their own trade-deadline rumors.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scoreboard operators don't typically break news. 

The Twins' scoreboard operator inadvertently fooled some into believing that trade scoops are part of the gig. 

On Thursday evening, the Target Field scoreboard displayed a series of trade rumors, including Carlos Beltran to the Indians and Will Smith to the Mets. There was, however, no fine print that explained as much. 

The Indians' Twitter account thanked the Twins for sparking an unwarranted inundation of inquiries and assessments of Beltran, the Yankees' 39-year-old outfielder. 

The Indians poked fun at the Twins during Friday's series opener at Progressive Field. On the out-of-town scoreboards adorning the left-field wall, the Indians reported their own trade-deadline rumors. 

The display read: "The Twins are in the market for a new scoreboard operator, source says."

No scoreboard operator is perfect, though. Prior to Friday's affair between Cleveland and Oakland, the ribbon scoreboards at Progressive Field matched Trevor Bauer with an Athletics logo and Coco Crisp with an Indians decal.


Browns CB Joe Haden is just waiting for the word from team trainers

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Haden, who missed most of last season due to a concussion, is recovering from offseason ankle surgery. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Browns cornerback Joe Haden was the first player on the field Friday, skipping and stretching more than three hours before the team's first practice of training camp.

By the time he spoke to the media a little after noon, he was dripping with sweat. Other than some cardio later in the day, that was about the extent of Haden's practice.

Still recovering from off-season surgery to repair ligament and cartilage damage to his left ankle, Haden isn't sure when he'll return to the field, but he's positive it will be before Week 1 of the season.

"I still don't have a timetable. I'm ready whenever," he said. "Me and the trainers have a nice schedule of working out, so whenever they say I'm good to go, I'll be good to go."

Haden participated in Thursday's conditioning tests (completing 10 40-yard runs), a good sign that he's on the right track. He said Friday that Josh Gordon, recently reinstated by the league after missing a year due to a substance abuse ban, might be the only player on the team as hungry to return.

"I'm working hard, man. I just can't wait to get back out there," Haden said. "It's really a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, and you kind of saw that when it was a very bad season for me last year. I had high expectations and I definitely didn't live up to them. I'm just ready to get back out there and prove that I'm still one of the best corners in the league."

He played in just five games last season and was eventually placed on IR with a concussion. He sat out the final eight games.

The Browns are counting on Haden's return, especially with a defensive backfield short on experience. Nine players have two or fewer years in the league.

Coach Hue Jackson said Friday there's no question Haden will be ready for the season opener Sept. 11 in Philadelphia.

"He's progressed really well and I think we're doing the right thing. (Head athletic trainer) Joe Sheehan and our medical staff are as good as there are," said Jackson. "They've done a great job of getting him to this point. Obviously, you saw him run in the conditioning test, so that tells you he's really close. We're going to do the right thing and take our time because Joe is very valuable to the football team. He's one of the keys for us having an opportunity to win."

J.T. Barrett, C.J. Beathard, then who? Ranking the Big Ten football teams by quarterback

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How do Big Ten football teams stack up at the most important position?

Corn rows, fist pumps, the working bullpen parts and the Indians' comeback ability: Zack Meisel's musings

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"With the team we have right now, I think we can come back from anything," Almonte said. "You can see the worst situation and then [snaps fingers], I think we can come back and do it."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The process took about an hour and a half. Francisco Lindor said "it hurt."

The All-Star shortstop reported to the Indians' clubhouse on Friday afternoon with corn rows, a new look that he surmised will last "for a few days."

Lindor singled, walked and recorded a sacrifice fly in the Indians' 5-3 victory against Oakland on Friday night. The 22-year-old is batting .307 with an .821 OPS.

The series-opening win provided the Tribe with a 58-42 mark, the American League's best.

The Indians also sported a 58-42 record through 100 games in 2001 and 2007, the last two years the club captured the AL Central crown.

Here are a handful of thoughts about the Indians, who boast a 4 1/2-game advantage in the division, with the Tigers, winners of four straight, giving chase.

1. Warning track power: Cody Allen wasn't sure; he could only hope. When Josh Reddick struck what Allen termed "a pretty good pitch," most of Cleveland gasped.

"I think [center fielder Tyler] Naquin was probably the only guy in Cleveland who knew that ball wasn't going to quite get out," Allen said, about 20 minutes after Reddick's drive -- a potential, go-ahead home run -- landed safely in Naquin's glove in front of the wall. "It was a little nerve-wracking, but those things happen."

Over the last month, Allen has allowed only two unearned runs in 11 2/3 innings, with two walks and 17 strikeouts.

2. Mr. Reliable: Dan Otero lowered his ERA to 1.31 as he escaped a Trevor Bauer-created jam in the sixth. Otero has allowed six runs all season.

"He's given us a lot," Allen said. "He can pitch anywhere. That's the thing. He can give you multiple innings. He can come in and get righties out. He can get lefties out. A guy like that is key to having a good bullpen. Without him this year, we'd kind of be stuck a little bit, because we haven't gotten a lot of innings out of lefties. But, Dan can sink the ball and cut the ball. He does a lot of things. He's been huge for us."

How Otero's family escaped Cuba

3. Shaw's redemption: Bryan Shaw surrendered four, damaging runs against the Royals on July 18. The outing ruined a pristine start from Corey Kluber and cost the Tribe a series-opening win. That, however, is the only time in his last 19 appearances that Shaw has permitted the opposing team to score.

Shaw owns a 4.09 ERA in 49 games this season. Of the 20 runs he has allowed, 13 have come in three outings.

The Indians desperately need reinforcements in the bullpen, but Allen, Shaw and Otero have functioned well of late.

Indians have obvious needs before deadline

4. Speed kills: Rajai Davis swiped his 25th base of the season on Friday. The 35-year-old is the oldest Tribe player to reach that milestone since Nap Lajoie accomplished the feat in 1910. Indians manager Terry Francona said Davis' speed served as the reason the righty was in Friday's lineup against a right-handed starting pitcher.

"His speed is a factor," Allen said. "His speed will make guys rush on plays that, if he doesn't hit a two-hopper right at you where you can kind of take your time, a little chopper like that, guys have to rush and try to make a good play. Sometimes you can force guys into a tougher play than it actually is."

5. Kardiac Kids: Abraham Almonte snapped his fingers to demonstrate how the Indians seem capable of flipping a switch during the course of a game. They notched their 19th come-from-behind victory on Friday, as they erased a 3-0 deficit in a matter of minutes.

"With the team we have right now, I think we can come back from anything," Almonte said. "You can see the worst situation and then [snaps fingers], I think we can come back and do it."

Almonte not putting his head down

Almonte contributed to the Tribe's seventh-inning rally with a pinch-hit, RBI single to trim Oakland's lead to 3-2. After he rounded first base, Almonte aggressively clapped his hands, pumped his fist and exchanged a high-five with first-base coach Sandy Alomar.

Almonte is ineligible for postseason play, but the Indians' bench isn't exactly overflowing with All-Stars. So, for now at least, Almonte remains part of the roster.

Since he returned from an 80-game suspension, though, Almonte has played sparingly. He made the most of his opportunity on Friday.

"We have been winning," Almonte said. "That's what we are looking for. If we keep winning, everything is going to be fine."

How Almonte ditched a life of lies, anger, alcohol

Danny Shelton sets lofty goals as he honors the memory of his brother with new number

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Shelton proposed to his girlfriend (including dressing dogs in tuxedos), lost 30 pounds and made a visible change to honor his brother.

BEREA, Ohio -- It has been an off-season of change for Danny Shelton, on and off the field. The biggest change of all heading into his second year in the NFL might have happened a few weeks ago at LAX Airport and involved dogs in tuxedos.  

Shelton was in Los Angeles training and his girlfriend, Mara, was flying in to see him during his final week on the West Coast. Shelton enlisted the help of a couple of airport workers to make sure the week would be an unforgettable one. 

One airport worker met Mara at baggage claim upon her arrival while another helped Shelton with two of his dogs. And yes, Shelton, his French Bulldog and his Husky Malamute Mix were all wearing tuxes. 

"She saw Mojo, my husky malamute," Shelton said, "she saw him by himself with flowers and then I came around the corner with flowers and the French Bulldog and had the ring in my hand and a dog tag in the ring box in place of the ring and it said 'Will you marry me?'" 

Mara, of course, said "Yes." 

If you're scoring at home, Shelton has spent his off-season losing somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 pounds, he got a fourth dog and pulled off an impressive proposal. The change that will be most visible to fans, though is also the most meaningful -- the switch from jersey number 71 to 55. 

"55 is a number that my family holds to our heart," he said. "My brother, Shennon, 'Skeevie' Shelton, he rocked that number and he rocked it with all of his life," Shelton said. "Everywhere you turned he'd throw up a 55, he'd tag walls with 55, walls in the house. Everything was 55 for him. For me to have this opportunity to wear and represent 55 is awesome. I'm just excited." 

Skeevie was shot and killed five years ago. 

"My oldest brother (Gaston, also known as Tui) got into an altercation with a couple guys and they ended up jumping him," Shelton said. "Me and my other brothers went over and one thing turned to another. Two brothers are shot. Skeevie passes away. My oldest brother, Tui, is hospitalized." 

According to a story by NFL.com's Michael Silver, Olenthis Woods fired two shots with a Walther PPK 9mm pistol after Shelton, his brothers, a friend and a cousin tried to confront Woods at his apartment following the initial altercation. One hit Tui in the chest; the other struck Shennon in the head. Shelton told Silver that there was a third bullet intended for him. 

"The guy pointed the gun at me," he said in the interview, "but the gun got jammed. I had a chair and threw it at him and got the gun away from him and started beating him with it. It went off and I dropped it."   

Charges were not filed against Woods after the police investigation determined that Woods acted in defense of himself and others, according to the Auburn Reporter.

Shelton said that, in the aftermath of the shooting, he and his little brother were left to cope with his mom and his sister and make sure Tui got out alive. After that, he had to deal with the loss of his brother on his own, leaving to play at the University of Washington in the fall. Shelton said his family giving him space was an important step in dealing with his grief. 

"There was a time my freshman year where I didn't go back home once and for them to give me space," he said, "and for them to kind of handle their coping themselves is relief that we all were on the same page. We needed our space." 

His feelings were understandably complicated during that first year. 

"There's thoughts of revenge," he said. "Thoughts of hatred. ... There's thoughts of fighting people. There's thoughts of killing people. Suicidal thoughts. There's everything." 

Dealing with those feelings was just as complicated. 

"I was a stubborn kid," Shelton said. "Didn't want any professional help from any therapist or whatever -- that made me feel like I was crazy." 

Shelton found his release in the weight room at the University of Washington. He credits his coaches and their strength staffs for helping him get through those trying first years. 

"Through the years after that just working with the coaching staff -- (Former Washington) Coach (Steve) Sarkisian and his staff and then finally with Coach (Chris) Petersen's staff, him being able to finish what 'Sark' started as far as helping me mature." 

Shelton ended up playing four years at Washington and the Browns drafted him 12th overall in the 2015 draft. He was introduced to the media in Cleveland on May 1st, the fourth anniversary of his brother's death. 

The milestones in Shelton's life, along with the times of year that serve as reminders of Skeevie, are still difficult for Shelton and his family.

"I mean, years passed now, but our family still feels it every year around May, June, July," he said. "Incident happened in May. June is when I graduated and he wasn't there and July is his birthday."

"It was crazy because all those thoughts came and I was blessed with being drafted first round," Shelton said. "For me to go through that, my family to go through that and to be where I am now is just a blessing and an awesome opportunity for me to continue to represent and continue to live my dream out." 

***** 

Ask most players about their personal goals this time of year and you'll usually get something about only caring about winning or only being concerned with the team. Not Shelton. He has a list. 

"Five or more sacks. Ten or more tackles for loss. Five or more fumble recoveries. Pro Bowl." 

Those are lofty expectations for a player who registered zeroes in most of those categories last season. Shelton said he would grade his performance from 2015 "real poorly." 

"I had opportunities there," he said. "I definitely didn't stray away from the competition but I definitely could have been better." 

There were many contributing factors, of course. Shelton missed most of the team's off-season program while he waited for his University of Washington class to graduate. His weight didn't help either, weighing in at around 365 pounds by season's end. He's 30 pounds lighter this season. For Shelton's part, he pointed specifically to the mental side of the game. 

"If it's sleep. If it's the distractions. If it's the playbook," he said. "If it's emotions. It's all mental. All of that can affect you in the game. Once you are able to block that out and control the mental side of the game, then you'll be able to be a beast." 

That's part of why Shelton was happy to return to a renovated practice facility and an organization suddenly flush with resources to help with both the physical and mental side of the game. 

"This is (team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam) showing that they want to change," Shelton said. "For them to show us that, that appreciation and support and gratitude, it's us giving it right back by winning games this year and putting the Browns back on top." 

He isn't just playing for himself, of course. He's playing for Skeevie and he's wearing a reminder of that on his back. 

Shelton, who also wore 55 in college, said there's no added pressure to wearing a reminder of his brother every day. 

"It's more of a sense of relief to know that I have this number," he said. "I have my brother watching."

He may or may not reach the lofty numbers he set for himself. There's only one number that really matters, anyway.

"It's been five years," Shelton said. "Five years now and so it's only right to wear this number and perform with it. Five years. 55."

-----

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Cleveland Browns have Terry Talkin' expectations, Robert Griffin III -- Terry Pluto (photos)

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The Cleveland Browns do have expectations, but what is realistic for the team and QB Robert Griffin III?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- During the Cleveland Browns opening press conference, I asked Sashi Brown and Hue Jackson about expectations for the season.

The Browns will have perhaps the youngest team in the league. They finished last season with a 3-13 record. There's a new front office and coaching staff.

In some ways, it wasn't a fair question.

The Browns are set up to play a bunch of young guys and a few fixer-upper projects hoping to find some key players to help them win in the next few seasons.

But 2016?

It's probably going to be a very long year, at least based on the current roster.

But I'm also learning Jackson could be The World's Most Positive Man.

"I don't know any other way to do this but chase winning and chase perfection each and every day," said Jackson. "As you do that, you never know what you can hit on. This is football."

When he said, "this is football," I tried not to wince. That's been the problem -- football is painful to most Browns fans. Even worse, the suffering has seldom produced anything but more pain.

If Jackson and his staff can teach the game the right way and actually develop some of the key young players -- then it's losing with a purpose.

"We truly expect to win from Day 1," insisted Jackson. "There is no science to how this works. There's no magical way of predicting what the record is going to be. The guys in the locker room are going to determine how good we're going to be by how they work."

That's true to an extent. But talent, experience and yes -- some stability -- plays the major role in winning. So does coaching.

THE JACKSON IMPACT

Jackson's confidence and passionate personality have given the fans a reason to feel good about the coaching staff. That's important.

Think about the last few coaches: Pat Shurmur, Rob Chudzinski and Mike Pettine. None had been head coaches before. None inspired any confidence because they were utter unknowns to the average Browns fan.

Yes, Chudzinski was the offensive coordinator when the Browns were a Halley's Comet 10-6 in 2007 (their last winning season) ... but he was not their first choice.

In fact, Jackson is one of the few times the Browns actually targeted a coach and then convinced him to come. We'll never know how many offers were actually available to the former Cincinnati offensive coordinator.

He interviewed with San Francisco, but the 49ers hired Chip Kelly. He then talked to the Browns. He was going to New York for an interview, but cancelled it to sign with Cleveland.

The bottom line, the Browns nailed down their first choice.

They also did that with Butch Davis and Eric Mangini with very mixed results.

But I'm not going to hold that against Jackson.

He was 8-8 in his one season as a head coach (Oakland, 2011). He has called plays for several teams. Quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton credit Jackson with aiming their careers in the right direction.

And Jackson's attitude is needed.

"What the record is going to be, I don't know," he said. "But at the end of the day, I know this - we're going to win. And we're going to expect to win."

THE FRONT OFFICE

Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta are in an interesting spot.

They drafted 14 players. They allowed veteran free agents Travis Benjamin, Alex Mack, Tashaun Gipson and Mitchell Schwartz to sign elsewhere.

Mack had no intention of coming back. Benjamin desperately wanted to play with a good quarterback. That's part of the reason he signed with San Diego where Philip Rivers throws passes.

If they had decided to wildly overpay, they could have kept a few players.

But they really did want to start fresh. I don't have a huge problem with that.

"The expectation here should be winning," said Brown. "Our roster is obviously younger than some of the other teams in our division."

Actually, it's younger than about any NFL team in any division.

Brown is walking in step with the coach -- and talking about winning.

He said the players are being told, "This isn't about taking a year off or looking up in two or three years. This is about starting with the first rep and getting better and competing with every snap ... the expectation should be winning."

But they also must make sure the young players have a chance to develop.

It's a tricky road. A team doesn't want young players simply handed starting jobs because they are young and have promise. That's why Jackson keeps talking about "earning jobs."

But there are times when a team in the Browns position has to say, "We're not sure the kid is ready, but let's put him in there and find out. He has the natural talent."

What the Browns don't want to happen is for their draft choices to believe they are entitled to play simply because they were drafted by the team.

ABOUT ROBERT GRIFFIN

Robert Griffin III is 26, Josh McCown is 37.

In 2012, Griffin had an excellent season as a rookie quarterback. Now, consider where the Browns are in terms of building a team with younger players.

Who do you think will be named the starter before the first preseason game? The same guy who should be named the starter.

It's Griffin, and that just makes sense.

Jackson sees something is Griffin. Let's see if Jackson is right.

Rather than compare Griffin in 2016 to the Griffin of 2012, it makes more sense to find out if Griffin can become a viable starting quarterback. Can Jackson find an offense that works for him?

Also, I absolutely hate quarterback competitions where snaps with the first team are divided in training camp, etc. Here's what happens if that drags on for weeks: Neither quarterback is prepared to open the season.

Griffin has been taking most of the snaps with the first team dating back to the minicamps. That should continue. McCown knows how to be a backup.

My hope is Cody Kessler plays quite a bit in the preseason. The rookie is another quarterback who Jackson likes, so get him some experience.

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