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Sounding the sirens on a more physical training camp: Cleveland Browns notebook

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The Browns wore pads for the first time on Sunday and Hue Jackson had the sirens blaring. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The air raid sirens went off in Berea on Sunday afternoon and the only people who went running were Browns players. 

The sirens, of course, were the much-anticipated addition to training camp this season, implemented by new head coach Hue Jackson, signaling the start of full contact. The Browns were in pads for the first time and everyone but the quarterbacks was fair game. 

"We'll be smart about it," Jackson said. "We don't want to lose anybody, but at the same time, I think we all recognize and understand the hazards of playing in the National Football League. We'll be as smart as we can be, but we have to have some very spirited, physical practices as we move forward just to get our football team where I think we need to be and I thought the guys did a great job today."

Overall, the pace of practice was quicker than it had been over the first two days, due in part to the team finally getting to practice outdoors and in front of their fans. Friday's practice moved from inside to out, but not before fans were sent home due to weather. Saturday, the entire practice took place inside the fieldhouse. 

"We were all set to have great crowds here (the first two days of practice)," owner Jimmy Haslam said prior to Sunday's session. "I think we had over 5,000 people signed up to come both Friday and Saturday and I think everybody understands and can appreciate -- I know Hue addressed this yesterday afternoon -- that player and fan safety goes first." 

Thunderstruck: Offensive lineman Alvin Bailey is competing for the starting right tackle job. His favorite basketball team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, took a big hit this offseason.

"It's tough," Bailey said of the Thunder losing Kevin Durant. "I understand. If that's what the best decision was for him then we've got to live with it. I'm not too happy with it, but it's business. It's the way things went."

He's still hoping for the best, though, this season.

"Yeah, I think we'll be alright," he said. "I'm excited to see Russell Westbrook this year and how he'll handle things. He's a great player so I'm excited for that."

Thunder-loving Alvin Bailey cherishes fresh start with Browns' offensive line

Odds and ends: Attendance at Sunday's session was 2,236. Monday's practice is open to the public and begins at at 3 p.m. The team will also practice on Tuesday at 3 p.m., open to the public, before the first day off of camp on Wednesday.

Injuries: Three players left Sunday's practice due to injury. Fullback Malcolm Johnson left with a concussion while defensive lineman Dylan Wynn left with an ankle injury. Rookie defensive back Trey Caldwell left with a hamstring injury. 

Running back Duke Johnson went down during a running back drill with what appeared to be a left leg injury. The training staff wrapped his left calf and he returned to team drills.


Cleveland Browns training camp Day 3 in 90 seconds

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Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe talk about Day 3 of Browns training camp. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The pads went on Sunday at Browns training camp and, for the first time, the weather allowed fans to watch practice. On top of that, we heard from team owner Jimmy Haslam and Isaiah Crowell continued attempting to make amends for his Instagram post, taking care to sign as many autographs as he could.

Those are the things Mary Kay Cabot and I discussed as we ran through the day. We even had a drop-in from tight end Gary Barnidge. Check out the video above.

'His loss': Cleveland Indians ready to move forward without potential catching acquisition Jonathan Lucroy

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"Unfortunately, he chose not to be a part of it. Hopefully, we can win the World Series and we'll be laughing at him."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians' acquisition of reliever Andrew Miller created a series of candid celebrations in the team's clubhouse on Sunday morning.

"You should've seen the smiles on guys' faces," said catcher Chris Gimenez. "Everyone had their phones out, screaming, 'We got Miller!'"

There was a different sentiment when Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy vetoed a potential trade to Cleveland. That reaction carried a vibe more along the lines of: "You don't want to be here? Well, then we don't want you."

"His loss," Gimenez said. "I don't have any idea why he did [veto]; I just know he said something [previously] about how he wanted to play for a contender. He had the opportunity."

The Indians and Brewers struck an agreement late Saturday on the players who would be exchanged, but Lucroy had the final say. The 30-year-old had a limited no-trade clause, with the ability to deny eight different clubs the right to acquire him.

"As far as we're concerned, we'll move forward with the guys we do have here," said pitcher Corey Kluber.

Lucroy rejects potential trade to Cleveland

Gimenez didn't sleep much on Saturday night, as trade whispers grew louder. He wondered if he'd still have a job with the Indians when he arrived at Progressive Field on Sunday morning.

"We knew the rumors were there," Gimenez said. "There was absolutely the possibility of it, and rightfully so. I would be crazy to say I wasn't terrified about it. That's part of the job, too. I knew the situation. There was always the potential that I could not be a part of it."

Gimenez and Roberto Perez will continue to handle the Tribe's catching duties, as Yan Gomes recovers from a separated shoulder.

Altogether, the triumvirate has produced the worst offensive numbers among the league's 30 catching units. Indians catchers have combined to post a .169/.220/.287 slash line and have totaled minus-1.1 WAR. The average, on-base percentage and WAR rank last in baseball. The slugging percentage ranks second-last.

Gimenez and Perez discussed their hitting woes on Sunday morning. Perez proceeded to reach base three times on an RBI single and a pair of walks.

"We were like, 'Listen, we both know we're capable of hitting a little better than we [have],'" Gimenez said.

Now that Lucroy won't be joining the fold, they know there is no alternative.

"We're taking it as a little bit of a challenge," Gimenez said, "to be like, 'All right, if this is going to be our turn, we need to step up and do it.'"

Perez notched his second hit of the season on Sunday. He is 2-for-25 with 10 walks. He also underwent thumb surgery three months ago.

"I've been feeling a lot better lately," Perez said. "I just need a couple more at-bats. Since the surgery, I didn't get many at-bats on the rehab assignment, but I'm healthy now. I'm ready to contribute."

Tribe front office seizing the opportunity

He'll get the opportunity, as Lucroy passed on a chance to join the AL Central leaders.

"Even though he plays my position, he's definitely an upgrade," Gimenez said. "It'd be ridiculous to say that he wasn't. He definitely could've helped. At the same time, we feel pretty strongly about the guys we have here, too. Unfortunately, he chose not to be a part of it.

"Hopefully, we can win the World Series and we'll be laughing at him."

Isaiah Crowell well-received by Browns fans in first open practice since Instagram post

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Browns running back Isaiah Crowell stayed long after practice Sunday to sign autographs and thank fans for coming. It was his first encounter with fans since his offensive Instagram post.

BEREA, Ohio -- On the first day of Browns training camp open to the public, Isaiah Crowell received a warm welcome from the fans in the aftermath of his Instagram controversy.

During inside running drills and the 'everything goes' live tackling period initiated by a siren on Sunday, Crowell was cheered by the fans every time he pounded it up the middle or strung one outside and ran through a defender. A crowd of 2,236 attended the first open session after the first two days were closed because of weather.

After practice, he signed autographs and posed for photos longer than almost any other player. After almost every encounter, he thanked the fans for coming and shook their hands.

It had to be a relief for Crowell, who's received death threats and tons of hate mail since posting an illustration of a police officer being stabbed in the neck by a hooded figure.

Coach Hue Jackson was asked if the extra pounding in Crowell's step has anything to do with the Instagram ordeal.

"I would hope that's not why,'' Jackson said. "I think he's turned it up because he's a really good football player. He has some really unquestionable ability. I saw this in the spring so I'm not surprised by anything he does, but I think there's more there. I still think he has a lot more to give, and we're going to continue to get him better. He's beginning to see what he has the potential to be."

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam addressed Crowell's Instagram embroilment Sunday in reference to telling the players he won't tolerate distractions going forward.

Jimmy Haslam to Browns players: 'We won't put up with distractions'

"The Crow deal was terribly unfortunate,'' said Haslam. "It was inexcusable. there's nothing you can say, there's nothing positive about what happened. I do say this and we know Crow well: that's not who he is, he made a big mistake, he's paid a large penalty for it. I will say this, I think the true test of character for all of us is when we get knocked down - or maybe knock ourselves down in this case - how you get up and handle it is how you judge people. I'm not sure he could have done anything better since he did that terrible incident, and we're proud of how Isaiah's responded.''

Since the post, which was deleted almost immediately, Crowell apologized to the Cleveland police, pledged a game check to Dallas Fallen Officer's Foundation, and attended the funeral of a slain Dallas police officer. He's also willing to do a ride-along with a Cleveland police officer to help atone for his mistake and learn from it.

Isaiah Crowell attends the funeral of a slain Dallas officer

"Really, I just want to have an open dialogue between the community and the police, and I want to be a part of the solution and not the problem,'' he said Friday. "Posting that picture, I was part of the problem and I don't want to be that."

Crowell knows that he'll be making retribution for long time.

"I feel like I still have to prove it every day,'' he said. "Doing one thing doesn't make you who you are. I just have to show people that I apologize and do things for people to understand."

Who is Mark Pantoni retweeting now that electronic communication with recruits is officially deregulated?

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Now coaches and can message, retweet and text prospects as much as they want. So if throwing a retweet on a prospect's post gives a program even a one-percent increase in chance to land the kid, you bet it's going to be done. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The NCAA voted back in April to deregulate electronic communication between football coaches and staffers and high school prospects. 

That world became real at midnight. 

If you're looking at Twitter -- one of the main social media platforms where communication between coaches and prospects takes place -- you're probably seeing coaches retweeting prospects all over the place.

On Sunday, that was illegal, so it's actually kind of weird to see.

But the restrictions are gone and this is the new normal. 

Now coaches and can message, retweet and text prospects as much as they want. So if throwing a retweet on a prospect's post gives a program even a one-percent increase in chance to land the kid, you bet it's going to be done.

Some coaches began retweeting prospects right at midnight, but Ohio State waited until Monday morning before they got involved. 

Ohio State player personnel director Mark Pantoni, one of the crucial men behind the Buckeyes recruiting efforts, got to work. His mouse is probably on fire. 

Pantoni started by retweeting one of Ohio State's most recent 2017 commits, four-star defensive end Chase Young of Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic. He followed the Young retweet with more retweets: 

It would be too much to show you all of Pantoni's retweets, but he's been showing love to Ohio State commits and Buckeyes targets.

Pantoni has also retweeted posts from four-star athlete Jaelen Gill of Westerville (Ohio) South, five-star wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey of Corona (Calif.) Centennial, five-star safety Jeffrey Okudah of Grand Prairie (Texas) South and many others. 

A few thoughts: 

* Everyone is going crazy about how much retweeting is going on between high school coaches and prospects. But what about behind the scenes? Think about how many direct messages and texts are going to be sent now that electronic communication is completely deregulated. 

Who is Mark Pantoni and why is he important?

* Let's not forget that Urban Meyer is against the deregulation of electronic communication. He said this back in April:

"Someone told me they passed a texting rule," Meyer said. "That's the most ignorant thing I've ever heard because they can't police the coaches. OK, fire the coaches who do it. Fire them. Make the penalty so absolutely out of control that they won't do it. You'll never coach again in major college football again if you on purpose text someone. OK, move on to the next rule. But think about the student athlete first.

"How does the student athlete feel about this rule? Do you really want text messages from 100 universities on your phone when you come out of school? The ones I know, 'What? No I don't want to hear from these schools.' Well, now you're going to get them. Some intern is going to be punching texting messages on your phone and you're going to get them. Maybe you can block numbers and all that, but it's too hard. Why? Because it's easier on coaches or it's easier for the enforcement because people are doing it. It just doesn't make sense to me." 

Urban Meyer on the new texting rule

* How much is going to be accomplished by retweeting prospects? Maybe more than you think. Even though it seems petty, it gives coaches the ability to send subtle messages to prospects. 

* Pantoni was constantly glued to his phone before. Think about his life now. 

An assistant coach once told me that they were constantly glued to their phone just in case a recruit called: "You never know when they are going to call again, if ever, so you can't miss the opportunity to recruit them when that phone rings." 

Think about that assistant coach now. And think about all of the ones who are just like them. Deregulating electronic communication means that those very coaches are going to be sitting up at night wondering if another coach has been texting his coveted target more. Now think what that breeds. 

On one hand, it's hard to feel too bad for a top prospect who gets too much attention from college coaches. But on the other hand, it's easy to feel bad for them when you remember they are often 16-year-old kids with high school lives and families who won't be able to escape recruiting as long as their phone is in their pocket. 

Andrew Miller trade makes Cleveland Indians team to beat in American League: Bill Livingston (photos)

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The MLB trade deadline deal for Andrew Miller shores up the Cleveland Indians bullpen, which was a serious area of concern. It also makes the Indians' overall pitching edge even bigger.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - When Hank Peters was laying the foundation for the near-great 1990s Cleveland Indians, the team was deep in the shadows of national irrelevance. Jim Thome, for example, was an unknown kid, not a  newly inducted member of the team's Hall of Fame.

Still, Peters knew the day would come when patience would have to be sacrificed for opportunity.

"When you have a chance to win, you've got to try," said Peters.

They now have that chance

The man who, through his hand-picked players and executives, saved the franchise thus also laid down a common sense, minimalist challenge that the Dolan family met in emphatic fashion over the weekend when the Indians traded for the New York Yankees' left-handed closer Andrew Miller.

The price was four prospects, one of them highly-regarded outfielder Clint Frazier.

The Indians have parted ways with young players who became good players  before -- Brian Giles, Sean Casey and the best of them, Brandon Phillips. All of them had played in the big leagues, although Casey for only six games, before they were sent elsewhere.

But this move was worth it. The Indians have a big-time chance to win now.

The Dolans

It was not quite the "all in" move that some fans, remembering the NBA champion Cavaliers' slogan, called it.

That is because the Dolans' history of being sellers rather than buyers apparently led catcher Jonathan Lucroy to exercise his right to veto the trade. Lucroy said he wants to win, having had enough of small-market economics with the Milwaukee Brewers.

So poor is the Dolans' image that former Cleveland Press sportswriter Doug Clarke, speaking for many doubters, said in a wry comment on my Facebook page that the Dolans were found bound and gagged in a back room after the Miller deal went down.

Still, the Indians certainly are out of the wading pool and heading for the deep end of the big boy pool.

The team to beat

Cody Allen is the incumbent closer and has done well, but getting Miller, a dominant lefty, for the late stages of games makes the Indians the team to beat in the American League.

This does not make them the kind of favorites in the American League that the Cavaliers will be in the Eastern Conference next season. The American League is more like the NBA's Western Conference with a great deal of parity. In the loss column as of Monday morning, the Rangers, Orioles, Blue Jays and Red Sox trail the Indians by no more than four games.

The one thing the Indians always had is the thing everyone wants most for the postseason, the best pitching. The starting rotation was already the best. Now the bullpen is a lot better too.

The offense

The everyday lineup has no one who is really playing poorly except at catcher. Yan Gomes is hurt. He wasn't the Gomes who was a Silver Slugger two seasons ago even before the injury. The players who have shared the position have become sort of the Hole in the Bat Gang.

On the flip side, Tyler Naquin, Mike Napoli and Jose Ramirez have played above expectations. Ramirez will probably play third base most of the time now that Juan Uribe has been released. And newly-acquired outfielder Brandon Guyer will help fill in left, at least until Michael Brantley, who was also a Silver Slugger in 2014, returns to the lineup.

Tito and the Curses

In Francona, the Indians also have something no other Cleveland team has had since Paul Brown -- a two-time champion as coach or manager. Francona and the Boston Red Sox whipped the Curse of the Bambino, which was bigger than the Curse of Rocky Colavito because who's bigger than Babe Ruth?

The Lake vs. the Bay again?

The Cavs came from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals against Golden State to win it all. They were the first team in NBA Finals history to do that.

The Red Sox became the first baseball team to come from a 3-0 deficit to beat the hated Yankees for the AL pennant in 2004.

The baseball playoffs are a crap shoot. This is an even year, and the last three times that's been the case the San Francisco Giants have won it all.

It's not like the Cavs-Warriors rivalry, of course. When someone on the Cavs  sneezes, the Warriors try to hand them a handkerchief Draymond Green just soiled.

But if the Indians and Giants make it to the World Series, perhaps Bay Area fans can use it to cry into.

LeBron James told Dwyane Wade to "follow your heart" to Chicago

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Dwyane Wade shared the advice LeBron James and Chris Paul gave to him about his free agency, which ended with his surprise signing with the Chicago Bulls. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - If the Miami Heat want to blame LeBron James for Dwyane Wade's departure to Chicago, a case could be made over a piece of advice James and Chris Paul gave their friend while the three vacationed in Spain at the start of free agency.

"The biggest thing that came back from both of them was follow your heart," Wade said on ESPN's SportsCenter on Sunday. "Whatever you want to do, we're going to support. We're your friends. But there's a reason you're having these thoughts. Follow your heart."

Wade left the only pro team he'd ever known in Miami to sign a two-year, $47 million deal with the Bulls last month as a free agent. He was looking for about $50 million from Miami and didn't get it. The move followed a period of tense negotiations between Wade, 34, and the Heat, where he'd played his first 13 seasons and won three titles.

While those negotiations were ongoing, Wade, James, and Paul were on a boat off the coast of the Spanish island of Mallorca. Wade said James and Paul "left me alone" for the most part, but there was one conversation about his free agency.

Another Banana Boat

"I think they was in disbelief that I didn't have any deal that I wanted," Wade said. "Bron always said when he was in Miami, he always said Oh, DWade is gonna be like Kobe, he always thought (I) was going to get that Kobe deal."

James and Wade, of course, were teammates for four years with the Heat, winning two titles and appearing in four consecutive Finals. James left in 2014 to rejoin the Cavs. He told The Bleacher Report last season that he dreamed of one day playing in the NBA with Wade, Paul, and Carmelo Anthony on the same team, but, at least from the way Wade describes it, the possibility of an (aging) super team didn't seem to enter into the advice James and Paul offered.

"They just kind of listened to me, kind of talk about where my feelings was and what I was thinking," Wade said.

James is still a free agent, though he has already told the Cavs he would re-sign with them at some point this summer.    

Nordonia football shows how players, coaches spend time in between practices

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Nordonia's football team showed how its players relax and unwind in between 2-a-day practices.

MACEDONIA, Ohio — All across Ohio, high school football camps opened on Monday for the start of two-a-day practices.

For teams like the Nordonia Knights, that means the road to Week 1 can officially start. But what do players do in between the workouts?


At Nordonia, the first practice ended at about 9:15 a.m. The session ended with a split-squad competition in two-point conversions. From there, players and coaches had about 90 minutes off before offensive meetings at 10:40, and a return to the field at 11:10.


"This next hour and a half is critical to rehydrate, to get off your feet, to use foam rollers, to use the training room, to do it for prehab and all kinds of mobility exercises," Nordonia coach Jeff Fox said. "We preach it. Hopefully, they're hearing what they're saying and buying into it."


Most of the players will stay at the stadium in the locker room with teammates including senior running back Anthony Perrine. One of the things he and the seniors who stick around try to do is build some chemistry with some of their younger teammates


"I remember my freshman year, I was always underneath the bleachers with Cam Bell, a star lineman and went to Toledo," Perrine said. "He was always giving me the ropes and telling me where to go."


Senior Daniel Banks said he usually goes home to take a nap and eat something before coming back for the second practice. With 25 days left until the Knights' season opener against Mayfield, Banks knows that August is the time to develop camaraderie early.


"When you play with all 11, you've got to trust the guy next to you at all points and times during a football game. It's important to build that trust," Banks said.


Many players have different plans following the second practice of the day. Banks said he plans on using a cold bath, while Perrine will take a long nap and play some Pokemon Go.


"(I've got) I think around 52. I've seen 55," Perrine said. "That's a big portion of my time is Pokemon Go. My mom's crazy about it."


Cleveland Indians acquire outfielder Brandon Guyer from Tampa Bay for prospects

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The Indians have acquired outfielder Brandon Guyer from Tampa Bay for two prospects. Veteran third baseman Juan Uribe, to clear roster space for Guyer and left-hander Andrew Miller, has been designated for assignment.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have acquired outfielder Brandon Guyer from the Tampa Bays Rays for prospects. Guyer is hitting .241 (51-for-212) with seven homers and 18 RBI.

The Indians sent minor leaguers Nathan Lukes and right-hander Jhonleider Salinas to the Rays to complete the deal.

Following the trade, veteran third baseman Juan Uribe was designated for assignment. When the Indians acquired left-hander Andrew Miller on Sunday, they cleared a spot for him on the 40-man roster by designating Joey Butler from Class AAA Columbus.

One more spot must be cleared on 25-man roster.

Guyer, who has been with the Rays all season, has appeared in 63 games. He can play all three outfield positions and is hitting .344 (22-for-64) with four doubles, four homers, nine RBI and a 1.082 OPS against lefties.

The Indians needed a bat after Milwaukee catcher Jonathan Lucroy vetoed a trade to Cleveland. Where Lucroy was going to play every day, Guyer is more a specialist.

The right-handed hitting Guyer, 30, leads the big leagues with 23 hit by pitches. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2007 and was traded to the Rays, along with former Tribe draft pick Chris Archer, in January of 2011.

Guyer has played parts of five seasons with the Rays. He missed most of June this year with a strained left hamstring.

The acquisition of Guyer and the release of Uribe probably clears the way for Jose Ramirez to play third base.

Uribe hit .206 (49-for-238) with nine doubles, seven homers and 15 RBI. However, he hit .111 (5-for-45) with four RBI in July.

Terrelle Pryor realizing his dream of playing with Josh Gordon: 'It's going to be awesome'

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Browns receivers Terrelle Pryor and Josh Gordon dreamed last year of playing together for the Browns someday. Now, it's close coming true. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Terrelle Pryor and Josh Gordon baked in the hot sun at the Randy Moss Academy in North Carolina last summer, dreaming of the day they might be together on the field for the Cleveland Browns.

At the time, it seemed like a pipe dream. Gordon was gearing up to sit out the entire year for violating the substance abuse policy again, and had worn out his welcome with the Browns. Pryor, recently cut by the Bengals as a quarterback, was attempting to make the quantum leap to wide receiver for the Browns-- at the age of 26.

Pryor was a month into the metamorphosis, and had plenty of doubters.

Nevertheless, they envisioned streaking down the field together and towering over smaller defensive backs, who would have no answer for the Twin Terrors.

Now the two are close to realizing their dream.

Gordon is back with the Browns after being conditionally reinstated by by the NFL, and Pryor looks ready to wreak havoc as a big, deep threat for the Browns after a full year at receiver. When Gordon comes off his four-game suspension in week 5, the two can start to make their magic.

"I really can't wait to get out there with him and I really can't wait to see him play,'' Pryor said Monday. "It's going to be awesome.''

While Pryor addressed the media for the first time in training camp, Gordon worked out with a trainer behind him, trying to come back as soon as possible from his pulled quad muscle. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam called the injury "a blessing'' on Sunday, one that's allowing Gordon to ease back into the game after his year away.

But it's easy to see why the Browns are quietly getting excited about their overhauled receiving corp. Pryor, Gordon and No. 15 overall pick Corey Coleman all on the field at the same time? Take that, AFC North.

"When Josh was talking to coach Saunders yesterday, he said 'this is one of the best receiving corps since I've been here --  it is  the best receiving corps,''' Pryor said.

Pryor jumped at the chance for Gordon to help make him a great WR for Browns

Saunders had to be pinching himself on the field Friday, the first day of camp, when he stood on the sidelines talking to Gordon and Pryor and had to crane his neck to look up to them.

"That's a 6-5 guy and a 6-3 guy -- that's some big dudes right there,'' Pryor said last summer when pondering the future.

And the possibility of them appearing on the field together quite often is very real. Pryor was moved at the start of camp from the "X'' receiver to the "Z,'' meaning he and Gordon -- and "X'' -- will often line up opposite each other.

The move likely means that Hue Jackson is carving out a role for Pryor now that Gordon is back. Previously, he was working at the "X'' along with Coleman. At "Z'' he's lined up on the side of the tight end, or the slot receiver, depending on the formation. It's been another big adjustment for Pryor, but he's working overtime to nail it.

"Every day it's been getting better and better,'' said Pryor. "I'm getting more comfortable with it. I'm getting a lot more reps at walk-through and stuff like that, so it's really starting to come."

Jackson, who coached Pryor as a quarterback in Oakland in 2011, is amazed by his transformation and always finding new and creative ways to use Pryor.

"He made the transition from quarterback to receiver, but he's done an outstanding job,'' said Jackson. "We've moved him from one side of receiver to another side so again, he's in another transition. He's handled it extremely well. I'm very proud of what he's doing.''

His progress was never more evident than during a team drill on Saturday when he streaked past cornerback Jamar Taylor, went over the top of him and made a spectacular diving catch of 50-yard Robert Griffin III ball. He popped up, spiked the ball and then jogged back down the field for a high chest bump with Griffin and plenty of congrats from his teammates.

 "Yeah, that was my first (in camp),'' he said. "There was a bunch good balls thrown to me in camp so far, but we haven't connected. I caught a couple, but it was out of bounds or something happened. I like to run deep, run past guys, so it is what it is. It's football. I'm an aggressive guy. I like to get the juices flowing. I like to get the team up. Big play. Let's make a big deal."

But Pryor bristled at the notion that the big catch was his first this year in practice. In fact, he closed out minicamp with another sensational grab of a deep Griffin ball.

"I've been making these plays in OTAs, minicamp, not just myself, a lot of guys, so that's not the first time I've done that since I've been here,'' he said. "It's exciting, for myself, just the progress I've made and to actually be out there battling with corners and being able to beat corners man-to-man and getting off press pretty easy now. It's the ultimate competitive sport and I love it to death.''

When he's not catching it, he's throwing it. Jackson has found dozens of ways to use Pryor, capitalizing on  the dual-threat quarterback skills he knew him for in Oakland.

"As you guys know, there are a lot of different things that we'll do with Terrelle because he's very talented,'' said Jackson "We'll just continue to find different ways to have him make a difference on our offensive football team."

Before making plays on the field, Pryor's in the classroom helping Gordon get up to speed on Jackson's system.

"He's phenomenal,'' said Pryor. "He broke the rules, and he dealt with the consequences but this guy he sits by me in every meeting, asks me questions. Coach Jackson will be up there teaching, and it's kind of frowned upon to talk while the coach is, but he's okay with it because I know the offense pretty well. I'm sitting right between Corey and Josh and we have conversation the whole time.

"You can tell the guy's very hungry. I can't wait for him to get back out there. I'm excited.''

Pryor said Gordon, who led the league with 1,646 yards in 2013, has even "been in special-teams meetings, going over and talking me through stuff and he's not even on special teams. He wants to be involved and he's been doing an awesome job. I really can't brag anymore. He's doing awesome and I'm very proud of him.''

He re-iterated that Gordon, who shares the same agent in Drew Rosenhaus, is different than what he seems in the media.

"If you guys knew Josh, like really knew him, you would see that he's got a big heart,'' said Pryor. "He's a competitor, he's itching to get out there, he's a hard worker. It's totally opposite of what I heard before he came back.''

Last summer, when Gordon offered to work with Pryor at the Moss Academy, he told the fledgling receiver, "one day when I get back in, I think it could be a great thing, so I really want to teach you some stuff,'' Pryor said.

And now, the dream for both is about to come true, and it promises to be a nightmare for others.

After denying Tribe, Jonathan Lucroy reportedly headed to Texas Rangers

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Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports first reported Monday afternoon just before the 4 p.m. trade deadline that catcher Jonathan Lucroy is headed to the Texas Rangers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Jonathan Lucroy appears to be leaving Milwaukee after all.

He's still not coming to Cleveland, though.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports first reported Monday afternoon just before the 4 p.m. trade deadline that Lucroy is headed to the Texas Rangers. Passan added the teams were in talks "for days" but had no "substantive talks going" before the last 24 hours. They wound up with a haul of Lucroy, plus Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffers and Carlos Beltran from the New York Yankees.

Beltran heads to Texas in a separate trade.

The Indians were set to acquire Lucroy last weekend for three prospects, but the catcher nixed the deal by using a no-trade clause in his contract. This one appears it will go through. Lucroy tweeted his approval Monday afternoon.

To get Lucroy, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reported the Rangers gave up outfielder Lewis Brinson and right-hander Luis Ortiz. Multiple reports indicated the Rangers did not include third-base prospect Joey Gallo in the deal.

By comparison, the Indians were primed to send catcher Francisco Mejia, outfielder Greg Allen and shortstop Yu-Chen Chang to Milwaukee.

Gimenez on Lucroy: 'His loss'

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

Starting lineups, Game 103: Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins

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Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Monday's series opener between Cleveland and Minnesota.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Monday's series opener between Cleveland and Minnesota.

Pitching matchup: RHP Danny Salazar (11-3, 2.97 ERA) vs. RHP Jose Berrios (1-1, 10.20 ERA)

Lineups

Indians

1. DH Carlos Santana

2. 2B Jason Kipnis

3. SS Francisco Lindor

4. 1B Mike Napoli

5. 3B Jose Ramirez

6. RF Lonnie Chisenhall

7. LF Rajai Davis

8. CF Tyler Naquin

9. C Roberto Perez

Twins

1. DH Brian Dozier

2. LF Robbie Grossman

3. 3B Miguel Sano

4. 1B Kennys Vargas

5. SS Eduardo Escobar

6. 2B Jorge Polanco

7. RF Danny Santana

8. C Juan Centeno

9. CF Byron Buxton

Defending state football champion St. Edward not quite starting from scratch (videos)

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The Eagles return just five starters from their 2015 squad, but they are not ushering in a new coach this time. They also have the experience of seeing how an inexperienced team can develop.

LAKEWOOD, Ohio – The changes from last Aug. 1 to this one are subtle on the field behind St. Edward High School.

Again, the football team trots out with few returning starters but a state championship in tow.


For second-year coach Tom Lombardo, he at least has the experience of knowing what that’s like. He was new to his role in 2015 just like most of his players, who went on to reclaim the OHSAA Division I state title last December with a 45-35 win against Huber Heights Wayne.


“I know everyone a lot better,” Lombardo said Monday, now a year after returning to the program where he once served as an assistant.


He’s now had 15 months to develop relationships, as opposed to last year’s quick turnaround while figuring out what holes to plug.


For defensive end Justin Herold, he can hearken back to fellow pass rushers Michael O’Malley and Cal Reynolds. They were among eight returning starters from the Eagles’ 2014 title team.


“They knew that they didn’t have a lot of guys returning, and I know that we don’t have a lot of guys returning,” said Herold, among five starters back from the 2015 squad. “We don’t know yet who’s going to be where. That’s why we have to go through these two-a-days.”


For center Kevin Payne, this marks the third summer he is snapping to a new quarterback. Payne lined up in front of Brett Keane two years ago when the Eagles marched to Columbus. Last year, Payne had another senior in Jimmy Keefe. This time, it’s 6-1 Kevin Kramer.


“I try to make it easy for him,” Payne said. “He’s similar in that he connects with all of the players a lot. Jimmy was close with his (senior) class, and so was Brett.”


In many ways, St. Edward has grown accustomed to this.



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

Watch Paul Kruger become The Karate Kid during Browns training camp (video)

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Watch Paul Kruger and Joe Kim practice martial arts hand drills during Browns practice. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Browns linebacker Paul Kruger had a veterans day off on Monday, one of the perks - or necessities - of being a veteran. He spent most of the day wearing a ball cap and watching his teammates.

But Kruger made time during practice to work on hand drills with Taekwondo Master Joe Kim, whose title with the team is Strength and Conditioning
Assistant/Skills Development.

Check out the video below to see what that involves.

Kim, a St. Edward graduate and longtime martial arts teacher, first worked for the Browns under coach Bill Belichick, and later returned for Butch Davis. He has spent time with eight other NFL teams.

For more on Kim, read this profile by cleveland.com's Dan Labbe.

Taekwondo Master Joe Kim returns to Browns

Cleveland Indians' Antonetti on Brandon Guyer: "A gritty player who plays game the right way.'

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The Indians were looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder who could hit left-handed pitching. They settled on Tampa Bay's Brandon Guyer, sending two prospects to the Rays before Monday's 4 p.m. deadline. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Chris Antonetti, Indians president of baseball operations, feels Brandon Guyer, fits his team's DNA well.

The Indians acquired Guyer from Tampa Bay on Monday before the 4 p.m. deadline for making trades without waivers.

"Brandon fits our team really well as a right-handed hitting outfielder," said Antonetti. "He can play all three spots. Has been really effective against left-handed pitching, is a good baserunner, good defender and a great teammate.

"He's a really gritty player who plays the game the right way."

The presence of Guyer gives manager Terry Francona another option to match with left-handed hitting outfielders Lonnie Chisenhall and Tyler Naquin.

"He's going to help us in the outfield so we think we have something for left-handers and right-handers," said Francona.

Guyer, expected to join the Indians on Tuesday, is hitting .344 (22-for-64) with four doubles, four homers, nine RBI and a 1.082 OPS against lefties this season. He's hitting .241 (51-for-212) overall and is the big-league leader in hit by pitches with 23.

He's spent parts of five season with the Rays.

"I don't know him," said Francona. "But from across the field I've always liked him. There's a reason guys start getting talked about in your trade talks.

"He plays hard. I've never met him, but I've like the way he's played from across the field."

Francona said there was one condition he made before the trade was completed.

"I wanted to make sure Cashie (Rays manager Kevin Cash) never helped him with his hitting," said Francona with a laugh.

Cash used to be Francona's bullpen coach with the Indians and they never miss a chance to rip each other.

Guyer can't be a free agent until 2019. He'll be eligible for arbitration at the end of this season.

"One of the goals we had going into the deadline was to target players who could not only impact this year's team, but the next few years," said Antonetti. "Brandon certainly fits with that."

The addition of Guyer allows the Indians to move Jose Ramirez to third base. After announced the acquisition of Guyer, the Indians announced that veteran third baseman Juan Uribe was designated for assignment.

The Indians sent prospects Nathan Lukes and Jhonleider Salinas to the Rays for Guyer.

Lukes, an outfielder and seventh round pick of the the Indians in 2015, was hitting .301 (103-for-342) with five homers and 32 RBI for Class A Lake County. He played five games for Class A Lynchburg.

Salinas was pitched for the Tribe's Arizona Rookie League team. He was 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA in nine games, including four starts. He struck out 38, walked 14 and allowed 25 hits in 30 innings.


Players and plays that have stood out in Cleveland Browns training camp

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Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe talk about what players and which plays have stood out. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have held four practices so far in training camp and we've had an opportunity to see plenty of action. Mary Kay Cabot and I took the opportunity to highlight one player each and one play each that has stood out early on in training camp.

We also had our Browns player video bomb of the day, this time courtesy of quarterback Josh McCown. Check that out in the outtakes at the end.

Sunday, tight end Gary Barnidge was kind enough to stand behind us. You can watch that video at the link below.

Gary Barnidge videobomb

Cleveland Indians 'not too shook up' about Jonathan Lucroy ordeal

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"I'm not that shook up about it," Francona said. "In fact, I'm not shook up at all."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Terry Francona was careful when choosing his words.

Neither he nor team president Chris Antonetti mentioned Jonathan Lucroy by name. Both spoke in generalities about the catcher's decision to veto a potential trade to the Indians.

The club learned, along with the rest of the world, of Lucroy's decision on Sunday morning, after the Indians had completed a trade for reliever Andrew Miller. The Indians promptly shifted their attention elsewhere in the trade market. They landed on outfielder Brandon Guyer on Monday afternoon.

"You deal with what you can control," Antonetti said Monday. "We work towards something and then it happens or it doesn't. If it happens, then you move on to the next thing. And, if it doesn't, it's the same thing."

The Indians thought they had acquired an inexpensive All-Star to occupy a spot filled by a crop of catchers who haven't produced at the plate. Yan Gomes, Chris Gimenez and Roberto Perez have combined for the most unsightly numbers of any catching unit in baseball.

Lucroy, however, exercised his right to reject the deal. Gimenez said it's "his loss." Such a feeling was widespread in the Indians' clubhouse.

"I'm not that shook up about it," Francona said. "In fact, I'm not shook up at all."

Tribe moving forward sans Lucroy

The Indians will proceed with Gimenez and Perez behind the plate, at least until Gomes joins the fray when he recovers from a separated shoulder. Gimenez and Perez shared a conversation on Sunday about the need to improve their hitting.

"I have no problem whatsoever, I mean zero, having those guys be our catchers until Gomes comes back," Francona said. "It's not like coach-speak or manager-speak. That's how I feel. There are times we need to pinch-hit for those guys. They understand that."

Still, Lucroy has twice earned a trip to the Midsummer Classic. He boasts a .299 average and .841 OPS this season.

The Brewers dealt Lucroy to the Rangers on Monday afternoon. Lucroy seemed to have no qualms about relocating to Texas.

"They're not even in our division," Francona said. "Until we play them, I don't care."

For now, the Indians will proceed with a slightly adjusted roster and an unchanged catching situation.

"I like what we did," Francona said, "and I like what we didn't do."

Meisel's musings on Miller, Lucroy and more

Chad Johnson's coming back to Browns camp 'and the bad part for Hue Jackson is, I'm not leaving'

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Former Bengals receiver and former Browns rival Chad Johnson left Browns training camp, but he's coming back -- and he says he's not leaving until January.

BEREA, Ohio -- Chad Johnson disappeared from Browns training camp after only two days of helping coach receivers, and Hue Jackson indicated he might not be back.

But Johnson, who played against the Browns as a member of the Bengals for 11 years, told cleveland.com in a phone interview Monday that not only is he coming back -- he's not leaving.

"You really thought I was leaving?'' Johnson said. "This is the funny thing. Hue Jackson allowed me to come in as an intern. I never told Hue I was leaving, so he's stuck with me until they force me to leave. I'll be here through January.''

Does Jackson know you're here to stay?

"No, but you can be the first to break the news,'' he said. "I agreed to come. I didn't say I was gonna leave.''

Johnson was gone by Sunday but "I'm coming right back. I'll be there (Tuesday morning). I ran into a small problem.''

Johnson said he flew home to Houston to talk to his 12-year-old daughter, Cha'iel Johnson, and explain to her that he couldn't be with her during the Junior Olympics over the next week.

Cha'iel is one of the best sprinters in her age group in the world.

"I had to explain to her, 'you've got to go out there and run well and be able to do so without me being here because I have to be in Cleveland,'' he said. "That's something I needed to be able to tell my daughter face to face, not over the phone, not via text and she has to understand that daddy has to work. She's one of the fastest in the world and it would kill her for me not to be there.''

Johnson said Jackson, who coached him in Cincinnati from 2004-06, will not be able to shed him now that he has this opportunity.

"Hue would have to pry me away from the game himself,'' said Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler and member of the elite 10,000 yards receiving club.  "I've waited five year for this  opportunity just to be around the game again. You know how much I miss it? You think I'm just going to leave?''

Jackson indicated Monday that the demands of coaching may have proven to be too much for Johnson, who played for the Bengals from 2001-10 and played numerous pranks on the Browns defensive backs over the years.

"I think everybody thought he was going to be here the whole time,'' Jackson said. "I knew he wasn't. Chad came as a guest of mine. I wanted him to see what this was going to be like. I knew at some point in time Chad needed to go do what Chad needed to do. I think his time here was very beneficial because guys were able to ask him questions about playing in the National Football League.

"What were the characteristics the great players carry and what they're like and I think guys asked him those questions. It was good for me to have him around. Chad is very close to me, as we all know, but at the same time, I think he found out this business is rough. There's a lot of hours that we keep and I don't think Chad's used to that.''

Asked if Johnson was done, Jackson said, "I'm not going to say he's done. He can possibly come back from time to time, but I know that he's not here right now and he let me know that he wouldn't be here, so that's not an issue at all. ''

He added, "There were some things he needed to do. I told him, 'Go do what you need to do.' Again, he has some kids and he has some other things that he needs to take care of, so I wanted to make sure he had an opportunity to do that.''

But Johnson has no intentions of staying gone.

"You don't understand, I miss the game so much,'' he said. "I miss being able to do this part. I miss the camaraderie, I miss the smell of the locker room, I miss competing. I'm not actually competing, but preparing those guys to be able to do so at the receiver position is my goal.''

It would take a team of wild defensive linemen to drag him out of here.

 "I'm so thankful to Hue,'' he said.  "The sad part for Hue --  the bad part for Hue is -- I'm not leaving.''

He said he doesn't know what the protocol is, but he's going to find a way to stay.

"Yeah, so we have to work something out no matter what,'' he said.

Johnson couldn't disagree with Jackson that coaching is a little more demanding than he thought.

"Being a coach, let me tell you -- I have the utmost respect for every coach, and if I knew they had to go through what I have to go though from six in the morning to 11 at night? I wouldn't have caused no problems.

"It's unbelievable how time-consuming and how long the amount of hours you have to put in as a coach. It's much easier being a player and I don't think the players themselves understand what the coaches have to go through.''

He admitted that he has to adjust to the grueling schedule.

Terrelle Pryor realizing his dream of playing with Josh Gordon

"It's unbearable for one because I'm not used to it, so I have to get my mind together,'' he said. "I have to get it together and you have to do it.''

But he looked like he was having a blast the first two days, serving as a defensive back in some drills and a punt returner in others. He laughed and joked with players and gave them tips and pointers along the way. He could be just what this young receiving corps needs.

"My favorite part is being able to interact with the players out there on the field,'' he said. "That's what I'm thinking coaching is. But there is so much more to it than just that -- and I learned it the past few days I was there.''

Johnson plans to become The Thing That Wouldn't Leave, even though Jackson doesn't know it yet.

"They're stuck with me,'' he said. "I'm basically part of Cleveland now.''

Lutheran East set to join Lake Erie League in 2017 for basketball, other sports

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Lutheran East will remain an independent in football while its basketball programs find a home with the Lake Erie League.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Lake Erie League will add Lutheran East for the 2017-18 season in most sports except football and is gauging interest from other schools.

Lorain athletic director and LEL board president Bryan Koury confirmed Monday the league’s athletic directors unanimously agreed in May to adopt Lutheran East, but the move is still pending official approval when the board meets Aug. 15.


Boys and girls basketball, plus girls volleyball and track, are among the sports that will make Lutheran East a seventh – and the smallest – school in the LEL.


“The longterm goal is to try to increase the number of schools in the league,” Koury said. “At some point, we’d like to get to a big-school division and small-school division in football.”


The LEL has set a precedent for allowing schools partial membership, excluding football.


Warrensville Heights, with a Division V football program, spent the last two years as an independent and resumes its full membership this fall. The rest of the league -- Bedford, Cleveland Heights, Lorain, Maple Heights and Shaw -- is comprised mostly of Division I and II programs. Shaw is the exception with a Division III football program.


Lutheran East makes for a dramatically smaller addition. Its football program is Division VII and basketball plays at the Division IV level, both the smallest in the state.


However, the boys basketball team regularly plays Division I teams and reached last season's Division IV regional finals.


"They’re extremely competitive," Koury said. "They make sense on a number of levels."


Koury added the LEL has sent out invitations to more schools, but declined to name them.


“It puts Lutheran East back on the map,” said Anthony Jones, the school's athletic director and boys basketball coach. “From 2005 to 2009, it was a state (basketball) contender. It makes it a cool place to come. We want to increase our enrollment. In order to do that, we know our athletics have to be good.”


Jones said an inquiry from Cleveland Heights athletic director Dwight Hollins pushed dialogue with the league. Cleveland Heights is amid a two-season rental of Lutheran East’s gym for basketball home games while its building undergoes renovation. Jones said Lutheran East has put money from that rental toward renovation of its gym, which he said will be completed this year.


The boys basketball team also will play five of the LEL's six schools this winter as a tuneup.


The Falcons will not be shorthanded, either. They return 6-foot-3 junior forward Keandre Graves, and Jones said three standouts have transferred in: Shaker Heights’ Jordan Burge, Westlake’s Maurico Tate and East Tech’s Tyshaun Howard.


Junior point guard Alex Heath, a starter last season, has transferred to Central Catholic.


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

Live updates and chat: Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins, Game 103

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The Indians and Twins will begin a four-game set at Progressive Field on Monday evening. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs square off.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians and Twins will begin a four-game set at Progressive Field on Monday evening. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs square off.

Game 103: Indians (60-42) vs. Twins (40-64)

First pitch: 7:10 p.m.

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

Pitching matchup: RHP Danny Salazar (11-3, 2.97 ERA) vs. RHP Jose Berrios (1-1, 10.20 ERA)

Fact du jour: The Indians are 4-5 against the Twins and 26-8 against the rest of the American League Central.

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