"We've got a talented team, but key injuries have piled up more than in recent years. Here's hoping that the remaining Buckeyes can stay healthy." -Senator Buckeye

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerRoss Homan's foot injury will likely sideline him for a couple of weeks, adding to the Buckeyes' defensive injury woes.

"The two best TEAMS are in the series. They are lead by the two best pitching staffs." - ncarolinafan

Associated Press

A team effort gave the Cavaliers a season-opening victory over the Boston Celtics, in a game that was something completely different from their previous style with LeBron James.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerAnthony Parker (18) delivered the biggest shot of the season opener, as his 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring gave the Cavaliers a five-point lead against Boston late in the fourth quarter and elicited excited reactions from Anderson Varejao and J.J. Hickson Wednesday night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is not a basketball Kingdom anymore.

No powder floats in the air on the billboard-sized banner across the street, like stardust descending on Cleveland. No one strikes a crucifixion pose on it with outstretched arms.

No one man, not even in basketball, a sport in which the importance of the individual was magnified here until all proportion was lost and the part became bigger than the whole, will dominate the civic landscape again the way LeBron James did.

The Witness banner is gone and so is the man it hailed. James' defection to Miami was seen in prime time on ESPN, the lapdog network, just as he wished. James is a commodity to ESPN. After "The Decision," the network is a megaphone for him, almost as much as is a Nike commercial.

In place of the sorry spectacle we witnessed in the spring and summer is a new banner. It was not put up until Wednesday afternoon after gale-force winds hampered workmen earlier. On it is a silhouette of the city's skyline. Sponsored by Sherwin-Williams, a Cleveland company that has been here almost a century and a half, the new banner is a reminder of when Clevelanders defined themselves by the things they produced, instead of letting fickle sports celebrities set the limits of their self-esteem.

Wednesday night, The Q was again the place where roars rose until the air crackled. After a 95-87 victory over the Boston Celtics, for the 75th time in the last 83 regular-season home games, victory confetti fell from the rafters.

It was not entirely unexpected, because the aging Celtics were in the second game of a back-to-back set. Still, it seemed that the only trace of the "All In" season would have been Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq was with the Cavaliers a year ago, promising a "ring for the King."

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerAfter he gathered in a loose ball, Cavaliers guard Ramon Sessions signals for a timeout as Kevin Garnett hovers in the fourth quarter Wednesday night at The Q.

The Cavs didn't get the ring, couldn't keep the self-proclaimed King, and Wednesday they saw O'Neal, one of the few players in the wine and gold to acquit himself with honor in the springtime, wearing a Celtics jersey.

The Celtics were here for the first game last season, too. Also for the last game. They stunted the start of that season with a victory. Later, James' indifference assured the end of an epoch.

Before the opener began, new Cavs coach Byron Scott, who had awakened before 4 a.m., promised the fans, not victory, but that his team would play hard every night.

In an arena in which Mike Brown's Cavs had quit their last time on the floor, it had special resonance. No dreams are realized without commitment to their pursuit.

This is not the same green menace anymore.

Ironically, the same Celtics ensured that James, his talents and South Beach will have to content themselves with, at best, an 81-1 record by beating Miami Tuesday night in Boston. Veteran Celtics coach Doc Rivers said fans in downtown Cleveland approached him before the game, shook his hand, and thanked him.

"I don't know what that means," said Rivers.

Yes, he does. It was appreciation for one night's comeuppance for the Heat. It was the new ABM Treaty. Anybody But Miami.

This is not the same J.J. Hickson.

An afterthought in last season's offense, Hickson got his baskets then because his defender was usually the man who double-teamed Shaq. But too often, Hickson was hampered by lapses in focus. His go-to move was to fly to the rim, making dunks and snuffs that became YouTube cult classics. He has always had more promise than its realization.

Wednesday, he started claiming his potential. After a strong, 10-point first quarter, he was on the floor in the fourth quarter, when he was seldom trusted in the past. In an 84-84 tie in the last three minutes and change, Anderson Varejao outran the Celtics for the rebound of Paul Pierce's missed jumper and got the ball to Hickson, who got it to the basket in a flash. It was the last of his 21 points. The Cavs were never headed after that.

This is a new time.

Six Cavaliers were in double figures. But maybe the biggest shot was Anthony Parker's beat-the-clock 3-pointer on the possession after Hickson's lay-up for an 89-84 lead. It was hotly disputed by Rivers, who said Parker's shot, made after taking Hickson's inbounds pass, took "the longest second in the history of the NBA."

It was a very long second. But the Cavs and their fans had waited a very long time, through the spring, the summer, and into the fall for a break. This morning, the Cavs can look down in the Eastern Conference standings on the Miami Heat, albeit by only a half-game.

It won't last. But neither did the false savior.

Shaquille O'Neal returned to Cleveland to a warm reception at The Q.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerShaquille O'Neal is a little too big for Anderson Varejao to tap the ball away during the first quarter of Wednesday night's game at The Q. O'Neal had just seven points and two rebounds as the Celtics fell to the Cavaliers, 95-87.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shaquille O'Neal's time in Cleveland was brief. But it was enough to not only earn him the respect of Cavaliers fans, but also grant him an understanding into how they felt after his one season with LeBron James ended with a disappointing playoff loss to the Boston team he now plays for.

O'Neal trotted onto the court at The Q on Wednesday night to a chorus of boisterous cheers from fans who wanted to show appreciation for the 53 games the 7-1 center played in Cleveland last season.

O'Neal, of course, wasn't surprised at the warm reception -- even if he now plays for the Celtics.

"I think the people know when I came I was ready," O'Neal said. "I think they respected my hard work."

As one who calls himself the Big Aristotle, O'Neal also has a philosophical understanding for how angrily local fans reacted to James' departure to Miami. O'Neal said he was so shocked at James' decision that he didn't believe it at first – "I thought he was coming back," he said -- but doesn't want to say anyone was right or wrong.

"The thing about the human mind is everyone has their own opinion," O'Neal said. "Sometimes you can change it, sometimes you can't. There's 100 million people in this world, and everyone's going to have their opinion on how something should have been done, how something went down. I don't really have an opinion."

O'Neal does have an opinion on how the Cavaliers team that won 61 games in the regular season imploded against the Celtics in the Eastern semifinals. In O'Neal's unique way of sometimes issuing subtle digs, he admitted the Cavaliers unraveled.

"I think it was just one of those situations where we couldn't get it done," he said. "I've been on many teams like that, you win 50-60 games, locker room's good, crowd's good, but we just couldn't close it together at the end. Everything was great in the regular season. No problems, LeBron was great. We just ran up against a veteran team that wanted it more."

Had it ended differently, if James were still in Cleveland, there was a part of O'Neal that still would have relished an opportunity to win a championship for the Cavaliers.

"Yes, there was," he said. "I think [Cavaliers General Manager] Chris Grant handled his business accordingly and people have moved on. They did a great job of putting a team together here and I wish them well."

The mysteries of the National League should not cast a spell over the Texas Rangers, who have played an NL-style game all year.

David J. Phillip / Associated PressCliff Lee was the focus of attention for the Rangers as the World Series got underway Wednesday night in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Texas Rangers looked comfortable opening the World Series against the Giants on Wednesday night under National League rules at AT&T Park.

Not only did they go 14-4 in interleague play during the regular season, but they've played an NL style all year under manager Ron Washington. They're opportunistic on offense, using their speed to force the action whenever possible.

They stole 123 bases, fifth most in the American League during the regular season. In the postseason, they stole 15 bases in 17 attempts on the way to winning the first AL pennant in Texas history.

During the regular season, they went from first to third on hits 122 times to lead the AL.

"I like the NL style of play because everyone stays engaged," said Washington. "All the players have to stay engaged because they never know they might find themselves in the ballgame."

Elvis Andrus leads the Rangers with seven steals in the postseason. During the regular season, five players had 14 of more steals each. Andrus led the way with 32.

"I come from a background of aggressiveness. ... I don't want to be a one-dimensional team," said Washington. "I just didn't want to play the game one way. I have the talent that can play the game many ways. When you have talent like that, you've got to use it.

"If you have talent that can only hit the ball out of the park, then you have to wait for the three-run bomb. We don't have to do that. People tell me it's National League, but I say it's baseball."

Still, the Giants have some history against the Rangers. They went into Game 1 with 15-7 interleague record against Texas. The record includes wins in the last seven games and 11 of the last 12.

Pitcher's corner: If the Giants feel they faced more acclaimed pitching staffs in winning the National League pennant, San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy is keeping it to himself.

Texas is in the process of transforming its image from all hit and no pitch to a much more balanced team. Still, when you think of pitching, Philadelphia and Atlanta probably come to mind before the Rangers.

The Giants beat the Phillies, 4-2, in the NLCS. In doing so, they took the best Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels had to offer. In beating Atlanta, 3-1, in the NLDS, the Giants worked their way past Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson.

The Rangers bring Cliff Lee to the table, which is enough to give any opposing manager pause, but then come C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter. Not exactly the names people bring up when the discussion turns to the Cy Young Award.

"I'd say the Rangers' pitching staff is similar to the ones we've been facing," said Bochy before Game 1. "When you get to this point, you're going to see good pitching staffs.

"When they acquired Cliff Lee, it made them that much better because it gave them a No. 1 guy. After him, Wilson has been throwing well. All their starters have been throwing well.

"They have a good bullpen with a good young closer [Neftali Feliz]. I'd say they're similar to the Phillies and Atlanta. They have starting depth and bullpen depth."

Changes: In naming their 25-man roster for the World Series, Texas added right-hander Mark Lowe and dropped lefty Clay Rapada.

Lowe was acquired from Seattle in the Lee deal. He was on the disabled list at the time of the trade.

"This team is predominantly right-handed," said Washington. "We liked what we saw out of Mark. He uses the bottom half of the strike zone and had good sink [on his pitches].

"We needed his strength and his strength is getting ground balls."

Terrelle Pryor said he likes working from the shotgun, but he continues to gain comfort in every part of the Ohio State offense.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / The Plain DealerTerrelle Pryor has dramatically improved his efficiency while throwing out of the Buckeyes' multiple offense. But the talented junior admitted he wonders what a spread offense might do.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- What would Terrelle Pryor do if he was in charge of the Ohio State offense?

Saturday night at Minnesota will be the 32nd game since Pryor took over as the starting quarterback. Obviously, the junior's responsibility and knowledge of the offense has grown over time. That offense varies from month to month and game to game, as OSU coach Jim Tressel constantly adjusts to opposing defenses and what he senses are the strengths of his personnel.

Last Saturday against Purdue, for instance, the Buckeyes were under center a little bit more than they had been, using an I formation rushing attack to get the offense going. Tressel has seen Pryor improve in that staple of the OSU plan.

"I think the fact that he's been under center a little bit more and done a little more throwing from under center than he did early in his career, I think he's becoming more comfortable in that and that's something we want him to do," Tressel said.

Against the Golden Gophers, maybe the Buckeyes will get back to, for instance, the shotgun a bit more. At least, in his world, that's what Pryor would lean toward if he assumed the title of offensive coordinator.

"Obviously, I'm going to have different views," Pryor said with a smile. "I'd probably put some small guys in the backfield, like [Dan Herron] and Jordan [Hall] and Jaamal [Berry] and get in the shotgun and spread the field and make the defense make some plays, because there's only a couple guys in the box and there's not a lot of people who can tackle Boom or Jordan or Jaamal Berry within a space, and run some zone reads and stuff like that.

"But that's not what we do. We do that a little bit, but our game plan is to attack what we see. There's a lot of things we do that I like and every week our coaches have very good game plans, but I feel comfortable with everything."

Pryor's answer is interesting because that spread, zone-read offense isn't what the Buckeyes have shown they do best since Pryor took over, and he has previously said Ohio State's pro-style offense was one of the reason he chose the Buckeyes. Any Tressel offense will continue to be multiple, and Pryor and Tressel agree that the quarterback's input into the process continues to grow.

"Are we to the point yet where we say, hey, 'we're just going to give him a formation and you're going to take over?' Probably not there yet," Tressel said. "Will we ever get there? We'll see."

Through eight games this season, Pryor has completed 66 percent of his passes (135 of 203) for 1,775 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. At the same point last season, Pryor had completed 55 percent (102 of 184) for 1,408 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

He also has 408 rushing yards this year on 79 carries vs. 471 yards on 101 carries a year ago.

The ninth game last season was when Pryor hurt his knee against New Mexico and the true, healthy QB vanished until the Rose Bowl. Now, Pryor said he's looking forward to the bye week after Minnesota to rest his sore quad. The quarterback continues to take his steps, just as he knows the coach continues to run the offense.

"Whatever Coach Tress believes in," Pryor said, "that's what he's going to run."

Wind worried Tressel: A Notre Dame student was killed Wednesday when wind toppled the 50-foot tower he was standing on to film football practice. On Tuesday, Tressel off-handedly mentioned he was concerned about the wind, and the Buckeyes wound up practicing inside.

"It looks a little nasty," Tressel said. "I worry about our cameramen, their well-being up there 50 feet in the air."

Former Indians' pitcher Cliff Lee has the chance to do something not often seen in baseball these days, Bud Shaw writes in his Spin column.

Kathy Willens / Associated PressCliff Lee seems to have a million reasons to want to stay in Texas with the Rangers next year. Then again, says Bud Shaw, there are probably 20 million reasons (each year) why he'll eventually end up in the Bronx.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Everything's bigger in Texas, except the money Cliff Lee will be offered...

Based on his career -- and this postseason in particular -- Lee has an opportunity to do something historic, something you just don't see these days in baseball.

A sub 1.00 ERA in the postseason? No.

Make Sandy Koufax feel like a slacker? Negative.

Bigger.

Cliff Lee has a chance to say no to the Yankees as baseball's top free agent prize. He has the chance to stare them down like Andy Pettitte getting the sign from Jorge Posada.

He could let out a low growl, like Clint Eastwood in "Gran Torino."

At the very least, nod politely at their offer -- along with entreaties from other big-market spenders -- and announce that as a small-town guy from Arkansas he can find everything he needs to be happy in Texas.

Do I expect this to happen?

Yes. Right after J.K. Rowling calls to ask my advice on how to make it as a writer.

What are the chances?

Yankees fans reportedly insulted Lee's wife during the ALCS. She told USA Today they spit and threw beer in her direction. Is that a deal killer?

Well, the Yankees are expected to offer Lee $150 million. If that's not enough to atone for the sins of their fans, don't sell the Evil Empire short.

Look for Lee in pinstripes. And for the Yankees to round up the cretins who mistreated Lee's wife and ship them to Siberia for the winter, or to Pittsburgh or Cleveland for the next baseball season.

World Series, Part II: anything can happen, it just usually doesn't.

David J. Phillip / Associated PressTexas and San Francisco in the Fall Classic may hint at equality in baseball, but it's not the ringing endorsement that Bud Selig and the sport's executives would like you to think.

Baseball execs are celebrating competitive balance with Texas and San Francisco in the World Series instead of the Yankees and Phillies.

Look, I'm the first to activate the balloon drop when the Yankees get eliminated. And least when both my hands aren't occupied by the beer bong. But it's been -- what? -- a whole year since they won it all?

They went to another ALCS. More competitive balance in baseball hasn't exactly marginalized them or given them any real sense of how the other half lives.

Did I say "half?" The other 90 percent. New York has scuffled with only five World Series titles in the last 15 years and seven AL pennants.

The Yankees didn't win a World Series from 1978 to 1996. When they go 18 years again between parades, we can declare revenue sharing and the luxury tax the cure-all for not having a salary cap.

And the witch finally dead.

World Series, Part III: A fine big market whine

The Rangers and Giants are good stories. Texas has the 23rd highest payroll on Opening Day. The Giants had the 11th.

You won't find me joining the wail about poor TV ratings diminishing this World Series. Who says it's diminished? It's the two best teams. If you don't have a network stake in the matchup, why would you care about the ratings?

World Series, Part IV: A rousing endorsement

Asked about Ron Washington, his manager, Lee said, "When you've got a team like this, you'd have a hard time screwing that up, to be honest with you, at least offensively. ... I feel like I could fill that lineup every day and throw it out there."

I'm sure Lee misspoke and that he meant to say the Rangers owe everything that's happened to them to ol' whathisname.

HE SAID IT

Mary Schwalm / Associated PressWho knew that Shaquille O'Neal was really The Big Antidote to what ails Delonte West (left)?

"Last year I don't think he respected anybody but me on that team. So I was able to talk to him." -- Shaquille O'Neal, together again with former Cavaliers guard Delonte West in Boston.

That was you keeping him straight, Shaq? Good job.

HE SAID WHAT?

"At that time I didn't think it would be my last time I wore the Cavs' uniform. I never thought in the back of my mind I would be somewhere else." -- Miami's LeBron James, from Boston Tuesday while opening the season in the city where he played his final game last year.

Don't laugh. It's true.

Leaving was in the front of his mind.

SPINOFFS

In the category of "Be Careful What You Wish For," Eric Mangini hopes Rob Ryan will get a chance to become a head coach...

Who said, "We're the best team in the NFC"? 1) Tom Coughlin of the Giants; 2) Mike Smith of Atlanta; 3) Raheem Morris of Tampa Bay? If you guessed Raheem Morris, congratulations Raheem Morris...

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert says "there's a feeling around here we haven't had in a while." He apparently meant that as a good thing...

Gilbert doesn't think his letter attacking James after "The Decision" will cost the team free agents. Well, if there's a choice -- and that's what free agency is -- it's not exactly going down in the plus column...

You want it, you need it, you can't live without it. Introducing the launch of LeBronJames.com, in which James promises "all access to LeBron James' life." Wow. That's even more intimate in the third person...

And to think Gilbert just wanted a phone call...

Don't get too excited about Boston's win over the Heat Tuesday. James almost rallied the Heat against a cohesive veteran team with the best defense in the league, and with Dwyane Wade, who missed almost all training camp, doing a too-convincing impersonation of Carlos Arroyo.

When James posted up against Boston one possession, Mike Fratello said, "You didn't see him do that very often in Cleveland." True, if by "very often" Fratello meant "never." Then again, the Cavs had only wanted James to do it for the last four years...

YOU SAID IT

"Bud:

"Isn't it a little late for LeBron to be asking us 'What should I do'?" -- Chuck D.

Yes. But reaching out in his Nike ad is just more proof that there is no end to this young man's humility.

"Bud:

"I have another separated at birth for you. Did you see Eric Wedge and his new 'stache? Doesn't he look like Ted Levine from 'Monk'"? -- Devin, Concord

Sources tell me a light moment occurred at Wedge's Seattle interview when he sneezed and a face mask and shin guards fell out of his moustache.

"Two words: leather helmets." -- Ron

I don't remember asking how readers can protect themselves in collisions with the keyboard when they fall asleep reading my column online, but thanks.

"Bud:

"If Cliff Lee wins World Series MVP, will he say, 'I'm going to New York instead of Disney'?" -- Angelo, Cleveland

He won't have to. He will be carried off the field by Brian Cashman.

"Dear Bud:

"That [LeBron] commercial went over my head like a ball thrown toward Eric Wright. What Should I Do?" -- Michael Sarro

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"Will Navy upgrade its football program and drop Notre Dame?" -- Joseph S.

Repeat winners receive a replica of the statue now known as "False Start Jesus."

Seneca Wallace says the Browns should pick a quarterback and stay with him, and he wants it to be him.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerSeneca Wallace believes it will be soon time for Eric Mangini and the Browns to announce who is the starting quarterback when all three QBs are healthy. "We have to get a guy in there who runs the offense the best and continue to score points, and we’ll win the games," he said on Wednesday.

BEREA, Ohio -- The boot came off his injured right ankle. Now it appears that Seneca Wallace is taking the gloves off, as well.

As the Browns reach their bye weekend with questions about the future of their quarterback position, Wallace stated his case Wednesday to be the starter when the team returns to prepare for the New England Patriots.

Wallace isn't demanding anything. But he feels he made a strong statement for keeping the job before he suffered a high ankle sprain in the first half of the Atlanta game.

"Yeah, I feel that way," Wallace said. "At the end of the day, it comes down to the coaches. Whoever's doing the job the best, moving the team, scoring points, making the right decisions, then that should be the guy."

Wallace said the offense started coming around in his last two starts against Cincinnati and Atlanta.

"That was probably the best I've felt," Wallace said. "It's a learning experience each game I step out there. We're all still trying to figure it out. The Cincinnati and Atlanta games, things started feeling a lot smoother. Things started clicking. The offensive coordinator was calling good plays at the right time, and we had it going. Unfortunately I came down with an injury."

The Browns were 1-3 in Wallace's four starts. His 88.5 passer rating and 4-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio are the best of the team's quarterbacks.

Jake Delhomme, still not fully recovered from his own high ankle sprain, hobbled through the remainder of the Atlanta game in relief of Wallace and aggravated his injury. Those occurrences opened the door for rookie Colt McCoy, who now has made his own case for keeping the job in fairly impressive road performances in Pittsburgh and New Orleans.

Coach Eric Mangini said he would pick his starting quarterback based on who he believes gives the team the best chance against the upcoming opponent.

Wallace said he "threw away" the protective boot he wore for two weeks and should be ready to practice Wednesday when preparations for the New England game intensify. He believes the team will only suffer if it continues to play musical quarterbacks.

"It comes down to Coach's decision," he said. "I can't stand here and say this guy's gonna be the starter. I don't know. This whole thing, the last couple years around here, it seems like it's been quarterback by committee, so who knows? We have to get a guy in there who runs the offense the best and continue to score points, and we'll win the games."

That's what Wallace was used to in Seattle, where he served as Matt Hasselbeck's backup on the team formerly coached by Browns President Mike Holmgren.

"This isn't college," Wallace said. "We don't switch quarterbacks in and out. I think when it comes down to rhythm and gelling together, when you have a quarterback in for one week and then the next week it's somebody else, that's not a good situation. You want a guy that's gonna be in there, be able to move the team and continue to do that week to week."

This topic will intensify when the Browns return from their bye. By then, we will know more about the status of Delhomme, who said after the New Orleans game that he doesn't want to return until his ankle "is right."

An interested observer of this situation is left tackle Joe Thomas, an offensive co-captain with Delhomme. He believes that Delhomme will return to the starting spot when healthy.

"All three have made a real good case for himself," Thomas said. "It's a lot better than the situation we were in last year when we couldn't find one who could play. This year it's like we have three guys who can play. So I don't think we can go wrong."

Thomas has never missed a snap in his 53 games as the Browns' left tackle. In that time he has blocked for eight starting quarterbacks.

"It'll be nice to, hopefully, some day have a starter for a long time," he said. "I think we're getting closer [to that]."

Montario sighting: Rookie running back Montario Hardesty reported his surgery on his right ACL was done five weeks ago by noted sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

Hardesty said his early rehab is coming along "really good." He said he'll revisit Andrews in a couple of weeks to get a better idea of the timetable for his return. He expects to be fully ready for the 2011 training camp.

Take a bow: Linebacker David Bowens was named AFC defensive player of the week for his two interception returns for touchdowns in the New Orleans game. It is the first such award of Bowens' career, coming in his 159th career game.

"It's a tremendous honor to get something like that, and to share it with this group of guys makes it even more special," said Bowens, 33.

Running back carousel: Most people feel that Peyton Hillis' hard-running style demands a capable backup to give him some reps off during games. When that time comes, will it be Mike Bell or the newest running back to jump on board, Thomas Clayton?

In two games since arriving via a trade with the Eagles, Bell has seven carries for a net of zero yards. His longest run is five yards. Before the Browns made the trade with Philadelphia, which sent Jerome Harrison packing, Clayton was on the Browns' practice squad getting reps with the first-team offense at practice.

The Patriots signed Clayton away and then waived him last weekend, with the intention of re-signing him this week. But when the Browns offered Clayton a contract, he took it.

"There's just a certain level of comfort that I feel here prior to leaving, and I was welcomed back," Clayton said. "The relationships here ... not to mention the playbook is something I'm real familiar with. It's pretty much identical to what I played with in San Francisco, believe it or not."

Clayton suffered an ACL tear in the 49ers' 2009 preseason and spent that year on injured reserve.

He said of his style, "I do a little bit of everything. I like to rely on my vision, my patience, my speed. I have good-enough size to run between the tackles and get those short, hard yards, too."

The Giants won the first game of the World Series. In doing so, they not only beat the Rangers, but throttled their No.1 starter, Cliff Lee.

Susan Tripp Pollard / Contra Costa TimesJuan Uribe's three-run homer off Rangers reliever Darren O'Day capped San Francisco's six-run fifth inning and sent the Giants to a 1-0 lead in the World Series over the Texas Rangers.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants sent Cliff Lee and the Texas Rangers tumbling off their postseason pedestal Wednesday night at AT&T Park in the first game of the World Series.

Lee suffered the first postseason loss of his career in resounding fashion as the Giants scored six runs in the fifth inning on the way to a 11-7 victory. The Giants are trying to win their first World Series since they left New York for the West Coast in 1958.

The Texas left-hander, on a postseason run of near invincibility, allowed seven runs, six earned, in 4 2/3 innings. In Lee's first eight postseason games, dating back to last season with Philadelphia, he went 7-0 and allowed nine earned runs in 64 1/3 innings.

The victory went to Tim Lincecum, 3-1 this postseason. Lincecum wasn't at his best, but he was better than Lee.

"They got to Cliff and we couldn't get to Lincecum," said Rangers manager Ron Washington. "They worked Cliff pretty good. He threw 32 pitches in the third inning and kind of ran out of gas after that."

The Rangers did not look like the confident team that dispatched the Yankees in the ALCS to reach their first-ever World Series. Along with Lee's problems, they committed four errors, including two by DH Vlad Guerrero, who was making his first start in right field since Oct. 2.

Washington said Guerrero's two errors would not stop him from playing him right field again tonight in Game 2. The DH is not used in National League parks.

The Giants, who completed the beating with three runs in the eighth, finished with 14 hits. Half went for extra bases.

D. Ross Cameron / Contra Costa TimesRon Washington removed Cliff Lee in the fifth inning after the Rangers fell behind the San Francisco Giants, 5-2. The situation got worse quickly, however, as reliever Darren O'Day allowed a three-run homer to Juan Uribe.

"We don't have a lot of games like this where we out-slug the other team," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. "We put up some quality at bats against great pitcher, who was not at the top of his game."

Texas scored three runs in the ninth to make the score respectable, but this game ended when Lee didn't make it out of the fifth.

Andres Torres and Freddy Sanchez started the fifth-inning rally with consecutive one-out doubles. Torres scored on Sanchez's drive to center for a 3-2 lead. Lee struck out Buster Posey, but lost a long duel with Pat Burrell, walking him on a 3-2 pitch.

That seemed to take the steam out of Lee as he allowed consecutive RBI singles to Cody Ross, the Giants' NLCS MVP, and Aubrey Huff for a 5-2 lead. That was it for Lee as Darren O'Day relieved. Lee threw 104 pitches, 69 for strikes.

Juan Uribe, whose homer in Game 6 against the Phillies in the NLCS put the Giants in the World Series, greeted O'Day with a three-run homer to left.

The Rangers made it 8-4 with two runs in the sixth. Along the way they knocked Tim Lincecum out of the game. Bengie Molina doubled home Ian Kinsler with two out. Mitch Moreland singled off Lincecum's leg. It was the second time he was struck by a hit in the game.

He stayed on the mound, but gave up an RBI single to pinch-hitter David Murphy and was lifted by Bochy.

"Timmy is fine," said Bochy.

Texas took a 1-0 in the first. Elvis Andrus extended his postseason hitting streak to 12 games with a leadoff single against Lincecum. He took second on Michael Young's walk, went to third on Josh Hamilton's groundout and scored when Vlad Guerrero singled off Lincecum's leg.

The Rangers made it 2-0 in the second. Molina singled and Lee doubled him to third. Almost any player except the rotund Molina would have scored, but he barely made it to third. Andrus' sac fly scored Molina, with Lee alertly going to third on Torres' off-line throw. Lincecum, however, retired Young to end the inning.

The Giants tied it with two runs off Lee in the third. Edgar Renteria opened by reaching on an error by Young at third. Lee hit Torres with one out and Sanchez singled to left to score Renteria, for the first run scored against Lee in 16 innings this postseason.

Posey blooped a single into center to score Torres from second with the tying run. Lee, who had allowed just two earned runs this postseason before Wednesday, struck out the next two batters.

The Giants looked like they were suffering from stage fright in the first inning. After Guerrero's RBI single, Nelson Cruz sent a slow roller to Lincecum. Young, coming home on the play, was an easy out, but from some reason Lincecum never threw to third and the Rangers had the bases loaded.

"Timmy thought there were two runners on third and just walked Young back to the bag," said Bochy.

The potential rally ended when Ian Kinsler grounded into a double play.

Sanchez doubled with one out in the first, but he was trapped off second on Posey's pop to second to end the inning.

Fortunately for the Giants, it did not take long for them to shake the stars out of their eyes and zero in on Lee.

Plain Dealer’s Cleveland Browns beat writer Tony Grossi takes time out during the bye week to hand out his mid-season player awards. Next up for the 2-5 Browns are the New England Patriots on Sunday November 7.

Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writer Tony Grossi takes time out during the bye week to hand out his mid-season player awards. Next up for the 2-5 Browns are the New England Patriots on Sunday November 7.

Yahoo.com predicts the Cleveland Cavaliers will win only 12 games this season. With 81 more games left, the Cavs have only 11 more victories to go. How long will it take them to get a dozen wins? The Cavaliers certainly began the season with a bang following their victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. It was just...

(John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)Cleveland Cavaliers Anderson Varejao

Yahoo.com predicts the Cleveland Cavaliers will win only 12 games this season. With 81 more games left, the Cavs have only 11 more victories to go.

How long will it take them to get a dozen wins?

The Cavaliers certainly began the season with a bang following their victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

It was just one night, but there were several difference in the way last night's Cavaliers played and the team we saw during LeBron James' reign.

There were plenty of things to be happy about last night, but what made you more optimistic that this year's team will have a successful season?

Career backup Seneca Wallace says he is the best option to start for the Browns. Is that a good idea?

View full sizeChuck Crow,
The Plain DealerSeneca Wallace, who is coming off a high ankle sprain, says his performance merits the starting job for the Cleveland Browns.

"It seems apparent now that LeBron's presence on this team kept the talents of the rest of the guys locked up. Now that he's gone, we can see just how good the rest of these guys really are." -lowenbrau

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerThe Cavaliers opened up the 2010 season with a victory over Boston.

Another quarterback controversy may be in the Browns' future.

View full sizeChuck Crow,
The Plain DealerSeneca Wallace watches from the sidelines after suffering the high ankle sprain that's sidelined him for the past two weeks. Wallace intimated that his numbers make him the best choice to start for the Browns.

We'd chose Wallace as the guy that gives the Browns the best chance to win.  If they don't turn around their season sooner than later, then Mangini may as well play McCoy down the stretch to get the rookie more experience.

Jake Delhomme would then become a very expensive backup.

Wallace does not have a vote, but if he did he would vote for himself — not loudly by pounding the table and getting in Coach Eric Mangini's face, but the fact is if Wallace wasn't knocked out of the game against Atlanta with a sprained ankle, he would probably still be starting.

Wallace believes he should not lose his starting job to an injury.

He was sent hopping to the sideline with 25 seconds remaining in the first half when Falcons defensive end John Abraham fell on his ankle while sacking him. Wallace completed 11 of 15 passes for 139 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown pass to Peyton Hillis, before he was forced to leave. His passer rating was 124.0.

Two weeks prior to the Falcons game, Wallace posted a 103.0 passer rating against the Ravens. In between, he completed 18 of 30 passes with one touchdown and one interception vs. the Bengals and had a passer rating of 74.9.

McCoy’s performance the last two weeks in Pittsburgh and New Orleans made this a debate. He was supposed to sit, watch and learn, but was pressed into service after the injuries. He took control of the offense and looked comfortable in a pair of hostile environments.

... In two starts against top-10 defenses, McCoy impressed interested observers from the locker room to the owner’s office. He’s 32-for-49 (65.3 percent) for 355 yards, a touchdown, two interceptions, six sacks and a respectable 76.5 rating.

... The Browns didn’t have a turnover in the win over the Saints, and McCoy has excelled in managing the offense. The operation looks smooth and he’s had no trouble getting the plays off in time. He’s had some success rolling out and improved Sunday in getting rid of the ball quicker. He was sacked only once after five by the Steelers.

We agree, because continuing to switch quarterbacks sends the wrong message. Does rookie quarterback Colt McCoy give the Browns the best chance to win?

...The first thing former Ramapo standout Blake Costanzo considered when he saw (Greg) Olsen warming up Sept. 2 at Cleveland Browns Stadium was Wayne Hills-Ramapo.

"That’s all I could think of," Costanzo said, "was that Wayne Hills-Ramapo rivalry — that tough, hard-nosed rivalry that’s been going on forever between the two teams. Those feelings never go away."

That didn’t prevent Costanzo, a backup linebacker and special teams standout for the Browns, from talking with Olsen after the Browns beat the Bears, 13-10, in a preseason game eight weeks ago.

"I wished him good luck," Costanzo said. "He’s been doing a great job out there. He’s awesome. He’s fun to watch. It’s cool being able to say I played against him in high school and in the NFL. I’m glad we’re still getting the chance to play on the same field and live out our dreams."

There was so much for coach Byron Scott to do during the offseason as he prepared the Cleveland Cavaliers for this upcoming season. Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour writes how Scott wanted to do all he could to help the fans give over the departure of LeBron James. He took a step in the right direction with Wednesday night's victory...

Gus Chan, The Plain DealerCavs forward J.J. Hickson

There was so much for coach Byron Scott to do during the offseason as he prepared the Cleveland Cavaliers for this upcoming season. Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour writes how Scott wanted to do all he could to help the fans give over the departure of LeBron James.

He took a step in the right direction with Wednesday night's victory over the Boston Celtics in the season opener.

He needed to see competitiveness. He needed to see fire.

Scott saw all that and more. As the Cavs pulled out a stunning 95-87 victory over the Celtics, hope and promise reigned in Quicken Loans Arena. After Daniel ''Boobie'' Gibson sank two free throws with 8.2 seconds left, confetti fell from the rafters again.

Ridenour writes that when it came to J.J. Hickson, hope and promise reigned. And when it came to effort and hope, promise reigned.

When it came to a never-say-die attitude, hope and promise reigned.

With 7:23 left in the second quarter, a cheer of ''Let's Go Cavs!'' erupted from section 231 in the upper reaches of Quicken Loans Arena and the team responded. Trailing 32-25, the Cavs reeled off six consecutive points, four by Hickson and two by Ramon Sessions, forcing Boston coach Doc Rivers to take a timeout. Fans roared.

The place was really jumping after Hickson's fastbreak layup gave the Cavs an 86-84 lead with 3:09 to go.

 

 

Love for Boston 

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said it all following last night's game.

In The Boston Herald:

“I think we’re the most popular team in Cleveland right now, beating Miami and then losing to the Cavs.”

The Miami reference is to LeBron James, who left his home area in the lurch last summer. Let’s just say Rivers had an interesting walk around town yesterday.

“I did get some handshakes,” he said, referring to the Celts’ opening night win. “That was nice. Lots of them. They said thank you. I don’t know what that means. I do, but I laughed. I thought it was pretty funny.”

Game stories

Cleveland.com: Opening night is all right.

Ohio.com: Cavaliers show Celtics, and fans how to start.

The News-Herald: Second to savor.

Boston Globe: Not so fast.

Boston Herald: LeBron James-less Cavaliers beat Boston.

Fanhouse.com: Cavs start faster than heat.

We are back on track at Twinsburg. Coming off the upset loss to Hudson, we went into practice last week feeling as if we had something to prove and I think we did. We beat an improved team from Stow in a game we simply had to win.

Aaron Macer and Twinsburg conclude the season on Friday needing a win against Elyria. - (Allison Carey/The Plain Dealer)

We are back on track at Twinsburg.

Coming off the upset loss to Hudson, we went into practice last week feeling as if we had something to prove and I think we did. We beat an improved team from Stow in a game we simply had to win.

Practice was up-tempo all week. Our team hates losing. From players to coaches I think it's pretty consistent that we hate to lose even more than we enjoy winning.

We came out this week and did whatever we had to do in order to win the game.

I can't believe it's Week 10, the last game of the regular season of my senior year. Time has flown by.

I remember coming into Twinsburg as freshmen and becoming a team. We lost one game that year and we're hoping to repeat that regular season with Friday's game against Elyria the only one remaining on the schedule.

This may be the last time the Class of 2011 at Twinsburg gets to play under the lights at Tiger Stadium. Our seniors have worked so hard for the opportunity to keep playing more football and it's here for us to take.

Again, this is a game we need to win, not only our seniors but for our whole team and community. No one wants the season to end here.

This week will be a playoff type atmosphere. It is win or go home. There is a lot on the line for us against an Elyria team that is having a good season: A third straight conference championship, a chance at making the playoffs and getting a first-round home game vs. the seniors playing our last home game . . . ever.

Plus, it is Senior Night. And, coach Mark Solis used to coach there. What a way to finish the regular season. We will leave it all on the field.

PD columnist also talks Cavs; says that with the way Delhomme has played, he shouldn't even be in the equation.

Seneca Wallace, above, and Colt McCoy should be the only two QBs the Browns consider starting the rest of the way, says Terry Pluto.

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

The Cavaliers opened their season Wednesday night at home with a win over the Boston Celtics.

What impressed you most about the Cavs' play? The coaching of Byron Scott? The play of J.J. Hickson? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV, Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto, says a few things caught his attention; he also talks about how the team will need to have healthy seasons from Anderson Varejao and Antawn Jamison.

Terry also talks about Seneca Wallace of the Browns and his comments yesterday about believing he deserves the nod as the team's starting quarterback. Terry says that with the way Jake Delhomme has played, he shouldn't even enter the equation, even if he's healthy.

SBTV will be back Friday with Plain Dealer Browns reporter Tony Grossi answering fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature. In the meantime, don't forget to play our You-Pick-the-Winners Contest where you can outpick Branson and Chuck Yarborough each week and earn an appearance on SBTV, a $25 gas card and a chance at a $250 gift card.

Chris Antonetti, the Cleveland Indians new General Manager, recently sat down for an interview with The Plain Dealer’s Bill Lubinger. Antonetti says he shares in the fans’ frustration, but feels the Indians have the makings of a championship team. Their immediate goal is to be better in 2011.

Chris Antonetti, the Cleveland Indians new General Manager, recently sat down for an interview with The Plain Dealer’s Bill Lubinger. Antonetti says he shares in the fans’ frustration, but feels the Indians have the makings of a championship team. Their immediate goal is to be better in 2011.

The windy weather has been a major problem for both Lake Erie and inland fishermen. Lake Erie’s shoreline waters, which had been giving up good numbers of yellow perch and walleye, have been plagued by big waves and dingy water.

Special to The Plain DealerThe steelhead trout fishing could improve this weekend, as the Northeast Ohio streams continue to clear a bit.

The windy weather has been a major problem for both Lake Erie and inland fishermen. Lake Erie’s shoreline waters, which had been giving up good numbers of yellow perch and walleye, have been plagued by big waves and dingy water. The big winds are also a problem for inland lake fishermen, and steelhead fishermen are finding the streams moderately high, stained and filled with leaves.

Rivers and streams

The steelhead trout fishing could improve this weekend, as the Northeast Ohio streams continue to clear a bit. The windy weather has choked most of the streams with falling leaves. The recent rains should have lured some steelhead trout into the streams, providing fair fishing for next week. Stream anglers should rely on brightly colored flies and spawn bags this weekend.

Inland lakes, reservoirs

Stocked rainbow trout are still available at the Cleveland Metroparks’ Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation, Mentor’s Granger Pond and the lake at Painesville Recreational Park. A slug of farm-raised channel catfish was also released in the Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation lake. Anglers are reporting the foot-long trout are hitting Berkley Power Bait in bright colors, as well as processed fish eggs.

The conditions have been too windy on most local lakes and reservoirs. Anglers should focus on lakes with lots of protection from the wind and small bays, such as the Portage Lakes.

Looking ahead, muskie fishermen should be planning a trip to Leesville, Berlin, Lake Milton, Pymatuning and West Branch reservoirs, where the muskie fishing should begin to sparkle. The fall saugeye fishing is a bright spot in southeast Ohio, with Piedmont, Tappan, Clendening and Leesville all top saugeye waters. Fall anglers cast diving plugs and jig-minnow rigs along the rip-rap shorelines and the drop-offs.

Fishing tournaments

Fall Open of the LaDO KSU Bass Series (LaDue Reservoir): 1. Rory Franks, 13.20 pounds, $265; 2. Jay Cobb and Fred Ramski, 11.96 pounds, $260; 3. Joe Engler, 11.28 pounds, $100. Big Bass: Cobb and Ramski, 5.23 pounds.

This is week eight of the NFL season, and the elite teams (sorry, Cleveland Browns fans) have started to pull away from the pack. The NFL loves parity, and of course anything can happen on any given Sunday, but which team is tops in the league? Not which team will be the best at the end, but which team...

This is week eight of the NFL season, and the elite teams (sorry, Cleveland Browns fans) have started to pull away from the pack.

The NFL loves parity, and of course anything can happen on any given Sunday, but which team is tops in the league? Not which team will be the best at the end, but which team is the best today?