In 2008, the Cleveland Indians picked Roberto Perez in the 33rd round of the baseball draft. Now, he's starting in the World Series. Here's how that happened.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Think about this number -- 1,011.

Now, put that number next to your name.

In the 2008 Major League Baseball draft, Roberto Perez was picked by the Cleveland Indians in the 33rd round.

That's doesn't sound awful.

But the Tribe's catcher was the 1,011th player picked in that 2008 draft.

So that means more than 1,000 names were called before Perez was selected out of Lake City (Florida) Community College.

"It's an amazing story to see Roberto in the World Series," said Mike Soper.

Soper is the scout who signed Perez. He's the scout who first saw Perez as a high school player in Puerto Rico. And he's the scout who followed him to Lake City, a rather nondescript junior college baseball program.

"It was Mike who really wanted us to take Roberto," said Brad Grant, the Tribe's scouting director. "When you come to those low rounds, you have a list of names. You have your scouts with you. And you kind of look them in the eye and see how strongly they feel and believe in their player."

Soper is primarily known as the scout who signed Francisco Lindor.

Lindor was the No. 8 pick in the 2011 draft, so he was hardly a secret. I wrote a story about Soper's scouting of Lindor, which began when the All-Star shortstop was only 15 years old.

The Indians had to make a major decision between Lindor and Javier Baez in that 2011 draft. Soper liked both, but pushed for Lindor.

The Indians went with Lindor. Selecting right behind the Tribe at No. 9, the Chicago Cubs called the name of Baez. He is their starting second baseman.

But there was no drama like that when it came to Perez.

STRANGE DRAFT STUFF

In 2008, there were 46 players considered to be first-rounders. There are the standard 30 picks (one for each team), plus additional "sandwich picks," also considered to be first-rounders.

The Tribe's first-round pick in 2008 was Lonnie Chisenhall, their starting right fielder.

Perez has played in 160 Major League regular season games.

Now get this: There are 10 different non-pitchers in those first 46 picks who have played fewer Major League games than Perez.

That's right, TEN!

And that includes Tim Beckham, the No. 1 player in the draft. He is a career .238 hitter who has played in 151 games for Tampa Bay.

As Grant and Soper told me, this is what makes the baseball draft so unique.

Here are some facts about that 2008 draft:

1. Of those first 46 picks, 80 percent reached the Majors.

2. In the second round, only 54 percent reached the Majors.

3. In the 33rd round, Tribe pitcher Shawn Armstrong also was picked. He was selected by Houston, but didn't sign. The Tribe picked him in the 18th round of the 2011 draft.

4. Besides Perez, the only other player signed out of the 33rd round in 2008 to reach the Majors was part-time outfielder Dan Robertson, who has appeared in 116 games.

5. Besides Perez, the only other 2008 Tribe picks (who signed with the team) to reach the Majors are: Chisenhall (No. 29), Cord Phelps (No. 107), Zack Putnam (No. 171), Matt Langwell (No. 351) and T.J. House (No. 501).

6. So Perez was the third-best player selected by the Tribe in that 50-round draft. Chisenhall would be ahead of him. So would Zack Putnam (10-6, 3.36 ERA), a reliever for the Chicago White Sox.

SCOUTING PEREZ

Soper first spotted Perez in Puerto Rico as a high school junior.

"I liked his catching skills and his arm," said Soper. "He did show some power."

There was some concern the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Perez would have weight problems.

"I know Manny Estrada (a Los Angeles Dodgers scout) liked him, too," said Soper. "They drafted him (in the 29th round in 2006), but he didn't sign."

Tom Clark (now a Cubs scout) was the coach at Lake City C.C.

"He would go to Puerto Rico to find players," said Soper. "He recruited Perez."

For a while, Soper lost track of Perez. He was scouting a junior college game. Then he spotted the kid catcher from Puerto Rico who'd once intrigued him.

He began following Perez and mentioned him to Scott Barnsby, a "cross checker." The cross checker becomes a second-set of eyes on players.

"Scott and I were at a doubleheader where Roberto's team was playing," said Soper. "Between games, we talked to three Lake City pitchers. They all raved about how Roberto was the best catcher they had ever thrown to. They really liked him as a person, too."

The coaching staff also praised the character of Perez.

As a sophomore, Perez had a big year for Lake City -- batting .374 with 15 homers in 52 games.

It would seem Perez should have been a higher draft pick. But Lake City was not a program that produced a lot of big leaguers.

In fact, after the 2008 season -- the school dropped its athletic programs. In 2010, the school was renamed Florida Gateway College and brought back athletics.

There still were concerns about Perez becoming too heavy. And there are times when scouts just miss players.

MAKE THE PICK!

Soper was hopeful the Tribe would pick Perez. He was projected as a backup big league catcher, assuming things went well.

"You always are looking for catchers," said Grant. The 2008 draft was his first as the Tribe's Scouting Director. He had been with the Indians since 1994, starting as an intern.

Soper kept pushing for Perez.

"After about 30 rounds, I was nervous we'd lose him," said the scout.

Grant had not seen him play. The scouting director can't be everywhere. His focus is on the players in the top rounds of the draft. After that, he has to trust his scouts.

In the 33rd round, they picked Perez.

"Then I was concerned we weren't going to be able to sign him," said Grant.

More than big league teams missed on Perez, so did the major colleges.

"He was being recruited hard by Cumberland," said Grant. "I remember that. And we had only $10,000 available to sign him."

Cumberland University is an NAIA powerhouse in Lebanon, Tenn. Wood Hunt has coached there for 35 years. It was a viable option.

"In the end, Roberto wanted to play pro ball," said Soper. "So we eventually got him signed."

But that wasn't until August 11, 2008. So Perez had to wait until 2009 to start his pro career.

His bonus was the $10,000.

COMING UP THE HARD WAY

When a player is picked in the 33rd round and has a small bonus, he has to show something soon.

Perez did that, batting .351 in 34 games in the Arizona Rookie League in 2009.

After that, Perez stumbled as a hitter. He batted .217, .225, .215 from 2010-12 in the Tribe's minor league system.

"From the beginning, Roberto could catch and throw," said Grant. "He worked so hard. He always cared about his pitchers."

In 2013, Perez suffered from Bell's Palsy, a facial paralysis.

"He couldn't close one of his eyes," said Soper. "He had trouble sleeping. It was so tough for him, but he hung in there."

Grant said catching means a lot of dirt and sweat goes into your eyes -- and the palsy caused extra problems for Perez when that happened.

Perez batted .176 in 67 games at Class AAA in 2013 as he battled Bell's Palsy.

In 2014, it went away. He hit .305 at Columbus and was called up to the Tribe in July.

Now, he's starting in the World Series. He has hit three homers in the postseason.

As a catcher, his powerful arm is well-known. He has allowed only one stolen base in the postseason.

He threw out 11-of-24 (46 percent) stealing base runners during the regular season. Anything above 25 percent is excellent.

Hitting will probably always be a challenge for Perez, who has a career .220 average (.674 OPS) with 11 HR in 160 big league games.

"What he has done is a tribute to Roberto's  tenacity and dedication," said Grant. "We are so proud of him. He has overcome so much to get here. It's a great story."

Five years later, there's still a connection between the two bigs and they will go head-to-head once again Friday night when the Cavs and Raptors play in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- In 2011, the Cleveland Cavaliers had the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft. They had already nabbed Kyrie Irving with the top selection so at No. 4, the Cavs were looking for a big man to pair with their new, talented, young point guard.

The choice: Tristan Thompson or Jonas Valanciunas.

The Cavaliers opted for Thompson, the versatile, athletic, hustling youngster from Texas, a bit of a surprise pick as Thompson was projected to go a little bit later. Valanciunas, the burly Lithuanian and expected Cavs' pick, went one spot later, No. 5 overall to the Toronto Raptors.

"It's only a surprise if you didn't watch the workouts," Thompson said following Thursday's practice before heading to Toronto. "If you ask ownership and coach (Byron) Scott and CG (Former GM Chris Grant) and even Griff (General Manager David Griffin), if you watched the workouts, there's some other guys in that workout that probably shouldn't have went in the pick they went, but, we won't get into that. It was not a surprise."

Five years later, there's still a connection between the two bigs and they will go head-to-head once again Friday night when the Cavs and Raptors play in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch. 

Thompson is coming off a quiet opener, scoring zero points to go with six rebounds in 22 minutes. Valanciunas scored a career-high 32 points on 10-of-15 from the field. He also grabbed 11 rebounds in Toronto's 109-91 rout against the Detroit Pistons Wednesday.

"J.V. had a great game the last game," Thompson said. "What'd he have, 30? How many rebounds? Yeah, I think really he's continuing where he left off. If you watched the playoffs last year before he got hurt, he was playing really good basketball. He's in my class, I've known him for a while, kept tabs on him. I'm happy for him, he's playing well but just have to be ready to play and make it tough on him." 

Valanciunas missed eight games during last year's postseason, including the first four of the conference finals. When he returned for games 5 and 6, he was clearly still hindered by a sprained right ankle that kept him from handling his typical workload.

But as he showed Wednesday night, the 24-year-old 7-footer who has improved every year looks poised to take another step forward. He's a sturdy low-post presence, one that gives the Raptors size and toughness inside, which could force head coach Tyronn Lue to lean on energetic center Chris Andersen more than 6-foot-9 Thompson.

"It depends on how the flow of the game goes," Lue said. "If Tristan gets into early foul trouble, yeah, Bird will be our answer but we'll just see how the flow of the game goes and we'll take it from there."

Thompson and Valanciunas will forever be linked. And the questions will persist, even if Thompson provides a telling glare when the subject comes up.

"In the draft you always have a special bond and connection, especially if you have one that goes right after you, so it's kind of always, I guess everybody thinks you're competing," Thompson said. "But me and him both have a good relationship off the court, so we just push each other and try to get the best."

The Ricketts family -- who owns the Chicago Cubs -- donated way more money to political campaigns this season than the Dolans, the owners of the Cleveland Indians.

WASHINGTON -- If you could win the World Series with political donations, the Chicago Cubs would beat the Cleveland Indians, hands down.

A study released today by the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington found the Ricketts family -- who owns the Cubs -- are among the most active political donors in the 2016 campaign cycle.

The paterfamilias of the Ricketts family - megadonor Joe - gave $1 million to the anti-Trump Our Principles PAC during the Republican primary season, before giving in and spending on anti-Clinton ads to boost Trump's presidential chances, the group found.

The group found that Ricketts' two sons, Tom and Todd, give big money to Republicans, like their dad, while daughter, Laura, donates to Democrats and causes like a pro LGBTQ super PAC called L PAC - to which she gave nearly half a million dollars. Another brother, Pete, who serves as the GOP governor of Nebraska, hasn't made political donations in this cycle.

Political donations from members of the Dolan family, who own the Cleveland Indians, are meager in comparison. Federal Election Commission records show family members gave $51,500 to political candidates so far in this election cycle.

Of that, $20,000 from Indians Chairman and CEO Paul Dolan and his wife Karen went to Major League Baseball's political action committee.

Here's who else got campaign money from the Dolans:

Paul Dolan:

$7,900: Committees to re-elect GOP U.S. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio.

$1,000: Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown's re-election campaign.

$1,000: GOP Rep. Dave Joyce of Russell Township's re-election campaign

$1,000: Ohio Gov. John Kasich's unsuccessful GOP presidential campaign.

Karen Dolan:

$10,400: Portman fundraising committees.

Matt Dolan, candidate for Ohio Senate, brother of Paul:

$2,700: Kasich's presidential campaign

$2,000: Committees to re-elect Portman

$2,000: Joyce's re-election campaign

$1,000: Ohio Republican Party

$1,000: Cuyahoga County Republican Party

Eva Dolan, wife of Indians owner Larry Dolan and mother of Paul & Matt:

$500 : Kasich's presidential campaign

$1,000: House Speaker Paul Ryan's "Team Ryan" joint fundraising committee.

What about other teams?

Cincinnati Reds owner Robert Castellini: Elsewhere in Ohio, Castellini gave more than $600,000 to federal political candidates this cycle.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington found much of Castellini's money backed Ohio Republicans, with nearly $150,000 going towards Kasich's presidential campaign, Portman's reelection effort, and former Speaker of the House John Boehner. Like Ricketts, Castellini is a major backer of Our Principles, giving it $150,000.

Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos: The study found the top Democratic donor among baseball team owners was Angelos, who contributed nearly $500,000 to politicians, nearly all of whom are Democrats.

.@Reds top Exec. Castellini gave over $600,000 in political contributions in the 2016 election cycle.https://t.co/vdOGedub6I pic.twitter.com/UAtCwmkwWp

-- Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) October 27, 2016

Cody Kessler sat out again today with his concussion and Josh McCown is set to start vs. Jets.

BEREA, Ohio -- All signs are pointing to Josh McCown starting against the Jets on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium, coach Hue Jackson said Thursday.

McCown is set to take the field for the first time since breaking his left collarbone in week two against the Ravens.

"I feel really good that it's heading that way,'' said Jackson. "But he's had an injury too, and things can change."

Cody Kessler sat out practice for the second straight day, but Jackson said he's not ready to rule him out yet. He suffered his concussion in the second quarter of last week's 31-17 loss to the Bengals.

A source said Kessler has been feeling better as the week has gone along. But he's at the mercy of his baseline test and the green light from the independent neurologist.

"If it were up to Cody, he'd be out there throwing the ball right now,'' said Jackson. "He's feeling better each day, but we'll have to see how the week goes."

The Browns only have a walk-through tomorrow, so Kessler isn't likely to have a chance to start. Rookies Kevin Hogan and newly-acquired Joe Callahan are the two other healthy quarterbacks on the roster.

McCown completed 20 of 33 attempts against the Ravens for 260 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He earned an 80.4 rating.

McCown, 37, said he understands the important of protecting himself, a point of emphasis this week after Kessler suffered the concussion on the backhanded flip to Gary Barnidge.

"It is hard because he was just trying to make a play, and he did make a play,'' said McCown. "Gary makes a great catch, we advance the ball there further and we end up finishing the drive with a score. It's hard because you are a competitor. We talked about this last year in the Jet game.

You talk about those things, but the reality is the old saying, 'Your best ability is your availability.' Hue is right. You have to keep yourself healthy. You have to be smart with the football both in the pocket and then when you are outside of the pocket. If there are moments when you can avoid unnecessary hits, you have to do that.''

McCown acknowledged that he's not one to give up on a play until the bitter end.

"It just depends on what is necessary to advance the football, but again, those are fine lines,'' he said. "It is kind of do we take a step back to take two forward and stay on the field. Those are decisions made in quick moments and in real time and split-second decisions. Those are hard decisions to make. As we train the quarterback and as they coach us, we are in tune to getting better at making those decisions and getting the ball out quicker and when to say 'uncle' and move on."

The culture is one of victory and of resiliency in the rare cases when victory does not occur? Go with the culture over the hangover from the Penn State loss. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio State lost Saturday night, and it felt like Michigan State, not Penn State, was the Buckeyes' conqueror.

No, not last year in the wind and storm of November, denying Ohio State a chance to defend its national championship. And not the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game loss to the Spartans, denying Ohio State a chance to play for a national title.

The kicking game follies in Happy Valley recalled 1998, when fans crossed their fingers and thought Ohio State had a John Cooper-proof team. 

The Buckeyes were about to get the ball at midfield, up nine points in the third quarter against the Spartans, who went 6-6 despite having Nick Saban as their coach.

Then a shanked punt bounced around and hit Shaker Heights' Nate Clements in the butt, and the Spartans recovered. Ohio State still led by the same nine points. But it was all downhill after that.

Bill Burke, their quarterback is no known relation to Billie Burke, a.k.a., Glinda, the Good Witch of the North in "The Wizard of Oz" although the Buckeyes melted down like the Wicked Witch of the West after the turnover.

Burke kept throwing until he hit something, and the No. 1 Buckeyes unbeaten season died in the red zone on an interception in the last seconds, 28-24.

Saturday's loss turned on two blocked kicks -- a punt on which Cam Johnston  took two extra steps, with which he might have kicked his chances for the Ray Guy Award for best collegiate punter down the road, and a terrible blocked field goal that was run back for a touchdown.

Nobody asked me, but, even with the block, I'd have asked Johnston to punt on fourth-and-7 at the 28 and pin the Nittany Lions inside their 10 with under 5 minutes to play.

The Buckeyes also had two timeouts remaining There was no need to frantically rush the field goal unit onto the field for the misfire.

It is true that the Nittany Lions had already gone 90 yards in seven plays at the end of the first half for their first touchdown, but the OSU defense, even when put in bad positions, had played well in the second half.

Ohio State loses so rarely that people obsess about the reason why.

The last previous time they lost in the 2015 Spartans game, I made the mistake of underestimating the winning culture Urban Meyer has installed and picked Michigan to win "The Game."

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Meyer said he let the loss linger with the players for a day before moving on.

Northwestern is well coached and has won three games in a row and is no pushover. But the hunch is the Buckeyes will be out to make a statement at home and re-start their drive for the College Football Playoffs.

I'm picking Ohio State 34, Northwestern 14.

Channing Frye was excused from the Cavs to address a personal matter and is doubtful to play against the Toronto Raptors.

TORONTO -- Cavs forward/center Channing Frye was excused from the team to address a "personal matter" and will not play in tonight's game against the Raptors.

UPDATED: Frye's mother passed away after a long battle with cancer, the team confirmed. Frye did not travel with the Cavs to Toronto. The team confirmed Frye's mother's death shortly before 1 p.m. Frye is excused from the team indefinitely; the Cavs play again Saturday at home against Orlando.

Frye scored six points and grabbed four rebounds Tuesday in Cleveland's season-opening 117-88 win over the Knicks.

Coach Tyronn Lue said Iman Shumpert (concussion symptoms) would play against the Raptors.

"He's like the bionic man or something, I don't know," Lue said of Shumpert, who banged his head on Kristaps Porzingis' hip Tuesday night but isn't going to miss any games. "He heals fast. He heals quick. So that's good for us. You never want to see anyone get injured but that happens in the games. It's good he was able to bounce back as quick as he did."

Join Friday Night Huddle for Week 10 as football teams look to improve their chances for a spot in the OHSAA playoffs. Here is what readers need to know for Week 10 and a look back at Week 9.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The final week of the high school football regular season continues on Friday as teams try to make a final push for the playoffs.

Join Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and cleveland.com for Friday Night Huddle featuring David Bacon, Dan Labbe and Chris Fedor starting at 6:30 p.m.

Here is a look at everything you need to get ready for Week 10.

PREVIEWS

Week 10 football picks: St. Edward or St. Ignatius, who will win at FirstEnergy Stadium? We debate.

Watch and listen: See the TV, radio listings and full schedule for Week 10 high school football games in Northeast Ohio 2016.

11 football games to watch: Six teams battle for four playoff spots in Division I, Region 1 of the OHSAA football playoffs. They all have important Week 10 games on the horizon.

Computer playoff standings: Cuyahoga Heights and Mogadore clinch home playoff games. A look after Week 9.

Week 10 Read and React: Looking at the favorites and dark horses for the upcoming OHSAA football playoffs.

Top 10 St. Edward-St. Ignatius football games: Countdown to the St. Edward-St. Ignatius game on Saturday with a look at the Top 10 games over the past six decades.

Conference championships update: Lorain will travel to Cleveland Heights in a game that will decide the Lake Erie League.

A look at the St. Edward-St.Ignatius center position: Three-year starting centers Kyle Payne of St. Edward and John Spellacy of St. Ignatius give their football teams something they rarely enjoy: longevity up front.

RANKINGS

Division Rankings:  After big road wins in Week 9, St. Ignatius and Cuyahoga Heights each moved up spots in the cleveland.com Divisional Rankings for Week 10.

Ohio Super 25: Little movement in the cleveland.com Ohio Super 25 football rankings after Week 9. See how every team fared.

ICYMI: A LOOK BACK AT WEEK 9

Cuyahoga Heights' Brett Lowther named top performer: See who won the Week 9 Game Balls contest.

Top play from Week 9: Junior cornerback and receiver Connor Kennedy from St. Ignatius contributed mightily in both roles Saturday during the Wildcats’ 31-14 win at Cincinnati St. Xavier. Top plays may be submitted to hssports@cleveland.com or mgoul@cleveland.com each weekend by 10 p.m. Saturday. Top plays are posted Monday afternoon and voting lasts until noon Thursday.

Week 9 Friday Night Huddle Rewind: Look back at the top highlights and storylines from Friday night's Week 9 action.

Check out this week's video edition of Hey, Mary Kay! Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- It's time for this week's video edition of Hey, Mary Kay! Check back every Friday around this time for a new video version of our Browns beat reporter's Q&A.

This week, Mary Kay answers a question about how much we'll see of Corey Coleman this season. Then, a reader wants to know if Ray Horton or anyone on his defensive coaching staff deserve to be in hot water over their unit's struggles this season. Lastly, one fan writes in saying he's ready to give up on the Browns.

Submit your Hey, Mary Kay! questions by clicking here.

LeBron James' bucket list includes the Kentucky Derby and going to a football game at the Big House in Michigan, but no running with the Bulls -- in Chicago or Pamplona. Watch video

TORONTO -- LeBron James crossed an item off his bucket list Wednesday when he took in Game 2 of the World Series in Cleveland.

He's got more he'd like to do, and as the 11th richest celebrity in the world, he obviously has the means. But the next items on his sports bucket list are going to have to wait until the 31-year-old Cavs superstar retires from basketball.

"I've been in the playoffs for 12 straight years, so the Kentucky Derby doesn't allow me as far as that," James said Friday, prior to the Cavs' morning shootaround in Toronto. "And the F1 racing in Monaco. ... "Those are some of my, couple football stadiums, college football stadiums I'd like to go to."

James later said he had never been to, but would like to visit (among other places): the Big House in Michigan, Notre Dame Stadium, Happy Valley (Penn State), Gainesville (University of Florida), College Station (Texas A&M), and the University of Tennessee.

(Anyone else see an Uninterrupted series in development, where James and his pals load into an RV and drive the country, hitting up these big college venues?)

One thing James isn't going to do: run with the Bulls. In Pamplona, Spain, or Chicago.

"You're talking about D-Wade," James said, when asked if he would run with the Bulls. His close friend and former teammate, Dwyane Wade, just signed a two-year deal with the Bulls. LeBron has a three-year contract with the Cavs.

"I was about to say, don't start that, man," James said. "No, I'm not running with no damn bulls. I'm not."

The 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists James posted in Cleveland's 117-88 season-opening win against the Knicks Tuesday made the first triple-double for a Cav on opening night in team history, and the first in the NBA since Jason Kidd did it for the Nets on Nov. 1, 2006.

Bucket list.

The Buckeyes -- who no longer have a commitment from four-star quarterback Danny Clark -- now have 17 verbal commitments in their 2017 class that ranks No. 1 overall in the 247Sports composite rankings. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A lot has changed since the last time we ranked Ohio State's top-remaining 2017 recruiting targets. The picture is completely different now. 

Why? 

Because Urban Meyer secured commitments from two five-star wide receivers on the same day: Trevon Grimes of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) and Tyjon Lindsey of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman. Both of those players ranked in the top five in the last ranking. 

So in the newest rankings, we'll find a refreshed order and a few new names. 

The Buckeyes -- who no longer have a commitment from four-star quarterback Danny Clark -- now have 17 verbal commitments in their 2017 class that ranks No. 1 overall in the 247Sports composite rankings. 

This list, which clearly changes every month, is a good refresher to see who Ohio State is prioritizing the most in the class. 

Here it is in reverse order: 

No. 10: Five-star DT Marvin Wilson of Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal -- Rated the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country, Wilson is scheduled to take an official visit to Ohio State on Nov. 26 for the Michigan game. Urban Meyer has designed that day as the make-or-break visiting day for Ohio State's class. 

Wilson is also closely considering LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma and Florida State. And though Ohio State isn't the favorite, it is alive as long as Wilson plans to take that official visit. 

Previous ranking: NR 

No. 9: Five-star WR Donovan Peoples-Jones of Detroit Cass Tech -- Rated the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2017 class, Peoples-Jones isn't expected to end up at Ohio State, but he is the only prospect who has officially visited the Buckeyes this fall. 

Peoples-Jones is considered a Michigan lean, but talents like him aren't regular. And as long as he's still technically alive in Ohio State's pursuit, he has to be on this list. 

Previous ranking: No. 9 

Donovan Peoples-Jones during his official visit to Ohio State in October. Ari Wasserman, cleveland.com 

No. 8: Four-star Xavier McKinney of Rosewell, Ga. -- There's some uncertainty as to whether Ohio State will get five-star defensive back Shaun Wade of Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity to actually sign, so McKinney is an interesting prospect because he gives Meyer an option.

Though McKinney seems like a take right now, it's unclear what the Buckeyes would do if he were to try to commit, especially because there are other defensive backs who appear high on this list. Remember, room is tight. 

Previous ranking: NR 

No. 7: Four-star LB Anthony Hines of Plano (Texas) East -- Rated the No. 2 inside linebacker in the 2016 class, Hines was originally scheduled to take his Ohio State official visit this Saturday for the Northwestern game. That visit has been scheduled now for Nov. 5 vs. Nebraska, a huge recruiting showcase for Meyer. 

According to his recruiting profile, Hines, who racked up 90 scholarships during the recruiting process, is most closely considering Texas A&M and Oklahoma. 

Previous ranking: 5 

No. 6: Four-star S Bubba Bolden of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman -- Ohio State has three players committed from Bishop Gorman already in quarterback Tate Martell, wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey and defensive tackle Haskell Garrett.

Rated the No. 8 safety in the country, Bolden, a former USC commit, was the last to earn an Ohio State scholarship. But he's taking an official visit for the Nebraska game on Nov. 5 and the Buckeyes are one of the favorites to land the talented safety. 

Bishop Gorman has had multiple games on TV this year, and Bolden has consistently stood out on a field filled with top-rated prospects. 

Previous ranking: NR 

No. 5: Four-star WR Jaylen Harris of Cleveland Heights -- Though there are two five-star receivers already committed in Ohio State's class, Harris is a 6-foot-5 standout who could be a game-changer at the next level. There's still some uncertainty with whether Ohio State has room for him in the class, but he recently told cleveland.com that Meyer would find a way. 

That means Harris is really good. And deserves to be high on this list. 

Previous ranking: No. 10 

No. 4: Five-star Baron Browning of Kennedale, Texas -- Rated the No. 2 outside linebacker in the country, Browning has already officially visited Michigan and Alabama and he has officials scheduled for UCLA, Florida State and Ohio State. His official to Columbus is Nov. 26 for the Michigan game, perhaps Meyer's most influential visitors day of his Buckeyes tenure. 

Browning is one of two linebacker targets high on Ohio State's priority list the with which the Buckeyes have a long way to go. He ranks higher on this list because Ohio State seemingly has a better chance with him than Hines. 

Previous ranking: No. 7 

No. 3: Four-star Jay Tufele of South Jordan (Utah) Bingham -- Ohio State has commitments from two defensive tackles, four-stars Jerron Cage of Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods and Garrett. Meyer clearly wants to add another one. 

The 6-foot-3, 297-defensive tackle is most strongly considering Michigan, Ohio State, Utah, Brigham Young and UCLA. He has already taken an official visit to Michigan. 

Previous ranking: No. 8 

No. 2: Five-star S Jeffrey Okudah of Grand Prairie (Texas) South -- Rated the No. 1 safety in the 2017 class, Okudah is an elite defensive back from Texas who has been high on Ohio State since his recruitment began. If he were to land in the Buckeyes' recruiting class, he'd have an argument for being the best, most complete player in the group. And that's saying something.

Why isn't he No. 1, then? Because Ohio State is considered the heavy favorite and, unlike the top choice, he's not involved with Michigan. 

Previous ranking: 3

No. 1: Five-star RB Cam Akers of Clinton, Miss. -- Ohio State once had a commitment from four-star running back Todd Sibley of Archbishop Hoban, but he flipped to Pittsburgh when the Buckeyes asked him to grayshirt. 

Though the Buckeyes have four-star JK Dobbins of LaGrange, Texas, still committed Meyer would love to add Akers, who is rated the No. 2 running back in the 2017 recruiting class. 

But why is Akers the most important remaining target? Because now he's considering Michigan, and the 5-foot-11, 213-pound running back would be a huge boost to the Buckeyes already-deep class, but it would also prevent Michigan getting deeper. 

Previous ranking: 2

Trying to figure out the #FlytheW hashtag as the Cleveland Indians travel to Chicago to take on the Cubs in Game 3 of the World Series? We break down the flag tradition.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Indians fans are all #RallyTogether. But what are Chicago Cubs fans talking about with their #FlytheW?

If you're following World Series hashtags, or just trying to figure out what Cubs fans are waving at Wrigley Field, here's a primer on the W flag.

(Of course, we hope there's not much flag waving tonight. Go Tribe!)

What's the W flag?

The blue W on a white banner stands for Win. The flag was added above the scoreboard at Wrigley Field in 1937, as a signal for fans coming home from work on the El.

Flags for each of the National League teams also flew, noting the standards of each team.

There's also an L flag, white on a blue background, that's flown when the Cubs lose. We're hoping to see that one flying in Chicago this weekend.

Where did the flag come from?

The flag started as a white W on a blue background, inspired by the Wilmington Transportation Co., which the Cubs owners' also owned in California. That flag flew on ferries to Catalina Island, where the Cubs practiced during spring training.

What is it now?

"Today we think of the W flag as being iconic ... but it wasn't always this way," Cubs historian Ed Hartig told the Chicago Tribune.

The flag switched to a white background in the 1980s. And it roared into popularity during the Cubs' 2003 playoff run. (You know, the one they still blame Steve Bartman for ending.)

Chicago vs. Cleveland

What are Cubs fans saying on Twitter?

THE CUBS WILL PLAY A #WORLDSERIES GAME AT WRIGLEY FIELD FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1945 TONIGHT #CUBSNATION!! #FLYTHEW!!! pic.twitter.com/eRglGo9Ayk

The #WorldSeries returns to Wrigley Field. #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/pUCllhjxTE

-- Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 28, 2016

5:30am Game 3 outside The Cubby Bear. It's happening. #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/pMReTAdB8D

-- Nick Howard (@ImNickHoward) October 28, 2016

#FlyTheW home. pic.twitter.com/W7MqscYl5m

-- Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 27, 2016

Happy to report it has been found and is safe. @CLEpolice . #FlyTheW #WorldSeries(THX @fumbler00ski!) pic.twitter.com/DPPNqj1zT2

-- Freezing Cold Takes (@OldTakesExposed) October 27, 2016

RT if you have butterflies. #WorldSeries #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/auu6pfiorn

-- Sam Anderson (@Sam4nd) October 25, 2016

Small game seasons in Ohio open on Nov. 4.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ring-necked pheasants and bunnies will bring family and friends together next week.

The small game seasons open Nov. 4 and orange-clad hunters carrying shotguns will be a common sight in rural fields. For many, the hunts are a family tradition, especially on opening day and Thanksgiving morning.

Groups of friends will also flock together once again to line up and march the fields, much like the red-coated British soldiers in the Revolutionary War, hoping for an explosion of wingbeats and raucous cackles. And there will be a collection of hunting dogs, from baying beagles following bunny scent to wide-ranging bird dogs eager for a sniff of pheasant.

Long ago, the hunting parties were made up mostly of men and boys. These days, more women and girls are part of the hunting crowd, and for both small and big game. With first-time hunters required to take a safety course, hunting accidents have significantly declined over the years.

Rabbits and pheasants were plentiful in the 1940s and 1950s, a time when white-tailed deer were scarce, wild turkeys mostly absent and mourning doves protected. Ohio's wild game has since done a total flip-flop. Deer are now so common there is four-month bowhunting season around the state and deer are often considered a nuisance in the suburbs.

There are few random pockets of wild pheasants nesting here, but Ohio's pheasant hunters will mostly bag ring-necked roosters raised on game farms. The birds are released by sporting clubs, the Ohio Division of Wildlife and hunting preserves. As costs have risen the ODOW stockings have been pared. The wildlife agency is releasing 14,430 pheasants this fall.

Pennsylvania has far more public hunting ground, an army of licensed upland game hunters and plans to release 200,000 pheasants this year.

Young Ohio hunters have already had a chance to proudly tote home a pheasant dinner. Public hunting areas, including six in northeast Ohio, released 2,880 pheasants for youth hunts the last two Saturdays of October. More pheasants will be liberated for the pheasant opener, Veterans Day (Nov. 11) and traditional hunts on Thanksgiving morning (Nov. 24).

Only male pheasants are legal game. The daily bag limit is two birds.

The Northeast Ohio public wildlife areas where pheasants are stocked include: Berlin, Grand River, Highlandtown, Spencer Lake, West Branch, Zepernick and Camp Belden, which is restricted to youth hunting. Pheasants are also released at the Charlemont MetroPark in New London. For a complete listing of Ohio's pheasant stockings and the number of birds to be released, visit wildlife.ohiodnr.gov. The stocking dates listed by the ODOW are late afternoon releases for hunting the next day.

Pheasant hunts on the wildlife areas still attract lots of sportsmen. A personal favorite was the Spencer Lake Wildlife Area in Western Medina County, where hundreds of hunters would line the roads, impatiently waiting for the 9 a.m. opening bell.

It seemed a bit risky for man or hunting dog to venture forth, with so much firepower in the fields. Accidents were extremely rare, though. Pheasant flight speed pales in comparison to blue-winged teal, and they won't dodge lead shot like darting doves. Still, it was amazing how many pheasants flew a gauntlet of hunters to escape unscathed.

Wildlife officers would be busy checking sportsmen on opening day while the wildlife area staff would tour Spencer Lake's 700-acre collection of fields, forest and fishing waters. The staffers would count cars and trucks, multiplying the number by two or three to get a handle on the day's crowd.

The hunters would be grist for a column, though tales of a two-bird limit were far from plentiful. By noon, trudging through the tall grass and multiflora rose would have taken its toll. Putting the pen and notepad away, it was time to slide a shotgun out of its case, tuck a fistful of shot shells into the pocket of a blaze orange hunting coat and liberate the bird dog.

More often than not, Paddy, a hard-charging English setter, or Stat, a sweet German wire-haired pointer, would locate a bird or two. The pheasants had managed to hide from a horde of hunters, but couldn't escape a veteran bird dog's talented nose.

D'Arcy Egan, the long-time Plain Dealer outdoors writer who retired in 2015, will occasionally write columns to appear in The Plain Dealer and on cleveland.com. He can be reached at darcyegan@roadrunner.com

Fox's Joe Buck really likes Chicago Cubs OF Kyle Schwarber. And Cleveland Indians fans are tired of hearing about it.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Indians fans have had almost 48 hours to digest Wednesday's World Series Game 2 telecast that featured more than a little professional admiration from Fox broadcaster Joe Buck toward Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber.

Schwarber, the heroic slugger who is almost certainly the first professional athlete to return to play after suffering a tragic knee injury, earned high and consistent praise from Buck during Wednesday's game. From start to finish.

Ad nauseum, some Tribe fans might say.

With an eye on tonight's World Series Game 3 at Wrigley Field, and the anticipated "emotional powder keg" of Schwarber's first at-bat in front of the home crowd this season, here are a few diversions Tribe fans can use to get past Buck's gushing and get on with the important task of cheering their team to a title.

1. Buy an item from the Joe Buck-Kyle Schwarber wedding registry.

The happy couple is registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond, thanks to some clever Indians fans. The big date is set for March 3, 2017. 

And this registry has items fans can purchase with the proceeds going to Cleveland Indians Charities.

2. Make a meme.

Even before Schwarber's second at-bat in Game 2, the Twitter memes began popping up, featuring Buck and Schwarber, hand-in-hand on the beach, the bow of the Titanic and any number of romantic combinations. Here are some of the best. 

3. Sign the online petition to have Bob Uecker replace Buck.

Believe it or not, there's an online petition started by Cubs fans that calls for legendary play-by-play man Bob Uecker to replace Buck in the booth for the rest of the series. You can sign it here.

4. Take solace that Cubs fans hate Buck, too.

With Buck's ties to St. Louis, where his father was a hall of fame broadcaster for generations, the Cubs and their fans apparently don't have too much love for Fox's golden boy, either. As evidenced by this post from the Chicago Reader's Aimee Levitt that calls Buck "the most hated man in baseball. 

5. Take our poll and count along.

How many times will Buck say Schwarber's name during tonight's World Series Game 3 broadcast? More than 50? More than 150?

If you're a gambler, we'll set the over/under at 49.5 for Buck mentions of Schwarber from his pregame open to the final out. Tell us in the comments section below if you're taking the over, or the under and why you think you'd make bank on your bet.

Ohio State and Michigan play on Nov. 26

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When Ohio State's coaches hit the road for recruiting, they like to talk about planting flags in different parts of the country.

Someone planted a Michigan flag in Urban Meyer's yard on Friday.

Meyer's wife Shelley posted on Twitter a photo of a tiny Michigan flag in the yard of the Buckeyes coach's home in Dublin, Ohio.

Found in my yard-NOT funny, whoever you are that trespassed. [?] Plus, it's a violation of the "lawn ornament code". #muirfieldrules [?] pic.twitter.com/bnl7uoRUIS

-- Shelley Meyer (@spinnershells) October 28, 2016

Add this to the list of weird stuff that happens with the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.

The Buckeyes and Wolverines will play on Nov. 26 in Ohio Stadium.

Follow us on Snap and Facebook Live for coverage of the World Series Game 3 from Wrigley Field.

CHICAGO -- The Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs are knotted up, 1-1, with the World Series going to Chicago for three games.

Follow along on our social media accounts for coverage inside and outside of the ballpark, as the Indians prepare to play in the first World Series game at Wrigley Field in over 70 years. First pitch is at 8:08 p.m.

Indians reporter Zack Meisel will provide coverage from inside the park on our Snap account (username: clevelanddotcom), while also hosting a live look-in on our Facebook page.

Social media coordinator Hayden Grove will be covering the scene outside the park in Wrigleyville on Snap and Facebook Live, as both Cubs and Indians fans prepare for the historic event. 

RELATED: Tomlin ready to pitch in front of ailing father

The Cubs, obviously, weren;t always this good. But they were usually colorful.

CHICAGO - Once, the ruckus arose because Chicago Cubs catcher Gabby Hartnett was shooting the breeze at Wrigley Field with mobster Al Capone and Capone's kid in the wake of the Capone gang's ventilation of much of Bugs Moran's North Side Gang in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929.

Other times (indeed, often times), the stories involved outfielder Lewis Robert "Hack" Wilson, who often recovered from a hangover by chillin' in a clubhouse bathtub in which floated blocks of ice, in full view of teammates and manager Joe McCarthy.

It didn't mean the Chicago Cubs were bad people, and certainly not bad at playing baseball, at least, not in the Jazz Age. Maybe they just hung out with the wrong crowd.

1908 and Fred Merkle

The Cubs were the host team Friday night against the Indians for the third game of the 2016 World Series, the first in 71 years in the ballpark, which opened in 1914. Clearly, not all of the Cubs' history is particularly illustrious.

The last time the Cubs won the World Series, in 1908, they only took the National League pennant because of a loss that was replayed due to the base-running mistake of the New York Giants' Fred Merkle.

Merkle was at first base and another runner was at third, but Merkle failed to advance to second base on a seemingly game-winning hit when a force play was  in effect. After the ball was retrieved and Merkle was declared out, the Cubs went on to edge the Giants by one game.

The wind and Waveland Avenue

The essence of the game is taking what they give you, even if it's not a pennant. Here, that includes against defensive shifts dictated by analytics, with swing planes sometimes determined by whether the notorious Wrigley wind is blowing in or out.

And you always want more.

Few leads are safe in this ivy-clad version of Fenway Park when the Hawk is screaming toward Waveland Avenue, the left field Home Run Porch of Wrigley Field.

Maybe just to get into the heads of opposing players even more, a radio station with the call letters WIND broadcast Cubs games in the 1940s and '50s.

The Quicksand Kids and a chaw

Along with the wind, the Cubs inherited characters.

In a memorable column asking Chicagoans 10 questions that would prove they were Cub fans, the late Chicago columnist Mike Royko asked (paraphrasing), "The Cubs once had an outfield that was so slow, they were known as the Quicksand Kids. Hank Sauer and Ralph Kiner made up two of the three. What pathetic wreck played between them?"

The answer was Frank Baumholtz, who played in the '50s (retiring in 1957), but who, according to Royko, "was spotted around 1965, lying in the center field grass, catching his breath."

Many years before baseball began to try to wean players off tobacco, Sauer would be rewarded for good plays at bat or in the field by fans in the bleachers, who threw packages of chewing tobacco at him.

Way out of left field

Some think the term "out of left field," meaning odd or strange, even by the standards of a sport that has always cherished its flakes and eccentrics, began with the Cubs. That was because a psychiatric facility was located outside left field, but that was at the old pre-Wrigley West Side Grounds.

One of the most colorful harangues in all of baseball, however, was the rant of Cubs manager Lee Elia in 1983 against abusive fans. Elia used 33 curse words in his 226-word tirade, 26 of them a short, feisty four-letter word that begins with the sixth letter of the alphabet.

An allegiance that "stuck"

The Cubs were extremely popular as the Twenties roared according to the book "Mr. Wrigley's Ballclub - Chicago and the Cubs During the Jazz Age."

Chewing gum tycoon William Wrigley's team drew about one of every four patrons in the National League in some of those years. Wrigley recognized the revolutionary ability of radio broadcasts to cultivate new fans, particularly female fans.

Until 1937, two "stickmen," chewing gum pieces, one pitching, one hitting, advertised the product atop the scoreboard.

Wilson and the worm

McCarthy often used benign neglect with Hack Wilson, often managing not to see the drunk floundering in the ice bath outside his office door.

But once, McCarthy tried to preach temperance by pointing out the dangers of alcohol by dropping a worm into a glass of gin, whereupon the worm curled up and died.

"See what happened to the worm? What does that tell you?" said McCarthy.

"If I drink gin, I won't have worms," reasoned Wilson.

Capone and Ness

After Baseball Commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis upbraided Hartnett for signing the baseball for Scarface's son, Hartnett replied, "I go to his place of business, why can't he go to mine? If you don't want me to talk to the big fella, Judge, why don't you tell him yourself?"

Capone was eventually convicted of income tax evasion and went to the new federal prison on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. He died in 1937

Among those responsible for Capone's downfall was Prohibition agent Eliot Ness, later the Safety Director in Cleveland, who headed a team of incorruptible investigators called "The Untouchables." 

What the nickname meant for Tribe starter Josh Tomlin and the rest of the team sort of depended on whether history repeated itself.

Haden and Taylor both have groin injuries, but both, while listed as questionable, are expected to play. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Things seemed bleak for the Browns' secondary on Thursday. Joe Haden, the starter on the left side, was still limited in practice with a groin injury and in danger of missing his second consecutive game. Then, the starter on the right side, Jamar Taylor, was added to the injury report on Thursday with a groin injury. 

Both are officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium, but it sounds like both are on track to play. 

"I feel good about (Haden playing)," head coach Hue Jackson said on Friday. "I feel better about it this week than I did last week. I think we will have him out there." 

Haden echoed that sentiment. 

"Yeah, I think I'm going," he said. "It's going to be  nice. I just can't wait to get back out there and play. That's what it's all about. I've been working my butt off trying to get back out there with my guys." 

As for Taylor: "I think Jamar will be fine," Jackson said. 

That anticipated starting duo on the outside this season of Haden and Taylor have only started four of the team's seven games together. That's because Haden has been battling groin injuries - first one that kept him out of the team's loss in Miami, then another that kept him out of the team's losses in Tennessee and Cincinnati. 

A number of different players have filled in for Haden with mixed success. Undrafted rookie Briean Boddy-Calhoun delivered a pick-six in the Miami game and started against the Titans. Tramon Williams started in place of Haden last week against the Bengals. 

Taylor, for his part, has had his share of struggles at times. He got beat last week by Bengals wide receiver Brandon LaFell on a 21-yard touchdown catch, a play he said after the game he knew was coming and one in which, he said, he didn't trust his preparation. He was also beaten for a 32-yard catch by Miami's Kenny Stills in Week 3 that set up the game-winning Dolphins touchdown in overtime. 

Haden said on Friday the answer to the defensive struggles - and the struggles of the secondary - is simple. 

"It comes down to us being able to beat the man across from us," he said. "If we have man-to-man coverage, being able to cover these dudes, being able to stay on top, being able to break up passes, being able to try to force turnovers, punching balls out, stripping. We've just got to be able to try to create more turnovers and make more plays." 

Brandon Marshall celebrates a touchdown against the Browns in the 2015 season opener.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com 

Haden is coming back just in time to face Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The last time the two squared off was in the 2015 season opener in New York when Marshall caught six passes for 62 yards and a score in a Jets victory. Marshall has four career receiving touchdowns against the Browns in six career games dating back to 2006 when he was with Denver. 

"Brandon Marshall is one of the elites," Haden said. "He's been like that for a while. He's super strong - big, strong and fast. He's capable of running every route, catching every ball and, for (Jets quarterback Ryan) Fitzpatrick, he's definitely one of his favorite targets. ... You got to try to be physical with him and don't let him grab you too much." 

Marshall was equally as effusive with his praise of Haden in a conference call with Cleveland reporters on Wednesday. 

"Joe has his own island," he said. "Joe is a guy that can travel with the No. 1 receiver and he can shut him down. He is really smart, really savvy. The thing that goes unnoticed is how well he knows his opponent. He knows your tendencies, he knows what you like to do and he has a game plan for it. To beat Joe, you really have to study him. You have to study not only how he plays but how he studies." 

Haden, who said he's not 100 percent, appears ready for the matchup. 

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Browns' run game coordinator Kirby Wilson said he got depressed watching film of the Jets' premier run D. Then, he went to work to figure out how to beat it.

BEREA, Ohio - The 0-7 Browns will face the 2-5 Jets on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium, and excitement is building that the Browns may be able to win their first game of the season. The Jets have the No. 2 run defense in the NFL, but quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is last in the NFL with a 66.4 rating. He's thrown six touchdowns against 11 interceptions this season.

The Jets are also last in the NFL in turnover differential at minus-10. But the Browns are coming off 31-17 loss to the Bengals in which they surrendered 559 yards, including 271 rushing. They know they can't count on anything, especially with Joe Haden and Jamar Taylor both questionable with groin injuries.

Here are 5 things we learned on Friday:

1. Kirby Wilson watches a horror flick

Browns running game coordinator Kirby Wilson only half-kidded that he got down after watching film of the Jets premier run defense on Monday. The Jets are No. 2 against the run, surrendering only 74.1 yards per game. Last week against the Ravens, they set a franchise record by allowing just six rushing yards, breaking the previous record they set twice last season. Since Todd Bowles took over as head coach in 2015, the Jets have allowed an NFL-lows with 80.6 yards per eight rushing touchdowns.

"They're so good at times it appears they're playing with 15 players,'' he said. "After watching film on Monday, I went home depressed. How are we going to block and get yards versus this defense? Really, it is a compliment to them and their staff. They've done a great job of collecting big people that run and little people that hit. It's an awesome opportunity for us to come out and compete against a unit that is so highly thought of and so well prepared.''

Josh McCown named starter vs. Jets, Cody Kessler ruled out with concussion

2. Kevin Hogan may or may not try to crack build on his 100-yard game

Hogan, who will back up Josh McCown this week, had 104 yards rushing last week against the Bengals, second-most by a Browns quarterback in club history. He also rushed for a 28-yard TD, longest in club annals. Five of his seven runs went for 15 yards or more.

"Element of surprise,'' Hogan said.

Wilson said Hogan may try to penetrate the Jets' stout run D, and he may not.
"(Hue Jackson) is always looking for another opportunity to make some more yards, another opportunity to get a touchdown,'' he said. "He's always looking for ways to be creatively different that will help our offense grow. Every week, we look forward to him coming up with something that is a unique package that the opponent hasn't seen going into this game. This week, hopefully, it will be no different, and we will have something that maybe they have not seen or prepared for."

 3. Ray Horton insists it's not for lack of talent

The Browns are at or bottom of the NFL in numerous defensive categories, including totals yards per game (31st), yards per play (31st), rushing yards per game (31st), net passing yards per play (31st), third down efficiency (31st), and point per game (30th).

But defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who has eight rookies on his defense, insists it's not for lack talent.

"Absolutely not,'' he said. "When you look, we make enough solid plays - we just need to make more. They are capable of it. They are working hard. If we can just be fundamentally sound in what we do, we'll get better. They're working very hard to do what we ask them to do. It's our job to get them in position to do it and then just take over. We see signs of it.''

4. On linebacker Joe Schobert's declining snap counts

After playing 40-50% of the snaps in the previous three weeks, fourth-round pick Joe Schobert out of Wisconsin saw his snaps dwindle to three last week for about 5%. He played 17 on special teams.

"We're going to continue to play guys that make plays and produce big plays,'' said Horton. "This is really a production business. The more you produce, the more you will play. Emmanuel (Ogbah) last week had two sacks so obviously, he will get more playing time. (DB) Briean (Boddy-Calhoun) has had a pick-six and that kind of thing. When you get a hot hand, you're going to play. Nothing is given and nothing is entitled here. You earn what you get. We want him to play better for us, and he will.

"He's working his butt off. He did play better on special teams last week so I'm sure he will garner more playing time. Sometimes, it is good to take a little step back and go, 'Whew, let me catch my breath,' and how precious this game is to play. You just don't get to play all the time. You have to earn your keep. Joe is working hard to get better and better."

5. On Ogbah and Carl Nassib being pieces to build around

Horton stressed that Ogbah, their second-rounder, and Carl Nassib, their third-rounder are two key components for the future.

Ogbah has three sacks this season, and Nassib has 1.5. Both have four quarterback hits.

"We're building a foundation around some guys - and (Ogbah is) one of the guys we want to play well,'' said Horton. "He's had a taste of success, and hopefully, it continues to grow and people start understanding who he is, too. That's part of becoming a real pro is when they know who you are to try to take you away can you still be effective. We like the progress. He's getting comfortable in the position that he is going to play for us."

He said Nassib is getting more mobility in his surgically-repaired left hand.

"He's another guy that we want to build our defense around, these good young players,'' Horton said. "We have to continue to push him to grow and take steps to become better and better. They are now what we call veterans. They've played, for the most part, half of a season. We need to continue to get them to ascend to being very good players for us."

Ohio State University's iconic stadium, known as "The Shoe," is scheduled to undergo a multi-million facelift, which will include suites and boxes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State University's iconic stadium, known as "The Shoe," is scheduled to undergo a multi-million facelift, which will include suites and boxes.

University trustees are expected to approve the project next week, along with proposals to upgrade the Schottenstein Center arena, relocate Cannon Road along the Olentangy River and build a new multi-sport arena.

All of the athletics construction projects are self-funded through fundraising and athletics revenue.

Here's what's planned.

Ohio Stadium

THe horsehoe-shaped Ohio Stadium was built in 1922 at a cost of $1.3 million and refurbished in 2001 for slightly more than $194 million, the university said. As part of that renovation, the once portable South Stands became a permanent fixture.

With its present seating capacity of 104,944, the stadium is the fourth largest on-campus facility in the nation.

Planned is a $39 million makeover. Aging concrete on C-deck will get a facelift and new suites and boxes for fans will be added. The work to refurbish the stadium should be finished in time for kick-off in 2020.

An inside look at Ohio Stadium renovations

"Ohio Stadium is the crown jewel of our athletic operations," Gene Smith, senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation-endowed athletics director, in a statement. "These renovations will improve the fan experience and continue to make it one of the best facilities in the nation."

Cannon Drive relocation

Ohio State will pay $31.2 million of the $51.5 million in a partnership with the city of Columbus. The project will straighten the road between King Avenue and Herrick Drive along the Olentangy River. It will protect the university from a massive flood and open up approximately 12 acres of developable land.

Covelli Multi-Sport Arena

The site of the Covelli Multi-Sport Arena will now be north of Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium and will be combined with the Jennings Family Wrestling Practice Facility.

The $49.7 million project, scheduled for completion in 2019, includes a 3,700-seat arena which will serve as the home for the men's and women's volleyball, fencing and and gymnastics.

The wrestling facility, which will open in 2017, will include five practice mats, coaches offices and support spaces. Combining two former stand-alone buildings allows for efficiency in design and construction. 

Schumaker Student-Athlete Development Center

Ohio State trustees have approved plans to spend $43 million for construction on the Schumaker Student-Athlete Development Center. The project will replace the existing Biggs Facility to the west of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The new facility, expected to open in July 2018, will include a state-of-the-art athletic training center and athletic offices to serve about 800 student-athletes.

Schottenstein Center

The board of trustees has approved $31.5 million in renovations to the home of the basketball and ice hockey teams. The construction will expand the concourse and add more natural light to the building while also improving access to ticket offices and to the team store. Construction should be finished in February 2018.

Josh McCown will start at quarterback vs. the Jets on Sunday and Cody Kessler has been ruled out with his concussion.

BEREA, Ohio -- Josh McCown will start Sunday vs. the Jets as FirstEnergy Stadium and Cody Kessler has been ruled out with his concussion.

McCown will return to the field for the first time since breaking his left collarbone in week two against the Ravens.

"He just likes to play," Jackson said. "Anytime you're a veteran player and playing as long as he has, you're excited about having the opportunity to go back out there with your teammates.

"The last time he played, we had a great chance to win the game and then obviously he got hurt. But he showed tremendous poise and toughness and played through the game. Hopefully we'll go out and protect him and give him a chance to lead this team."

With Kessler sidelined, rookie Kevin Hogan will be the backup. He rushed for 104 yards last week against the Bengals, second-most by a Browns quarterback in team history.

More to come soon.