Romo was the Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback until he fractured a vertebrae in the preseason. Since then, Prescott has become a superstar.

The Dak Prescott vs. Tony Romo debate rages on. Romo was the Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback until he fractured a vertebrae in the preseason. The injury put Romo out for a great chunk of the season. Since then, Prescott has become a superstar quarterback in his place. Now, Romo is the backup. But Romo is back from recovery, and some fans argue he's ready to make a comeback. Critics say it's over for Romo. What do you think? Read more and vote below! 

PERSPECTIVES

The Cowboys are winning because of their new starting quarterback.

But like Bleacher Report has put it -- Romo might be injured, but he refuses to fail.

Prescott has been humble about starting. But he also declared that he isn't changing his approach now that Romo is back in the game. Why would he? The team is winning after all.

Keep in mind, Romo is a team player who just wants what's best for the Cowboys. Hence, he's willing to be backup to Prescott (who's killing it). Just like Romo's injury, Prescott as a starter doesn't have to be a permanent thing.

"His spirits are high," said veteran tight end Jason Witten of Romo. "He's certainly focused on doing whatever he can, in any capacity, to help this football team win games. I know he's going to approach it that way and know what he's all about. So it will be good to get him out there."

Critics argue it's a wrap for Romo.

Tony Romo, it's a wrap! It's Dak's world!!!

-- Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) November 14, 2016

Fans believe in Romo.

TONY ROMO COMEBACK. LETS END THIS DEBATE

-- Rachel Rizzuti (@Rizzuti09) November 6, 2016

Maybe it's time for Romo to pass the torch.

@dallascowboys Consider the chemistry, winning record, and @dak prescott's success. Dont fix whats not broken and keep Romo as mentor.

-- Riley Schriefer (@schrieferranch) November 2, 2016

But Romo is healthy again and a comeback most likely inevitable.

I'm just happy that @tonyromo is healthy and ready for a comeback [?]

-- Daniel Batozynski (@DannyBatozynski) November 11, 2016

Romo might be in trouble, though.

tony romo should just go on and trade himself really

-- Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) November 13, 2016

The Cowboys winning streak could be the motivating factor Romo needs to start again.

I can't wait for @tonyromo to comeback. That's my QB. I just hope the Cowboys get him his ring.

-- 8-1 (@OrlandoLopezZv) November 5, 2016

Prescott is a "fresh start" for the Cowboys, but Romo was a great starting quarterback before his injury. Remember that.

I ain't hating on Dak Prescott but Tony Romo should start. Just look at Tony Romo when he wasn't injured and look at his stats.

-- Clio (@clio8104) November 4, 2016

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Cleveland Browns fans have been feeling a lot of real pain, and every new regime inherits that fact of football life.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right now, the Cleveland Browns are destined to lose on the field of public opinion.

That happens when a team is 0-10. The Browns have never started a season 0-10 before.

They also have won only four times in the last 33 games.

Sigh.

I was at the press conference where Browns vice president Sashi Brown was asked about losing the fan base.

"I don't think we're in danger of losing our fan base," Brown said. "We are in a really privileged position of having one of the best fan bases in the NFL ... I'm disappointed for our fans and the folks working here in the front office. We don't want to be here, but I think we're on the way to a much brighter future."

Regardless of how Brown answered that question, fans were not going to be happy.

If he insists there is no danger of losing the fan base, some fans will believe the Browns are taking them for granted -- that the team thinks it can do anything and the fans won't leave.

If Brown said there was a possibility the team could lose its base, then some fans would wonder if he was doubting their loyalty.

Here is a fact of life for the Browns: Right now, nothing they say or do is right.

THE PAIN IS REAL

Let's go back to the source of the Browns current relationship with the fans.

The Move.

That's right, The Move.

When the franchise moved from Cleveland to Baltimore after the 1995 season, the fans felt abandoned and betrayed.

Those emotions were valid.

If the NFL had one shred of decency, it would have pressured Art Modell to sell controlling interest in the team to Al Lerner. The league knew the two men were close.

Instead, the NFL allowed Lerner to help Modell move to Baltimore in what remains a very painful story.

And when the NFL brought Cleveland an expansion team in 1999, it gave the new Browns the shortest start-up time of any expansion team since 1970.

As I wrote in my book, FALSE START, the Browns were set up to fail.

But that does not excuse the nearly two decades of failure that has followed.

INHERITING A DISTRESSED FAMILY

Any new Browns leadership group inherits the long history of broken ownership promises and front office malfunctions of the previous regimes.

It's also why it's so difficult for any ownership group to stay the course when the losses pile up.

The fans and media tend to scream, "Do something!"

They really are saying, "Stop the pain!" that comes from only two winning seasons (2001 and 2007) since the team returned in 1999.

The new front office approach is to increase the pain (young team, more losing) to find real recovery after a few drafts and other off-season moves.

Fans understandably are outraged by 0-10. And they are hurt when they see fans of the Dallas Cowboys and other visiting teams seemingly taking over FirstEnergy Stadium to cheer for the out-of-town ball club.

But who can blame Browns fans for dumping their tickets on the secondary-market to be resold?

They want something besides frustration for their investment this season.

I've always been amazed at the loyalty and passion of Browns fans.

They are among the best in the nation when you factor in all they have endured since the 1990s.

That's why the Browns should not expect much understanding or patience. That's especially true when it comes to the reaction to their current approach to building a team.

I say that even though their current approach is probably the best, given the sad state of the franchise.

It's why I want the Sashi Brown/Hue Jackson combination to stay in place.

A fan named Bill agreed about not being ready to abandon the Browns.

"But for me, if they don't sign Terrelle Pryor or Jamie Collins, they will have totally lost me," he emailed. "Especially if it's for some analytic/salary reasons. They have to put some competent players on the field, even if it isn't perfect analytics."

I actually believe anayltics and common sense favor retaining Pryor and Collins. They are at the right age (27) and fit with the young, athletic team the Browns should be trying to build.

This would not be throwing a pile of cash at veteran free agents whose best years are in the rear view mirror.

Bill's email is important. He does not want to abandon the Browns. He wants them to start getting things right.

I bet most fans feel the same way.

The Tribe pitching coach notched his third career hole-in-one on Tuesday at Windswept Dunes Golf Course in Freeport, Florida.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mickey Callaway sure has a way with aces.

Under his watch, Corey Kluber has developed into one of the league's better pitchers, a Cy Young Award winner who is a finalist for his second such honor.

The ace theme fits for Callway off the field, too. The Tribe pitching coach notched his third career hole-in-one on Tuesday at Windswept Dunes Golf Course in Freeport, Florida.

Callaway aced the second hole, a 253-yard par three. He used a 3-wood to achieve the longest hole-in-one in the golf course's history, according to a contact at the venue.

In a text exchange with cleveland.com, Callaway said he was able to watch his ball roll into the cup.

Golf is a popular off-season hobby among the Indians' coaching staff. Manager Terry Francona and bench coach Brad Mills are no stranger to the tee box, either. 

The 253-yard second hole at Windswept Dunes Golf Course.Courtesy of Randall Cooke 

Callaway is known more for his work on the diamond than on the green, though. The Indians' pitching staff boasted the second-lowest ERA in the American League in 2016. The club advanced to Game 7 of the World Series, despite injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, a pair of rotation mainstays. 

Callaway joined the coaching staff prior to the 2013 campaign, after the organization hired Francona to lead its charge.

Since, the Indians have amassed the AL's top record (352-294). Kluber, the club's workhorse and one of three finalists for the AL Cy Young Award -- the results will be unveiled on Wednesday night -- posted a 3.14 ERA and tallied 227 strikeouts in 2016.

Kluber, who made the All-Star team for the first time this year, captured the AL Cy Young Award in 2014

Kluber, Francona finalists for awards

J.R. Smith won't play against Toronto on Tuesday night but hopes to play Wednesday against the Pacers. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- J.R. Smith (sore right ankle) will miss his second consecutive game tonight, this time against the NBA's leading scorer DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors.

The Cavs will start Richard Jefferson in Smith's place tonight.

In announcing that Smith would sit (Smith also didn't play Sunday against the Hornets), Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said Smith "could've been ready for tonight" and is hopeful to play Wednesday against Indiana. 

Smith is averaging 10.5 points per game. Jefferson, who is making his first start this year at age 36, will have to chase around DeRozan, who enters averaging 34.0 ppg. Jefferson is off to a slow start, averaging 4.2 points off the bench and shooting 43.8 percent from the field (23.5 percent from 3-point range).

Lue chose to start Mike Dunleavy, another struggling veteran, in Smith's place against the Hornets, and it didn't work out well for Dunleavy. He shot 1-of-6 for two points in 17 minutes.

Get the latest updates and analysis from the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 10 against the Toronto Raptors.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers face the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday in Game 10 of the 2016 NBA regular season.

Follow along in the comments section as Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor bring you observations and analysis throughout the game.

Make sure to follow Vardon and Fedor on Twitter.

Game 10: Cavs (8-1) vs. Raptors (7-2)

Tipoff: 7 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.

TV/radio: FoxSports Ohio; WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM (ESP)

Cavs probable starting lineup: LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, Mike Dunleavy, Kyrie Irving.

Raptors probable starting lineup: DeMarre Carroll, Pascal Siakam, Jonas Valanciunas, DeMar DeRozan Kyle Lowry.

FREQUENTLY REFRESH this page to get the latest updates. If you're viewing this on a mobile app, click here

High schools in the midwest may be affected following the Big Ten Conference's decision to play games on Friday nights.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Ohio High School Football Coaches Association joined several organizations in the Midwest expressing their displeasure with the Big Ten Conference’s latest decision to play games on the same night as high school football.

On Nov. 2, the Big Ten announced it would play six conference games on Friday nights starting in 2017. The OHSFCA released a statement on Tuesday regarding the action and its impact on 716 teams and 43,000 players in Ohio.

“We would like to express our disappointment with the Big Ten Conference's decision to play football games on Friday nights," Matt Dennison, OHSFCA president and New Philadelphia coach, said in a statement. “Our association is vehemently opposed to this action as it infringes on a great American tradition of high school football, is not in the best interest of student athletes, cripples the small budgets of high school athletic departments, disrupts the relationships between high school coaches and Big Ten coaches, and hinders the recruiting process.”

The OHSFCA has joined with high school football coaches associations in Michigan, Minnesota. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin in opposing the decision, according to the release.

“It is a complete financial decision that was made to create revenue for the Big Ten,” Dennison said. “The Big Ten's quest for money is greater than the great game of football. We would hope that they would reconsider this decision and that Ohio State would follow the lead of Michigan and Penn State in not participating in this endeavor.”

SEE RELEATED

OHSAA 'disappointed' by Big Ten's decision to play Friday night games

Big Ten football will have games on Friday nights in 2017, Will Ohio State?

Indians manager Terry Francona wins second manager of the year award in the last four years.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Terry Francona has been named American League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America for the second time in the last four years.

Francona, recovering from right hip replacement surgery, won two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox, but he had to come to Cleveland to be named Manager of the Year. This year the Indians reached Game 7 of the World Series before losing to the Cubs, but the BBWAA awards are based solely on the regular season.

The Indians, under Francona, went 94-67 to win the AL Central for the first time since 2007. They took control of the division with a franchise-record 14-game winning streak from June 17 through July 1 and owned first place for over 100 days on the way to winning their first pennant since 1997.

Francona, who received 22 of a possible 30 first-place votes, totaled 128 points. Texas manager Jeff Banister, who received four first-place votes, totaled 64 points. Baltimore's Buck Showalter, who received two first-place votes, finished with 44 points. Boston's John Farrell finished fourth.

In the National League, Dave Roberts, former Indians' outfielder, won the manager of the year award in his first year as the Dodgers' manager.

The Indians hired Francona after the 2012 season and he's led them to four straight winning seasons and two postseason appearances. He was named AL Manager of the Year in 2013 as the Indians went 92-70 to clinch a wild card spot.

In four years as manager, Francona has led the Indians to a 352-294 (.545) record. The 352 wins are the second most by an Indians' manager in club history through the first four years of his tenure.

"Tito did a masterful job, really, through the regular season and postseason," said Chris Antonetti, Indians' president of baseball operations, recently. "The way in which Tito is constantly thinking about how to place individual players in positions to be successful, that most impact the team, is always extraordinary.

"He does that by building really deep relationships with guys where they know he has their best interests in mind and will find a way where they can be the best versions of themselves. He talks about that all the time. He wants to have a reason to brag about guys."

Managers deal with injuries during the season and Francona had his share this year. Michael Brantley, the Indians' top hitter, played just 11 games. Starting catcher Yan Gomes went down in July with a separated right shoulder. In September, the Indians lost starters Danny Salazar (right forearm) and Carlos Carrasco (broken right hand). Francona, in the meantime, had platoons going in the three outfield positions and at third base for a while.

Tribe can't say enough good things about Terry Francona

Francona has always loved going to the bullpen, but when the Indians acquired left-hander Andrew Miller from the Yankees for four prospects on July 31, he found another gear. Miller, Dan Otero, Bryan Shaw and closer Cody Allen became the backbone of a bullpen that helped carry an injured rotation to the seventh game of the World Series.

Miller, who has closer's stuff, made his second appearance with the Indians in the sixth inning. He went 10-1 with a 1.45 ERA and 12 saves between the Yankees and Indians. He struck out 123, walked nine and had a .686 WHIP.

Tribe's strategy: Get the ball to Andrew Miller

Francona said he was going to use Miller in "leverage' situations. He did just that and it didn't matter if it was the fifth or the ninth inning.

"As high as our expectations were when he hired Tito, he's gone beyond that," said Antonetti. "We are fortunate to have him."

Francona has managed the Phillies, Red Sox and Indians. His overall record is 1,381-1,209 (.533). He's currently four among active managers in victories.

His teams have posted winning records in his last 12 seasons. It's the longest streak among active managers and the longest since Joe Torre's streak of 14 straight winning seasons.

The Steelers quarterback gave his thoughts on the Browns' place in Cleveland sports.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ben Roethlisberger understands that the Browns are 0-10, but the Steelers quarterback isn't ready to call Cleveland anything other than Browns Town.

Roethlisberger, who was born in Lima and went to Findlay High School, corrects his teammates when they say the Cavaliers now rule Cleveland.

"I tell guys on this team that don't know any better, and I could be completely wrong, but I think I'm pretty accurate ... when they say Cleveland is a Cavs town, I say, 'I promise you that the Browns still rule in Cleveland, and the Indians are second,'" Roethlisberger said Wednesday during a conference call with Browns media.

Roethlisberger said he understands that the Indians were in the World Series this year, and the Cavaliers became the first Cleveland team in 52 years to win a major sports championship, "but the city, in my opinion, and people I talk to and know, would do anything for a Browns Super Bowl," he said.

What do you think? Do you (gulp) agree with the Steelers quarterback? Check out the poll below and let us know what you think. You can explain your answer in the comment section.

Here's where to watch, listen and stream the Cleveland Cavaliers' game vs. the Indiana Pacers today.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers play Game 11 of the 2016 NBA season Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers. Here's how to watch, listen and stream the action online.

What: Cleveland Cavaliers (9-1) vs. Indiana Pacers (5-6).
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
When: 7 p.m.
TV: FoxSports Ohio, NBA TV.
Radio: WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM La Mega.
Online: FoxSports Go.

Pacers notable: C.J. Miles has made 28 three-pointers on the season, which currently ranks 6th in the league and first among players who have started less than half of their teams' games. 

Cleveland notable: With a 9-1 overall record to open the season, the Wine and Gold have tied their best start after 10 games in team history, which previously occurred in 1976-77. No Cavs team has ever started 10-1 through 11 games.

Catch the coverage from before the game; join in the live chat starting at tipoff; and stick around for full postgame coverage. For all Cavs information, be sure to check out cleveland.com/cavs.

Corey Kluber turned in a dominant 2016 season. Here are seven starts that state his case for the AL Cy Young Award.

Andre Ward faces Sergey Kovalev in a llight heavyweight title fight on Saturday and I predict the fight will be stopped in the 10th in favor of Ward. - Boxing Report 2016

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There is often hesitation when a fight receives overwhelming billing as the next great fight because the boxing public is often disappointed.

The fight often doesn't live up to the hype.

Remember Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao?

Well the hype for Saturday night's light heavyweight title bout between Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward has not had over-the-top promotion but it should have. This fight has all of the makings of a great bout because of the different styles (hard puncher in Kovalev and counter puncher in Ward) that usually produces a classic bout.

Kovalev enters the ring with three titles (WBA, WBO and IBF) and a demolition of the light heavyweight division with 26 knockouts in 31 fights. The only mark against his record is a draw in 2011 when the fight was stopped because Kovalev's opponent couldn't continue due to an accidental foul.

Ward (30-0, 15 knockouts) is the last American male to win an Olympic gold in boxing (2004 in Greece) and he has not lost a bout since he was 12. Ward has gone through the ranks as a Super middleweight champion. He moved up to light heavyweight earlier this year and hasn't missed a beat with easy victories.

Which brings us to Saturday's showdown in Las Vegas. Ward has respectable power although not enough to exchange with Kovalev. But Ward's inside game will neutralize Kovalev's power and will make the difference. A Ward victory is not considered a major upset, but Ward stopping Kovalev in the late rounds will be.

Ward's inside combinations and ring presence will dictate the fight.

I predict the referee will stop the fight in round 10 in favor of Ward by TKO in a classic bout.

Quick jabs

• Olympian Claressa Shields will make her pro debut on undercard of Kovalev vs. Ward bout on Saturday.
• Floyd Mayweather has a few things to say about UFC's Conor McGregor.
• Upcoming movie on boxer Vinny Pazienza - "Bleed for This" - receives solid reviews.
• Danny Garcia makes bold statement about his upcoming fight against Keith Thurman.
• Who provided the greatest knockout over the past 30 years?

This week in boxing history

Nov. 18, 1994:  Roy Jones Jr. dominates James Toney over 12 rounds to win the IBF Super Middleweight Title.

Boxing schedule

Friday

7 p.m. (UniMas):

• Christopher Diaz vs. Fernando Vargas, featherweights
• Julian Rodriguez vs. Jerry Belmontes, junior welterweights
• Matt Korobov vs. Scott Sigmon, middleweights
• Jean Carlos Rivera vs. Aaron Echeveste, featherweights
• Nestor Bravo vs. Omar Garcia, lightweights

10 p.m. (CBSSportsNet):

• Reynaldo Blanco vs. Demond Brock, lightweights
• Daniel Cruz vs. Norberto Gonzalez, junior middleweights
• Randy Moreno vs. Daniel Perales,  junior lightweights

9 p.m. Saturday (HBO PPV):

• Sergey Kovalev vs. Andre Ward, for Kovalev's WBO/IBF/WBA light heavyweight title.
• Maurice Hooker vs. Darleys Perez, junior welterweights
• Isaac Chilemba vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk, light heavyweights
• Curtis Stevens vs. James De La Rosa, middleweights
• Darmani Rock vs. Bruce Ritani-Coe, heavyweights
• Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews, female super middleweights

Funderburk has not played in Ohio State's first two games this season.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Derek Funderburk was the last player off of Ohio State's bench in an exhibition against Walsh. In the Buckeyes first two games this season, he hasn't played at all.

So what's Ohio State's plan for Funderburk?

"The games haven't lent themselves (to playing him), and there has been a discussion of a redshirt," Thad Matta said Wednesday. "I don't know what we're gonna do yet. He's been coming in, practicing hard and all that stuff. We'll hopefully be in good shape with him."

Funderburk, a 6-foot-9 wing, was the highest-rated player in Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class.

The former St. Edward product played his final year of high school ball at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia. He was rated the No. 73 overall prospect in the 2016 recruiting class in the 247Sports composite ratings.

Stuck at a position where he's already behind Marc Loving, Keita Bates-Diop and Jae'Sean Tate, you got the sense that Funderburk's minutes would be limited anyway. The Buckeyes haven't officially declared this a redshirt season yet, but Funderburk is the only newcomer they haven't used through two games.

Freshman wing Andre Wesson has seen minutes against both Navy and North Carolina Central.

Funderburk has a unique build for his position. He's a long 6-foot-9. Teammates and coaches this summer describe him as a slasher, and a plus-rebounder. But if Ohio State determines his game is still too raw, it might make sense to have him sit out a year with all of the minutes being taken up ahead of him.

Ohio State officially announced the signing of two 2017 players on Wednesday. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The comparisons will be easy based on body type, and be completely unfair based on where each player is/was coming out of high school.

Kaleb Wesson is not Jared Sullinger.

But Ohio State basketball is happy to have Wesson officially signed in its 2017 recruiting class.

The Buckeyes announced the signings of Wesson, from nearby Westerville South, and Kentucky point guard Braxton Beverly on Wednesday. Beverly actually signed last week, on the first day of the early signing period, but the team waited on announcing until Wesson signed.

Wesson delayed his signing so that his family could attend. He's been committed since the summer of 2015. There was no drama.

Here's everything Thad Matta said about both of his signees on Wednesday:

* Wesson/Sullinger comparisons: Matta was the one who actually opened this can of worms. He brought up Sullinger unprovoked on Wednesday.

"He's a big body and he carries it well," Matta said. "A little bit like Jared, he uses his size to his advantage."

Wesson is listed as 6-foot-8, 280 pounds. He was a little bigger than that last year, but has been working to bring his weight down since ending his football career (He was pretty good at that too). But he'll always have a big body, which will make comparisons to Sullinger natural.

Add in the fact that both are Columbus kids, and we can start getting real out of hand with the comparisons.

Learn more about Wesson: Signing day profile

Sullinger was arguably the best high school player in the country by his senior year. Wesson is good, but he's not that. He's rated as the No. 78 overall prospect in the class in 247Sports composite ratings.

Still, it sounds like Wesson is a guy on whom Matta is counting to make an instant impact.

"To me, and I'm not drawing a comparison with Jared because he is one of the best players I've ever coached, but you had that luxury that when all else failed, throw it into him because he could pass out of it," Matta said.

"Jared, all he wanted to know in scouting is where was the double-team coming from so he could find his guys. Kaleb sort of has that ability to pass out of it. He makes free throws, he steps out and shoots threes. I'm excited because I think we can run some offense through him. Big guys that can pass and handle are a high commodity now."

* What about Beverly? The Kentucky native has built a reputation as a scorer that's followed him from starring on the high school level as a middle-schooler to Hargrave Military Academy, where he scored 70 points in a game last year.

If everything holds steady with Ohio State's roster next year, Beverly would be the third point guard on the roster. Matta sees him as more than a point guard.

"He's one of those guys when he gets off the bus you better guard him because he can flat at shoot the basketball," Matta said. "His ability to play off pick-and-roll, because if you don't go over he will step behind and shoot it. He's an ultra-competitive kid. I think what he can bring to the table in terms of stretching the defense, but he can also get inside a defense, he's got a good mid-range game."

Learn more about Beverly: Signing day profile

* Are the Buckeyes done? It sounds like it.

Right now Ohio State could sign one more player in 2017, but it's running short on options. Four-star guard Nojel Eastern, one of two remaining big targets on Ohio State's recruiting board, committed to Purdue on Wednesday.

Another player still out there is five-star guard M.J. Walker. He's considering Ohio State, Florida State, Maryland and Kansas. Technically the Buckeyes are still in the running, but Matta seemed to think they're done recruiting for 2017.

"Probably," Matta said when asked if they were done. "I mean you never know what's gonna happen. Today in college basketball, who knows. I don't think you're ever officially done."

Ohio State basketball scholarship chart

* So what's next? If Ohio State doesn't sign another player this year, that would mean another scholarship to use in 2018.

Right now the Buckeyes have commitments from four-star Ohio wing Darius Bazley, three-star Ohio wing Justin Ahrens and three-star Ohio guard Dane Goodwin. Those are the No. 1, No. 4 and No. 5 players in Ohio for 2018, respectively.

With those two in the fold, the Buckeyes could still add two more players in 2018, which would be another large class after signing only two players this year.

Get the latest updates and analysis from the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 11 against the Indiana Pacers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers face the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday in Game 11 of the 2016 NBA regular season.

Follow along in the comments section as Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor bring you observations and analysis throughout the game.

Make sure to follow Vardon and Fedor on Twitter.

Game 11: Cavs (9-1) vs. Pacers (5-6)

Tipoff: 7 p.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

TV/radio: FoxSports Ohio; WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM (ESP)

Cavs probable starting lineup: LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith, Kyrie Irving.

Pacers probable starting lineup: Paul George, Thaddeus Young, Myles Turner, Monta Ellis, Jeff Teague.

FREQUENTLY REFRESH this page to get the latest updates. If you're viewing this on a mobile app, click here

Hawkins and McCown were part of a group of five NFL players that met with members of Congress on Tuesday. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins is well-known for his activism. It's something he picked up from his grandfather, Burrell Haselrig Sr. 

"My grandfather, he was fighting for a lot of the same things," Hawkins said on Wednesday, the day after visiting Washington D.C. with four other NFL players, including teammate Josh McCown, to discuss ongoing issues of police violence against the black community with members of Congress.  

Hawkins' grandfather spoke at two Republican National Conventions and he has pictures in his house of Haselrig with presidents Carter, Reagan and Bush.  

"I feel like a lot of that was instilled in me," Hawkins said, "To be able to grow up seeing that let me know that it doesn't matter where I'm from or how minuscule people think I am to the equation, that I have the power to make a difference even a little bit or encourage somebody else who might have more of a power to make a difference." 

That last part is one of the reasons Hawkins ended up on Capitol Hill on Tuesday after getting the call from Lions wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who also reached out to his teammate, safety Glover Quin, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and McCown. McCown's relationship with Boldin goes back to their days in Arizona together, playing for the Cardinals. 

"We have the type of relationship that when he calls and says, 'Hey, we're going,' I say, 'Yeah, let's go,' and we'll figure out the details later," McCown said. "I have so much respect for who he is as a man and what he's about that when he shot a text, 'I want to talk to you about some stuff,' it was a no-brainer for me." 

The five players spent the day meeting with members of Congress, including Florida representative Patrick Murphy, Minnesota representative Keith Ellison and members of the Congressional Black Caucus. They also had a meeting with the Office of Public Engagement at the White House before meeting with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, according to ESPN's Jim Trotter. 

Hawkins didn't want to get into the content of their meetings but called it an open dialogue. 

"We made a lot of headway and will continue to work on the issue and we'll be going back after the season," Hawkins said. "Right now, working on some deliverables and hopefully continue to push the issue." 

"We want to empathize with those that are hurting, that are losing loved ones," McCown said, "but at the same time support law enforcement and their efforts, to help better their relationships with communities so that whatever things that we can do to lend a hand to help prevent these things from happening we can. That's really the goal." 

Hawkins said he was encouraged by the willingness of the members of Congress to hear their group out. 

"Republican and Democrat, we met with everybody and they met with us," he said, "and like I said, it was open arms and it was great dialogue and I'm very thankful for the opportunity to be able to meet with them and hopefully create some change." 

"I think for us it was about learning about the work that's already being done and seeing what we could do to help," McCown said. "I certainly think for (the members of Congress), understanding we were coming there, not with any agenda but to listen and offer our influence and the things we could do to help move it along and bring people together in that regard." 

Hawkins, of course, has made headlines in the past for his activism. Most notably, he wore a shirt that read "Justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford" during warmups prior to a 2014 game against the Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. He explained his decision to wear the shirt in a nearly six-minute statement to reporters. He said on Wednesday that the opportunity he and other athletes have to make an impact is something too important to pass up. 

"Who are we if we don't take advantage of our influence and try?" Hawkins said. "I think the platform we are given is a special one and I feel like a lot of guys feel that way and they're trying to use it to the best of our ability." 

Browns head coach Hue Jackson excused both players from practice on Monday, saying he had a lot of pride in the fact that two of the five players chosen for the meetings were from his locker room. 

"They had asked me about this well in advance of the other day and I was totally for it because what a tremendous opportunity for them to have a voice in some serious issues that are going on and for them to learn different ways that we are trying to do things better," Jackson said. "They will carry that message into our locker room with our younger players. They are two guys that I think our guys look up to." 

Jackson said any decision by Hawkins and McCown to share their experiences with the team will be up to them, but he's sure teammates have asked where they were. Hawkins acknowledged that teammates have asked him about the trip. 

Jackson also acknowledged that he believes players have a responsibility to use their platform. 

"That is part of giving back," he said. "It is part of being somebody that is recognized in the league. More so than that, just giving back to what this league has given them, a tremendous opportunity." 

Now that the trip is over and it's back to football, what's next? 

"The next step is to just keep the conversation going," McCown said. "We'll continue to talk amongst the group of guys that went and see if as this process grows if there's others that are interested in being involved. And then the good thing yesterday was just the willingness for those involved to continue to work on this and to continue to try to move it forward." 

Found these old pics of my Grandad, who was always one of my idols.. had to post em... Him speaking at Republican national convention, with President Ford in the looking on.

A photo posted by Andrew Hawkins (@hawk) on Apr 23, 2014 at 11:43am PDT

Hawkins believes continuing to do what he's been doing - which has included meeting with Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams - and working to connect parties from both sides of an issue is the logical continuation. 

"So many times you get caught up thinking you're either on this side or that side and I'm right and you're wrong," Hawkins said. "That's not productive. That's not progressive and not the reality, so if everybody loving the game of football can bring people together or hear people out or make a Republican and Democrat sit down and have a conversation or have police and communities sit down and do an event, then like I said, that's our responsibility and that's what we need to do." 

It's a responsibility that Hawkins has picked up from his grandfather and continues to carry. 

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LeBron James isn't playing against the Indiana Pacers tonight, and the Cavs are 4-15 without him in two seasons.

INDIANAPOLIS -- LeBron James (rest) and J.R. Smith (sore right ankle) will not play tonight against the Indiana Pacers, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said.

Richard Jefferson and Iman Shumpert will start in their place, he said.

This will be James' 20th game sitting out since returning to the Cavs in 2014, but first this season. Cleveland is 4-15 in games without him over the last two years.

This will also be the third time in five games James has sat with the Cavs playing in Indiana.

Smith has missed the past two games after suffering the injury in the fourth quarter Friday against Washington.

James is averaging 23.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 9.6 assists. He's also averaging 37 minutes -- a few minutes per game higher than Lue had suggested he'd play prior to the start of the season.

This is the earliest in a season the Cavs have decided to sit James, 31, out of a game for rest.

"This is one game we decided to rest him," Lue said. "He needed the rest so we're going to rest him."

James is virtually assured to play Friday at home against Detroit. Lue said he was "hopeful" Smith would play against the Pistons.

"There's been progress," Lue said. "He's been able to get on the floor, shoot, work out a little bit."

Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe discuss the news of the day in Berea as the Browns prepare for the Steelers. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- It's Steelers week. Can you feel the excitement? 

Mary Kay Cabot and I checked in following Browns practice today to discuss the news of the day. It started this morning when it came out that Robert Griffin III has been cleared to return to practice. He won't practice this week, but will he play again this season?

We also talked about Cody Kessler, who is the team's starting quarterback right now, and how he'll respond to coming off of his benching Thursday night in Baltimore.

Finally, we talked about Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's comments about the Browns quarterback situation and his surprise that the Browns passed on Carson Wentz.

Ben Roethlisberger was shocked that the Browns passed on Carson Wentz, just like they did him in 2004. Roethlisberger thought he was going to be a Brown.

BEREA, Ohio - When the Steelers faced the Eagles in September, Ben Roethlisberger said he was "really surprised'' the Browns didn't draft Carson Wentz at No. 2.

He upped the ante Wednesday, saying he was "blown away by it.''

"I thought for sure he was going to Cleveland,'' Roethlisberger, who has the same agent as Wentz, said on a conference call. "There was not a doubt in my mind that he wasn't a perfect AFC North quarterback, a great fit for you guys and everything. Then when everything transpired, I was blown away by it, but you never know.

"It's early in his career. You hate to jump to conclusions and call him the same thing as me, who has been in the league for 13 years, but only time will tell if that same thing kind of happened there, too."

Roethlisberger, a native of Findlay, Ohio, has won two Super Bowls and is 19-2 against the Browns. He admitted he's still fueled by being passed over by the Browns at No. 6 in 2004. Instead, Butch Davis and Pete Garcia opted for Kellen Winslow, and the Steelers snatched up Roethlisberger at No. 11.  

"This is still a huge rival for me, especially me personally,'' Roethlisberger said. "It's Ohio. It's the Browns. I thought I was going to go to the Browns. I'm kind of over that, but for me, this is AFC North football. Like I said, it is the Browns. This is a huge rivalry for us."

He said he did a private workout at Miami University for Davis before the 2004 draft.

"This was a long time ago and I've been doing this for a while, taken some hits, but I'm almost positive I did a workout for them, like a private workout,'' he said. "I thought I did really good, by the way, but I guess not."

Roethlisberger, who still has friends from Findlay that are Browns fans, sets his teammates straight that Cleveland is a Browns town despite the perennial losing.

"I could be completely wrong but I think I'm pretty accurate when I say - they talk about how Cleveland is a Cavs town and this and that - I say, 'I promise you that the Browns still rule in Cleveland and I think the Indians are second,''' he said. "I understand that when it comes to wins, obviously, the Indians going to the World Series this year, the Cavs winning last year, like that means a lot to the city, but the city - in my opinion and the people I talk to and know - would do anything for a Browns Super Bowl.''

And Roethlisberger one day hoped he'd be the one winning it for them.

RG3 cleared for non-contact activity, won't practice this week

Big Ben on Jamie Collins

"He's a physical freak - he has good size, athletic ability - and is able to read and react well, can cover, also can blitz and you never know where he is going to be,'' said Roethlisberger. "You watch on film, and it looks like he is supposed to have contain and he shoots the gap real quick and sacks the quarterback or he is lined above the ball looking like coverage and then he blitzes and sacks somebody. His athleticism and his size and his presence is definitely a challenge for us."

Mike Tomlin has also been impressed.

"He is a multi-talented player,'' he said. "He can rush the passer. He can cover. He can stop the run. He does a lot of things well. He is fundamentally sound. They are turning up on his tape already."

Tomlin on Terrelle Pryor

"What I think he has done is remarkable but not that I'm surprised by it,'' he said. "He being a Pittsburgh guy, I think I've known TP since he was in the 11th grade when I first got here some 10 years ago. He's a tremendous athlete. He's a dedicated competitor. That's shown through everything that he's done. I'm not surprised by what has transpired. It is a credit to him and the work he is willing to put in."

Does he have any regrets about not signing him last year? The Steelers didn't even bring him in for a tryout, despite the fact Antonio Brown was a big part of Pryor's transition from quarterback to receiver.

"I'm not going to get into our processes,'' he said. "Thirty-one teams had an opportunity to sign him. I'm glad he found a home in Cleveland. I'm glad things are working out for him."

Jackson takes blame for Crow not flying

Isaiah Crowell was No. 2 in in the NFL in rushing yardage after his first four games with 386 yards. He was also first in the league with a 6.4-yard average. At that point, he was on pace for 1,544 yards.

But in five of his last six games, he's rushed for 29 or fewer yards, and is now 15th with 551. At this clip, he'll finished with 881.6, short of his goal of a 1,000-yard season.

"My fault,'' said Jackson. "I take responsibility for that when it comes to Crowell. This guy is a really, really good player, and we have not rushed the ball as well over several weeks now, and that's disappointing. I have to do a better job. I have to put him in better situations because he's a very, very talented player."

Corey Kluber did not capture his second career Cy Young Award on Wednesday night. Justin Verlander did not, either.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Corey Kluber did not capture his second career Cy Young Award on Wednesday night. Justin Verlander did not, either.

Instead, Boston right-hander Rick Porcello obtained his first piece of hardware, as he fended off Verlander and Kluber in a tightly contested race.

Verlander actually received more first-place votes than Porcello (14 to eight), but Verlander was omitted completely from two ballots. Voters ranked their top five choices. Kluber received three first-place checkmarks. Orioles closer Zach Britton, who allowed only four earned runs in 67 innings, earned five first-place votes.

Porcello finished with 137 points, slightly ahead of Verlander (132). Kluber tallied 98 points for his third-place positioning. The narrow margins make sense, given the similar numbers each pitcher posted.

Consider the slash lines compiled against each of the three hurlers:

Verlander: .207/.263/.368 (.630 OPS)

Kluber: .216/.274/.357 (.631 OPS)

Porcello: .230/.268/.367 (.635 OPS)

Consider each pitcher's ERA:

Verlander: 3.04

Kluber: 3.14

Porcello: 3.15

Verlander led the American League in strikeouts; Kluber finished fifth and Porcello finished eighth. He also led the AL in WHIP; Porcello finished second and Kluber finished fourth. Verlander racked up the second-most innings in the AL; Porcello finished fourth and Kluber finished fifth. Porcello topped the league with 22 wins. In terms of WAR, Verlander and Porcello totaled 5.2 and Kluber totaled 5.1.

Kluber posted a 1.83 ERA in six postseason outings, including three on short rest. He held the opposition scoreless in all three of his starts on normal rest. All ballots, however, had to be submitted before the start of the postseason.

Kluber made his first All-Star team in 2016. Before an injury forced him from his final outing of the regular season, Kluber had logged at least six innings in 14 consecutive starts. He posted a 2.32 ERA over that stretch, during which he limited the opposition to a .208 batting average.

The right-hander served as the steady force in an Indians rotation that endured some turmoil in the second half. Josh Tomlin was temporarily yanked from the starting unit after a dreadful August. Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco sustained injuries in September, which tested the Tribe's pitching depth. All the while, Kluber took the hill every five days. As the postseason unfolded, he pitched every four days.

"What we asked him to do and the workload that he bore, not only during the regular season, but during the postseason, that's extraordinary," said Chris Antonetti, the Indians' president of baseball operations. "Because the last game didn't end the way we all hoped, that doesn't take away from what he did."

The Indians have still had three Cy Young winners in the last decade. Kluber claimed the honor in 2014. Cliff Lee did so in 2008, a year after CC Sabathia won the hardware. In 1972, Gaylord Perry became the first Tribe hurler to win the award.

When Kluber edged Seattle's Felix Hernandez two years ago, he boasted a 2.44 ERA and 269 strikeouts.

Andrew Miller received one third-place vote, which positioned him ninth in the overall balloting.

Kyrie Irving passed to Tristan Thompson for a two-handed dunk in the second quarter against Indiana.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers are playing without starters J.R. Smith (ankle) and LeBron James (rest), but Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson are keeping things close against the Indiana Pacers.

With just less than eight minutes left in the first half, Irving penetrated the lane and fed a trailing Thompson, who threw down a ferocious two-handed dunk over Pacers big men Myles Turner and C.J. Miles.

The score brought the Cavaliers within 35-30 after Cleveland had trailed by as many as 11 in the quarter.

Irving has 11 points and two assists while Thompson leads the Cavaliers with seven rebounds.

[?][?]: Here comes Double-T!#DefendtheLand pic.twitter.com/gEOoVQYePR

-- Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 17, 2016