LeBron James still hates the NBA's releasing of officials' reviews from the final two minutes of games after one released Monday said he should've been given a technical for hanging on the rim against the Warriors. Watch video

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- LeBron James wasn't a fan of the NBA's last-two-minutes reports for officials even before the league released one Monday stating he should've been given a technical for hanging on the rim after a dunk late in the Cavs' 109-108 win over the Warriors.

As you may have guessed, James' opinion didn't change.

"I think it discredits what the referees are doing for 48 minutes," James said after the Cavs' practiced Wednesday, in his first public comments since the NBA's L2M report was released for the Cavs-Warriors game on Christmas. "If that's the case, you might as well do a 48-minute report. It's not fair to the referees that you only talk about the final two minutes of the game and not the first 46. There's plays that's missed, there's plays that called throughout 48 minutes that don't get talked about. I don't think it's fair for the referees that people get to have their opinions or scrutinize referees for the last two minutes because it discredits what the rest of the game is about. The rest of the game is played, you have to play the first two minutes like the last two minutes."

The league said officials missed giving James a technical for "deliberately hanging on the rim" with 1:43 left after a nasty dunk. Also, according to the NBA, Richard Jefferson should've called for fouling Kevin Durant on the final play of the game.

Yes, the incidents took place four days ago. But, hey, when James speaks, people tend to listen, and, James was actually involved in this particular report. So, here's his chance to state his case.

On his shoulda-been technical: "Me hanging on the rim had nothing to do with the play. It was a timeout and a foul. I could be hanging on the rim all the way until the game is being played and it doesn't matter. So why would it be a technical at that point? I get it if I dunked the ball (and) play was still in session and nobody was up underneath me. Then I get that. But it was a timeout plus a foul.

And on Jefferson's should-been foul: "There was hands on bodies the whole game. It's a physical game, that's what the fans wanted to see, it's the referees that called a great game throughout the game. There were some calls here that could've gone a different way but there were calls that they made that was great calls, too. But I'm not a fan of the last two minute rule of putting it out to people that usually don't watch the game until the fourth quarter anyways."

Davis will take over for Luke Fickell as Ohio State's linebackers coach after this season. Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- New Ohio State assistant coach Bill Davis won't have a huge part in the Buckeyes' preparations for the College Football Playoff.

He's technically not in his new role as defensive assistant yet. He's still a defensive analyst, but he was at Tuesday's practice when Urban Meyer addressed the team and used an example from Davis about the value of preparation.

Meyer shared a story that Davis relayed to him about coaching the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and how lack of preparation on the part of the players led the Cardinals to lose that game. If that resonates with Ohio State vs. Clemson, then consider that Davis' contribution to this playoff run.

Right now Davis is still transitioning, he'll be Ohio State's linebackers coach when Luke Fickell leaves to be the head coach at Cincinnati after this season. That's not official yet, but that's how Meyer identified Davis at Tuesday's practice.

It's possible Davis, who's had three different stints as an NFL defensive coordinator, will also have a coordinator label at Ohio State.

Learn more about Bill Davis

We'll settle official titles later. Here's what some Buckeyes said about Davis on Wednesday:

Linebacker Raekwon McMillan: "He's been around a lot more, really getting to know the guys. He's been there every day for the past month or so getting to know the guys, sharing his knowledge of the game. He's a very intelligent guy and I think he'll do a great job at Ohio State.

"I don't think (the transition from Fickell to Davis) will be that bad. Just like the safeties went through last year with coach (Chris) Ash. Coach (Greg) Schiano came in and the built great relationships, and we had incredible safety play. You just have to trust every situation the coaches put us in and believe they won't do something that's gonna make us any worse off or anything like that."

Linebacker Chris Worley: "I've talked to Coach Davis a little bit. He's one of those guys that don't want the fame behind it all. He just wants to sit back and learn the defense, learn the players. He doesn't want to be out there giving us speeches, he wants us to finish the season strong. Talking to him, that was his main thing, but at the same time he's there whenever we want to talk about something."

Fickell: "Billy's been around all year. He's had the opportunity to get to know those guys. He's seen our culture, how we do things. It's not like he's new to the game with all of his experience. The only thing he'll have to adapt to is recruiting.

"Football-wise he's going to fit right in. The ability to get to know those guys, build the trust in a year around them, it makes an incredible transition. And he's walking into a group of kids who are unbelievable. I don't just mean that as football players, I mean that as people. They're gonna accept somebody and teach them some of their ways."

The Cavs sent rookie pG Kay Felder to their D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge, on Wednesday.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Cavs assigned rookie point guard Kay Felder to their D-League affiliate Canton Charge, the team announced Wednesday.

Felder, drafted in the second round by Cleveland in June, is averaging 4.9 points in 14 games this season. He'll likely play tonight against Greensboro in Canton.

The Cavs only have 13 healthy players, counting Felder, so it's likely he'll be back in Cleveland for the team's game against Boston on Thursday.

Felder scored 11 points in 20 minutes against the Detroit Pistons on Monday. The Pistons' home games are in Auburn Hills, Mich. Felder starred in college at nearby Oakland University.

LeBron James said DeAndre Liggins is providing what the Cavs lost when Matthew Dellavedova left last summer. Watch video

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- DeAndre Liggins earned the highest praise he could hope to get at this stage of his career from LeBron James on Wednesday.

James compared the new Cavs starting shooting guard to Matthew Dellavedova.

"What Delly gave us was grit," James said after the Cavs practiced. Cleveland hosts Boston at 8 p.m. Thursday. "Delly gave us a grit like 'I don't care what y'all say, I'm out on this floor to defend, I'm out on this floor to make plays and no matter what y'all say that I can't accomplish, I'm gonna try to overachieve that.' We lost that in Delly and rightfully so for the first part of the season, first few weeks we was missing that. Liggs gives us that. He gives us that pit bull out on the floor that's like, 'I'm here to just work. I'm going to make you work every single possession. I know you don't know my name yet, I know you don't know my game yet or what I'm about, but I'm going to make you work.'

"We've got that in Liggs. And that's huge for our team."

Whoa.

To reset, Dellavedova worked his way up from undrafted free-agent in 2013 to the Cavs' sixth man on their run to the Finals last season. He left over the summer for a four-year, $39 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Liggins, 28, was drafted in the second round by Orlando in 2012, but he's played sparsely in the NBA and is essentially getting a second-lease on his basketball life with the Cavs this year. 

On Sunday, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Dellavedova's absence stood out on film of the Cavs; James argued Wednesday that Liggins is providing the team with what it misses from Delly.

Prior to this season, Liggins had made just one career start. A teammate of James' for one game with the Miami Heat in 2014, Liggins was out of the NBA for the next two seasons after pleading guilty to a domestic abuse charge. The Cavs found him playing against the Canton Charge in the D-League.

With J.R. Smith out for three months with a fractured right thumb, Liggins is starting in Smith's spot until further notice. His offensive numbers are miniscule -- 2.7 points, 1.1 assists per game -- but as James says: "That's not his job.

"Right now he's doing what he's comfortable with doing and what he's comfortable with doing is picking somebody up 96 feet," James said. "The court is only 94 (feet)."

Obviously, the Cavs feel strongly about the way Liggins defends.

Coach Tyronn Lue said he wants Liggins to "set the tone defensively" for the team each night, picking up opposing point guards the length of the floor and forcing them to work to get into the offense.

Liggins was matched primarily with Stephen Curry Sunday against the Warriors, and Curry shot 4-of-11 for 15 points. Reggie Jackson fared better, scoring 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting primarily against Liggins in the Pistons' win Monday.

Lue has been gently nudging Liggins through his comments to the media to shoot the ball more. Privately, it sounds like it's more of a direct conversation. Lue wants Liggins to shoot when he gets it. He's averaging just 2.3 shots per game. He's 7-of-13 from 3-point range this season.

"I've been there before. Kobe and Shaq, those guys throw you the basketball and you think you have to make every shot," said Lue, who played with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal on the champion Lakers. "There's going to be pressure on you. So he, and he's probably going to be the same thing. LeBron and Kyrie (Irving) and Kevin (Love), making that pass to him, just thinking about it. 'I have to make this shot, it's a big shot.'   

"He'll get better at it."

James said Liggins has surprised everyone with his overall performance.

"He's been doing more than maybe what he thought he was capable of doing, maybe what we all thought he was capable of doing and that's being a great complement to Kyrie," James said.

Voting has begun for the 2017 All-Star Game in New Orleans.

Indians right-hander Corey Kluber, contrary to what you may have read on social media, did not kill a coyote with a baseball. He merely scared it off his property.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Pitch your team to Game 7 of the World Series, doing it on short rest, and you make a name for yourself. That can be good, bad and just plain annoying as Indians right-hander Corey Kluber has found out.

On Christmas Eve, Rob Bradford, who covers the Red Sox for WEEI.com, Tweeted that Kluber was at his new home in Winchester, Mass., saw a coyote in his backyard and 'got rid of it' by hitting it in the ribs with a baseball.

Bradford never said he killed the coyote, but other internet sites saw the tweet and assumed Kluber dispatched the coyote to the happy hunting grounds.

This drew enough attention on social media that Bart Swain, Indians director of baseball information, called Kluber to find out what happened.

Kluber told Swain the coyote was pacing in front of his house. He threw a baseball at it, hitting it in the rear end, near the tail. The coyote left the scene at warp speed. End of story.

In the postseason, Kluber went 4-1 with a 1.83 ERA in six starts. He was 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA in the World Series.

Some clarity on this Kluber/coyote story on what actually transpired (1/2)

+said animal was pacing near front entrance of house

-- Tribeinsider (@tribeinsider) December 24, 2016

(2/2)

+said person tossed round object near animal, hitting it near its tail
+said animal left property
+carry on & have a great holiday

-- Tribeinsider (@tribeinsider) December 24, 2016

Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe report from Berea. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns are wrapping up their 2016 season, finishing in Pittsburgh on Sunday. They are coming off of their first win of the season.

Mary Kay Cabot and I talked about all the latest happening with the Browns as they prepare for the game. We discussed the starting quarterback situation with Robert Griffin III still in the concussion protocol. Hue Jackson still hasn't ruled him out for Sunday's game.

We also talked about the possibility of Cam Erving moving from center to right tackle. Lastly, we talked about the Steelers resting their starters and what it will mean for Sunday's game.

Ohio State may not have room at the moment to accept a commitment from Markquese Bell.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It always seemed like this is where Markquese Bell's recruitment was was going to arrive. 

It's this fork in the road that'll make Bell's decision tricky. 

A four-star athlete of Bridgeton, N.J., Bell has been high on Ohio State since even before Urban Meyer attended a satellite camp in New Jersey in June in which he was participating. 

Six months later, Bell is down to two schools: Ohio State and Maryland. 

There's just some question as to whether the Buckeyes have room in their tight 2017 recruiting class. Bell's decision -- which will be made at the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 1 -- may not be up to him. 

Though Bell told cleveland.com in June that Ohio State would definitely have room for him, that's just not the case as things stand today. 

Ohio State has only 17 commitments in its 2017 class, but there are too many prospects still on Urban Meyer's recruiting board that are of more priority. 

Some of those prospects include elite five-star prospects like safety Jeffrey Okudah of Grand Prairie (Texas) South, cornerback Darnay Holmes of Calabasas, Calif., Marvin Wilson of Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal and others. Okudah and Holmes are both announcing their commitments from the U.S. Army All-American Game on Jan. 7. 

Given Ohio State is also involved four-star safety Xavier McKinney of Roswell, Ga. -- another fringe prospect who could fall victim to the numbers crunch -- things seem very tight for a Bell commitment. At least right now. 

Remember, McKinney is also announcing on Jan. 1 from the Under Armour game. 

Bell took an official visit to Ohio State on Nov. 26 for the Michigan game and was one of the many faces in the crowd. Wilson, Okudah and Holmes were all there, too. 

This isn't to say that Bell doesn't have a chance to be in Ohio State's class, but that he's making a decision this early before other recruitments play out, it likely means he's headed to Maryland. 

Browns left tackle Joe Thomas, who's communicates frequently with Hue Jackson, thinks RG3 has franchise-level talent and wouldn't be surprised to see him start next season. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Joe Thomas joined Hue Jackson and Browns associate head coach Pep Hamilton in saying Robert Griffin III still has a chance to be the team's quarterback of the future.

"I think you've seen franchise-level talent for sure and I wouldn't write him off by any stretch of the imagination,'' said Thomas, who communicates frequently with Jackson. "I wouldn't be shocked at all if he was our guy at the beginning of next season because I think he's shown enough that if they do decide to make Robert the guy, I think he can definitely be they guy and I think he'd have the support of the locker room.''

Thomas, who's blocked for 20 quarterbacks since 2007, acknowledged that "we've got a limited amount of film on him so far,'' but that he's shown enough improvement over the past three weeks to warrant another look next season.

Thomas' remarks follow in on the heels of Hamilton, who said two weeks ago "without a doubt, he has the potential to be what he was his rookie year and more.''

Griffin might get another chance this season to state his case after getting knocked out of Sunday's 20-17 victory over the Chargers with a concussion. If the fog clears, Jackson will play him Sunday in Pittsburgh to help bring the QB picture into focus heading into the off-season.

"I think there's an opportunity, but we'll know more about it tomorrow so we'll leave it there until we find out more,'' he said.

Griffin remained in the concussion protocol as of Wednesday, but Jackson is holding out hope he'll play.

"If they clear him, maybe the concussion wasn't as bad as we all thought, No. 1,'' said Jackson. "We wouldn't put him back out there unless medically we say it's OK. No. 2, we've seen him get better from the first opportunity to the second to the third. Hopefully, he can keep making jumps as you go because that says a lot to me. I would like to if we could, but if we can't, I understand that, too."

Hamilton: RG3 'without a doubt can be what he was his rookie year'

Does Jackson have enough film on Griffin to make a sound decision? He's due a $750,000 roster bonus in March and is under contract for $6 million next season. It's the going rate for a bridge quarterback, meaning the Browns could bring him back and let him compete with whoever else they bring in, whether it be a veteran such as New England's Jimmy Garoppolo or a rookie such as North Carolina's Mitch Trubisky.

"Once I'm able to go back and sit down when this is over and look back through it in a different lens of just watching our guys play, I think I will be able to make that determination ... [but] I'd like to see him play a little more and continue to see if he can grow and get better."

Griffin, who remained inside during Wednesday's practice, has made it clear to the coach that he wants to face the Steelers, who will rest starters Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell.

"He seems like Robert,'' said Jackson. "Obviously, he likes to play. It's really interesting, Cody (Kessler) and him, they have to go through the protocol. Obviously, it's the right thing to take these young men through when something like this happens so I totally support how they go about it, but they want to be out there with their teammates.

"Sometimes we have to reel them in a little bit because they have to do the right thing by the rules. They get it. Whatever decision comes down from that, we will all understand and abide by it."

Jackson was asked if it's more telling that Griffin won the game or got knocked out of it. In four starts this season, he's been injured twice on scrambles: the fractured shoulder in week one and the concussion in week 15.

"Hopefully, it's the fact that he won a game, but you have to stay healthy,'' said Jackson. "I'll be the first to tell you that. It's hard to play in this league when you're not out there playing. He did everything to help us have a chance to win the game. He played better in some areas, but you have to find a way to stay out there.

"In respect to how it was, the guy took a lot of different hits - some that he can get better at but a lot that where we have to continue to get better at. I think it goes both ways."

Griffin improved week-to-week after his return from the fractured shoulder three games ago. He was understandably shaky and off-target in his first game back against the Bengals, but was more accurate and made better decisions in the loss to Buffalo.

Against the Chargers, he provided a spark for the second straight week with his legs as well as his arm, and displayed better touch on his intermediate passes. He also missed the open man less frequently. It's not where the Jackson needs him to be, but it was an intriguing enough performance that Jackson might want keep him around.

Afterall, he was Jackson's pet project. One thing Griffin hasn't done in his four starts is throw a TD pass.

"I don't know (why),'' Jackson said. "We haven't thrown one. We've had chances and just didn't hook up. He has to make those plays. We have to make those plays. Hopefully, this week, if he plays, we will find a way and see if we can throw one before he walks out of here."

The Browns say it's in their best interests to keep training camp in Berea for the immediate future.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns have scrapped plans to move training camp to Columbus by 2018.

"After evaluating all aspects and conversations about potential training camp sites, we have decided to keep training camp in Berea for the immediate future. While we greatly appreciate the efforts of and our discussions with representatives from the City of Columbus, Franklin County and Ohio State University, we believe it is best for our football team, our organizational goals and our fans to continue to host training camp in Northeast Ohio."

The Columbus Dispatch first reported the the Browns were backing out.

The Browns and Franklin County were each set to contribute $5 million, with the city of Columbus footing the rest of the $15 million to $17 million bill.

The Clemson quarterback looks good in orange and after two straight College Football Playoff appearances, is ready for the duty of leading an NFL team. Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Deshaun Watson already looks good in orange.

"I like it," Clemson's quarterback said Wednesday in Arizona, where he's preparing to face Ohio State in a College Football Playoff semifinal in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday.

"I've been wearing it for the past three years. I don't mind it."

That's it. Bring the man to Cleveland.

"I'm good with any color," Watson continued. "I don't have a favorite color."

So he's open to more than orange. So close. Oh, well.

We're not locking Watson into Browns orange yet, but as Cleveland ponders its quarterback future, it should be comfortable with the idea of Watson handling every aspect of what will go into being the future of a franchise.

Last week, we broke down Watson as a player in the QB Tracker through the words of the Ohio State defenders and coaches tasked with stopping him. Wednesday provided the chance to get some facetime with Watson and his coaches and understand from those who know him best why he might be ready for all this.

First will come the Buckeyes on Saturday. After losing to Alabama in last year's title game, the Tigers are gearing up to try to finish this season on top.

Then, beyond.

Mitch Trubisky started at North Carolina for the first time this year. DeShone Kizer just went through a 4-8 year at Notre Dame. If you're looking for the guy among the top quarterback prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft with the greatest experience as THE guy for THE team in THE spotlight, no one's been there like Watson.

What's he going to be like as a pro?

"He idolizes Tom Brady, so I'm hoping he ends up like Tom Brady," Clemson co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said. "Just a guy who is the epitome of what you look for in a quarterback in terms of preparation, focus, attention to detail, winning on the field, winning off the field.

"I think people are going to be surprised when they get Deshaun Watson, because I think there are a lot of people who don't really know who he is.

"And once they get to know Deshaun, they're going to see he's going to be a great face of your franchise. He's going to win on the field, he's going to make people around him better. He's the ultimate competitor and he has the it factor to be able to lead your team to championships."

Watson has been nit-picked this year, as happens with every draft prospect who puts more on film. He's thrown 15 picks in 13 games, compared to 13 picks in 15 games last year, but Elliott said three or four were deflections off the hands of receivers. Others were because Watson isn't afraid of take a risk, which isn't a bad thing.

Watson hasn't run as much, because defenses have been geared up to stop that. But Elliott said Watson has been better than a year ago, that he's taken more control of the offense.

"Look at how our offense progressed over the last two years, it's all because of the trigger man and his ability to control the offense," Elliott said. "People don't recognize the subtle things Deshaun does to move the back around, to change the protection and alert his receivers to routes he wants them to run. You're seeing those things as a quarterback truly emerge."

Since everyone loves a good playbook story, there are playbook stories. Elliott said he needs to make sure he's immediately ready for the next opponent, because if he comes in unaware of how opposing safeties align their feet as they drop into coverage, he knows Watson will know.

"He has a confidence in his ability, a confidence in his performance, but it goes back to the way he prepares. He prepares like a pro," Elliott said. "He prepares like a coach. Every time he walks through the building, he's got the playbook in his hands. He takes meticulous notes and he rewrites his notes. 

"Because of his confidence and his preparation, he can go out and play free. Not many people can fool him because he's prepared."

He's prepared for all of it. If a franchise like the Browns wants not only a quarterback, but a personality to build the team and locker room around, Watson seems to be ready for that.

That's why he lists Brady as his quarterback of choice. He liked Peyton Manning and mentioned Russell Wilson and and Drew Brees, but when he thinks of a quarterback, he thinks of being ready, and letting everyone knows he's ready.

"He looks like he's prepared back there and it looks so easy because he knows where he's going with the ball," Watson said. "You can tell everyone wants to play for him and do everything to the fullest because of the way he carries himself and does his job."

So he thinks he could deserve to be the No. 1 pick.

"I feel like every player feels that way," Watson said. "You don't want to take a backseat to anyone. You always feel like you're the best player at your position."

Memo #815 *Define Yourself [?] [?] #HiRoller #Vert pic.twitter.com/Y1Jryz4Rus

-- Deshaun Watson (@DeshaunWatson4) July 20, 2016

Maybe, just maybe, Watson really is. There's a long way to go in this quarterback evaluation process. Kizer's season is done. Trubisky plays Stanford in the Sun Bowl on Friday.

Watson has a national title to try to win. And then he'll have a league to persuade.

This, Watson said, is what the NFL will find.

"A player that has heart for the game, who loves the game, loves to compete, loves the challenge, loves the position that he's in," Watson said. "Who carries himself well, as a professional, uses his platform in a great way and understands that this game is bigger than me. Has respect for everyone that's a part of the game that came before me.

"When it comes down to it, they understand who really is a football player and who really is about their business and not for show or anything like that. Everything is going to come out. Like Coach (Dabo) Swinney said before, the cream rises to the top and that's for them to see."

Onto the tracker, and the percent chance each player has to be the long-term answer for the Browns quarterback problem.

Doug Lesmerises, cleveland.com 

Deshaun Watson, Clemson, 25 percent: What will Watson be like in a big game Saturday, when the Buckeyes and Tigers kick off at 7 p.m. "I like the feeling, I like the intensity, I like the buildup for the games," Watson said. Last week: 25 percent

Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina, 20 percent: First, Trubisky will try to put on a show against Stanford, which has the 50th-ranked pass defense in the country. That's a noon kickoff on CBS on Friday. Last week: 20 percent

Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots, 18 percent: Let the trade drumbeat continue. Last week: 15 percent

DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame, 16 percent:  Maybe Kizer will watch both Watson and Trubisky. Last week: 16 percent

Cody Kessler, Browns, 7 percent:  He gets the start this week against a Pittsburgh team resting its stars. Regardless, it's a chance to give the Browns something to think about entering the off-season. Last week: 7 percent 

Kessler could make ninth start

Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech, 6 percent: Mahomes hasn't yet announced a decision on staying in college or leaving for the NFL. Watson did list him among the college quarterbacks he likes to watch. Last week: 6 percent

AJ McCarron, Cincinnati Bengals, 3 percent: Maybe. Last week: 3 percent

Mike Glennon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2 percent: Maybe not. Last week: 2 percent

Robert Griffin III, Browns, 1 percent: Probably not. Last week: 1 percent

Davis Webb, Cal, 1 percent

Brad Kaaya, Miami, 1 percent

Josh Allen, Wyoming, 1 percent: Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph and Washington State's Luke Falk will stay in school, taking away two draft options we gave one percent last week. Webb is a senior, while Miami coach Mark Richt was keeping Kaaya away from the media until after the Hurricanes played West Virginia in the Russell Athletic Bowl on Wednesday night. Last week: All had 1 percent

Previous Browns Future QB reader voting

Week 1: Deshaun Watson 40%, DeShone Kizer 37%, J.T. Barrett 6%

Week 2: DeShone Kizer 35%, Deshaun Watson 25%, Cody Kessler 13%

Week 3: Cody Kessler 42%, Deshaun Watson 18%, DeShone Kizer 12%

Week 4: Mitch Trubisky 30%, DeShone Kizer 30%, Cody Kessler 23% 

Week 5: Cody Kessler 28%, DeShone Kizer 14%, Patrick Mahomes 10% 

Week 6: Cody Kessler 61%, Deshaun Watson 11%, Mitch Trubisky 10%

Week 7: Off for World Series

Week 8: Off for World Series

Week 9: Like a moron, forgot to include the poll

Week 10: Mitch Trubisky 33%, Patrick Mahomes 26%, Cody Kessler 11%

Week 11: Mitch Trubisky 58%, Jimmy Garoppolo 8%, Cody Kessler 8%

Week 12: Mitch Trubisky 42%, Deshaun Watson, 13%, Cody Kessler 11%

Week 13: Seriously, forgot the poll again

Week 14: Mitch Trubisky 44%, Jimmy Garoppolo 16%, DeShone Kizer 12%

Week 15: Deshaun Watson 44%, Mitch Trubisky 19%, Jimmy Garoppolo 14%

Previous Browns Future QB Trackers

Week 1: Deshaun Watson leads way

Week 2: Lamar Jackson enters picture

Week 3: Cody Kessler makes a case

Week 4: Mitch Trubisky could be hometown answer

Week 5: Don't follow Brock Osweiler plan

Week 6: DeShone Kizer descending, Cody Kessler climbing

Week 7: Off for World Series

Week 8: Off for World Series

Week 9: Can Cody Kessler be a top 20 QB?

Week 10: What about Patrick Mahomes?

Week 11: Zeroing in on Mitch Trubisky?

Week 12: RG3 possible long-term solution

Week 13: Did Browns win Carson Wentz trade?

Week 14: Could Browns have Carr-Mack draft?

Week 15: Deshaun Watson should care Buckeyes, intrigue Browns

Kirksey and Thomas were the recipients of annual awards handed out by the association.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns inside linebacker Christian Kirksey, along with stepping up his game this season, has stepped up his leadership, too. Wednesday, he thanked a couple of former Browns for showing him how it's done.

"It's crazy, because when (former Browns linebackers) Craig (Robertson) and Karlos (Dansby), when they knew they weren't coming back to Cleveland, those guys, they were like my role models, my mentors as I was coming into the league and I just remembered they told me it's my show now," Kirksey said.

So when Kirksey looked around and realized just how young this current group of Browns players was this season, he knew that the mantle of leadership had been passed on to him.

"I just put that in my mind to become the best player and the best person off the field in order for the team to grow and to lead the younger guys," he said, "like Craig and Karlos did with me."

Kirksey was honored on Wednesday by the local chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) with the Good Guy Award, given annually to a player for his cooperation with the media and for the way the player carries himself in the community and with his teammates.

Left tackle Joe Thomas was honored as the Browns PFWA Player of the Year. He earned the same award in 2014.

Browns head coach Hue Jackson called Kirksey a rising football player, "on our football team and within pro football itself."

"It is about team for him," Jackson said. "It has never just been about him, and I appreciate it. At the end of the day, your good guys have to be that way because they have to keep pulling people over this wall as we move forward."

Kirksey likened stepping into an increased leadership role to the "next man up" mentality of football.

"It is just like a play when you are in the game," Kirksey said. "When your play is called, you have to go make the play. Just seeing a lot of guys leave here last year, a lot of older guys, a lot of veteran players, when you look around the room, we are a young team so somebody had to step up."

Kirksey, in his third season out of Iowa, took over as a full-time starter this season after splitting time mostly with Robertson his first two years in the league. He is fourth in the league in tackles at 136 and has recorded 1.5 sacks. His most notable moment, however, came after the Browns lost to Dallas to fall to 0-9.

"We're not going to go 0-16,'' he said in the locker room after the game. "That's for a fact. We're not doing that. Things are going to get on a roll, and we've just got to keep fighting."

Kirksey said on Wednesday, four days after the he and the Browns made good on his promise, that making that statement was simply his giving voice to the mindset of the entire team.

"I just knew the character on this team and the character of the coaches that it's any given Sunday," he said, "each and every week we're going to go out there and we're going to compete and as long as we keep striving, something good is going to happen and that was me just giving confidence to the team, giving confidence to myself."

Thomas, who was recently named to his tenth consecutive Pro Bowl, called the honor humbling.

"On a better season, you hope that one of the skilled guys gets voted in because that means that you have scored a lot of points," he said. "Under the circumstances, I still feel very proud to be honored in that manner. For a lineman, you never look for praise. When you it get, it is often unexpected, but it often feels better than expected, as well."

Thomas was also in the running for the Good Guy award. He was the recipient of that honor in 2010 and 2013.

Kirksey and Thomas will be honored at the 37th annual Akron Browns Backers banquet in May at the Tangier Restaurant.

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Hue Jackson says there's nothing he can do about Mike Tomlin resting starters Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell.

BEREA, Ohio -- Hue Jackson is a bit skeptical about the Steelers coach Mike Tomlin resting Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell for Sunday's finale at Heinz Field.

"That's his choice,'' Jackson said. "He gets to do what he wants to do. We'll know more when we walk out there. I'll believe it when I see it. I'm not going to worry about that. I'm worried about us playing well. All I can do is coach our team."

Tomlin reiterated on a conference call Wednesday that he'll rest the Big Three now that the Steelers have clinched the AFC North. Center Maurkice Pouncey will also sit.

"We have to designate seven inactives for the game,'' said Tomlin. "We have a number of guys that are injured. I'll use the remaining spots on some guys that I would like to assure that we get to the playoffs - guys like our quarterback (Roethlisberger), Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, and then the guys that are in helmets and available and suited for the game, we will proceed business as usual."

Aside from the inactives, he has no plans to sideline other starters.

"No, I envision going in playing with the guys on the active list and playing to win,'' he said. "Under the procedure that we're going through in terms of playing this game, it doesn't mean that we care any less about winning. Every week, we fill out an inactive list. Those that are not on the list are expected to do what is required to win. This week is no different."

The resting starters are a huge break because Roethlisberger is 20-2 against the Browns including 11-0 at home; Brown has averaged more than 100 yards receiving in his 11 games against the Browns and has scored seven TDs; Bell has averaged more than 100 yards rushing in his five meetings and ripped off 146 yards and a TD in the first meeting. He tacked on another eight catches for 55 yards. Brown also returns punts.

Browns back out of plans to move training camp to Columbus by 2018

The Steelers will start backup quarterback Landry Jones, who's 1-2 with four TDs and five interceptions in his career. He has a 75.6 rating.

"People have to step up and play," Jones told reporters Wednesday.  "'D.A.' (wide receiver Demarcus Ayers) is going to have to do a good job again for us. (Wide receiver) Eli (Rogers) has been playing well, really, all year long. And then you have (running back) DeAngelo (Williams), who's played a ton of football. When Le'Veon was out early, (Williams) did a really good job for us. You'll have guys who will step in there and play well.

"This is the regular season so you have a 53-man roster. It's not like you can just sit everybody. The guys that are going to be out there have played significant ball."

Bell, the NFL's second-leading rusher behind Dallas' Ezekiel Elliot with 1,268 yards, admitted it will be hard for him to watch.

"A little bit,'' he said. "I want to play. I definitely don't like watching football games. ... I understand the bigger picture, me getting into the playoffs healthy, so we can have a run in the playoffs. Because if we get to the Super Bowl and win it, I'm not going to be thinking about Week 17 against the Browns and I didn't play.

"I'm thinking about the bigger picture, us making a run. I want to make sure I'm healthy, and get in there and make a run."

Tomlin said his starters are sacrificing a chance to reach milestones, including Roethlisberger having a shot at his 50th 300-yard passing game and Brown breaking his single-season franchise record for TD catches with two (for 14).

"Largely, the guys have done a great job of taking their marching orders, whatever they may be or whatever their personal feelings may be," he said. "Football is an ultimate team game. We have a job to do this week. That job is to win."

Doug, Ari and Bill wrap up Day 3 of our Fiesta Bowl coverage from Phoenix, talking Ohio State's defense vs. Clemson's offense.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Wednesday was Deshaun Watson day.

Clemson's quarterback and other members of the offense met with the media here, as did Malik Hooker, Raekwon McMillan and some members of the Ohio State defense. We're breaking it all down in another edition of our daily Fiesta Bowl Buckeye Talk podcast.

Watson vs. Ohio State's secondary creates arguably the most intriguing storyline in this College Football Playoff semifinal. So we talked about that and other tidbits from our interviews on Wednesday. You can listen to the podcast below:

Thursday will be the best interview day of the week with full-team media days for both teams. Make sure to be locked in to cleveland.com/osu for coverage throughout the day, including a wrap up podcast Thursday evening.

If you missed our full Fiesta Bowl preview podcast last week, you can find it on our iTunes page along with all of our other Buckeye Talk podcasts.

Our Buckeye Talk Podcast is available for you to listen on iTunes, Soundcloud and Stitcher.

The Cleveland Monsters point streak was snapped at eight games as the Grand Rapids Griffins scored a 3-2 victory on Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ben Street scored on a power play late in the third period to lift the first-place Grand Rapids Griffins to a 3-2 win over the Cleveland Monsters in an American Hockey League game on Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena.

The loss dropped the Monsters to 15-12-1-2 and ended their eight-game point streak (7-0-0-1), which was the longest in the AHL. Grand Rapids, now 19-7-1-2, has won five straight to remain atop the Central Division and the Western Conference.

The Monsters are now 2-4-0-1 vs. Grand Rapids this season.

• Monsters-Griffins game summary
• AHL standings

Street's goal came on a deflection off the stick of the Monsters Dillon Heatherington and was the second power play goal for the Griffins in three chances. The Griffins are tops in the AHL in power-play conversions.

Grand Rapids was on the offensive all game, out-shooting the Monsters, 37-21.

Cleveland's Joonas Korpisalo stopped 34 shots but fell to 5-4-2. Griffins goalie Eddie Pasquale had 19 saves.

Each team scored on a power play in the first period. The Griffins got on the board just 2:40 into the game on a goal by Tomas Nosek with the Monsters a man down.

Sonny Milano got it even on a power play at 6:31, assisted by Markus Hannikainen and T.J. Tynan.

Alex Broadhurst gave the Monsters a 3-2 lead with another power-play goal at 10:45 of the second period, assisted by Dean Kukan and Daniel Zaar, but Grand Rapids tied it when Mitch Callahan scored at 16:35.

Up next: The Monsters and Checkers play again Friday at 7 p.m. in the Q. ... Cleveland will play four straight road games beginning Jan. 6 and 7 at the Texas Stars, then taking on the Checkers in Charlotte on Jan. 13 and 14.

Catch up on Wednesday's boys basketball scores from around the OHSAA, courtesy of The Associated Press.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Catch up on Wednesday's boys basketball scores from around the state, courtesy of The Associated Press.

Akr. Springfield 51, Warren Lordstown 24

Attica Seneca E. 71, Tiffin Calvert 63

Bainbridge Paint Valley 70, Lynchburg-Clay 63

Beverly Ft. Frye 53, Philo 45

Blanchester 53, Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington 44

Cin. NW 67, Hamilton Badin 64

Cin. St. Xavier 56, Cardinal Newman, S.C. 51

Cols. Franklin Hts. 62, Hilliard Darby 59

Cols. St. Charles 52, Westerville Cent. 48

Delaware Hayes 71, Mt. Vernon 61

Delphos St. John's 69, Fremont St. Joseph 40

Fairview 67, Brooklyn 43

Fostoria St. Wendelin 51, Dola Hardin Northern 47

Gahanna Lincoln 56, Zanesville 55

Harrison 51, Hamilton Ross 40

Hilliard, Fla. 65, Portsmouth 60

Huntington, W.Va. 57, Ironton 44

Huron 64, Norwalk St. Paul 43

Kings Mills Kings 62, W. Chester Lakota W. 47

Lancaster 70, Caldwell 36

Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 44, Delaware Buckeye Valley 38

Lexington 48, Norwalk 39

Mansfield St. Peter's 58, Oregon Stritch 51

Mason 44, Wilmington 41

McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley 55, Marion Elgin 46

Mentor Lake Cath. 70, Youngs. Mooney 57

Nelsonville-York 71, Stewart Federal Hocking 37

New Albany 61, Cols. East 52

New London 59, Lodi Cloverleaf 36

Newark Cath. 55, Lancaster Fisher Cath. 45

Oak Hill 58, Albany Alexander 39

Ontario 53, Sparta Highland 44

Peninsula Woodridge 47, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 41

Portsmouth Clay 74, Chillicothe Huntington 55

Rocky River 73, Chardon NDCL 55

Solon 72, Stow-Munroe Falls 69

Steubenville 53, Martins Ferry 46

Strasburg-Franklin 90, Bowerston Conotton Valley 35

Tol. Christian 60, N. Baltimore 49

Tol. St. Francis 65, Sylvania Southview 55

Vermilion 72, Wellington 64

Wapakoneta 53, Lima Perry 50

Westerville N. 82, Pataskala Licking Hts. 47

Westerville S. 60, Chillicothe 34

Xenia 52, Day. Belmont 50

Zanesville Rosecrans 55, Crooksville 37

Maria Stein Marion Local 62, Celina 47

Cin. Moeller 40, Archbishop Stepinac, N.Y. 35

Bethel Park, Pa. 71, Dublin Jerome 61

Cols. Upper Arlington 70, Steel Valley, Pa. 28

Groveport-Madison 70, Blackhawk, Pa. 48

Cols. Grandview Hts. 58, Johnstown-Monroe 54

Cols. Briggs 45, Gahanna Cols. Academy 43

Cols. Whetstone 72, Galloway Westland 56

Capital Christian Academy, D.C. 74, Grove City Christian 73

Cuyahoga Falls 40, Cuyahoga Falls CVCA 28

Worthington Kilbourne 57, Madison Central, Ky. 41

Cin. McNicholas 49, Belmont South Point, N.C. 37

Hudson 59, Streetsboro 40

Pomeroy Meigs 80, Holly Pond, Ala. 76

Arlington 54, Cory-Rawson 35

Bluffton 66, Harrod Allen E. 52, OT

Peebles 71, Manchester 58

Ann Arbor Skyline, Mich. 77, Cin. Walnut Hills 74

Cols. Northland 59, Goodrich, Mich. 50

Lewis Center Olentangy 53, Cin. Elder 40

Newark 78, Logan 55

Indpls N. Central, Ind. 81, Springboro 55

Day. Miami Valley 45, Seton Catholic, Ind. 31

Franklin Central, Ind. 82, Day. Miami Valley 42

Cols. DeSales 58, Washington C.H. 48

Versailles 69, Anna 46

Neshaminy, Pa. 62, Canal Winchester Harvest Prep 58

I expect the Denver Broncos to play well enough to defeat the Oakland Raiders in Denver as part of NFL Week 17.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos will be among NFL Week 17 winners against the spread.

At least that is how I see it -- for entertainment purposes only, of course.

I am picking NFL ATS for the second straight year. In 2015, I went 122-127-7 in the regular season and 4-6-1 in the postseason. I did manage to win the Super Bowl (Denver +5 1/2).

In this space, I decline to take the easy route when picking ATS. I pick all of the games, not a select few "hot ones'' each week. Leave that to a video. At the same time, I am realistic. I think batting .500 is an accomplishment, and I make no guarantees. (And don't yell at me too loudly when I have a bad week(s) because this is, after all, for entertainment purposes only.)

I have researched each team/matchup, but I plan on relying more on gut than anything else this season. 

For continuity's sake, each week I will use the MGM Mirage lines from vegasinsider.com as of Wednesday afternoon unless noted. Games are listed as I came upon them, not by order of certainty. I do not adjust picks even if injuries occur and/or lines change between Wednesday afternoon and Sunday.

• Week 1: 9-6-1
• Week 2: 8-8
• Week 3: 7-9
• Week 4: 8-7
• Week 5: 7-6-1
• Week 6: 5-10
• Week 7: 10-5
• Week 8: 6-6-1
• Week 9: 6-6-1
• Week 10: 5-9
• Week 11: 11-1-2
• Week 12: 9-6-1
• Week 13: 9-6
• Week 14: 9-7
• Week 15: 6-9-1
• Week 16: 8-8

Week 16 recap: I'm fortunate to have gone 8-8. I needed a wild fourth-quarter comeback by the 49ers to beat the Rams, and a missed field goal by the Bengals in the final seconds to lose to the Texans.

Week 17 predictions: As per usual with regular-season finales, plenty of uncertainty surrounds this group of games. Which teams/players will be motivated, and which won't? As you will see, I side with the home teams in most cases.

Sunday

@ Tennessee (-3) over Houston

Skinny: Texans have clinched AFC South and AFC No. 4 seed. Their job is to stay healthy. Titans will not make playoffs and are without QB Marcus Mariota, but they are at home. Titans, 20-16. 

@ N.Y. Jets (+3 1/2) over Buffalo

Skinny: Jets' defense toys with Bills backup QB E.J. Manuel. Jets, 20-18.

@ Cincinnati (-2 1/2) over Baltimore

Skinny: Ravens are deflated after losing at Pittsburgh in Week 16. Bengals players want this one badly for coach Marvin Lewis, who, as far as we know, is not retiring. Bengals, 23-20.

@ Washington (-7 1/2) over N.Y. Giants

Skinny: Vegas thinks Giants, who are No. 5 seed in NFC playoffs, will rest certain players. Redskins need a victory to all but secure the second NFC wild card. Redskins, 25-12.

@ Detroit (+3) over Green Bay

Skinny: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is fantastic, and he is playing superbly. He leads The Pack to NFC North title -- but not by enough to cover. Packers, 27-26.

@Indianapolis (-5) over Jacksonville

Skinny: Mediocre Colts and bad Jaguars have been all over the map this season. I side with the Colts simply because they feature the superior quarterback, Andrew Luck, and they are at home. Colts, 24-17.

@ Philadelphia (-4) over Dallas

Skinny: Cowboys are NFC's No. 1 seed. Vegas doesn't think their stars on offense are going to Philadelphia to get roughed up for no reason. Eagles, 23-17. 

@ Minnesota (-5 1/2) over Chicago

Skinny: Vikings win this one for themselves and their fans, not necessarily for coach Mike Zimmer. Vikings, 24-16.

@ Tampa Bay (-6) over Carolina

Skinny: Panthers have been a huge disappointment, in part because QB Cam Newton has been playing through pain. Buccaneers technically still alive in NFC playoff race. Buccaneers, 27-17.

@ Pittsburgh (-6) over Cleveland

Skinny: Browns, who defeated the Chargers in Week 16 to end a 17-game losing streak, can't be expected to win two in a row. Even though the Steelers are resting their stars on offense, their defense should be strong enough to make this a 7-point game. Steelers, 20-13.

@ Atlanta (-6 1/2) over New Orleans

Skinny: I do not like giving so many points to Saints QB Drew Brees. I do here because the Falcons are motivated and at home. Falcons, 33-24.

@ Miami (+9 1/2) over New England

Skinny: Patriots need a victory or Oakland loss to clinch No. 1 seed in AFC, so they will be locked in at kickoff. But strange things tend to happen to QB Tom Brady in Miami, so the victory won't come easily against another playoff team. Patriots, 27-19.

Arizona (-6) over @ Los Angeles

Skinny: Cardinals have been disappointing, no question. They are going home after this game. But they should not be laying fewer than double-digits against these Rams. Cardinals, 23-13.

@ San Diego (+5 1/2) over Kansas City

Skinny: Chargers, humiliated by the loss to the Browns, rebound enough to keep it close. Chiefs, 23-19.

Seattle (-9 1/2) over @ San Francisco

Skinny: Playoff-bound Seahawks should pound the woeful 49ers. Should. Given my luck picking the Seahawks, they probably won't. Seahawks, 28-18.

@ Denver (-1) over Oakland

Skinny: Broncos have too much pride to lose at home to Raiders backup QB Matt McGloin. Broncos, 23-17.

Second-year center took snaps at right tackle as head coach Hue Jackson continues looking for combinations that work. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Cam Erving could be on the move again along the Browns' offensive line. This time, it could be to the outside.

The second-year lineman out of Florida State spent time during practice on Wednesday working at right tackle, something that came as a bit of a surprise this late in the season, but also something that his head coach said is a possibility nearly two months ago.

"If you are saying if he cannot play center, (tackle) is where we will try him at, there is no question," Hue Jackson said at the beginning of November. "Right now, he is the center of this football team. There are some things that he has done good and there are some things he needs to improve at, but I am not down on Cam about this season."

"It's just what coach Jackson wanted to see," Erving said on Wednesday. "He wants to get a look at different combinations on the line and see how it goes, see how it looks throughout the week. Not really sure as far as what we're going to do moving forward, but that's what he wants and that's what he's going to get."

Playing tackle is nothing new to Erving. He was the Seminoles' left tackle for much of his career there. He moved to center for his final five games at Florida State.

Upon arriving to Cleveland, though, Erving, selected No. 19 overall in the 2015 draft, found himself behind Pro Bowler Alex Mack and playing mostly at guard. He eventually started when left guard Joel Bitonio was lost for the season but was benched for Austin Pasztor. He was back at right guard after John Greco went down for the year. Erving struggled and admitted during the season that he needed to get stronger.

Fast forward and Mack signed with the Falcons last off-season and Erving was handed the job at center. That has been an adventure at times, especially when he had issues during training camp and the preseason snapping the ball in shotgun formations. The problem carried over into the regular season, including an errant snap that led to a costly safety in the opening game in Philadelphia.

Erving has shown improvement at center after missing three games early in the season due to a bruised lung. Still, he's had his share of issues and his unconventional size -- he's 6-foot-5 -- has caused problems. Erving said learning how to function in the middle has been an area of improvement.

"I'm a big guy in there in the middle and just being able to move around and not be tripping over people because we had a lot of those situations earlier in the season," Erving said. "It's football, things like that are going to happen. But when you have a tall center, those are the things that we focused on most of the season, just trying to make sure we minimized tripping over each other and just making sure we stayed compact."

That size, though, is an asset on the outside, especially at an increasingly valued position as pass rushers attack the right side of the offensive line. As far as playing the position this late in the season, even if it is only in practice, Erving said there's muscle memory involved but also acknowledged that giving a new position a shot this late in the season can be complicated.

"You have to think about setting as a center for a whole year and then going out and playing or going out and practicing at a new position, it's different," Erving said.

Erving said he wasn't sure if he would see time at tackle on Sunday in Pittsburgh. Pasztor has been the right tackle all season after winning the job in training camp. Rookie third-round pick Shon Coleman played some snaps during the Browns' October loss in Cincinnati but has since been used mostly as an extra lineman.

Wherever Erving plays, center, tackle or even, as he put it, a "big tight end," he's ultimately seeking consistency and the ability to focus on playing in one spot.

"I'm definitely confident in my ability, regardless of where I'm playing on the offensive line," Erving said. "And I'm still firm on that. Given the opportunity to put all my efforts into one position, I can play any position on the offensive line."

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The trailer for the Fiesta Bowl is cool because it features some elements of the desert, but also has some close-up shots of the Buckeyes' most important players. Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Does anyone else want to know where Ohio State video team got the B-Roll for the official Fiesta Bowl trailer it released on Wednesday? 

Is that even Arizona? 

Nevermind, that's not even important. 

Every week this season the Buckeyes released a game trailer to try to hype of fans. The one for the Fiesta Bowl is cool because it features some elements of the desert, but also has some close-up shots of the Buckeyes' most important players. 

This is the College Football Playoff. Excitement is supposed to be at the highest level possible. But if you want a little extra jolt, watch the trailer above. 

If you want to read about the game, this is the place. Below is all of cleveland.com's coverage of Ohio State's date with Clemson from Wednesday: 

* Deshaun Watson wants to be Tom Brady, can be 'face of your franchise': Browns Future QB Tracker, Week 16

* Ohio State football: What do Buckeyes LBs think of new assistant coach Bill Davis?

* Chris Worley on criticism of Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett: 'I'll take my quarterback before anybody'

* How a recruiting trip to Clemson brought Raekwon McMillan and Jalyn Holmes to Ohio State

* Mike Weber vs. Ben Boulware: With carries falling, Ohio State's RB still has role vs. Clemson

* Curtis Samuel is here, healthy and dangerous - maybe just like Ohio State planned: Doug Lesmerises

* Ohio State can't throw, but recent history shows plenty of national champions couldn't

* Which Ohio State Buckeye brought an Xbox to the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl? 

"Would we take a 335-pounder who can play inside? Yeah, we would," Fickell said. "And maybe we would be a little different." Watch video

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Clemson has a few massive defensive linemen who can run. 

"I know," Ohio State coordinator Luke Fickell interrupted. "We recruited them." 

You may remember last November when Ohio State hosted a five-star defensive tackle from North Carolina for the Michigan game. That prospect was a 327-pound monster who was one of the most sure-thing prospects in the 2016 recruiting class. 

That was Dexter Lawrence.

Ohio State really wanted him.

Now he's 340 pounds. And he's starting for Clemson as a freshman.  

Ohio State also recruited Clemson sophomore Christian Wilkins, an interior defensive lineman who also plays outside. He's another Tigers starter. 

"Actually, my family thought I was going to go (to Ohio State) and everything," Wilkins said. "I kind of tricked them last minute and told them I was coming to Clemson."

So close, but no. 

You may look at Clemson's defensive line in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday and feel the a sense of "what-if?" Because it's just a reminder that for as well as Ohio State has recruited since Urban Meyer's arrival, for whatever reason they haven't signed a five-star, blue-chip, can't-miss, NFL-bound defensive tackle. 

"We would take them," Fickell said. "We went after them." 

Why hasn't Ohio State landed a five-star defensive tackle when it hasn't had any issue attracting the most elite players at other positions?

It's strange, especially because Meyer has either signed or has a commitment from a five-star prospect at every other position except tight end. And tight end doesn't even really count because it's not a highly-recruited position. 

Ohio State probably isn't even at fault. Everyone knows the biggest freak athletes are in the South, and the freakiest of the freaks are huge and nimble athletes who are dominant defensive lineman. Getting those prospects out of the South is hard. 

Ohio State was close to having one. Or two.

And now they are coming for J.T. Barrett.

Here's a brief look back at how Ohio State has done recruiting defensive tackles:  

In the 2016 class, Ohio State heavily recruited defensive tackle Rashan Gary from New Jersey (who went to Michigan), Lawrence from North Carolina (Clemson) and Antwuan Jackson of Georgia (Auburn). 

In the 2015, it was Wilkins from Connecticut (Clemson) and Neville Gallimore from Ontario, Canada (Oklahoma). 

Since the 2012 class, the highest-rated defensive tackle Ohio State signed was Tommy Schutt from Illinois, who ranked No. 9 in the country. The Buckeyes also signed Michael Hill from South Carolina (No. 15 overall in 2013), Billy Price of Youngstown, Ohio (No. 18 in 2013) and Malik Barrow from Florida (No. 30 in 2016). 

"Would we take a 335-pounder who can play inside? Yeah, we would," Fickell said. "And maybe we would be a little different." 

How OSU finds/develops DTs

This isn't an attack on Ohio State's defensive linemen. The Buckeyes have actually assembled very good defensive fronts every year, a lot of them built by taking five-star defensive ends -- think Adolphus Washington -- bulking them up and bringing their athleticism inside. 

It's just different with a guy like Lawrence. He was born to play defensive tackle. 

"Dexter Lawrence, he's just a freak of nature," Clemson offensive guard Jay Guillermo said. "You don't see a guy come in at 18 years old and weigh 345 pounds and be 20 percent body fat. It's like insane. He's a freak of nature." 

Here's where things get ironic. 

Ohio State fans had a general disdain for Meyer for a while when he was at Florida because he swooped in and signed Philadelphia defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd in the 2010 recruiting class. He was a 6-foot-3, 310-pound tackle who terrorized opposing defenses and went onto the NFL. 

Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence was an Ohio State recruiting target. Now he's starting for the Tigers.Chris O'Meara, AP 

Now Meyer is trying to bring a Lawrence -- or Floyd -- to Ohio State. This could be the year.

Ohio State is currently assembling a 2017 recruiting class that will likely be the deepest in program history. And the Buckeyes are still alive with five-star Marvin Wilson of Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal, who recently included them in his top five. He officially visited on Nov. 26 for the Michigan game -- does that sound familiar? -- and is scheduled to announce his decision on National Signing Day.

Meyer is also recruiting four-star Jay Tufele of South Jordan (Utah) Bingham. Tufele also has the Buckeyes in his top five. 

Here's the guarantee, though: Ohio State is set to sign its first top-five defensive tackle prospect of the Meyer era. Four-star Haskell Garrett of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman (No. 5) and four-star Jerron Cage of Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods (No. 14) are both committed in the 2017 class. 

"This is an offensive line and defensive line-driven program," Fickell said. "This is where the game is going to be won. I know we talk about the quarterbacks and the matchups out there on the outside and the ability to cover those guys, but the reality is, whoever wins those trenches, those big fellas up front, whether it's offensive line or defensive line, that's going to be the true key to the football game.

"It always will be, it always is." 

So give Clemson's defensive line a little edge. 

That's what winning recruiting battles gives you.