Urban Meyer spoke with USA Today at the American Football Coaches Association awards ceremony in Nashville. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State lost who it was as an offense after the 2014 season, which led to the offensive changes that became official on Tuesday.

Speaking with USA Today and The Tennessean at the American Football Coaches Association awards ceremony in Nashville on Tuesday night, Urban Meyer laid out part of his vision for the Buckeyes' offense now that Kevin Wilson and Ryan Day are on the staff in place of Ed Warinner and Tim Beck.

You can watch the video of Meyer here.

"In 2014 we were one of the most balanced teams in college football run/pass," Meyer said. "And we went one dimensional, so we're gonna open things up, let (quarterback) J.T. Barrett play and get the skill guys more involved. Really anxious to open things up a little bit."

In 2014, Ohio State averaged 247.1 passing yards and 264.5 rushing yards per game en route to winning a national championship. The Buckeyes' rushing numbers have been just as strong over the past two seasons, but they saw the passing numbers drop to 188.8 yards per game in 2015, and 213.9 in 2016.

Perhaps the more glaring drop was in yards per attempt in the passing game, which was a solid 9.1 in 2014, and fell to 7.6 in 2015 and 6.8 in 2016.

Can Meyer get his offensive mojo back?

Here is a look around the OHSAA on Tuesday in boys basketball, courtesy of The Associated Press.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Here is a look around the state on Tuesday in boys basketball, courtesy of The Associated Press.

Akr. Coventry 75, Cin. NW 60

Akr. Manchester 57, Akr. Springfield 30

Albany Alexander 68, Bidwell River Valley 38

Ashland 71, Can. Cent. Cath. 54

Ashland Mapleton 54, Kidron Cent. Christian 46

Atwater Waterloo 61, Newton Falls 45

Avon 65, N. Ridgeville 57

Avon Lake 54, Berea-Midpark 37

Baltimore Liberty Union 51, Amanda-Clearcreek 44

Batavia 57, Blanchester 51

Batavia Amelia 78, Batavia Clermont NE 36

Beachwood 76, Orange 67

Beaver Eastern 44, Latham Western 35

Bellaire 59, Cadiz Harrison Cent. 46

Bellbrook 39, Monroe 37

Bellefontaine 82, Spring. Greenon 31

Belpre 83, Stewart Federal Hocking 35

Berlin Center Western Reserve 64, New Middletown Spring. 58

Berlin Hiland 64, Millersburg W. Holmes 44

Bethel-Tate 55, Mt. Orab Western Brown 32

Bloom-Carroll 70, Circleville 41

Botkins 56, DeGraff Riverside 49

Bristol 82, Andover Pymatuning Valley 58

Brookfield 48, Youngs. Valley Christian 30

Brookville 65, Germantown Valley View 51

Brunswick 55, Strongsville 29

Caldwell 65, Bellaire St. John 51

Camden Preble Shawnee 67, Day. Northridge 60

Campbell Co., Ky. 81, Cin. Western Hills 63

Can. Glenoak 60, Massillon Perry 53, OT

Can. McKinley 70, Uniontown Lake 56

Canal Winchester 60, Galloway Westland 50

Canfield S. Range 46, Rootstown 38

Carrollton 51, Minerva 49

Chardon 74, Eastlake N. 51

Chillicothe 89, Hillsboro 52

Cin. Christian 68, Cin. Seven Hills 43

Cin. College Prep. 63, Miami Valley Christian Academy 46

Cin. Country Day 64, Cin. Clark Montessori 39

Cin. DePaul Cristo Rey 62, Mars Hill Academy 50

Cin. Glen Este 75, Cin. Anderson 71

Cin. Hills Christian Academy 86, Hamilton New Miami 43

Cin. La Salle 45, Cin. Purcell Marian 30

Cin. McNicholas 65, Cin. Shroder 61

Cin. Oak Hills 50, Fairfield 43

Cin. SCPA 55, Cin. Hillcrest 46

Cin. St. Xavier 64, Harrison 36

Cin. Summit Country Day 87, Lockland 45

Cin. Turpin 63, Cin. Withrow 55, OT

Cin. Walnut Hills 47, Loveland 40

Circleville Logan Elm 61, Cols. Hamilton Twp. 51

Clarksville Clinton-Massie 59, Greenfield McClain 41

Cle. Collinwood 63, Cle. JFK 56

Cle. Glenville 77, Cle. Rhodes 41

Cols. Beechcroft 84, Cols. East 55

Cols. Bexley 65, London 58

Cols. Briggs 63, Cols. Walnut Ridge 58

Cols. Centennial 69, Cols. Mifflin 62

Cols. Eastmoor 65, Cols. Africentric 56

Cols. Linden McKinley 63, Cols. Whetstone 48

Cols. Marion-Franklin 77, Cols. West 65

Cols. Northland 79, Cols. International 42

Cols. South 75, Cols. Independence 56

Cols. Upper Arlington 67, Westerville N. 53

Copley 98, Macedonia Nordonia 62

Cornerstone Christian 65, Bedford 49

Cov. Catholic, Ky. 74, Cin. Winton Woods 36

Cuyahoga Falls CVCA 47, Streetsboro 45

Day. Carroll 65, Day. Stivers 58

Day. Christian 58, Franklin Middletown Christian 37

Day. Dunbar 102, Day. Ponitz Tech. 74

Doylestown Chippewa 85, Kingsway Christian 46

Dresden Tri-Valley 57, Zanesville Maysville 36

Dublin Coffman 64, Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 56

Dublin Jerome 59, Delaware Hayes 33

Elmore Woodmore 62, Fostoria 58

Elyria 77, Medina 76

Elyria Cath. 96, Bay Village Bay 88

Elyria Open Door 67, Christian Community School 54

Fairborn 73, Troy 58

Fairview 60, Sheffield Brookside 35

Findlay 54, Tol. Cent. Cath. 52

Franklin 64, Day. Oakwood 40

Ft. Recovery 53, St. Marys Memorial 50

Gahanna Cols. Academy 56, Cols. Grandview Hts. 50

Gallipolis Gallia 66, S. Point 60

Garrettsville Garfield 73, Windham 49

Gates Mills Hawken 53, Burton Berkshire 51

Glouster Trimble 56, Corning Miller 50

Gnadenhutten Indian Valley 52, Magnolia Sandy Valley 46

Goshen 64, Georgetown 51

Granville Christian 59, Licking County Christian 43

Grove City Cent. Crossing 65, Grove City 49

Groveport-Madison 69, Pickerington N. 67

Hamilton 54, Cin. Princeton 53

Hannibal River 90, Magnolia, W.Va. 33

Hilliard Bradley 59, Dublin Scioto 33

Hudson 54, Kent Roosevelt 37

Ironton 52, Chesapeake 38

Jackson 59, Wellston 52

Jamestown Greeneview 60, N. Lewisburg Triad 53

Kettering Fairmont 64, Lebanon 53

Kings Mills Kings 55, Milford 44

Lancaster Fairfield Union 47, Ashville Teays Valley 25

Legacy Christian 68, Yellow Springs 60

Lewis Center Olentangy 67, Sunbury Big Walnut 49

Liberty Twp. Lakota E. 80, Cin. Colerain 52

Lisbon David Anderson 69, Steubenville Cath. Cent. 60

Lorain Clearview 79, Wellington 65

Louisville 81, Can. South 58

Lynchburg-Clay 60, Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington 50

Lyndhurst Brush 59, Chagrin Falls Kenston 5

Malvern 92, Bowerston Conotton Valley 61

Marion Pleasant 59, Sparta Highland 55, 2OT

Martins Ferry 59, Belmont Union Local 56

Mason 74, Cin. Sycamore 38

McArthur Vinton County 77, Logan 54

McConnelsville Morgan 53, New Concord John Glenn 52

McDonald 77, Girard 72

Medina Buckeye 84, Rocky River Lutheran W. 38

Mentor 73, Shaker Hts. 59

Mentor Lake Cath. 59, E. Cle. Shaw 56

Middlefield Cardinal 57, Richmond Hts. 55

Middletown 53, W. Chester Lakota W. 42

Middletown Fenwick 61, Cin. Madeira 40

Mt. Gilead 85, Galion 78

N. Can. Hoover 65, Massillon Jackson 54

N. Olmsted 55, Amherst Steele 50

New Carlisle Tecumseh 75, Lewistown Indian Lake 74, OT

New Hope Christian 82, Northside Christian 59

New Lebanon Dixie 38, Milton-Union 22

New Lexington 57, Crooksville 43

New Madison Tri-Village 56, Arcanum 49

New Riegel 62, Arcadia 36

Newark 67, Lancaster 49

Oak Hill 55, Minford 39

Oberlin 53, Oberlin Firelands 49

Olmsted Falls 58, Grafton Midview 57

Paden City, W.Va. 62, Beallsville 28

Painesville Riverside 68, Mayfield 65

Parkersburg, W.Va. 71, Athens 45

Parma Hts. Holy Name 93, Parma Hts. Valley Forge 60

Parma Normandy 58, Rocky River 51

Parma Padua 74, Chardon NDCL 48

Patriot Preparatory Academy 55, Tree of Life 46

Peebles 54, Fayetteville-Perry 52

Pemberville Eastwood 70, Millbury Lake 48

Peninsula Woodridge 79, Mogadore 58

Philo 61, Warsaw River View 50

Pickerington Cent. 46, Westerville Cent. 37

Piqua 63, W. Carrollton 44

Poland Seminary 59, Austintown Fitch 50

Pomeroy Meigs 62, Racine Southern 48

Portsmouth Clay 73, New Boston Glenwood 39

Portsmouth Notre Dame 55, Willow Wood Symmes Valley 54, 2OT

Powell Olentangy Liberty 53, Hilliard Davidson 48

Proctorville Fairland 67, Portsmouth 48

Reynoldsburg 65, Westerville S. 63

Richmond Edison 67, Rayland Buckeye 58

Richwood N. Union 79, Delaware Christian 47

Riverside Stebbins 38, Vandalia Butler 37

Rossford 69, Genoa Area 66

Russia 61, Sidney Fairlawn 54

S. Charleston SE 57, Milford Center Fairbanks 42

S. Webster 65, Portsmouth W. 36

Salem 56, Alliance Marlington 55

Seaman N. Adams 69, Mowrystown Whiteoak 44

Shelby 78, Caledonia River Valley 51

Sidney 54, Xenia 35

Smithville 69, Tuscarawas Cent. Cath. 67, OT

Solon 63, Euclid 51

Spring. NE 74, Mechanicsburg 41

Spring. Shawnee 58, Bellefontaine Benjamin Logan 33

Springboro 69, Tipp City Tippecanoe 45

Springfield 46, Centerville 40

St. Bernard-Elmwood Place 55, Cin. N. College Hill 42

Steubenville 72, Cambridge 62

Strasburg-Franklin 63, Apple Creek Waynedale 31

Sycamore Mohawk 49, Vanlue 25

Sylvania Northview 55, Oregon Clay 54

Thomas Worthington 55, Hilliard Darby 39

Thornville Sheridan 71, Zanesville W. Muskingum 70

Tiffin Calvert 52, Kansas Lakota 45

Tipp City Bethel 79, Lewisburg Tri-County N. 56

Tontogany Otsego 53, Bloomdale Elmwood 47

Trenton Edgewood 62, Eaton 50

Trotwood-Madison 103, Greenville 50

Uhrichsville Claymont 64, W. Lafayette Ridgewood 63

Union City Mississinawa Valley 72, Pitsburg Franklin-Monroe 41

Urbana 56, St. Paris Graham 46

Versailles 66, Ft. Loramie 55

Vincent Warren 78, Marietta 61

W. Alexandria Twin Valley S. 69, Ansonia 59

W. Liberty-Salem 53, Cedarville 41

W. Union 54, Sardinia Eastern Brown 52

Wadsworth 68, Barberton 54

Wahama, W.Va. 68, Crown City S. Gallia 67, OT

Wapakoneta 57, Bluffton 37

Warren Champion 101, Mineral Ridge 67

Warren Howland 71, Niles McKinley 63

Warren JFK 91, Youngs. Liberty 59

Washington C.H. Miami Trace 104, Lees Creek E. Clinton 69

Waterford 71, Reedsville Eastern 46

Waverly 78, Lucasville Valley 73

Wellsville 78, Oak Glen, W.Va. 58

Westlake 58, Lakewood 48

Whitehall-Yearling 63, W. Jefferson 40

Wickliffe 66, Chagrin Falls 58

Wintersville Indian Creek 29, Weir, W.Va. 27

Worthington Christian 64, Gahanna Christian 58

Youngs. Boardman 44, Struthers 37

Zanesville Rosecrans 72, Fairfield Christian 64

Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley 43, E. Can. 42

Akr. East vs. Akr. Buchtel, ppd. to Jan 17.

Akr. Firestone vs. Akr. Kenmore, ppd. to Jan 11.

Akr. North vs. Akr. Ellet, ppd. to Jan 17.

Lindsey is a four-star prospect rated the No. 36 overall player in the 2017 recruiting class.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State football had been on a recruiting roll with its 2017 class. Early Wednesday morning, the Buckeyes suffered a setback.

Tyjon Lindsey, a four-star receiver from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, announced on Twitter that he's re-opening his recruiting process and decommiting from Ohio State.

Lindsey committed to the Buckeyes on Aug. 22, becoming the third of three players from Bishop Gorman to join Ohio State's 2017 class.

He's rated the No. 38 overall player in the country in the 247Sports composite ratings, and the No. 6 receiver.

Lindsey's decommitment takes Ohio State's 2017 class down to 18 players, and leaves just one receiver in the group right now in five-star Trevon Grimes. Though four-star athlete Brendon White sent out a tweet on Tuesday that suggests he might be moving to the receiver room.

Grimes and Lindsey committed to Ohio State together in a video released by Bleacher Report on Aug. 22, 2016.

Ohio State's other two recruits from Gorman, quarterback Tate Martell and defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, are still in the fold. Martell is one of the nine players from the 2017 class who are joining the Buckeyes this week as early-enrollees.

The Buckeyes briefly regained their footing as the top 2017 recruiting class in 247Sports rankings when junior college cornerback Kendall Sheffield committed to Ohio State on Tuesday. With Lindsey's decommitment, the Buckeyes are back to having the No. 2 class in the country behind Alabama.

I will like to announce that I have OFFICIALLY opened my recruiting process back up.

-- T-WAYNE...[?] (@tyjonlindsey) January 11, 2017

In a physical game that led to plenty of frustration, the Cavaliers were held under 100 points for just the eighth time this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers lost their first game during a season-long roadtrip, falling to Utah on Tuesday night, 100-92. 

In a physical game that led to plenty of frustration, the Cavaliers were held under 100 points for just the eighth time this season.

Here are five observations: 

Only takes one - On Sunday night, the Cavaliers watched a one-time 20-point lead evaporate quickly during a sloppy third quarter.

Poor shooting. Turnovers. Lackluster transition defense. It all contributed. But they overcame, holding off the Suns' late-game surge with individual brilliance and plenty of clutch shooting.

That was Phoenix, one of the league's worst teams. On Tuesday, the Cavs were in Utah, playing the Jazz, a team that looks playoff bound, and in a building where the Cavs haven't won since LeBron James returned.

Against quality foes, sometimes one quarter is all it takes.

The Cavs scored a season-low 12 points on 5-of-23 from the field, including 0-of-6 from 3-point range in the quarter. They didn't record an assist and committed a whopping seven turnovers, which Utah turned into nine points. James had three by himself in the period.

By the end of those 12 minutes, the Cavs were facing a 15-point hole, looking for answers going into halftime.

"We have to be ready to play," Tristan Thompson told Fox Sports Ohio after the game. "First half I don't think we played tough enough."

In the third quarter, Cleveland stormed out of the locker room, fueled by James. But the comeback effort took a lot of energy and the Cavs couldn't finish the rally on the road, in the altitude, against a tough team that took their best shoot and swung right back.

Playing into their hands - Utah wants to slow the game down and lean on its stifling halfcourt defense, which is tops in the NBA.

That's the Jazz blueprint and it's led to 24 wins. They deserve credit for forcing the Cavs to bog down.

But the Cavs get blame as well. At their best attacking in transition and staying aggressive going to the basket, the Cavs got caught up in Utah's slogging style for all but a brief third-quarter stretch and offensive possessions became much more challenging because of it. Tentative and predictable, shots were contested and passes deflected.

On the night, the Cavs scored 92 points on 36.5 percent from the field. James told reporters after the game the team hasn't been shooting very well recently. There's truth to that. Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and others missed their share of quality looks, but defensive pressure tends to play a part in that. So, too, does stagnant offense.

For the sixth game in a row, the Cavs failed to reach their season average in assists, finishing with 15 on 31 made shots.

By not moving the ball consistently, the Cavaliers eliminated their own role players who need shots created for them.

Iman Shumpert scored two points. Channing Frye had just five. Richard Jefferson didn't scratch in about 10 minutes. 

Big One - When the Cavs watch film, they will see correctable issues at both ends.

But on the road, against a well-built opponent, getting a "W" requires, first and foremost, stars meeting their typical expectations.

James did. Irving and Love didn't.

Irving scored 20 points on 5-of-18 shooting, including 2-of-8 from beyond the arc. He added just four assists against three turnovers.

Love tallied just 12 points, matching his season low, on 4-of-14 from the field and 2-of-6 from long range.

According to ESPN stats and Info, it's the duo's worst combined field goal percentage as teammates. Tough to win that way, especially when Love couldn't make Utah pay for downsizing when its offense needing more spacing to combat the Cavs' blitzing defensive strategy.

Kyle Korver's debut - With 2:09 remaining in the first quarter, Korver entered the game for the first time. He has yet to practice or even take part in shootaround so growing pains should be expected.

He's attempting to forget Atlanta's offense -- more motion-oriented -- and pick up the Cavs' system.

The first glimpse of the Cavs' plan to use their new weapon is exciting.

He provides a different dimension. Sure, he's one of the best shooters in the league, but his off-ball movement commands so much attention and leads to confusion for opposing defenses. With him on the floor, the Cavs will get more spacing and what they hope is an offensive lift for an enigmatic second unit.

His first made shot, an on-the-move jumper, came off a Frye pindown screen. It will be really tough for opponents to guard, especially with Frye, one of the league's best 3-pointer shooters, as the screener.

So worried about Frye's stroke, the defender recovered a bit late and Korver got an open, in-rhythm look and swished it.

Kyle Korver is on the board for the Cavs! #DefendtheLand pic.twitter.com/bxuAqnhRvc

-- The Fuzz (@thefuzznba) January 11, 2017

The next possession highlighted the counter.

Loading up on Korver, wanting to get a better contest, Frye's man was stumbling because of the screen and Korver snapped an in-air pass to Frye near the rim. He got fouled and went to the free throw line.  

Here's a look. 

It's also a period of learning for Lue. He needs to find the right combinations and figure out effective off-the-ball action for the sharpshooter. Part of the evolution will likely be using Korver and James together.

In 18 minutes, Korver was on the floor with James for around seven. 

No answer - From the opening tip, Lue decided to use his best defender, DeAndre Liggins, against Utah's best scorer, Gordon Hayward.

Liggins' feisty defense has been a big addition this season, often defending some of the league's top point guards so the Cavs can effectively "hide" Irving on lesser threats. It's a sound strategy, with Liggins' length, on-ball tenacity and athleticism flustering smaller guards.

But Liggins wasn't nearly as productive against Hayward.

The Utah swingman stayed off the ball, cutting and using screens to get free from Liggins. You can see that here. 

When he had to, Hayward also beat Liggins off the dribble.

In the first quarter, Hayward scored 10 points on 4-of-5 from the field, including 1-of-2 from beyond the arc.

The Cavs also tried Richard Jefferson, the bigger wing defender Lue has deployed against DeMar DeRozan, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant and others this season. He couldn't slow down Hayward either.

Nobody could. He finished with 28 points on 10-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc to go with nine rebounds and two assists.

Early in the third quarter, as James attempted to lead Cleveland's comeback effort, Hayward went on a mini 8-0 spurt to reclaim the lead and settle the Jazz, who looked rattle for a brief moment.

LeBron James has been frustrated over the way he's being officiated lately. Watch video

SALT LAKE CITY -- LeBron James' explanation for the technical he received Tuesday night was direct.

"Yeah I got fouled," he said.

In the first quarter of the Cavs' 100-92 loss to the Utah Jazz, all that stood between James and a layup was the 6-3 Shelvin Mack.

James drove toward the rim, Mack stayed in front of him. A slow-motion replay showed Mack make contact with James' stomach and then his arm, shoving the ball into James' chin. And after all of that, at 2:20 of the period, James missed the layup.

James is 6-8, weighs at least 250 pounds, and this story is not new. His rare combination of size and speed can can cause referees to miss when he draws contact because his progress isn't stopped.

He feels it's happening again, sources told cleveland.com.

LeBron James draws contact from Shelvin Mack.NBA.com 

So James missed that layup, Gordon Hayward scored in seven seconds at the other end, and then James finished a layup this time and Mack was called for trying to wrap him up. James screamed at referee Tyler Ford to make the call, and Ford issued James his second technical this season.

James asked if his outburst was a sign of frustration over the way he's been officiated lately, and he said "it is, it is."

"I know what the main thing is, the main thing is to win, but it is," James said again. "It is. It is."

The issue has been on James' mind. In Sunday's win over Phoenix, James was hit in the lane by P.J. Tucker so hard that he went down, and there was no call. He was clearly upset with the officiating for most of the game.

LeBron loses again in Utah

On Tuesday against the Jazz, James led all players with 29 points. He attempted seven free throws. Only one player on either team -- Kyrie Irving -- shot more with eight. On drives to the hoop, Utah coach Quin Snyder could be heard barking at his players to wrap James up instead of allowing the layup.

On the season, only nine more players are averaging more than James' 7.1 free throws per game. Eight of the nine players averaging more free throws than James have been to the line 17 or more times at least once in a game. All of them have more double-digit free throw games than James.

Guards Russell Westbrook and James Harden are both averaging 10.4 free throws per game, wing Jimmy Butler is third at 9.6.

Sources inside the Cavs locker room compared how James is officiated to Cam Newton's complaints in the NFL -- a bigger player, handling the ball like smaller men do, and not getting the same calls.

James has taken about 39 percent of his shots at the rim this season -- above his career average. Last year, it was a career-high 44 percent, and yet he dropped to 15th in the league in free throw attempts. Two seasons ago he was fourth in the NBA in foul shots.

So, James has been upset with the way he is officiated for a while. It can get ugly at times, like when he received dual elbows from Detroit's Andre Drummond and Marcus Morris in Game 2 of a first-round playoff series.

Or it can be in more benign situations, like a Tuesday in January, when in doing his best not to get run over by freight-train James, Mack sticks his hands up and makes a little contact. And gets away with it.

And James reacts like he did.

Both the Cavs and Blazers had their travel plans interrupted by a snowstorm in Portland.

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Cavs' plane was delayed here by more than two hours because of a rare, severe snow storm in Portland that could jeopardize the team's game there Wednesday night.

According to a team spokesman, the Cavs sat on the tarmac in Salt Lake City following their 100-92 loss to the Utah Jazz until after 1:30 a.m. local time. Here's the catch: the team may not be landing in Portland.

If the plane is unable to land at Portland's airport because of the snow -- upwards of right inches have fallen there -- the Cavs would land in Seattle and bus. It's about 170 miles. 

The Portland Trail Blazers, who played and won Tuesday in Los Angeles against the Lakers, apparently have the same plans.

So there's a snow storm in Portland... The airport is closed,And they want us to fly anyway and if we have to ... Land in Seattle... And bus

-- Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) January 11, 2017

Clemson's Deshaun Watson and possible 2017 NFL Draft destination as the Cleveland Browns' No. 1 pick

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With his last-second touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow to win the 2017 National Championship on Monday night, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson all but wrapped up his college career.

So, what's next for Watson ... a trip to Disney World ... the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia?

Unless they trade it away, the Browns have the No. 1 pick in the draft and they need a quarterback. So, what are the chances Watson could be trading Clemson's orange hue for another Hue? We'll find out at the end of April.

Crowquill, by Plain Dealer artist Ted Crow, appears three times a week on cleveland.com.

Wilson was officially announced as Ohio State's new offensive coordinator on Tuesday. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In its effort to get back to the true offensive identities of Urban Meyer-coached teams, Ohio State announced the hiring of Kevin Wilson as the Buckeyes' new offensive coordinator on Tuesday.

Wilson, the former head coach at Indiana, will take over for Ed Warinner, who took a job as Minnesota's offensive line coach on Tuesday.

The Buckeyes also announced on Tuesday that new quarterbacks coach Ryan Day will hold the title of co-offensive coordinator, but the expectation is that Wilson will be the primary and possibly only play caller.

Explosiveness and a return to pace

In Wilson Ohio State is getting one of the most respected offensive minds in college football, with a record of success producing explosive and fast-paced offenses. Watch the video here to learn more about Wilson's background.

We break down the starting positions on offense where the Browns might be OK, and there are more of them than you realize. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Draft an offensive lineman, Browns backers implore on social media. What's the point of a quarterback if he doesn't have an offensive line to protect him?

But really think about the holes in the Browns offense as the franchise enters an offseason that could spark a turnaround or keep it buried in the NFL's basement, and you'll realize something.

There aren't as many as you think. Starting on the offensive line.

This is not an exercise in insanity, inanity or futility. It should be a realization that missing just a couple players here or there can ruin a team. You don't need 11 problems on offense to fail - just a few at crucial positions can make that happen.

Even the worst team in the NFL, one coming off a 1-15 season, isn't 20 starters away from competing. Or even 10 starters away. We'll get to the defense on Thursday, but right now, for this offseason, the Browns are desperate at exactly two spots on offense.

Two.

Out of 11.

That line? Better than you think.

According to the Pro Football Focus player grades for the season, four teams in the NFL had two players ranked among the top 25 guards. There are 32 teams, two guards on each team, so the top 25 out of 64 means you're roughly in the top 40 percent of players at your position, at least by this measure.

Who were those four teams with competent, top 40 percent guards at both spots?

Dallas, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and ... the Browns.

Joel Bitonio was No. 15 and John Greco was No. 24. They also happened to be the highest-ranked guards on injured reserve at the end of the season.

Bitonio was lost to a foot injury after week five, Greco with his own foot sprain after week 12. The most dire problems on the Browns line flared up partly because they were gone.

When they come back, they'll be pretty good. So the Browns don't have to look for guards.

Then there's tackle. The Browns have one of them as well. Joe Thomas. Pro Bowler. Hosts an amusing internet show.

The newest #JoeThomasHour features @joethomas73 with media members @jsproinsider @MaryKayCabot & @KenCarman https://t.co/ZLz2tXV1rp

-- Dan Murphy (@DMurph_BrownsPR) December 9, 2016

Thomas was ranked No. 4 at tackle by Pro Football Focus.

So which teams had the most combined guards and tackles ranked among the top 25 at their positions?

Philadelphia had four. The Browns were one of nine teams with three.

Does that mean the Browns have a great line? No. 

It does mean that when it comes to team building this offseason, the line isn't a lost cause seeking desperate measures. Between this season's starter, Austin Pasztor; 2016 third-rounder Shon Coleman; 2016 fifth-rounder Spencer Drango; and 2015 first-rounder Cam Erving, who looks like a no-go at center, the Browns also have a shot to find a right tackle solution. That's not unreasonable. 

Or Pasztor could be an eventual answer at guard as the 31-year-old Greco gets older.

No one is saying this is a Super Bowl lineup. No one is saying there aren't positions that could be improved, or positions that need depth. 

But think about the running backs. Think about the receivers. Think about the tight ends. Are the Browns desperate there?

No.

This was a bad team this season, but it wasn't a complete collection of hopelessness. 

With Erving's year-long struggles, the Browns need a center. Austin Reiter, claimed from the Redskins, looked OK in a start before tearing his ACL, but that's still a spot to go get someone.

And then there's quarterback. 

Think about the running backs and receivers and tight ends and the idea of a healthy offensive line, all with a sure-thing No. 1 quarterback. Maybe a young quarterback who needs to develop, but an answer.

Think about how one player could change the entire offense.

Watch the video at the top of this post to take a spin through the entire starting lineup as I explain all nine positions where I think the Browns can be competitive on offense in 2017 with what's already in place.

The defense, which does have a few more holes, we'll deal with next.

But with four picks in the first two rounds, and another nine picks after that, plus some salary cap room, better players are on the way. There are already a few of them here. 

Yes, this may sound nuts. But fill those two gaping holes on this offense, stay healthier on the offensive line and watch what the Browns might look like in 2017.

Cuyahoga Heights’ Al Martin led the Redskins football team to its first state finals game before becoming the cleveland.com Coach of the Year.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cuyahoga Heights’ Al Martin is cleveland.com’s coach of the year after leading the Redskins to its first state finals game in 19 playoff appearances and finishing 14-1 this past season.

The 20-year head coach (193-45) led Cuyahoga Heights to winning Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division and going undefeated during the regular season.

Martin was named coach of the year by the AP All-Northeast Lakes District while juggling teaching and coaching duties for the girls basketball team.

“We have a great community here and a great school system,” said Martin. “Each thing you do that has a chance to affect kids is something really worthwhile and I really enjoy. Sometimes you have to juggle a few things, but in the end its worth it.”

Honorable mention: Tom DeLuca, Olmsted Falls; Dave Dlugosz, Avon Lake; Jeff Gough, Hudson; Marques Hayes, Akron East; Dave McFarland, Lorain; Mike Moser, Garrettsville Garfield; Marce Porcello, Wickliffe; Matt Rosati, Perry; Dan Sutherland, Medina.

Watch the video above to see Martin’s surprise reaction to the award.

Watch Josh Lotko and Antonio Blanton led Elyria to a last-second boys basketball win at Medina and catch up on what is happening around Northeast Ohio.

MEDINA, Ohio – This time last season, Elyria’s offense went through Blake Furcron.

The Pioneers’ leading scorer last season, he took home Lorain County’s Mr. Basketball award. Those accolades and more than 20 points per game left Elyria with him, but the rest of coach Brett Larrick’s lineup returned.

He just needed them to enhance their approaches.

Someone had to become an alpha.

Who?

Well, last week it was Antonio Blanton. His 28 points spurred Elyria to a 74-69 upset of then-unbeaten Mentor. Tuesday became Josh Lotko’s turn, as his career-high 35 points fueled a 77-76 comeback win at Medina.

Just like Mentor, Medina faced the Pioneers (8-2) with an unbeaten record.

Once more Elyria — ranked 19th in this week’s cleveland.com Top 25 — put a half to a perfect mark.

See how they did it and hear from Lotko, Blanton and Larrick after Elyria added a win against No. 7 Medina to its resume.

In case you missed it, here is what else happened around Northeast Ohio.

PERFORMANCE AND GAME OF THE NIGHT

Beyond Lotko's 35-point game, here is who else stood out.

• Josh Hufstetler scored 27 points to lead North Olmsted in a 55-50 home win against Amherst.

• Junior guard Hugh Brown had 25 points to lead Hawken’s 53-51 win against Berkshire. The Hawks entered the fourth quarter down eight.

GAME BALLS CONTEST

Vote for the top performance from last week by clicking here. Votes are accepted until noon Friday. One of the nominees is Blanton, who put up 28 points last week in a win against Mentor.

Of course, he was at it again Tuesday.

Another player who stood out last week and again Tuesday was Medina’s Jackson Sartain. See how his game has developed, as this 3-point shooter is doing more than taking his shots.

TOP PLAYS OF THE WEEK

Also, be sure to check out the top plays cleveland.com captured from Jan. 3-8. Here is the highlight reel. Click here to make your vote.

TOP 25 WATCH

No. 8 Mentor 73, Shaker Heights 59: Jack Korsok’s 26-point effort led Mentor on the road, rebounding from the Cardinals’ first loss last week.

No. 11 Cornerstone Christian 65, Bedford 49: Cornerstone jumped out to a nine-point lead, nearly lost it and pulled away in the third quarter on the road. Brandon McQueen’s 23 points led all scorers.

No. 13 Holy Name 93, Valley Forge 60: A balanced effort improved the Green Wave to 10-1. Just two days after their Scholastic Play By Play Classic win against Brush in which Dwayne Cohill scored 30 points, four players scored in double figures on Tuesday. Cohill had 18, Malique Burton added 17, while Brandon Styers and Sean Hickey each added 10.

No. 16 Copley 98, Nordonia 62: Brian Roberts’ 21 points led four players in double figures as the Indians improved to 9-0.

No. 17 Solon 63, Euclid 51: A strong start propelled the Comets at home. Michael Bekelja scored 23 points, while Sincere Carry added 13.

Elyria Catholic 96, No. 20 Bay 88: The Panthers outscored Bay by 17 in the fourth quarter and rallied for a Great Lakes Conference win that keeps them just a game behind Holy Name. Sean Szabo led EC with 28 points.

No. 24 Glenville 77, Rhodes 41: Playing their first game since Dec. 30, the Tarblooders got 12 points from Nelson Wheatley. Amir Hull added 11 and Hercules Shepherd provided 10.

No. 25 Avon 65, North Ridgeville 57: A 27-8 third quarter and Ryan Bertrand’s 22 points led Avon on the road.

STATEMENT MADE

Beachwood isn’t ready to relinquish the Chagrin Valley Conference mantle. Ben Sternberg scored 22 points, Josh Sizemore added 21, and the Bison left Orange with a 76-67 win to take sole possession of the Chagrin Division.

Both teams entered Tuesday perfect in the CVC.

Jalen Warren led Orange with 24 points, while Jordan Thompson added 21.

CLICK HERE FOR TUESDAY’S SCOREBOARD

FAST FORWARD

As mentioned above, the Play By Play Classic is Sunday, but that’s not all this weekend.

No. 9 Archbishop Hoban (8-1) at Gilmour (6-2), Wednesday: Postponed from Tuesday, this matchup provides interesting matchups up and down the lineup. It starts at guard with Hoban’s Collen Gurley and Garrett Houser leading the way against Gilmour’s Jackson Clark and C.J. Charleston.

No. 3 St. Edward (9-2) at No. 5 St. Ignatius (7-3), Friday: The first installment of this rivalry comes after the Wildcats scored a New Year’s Eve win against St. Vincent-St. Mary, which turned around Friday to rally past the Eagles.

Mercy Medical Classic in Canton, Saturday-Sunday: This two day event includes Brunswick vs. Youngstown Ursuline, Buckeye vs. Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Ignatius vs. host North Canton Hoover in the finale, which is 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Hoover just scored an upset Tuesday of Massillon Jackson.

The Sunday slate includes Holy Name vs. Mars (Pa.) at 3:15. Holy Name’s Dwayne Cohill and Mars’ Robbie Carmody played as teammates last spring during international competition.

Flyin’ to the Hoop in Kettering, Sunday: Three local teams head to Dayton for this one. Cleveland Heights faces Centerville at 1:15 p.m., followed by St. Vincent-St. Mary vs. Pickerington North at 3 p.m. Garfield Heights then challenges Upper Arlington at 4:45 p.m.

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

Is Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson the next Dak Prescott? Can the Cleveland Browns find a way to draft wide receiver Mike Williams?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my notebook after watching Clemson upset Alabama on Monday to win the national title:

1. Before the game, I made a Plain Dealer video discussing quarterbacks. The main theme was Mitch Trubisky turning pro. But toward the end, I said, "What if Deshaun Watson is this year's Dak Prescott?" Their college stats are similar. They played in spread offenses. They helped their respective schools take major steps forward.

2. Prescott played at Mississippi State. NFL scouts could not figure out how he'd play in the pros. As a senior, he completed 66 percent of his passes, 29 TDs compared to five interceptions. He was picked in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys, the eighth quarterback selected.

3. Prescott didn't play in the national title game, so he lacked the big stage of Watson as the draft neared. He also struggled in his final game against Alabama. That was in 2015 when the Tide beat Mississippi State, 31-6. Prescott was sacked eight times. He completed only 22-of-43 passes.

4. After his MVP performance in the title game, Watson won't have to worry about a Prescott-type draft day slide. Completing 36-of-56 passes for 420 yards against Alabama's superb defense will convert many doubters. The remarkable aspect was Watson throwing 56 passes, and zero interceptions against that defense. He threw three touchdown TD passes.

5. For his career, Watson completed 67 percent of his passes, 90 for TDs compared to 32 interceptions. Prescott and Watson are listed at 6-foot-2. Both are athletic and can evade a rush. I repeat, there are similarities.

6. Prescott has been the NFL's top rookie quarterback this season. Going to Dallas had quite a bit to do with it, the Cowboys owning a strong offensive line. He also has Zeke Elliott in the backfield, Jason Witten at tight end and some good receivers. No matter who comes to the Browns, he won't be surrounded with talent like that.

7. Which brings me to Mike Williams. I thought the Clemson receiver was the best player on the field. I was surprised he was listed as only 6-foot-3. He looked taller and played taller. He made some great catches, jumping over defenders. This guy would look great in orange ... Cleveland Browns orange.

8. The Browns have the No. 1 and No. 12 picks in the first round. Williams instantly will make a quarterback look better. No one in last year's draft came close to his talent. He's not the top pick in the draft, but could be in the top 10. Can the Browns find a way through a trade to grab him? They need to work on that.

9. I don't know what will happen with Terrelle Pryor. It's just a guess, but I can imagine agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus talking the receiver on the open market when free agency begins in March. And I can easily imagine him signing elsewhere.

10. You subtract Pryor, and the Browns have Corey Coleman, Andrew Hawkins and some rookie receivers who proved very little in 2016. Even with Pryor, I'd want Williams. I think he'll be a star, a Mike Evans-style receiver.

11. When Evans played at Texas A&M, the question was if Johnny Manziel was the reason Evans was such a dominating receiver. We now know Evans helped make Manziel into a first-round draft pick, where his weaknesses were exposed by the NFL. The 6-foot-5 Evans has caught 68-74-96 passes in his first three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has 27 TD catches as a pro.

12. In 2016, the Browns drafted four receivers. Coleman was the first receiver selected in the 2016 draft. He had 33 catches, three for TDs. He also tied Pryor for the team lead with four drops. He suffered a broken hand early in the season. He also had some trouble dealing with cold weather late in the year. It was the first exposure to football in snow for the Baylor product.

13. The other rookies did little. I'm talking about Rashard Higgins, Ricardo Louis and Jordan Peyton (who was suspended for four games after failing a PED test). So the Browns need more receivers, even if they keep Pryor.

14. Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen was the highest-rated pro prospect heading into the title game. He had seven tackles and a sack. I thought he played well, but not exceptional.

15. While he's a sophomore and not eligible for the draft, Alabama defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne was the most impressive lineman in the game.

16. Alabama's Cam Robinson is projected as the first-round pick and the best left tackle in the draft. But he was flagged twice for false starts, not something you'd expect from a big-time player on this stage.

17. Alabama's Ryan Anderson is a linebacker/defensive end and he made several big plays. I could see him being very valuable in the 4-3 defense being brought to the Browns by new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

Kyle Korver's first game was a clunker and the Cavs lost in Utah.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Not even Kyle Korver could save LeBron James' team in Utah.

Korver played his first game for the Cavs Tuesday night, but the Jazz beat a James-led bunch for the sixth consecutive time in this building, 100-92.

Cleveland's lost all three games at Vivint Smart Home Arena since James returned to the team in 2014, and the Miami Heat lost three in a row here with James.

Korver, activated before the game after the trade that brought him to Cleveland from the Atlanta Hawks for Mike Dunleavy, Mo Williams, a 2019 first-round pick and cash finally complete, scored just two points on 1-of-5 shooting in 18 minutes. As coach Tyronn Lue promised, he came off the bench. We'll see how long that lasts. He entered as a career .429 shooter from 3-point range, is a former All-Star and averaged 9.5 points for the Hawks this season.

James paced the Cavs with 29 points to go with six rebounds and five assists. Kyrie Irving contributed 20 points but shot 5-of-18. Tristan Thompson added 12 points and 12 rebounds and Kevin Love contributed 12 points and nine rebounds.

The Jazz (24-16) had six players in double figures, led by Gordon Hayward's 28 points.

The visions of grandeur the Cavs had when they acquired Korver last week of wide-open 3s splashing the nets didn't materialize. Korver missed both of his 3s and the team was 9-of-31 from deep. James (3-of-6) had a good night from beyond the arc.

Utah connected on 13 3s.

"I've always felt like the better the players are around me, the better I can be," Korver said before the game. "And this is the most talented team I've ever been on, for sure. There's a lot of things to figure out. I haven't practiced with the team, I haven't done a shootaround, I don't really know what I'm doing right now tonight."

The Cavs were a mess Tuesday, losing for the first time through three games of this six-game road trip. Turnovers, again, was an issue -- as 18 giveaways cost Cleveland 23 points. Sunday in Phoenix, it was 20 turnovers for 27 points.

James and Richard Jefferson were both given technicals for various protests.

When the first half was over, the Jazz led 56-41. The Cavs posted a season-low 12 points in the second quarter and didn't have any assists. Sounds bad, but the no assists thing is more understandable when one considers they shot 5-of-23. Utah closed the half on a 10-0 run.

Then Cleveland -- and, more to the point, James -- briefly got it in gear. A 19-2 run put the Cavs ahead 60-58. James scored the last 10 points of that spurt and 13 in the quarter, punctuating the run with a monstrous dunk.

And then Utah scored the next 16 points. Go figure. The closest the Cavs came again was six points. Rodney Hood (18 points) answered with a 3-pointer with 2:06 left.

"Coming into the season, we all talked about how they probably have the deepest team in the NBA as far as starters and bench, and they play great together," Lue said. They move the basketball, they run their system, they're one of the best defensive teams in the league."

What if NFL players came home to play in Ohio? Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James came home, and we saw how that turned out. What if NFL players did the same? 

We know Ohio has two NFL teams (hold your jokes), but we decided to create one Ohio NFL team made up of the top players born in the state. Call it the first-annual cleveland.com NFL Ohio-Born All-Pro Team, or NOBAPT.

We'll work on the name.

Anyway, making this team is simple. First, be born in Ohio. Second, have a good season, or have a mediocre season and be one of just a couple Ohio-born players at your position.

Here's who made the cut:

(NOTE: Birthplaces are from Pro Football Reference, and Pro Football Focus position rankings are through Week 17.)

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (Lima)

Notable: Roethlisberger has the Steelers in the playoffs, but Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked the Bears' Brian Hoyer (North Olmsted) four spots ahead of him. Let that sink in.

RUNNING BACK

Le'Veon Bell, Steelers (Reynoldsburg)

Notable: Bell rushed for 1,268 yards and seven TDs this season, is a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro. The other choices at running back had 22 carries between them.

FULLBACK

Kyle Juszczyk, Ravens (Medina)

Notable: PFF ranks him No. 1 among fullbacks, and he's headed to the Pro Bowl.

WIDE RECEIVER

Ted Ginn, Panthers (Cleveland)

Braxton Miller, Texans (Springfield)

Cecil Shorts, Buccaneers (Cleveland)

Notable: This team is thin at wide receiver. Ginn had 54 catches for 752 yards and four TDs, but Miller and Shorts combined for 26 catches and one TD.

TIGHT END

Travis Kelce, Chiefs (Cleveland Heights)

Notable: Kelce had 85 catches for 1,125 yards, earning him a Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro. The Vikings' Kyle Rudolph (Cincinnati) had 83 catches for seven TDs and can be our backup.

TACKLES

Zach Strief, Saints (Cincinnati)

Taylor Decker, Lions (Vandalia)

Notable: Strief was ranked 13^th by PFF, and Decker 22^nd.

GUARDS

Andrew Norwell, Panthers (Cincinnati)

John Greco, Browns (Youngstown)

Notable: Norwell was ranked ninth by PFF, and Greco 24^th. But since Greco is on IR, this spot would likely go to the Colts' Jack Mewhort (Toledo), who was ranked 26^th.

CENTER

Corey Linsley, Packers (Youngstown)

Notable: Linsley was ranked eighth by PFF. Nobody else from Ohio was ranked higher than 20^th.

DEFENSE

ENDS

Whitney Mercilus, Texans (Akron)

John Simon, Texans (Youngstown)

Notable: Mercilus, ranked ninth by PFF, started 15 games, had 7.5 sacks and is second-team All-Pro. Simon is makes our team due to a thin group at defensive end. He was ranked 40^th by PFF and had 3.5 sacks in 11 games.

TACKLES

Derek Wolfe, Broncos (Lisbon)

Adolphus Washington, Bills (Cincinnati)

Notable: Wolfe, ranked 27^th by PFF, started 14 games and 5.5 sacks. Washington, ranked 72^th, edged out the Patriots' Vincent Valentine (Centerville) on the strength of 2.5 sacks in 15 games, including 11 starts.

LINEBACKERS

Luke Kuechly, Panthers (Cincinnati)

James Harrison, Steelers (Akron)

Danny Trevathan, Bears (Youngstown)

Notable: Kuechly, ranked 2^nd by PFF, is a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro this season, and had 102 combined tackles. Harrison, at age 38, is ranked 14th among edge rushers by PFF. Trevathan played just nine games due to injury, but ranked 32^nd on PFF.

CORNERBACKS

Aqib Talib, Broncos (Cleveland)

Mike Hyde, Packers (Toledo)

Notable: Talib is a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro this season. If you're wondering why you don't remember him playing for a Northeast Ohio high school, it's because he moved to Texas prior to eighth grade. Hyde started 11 games for the Packers.

SAFETIES

Kurt Coleman, Panthers (Clayton)

Bradley McDougald, Buccaneers (Columbus)

Notable: Coleman had 95 combined tackles and four interceptions this season as a full-time starter. McDougald, also a full-time starter, had 91 combined tackles and two picks. They were ranked 42^nd and 43^rd by PFF.

SPECIALISTS

KICKER

Matt Prater, Lions (Mayfield Heights)

Notable: Prater was 31-of-36 on field goals and 31-of-33 on extra points. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week three times, and player of the month for November.

PUNTER

Kevin Huber, Bengals (Cincinnati)

Notable: Huber just edged out the Chargers' Drew Kaser (Strongsville). Huber averaged 46.3 yards per punt and 23 kicks inside the 20-yard line.

LONG SNAPPER

Don Muhlbach, Lions (Newark)

Notable: How do you rank a long snapper? Who knows? But Muhlbach has played since 2014 and has a higher Pro Football Reference value grade than the Rams' Jake McQuaide (Cincinnati) and the Chargers' Mike Windt (Cincinnati) combined. So he gets the nod here.

Being hopeful and confident doesn't mean much until Brantley can complete his recovery without a twinge or an ache. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mike Chernoff understands that there might be some skepticism about Michael Brantley's ongoing recovery from The Great Shoulder and Biceps Injury of 2015-16.

Chris Antonetti agrees that no one will explicitly know the outlook for Brantley until he reaches the end stages of his rehab.

So when you mentally configure the Indians' 2017 batting order and you're not sure what to do with that All-Star left fielder, know that the Indians feel your pain. If Brantley doesn't feel that pain, it could mean Cleveland boasts the league's most potent offense, with an MVP finalist and an Edwin Encarnacion added to a group that ranked second in the American League in runs scored.

It's a wait-and-see game, though. Brantley has taken dry swings in Cleveland this month. That's about as exhilarating as it sounds. He'll eventually have to work his way up to actual batting practice and, ultimately, some spring training action.

"We're working through his tolerance," said Antonetti, the Indians' president of baseball operations. "We've been through it before, right? He's progressed through some things really quickly and other things really slowly. It's really difficult to have specific dates and times."

Last year, there wasn't as much hesitation. Brantley had shoulder surgery in November 2015, a procedure that was expected to sideline him for six months at most. In late January, at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, he declared his intention to return for Opening Day. He zipped through his rehab, belted a spring training home run and everything seemed perfect.

Then, he experienced shoulder fatigue and soreness. He returned to appear in 11 games in late April and early May, but that was the extent of his 2016 action. He underwent a biceps tenodesis procedure in August, which redirected his focus toward the 2017 campaign.

"We were really optimistic last spring," Antonetti said. "We all saw it: He came back, flew through his rehab, homered in his games, the quality of his at-bats were great. But, ultimately, that game activity and game speed ended up bothering him.

"We've relied on a lot of different opinions of a lot of different medical professionals who are familiar with this type of injury. We've seen at least three or four doctors who are in concurrence about the path that he's on and the rehab protocol that he's going through. That's the advice we'll continue to rely upon."

Brantley refutes report he'll miss much of '17

The signing of Edwin Encarnacion all but tapped out the Indians' financial resources, according to Chernoff. Rajai Davis, who served as insurance for Brantley last year, relocated to Oakland. If Brantley runs into similar setbacks this year, it could create an opportunity for Yandy Diaz, Bradley Zimmer or Giovanny Urshela.

"Part of our responsibility is to plan for as many contingencies as we can," Antonetti said.

With Brantley, the onus is greater.

"We cross our fingers and hold our breath on every player getting through spring training and being healthy," Chernoff said. "Obviously, a guy like Michael, who went through what he went through last year, you can't help but think those things. But based on the information, we're very hopeful and confident."

Being hopeful and confident, though, doesn't mean much until Brantley can complete his recovery without a twinge or an ache.

Said Antonetti: "I don't think we're going to have a great feel for it until after he passes that last hurdle."

Sharpshooter Kyle Korver is the lastest mid-season trade acquisition by Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin has made a mid-season deal every year since taking over in 2014.

Two seasons ago he added J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov at the deadline to help get the Cavs into the 2015 NBA Finals where they lost to the Golden State Warriors.

Last season, he added Channing Frye, a move that helped get the Cavs into the 2016 NBA Finals, where they defeated the Warriors in seven games.

Now, Griffin did it again by adding Kyle Korver. Griffin sent Mike Dunleavy, Mo Williams and a draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks to acquire the long-time sharpshooter, one of the top 3-point shooters in the NBA.

Korver played his first game with the Cavs in last night's loss at the Utah Jazz. He'll play again tonight against the Portland Trailblazers.

So why is Kyle Korver a better fit for the Cavs than Mike Dunleavy? We talk about it in this video.

The Ohio State football program will sign Las Vegas quarterback Tate Martell on Feb. 1 as part of its recruiting class for National Signing Day 2017. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State football program will sign Las Vegas quarterback Tate Martell on Feb. 1 as part of its recruiting class for National Singing Day 2017. Here is an in-depth look at this member of the Buckeyes' recruiting class. 

Tate Martell

School: Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman 

Position: Quarterback 

Height, weight: 5-foot-11, 203 pounds

247Sports Rating: Martell is rated the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 53 overall player in the 2017 recruiting class in the 247Sports composite rankings. 

Other schools: Texas A&M, Washington, Alabama, Arizona State, Colorado, Florida State, Louisville, LSU, Michigan, USC, West Virginia and many others. 

What's his deal? Though Tate Martell originally committed to Washington when he was 14 and then later to Texas A&M, his Ohio State recruitment really lacked drama, which could be viewed as a surprise given he's a flashy quarterback from Las Vegas. 

Though Martell goes to a powerhouse high school program in the Southwest, he had a grandfather who went to Ohio State and the Buckeyes were always a dream school. Once Urban Meyer got interested, Martell visited in the spring and committed shortly after. 

Since Martell's commitment in June he has been a major part of helping Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class, which will go down as the best class any Buckeyes coach has ever signed -- on paper. He has been a leader and a constant influence on the people around him. That's what you want from a quarterback. 

Oh, and he plays the game at such a high level. Though he's a bit undersized, he was perhaps the best dual-threat quarterback in the nation. He's a big-time get for Ohio State and he's currently enrolled as an early-enrollee. 

How he fits into Ohio State's plans: It's big that Martell is already on campus because an extra spring practice is huge for everyone, but especially quarterbacks. J.T. Barrett is returning next year, which means there's likely going to be a crazy four-way quarterback competition in 2018 between Martell, Dwayne Haskins and Joe Burrow and Emory Jones, who is currently committed in 2018. 

Projections for 2017: Maybe Martell would have had an outside shot to see the field if Barrett would have left, but now he's all but certainly a redshirt. Truth is, he probably would have redshirted anyway. It's simply too hard for a quarterback to come in a true freshman and play, especially at Martell's size. He'll have a year to get acclimated to the program -- starting this spring -- before he's involved in a heated quarterback competition as a redshirt freshman in 2018. 

Player comparison: Though Martell has drawn a lot of comparisons to Seattle Seahwawks quarterback Russell Wilson, it's impossible to watch him and not see Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M. Martell will wear No. 18 at Ohio State. 

I've been #18 every season I've played quarterback which is currently 9 seasons in a row...

I'm glad to say I'll be #18 at OSU as well!

-- Tate Martell (@TheTateMartell) January 10, 2017

Why he's important to the best class in Ohio State history: Saying this class is the best ever would be impossible if it didn't have an elite-level quarterback and leader. Martell fits the bill on both of those. His high ranking helps, too. 

Highlights: 

What we've written about Martell: 

Why Martell is so important during an official visit weekend

Tate Martell is Johnny Manziel

Martell likes Johnny Manziel comparisons

Martell is USA Today offensive player of the year

Here's where to watch, listen and stream the Cleveland Cavaliers' game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers tonight.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers play Game 38 of the 2016 NBA season Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Here's how to watch, listen and stream the action online.

What: Cleveland Cavaliers (28-9) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (17-23).
Where: Moda Center.
When: 10:30 p.m.
TV: FoxSports Ohio; ESPN.
Radio: WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM La Mega.
Online: FoxSports Go; Watch ESPN.

Portland notable: Portland has held its opponent to fewer than 100 points in four of its past eight games, after having limited opponents to less than 100 points fi ve times over its first 30 games this season.

Cleveland notable: Forward Kevin Love scored an NBA record 34 first-quarter points the last time the Cavaliers faced the Blazers, at Quicken Loans Arena on Nov. 23.

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.

Lattimore is a projected first-round pick after one year as a starter at Ohio State.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It always felt like Marshon Lattimore was delaying the inevitable.

Would he stay at Ohio State or would he go to the pros after one year as a starting cornerback? Going pro was the most obvious option all along, even as Lattimore took time to announce his decision.

Lattimore made his decision official on Wednesday, announcing on Twitter that he's going to the NFL, where he's projected to be a first-round pick.

It made too much sense.

Lattimore is the sixth, and likely last, Buckeye to announce he's leaving early for the pros. He joins receivers Curtis Samuel and Noah Brown, safety Malik Hooker, cornerback Gareon Conley and linebacker Raekwon McMillan.

His declaration means Ohio State will be losing 75 percent of its starting secondary to the NFL Draft for the second straight year. Last year cornerback Eli Apple and safeties Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell all declared. Apple was a top-10 pick, Bell was a second-round pick and Powell went undrafted.

It's possible that Lattimore, Conley and Hooker all go in the first round this year.

ESPN's Todd McShay had Lattimore as his No. 7 prospect on his updated big board after the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Ohio State 2017 NFL Draft tracker

Lattimore was a top-50 national prospect out of Glenville when he signed with Ohio State in the 2014 recruiting class, but was hampered by hamstring injuries for his first two seasons and didn't have a featured role in the defense until this season. He finished the year with 41 tackles and four interceptions, solidifying himself as one of the best corners in the country in one year as a starter.

Thank you all! pic.twitter.com/eVeCqAbYJ6

-- Marshon Lattimore (@shonrp2) January 11, 2017

Olympian and Cleveland native Terrell Gausha fights in Toledo next month and a win could put him in position to fight for a title. And check out Erislandy Lara vs. Yuri Foreman for Lara's WBA junior middleweight title this weekend: Boxing Report 2017.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Terrell Gausha's bout in Toledo next month is not exactly a homecoming for the Cleveland native, but it's the next best thing as he seeks to improve his undefeated record and get into position for a title fight.

"This is the closest fight to Cleveland since I've been pro," said Gausha, who had a fight in Cincinnati three years ago. "I've been training in California for the past 3 1/2 years and people have complained because my fights have been everywhere else but near home. Now everyone has a chance to come out and see me."

Gausha, a junior middleweight, is on the undercard of a co-main event featuring IBF lightweight champion and Toledo native Robert Easter Jr. vs. Luis Cruz and WBA and IBO bantamweight champion Rau'shee Warren of Cincinnati against Zhanat Zhakiyanov. The fights will take place at 9 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the Huntington Center in Toledo.

A victory for Gausha, a member of the 2012 Olympic team, would improve his record to 20-0 and could earn him a title shot this year against WBA champ Erislandy Lara or one of the twin champions, Jermell or Jermall Charlo.

"We'll see what these guys are going to do," Gausha said. "I want any of those guys but I'd love to have the WBC belt because that's the title I'd see around the waist of fighters when I'd watch old fights coming up. I'd see that green belt and I thought it was the only one."

And Gausha is clear on where he will defend his title if and when he becomes champion.

"We have a world champion in Stipe [Miocic, of the UFC] who has defended his title at home but now we're talking about boxing," Gausha said. "Who better than me to defend a world boxing title at home? We've had champions in Shawn Porter and Mickey Bey and neither one got the chance to defend the title in Cleveland. Once I get [the title] I want to fight at home in front of all of Cleveland with their full support."

Local promoter

The boxing community will say farewell this weekend to local boxing promoter Devore Whitt, who died Dec. 31. Visitation is 2-6 p.m. Friday at Calhoun Funeral Home 17010 Lakeshore Blvd. The funeral is 1 p.m. Saturday at Calhoun Funeral Home.

Quick jabs

• Adrien Broner says we miss him and he will return to the ring on Feb. 18.
• Triple G and Danny Jacobs begin tour to promote spring fight for middleweight titles.
• Is Tim Bradley serious about retirement after two more fights?
• Shannon Briggs and Fres Oquendo have been ordered to meet for vacant WBA title.
• Ringstar Sports promoter Richard Schaefer signs another top amateur.
• Here are five boxing matches many hope to see this year.
• Canelo Alvarez leads all boxers in money making list.
• Danny Jacobs will train in Oakland at Virgil Hunter's King's Boxing Gym to get ready for Gennady Golovkin.
• Tyson Fury changes name to 'Gorga Tys' as he denounces gypsy heritage.
• Shawn Porter pushing for fight against Andre Berto in 2017.

This week in boxing history

Jan. 14, 1979: The 20-year-old Wifred Benitez won a 15-round decision over Carlos Palomino to claim the world welterweight title. It was Benitez's second world title as he improved to 37-0-1.

Boxing schedule

 Friday: (PBC on Spike):

• Erislandy Lara vs. Yuri Foreman, for Lara's WBA junior middleweight title.
• Anthony Dirrell vs. Norbert Nemesapati, super middleweights

Saturday: (Showtime):

• Badou Jack vs. James DeGale, WBC/IBF super middleweight unification
• Jose Pedraza vs. Gervonta Davis, for Pedraza's IBF junior lightweight title
• Amanda Serrano vs. Yazmin Rivas, female junior featherweights