An hour after Sunday's game ended, Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay remained baffled.

View full sizeLynn Ischay / The Plain DealerPhil Dawson had a sympathetic handshake for Carolina's John Kasay as the two kickers met at midfield after Kasay's 42-yard attempt at a game-winning field goal bounced off the left upright Sunday afternoon.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- An hour after Sunday's game ended with his errant field-goal attempt, Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay remained baffled.

Kasay, one of the NFL's all-time best at his craft, could not believe his 42-yarder glanced off the left upright as time expired, thus failing to deliver a victory for his victory-starved team.

Kasay's misfire allowed the Browns to escape, 24-23, at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Panthers sank to 1-10.

"I can see the ball leaving my foot," he said. "I got cut under, so I didn't see what happened, but I knew I hit the ball well. I hit it exactly how I wanted, exactly where I wanted. The snap was good, the hold was good. Everything felt good."

Yet it was no good. The left-footed Kasay was on the ground, peering through bodies, as the ball caromed left.

"When I heard the fans cheering, I was like, 'What happened?'" he said. "I haven't seen the replay, but I don't know what I would have done differently."

Kasay was asked whether he thought his being knocked down (by the Browns' Joe Haden) constituted a penalty.

"Oh, I don't know," he said. "My head is going up, and the next thing I know is, I'm looking down."

Kasay, 41, a 20-year pro, was bidding for his 14th game-winning field goal. It would have enabled the Panthers to prevail in a game where they trailed by 14 in the first half. Their final drive began at the Carolina 5 with 59 seconds left.

"That's what is so disappointing: These guys had earned the victory, and you want to do everything you can to make it happen," Kasay said. "Guys in this locker room played well enough to win, and I was the one who didn't get the job done for them."

Carolina coach John Fox and Kasay's teammates had his back.

"By no means am I ever going to blame a loss on John Kasay," Fox said.

"John's a great kicker," quarterback Jimmy Clausen said. "It shouldn't have come down to that one play."

Left tackle Jordan Gross said he would take Kasay "any day" to convert such a kick. "He's not a guy you can get frustrated with," Gross said.

Kasay appreciated the support -- but it was not necessarily going to ease the sting. "I'm the one who let those guys down," he said. "There's no other way to cut it."

The game might not have come down to that kick into the west end if Kasay had been accurate into the east end early in the third quarter. He hooked that attempt from 46 yards.

"I got around on the ball a little bit," he said, "and it had kind of a funny rotation to it. If you don't get good rotation on the ball, it's not going to hold."

Kasay finished 3-for-5 after entering 15-for-17.

"It's not very often he misses two field goals," Gross said. "It's not very often he misses any field goals."

Football, Jake Delhomme said Sunday, is either joy or misery depending on the outcome. Watching Delhomme is a combination of the two, sports columnist Bud Shaw writes.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerJake Delhomme displayed a veteran NFL quarterback's skills in expanding the Browns' offense on Sunday. But at the same time, he demonstrated why his willingness to attempt the risky play makes each of his starts an adventure, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jake Delhomme back behind center Sunday quickly raised the notion that the Browns' offense could have more width and breadth under his direction.

That was followed just as quickly by the reminder that while Delhomme still plays like a veteran who's convinced he gives you your best chance to win, he's also wired to provide your best chance to lose.

If Delhomme were your ambulance driver, he'd get you to the emergency room. No worries. That wouldn't be the problem.

The two collisions and blown tire along the way would.

Hard to believe the Browns could almost lose to the 1-9 Carolina Panthers Sunday with Peyton Hillis scoring three times on the ground. Or that it would take a John Kasay missed field goal at the gun to save the home team from total embarrassment.

What's harder to imagine, though, is how Eric Mangini and Delhomme ever could've co-existed an entire season.

While Mangini credited Delhomme for getting a "range of different people" involved in the offense, he did not mean the Carolina defenders who intercepted consecutive Delhomme passes in the second half, returning one for a TD.

"Jake knew what he did on that play," Mangini said before hopefully adding, "I think these things are correctable."

Well ... since when? Not last year in Carolina. Not in the season opener in Tampa either.

Delhomme had every reason to blame his mistakes Sunday on rust. Except he came out sharp, putting on display the benefits of a wily QB running a no-huddle offense. Rhythm. Variety. It was all on exhibit as the Browns built a 21-7 lead. He finished sharply, too, moving the Browns into Phil Dawson's range for the 24-23 win.

Spreading the wealth beyond his tight ends and Hillis almost made it possible to excuse the whirling dervish fling that could've been picked off but was only ruled intentional grounding. And the sloppy fumble just before the half that bounced the Browns' way.

The two terrible throws to start the third quarter brought it all back home. This wasn't just rust. This was Jake being Jake. All told, he was intercepted two times, fumbled once and could've been picked off twice more.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerEric Mangini was not reacting to a Jake Delhomme interception in this photo -- but Delhomme's penchant for the risky throw isn't likely to claim Mangini's nerves, says Bud Shaw.

"I was very disappointed in a couple series back to back," Delhomme said. "It's going to eat at me."

Browns' game plans are see-sawing these days. Too much reliance on Hillis against Jacksonville led to an over-correction Sunday, including a gadget halfback pass in the red zone that Hillis joked probably "ended my quarterback career."

Who knows what to expect next? After giving Delhomme some liberties based on his insider knowledge of the Panthers, my guess is Mangini will reel him in. Or try anyway. Since Mangini is coaching for his job, who can blame him?

Tampa Bay. Atlanta. Now Carolina. Delhomme has gone beyond the small mistake to the big blunder in each game.

"It's not a secret," Mangini said of Delhomme's need to take better care of the ball. "It's not a private conversation between he and I. He knows it. We can't have self-inflicted wounds."

The problem is this is what you get with Delhomme. Sometimes he swings into the ballroom on the chandelier and saves the girl. More often of late, he swings in and knocks her unconscious.

With five games remaining, Mangini is putting on his best face. He must know he's not Mike Holmgren's ideal head coach. Delhomme is not his idea of a quarterback either. Everybody is stuck with each other for now.

As Mangini watched Kasay line up a makeable field goal attempt, he said "many expletives" went through his mind -- directed at the defensive letdown that allowed Carolina its improbable final chance.

My guess is the last words going through his head Sunday night before he fell asleep weren't expletives at all.

They were, "Get well, Colt."

Sources tell ESPN's Chris Broussard that players are frustrated with Spoelstra and are unsure if he's the right man for the job.

View full sizeAssociated PressThings have not gone as planned for LeBron James and the Miami Heat so far this season.

Just a few days after the much-talked about bump of Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra by forward LeBron James, rumors continue to swirl about Heat players' relationship with the head coach.

According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, players are "frustrated with Erik Spoelstra and some are questioning whether he is the right coach for their team, according to people close to the situation."

The report even cites an incident between James and Spoelstra in practice. From Broussard's report:

"Exhibit A was a recent shootaround in which Spoelstra told James that he had to get more serious. The source said Spoelstra called James out in front of the entire team, telling him, "I can't tell when you're serious."

"It is not known whether the players voiced their concerns about Spoelstra during their players-only meeting following Saturday's loss at Dallas. Nor is it apparent whether the bump between James and Spoelstra during a timeout in that game was accidental or a result of tension between the two. Spoelstra said he 'didn't even notice' the bump until it was mentioned after the game."

J.J. Hickson gets out of his slump with big game against Memphis.

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

J.J. Hickson is back on track, writes News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan. Hickson broke out of his slump with 16 points and five rebounds in the Cleveland Cavaliers' victory over Memphis last weekend.

Until then, Hickson had gone six consecutive games of not reaching double figures in scoring. Before Saturday's performance, he hadn't scored in double figures since Nov. 13 against Indiana.

Some players need a kick in the pants to get motivated.

Others need a hug. Coach Byron Scott said he's not the "warm and fuzzy type."

Hickson, 22, said the best way to get to him is to "call him out."

Whatever Scott was doing, it wasn't working.

"We're trying to find a way to get him going a little more," Scott said. "We have to find a way to make him work. He has so much potential. It's my job to tap into that."

Scott tapped into the right place because Hickson played well against Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph, who made just 1 of 8 shots in the second half.  Hickson also scored more in the paint, compared to a recent belief attempt at trying to score from the outside.

"I've been working on my jumper, but I know what my bread and butter is," he said. "I got away from that and settled for jump shots. It's just a matter of mixing it up and taking what the defense gives me."

Told you so

While ESPN and fans alike crowned the Miami Heat before they even played a game, Detroit Pistons forward Tracy McGrady said the Heat would struggle.

The Heat is right where McGrady thought they'd be. It's because LeBron James and Dwyane Wade don't mesh because they're the same type of player, McGrady said to MLive.com. It's hard for them to complement each other.

“Not at all,” he said. “It's tough to get that chemistry. You can't just go somewhere and create that type of chemistry. (James) had that in Cleveland. He had everything going for him. Great energy in the building. He created a great atmosphere. I enjoyed going to Cleveland because the atmosphere was just unbelievable.

“The chemistry he had with his teammates was unbelievable,” McGrady continued. “You can't just go somewhere and create that. You can see it on his face. He's not having fun. I'm so used to him doing all his antics on the basketball court, and he's not doing that. You can see that something is just not right.”

Welcome back

News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan writes what we all know when it comes to LeBron James and his visit to The Q on Thursday ---- he will be booed like he's never been booed before.

What he can't understand is how he's getting jeered in just about every stop throughout the NBA this season.

The reason, of course, is quite simple. He's one of the most-hated players in the league.

He brought the whole thing on himself with the way he treated his loving fans last summer.

"It is going to be a real hostile environment, I know," James told ESPN.com on Friday. "It is going to be pretty intense."

The Cavs' fans will have an outpouring of venom on Thursday during James' first visit to Cleveland, writes Finnan, but even places such as Memphis, which had nothing to do with "The Decision," are letting James have it with both barrels. 

Preach

Local pastor Prince J. Moultry of In Touch for Christ Christian Center in Cleveland. On Fox8.com:

Bishop Moultry used LeBron's impending return as the centerpiece of his Sunday sermon. He said how fans react to James' return on Thursday night at the "Q" will say more about them than it does about LeBron.

"The best way to get over any situation that's not to your liking," the bishop said, "is to kill them with kindness."

Security is expected to be tight at the game. The Cavaliers have indicated that they will not allow fans to bring signs or wear shirts that are demeaning to James or his family.

Michigan men's basketball has three sons of NBA players.

Jordan Dumar, Jon Horford and Tim Hardaway Jr. are the sons whose fathers played in the N.B.A.

The good thing for Michigan is that football season is almost over and basketballl season is here. New York Times reporter Joanne C. Gerstner takes a close look at the Michigan basketall roster and finds names like Dumars, Horford and Hardaway, with an agent (Bartelstein) thrown in for good measure. From the story:

The famous last names do belong to good players, but in this case, to the sons of the men who made them famous. Having Jordan Dumars, Jon Horford, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Bartelstein clustered on the same team creates instant star power in the crowd, where the former N.B.A. players Joe Dumars, Tito Horford and Tim Hardaway Sr. look on, along with the successful agent Mark Bartelstein. None of them planned this gathering, but they do share a lot to talk about.

They group of players landed at Michigan together for different reasons, writes Gerstner, but while they are here, their challenge will be similar. Managing fan expectations and the taunts because of their last names is something they are prepared for.

“My dad is my dad,” Tim Hardaway Jr. said. “I’m proud of everything he did, but I’m a different person and player. I can’t help it if people judge."

Pneumonia is the latest health problem to hit Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller. He entered Cleveland Clinic last week.

Chuck Crow, Plain DealerBob Feller at Indians spring training last March in Goodyear, Ariz.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hall of Famer Bob Feller is in Cleveland Clinic being treated for pneumonia, said Bob DiBiasio, Indians vice president of public relations.

Feller, 92, was admitted last week. The winningest pitcher in Indians history has had a series of health problems since being diagnosed with myeloid leukemia in August.

After receiving chemotherapy for the leukemia, Feller has had trouble with vertigo. In October, he had a pacemaker installed.

The pneumonia developed after Feller was diagnosed with thrush, an infection of the mucus membrane lining the mouth and throat. Feller, weakened because he couldn't eat much, became more susceptible to pneumonia.

DiBiasio said Feller is improving, but did not know when he'd be released.

Feller was elected to Cooperstown in 1962. He won 266 games with the Indians.

TCU joins league that gets automatic BCS bowl bid. Leaves Mountain West Conference, which will get Boise State next year, but also lose Utah and BYU.

Associated PressTCU, with quarterback Andy Dalton, is third in the current BCS standings.

Fort Worth, Texas –- TCU is moving to the Big East Conference, where the Horned Frogs won't have to worry about busting the BCS to play for a national championship.

TCU's board of trustees unanimously approved an invitation Monday to join the Big East in football and all other sports. The move from the Mountain West Conference becomes official July 1, 2012.

The Big East will provide TCU automatic access to the Bowl Championship Series and its five big-money games. That league, currently with eight football teams, has one of six automatic BCS slots.

TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte said gaining automatic-qualifying status "was a big factor" in the move and gives the Horned Frogs "the greatest opportunity to compete for the national championship."

The Big East has schools in nine of the nation's 35 largest media markets and will soon add Dallas/Fort Worth, the fifth largest.

"Located in one of the top five media markets in the country, TCU also enables the Big East to extend its media footprint, which already encompasses more than a quarter of the country," league commissioner John Marinatto said.

The pending departure of TCU continues a big shuffle for the Mountain West, which next season is losing Utah to the expanded Pac-12 and BYU, which is going independent in football. Boise State, another big BCS buster, is moving from the WAC to the Mountain West along with Fresno State and Nevada.

"Today's intercollegiate athletics environment is very fluid," Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson said in a statement. "Our board of directors and directors of athletics, as they have throughout the history of the MWC and with even more focus recently, will continue to analyze the landscape and chart our course in the context of ongoing changes."

Thompson said there were "conversations already under way with potential future members."

Del Conte said losing BYU and Utah was a "significant blow" to the Mountain West.

"It was not the same league that we joined," he said. "It's not the same home that we bought, it's not same home we were invited to, and things changed, the landscape changed."

The third-ranked Horned Frogs (12-0) wrapped up their second consecutive undefeated regular season and Mountain West title with a 66-17 victory at New Mexico on Saturday.

TCU is third in the BCS standings, the highest for a non-automatic qualifying team, and in line for a chance to play for the national championship if Auburn or Oregon lose next weekend. The Frogs likely will play in the Rose Bowl if Auburn and Oregon both win — players were holding roses on the field after their win Saturday.

The only current Big East team ranked in the AP poll is No. 23 West Virginia (8-3, 4-2 Big East), which is 24th in the BCS standings. Connecticut (7-4, 4-2) could get the league's automatic BCS spot.

TCU might not have been headed to a BCS game without Boise State's loss Friday night in overtime at Nevada. Had the Broncos remained undefeated, there was a real possibility that the Broncos could have passed the Frogs in the BCS standings and been the only non-AQ team to get into one of the top-level bowls.

"This is a great move," coach Gary Patterson said. "I'll say this, we don't seem to get bored around this place. ... The one last mark people have held against in recruiting is that we were not an automatic qualifier. Now that's been erased."

TCU was a BCS buster for the first time last season, then lost to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.

The Frogs have won 25 consecutive regular-season games, and 38 of 41 overall. The only losses in that span were in the Fiesta Bowl, and games at Oklahoma and Utah.

With all TCU sports moving to the Big East, it will create a 17-team basketball league.

Marinatto said the league was aware of the logistical issues associated with having 17 basketball teams and nine football teams and that those issues would be addressed soon. He wouldn't discuss the possibility of even more schools being added to the league.

The Big East will be the fourth conference for TCU since the Southwest Conference broke apart after the 1995 season and the Frogs weren't among the Texas schools that became part of the Big 12.

TCU was in the WAC from 1996-2000 before going to Conference USA for four seasons and then joining the Mountain West in 2005.

When Nebraska announced it was leaving the Big 12 for the Big 10 and Colorado declared its move to the Pac-10, the Big 12 opted against adding TCU or anybody else and plans to move forward as a 10-team league for now.

Watch a special edition of Starting Blocks TV previewing the state football finals. Host Bill Lubinger and Plain Dealer reporters Bob Fortuna, Joe Maxse, Tim Rogers and Tim Warsinskey analyze the six state championship games and make predictions, as well as their picks for who will win Mr. Football, which will be announced Wednesday.

Watch a special edition of Starting Blocks TV previewing the state football finals. Host Bill Lubinger and Plain Dealer reporters Bob Fortuna, Joe Maxse, Tim Rogers and Tim Warsinskey analyze the six state championship games and make predictions, as well as their picks for who will win Mr. Football, which will be announced Wednesday.

It's nice to know we still matter, even it's just this one little thing, this piece of Americana to which we've given so much, this slice of life that is high school football.

View full sizeDavid Petkiewicz / Associated PressFor Bradley Munday (33), Chagrin Falls teammate Alex Forbes and the coaches and players at St. Edward, Maple Heights and Buchtel, their hard work gives local high school football fans something to cherish for years to come.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's nice to know we still matter, even it's just this one little thing, this piece of Americana to which we've given so much, this slice of life that is high school football.

Outsiders would have us believe we no longer matter because one narcissistic basketball player left town. He returns this week to a place where still we have so much to celebrate.

Greater Cleveland and Akron will send four teams to the state high school football finals in Canton and Massillon on Friday and Saturday -- St. Edward, Maple Heights, Buchtel and Chagrin Falls. That won't matter a lick to the national media pouring into town Thursday for the Heat-Cavaliers game at The Q. But it matters to us.

High school football is woven into the fabric of our communities, more so than the ups and downs of a pro franchise. The kids and coaches come and go, but the loyalties remain to our schools because we were once them, and soon they will be us, and another generation will earn our admiration.

The four local teams represent four unique perspectives on Ohio football.

St. Edward is a private school whose fan base is as fanatical as any, and yearns for a state title more than most. This team, blessed with a deep reservoir of talent gathered far and wide, has built a strong brotherhood that seems to grow with each victory. They are thriving amid astronomical expectations and are embracing the challenge of winning the school's first football championship.

While being a private school will raise hackles among those who want a separation of private and public, let's put that aside for one week and enjoy watching a terrific team with the best offensive line this area has seen in a long time.

For too long, Maple Heights was dismissed because of an unfair urban stereotype -- black kids with speed. The secret to coach Todd Filtz's team is that this group shatters another stereotype, that urban football is chaos and the cure is raw talent.

Maple plays smart, disciplined football. There are few penalties, few mistakes, and they make terrific adjustments week to week and during games. The Mustangs prove that good football is fundamental football, no matter where it's played. And isn't it refreshing to hear their star player, quarterback Shaq Washington, speak of winning one for the city of Maple Heights? I swear that kid has a future in politics.

Down in my hometown, Buchtel getting to the finals demonstrates what happens when those who believe are those who can, and those who can are those who do. Coach Ricky Powers has his team believing and doing what no one else saw coming -- steamrollering its way to the state final. What they did to No. 1-ranked Marlington in a 52-8 semifinal win was stunning.

This is a wonderful story -- the 39-year-old Powers restoring Buchtel. He played on the Griffins' 1987 and 1988 state championship teams, which were the first metropolitan school district teams in Ohio to win state titles. As coach, he wants his kids to win at life and respect the game, and let winning on the field follow. He's a perfect fit, and one I hope stays in place a long time.

Finally, there's Chagrin Falls. If Norman Rockwell had set up shop there instead of Stockbridge, Mass., he would have had more to work with. Talk about a quaint town, and quaint in this case does not mean soft. This is a football town now. Back-to-back state finals make it so.

For whatever reason, football talent has always flowed like the Chagrin River does through town. Coach Mark Iammarino has built a proverbial gridiron dam to power his program. They lost 22 seniors last year -- normally a devastating blow in Division IV -- and still made it back to the state finals. There's a lot of young talent on this team, as well. Talk about painting a bright future.

So, after the circus leaves town Thursday night and everything settles back to our normal Friday, we'll still be here, rooting for our true hometown heroes. Our kids. The ones who really matter.

Six MAC teams have reached bowl eligibility, but it appears only three are in line for a telephone call.

View full sizeKyle Bursaw / DeKalb (Ill.) Daily ChronicleChad Spann is one of the stars for the MAC's West Division champions, Northern Illinois. The Huskies are favored to win the MAC title in Friday's championship game against Miami, but their bowl destination is far from certain.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With the college football regular season all but finished, attention now turns to the bowls.

For the Mid-American Conference, six teams reached the .500 mark to be bowl eligible, but it appears only three are in line for a telephone call.

The MAC has three bowl tie-ins: the Little Caesars Bowl (MAC vs. Big Ten) in Detroit; the GoDaddy.com Bowl (MAC vs. Sun Belt) in Mobile, Ala.; and the Humanitarian Bowl (MAC vs. Western Athletic Conference) in Boise, Idaho.

The MAC's two division champions, No. 24 Northern Illinois (10-2) and Miami (8-4), will play for the league title Friday in Detroit's Ford Field. The Little Caesars Bowl gets first choice from the MAC's pool and is in line for a Big Ten team. Eight Big Ten teams are bowl-eligible. Two -- Wisconsin and Ohio State -- are likely headed for BCS games in the Rose and Sugar bowls, respectively.

The other six bowl-eligible Big Ten teams may end up in six league-affiliated bowls other than the Little Caesars: the Insight (Tempe, Ariz.); Texas (Houston); TicketCity (Dallas); Outback (Tampa); Capital One (Orlando); and the Gator (Jacksonville).

If the Big Ten is unable to provide a team to the Little Caesars, the Sun Belt steps in as a backup conference. While popular opinion is the Little Caesars will take the MAC champion, insiders note two points:

First, NIU is worthy of a better bowl opponent than the Sun Belt can offer. Second, Toledo (8-4) would be available to arguably put more fans in the seats at Ford Field -- about an hour away -- than either NIU or Miami. So the Rockets might be the more prudent choice for the bowl and league.

Should favored NIU pull out the victory Friday, it could be headed to Boise for the Humanitarian. The MAC would love an NIU matchup against No. 9 Boise State (10-1) on its home blue turf. But the more likely scenario would have NIU against either No. 14 Nevada (11-1) or Fresno State (7-4).

Miami would then head to Mobile for a game against a Sun Belt team, likely Troy (6-5), or Florida International (6-5).

If the Sun Belt can't produce a Little Caesars opponent -- and right now that is the case -- it looks like either Ohio (8-4) or Temple (8-4) could get the call. That's right: two MAC teams in the same game, which all concerned greatly want to avoid.

With one regular-season game left in the Sun Belt season, there is a chance Middle Tennessee State (5-6) can become bowl-eligible with a home win over Florida Atlantic (4-7), Saturday. MTSU could then play the Rockets in Detroit.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor was not among the Buckeyes named to the All-Big Ten team.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / The Plain DealerDane Sanzenbacher (12) was one of five Ohio State players named by both the media and the Big Ten coaches to the conference's postseason first team.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A year after just two Buckeyes were named first-team All-Big Ten players, Ohio State put 10 players picked to the first team by either the media or the coaches, double the number of any other school.

Five Buckeyes were named to the first team by both groups: defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, linebacker Brian Rolle, cornerback Chimdi Chekwa, receiver Dane Sanzenbacher and offensive tackle Mike Adams.

Three other Buckeyes were chosen first team only by the coaches: running back Dan Herron, safety Jermale Hines and linebacker Ross Homan. Center Mike Brewster and offensive guard Justin Boren were picked only by the media to the first team. The OSU defense, which leads the conference in every major category, didn't have a player ranked in the top 18 in the Big Ten in tackles, yet had five defenders named to the first team.

In all, 33 players made at least one of the first teams, and after the 10 Buckeyes, Wisconsin was second with five players, while Iowa and Michigan State each had four. Every team other than Minnesota had at least one player named to the first team. Last season, Boren and graduated safety Kurt Coleman were the only Buckeyes selected.

"An honor like this means the world to me," Heyward said in a statement released by Ohio State. "To say that I am all-Big Ten is truly a blessing because that was one of my goals from the day I entered college. I have always wanted to be a part of that elite group."

Kicker Devin Barclay was named to the media second team, bringing the number of Buckeyes honored to 11, but quarterback Terrelle Pryor wasn't one of them. He tied Iowa's Ricky Stanzi for the Big Ten lead with 25 touchdowns and was fourth in total offense behind Michigan's Denard Robinson, Northwestern's Dan Persa and Indiana's Ben Chappell.

For the second straight year, Pryor was the Big Ten's preseason offensive player of the year and after the season was an honorable mention pick at quarterback.

Robinson was named the league's offensive player of the year by the coaches and media and was the first-team quarterback by the media, with Persa on the second team. The coaches put Persa on the first team and Wisconsin's Scott Tolzien on the second team, obviously seeing Robinson more as an all-around threat than a true quarterback.

Two juniors, Adams and Herron, were the best stories among the OSU picks, with Adams, a former five-star recruit, getting more dominant as the year went on after struggling to lock down the starting job last year. Herron began the season sharing the running duties with Brandon Saine but wound up as one of four conference backs with 1,000 yards.

"This honor is just a blessing and a dream come true," Herron said. "It belongs also to my teammates at running back and all our offensive linemen."

Senior offensive lineman Bryant Browning won Ohio State's Sportsmanship Award.

At 11-1 and 7-1 in the conference, the Buckeyes shared the Big Ten title with Wisconsin and Michigan State. Ranked No. 6 in the BCS standings, Ohio State has a BCS bid all but locked up. The bowl pairings will be announced Sunday night.

While everyone wants to talk about the Browns' quarterbacks, this team had better start tackling when it matters.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerSheldon Brown was a step behind Brandon LaFell when the Panthers receiver caught the Jimmy Clausen pass that set up John Kasay's last-second field goal attempt on Sunday. Too many times, Browns defenders have been a step late or just incapable of making an essential tackle in the key moments this season.

BEREA, Ohio -- I know you want to talk about quarterbacks.

Here's what you need to know: Unless he has a near-miraculous healing of his sprained ankle, Colt McCoy won't play Sunday in Miami. The odds are that Jake Delhomme will start again.

I know you want to debate that. But something else is bothering me.

Tackling. That's right, old-fashioned tackling.

As in near the end of the last three games, the Browns failed to make basic tackles. Twice, it led to losses.

The Jets' Santonio Holmes ran past Eric Wright and T.J. Ward for the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Ward and Wright seemed to stall for a moment, expecting the other to make a big tackle.

Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew caught a screen pass and ran 75 yards to set up the winning touchdown with 1:16 left. Sheldon Brown tried to force a fumble, rather than make a basic tackle. A few other Browns had a chance to bring down Jones-Drew, but failed.

On Sunday, Carolina's Michael Goodson turned a short pass into a 32-yard gain when it seemed a couple of Browns were in poor position. This play nearly led to a loss.

To his credit, Eric Mangini was not happy with the defense. He talked tackling. He talked about "wrapping up" the guy with the ball, not just going for the big ESPN highlight hit. He talked about "gang tackling ... hats to the ball," meaning everyone near the runner getting into the action.

He also mentioned that the defense didn't have a good week of practice, and it showed against Carolina. He challenged the defense to play with "more intensity."

While it's more fun to talk offense and argue quarterbacks, the Browns' two biggest victories this season have been ignited by the defense. When they beat New Orleans, 30-17, they held the Saints to only 58 yards rushing. Linebacker David Bowens picked off two of Drew Brees' four interceptions and returned them for touchdowns.

A week later was a stunning 34-14 victory over New England, which had only 68 yards rushing and lost two fumbles. Early in the season, the Browns beat Cincinnati, 23-20, holding the Bengals to 67 yards rushing.

But in the last three games, the Browns have allowed 151, 144 and 172 rushing yards. In their first eight games, the Browns had only one opponent (Atlanta, 165 yards) running past the Browns.

Some of this is due to losing defensive end Robaire Smith and linebacker Scott Fujita to injuries. Both are excellent defenders against the run, solid tacklers and team leaders. But Mangini and defense coordinator Rob Ryan sense that the defense has lost some of its edge. There has been some slippage in the basic tackling. In the last two games, Jacksonville and Carolina have average more than 5.1 yards per carry.

Obviously, pass coverage is a big deal, too. All three plays that I mentioned were passes, two of them very short, but still long gains. But the struggles against the run are indicators of the tackling problems.

With five games left, the weather turning cold and a chance at something approaching a decent season -- now is the time for the team to play what Mangini calls "Browns football." Part of that not only is a hard-hitting defense, it's a defense that makes sure the ball carrier hits the ground.

In a week where both Boston and Miami come to Cleveland, what do the Cavaliers focus on? Themselves, of course.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerRamon Sessions and the rest of the Cavaliers know keeping a close check on Boston's brilliant Rajon Rondo will go a long way toward gaining a second victory over the Celtics on Tuesday.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Here's a Cavaliers riddle: If one of the most hated rivals in the league comes to town in the same week that features the return of the most hated player in all the land, what in the world is a Cleveland player to focus on?

"It's easy," point guard Mo Williams said Monday. "I got Rondo tomorrow. That should be enough said."

It's a bit of a trick question, of course. When the Celtics arrive Tuesday with the Eastern Conference's best record at 12-4, Williams and his cohorts will focus on running the aging Boston squad -- and slowing Rajon Rondo and his 14.2 assists per game -- in the same manner that they did in their surprising season-opening victory.

When the Miami Heat play its first game in Cleveland on Thursday with a certain Player Who Left making his first return since "The Decision," they will focus on keeping defensive rotations crisp and locking in on the offensively explosive stars that headline the team.

Call this the toughest week of the Cavaliers schedule, as two highly emotional games come within three days.

The Cavaliers would rather have this be the week they truly find themselves and reveal their identity to all, as the NBA spotlight focuses on Cleveland for one week. Coach Byron Scott began the week by showing the team recent video highlights focused on an improved defense. Currently, the Cavaliers are 15th in the NBA in points allowed, at 99.6.

The best defense the Cavaliers hope to employ against Boston, however, is their fast-paced offense. That's what they did in a 95-87 victory in the opener.

"We ran, we ran, we ran," said Williams, who missed that game with a groin injury. "That was a new-look team at the time, and they didn't know what to expect. I expect to see a better, more prepared Boston. [But] we've had time to get games under our belt, and I feel like we'll be better from the first game, also."

The Cavaliers are finally entirely healthy and beginning to come together as a team, Scott said. Though they've won just two of the last six games, there has been a noticeable improvement in defensive rotation and offensive movement.

"It's just time, just time together on the floor," Williams said. "Being whole, everybody being healthy and one, and having an opportunity to practice together."

So revealing what the Cavaliers believe is a team finally coming together will be the first challenge. The first opportunity will come against Boston.

"We know in order to be a great team and a team that's continuing to get better, those are the type of teams that you want to be and the type of teams you want to beat," guard Daniel Gibson said.

Fine with fine: Scott reacted evenly to the $35,000 fine levied Sunday by the NBA for his comments criticizing officiating in Friday's loss at Orlando.

"It is what it is," Scott shrugged. "Friday after the game, I forgot all about it."

The trickier part for Scott is figuring out how to pay the largest fine he's ever been assessed.

"I don't know if they take it out in increments or in one big lump," he said. "But they're gonna get it. It's not as if I can say, 'Mr. [David] Stern, I'll send you a check,' and then wait 4-5 months."

At his neck: Gibson was one Cavalier honest enough to admit that he already has a plan for how he's going to approach LeBron James' return to Cleveland on Thursday. Though the two are friends and James has sent encouraging messages to Gibson about his improved play this season, Gibson said he is a competitor on the court.

"When we get out there on the court, I'm going at his neck," Gibson said. "When we're off the court, we say our hi's and our goodbye's."

Dribbles: Williams said he was still getting over his Alabama's football loss Saturday to Auburn. "They still got me on suicide watch," he said. ... SportsBusiness Daily/SportsBusiness Journal released results from its sixth annual reader survey Monday. The Cavaliers were part of the second-biggest sports business story of the year: James announcing where he'll play this season on TV. "The Decision" earned 20.71 percent of votes from readers for the top story, narrowly losing out to South Africa hosting the World Cup, which earned 21.85 percent of votes.

Indians manager Manny Acta says Grady Sizemore is his center fielder "until I hear differently." Sizemore is recovering from surgery on his left knee, but isn't scheduled to start running until January.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerManny Acta believes that Grady Sizemore, Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera will be healthy and able to contribute during the 2011 season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio --  Indians manager Manny Acta met reporters for lunch Monday to discuss his off-season and the approaching 2011 season.

It was an interesting weekend for Acta. On Saturday, he tubed down the Batterhorn at Progressive Field as part of the team's Snow Days promotion. Sunday he went to his first NFL game, watching the Browns edge the Panthers.

Yes, that was Acta wearing the big orange "we're No.1 finger' behind Carolina's bench.

"I'll tell you what, Peyton Hillis is the man in this town," said Acta.

Acta was born in the Dominican Republic. Tubing down man-made snow hills and going to NFL football games were not among his childhood experiences.

Here are some other bullet points from Acta.

• -Acta said "until I hear differently' Grady Sizemore will be his center fielder in 2011. Sizemore missed most of last season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee.

Sizemore is not scheduled to start running until January. Acta made it clear his progress and work load will be "monitored" closely during spring training. In other words, Sizemore won't be 100 percent when camp opens Feb. 15.

• Josh Judy, who just finished a winter ball assignment in the Dominican Republic where he went 5-for-5 in save situations with a 1.50 ERA and no walks in 12 innings, has a chance to crack the Tribe's stacked bullpen.

"He's knocking on the door," said Acta.

• Acta sounded confident that GM Chris Antonetti will be able to acquire a starting pitcher to help the rotation. It would be nice if he's left-handed because outside of David Huff, who flopped last year, the team doesn't have a left-handed candidate.

• Acta is looking for Chris Perez, Shin-Soo Choo, Travis Hafner and Asdrubal Cabrera to provide leadership.

"But given the choice between leadership and good defense and pitching, I'll take defense and pitching," said Acta.

• Infield prospects Jason Kipnis and Cord Phelps, among others, will be invited to big league camp.

• The Indians signed catcher Luke Carlin to a minor-league deal and invited him to spring training. Carlin finished last season with the Indians before being dropped from the 40-man roster.

Antonetti is looking for depth at catcher since Carlos Santana is coming off extensive surgery on his left knee. Carlin hit .357 (5-for-14) with two homers and three RBI in six games with the Tribe.

Browns have had losing records in nine of 11 seasons since rejoining NFL. Links to all those seasons. And, link to every Plain Dealer game story in Browns history.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerBrowns linebacker David Bowens (96) hugs cornerback Joe Haden after Haden intercepted a fourth-quarter pass during Cleveland's 24-23 win over Carolina.

Cleveland, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns are 4-7 with five games remaining in their 2010 season.

Those games are Sunday at Miami against the Dolphins (6-5); Dec. 12 at Buffalo against the Bills (2-9); Dec. 19 at Cincinnati against the Bengals (2-9); Dec. 26 at home against the Baltimore Ravens (8-3); Jan. 2 at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3).

Since the Browns returned as a franchise to the NFL in 1999, they have had two winning seasons: 2002, when they were 9-7, made the playoffs as a wild card and lost at Pittsburgh, 36-33, in a first-round game; 2007, when they were 10-6 and were denied a playoff spot because of losing in the tiebreaker rules to the Tennessee Titans.

(Years are highlighted to link to Browns' details for each season on pro-football-reference.com)

The Browns' nine losing seasons among the last 11: 2-14 in 1999; 3-13 in 2000; 7-9 in 2001; 5-11 in 2003; 4-12 in 2004; 6-10 in 2005; 4-12 in 2006; 4-12 in 2008; 5-11 in 2009.

As they try to better some of those records, the Browns need to win on Sunday against the Dolphins, and to do so, they'll need another strong game from tailback Peyton Hillis, fullback Lawrence Vickers and the offensive line. with, of course, help from the tight ends and wide receivers.

On Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report, the Sports Xchange details how Hillis's running has been a key in the Browns' best games:

The Browns beat Cincinnati, New Orleans and New England this year and in those games Hillis rushed for 102, 69 and 184 yards respectively. One reason they beat the Saints without Hillis rushing for 100 was linebacker David Bowens returned two interceptions for touchdowns, which meant the ball went right back to the Saints.

Hillis rushed for 131 yards and scored three touchdowns when the Browns beat the Panthers 24-23 last week.

"We have to know what they do on the defensive side of the ball and adjust to it during the game," Hills said. "Sometimes you have a good week; sometimes you have a bad week. You have to prepare hard every week."

Hillis does not agree with the notion that if the Dolphins slow him they beat the Browns. He predicts the Browns will launch an aerial assault if Miami uses eight defenders in the box.

Check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for extensive Browns coverage. And, read The Plain Dealer game stories on every Browns regular season and playoff game in their history, at The PD's Browns History Database.

Post patterns

The Browns are interesting this season, even if not always good, Bob Hunter writes for the Columbus Dispatch.

The Browns got a break on a play review against Carolina, former NFL official Mike Pereira writes for FoxSports.com.

Wide receiver Brian Robiskie's fine game, and Browns notes, by Mike McLain of the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

Peyton Hillis has another strong game, by Fred Greetham for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

What coach Eric Mangini is saying, by Scott Petrak for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Comments on Peyton Hillis, by Peter King for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

Which is the NFL's worst team? The 10th of 10 NFL questions from Sean Leahy on USAToday.com. Hint: They were just in town.

Browns notes, leading off with placekicker Phil Dawson, by Brian Dulik for the Medina County Gazette and Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

Browns wide receivers got the job done, by David S. Glasier for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Eric Mangini calls out his defense, much the same as safety Sheldon Brown did the day before.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerEric Mangini unleashed a profane series of objections on Sunday when officials allowed Carolina to attempt a game-winning kick by John Kasay after receiver Brandon LaFell was ruled to have gotten out of bounds on his reception of a Jimmy Clausen pass. "I was glad the kids were actually at the game yesterday, so they weren't watching it on TV," he said. "It wasn't G-rated what I was yelling."

BEREA, Ohio -- A day after cornerback Sheldon Brown said the Browns lack "killer instinct" and have had unacceptable meltdowns, coach Eric Mangini called out his defense for coming out flat against the Panthers.

"I feel like we should've played much better than we did defensively," he said. "And I felt at times during the game, we did that, but that's not how we play. It's consistency. That's what we need to do. It's consistent, good, smart football. Tackling is a huge component of that, just fundamentals."

Mangini said the lackluster performance began during the week.

"Defensively, I don't think we had as good a week of practice and I think it showed," he said. "They went down and scored [a touchdown] on the opening drive of the game, and that hasn't happened in 23-odd games. I don't think we came out playing with the right level of intensity. That's not what we do. That's not the way we approach it. In the running game, technique, run-fits and tackling needs to improve."

He lamented two consecutive weeks where the Browns have allowed a big play at the end of the game -- the 75-yard screen in Jacksonville and a 32-yard pass and run to Mike Goodson by the Panthers.

"We had the guy hemmed up there on the sideline and he gets away and it goes for another 20-odd yards," he said. "Can't happen. We have to work on getting that fixed immediately."

He acknowledged losing defensive end Robaire Smith for the season to a back injury and linebacker Scott Fujita for an extended period with a knee injury have hurt. Fujita will be out probably a few more weeks.

"It's significant," said Mangini. "Robaire is excellent against the run. He also sets a certain tone. He's got a tone similar to Matt Roth. He's a tough guy and we miss Robaire a lot.

"Scott's done great things this year. [He's] another guy that was voted as a defensive captain and his versatility, especially his role on third down, that's been missed, and for a lot of different reasons.

"Some of it's the way he plays and some of it is the way he sees the things and communicates out those alerts or adjustments defensively. When you lose two guys like that, it makes it hard."

He pointed at changing faces in the secondary, with injuries limiting Eric Wright and Mike Adams. Adams returned Sunday and Wright has a chance to play in Miami this week. It forced newcomer Eric King into action and Ray Ventrone into an expanded role.

"But everybody faces those challenges," said Mangini. "You have to deal with them and come out and put your best foot forward."

Wacky ending: The Browns sent in tape from the end of the game, when the officials apparently botched the ruling after Brandon LaFell's 28-yard catch that set up John Kasay's 42-yard field goal attempt.

First, the officials missed Sheldon Brown's touch of LaFell's elbow while the receiver was inbounds, meaning the clock should have kept running. Second, after the catch survived a review, the officials still left time to set up the kick. Mangini had been assured that if the catch was upheld, the clock would run out.

"I needed some blood pressure medicine," said Mangini. "I was glad the kids were actually at the game yesterday, so they weren't watching it on TV. It wasn't G-rated what I was yelling."

Mangini said he won't be permitted to share the league's findings on the play.

Rookie impact: Mangini said Joe Haden, with interceptions in each of his last three games, will likely start again in place of Wright, who has been out with a knee injury. Wright might be able to come back on a limited basis this week. Still, Haden has most likely earned a starting spot.

"Joe has done really well," said Mangini. "He's getting better as we go. He's making a strong, strong case for continued playing time."

This is Peyton's place: Peyton Hillis has exceeded Mangini's expectations this season.

"Yeah, he has," Mangini said. "I thought he was pretty good and a great addition, but he's been outstanding. I don't know how else you describe the things that he does. He shows up, works like crazy, is a great guy, loves being here and plays his heart out every week. Runs people over on the goal line, catches everything we throw to him, blocks well.

"Yeah, he's made for Cleveland."

The margin may not have been large to CSU fans, but it wasn't a concern for CSU coach Gary Waters.

View full sizeTim Harrison / Special to The Plain DealerCleveland State point guard Norris Cole (30) pulls away from Robert Morris' Elton Roy (left) and Anthony Myers during Monday's 58-53 Vikings victory at the Wolstein Center.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland State has the clear look of a veteran team quickly getting into top form.

Monday, the Vikings defeated Robert Morris with their proven formula. A lot of team defense and Norris Cole was just too much for the Colonials to handle in a 58-53 Vikings win before 1,841 fans in the Wolstein Center.

The margin may not have been large to those in attendance, but it wasn't a concern for CSU coach Gary Waters.

"I wasn't overly concerned they could beat us," he said. "If we don't turn the ball over it's not even close."

Cole led CSU (8-0) with 29 points, followed by 13 from Tre Harmon and 10 from Aaron Pogue. But Cole also had six of CSU's 12 turnovers, eight in the second half. The starters showed the fatigue of playing between 30 and 39 minutes while the bench managed just one point in 23 minutes on the floor.

"I think they were exhausted," Waters said of his starters. "We can't do anything with the bench like that. The bench has got to help us out."

CSU built a 33-17 cushion at the break and pushed the lead up to 48-26 early in the second half. The Vikings then sweated it out to the finish as Robert Morris closed to 55-53 with 1:13 to play. But the visitors could not get the hoop to tie.

Colonials coach Andrew Toole said the game was lost in the opening half.

"This is a man's game, and the first 20 minutes we played like boys."

Still, forward Russell Johnson's 22 points, including 17 in the second half, nearly pulled it out for Robert Morris.

The CSU defense choked the Colonials (2-3) around the rim to the tune of 26.3 percent shooting in the first half and 39.6 percent for the game. But the night exposed some issues for CSU beyond just the bench.

The Vikings were out-rebounded, 36-24, and 18-11 on the offensive boards. It was the second straight game and third of the season in which CSU lost on the boards. On the season, the Vikings are shooting at a 39.9 percent clip, which puts a lot of pressure on the defense.

When teams make a run, the bench is scoreless, and fatigue is setting in, the starters have got to make sure the job is done early rather than late.

"We learned we've got to finish teams out," Cole said. "We'll make sure that won't happen again."

This one looked to be over by the 11:59 mark of the first half as CSU was running a layup line while building an 18-5 lead. Key to the surge was Cole, who had eight points in the first eight minutes and 17 by halftime.

An eighth straight victory for the surging Vikings appeared well in hand. It wasn't. But it was a victory just the same.

Against Florida State, Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger is looking to raise the level of his play once again.

View full sizePaul Vernon / Associated PressOhio State's Jared Sullinger (left) has seen his production drop after a breakout game earlier this month against Florida. He's looking for another big night Tuesday as the Buckeyes play Florida State.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State basketball is back in the state of Florida Tuesday night and back in the spotlight. Maybe freshman big man Jared Sullinger will get back to playing his best.

After rising to No. 2 in the polls, the test for Ohio State (5-0) is at 5-1 Florida State in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge, while 10 days ago the game was at No. 9 Florida. In that game, his second as a college player, Sullinger broke out with 26 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes in a 93-75 win that had the college basketball world talking.

In his three games since then, Sullinger has averaged 10 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes, as the Buckeyes beat UNC-Wilmington, Morehead State and Miami (Ohio) by an average of 27 points.

The challenge wasn't the same, and neither was Sullinger.

"Sometimes as a freshman, you come out and you walk out there and think, 'I'll do the same thing I did the last game,'" Sullinger said Monday, admitting that the lower level of competition has affected his level of play.

There's another thing, too. After what he did to the Gators, opponents are game-planning for Sullinger. They want to take him outside on defense and get him out of the lane, then get multiple players on him on the offensive end when a shot goes up.

"It's been a lot different, actually," Sullinger said. "It's obvious that sometimes the focal point is keeping me off the offensive boards, and it's kind of tough because normally it's two people boxing me out instead of one, so I can't really be as effective as I want to."

Sullinger, then, is in the adjustment-to-the-adjustment phase of his career, just five games in.

"Coach [Thad] Matta told me, 'The first couple games you'll get what you want, and later on down the season, it's going to be tough.' And I see what he means now," Sullinger said. "I've just got to be active, like [senior teammate David] Lighty told me. If you're active, people get tired, especially with me being so big."

Against Florida State's Chris Singleton, who is 6-foot-9 and averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds per game, Sullinger has plenty to get up for.

"There's a learning curve there," Matta said. "In high school a lot of times you can show up and be 60 or 70 percent and still get 20 points and eight rebounds. Now everybody is on scholarship and everyone wants to win and everybody is a little bit more athletic."

BIG TEN-ACC CHALLENGE

The Big Ten won the Big Ten-ACC Challenge for the first time in 11 tries last season, and though the Big Ten is better top to bottom again this year, the matchups may not work out for a repeat title.

Monday

Virginia 87, No. 15 Minnesota 79

Tuesday

Iowa at Wake Forest, 7, ESPNU: Pick: Wake Forest. Demon Deacons have started slow, so should be tight.

Georgia Tech at Northwestern, 7, ESPN2: Pick: Northwestern. Win would help Wildcats show they are serious about NCAA Tournament.

No. 2 Ohio State at Florida State, 7:30, ESPN: Pick: Ohio State. Buckeyes will be up for another good road test.

Michigan at Clemson, 9, ESPN2: Pick: Clemson. Young Wolverines still too raw.

North Carolina at No. 20 Illinois, 9:30, ESPN: Pick: Illinois. The Illini have vets, young Tar Heels have been disappointing.

WEDNESDAY

Indiana at Boston College, 7:15, ESPNU: Pick: Boston College. At 6-0, Hoosiers haven't been tested yet.

North Carolina State at Wisconsin, 7:15 ESPN2: Pick: Wisconsin. Badgers have lost twice but are so tough at home.

No. 22 Purdue at Virginia Tech, 7:30, ESPN: Pick: Virginia Tech. Hokies have been tested more, off loss to Richmond the Boilermakers are upset again.

Maryland at Penn State, 9:15, ESPN2: Pick: Maryland. Terps have hung tough in losses to two ranked teams.

No. 6 Michigan State at No. 1 Duke, 9:30, ESPN: Pick: Duke. Spartans will put up fight, Duke just too tough at home.

-- Doug Lesmerises

You Pick the Winners football contest for Week 13 is now open. Make your picks for a chance to win!

This is a weekly contest. Enter for a chance at a $250 gift card.

Week 13 of our You-Pick-the-Winners contest is now open for entries!

The contest is simple. We're asking for straight-up picks, no point spreads.

Whoever picks the most games correctly gets the $25 gas card and becomes a finalist for a $250 gift card to be awarded at the end of the regular season. The finalist also will be invited to appear on our weekly predictions show, hosted by Branson Wright and Chuck Yarborough.

If there's a tie, whoever guesses closest to the total score of the Browns' game without going over will become the finalist.

Ready to play? Use this form to submit your picks.

Questions? Take a look at the official rules.

Important note No. 1: If you get an error when making your picks, be sure to fill in both lines of the address field.

Important note No. 2: Only residents of Ohio are eligible to win.

Make your picks now.

Where are those guys from "What not to wear" when you need 'em?

View full sizeMarvin Fong,
The Plain DealerTerrelle Pryor sports a uniform that puts the ugh in ugly.