Ohio State's ninth BCS game in 13 years will be in New Orleans, its sixth straight BCS trip.

View full sizeApril L. Brown / Associated PressArkansas' prodigious quarterback, Ryan Mallett, will be a familiar face to Ohio State defenders, as he was a freshman at Michigan in 2007 before transferring to Fayetteville.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Michigan State sent a video to the Sugar Bowl extolling the virtues of Spartan football, making a case for the school's first BCS bowl trip in the 13-year history of the current college football postseason system.

Ohio State just had to be Ohio State.

That was enough, and on Sunday night, the No. 6 Buckeyes (11-1) were picked to face No. 8 Arkansas (10-2) in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Jan. 4, Ohio State's ninth BCS game in those 13 years and the sixth straight BCS trip. It will be the first meeting between the two schools.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, at the suggestion of athletic director Gene Smith and OSU president Gordon Gee, did make a call to the Sugar Bowl bosses during the week.

"I think it was important that they knew we were fired up about the thought of playing in the Sugar Bowl," Tressel said. "Our people are fired up."

The Spartans, who tied with Wisconsin and Ohio State for the Big Ten title and were ranked No. 9 in the final BCS standings, had to do a little more.

Wisconsin went to the Rose Bowl because the Badgers had the highest BCS ranking among the Big Ten co-champs, while Michigan State is headed to the Capital One Bowl to play Alabama.

But the Spartans took their shot at the Sugar. Sugar Bowl CEO Paul Hoolahan called Michigan State's video "an extraordinary effort" and said he found it "compelling."

"We brought it to the executive board of our organization. We really gave it, I think, very careful consideration," Hoolahan said. "It was a difficult decision, but in the final analysis, when we looked at the higher-ranked Ohio State, we did have some background and experience as you well know with Ohio State having been in our championship game and games prior to that. So there was a little more familiarity, and of course that made the decision a little bit easier."

So the Buckeyes are off to the fourth Sugar Bowl in school history. The current seniors were there as freshmen after the 2007 season to play in the BCS National Championship in New Orleans, but that wasn't actually the Sugar Bowl. Arkansas is playing in the first BCS game in school history, though the Razorbacks are led by a face familiar to Ohio State fans.

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallet is 1 for 3 passing for 8 yards in his brief career against the Buckeyes. He came into the 2007 Ohio State-Michigan game in relief of the ailing Chad Henne. He was a highly-touted freshman then, but he transferred to Arkansas when new coach Rich Rodriguez arrived with a spread offense that didn't fit Mallet's skills.

"He had great size with a lightning-quick release," Tressel said. "His arm strength back when he was a freshman was extraordinary. When he left, I'm not going to lie to you, I was happy. I thought I was through with Ryan Mallet. ... Now here we are getting him at the height of his career."

"I'm sure that will mean something to him," Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said of Mallet revisiting his Michigan roots.

The Buckeyes also will be confronting their 0-9 bowl record against the SEC, three of the losses coming under Tressel. Arkansas is 0-3 against the Big Ten in bowl games.

"When you hear about matching up with an SEC team, you know you're playing a great team," Tressel said. "It just so happens the record is what it is, but it doesn't have a bearing on this game."

It didn't have a bearing on the Buckeyes getting there. Though Ohio State didn't sell all its tickets for the Fiesta Bowl two years ago, Hoolahan said he expects Ohio State to sell out its ticket allotment of 17,500.

"I think every bowl knows about Ohio State," Tressel said. "Our fans could go to 50 bowls in a row and still be excited about going to a bowl game."

Buckeye leaves: Receiver Dane Sanzenbacher was announced at the team's banquet Sunday as both Ohio State's MVP and the most inspirational senior in a vote by his teammates. Tressel said in 25 years of coaching he never had the same player win both awards, and Sanzenbacher was the clear winner in both. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor was named the outstanding offensive player, while defensive lineman Cameron Heyward was outstanding defensive player.

Other award winners were: Academics: Long snapper Jake McQuaide; Freshman offensive player: WR Corey Brown; Freshman defensive player: Johnathan Hankins; Special teams: K Devin Barclay; Defensive lineman: Dexter Larimore; Linebackers: Brian Rolle and Ross Homan; Defensive backs: Chimdi Chekwa and Jermale Hines; Offensive back: Dan Herron; Offensive lineman: Justin Boren and Bryant Browning; Best player on homecoming: Andrew Sweat; Best player in Michigan game: Jermale Hines; Warrior Award: Brandon Saine and Aaron Gant. ...

Tressel said Pryor is one of the three finalists for the Chicago Tribune's Silver Football, awarded to the Big Ten's best player. The other two finalists are Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson and Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. ...

The Buckeyes have final exams this week and will start practice again Thursday. The team will practice through Dec. 21, then the players will go home from Dec. 22-25, then practice again in Columbus starting Dec. 26 before flying to New Orleans on Dec. 29.

Get in on the discussion with DSN's hosts all day as they talk about the game on Digital Sports Network. Sam Rutigliano joins the discussion at 5 p.m.

AP PhotoPhil Dawson kicks the winning field goal for the Browns on Sunday.

As always, there's always plenty to talk about in the world of Cleveland sports. 

Today the focus is on the Browns' win over Miami

Were the Browns lucky or good on Sunday? Does Eric Mangini deserve more credit? Are you still feeling uneasy about Jake Delhomme at quarterback?

Get in on the discussion with DSN's hosts all day as they talk about the game on Digital Sports Network, cleveland.com's new online sports station featuring live streaming video and audio.

Join DSN's lineup of all-star hosts from now until 11 p.m. and get in on the discussion by posting in our chat room and calling into the shows.

6-9 a.m.: About Last Night: Mike Cairns and Bill Boronkay:

9 a.m.-noon: Locked and Loaded: Greg Kozarik and Brian Fowler: 

8-11 p.m.: The Final Word: Joe Lull and Bob Karlovec

Remember, you can watch the live video stream or listen to the audio-only stream and interact with the studio via chat room, Twitter, Facebook, phone or email.

Get all the recaps from Sunday's NFL games including the Steelers defeat Ravens and the Saints rally to defeat Bengals.

Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones, right, flips and is tackled by Indianapolis Colts linebacker Tyjuan Hagler in the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010. The Cowboys defeated the Colts 38-35 in overtime. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
• NFL scoreboard | Browns hold on to beat Dolphins

The San Diego   Chargers don't lose in December, when they prove they own the AFC West. The Indianapolis Colts usually clinch the AFC South before Christmas.

On  Sunday, both teams saw their division title hopes take huge hits, and with wild-card aspirations farfetched, their chances of making the playoffs diminished, too.

Oakland, which snapped a 13-game slide against San Diego on Oct. 10, swept the season series for the first time since 2001 with a 28-13 victory. The Chargers' streak of 18 straight December victories, which tied an NFL record for most victories in any month, came to a thudding end.

San Diego (6-6) had won four in a row, but now is tied with Oakland in a division Kansas City leads by two games.

"Everyone was talking all week long about the hottest team in football and on and on," Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour said. "We give them a lot of credit. They are a good football team, but we just understand what we need to in order to beat these guys. And we give a lot of credit to the offensive line. We just wanted to run it at them."

Oakland did, piling up 251 yards. Darren  McFadden ran for 97 yards and a TD, and Michael Bush rushed for 95 yards and a score.

Dallas was nearly as effective with the run in stunning Indianapolis 38-35  in  overtime. Dallas (4-8) rushed for a season-high 217 yards and led most of the way thanks to Peyton Manning's four interceptions, two returned for TDs — by Sean Lee and Orlando Scandrick. The Colts (6-6), undefeated at this point a year ago, fell one game behind first-place Jacksonville in the AFC South.

"We certainly have put ourselves in a hole," Manning said after Lee's second interception set up David Buehler's winning 38-yard field goal. "Unfortunately, we have to scoreboard-watch a little bit and that's not a situation you want to be in. I'm disappointed that I've put our team in a hole, but we do have some division games left."

The defending conference champs might need to win every remaining game to get into the postseason.

Elsewhere, Brett Favre lasted only one series in Minnesota before damaging his right shoulder. Tarvaris Jackson threw three picks, but also hit Sidney  Rice for two scores in a 38-14 win against Buffalo. Favre sprained his throwing shoulder after getting crunched by linebacker Arthur Moats, an injury that leaves the Vikings quarterback unsure whether he will be able to start his 298th straight regular-season game next week.

"If we were talking ankles or elbows, thumbs or something like that, I would probably be a little more up to date on how to deal with it," the 41-year-old Favre said. "First time in 20 years I have ever done anything like that, so it is kind of surprising."

Also Sunday, it was: Kansas City 10, Denver 6; Pittsburgh 13, Baltimore 10; Atlanta 28, Tampa Bay 24; New Orleans 34, Cincinnati 30; Jacksonville 17, Tennessee 6; Chicago 24, Detroit 20; Green Bay 24, San Francisco 16; Seattle 31, Carolina 14; St. Louis 19, Arizona 6; the New York Giants 31, Washington 7; and Cleveland 13, Miami 10.

On Thursday night, Philadelphia beat Houston 34-24.

The Monday night game is for AFC East supremacy, with Jets and Patriots facing off in Foxborough. Both are 9-2.

Raiders 28, Chargers 13

At San Diego, Jason Campbell ran for a touchdown and threw for another as  the  Raiders overcame 13 penalties for 105 yards. The Chargers had a season-low 286 yards in total offense and Philip Rivers was sacked four times.

"It's obviously very disappointing we weren't able to play at the level we've been playing over the last month," coach Norv Turner said.

Cowboys 38, Colts 35, OT

At Indianapolis, four-time MVP Manning finished 36 of 48 for 365 yards with two touchdowns and his second straight four-interception game as the Colts dropped their third in a row. He's thrown a career-high 11 picks in the past three weeks, four going back for TDs.

"There's nothing new or different about the defense Dallas was playing," Manning said. "The four interceptions, guys were covered, they shouldn't have been thrown. That's basic football."

Dallas has won three of four since Jason Garrett replaced Wade Phillips as coach, but lost rookie receiver Dez Bryant with a broken right ankle.

Vikings 38, Bills 14

At Minneapolis, Adrian Peterson rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns on a gimpy right ankle for the Vikings (5-7), who are 2-0 under interim head coach Leslie Frazier.

Drayton Florence had two interceptions, returning one for a score, for the Bills (2-10). But Buffalo committed five turnovers.

This is the sixth consecutive NFL season in which there have been at least 50 different starting quarterbacks, writes Norman Chad.

Quarterback Jay Cutler has the Chicago Bears atop the NFC North with a 9-3 record after their victory Sunday in Detroit.

This is the sixth consecutive NFL season in which there have been at least 50 different starting quarterbacks. The high turnover is mostly injury-related and performance-related; on occasion, it is simply Carolina Panthers-related.

Couch Slouch’s “I Team” — that’s me; Toni, aka She Is The One (And Then Some); my stepkids Isaiah and Mia; and our intrepid rescue dog Sapphire, who is by my side for most NFL action (though she won’t watch NFL Network games) — has identified several intriguing quarterback story lines.

Note: This is a Brett Favre-free column.

I must first apologize to Jets pretty boy/hunkaholic Mark Sanchez. I had loudly proclaimed the Lions were better off drafting Matthew Stafford than Sanchez. Stafford might one day be great, but so far in his injury-riddled career, he has won all of three games; Sanchez won two playoff games his rookie year, and every time I wait for him to make a big mistake, he ends up making a big play. So maybe Turnpike Mark is the next Broadway Joe.

I also must apologize — gulp — to the man I love to malign, Jay Cutler. Cutler is to the 21st century what Jeff George was to the 20th century, and he still might revert to his pouting, punk-like, pass-the-buck-andthrow- a-pick habits, but at the moment, his Bears are in first place and I am in my PBR cellar drowning in stupidity and sorrow. P.S. This apology will be retracted at the earliest possible opportunity.

Donovan McNabb has started every Redskins game, though he did sit out the final two minutes of one contest for cardiovascular reasons. I mention this because many of my Washington friends seem to think coach Mike Shanahan is the cure to the team’s perpetual ills. Well, the “I Team” did some digging and discovered that since John Elway’s retirement in 1998, Shanahan has won exactly one playoff game. Heck, even Norv Turner has won four in that time.

(Column intermission: For the second time in three years, my Team of Destiny seems to have a date with destiny. Who among us had the 2008 Arizona Cardinals going to the Super Bowl? I did. And who among us had this year’s Philadelphia Eagles in first place after 12 games? I did. After Andy Reid dumped McNabb, the Eagles were dissed and discounted; in many national polls, they were running behind Parker- Spitzer. But I had vision, I had conviction and, without knowing it, I had Michael Vick. On occasion, my friends, I impress myself like no other.)

Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees all have a remote chance to break Dan Marino’s single- season passing-yardage record of 5,084. This doesn’t seem possible to me — you essentially have to average 325 yards a game over 16 games. In Rivers’ case, I suspect the Chargers, who play just beyond the glare of the national spotlight most weeks, might be using a Canadian-style 110-yard football field in San Diego.

The following are names of actual NFL starting quarterbacks this year, many of whom you would not recognize even if you were a member of their immediate family. Bruce Gradkowski, Max Hall, Shaun Hill, Brian St. Pierre, Drew Stanton, Charlie Whitehurst.

No, I was not making up the name of Brian St. Pierre in the previous item. He started a game for the Panthers two weeks ago. The team’s personnel director apparently went to Radio Shack just before kickoff and pulled the third person out of line.

Among starting quarterbacks this season are two Mannings (Peyton and Eli), two Chads (Henne and Pennington) and three Smiths. Somewhat improbably, Alex Smith, Troy Smith and Rusty Smith are among the 53 men who have been an NFL starting QB in 2010. Then again, Smith is a common surname in the United States, like Constantinescu in Romania.

We will end with an ode to Todd Bouman. Perhaps you have never heard of Todd Bouman, who started for the Jaguars on Oct. 24. He deserves your respect. Because if you attended St. Cloud State University and were signed as an undrafted free agent in 1997, to still be strapping it up behind center at age 38 is life-affirming. Bouman has played for six NFL teams, and, before getting cut on Nov. 10, was on his fifth tour of duty with the Jaguars. Would you stick with the same line of work if it kept taking you back to Jacksonville?

Ask The Slouch!

Q: Cam Newton’s father wanted $180,000 from Mississippi State for his son’s letter of intent. What did your parents ask from the University of Maryland so that you would matriculate there? — Bill Lehky, Strongsville

A: Just that they wouldn’t send me back home after graduation.

Q: What will happen to America if there is no football or basketball next year?—Lenny Freed, Lyndhurst

A: I believe the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution calls for the dissolution of the Union.

Q: If the newly enacted NBA prohibition against disgusted expression had been in effect during your previous marriages, how many technical fouls might your ex-wives have amassed?—Scott D. Shuster, Watertown, Mass.

A: Pay the man, Shirley.

You, too, can enter the $1.25 Ask The Slouch Cash Giveaway. Just email asktheslouch@aol.com and, if your question is used, you win $1.25 in cash!

Norman Chad is a freelance writer in Los Angeles.

Who was the most valuable player for the Browns in Sunday's 13-10 win over Miami?

View full sizeAssociated PressCornerback Joe Haden intercepts a pass intended for Miami receiver Brian Hartline. The pick is the rookie's fourth in as many games and was key in Sunday's 13-10 win over the Dolphins.

The Cleveland Cavaliers still reeling since they were blown away by the Miami Heat.

Associated PressDetroit Pistons' Charlie Villanueva, left, tangles with Cleveland Cavaliers' Antawn Jamison (4) while driving to the basket.

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't show up for the biggest game of the season last week when they were blown away by the Miami Heat.

Many things about the game disappointed the fans, including the fraternizing going on between the Cavs and LeBron James. News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan writes how the Cavs' players insisted the cameras were inaccurate in depicting what really went on. There's no love lost between James and many of the Cavs who still play here. Some, however, still worship the ground he walks on.

When it comes to rumors, Finnan writes:

 -- The Cavs have not floated forward Antawn Jamison's name out there on the trade market — yet. There are only a few teams that would be interested in acquiring him — a contender looking for a stretch "4," and one that isn't scared off by his contract.

-- Unlike baseball, in which every team has to be represented, the Cavs are not expected to have anyone picked for the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Actually, of the four players on the ballot — J.J. Hickson, Jamison, Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao — none are even close.

-- Varejao should thank LeBron James for helping to get him his big contract in the summer of 2009. He's proving to be severely lacking on the offensive end. However, he was a great finisher when James was passing him the ball. Of course, one could make the same argument for Hickson. He's in a funk right now.

-- The Cavs' intent is to use the $14.5 million trade exception, not to stand pat with the collective bargaining agreement expiring. No one knows what's in the NBA's future. A lockout is coming, but observers think there's too much at stake for it to stretch too far into the season.

Quitness

There was so much talk about LeBron James quitting on the Cavaliers and quitting on a Cleveland, and the fans let him know about with signs and even words last week when the Cavaliers hosted the Miami Heat.

But CBSSports.com reporter Royce Young writes that fans here should turn the tables on the Cavaliers when they return home on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls.

Following the loss to the Heat, the Cavaliers went to Minnesota and lost by 34 to a team with only four wins.

It was a game you'd expect the Cavs to bounce back in. I mean, they had to still be stinging after the beating they took at the hands of the Heat and ready to rinse that blood off their hands. 

Coach Byron Scott put it this way: "We played like the word that starts with an s and ends with a t," he said. "To me we're playing like the worst basketball team in the NBA right now.''

Game stories 

The News-Herald: Losses are mounting.

Ohio.com: Frustration rules.

Cleveland.com: Detroit Pistons extend Cavaliers losing streak.

Freep.com: Lineup change helps Pistons defeat Cavaliers.

Join us for a live Browns chat today at 1:30 p.m. with The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi. The Browns got a last-second field goal from Phil Dawson to squeak out a road win in Miami. Could this team realistically finish 8-8? We'll get into that and more with Tony at 1:30 p.m.

View full sizeChat live with Tony Grossi every Monday at noon.

Join us for a live Browns chat today at 1:30 p.m. with The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi.

The Browns got a last-second field goal from Phil Dawson to squeak out a road win in Miami. Could this team realistically finish 8-8? We'll get into that and more with Tony at 1:30 p.m.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Tony's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

Editor's note: Strongsville tight end Ray Hamilton took readers inside his team's huddle by writing a blog for cleveland.com throughout the 2010 football season. This is his final blog.  And that's all she wrote. 

Strongsville's Ray Hamilton. - (Lonnie Timmons III/The Plain Dealer)

Editor's note: Strongsville tight end Ray Hamilton took readers inside his team's huddle by writing a blog for cleveland.com throughout the 2010 football season. This is his final blog. 

And that's all she wrote. 

St. Edward is the Division I state champ and congratulations to them on a season to remember. 

I had a chance to watch the game on television, and the viewers could not have asked for a better game. Both teams played hard until the final whistle. 

Huber Heights deserves a lot of credit on all they achieved this season. (Quarterback) Braxton Miller is a stud, and has a bright future ahead of him at Ohio State. 

St. Ed's showed what playing as a team is all about. They had every player on the team contribute at one point or another throughout the whole game. 

The resiliency they showed, being down 21-7 in the third quarter, truly showed the character of their football team. I've been saying it all along, but they represented Northeast Ohio proudly and brought home another Division I state championship for this area of the state. 

There is something special about high school football in this area. Any player, coach or fan who has had the opportunity to be a part of it should know the passion and talent of the teams around here which is represented every season. 

Congratulations to Shaq Washington and Maple Heights on winning the Division II state championship Friday night. I know Shaq wanted it more than anybody around it, and put in hard work throughout his high school career to achieve it. 

As far as my weekend, we opened up our basketball season on Friday night with an 83-61 victory at Olmsted Falls.

I am expecting big things this season from our team, and we will continue to work hard every day to reach our goals. 

This will be my final blog, and I want to thank The Plain Dealer and (editor) Kristen Davis and (reporter) Bob Fortuna for giving me the opportunity. I had a great time giving the fans and followers some insight into my football season, and what my life consisted of the past 15 weeks. 

I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead of my athletic future at the Univeristy of Iowa. The Hawkeyes will be playing Missouri on Dec. 28 in the Insight.com Bowl in Arizona. 

I can't wait to get to Iowa City and start making a name for myself. I will always know that Cleveland, Ohio is where I call home. 

A city of disappointment sportswise to others, but I know the passion and people that make this great sports town what it is. 

I will always be a diehard Browns, Cavs, and Indians fan. There are no fans that can compare to those of Cleveland for any sport. 

One final shout out to the troops who are fighting for our country's freedom every day.

"Freedom isn't free," and I will always have the utmost respect for those who are a part of the United States of America Armed Forces.

God Bless, and never forget...USA is No. 1! 

Don Meredith, the wise-cracking Cowboys quarterback and original member of "Monday Night Football," has died.

View full sizeABC/AP fileDon Meredith, left, with his "Monday Night Football" colleagues Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford, has died at the age of 72.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Don Meredith, one of the most recognizable figures of the early Dallas Cowboys and an original member of ABC's "Monday Night Football" broadcast team, died Sunday. He was 72.

Meredith's wife, Susan, told The Associated Press today her husband died in Santa Fe after suffering a brain hemorrhage and lapsing into a coma. She says a private graveside ceremony is being planned and that family members were traveling to Santa Fe.

"He was the best there was," she said, describing him as kind, warm and funny. "We lost a good one."

Meredith played for the Cowboys from 1960-1968, becoming the starting quarterback in 1965. While he never led the Cowboys to the Super Bowl, Meredith was one of the franchise's first stars.

Over his nine-year career, Meredith threw for 17,199 yards and 111 touchdowns. He retired unexpectedly before the 1969 season.

Just two years after retiring from football, Meredith joined Keith Jackson and Howard Cosell in the broadcast booth as part of the "Monday Night Football" crew.

He quickly became one of the most popular broadcasters in sports because of his folksy sayings and country humor.

Meredith's signature call was singing the famous Willie Nelson song "Turn Out the Lights" when it appeared a game's outcome had been determined.

Meredith left ABC after the 1973 season for a three-year stint at NBC. He returned to the "MNF" crew in 1977 before retiring in 1984, one year after Cosell left the team.

Before a generation knew Meredith for his colorful broadcasting career, he was one of the most recognizable figures of the early Dallas Cowboys teams.

Meredith was drafted in the third round by the Chicago Bears in 1960 and was traded to the expansion Cowboys franchise for future draft picks.

"Dandy Don", as he was affectionately known, shared time under center with Eddie LeBaron before winning the starting job in 1965.

Meredith led the Cowboys to three straight division titles and to consecutive NFL Championship games in 1966 and 1967. Dallas lost both games though to eventual Super Bowl winners Green Bay.

In 1966, Meredith guided the Cowboys to their first-ever winning season (10-3-1). He was named NFL Player of the Year after throwing a career-high 24 touchdown passes and 2,805 yards.

Meredith was one of nine Dallas players selected to the Pro Bowl that year -- the first of his two Pro Bowl years.

His last moment in a Cowboys uniform was painful. Meredith threw three interceptions in a 1968 playoff game against the Cleveland Browns and was pulled in favor of Craig Morton.

"I tried to talk him out of it," Dallas head coach Tom Landry said after Meredith announced his retirement. "But when you lose your desire in this game, that's it."

Meredith and Don Perkins were the second and third players inducted to Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1976.

Meredith was one of the first athletes to make the transition from the field to the color analyst -- and the move to calling "Monday Night Football" was an easy one for him.

While on the show, Meredith was part of many memorable moments on ABC's landmark hit.

In 1970, Meredith was in the booth for the St. Louis Cardinals' 38-0 whitewashing of his former team. The Cotton Bowl crowd late in began chanting "We want Meredith!"

Meredith quipped, "No way you're getting me down there,"

Another famous Meredith moment occurred in 1974 at the Houston Astrodome. The Oakland Raiders were in the process of beating the Houston Oilers 34-0.

A cameraman had a shot of a disgruntled Oilers fan, who then made an obscene gesture. Meredith said of the fan. "He thinks they're No. 1 in the nation."

He was also in the booth when Howard Cosell announced that John Lennon had been assassinated on Dec. 9, 1980.

In addition to his broadcasting career, Meredith appeared in several TV shows and movies after his playing career ended. He had a recurring role in "Police Story" and was a spokesman for Lipton.

Before his career with the Cowboys, Meredith was a three-year at quarterback for SMU. He was an All-America selection in 1958 and 1959.

Meredith was born and raised in Mount Vernon, Texas -- which is about 100 miles east of Dallas. He never played a home game outside of North Texas.

Hush up any talk of the Browns win over Miami being ugly, reporter Dennis Manoloff insists. Watch video

Cleveland, Ohio -- Don't tell Plain Dealer sportswriter Dennis Manoloff that the Browns' 13-10 win over the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday was ugly. Dman insists there's no such thing as an ugly W.

Today's Starting Blocks poll, which asks which Brown was the game's Most Valuable Player, is heavy on defense, as you might expect in a game with only two touchdowns. Rookie Joe Haden is the runaway leader from voters, but Dman casts his lot with tight end Ben Watson.

Dman, as he does with all away games, spent a lot of close, personal time with his DVR and analyzes the win. Some of what he saw was obvious to those of us who are regular fans. Some, like the play of Watson, who was having a great but quiet season until Sunday's 10-catch performance, might have been lost on casual observers. Watson runs good routes, and is a better blocker than advertising, Dman says.

Ohio State Buckeyes hope to snap losing streak against SEC in bowl games.

At one time it looked like the Big Ten was ready for an expansion explosion beyond the 12 teams that will make up the conference next season.

Columbus Dispatch reporter Bill Rabinowitz writes how now the conference has closed on the door on more expansion, at least for now.

The Big Ten's Council of Presidents/Chancellors had its winter meeting in suburban Chicago yesterday and announced that the expansion process "has reached its natural conclusion" and won't engage in pursuing additional expansion "for the foreseeable future."

The league said it will concentrate on integrating Nebraska into the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers will begin competing in the Big Ten starting with the 2011-12 school year.

The Big Ten did leave the door open to expansion down the road.

"If the climate changes or issues come up, we could revisit it at some point," Gee said. "But right now we want to concentrate on becoming a 12-team Big Ten."

  

Return to New Orleans

Not only will the Ohio State Buckeyes play in New Orleans in the Sugar Bowl, but the Buckeyes will get the chance to avenge their winless streak against SEC teams in Bowl games when they play Arkansas.

Steve Stephens of The Columbus Dispatch writes how traveling to the game won't be cheap, it'll be a relative bargain, travel agents said. And, really, what price can you put on revenge?

The Buckeyes (11-1) match up well against the Razorbacks (10-2), said Richard Holycross, owner of Uniglobe Precise Travel in Grove City.

"New Orleans is obviously a premier destination city, which has something for everyone from casinos to a great aquarium to the night life - you name it," Holycross said.

"But this also should be the year we put an end to the myth that Ohio State can't beat an SEC team," he said.

Preview

Kelly Whiteside of USA TODAY writes about the match up between Ohio State and Arkansas, and how the Razorbacks enter the game on a roll, having won six in a row since losing Oct. 16 at Auburn.

Offensively, Arkansas is the only team in the country with a quarterback who has passed for 3,000 yards, a running back (Knile Davis) who has rushed for 1,000 yards and five receivers who have at least 500 receiving yards.

Ohio State's defense is led by five first-team All-Big Ten selections. The Buckeyes rank second in the nation in total defense (250.6 yards a game), third in scoring defense (13.3 points a game) and fourth in pass defense (156.3 yards a game).

That defense will be challenged by Mallett, who dreamed about this moment as a kid, after growing up near Fayetteville and parking cars at Razorback Stadium so he could get into games for free. "Everyone knows ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a part of an Arkansas team in a game like this, and I'm thrilled for the opportunity," Mallett said. It's also a fitting end to his career, which began at Michigan, the Buckeyes' biggest rival.

You Pick the Winners football contest for Week 14 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 14 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.

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Pat Gillick, who served as general manager of three World Series-winning teams, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Monday.

View full sizeAP FilePat Gillick, who won World Series as general manager of three teams, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Monday. In this shot, he's celebrating a Baltimore Orioles ALCS win.

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. -- Pat Gillick, whose teams won three World Series titles in 27 years as a major league general manager, was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame on Monday by the Veterans Committee.

In his fifth time on the ballot, former players' association head Marvin Miller fell one vote short of the 75 percent needed for election. Dave Concepcion, a nine-time All-Star shortstop, was third with eight votes from the 16-man committee that considered candidates from the expansion era, 1973 on.

George Steinbrenner, the New York Yankees owner from 1973 until his death in July, was among the candidates who received fewer than eight votes.

Gillick was GM of Toronto, Baltimore, Seattle and Philadelphia, winning World Series titles with the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993, and with the Phillies in 2008. He received 13 votes and will be inducted into Cooperstown during ceremonies on July 24 along with any players chosen next month by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Roberto Alomar, who helped Gillick's Blue Jays win two World Series, also could be inducted. Alomar fell eight votes shy last January in his first season of eligibility.

Speaking at a news conference at the winter meetings, Gillick thanked all the people he's worked with over the years.

"It all goes back to the players they have on the field," he said. "I could stand in the middle of the field and 4 million people aren't going to show up."

Gillick is the 32nd executive elected but only the fourth who was primarily a team architect, according to the Hall, joining Ed Barrow, Branch Rickey and George Weiss.

Now 73, Gillick is the son of minor league pitcher Larry Gillick. Pat Gillick pitched in the Baltimore Orioles' organization from 1959-63. Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog, a member of this year's Veterans Committee, remembered Gillick as "a wild lefty."

Gillick started with the Houston Colt .45s-Astros from 1963-73, then was the Yankees scouting director from 1974-76. He served as GM of Toronto (1977-94), Baltimore (1996-98), Seattle (2000-03) and Philadelphia (2006-08). He currently is a Phillies senior adviser.

Tal Smith, now the Astros' president of baseball operations, and Paul Richards, Houston's first GM, shaped many of Gillick's philosophies.

"Tal Smith is the biggest influence on me," Gillick said. "Paul Richards only gave me one piece of advice. He told me that looking at players, usually your first impression is your correct impression."

Gillick rejected the statistical Sabermetric approach used by some current GMs.

"I think you have to watch the game," he said. "The statistics tell you one thing and they don't want anything happening emotionally on the field or anything on the field to really tinker with those statistics sometimes. So I think you have to use both. ... I think you have to see the player and you have to see him on the field -- how he plays the game. Is he intense? Does he have passion? Get his body language. See how he interacts with the other players on the team."

The 93-year-old Miller, who led the Major League Baseball Players Association from 1966-81, had asked not to be included on the ballot. An antagonist of baseball owners who helped players gain free agency and multimillion salaries, he received 44 percent in 2003 and 63 percent in 2007 when all Hall of Famers could vote on the veterans panel.

After the Hall downsized the committee, he got 3 of 12 votes in 2007 -- when seven on the panel were from management -- and 7 of 12 last year.

Under changes adopted by the Hall last summer, managers, umpires, executives and long-retired players from the expansion era were considered this year. The golden era (1947-72) will be voted on in 2011 and the pre-integration era (1871-1946) will be judged in 2012.

Breaks finally go the Browns' way ... and it's probably bad news for Miami's Chad Henne.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz,
The Plain DealerChad Henne's bad day is about to get worse. Cleveland nose tackle Shaun Rogers sacked the Miami quarterback on this key fourth-quarter play.

This all happened to the Dolphins on the same sad afternoon Sunday:

Realistic hopes to make the playoffs suffered the kind of gut-punch that puts you on your knees, stunned and gasping air.

Quarterback Chad Henne's future began to seem less and less like the answer Miami craves and more like a troubling, open-ended question.

And the once-reliable concept of ``home-field advantage'' began to feel like nostalgia, a fond memory of an old friend now departed.

This all happened on the same embarrassed, crash of an afternoon when the Dolphins went out for a Sunday dive.

Miami's 13-10 home loss to the underdog Cleveland Browns was troubling on so many levels and had to feel like a roller coaster in mad descent to Dolfans, coming just one week after an exhilarating win in Oakland hinted at so much promise.

If wild inconsistency was a statistical category, the Dolphins would be league leaders.

Henne explained his team's loss as ``just hurting ourselves in the foot.''

You know it's a bad day when even your clichés don't come out right.

We can tap-dance around this, if you want. We can say Sunday was lost because Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll dropped a gift-wrapped interception that would've won the game and Cleveland cornerback Mike Adams caught the interception that won it.

That's true. No doubt. But the full truth is Henne was benched for a reason earlier this year, went out and showed why again in Sunday's wretched 13-10 loss and the Dolphins are back to the beginning in building a team.

They've got to find a quarterback. Which means they've got to be sure of the guy finding that quarterback. Which means, well, Dolphins owner Steve Ross has a lot of big decisions to make coming up.

“He was going to let me finish high school … they were talking about going to San Francisco, but that’ll probably be in the next two years … or maybe Cleveland.” Does this mean the 49ers or Browns would be willing to give Mike Singletary and Eric Mangini (respectively), another year to get to the playoffs? Seems fair.

Suddenly, the Browns are 5-7, having won four of their last six. Suddenly, they have a two-game winning streak, both victories coming on the final play. Suddenly, the Browns are a team that no one wants to play -- just ask contenders New Orleans, New England and the New York Jets.

Haden, who kept the starting role despite the return of Eric Wright from a knee injury, had his best game as a Brown. It featured his fourth straight week with an interception, a huge breakup in the end zone, three other passes broken up and five tackles -- second-best on the team. He also made a special teams stop.

"Joe Haden was a great pick and will be an impact player. T.J. Ward is a playmaker. Colt McCoy is a leader. Another solid draft and a legitimate wide receiver through free agency and the Browns will become more than just a spoiler that no one wants to play." - ipounddawgs

View full sizeLynn Ischay | The Plain Dealer Joe Haden has improved the Browns' secondary immensely.

In response to the story By doing the little things, the Cleveland Browns get to enjoy a hard-earned win: Terry Pluto, cleveland.com reader ipounddawgs thinks the Browns might not be far off. This reader writes,

"Joe Haden was a great pick and will be an impact player. T.J. Ward is a playmaker. Colt McCoy is a leader. Another solid draft and a legitimate wide receiver through free agency and the Browns will become more than just a spoiler that no one wants to play."

Former Browns coach Sam Rutigliano will be in-studio at 5 p.m. to talk about the win over the Dolphins, Eric Mangini's future and the next game against the Bills.

PD File PhotoSam Rutigliano

What does it say about this team to win a game like that against a team fighting for the playoffs? Just how impressive has Joe Haden been since stepping in as the starter? Tony Grossi tackled those questions and more in his weekly chat today

Tony Grossi talks Browns in his latest podcast.

The Indians promoted Travis Fryman to minor league field coordinator to work with infield prospects such as Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Kipnis and Cord Phelps.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- News, notes and quotes from the winter meetings at the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin resort.

-The Indians are said to be interested in free agent outfielder Jeff Francoeur. The right-handed hitter played for the Mets and Texas last season. He helped the Rangers reach the World Series as a late-season pickup.

Kansas City and Philadelphia are among the other teams interested.

Francoeur, 26, a combined .249 (113-for-454) with 13 homers and 65 RBI. He had a .300 on base percentage and slugged .383.

Manager Charlie Manuel isn't quite sure how the Phillies will replace Jayson Werth. He does know he needs help in the bullpen.

-Great quote from Pat Gillick, the long-time general manager who was elected to the Hall of Fame by the veterans committee Monday, "The job of a general manager is not to select the players, but select the people who select the players."

Marvin Miller, who founded the players association, missed election by one vote.

"If I was a betting man, I'd say one of these days he's going to make it," said Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, who was on the committee.

Gillick was general manager in Toronto, Baltimore, Seattle and Philadelphia.

"He's had a great career," said Manuel, who managed under Gillick. "No one is more passionate about baseball than Pat Gillick."

-Indians promoted Travis Fryman to minor league field coordinator after three years of managing at Class A Mahoning Valley.

Said Ross Atkins, director of player personnel, about the former Gold Glove third baseman, "Travis has demonstrated incredible leadership and organizational skills within our player development department. Along with his Cleveland Indians experience and passion for infield play, he is the ideal candidate for us in an area that we feel we can improve upon. We are excited about the impact Travis will undoubtedly have on our very strong group of infield prospects."

Among those prospects are Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Kipnis and Cord Phelps.  

-Chien-Ming Wang, former 19-game winner with the Yankees who has not pitched in the big leagues in 17 months, is looking for a big-league deal. Indians were interested last winter.

They could be interested again if Wang would settle for a minor league deal.

-Boston and San Diego completed the Adrian Gonzalez deal. Gonzalez goes to Boston for prospects Reymond Fuentes, Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo and a player to be named. The deal almost didn't happen because Boston wanted to sign Gonzalez to an extension.

Apparently, that hurdle was cleared.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Monsters center Patrick Rissmiller was named AHL player of the week for the period ending Dec. 5. Rissmiller amassed four goals and two assists for six points in two games. In his seventh game with Lake Erie on Friday night, Rissmiller set a franchise record with four goals and tied a team mark with five points in a 6-3 victory over the...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Monsters center Patrick Rissmiller was named AHL player of the week for the period ending Dec. 5. Rissmiller amassed four goals and two assists for six points in two games.

In his seventh game with Lake Erie on Friday night, Rissmiller set a franchise record with four goals and tied a team mark with five points in a 6-3 victory over the Chicago Wolves. On Saturday, he had an assist and scored in the shootout as part of Lake Erie’s 3-2 loss to Peoria.

Rissmiller will be presented with an etched crystal award before an upcoming Monsters home game.

Rissmiller, who once played for the Cleveland Barons, has five goals and five assists for 10 points in eight games since being reassigned to Lake Erie by the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers on Nov. 20.

"This Arkansas quarterback can throw the heck out of the football. OSU's defense will get a real test in the Sugar Bowl. This SEC team isn't the same type of team that OSU faced when they played teams in the National Championship game, but it is a really good team. This should be a great bowl game and Buckeye fans need to get there so it doesn't look like a home game for Arkansas." - gimpel

View full sizeKerry Smith | Associated PressThe Buckeyes will face a stiff test from Ryan Mallett and Arkansas in January.

In response to the story Sugar Bowl berth continues Ohio State's run on BCS invitations, cleveland.com reader gimpel thinks the Sugar Bowl should be a good one. This reader writes,

"This Arkansas quarterback can throw the heck out of the football. OSU's defense will get a real test in the Sugar Bowl. This SEC team isn't the same type of team that OSU faced when they played teams in the National Championship game, but it is a really good team. This should be a great bowl game and Buckeye fans need to get there so it doesn't look like a home game for Arkansas."