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Does Blake Griffin have an unfair edge in rookie race? Around the NBA

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If Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin wins the NBA's rookie of the year award, apparently it will not be a unanimous vote.

griffin-clippers-vert-mct.jpgView full sizeBlake Griffin's first healthy year in the NBA is impressing observers around the league. But should someone who missed his entire debut season be eligible as a rookie of the year candidate this year?

HOUSTON, Texas -- If Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin wins the NBA's rookie of the year award, apparently it will not be a unanimous vote.

Speaking on TNT's broadcast Thursday night, Charles Barkley said he didn't think Griffin, who was the No. 1 pick overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, should win the award even though injuries kept him out all of last season.

"He is the best rookie by far, technically," Barkley said of Griffin, who leads all rookies averaging about 20 points and 12 rebounds a game. "But even though he didn't play last year, he was around, he got to watch. He got a chance to grow. His body got a chance to mature. You can learn sitting on the bench. Clearly, his body is better than most rookies. His body is better than most people's. But I don't believe guys who were drafted the year before should be eligible for rookie of the year."

Barkley said he was penalizing Griffin for being hurt.

"If a quarterback gets drafted and doesn't get to play and he starts the next season, he's not technically a rookie even though it's his first year playing," he said. "The main thing for Blake Griffin was he got a chance to get bigger, stronger. He got a chance to watch NBA players every day. That's something you can't teach."

Said TNT's Kenny Smith of Griffin, "Regardless of if he is the Rookie of the Year or not ... [Griffin] is must-see TV. He's the guy that will change the face of what the power forward looks like and does in basketball. Not too many guys can do that."

Coast to coast: New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni was a regular comedian as a guest on ESPN's popular show "Pardon The Interruption" on Friday with hosts Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon.

"Haven't seen you guys in a couple years," he joked as he was introduced. "Where you been?"

D'Antoni, of course, left the sunshine, Steve Nash and the 50-win seasons in Phoenix and took over the New York Knicks in 2008-09. The former NBA coach of the year promptly fell off the NBA radar, losing 50 and 53 games in his first two seasons.

Asked by Kornheiser about coping with that kind of losing, D'Antoni continued the jokes, saying he adopted a bunker mentality.

"And my bunker didn't have cable," he said, explaining his absence from PTI.

But the Knicks have rebounded in a big way, thanks to the addition of free agents Amar'e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton and the development of rookie Landry Fields. Stoudemire played for D'Antoni in Phoenix, and the coach says Stoudemire and Felton are running the pick and roll as efficiently as Stoudemire and Nash did in Phoenix.

Stoudemire, in fact, has played so well he's in the early MVP conversations. As of Friday, he had scored 30 or more points in seven straight games, was third in the league in scoring at 25.7 points, was the league's leading scorer in the 10 games before Friday night's and in the fourth quarter.

Critics point to the Knicks' soft schedule -- of their first 15 victories, only two came against winning teams -- Chicago and New Orleans. But with games against Denver, Boston and Miami coming up before next Saturday's game at Cleveland, we should have a better idea what kind of team the Knicks really are.

Is it a bird? San Antonio's Manu Ginobili was signing some autographs for fans outside the San Antonio Spurs hotel in Santa Monica, Calif., on the night of Dec. 1 when he saw a flash in the sky and thought he was about to see a small plane crash.

He tweeted about it and posted video, and he was surprised when there was nothing in the news about the incident the next day.

Recently, TMZ.com posted some video shot by fans waiting for autographs near the team's bus. The video shows a strange light in the California sky. TMZ.com posted the video under the headline, "Nanu, Manu." It's a play off the old TV series, "Mork and Mindy," staring Robin Williams as Mork, from the planet Ork.

"The good thing is I'm not the only one that saw it," Ginobili told reporters after hearing about he video. "I'm not totally crazy.

"It was a pretty strange flight pattern. I thought it was falling, not landing. I thought it was like a plane crash. We were expecting to see it on the news the following day, and there was nothing. That's when we got a little curious, 'What the hell was that?'

"I just wanted to know what it was, if somebody else saw it and if I saw what I think I saw."

Ginobili apparently has been convinced that what he saw was military exercises at a nearby Air Force base, but he doesn't rule out the possibility of life on other planets."There's got to be something," he said. "So many planets around, one of them's got to be something."

Rose in bloom: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has been impressed by the development of Bulls guard Derrick Rose."I think the sky's the limit for him," Bryant told reporters in Chicago after the Lakers' shootaround on Friday. "You see now with the improvement he's made on his jump shot from last year to this year how much his game has really gone to another level.

"I think he's just scratched the surface. I think he's realizing now what a jump shot can do. Hopefully, he'll continue to work on it and he'll become a pure shooter."

Bryant also likes the killer instinct Rose has displayed.

"I don't think you can develop that," Bryant said. "I think you either have it or you don't and I think he's had it since he was in high school. That's what separates players of equal ability. It's about the engine you have inside. It certainly gives him an edge."

Reporters asked Bryant if Rose was a worthy candidate to be passed the torch.

"Oh, sure," Bryant said. "[But] I'm not passing [expletive]."


Gibson, Hollins shake off stomach virus to face Rockets: Cavaliers Insider

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Cavaliers' revamped lineup is able to take the court with return of two ailing players.

jamison-rebound-rockets-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeAntawn Jamison has the position to grab this first-quarter rebound in front of the Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao and Houston's Luis Scola Saturday night.

HOUSTON -- Ninety minutes before the Cavaliers game against the Houston Rockets in Toyota Center, Daniel Gibson was on the court breaking a sweat while hoisting up jump shots, and Ryan Hollins was getting a massage.

The two players who missed practice on Friday with the stomach virus that seems to be going around the NBA these days arrived here about 3 p.m.

"I Love my City!" Gibson tweeted upon landing in his hometown. "H-Town What It Do?"

Asked how he was feeling, Gibson smiled and said, "I'm all right."

After missing the morning shootaround, Gibson got a crash course in the game plan from assistant coach Joe Prunty. His presence allows coach Byron Scott to proceed with the starting lineup he introduced against Chicago on Wednesday, with Gibson and Mo Williams in the backcourt, Antawn Jamison and Anthony Parker at forward and Anderson Varejao at center. Once again, Jamario Moon was inactive, along with rookies Christian Eyenga and Samardo Samuels.

"Everything will be pretty much the same as the last game," Scott said.

Getting defensive: Scott was asked about the Rockets defensive struggles this season. Houston came into the game giving up 105.3 points per game. Only five teams give up more.

"I'm more worried about them on the offensive end anyway," Scott said. "They're pretty good offensively. They share the ball extremely well, a very unselfish basketball team, which you expect from a Rick Adelman-coached team, move extremely well without the ball.

"So I'm more worried about them offensively than anything. If we can slow them down on that end, our offense will hopefully take care of itself. I didn't go into this game worried about what we were going to do on the offensive end. I went into it worried about what we were going to do against them defensively."

Cleveland entered giving up 102.4 points per game. Eleven teams give up more.

Remember when? Last summer, Houston guard Kyle Lowry signed a four-year, $23.5 million offer sheet with the Cavs, only to have the Rockets match it the next day.

"Of course you think about it," Lowry told the Houston Chronicle. "That's the situation I could have found myself. To be honest, it wasn't up to me. It was up to the Rockets. They did their job. They did what they said they [would].

"I can't really think 'what if.' It was an opportunity to go there, get some big minutes. I could have had a chance to be the starting point guard. It would have been an opportunity to play big minutes, the type of minutes I wanted to play."

Lowry is the Rockets starting point guard, averaging 10.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 33.7 minutes per game.

Sugar Bowl is nice, but many Buckeyes wouldn't mind a BCS playoff that included Ohio State

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Like in many recent years, Ohio State would be a perfect participant in an eight-team playoff model. Not surprisingly, that's what many Buckeyes this season would take over the Sugar Bowl.

tcu-hicks-catch-td-sq-ap.jpgView full sizeIf Ohio State was part of a BCS playoff, the Buckeyes could be facing Antoine Hicks and Texas Christian in an opening-round game.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State could be preparing for a college football playoff game with TCU next Saturday. That type of scenario sounded great to Buckeyes' junior center Mike Brewster.

"I'd love a playoff," Brewster said. "The way I see it, teams get better as the season goes on. Nobody plays their best football at the beginning of the season. Everybody is always getting better and if you're going to be the best team in the country, you need to play your best football at the end.

"So I'd have an eight-team playoff, or however they'd do it. Hopefully, [it will happen] someday, for these young guys in high school. I'll be an old man."

The debate over the college postseason is ongoing. In a preseason ESPN survey of 135 college football players, 62.2 percent wanted a playoff. But the majority of major conference commissioners, including Big Ten boss Jim Delany, on a panel in New York this week, continued their opposition.

Regardless of your views on the matter, two truths are pretty clear when it comes to Ohio State, one on each side of the argument.

One is that no team has benefited more from the BCS system than Ohio State, with the Buckeyes' Jan. 4 Sugar Bowl showdown with Arkansas the ninth BCS bowl bid for the program in 13 years of this system. With a major fan base, the ability to draw strong TV ratings and recent dominance in a BCS conference, if the Buckeyes are pretty good -- with no more than two losses -- they're almost guaranteed a prestigious bowl spot.

The other is that, this season, like in many recent years, Ohio State would be a perfect participant in an eight-team playoff model. Not surprisingly, that's what many Buckeyes this season would take over the Sugar Bowl.

"I'd want a chance at the national title," senior captain and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said.

The Buckeyes started the year ranked No. 2 with legitimate national title hopes. A terrible first half at Wisconsin in the seventh week of the season, in the first week that the Buckeyes were ranked No. 1, wiped away those title dreams. Their relatively weak schedule the rest of the season brings their other 11 wins into question. Yet they tied for the conference title in a year with three quality Big Ten teams.

A playoff would prove how good the Buckeyes are, or aren't. It would have kept titles hopes alive over the last half of the season, adding intrigue and intensity to every regular season game. They would have been playing for their playoff lives. Instead, the Buckeyes were hoping for an unlikely miraculous set of dominoes to give them that chance -- or they were settling for a bowl game that has nothing to do with determining a champion.

Now, the Buckeyes are embracing that bowl and that opportunity. But they don't deny the alternative.

"I wouldn't be mad at a playoff," senior receiver and captain Dane Sanzenbacher said.

During this run of six straight conference titles and six straight BCS bowls, the Buckeyes have twice finished the regular season No. 1 and played for the title, losing to Florida after the 2006 season and LSU in 2007. In an eight-team playoff scenario, the Buckeyes would have been involved in an eight-team playoff either four or five times in these six seasons.

You can debate whether the Buckeyes would have deserved those chances. In some seasons, like this one, having two undefeated teams at No. 1 and No. 2 means a playoff may merely complicate what worked out as a legitimate title showdown. Yet you can't debate, in a playoff system, Ohio State would have been given more opportunities.

In a scenario where champions of the six BCS conferences earned automatic berths and there are two at-large teams, the Buckeyes would have played in four playoffs, with these first-round games:

• 2005: No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Oregon

• 2006: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 8 Wake Forest

• 2007: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 8 West Virginia

• 2009: No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Texas

In a scenario where the top eight teams in the BCS rankings, regardless of conference affiliation, made a playoff, the Buckeyes would have been involved in five of the last six years, including this season.

• 2005: No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Oregon

• 2006: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 8 Boise State

• 2007: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 8 Kansas

• 2009: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 1 Alabama

• 2010: No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 3 TCU

"Obviously, we're grateful that the bowl system is there," senior defensive tackle Dexter Larimore said. "It's fun to play in these games. But truthfully, as a competitor, you want to keep fighting for that national title.

"We had one mistake against a very good team, and they played us very well, but you have that one mistake and all of a sudden to be considered out, it's pretty tough. That's kind of what makes college football exciting right now, but you put us in a playoff system, and we continue to get better, you never know what could happen."

In the scenario where the Buckeyes would have been left out this season -- as the No. 6 BCS team in the ratings, but edged out for the two at-large spots by No. 3 TCU and No. 4 Stanford -- the Buckeyes would be right where they are now: getting ready for a nice bowl game.

In the other playoff scenario, the Buckeyes could have a final chance to prove if they're title worthy after a tension-filled end to the regular season.

"It stinks," Brewster said, knowing what Ohio State could be in line for. "But it's how college is right now. So you've got to go with it."

Two Buckeyes named All-Americans: Senior cornerback Chimdi Chekwa and junior center Mike Brewster were named first-team All-Americans on the Football Writers Association of America team announced Saturday. Five teams had two first-team players -- Ohio State, Auburn, Oregon, LSU and Oklahoma State.

Why should fans support a Cleveland Indians team long on youngsters and short on wins? Hey, Hoynsie!

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Potential or let down? That's what some Indians fans are already debating in looking toward the next Indians season.

santana-horiz-vintage-to.jpgView full sizeIs it enough for a Cleveland Indians fan to buy tickets to see Carlos Santana, Matt LaPorta and the rest of the young Indians mature? Or should fans only support a contender? According to Paul Hoynes, that's a choice that every consumer will have to determine when the 2011 season arrives.

Hey, Hoynsie: It seems to me that the Tribe will not contend for the next two or three years. Why should fans turn out to "The Jake" (it'll always be the Jake to me) to see minor-league baseball? We need an owner who will spend some money to get us back. -- Marvin Rappaport, Kingston, Pa.

Hey, Marvin: After the last two seasons, I don't see how the state of the Tribe should catch anyone by surprise. As for why fans should come to the ballpark, that's a personal decision. You can boycott Progressive Field for two or three years until you know what kind of team the Indians are going to be. Or you can come and watch a bunch of kids take their lumps and develop. It depends on your threshold of pain and what kind of fan you are.

Hey, Hoynsie: It was good of Albert Belle to inspire a sense of calm with the fans regarding LeBron James' recent return to Cleveland. The man has a way of diffusing potentially violent situations (especially from a distance). Any chance we will see him sent to the Middle East to get the peace process rolling? -- Steve Cornelius, Avon Lake

Hey, Steve: Belle always was a bridge builder.

One question? Do you think Belle would have given James a big hug before the game if he played for the Cavs? Or would he have turned him into road kill, ala Fernando Vina?

Hey, Hoynsie: I just read that the Red Sox acquired first baseman Adrian Gonzalez for prospects. Are Tribe prospects overrated by the media and the reality is no teams are interested in them? Why doesn't the Tribe front office believe in playing the game with a legitimate first baseman? -- Chuck Noland, Memphis, Tenn.

Hey, Chuck: Prospects aren't the reason the Indians didn't trade for Gonzalez. It's that seven-year, nine-figure extension the Red Sox are going to give him to keep him from escaping through free agency that dulled the Indians' interest.

The Indians traded a Cy Young winner for Matt LaPorta. If he's not a legitimate first baseman, it's on them. But why don't you give them a chance to find out?

Hey, Hoynsie: Do you think there is a lot of momentum behind the concept of adding a second wild-card team? My understanding is that what's being contemplated includes a "play-in" scenario between the two wild-card teams with the winner advancing to the ALDS/NLDS. I know the proponents argue that this will give teams a bigger incentive to win their division and will open up another playoff spot. However, I think the structure has many flaws, including the possibility that the team with the second-best record in the league could have to face the team with the fifth-best record in a one-game playoff, with the winner advancing to the ALDS. What are your thoughts? -- David Bruno, Chagrin Falls

Hey, David: I think it's a done deal for 2012 with an outside chance for 2011. It sounds like the right people in Commissioner Bud Selig's inner circle want it to happen.

As for a one-game playoff to determine what wild card team would reach a division series, it doesn't seem like there's a lot of support for that. I think it would be a three-game series, but I could be wrong.

werth-vert-phillies-ap.jpgView full sizeWill Jayson Werth's big free-agent bonanza inevitably mean the departure of Shin-Soo Choo when his free-agent season arrives in 2013?

Hey, Hoynsie: What's your reaction to Jayson Werth's seven-year, $126 million contract? I'm worried this could serve as a dangerous precedent for negotiations with another Scott Boras client with the unique power/speed combination (read: Shin-Soo Choo). These deals will continue to price mid-market teams out of the free agent market. -- Thomas Pindroh, Maple Heights

Hey, Thomas: The Indians have Choo under control for three more years. After that he'll probably be another team's problem.

Agree with you on the Werth deal, but I bet Carl Crawford was happy to see those numbers go up on the board.

Hey, Hoynsie: Any chance the Tribe would be interested in Edwin Encarnacion for a year at third base? He may accept a reasonable contract for a year. Plus, he has some pop in his bat and can actually field the position. He could be a nice bridge until Lonnie Chisenhall is ready. -- Steve Patt, Willoughby

Hey, Steve: Indians like his bat (.244, 21 HRs, 51 RBI, 332 at-bats) and hate his glove (18 errors in 95 games at third). I've been told he's not a fit.

Hey, Hoynsie: Please help me understand why the Indians seem to be interested in a starting pitcher. Any one they can afford probably won't be much good anyway, unless they get lucky as they did with Carl Pavano. Do they really think they can contend in 2011? Why not continue to develop their young pitchers? Some of them show promise. -- Dan Kopp, Mansfield

Hey, Dan: Fausto Carmona and Justin Masterson are the only starters at the moment that could provide the Tribe with 180 to 200 innings a season. You're right about promise. The Indians have some starters with potential, but to develop that potential they'd like to be able to keep them in the minors for as long as necessary instead of rushing them to the big leagues.

That's why they'd like to add a starter such as Pavano or Kevin Millwood on a one-year deal. He can give the staff another potential 200-inning arm, set an example for the rest of the rotation in work ethic and technique and allow the prospects time to develop without getting turned into a giant bruise in the big leagues.

Hey, Hoynsie: You've written about our depth in relievers and middle infielders. If we were to trade some excess would it yield a "core player" in your opinion? -- Sandy Sherman, Lyndhurst

Hey, Sandy: If you wanted to trade Chris Perez, Tony Sipp or Jason Kipnis, it would. Other than that, I don't think so.

Hey, Hoynsie: Why is it such a stretch to play Carlos Santana at third base? He's obviously a natural hitter, but how was he as a third baseman? -- Ralph Fioritto, Chesterland

Hey, Ralph: Middle of the diamond players -- catchers, shortstops, second baseman and center fielders -- have more value around baseball. They are especially valuable when they can hit and throw like Santana.

I was told that if Santana was a bust at catching, he could always go back to third. But if his left knee cooperates, he's more valuable to the Indians behind the plate.

Remember, he is scheduled to start playing some first base next season.

-- Hoynsie

Rockets rout Cavs, 110-95: Mary Schmitt Boyer's post-game blog

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Kevin Martin scores 40 and Houston never trails after a surge late in the first quarter.

andy-drive-hayes-rockets-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeAnderson Varejao finds a lane to drive toward the basket against Houston's Chuck Hayes during Saturday night's game in Houston.

HOUSTON, Texas -- Final observations from the Cavs game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center:

Perhaps it's a sign of how badly things are going that it's possible to see progress in a 15-point loss. Coach Byron Scott came out and praised the effort of his starters, and he wasn't incorrect there. The starters did work hard, each of them playing at least 31 minutes except Anderson Varejao, who was in foul trouble and played 28:15. They cut Houston's 13-point lead to four midway through the third quarter, and then they collapsed, much like they did at the end of the game against Chicago on Wednesday. Right now they are just not good enough to spot a team a double-digit lead and have any hope of coming back. Their confidence is shot. It's going to take someone _ Mo Williams? Antawn Jamison? Daniel Gibson? _ having a night like Kevin Martin did to snap the Cavs out of this. Because no matter how much Scott is preaching defense, the Cavs aren't listening.

Final: Rockets 110, Cavs 95. If there has been one constant for the Cavaliers during their recent troubles, it has been their failure to commit on the defensive end. That was the case once again  on Saturday night at Toyota Center.

The loss extended the Cavs' losing streak to seven games overall and eight on the road.

Former Zanesville High School star Kevin Martin had a season high 40 points for Houston, which became the sixth team in the losing streak to score 100 or more points against the Cavs, who fell to 7-16. Houston improved to 9-14 by shooting 48.8 percent overall, 45 percent from 3-point range, and outrebounding Cleveland, 48-33.

Antawn Jamison led the Cavs with 24 points.

Third quarter update: Rockets 92, Cavs 75. The Cavs finally decided to play some defense, and stopping the Rockets on one end allowed them to score nine straight on the other -- on a 3-pointer by Jamison, two free throws by Parker, a jumper and driving layup by Williams.

All of sudden the Cavs were within 75-71 with about six minutes left in the third quarter. Of course, they reverted to form just as quickly.

Parker couldn't stop Shane Battier, who had seven points as the Rockets closed out the quarter on a 17-4 run for a 92-75 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Second quarter update: Rockets 66, Cavs 58. The Cavs spent 12 minutes trying to catch up and trying to figure how to stop Kevin Martin, who added 10 points in the second quarter, including one on a free throw after Anderson Varejao was called for a technical foul for his reaction to being called for an offensive foul with 6 seconds left in the half.

First quarter update: Rockets 37, Cavs 29. The Cavs got off to a good start, picking up where they left off against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday -- or at least matching the energy at the start of that game.

They led, 18-14, after two free throws by Antawn Jamison with 5:30 left, and a layup by J.J. Hickson kept the Cavs in front, 25-21. But things unraveled quickly thanks to Kevin Martin and the 3-pointer.

Martin, looking every bit as good as he did back when he finished fourth in the Mr. Basketball voting back at Zanesville High School in 2000-01, scored on a driving layup, a 3-pointer and a three-point play to give the Rockets a 31-25 lead with two minutes left in the first quarter. He had 22 points in the first 12 minutes and the Rockets, eighth in the league in 3-point percentage, made 6 of 8 in the first quarter for a 37-29 lead.

The Rockets, playing the second night of a back-to-back after Friday's loss at Milwaukee, did get into a bit of foul trouble early, and three starters -- Shane Battier, Kyle Lowry and Chuck Hayes -- each had two fouls with 4:53 to go in the first quarter. 

Cavs starters: F Anthony Parker, F Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao, G Daniel Gibson, G Mo Williams.

Rockets starters: F Shane Battier, F Luis Scola, C Chuck Hayes, G Kyle Lowry, G Kevin Martin.

Injuries: Cavs, none. Rockets, Yao Ming and Aaron Brooks are both doubtful with left ankle injuries.

Inactives: Christian Eyenga, Jamario Moon and Samardo Samuels for Cavs. Brooks, Patterson, Yao for Rockets.

Officials: Ken Mauer, Brent Barnaky, David Jones.

Three things to watch

1. Although they rarely do take advantage of this situation, the Cavs are rested while the Rockets are playing the second game of a back-to-back after traveling from Milwaukee.

2. Will the revamped Cavs starting lineup put forth the same energy as it did against the Bulls on Wednesday?

3. Are Daniel Gibson and Ryan Hollins really over the stomach virus that kept them out of practice on Friday?


Toronto dominates late, skates past Lake Erie, 7-4

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It's never a good sign for a team when the most enjoyable part of a game for its fans is getting to throw stuffed animals.

Todd Stumpf

Special to The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's never a good sign for a team when the most enjoyable part of a game for its fans is getting to throw stuffed animals.

The second annual Chuck-a-Bear night was a smashing success for the Monsters on Saturday. The rest of the evening, not so much.

Lake Erie surrendered six goals over the final 24 minutes in a 7-4 loss to the Toronto Marlies before a crowd of 7,451 at the Q. It was the fourth consecutive loss for Lake Erie, which will get a chance to bounce back Sunday at 3 p.m. against Houston.

"We kind of got away from things we usually do," said center Patrick Rissmiller, downplaying the losing streak. "It's a long year. Tonight was one of those nights. I think we've been playing good hockey overall."

The Marlies, named after Toronto's old junior hockey club, the Marlboros, smoked the Monsters for four goals in a six-minute stretch spanning the second and third periods. Lake Erie led, 2-1, after a period. That score held up for the first 15 minutes of the second.

During that stretch, though the Marlies hadn't scored, Monsters coach David Quinn could see the tide shifting.

"They were starting to hem us in a little bit," he said. "It seemed like we stopped being physical and we stopped being patient in the offensive zone. Next thing you know we start their transition and we were spending more time in our end than we liked."

A pair of goals by Marcel Mueller over the final 4:11 of the second gave Toronto a 3-2 lead. Mueller's second came just as a power play was ending. The Monsters finished the period on a power play and still had a minute of that advantage to start the third. Quinn hoped his squad would fix its issues during the break.

Instead, Toronto poured it on. A goal by Simon Gysbers three minutes in pushed the Marlies' edge to 4-2. Just 90 seconds later Mueller completed his hat trick.

Quinn was upset the Monsters didn't rebound in the final period.

"Especially with the power play to start the period, and we never got anything going with the power play," he said. "Then they get their goal to make it 4-2 and it was just real disappointing."

Mueller's third goal resulted in the Monsters pulling goalie Jason Bacashihua. That was an easier move than benching the team in front of him.

"Cash played unbelievable up in Abbotsford on Wednesday," Quinn said. "He just didn't seem like he was on his game tonight. We were a little bit sluggish. It was a combination of things why I took him out."

The Monsters (12-11-2-4) entered the night with a chance of overtaking Toronto (15-10-0-3) in the North Division standings. Instead Lake Erie fell three points behind the third-place Marlies.

It didn't take long for the Monsters to initiate the bear toss. Fans brought the stuffed animals as part of a charity to benefit the Salvation Army and Providence House, with instructions to toss them onto the ice after the Monsters' first goal.

That came just 3:19 into the contest when Curtis Fraser scored. Christian Hanson tied things for Toronto before the Monsters' Julian Talbot scored the first of his two goals to make it a 2-1 Lake Erie heading into the second period.

Talbot's second goal, after the Marlies' barrage, pulled Lake Erie within 5-3, but Toronto's Korbinian Holzer scored 90 seconds later. The Monsters' Luke Walker and Toronto's Alex Foster scored the final two goals.

Todd Stuff is a freelance writer based in Rittman, Ohio.

Terry Pluto's talkin' ... about a dangerous Buffalo Bill, lessons for the sagging Cavaliers and hot stove questions for the Tribe

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Buffalo's talented QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is a concern to the Browns' defense.

fitzpatrick-horiz-oldschluni-ap.jpgView full sizeWill Buffalo's blustery weather put a damper on the passing of Buffalo's Ryan Fitzpatrick? The Browns wouldn't mind a quick-moving storm in western New York on Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Like snowflakes, these opinions just keep on coming ...

About the Browns...

1. They're hoping for bad weather in Buffalo because they want it difficult for Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw. Few fans outside of Buffalo realize the Harvard product has 20 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions this season, along with completing 58 percent of his passes and a strong 84.5 quarterback rating. All for a team that consistently plays from behind, meaning the quarterback is under enormous pressure.

2. Browns coaches were very impressed with Miami's tackling on Peyton Hillis (57 yards in 18 carries). Known for breaking tackles, Hillis was not able to do much against the Dolphins. The hope is he can return to form against Buffalo, which is 32nd against the run -- allowing 4.7 yards per carry. Run the ball and keeping the defense off the field is a key part of the game plan.

3. Center Alex Mack had one of his toughest games of the season at Miami, part of the reason the interior running game disappeared. No hole. Jake Delhomme was sacked twice, and the film study revealed neither was the fault of the quarterback. The blocking just failed. Other than his one near-interception, Delhomme was given high praise for his execution of the conservative game plan that set up the 13-10 victory.

4. The coaches have held practices in the snow, a new experience for Delhomme, Joe Haden and others who have played in the South. They are stressing that the real enemy is a lack of concentration. It's easy to be distracted by the cold and wind, leading to failure when it comes to running plays and being in the right spot on defense.

5. The Browns keep telling the players, "The weather can be to our advantage. We can be tougher and smarter [than opponents]." The defense is being challenged not to have another letdown, as happened in the 24-23 victory against Carolina. Veteran linebacker David Bowens received excellent grades for his performance at inside linebacker in Miami. Bowens finished strong last season, and he seems ready to do that again.

6. The players are warned about Buffalo's overtime losses to Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Kansas City. It scored 49 points against the Bengals, 34 against Baltimore and 30 against New England. If the defense is not with it, the Browns could easily be ambushed by this 2-10 team. They are warning the defense about screen passes, which Buffalo uses very often and effectively.

7. Shaun Rogers had a superb game with a blocked field goal, a sack and drawing lots of attention in the middle of the line from Miami. He suddenly seems to be enjoying playing for a team that has won four of six. He is playing hurt and playing hard, which has impressed the coaches.

8. The Browns believe Colt McCoy (high ankle sprain) has a reasonable chance to play in the final two home games against Pittsburgh and Baltimore. How can the rookie from Texas handle the cold weather and wind? How does he handle games that could be meaningful to the most powerful teams in the Browns' division? The Browns believe McCoy has the right stuff to play in these conditions, but they want to see it.

Upon further review:

1. Michael Missig emailed that I have done a classic flip-flop when I first supported the hiring of Mangini two years ago -- knowing he could have the final say on football matters -- and now want the Browns to have a strong front office with Mangini retained as coach. It's an excellent point.

2. I long favored a strong GM, but when owner Randy Lerner turned to Mangini as coach -- I liked that Mangini at least was a coach with experience. I hoped the hiring of George Kokinis as general manager would be like Scott Pioli working with Bill Belichick in New England. The Mangini/Kokinis relationship blew up quickly, and Kokinis was gone at the bye week. Mangini was overwhelmed trying to handle both jobs, and it's still amazing that he won those final four games to finish at 5-11.

3. Missig's main theme is correct. Lerner was returning to a poor business model (the same as Butch Davis running the team), and it was destined to fail. I knew there was a problem with Mangini being hired first, but I didn't make that point strong enough. That said, I really like the combination of Mike Holmgren/Tom Heckert/Mangini in terms of moving the team forward and creating some stability. Let's hope Lerner and Holmgren see it the same way.

About the Cavaliers...

scott-heat-cavs-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeByron Scott is determined not to let players slide into the middle of the season with bad habits, especially the Cavaliers' younger players.

1. When Byron Scott shook up the lineup, he wanted the players to know the problem was not just one guy. There were several breakdowns, especially on defense. The coach wanted them to know that practice matters, which led to meetings between the coaches and several players. Scott's point is you must earn minutes.

2. The Cavs know J.J. Hickson is one of their most talented players. But they saw the 22-year-old sort of coasting in practice after he opened the season with some productive games. His defense slipped. He struggled when opposing forwards backed away from him, making it harder to drive. When Scott replaced him with veteran Antawn Jamison, the message was: "Force me to play you by working hard in practice. Work on the things that we are telling you. Your time will come."

3. In Hickson's first 11 games, he averaged 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and shot 48 percent from the field, 84 percent at the foul line. In the last 10 games, it's 7.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 40 percent from the field and 64 percent at the foul line. The Cavs are telling Hickson that if he simply rebounds, runs the floor on the fast break, and goes to the rim -- he can score 10 points on effort. Then, he has the talent to do so much more.

4. Ramon Sessions lost his spot in the rotation to rookie Manny Harris. The coaches told Sessions that his defense has been slipping, allowing guards to blow right past him -- and that he's too quick and physically gifted for that to happen. They also said Harris has earned some minutes with his defense, and they expect the same from Sessions.

5. The Cavs know Hickson is 22, Sessions is 24. Hickson lived off LeBron James, as defenses rarely paid attention to him and little was expected. That has changed, and it's an adjustment. Sessions played on losing teams in Minnesota and Milwaukee, where defense was a rumor. The idea is to set standards for these young players and have them understand nothing is guaranteed.

6. Very little is said about Jamario Moon, who was inactive for Wednesday's game against Chicago. That's a big fall for a guy who was presented the first shot at small forward after James left. But Moon sort of floated, and the coaches believed he should be more serious -- especially at the age of 30 and having worked so hard for years to make the NBA. He has one year left on his contract, and it wouldn't be a shock if Moon is traded.

7. Not sure how long Scott can stick with Anthony Parker at small forward, where he's very undersized at 6-6. But they do like his dedication to defense and ability to hit a 3-pointer (48 percent). Jawad Williams also has moved ahead of Moon because the St. Edward product tries to play defense and has an understanding of what Scott wants done on offense.

8. I'd like to see Leon Powe get more minutes as the backup center because the veteran is fearless inside. He will draw fouls and deliver fouls. He sets fierce picks. Major knee surgeries have robbed Powe of mobility, but he's a mature pro -- something this team can use on the court at some point every night.

About the Tribe...

tribe-phelps-horiz-bat-cd.jpgView full sizeCord Phelps may have a big-league bat already, but Terry Pluto is wary of rushing a talented player before his defense is ready to succeed.

1. Doug Eisenbraun emailed that he's looking for reasons to be excited about the Indians, and sent this prediction for the regular lineup: C: Carlos Santana, 1B: Matt LaPorta, 2B: Jason Donald, SS: Asdrubal Cabrera, 3B: Cord Phelps, LF: Grady Sizemore, CF: Michael Brantley, RF: Shin-Soo Choo, DH: Travis Hafner.

2. If Sizemore is reasonably healthy, he will play center field. The Indians will only move him to left if his surgically repaired knee has robbed him of his speed. What I hope is that Brantley takes over the leadoff spot, and that Sizemore bats somewhere in the middle of the order.

3. I wish Cord Phelps was ready to play third base. In the Arizona Fall League, he hit .367 (1.031 OPS). He doesn't have a lot of power, but he may be ready to be a productive hitter in the majors right now. But in 17 games at third, he had eight errors. He's played second for the Tribe since being the third-round pick in 2008. The Indians think he may be able to play third at some point -- he did play there some at Stanford. But he doesn't seem to be ready to break into the majors at a new position directly out of spring training.

4. Don't ask me who will play third. You've heard the Nick Punto rumors. In the last two years with the Twins, he's batted .232 (.618 OPS) with two homers and 58 RBI in 728 at-bats. He's 33, and didn't have any errors in his last 53 games at third -- but he doesn't hit at all. Agent Scott Boras is trying to market Joe Crede, who missed all of last season with his third back surgery in three years. Crede was an excellent third baseman with some power before all the injuries, but the Indians and others have doubts about him staying healthy.

5. I don't even want to think about Jayson Nix at third, where he was overmatched. He has two errors in his first four games at third in Puerto Rico this winter. He had 11 in 39 games for the Tribe. He's solid at second, but the Indians are loaded at that spot. They are even thinking about looking at Jason Donald at third.

6. The Tribe lost Josh Rodriguez, 25, to Pittsburgh in the Rule 5 draft. He batted .297 with 13 homers and 57 RBI (.862 OPS) between Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus. The Indians view him as a second baseman, and they rate Donald, Nix, Jason Kipnis, Phelps and even Luis Valbuena ahead of him. That's why they didn't protect their second-round pick in 2006, who has had a spotty career in the minors. Former Tribe assistant general manager Neil Huntington runs the Pirates, and he has liked Rodriguez for a while.

7. In the Dominican Republic, Josh Judy is 5-of-5 in saves with a 1.50 ERA. He had a 2.68 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 47 innings at Columbus. Vinnie Pestano saved 14 games with a 1.50 ERA at Columbus. Both have a legitimate chance to make the roster at the end of spring training, as the Indians are loading up with power arms. After the All-Star break, the Tribe's bullpen had a 2.95 ERA.

Is Cleveland too soft on Dan Gilbert? Hey, Mary!

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The Cavaliers owner is taken to task by a disgruntled fan ... and other thoughts in this week's reader mailbag.

gilbert-scratch-head-horiz-mf.jpgView full sizeHas Dan Gilbert escaped legitimate criticism from media and fans for LeBron James' departure and the Cavaliers' current woes? Mary Schmitt Boyer doesn't think so.

Hey, Mary: As a native Clevelander and a lifelong Cavs fan, I'm dumbfounded at the lack of criticism directed towards Dan Gilbert by local media in the wake of "The Player Who Left" (TPWL) leaving. Does writing a scathing letter that I admit did encapsulate the feeling of a lot of fans at that very moment somehow absolve him from any accountability? From everything I've read and heard from national NBA writers, it sounds like Gilbert kow-towed to TPWL when he was here and then somehow was surprised when TPWL acted like an entitled, spoiled child. Furthermore, does anyone feel confident the Cavs are headed in the right direction? Is Gilbert the "Teflon Don" in regards to this misstep as well? -- Eric Sulzer, Columbus

Hey, Eric: I think The Plain Dealer columnists and assorted radio personalities have, in fact, taken Dan Gilbert to task for coddling LeBron James, although I'm not sure most owners wouldn't have done the same thing. They sure didn't seem to mind being yanked around by James during his little dog-and-pony show last summer. That being said, the fact that James never called Gilbert personally before making his announcement is inexcusable. I also have written that the impact of that letter on potential free agents has yet to be determined, although, more than likely, players will just look at the bottom line of any contract the Cavs are offering.

Looking forward, I think the Cavs have been slowly trying to determine what kind of team they have left and what direction to take. I don't think you can blame Gilbert for that. The Cavs made many moves over the last few years trying to surround James with a cast worthy of winning an NBA championship. Ripping the core of that team apart has left the players floundering. The Cavs are not in a position of strength as far as making deals right now, but I don't sense that they're ready to throw in the towel either. I think the next couple of weeks will determine the course they take and whether they decide full-blown "rebuilding" is in order.

Hey, Mary: With an inability to find any consistent scoring and health outside of Boobie Gibson, what do you think it would take to pry O.J. Mayo from the Grizzlies? He's been relegated to sixth man with disastrous results (8.6 ppg off the bench), but he's never missed an NBA game and prior to this year averaged 18 points? -- David Buona, Erie, Pa.

Hey, David: I don't think the Cavs are looking specifically at Mayo, but I think they'd like to find some wings who can score and defend, and I certainly think he'd be in that category. I don't think Memphis is in a position to take on a lot of salary, so the Grizzlies probably would be looking for a combination of younger players with lower salaries to match Mayo's $4.5 million salary this year. He will make $5.6 million next year.

Hey, Mary: If a team wanted to trade draft picks for Antawn Jamison, but couldn't fit him under their salary cap, could the Cavs trade Antawn and the trade exemption at the same time to the same team? -- Mitch Schwartz, Fairfield, Calif.

Hey, Mitch: No, the Cavs can't trade the exception. The Cavs can take a player in and not send a player out, thus the other team gets an exception for the amount of the salary sent out. They also cannot combine a player and the exception.-- Mary


Shin-Soo Choo, Manny Acta earn writers' awards for 2010 Indians season

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Choo and closer Chris Perez were nominated for the top player award, recently changed to honor Bob Feller. Choo won easily in a vote of the writers.

Tribe sweeps Tigers with double wins WednesdayView full sizeShin-Soo Choo easily claimed his second consecutive award as Indians player of the year in a vote by the Tribe's beat writers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shin-Soo Choo has won his second straight Man of the Year award from Cleveland's Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. The award has been renamed the Bob Feller Man of the Year award in honor of the Indians' franchise leader in victories.

Manager Manny Acta, after his first year on the job, received the Frank Gibbons-Steve Olin Good Guy award.

Since the inception of the Man of the Year award in 1946, Choo is only the fifth player to win it in consecutive years and only the third to do so outright. The two other players to win the award outright were Carlos Baerga (1991-1992) and Mike Hargrove (1980-1981). Manny Ramirez won it in 1998 and shared the award in 1999 with Robbie Alomar. Sam McDowell won it in 1969 and shared it with Ray Fosse in 1970.

The Man of the Year award is symbolic of the Indians' best player. Choo and closer Chris Perez were nominated, but Choo won easily in a vote of the writers.

Choo led the Indians in batting average (.300), doubles (31), homers (22), RBI (90), runs (81), hits (165), walks (83), OPS (.885) and steals (20). Not bad on a team that lost 93 games and finished 25th in batting average, 26th in runs and 17th in on-base percentage in the big leagues.

He led all right fielders in the AL in assists. This winter, Choo is eligible for arbitration and the Indians are trying to sign him to a multiyear deal.

Acta is what the Good Guy award is all about. It goes to the player or member of the staff or front office that understands the media's job and provides help on a daily basis. All managers talk to reporters at least twice a day during the season, but some can make it difficult. Acta was always positive, quotable and kept his sense of humor in a trying season.

Shelley Duncan and Chris Perez were nominated for the award as well.

Choo and Acta will receive plaques in honor of the awards.

The writers, in conjunction with the Indians, are also planning to recognize Feller by adorning in a special manner the seat where he's always sat in the Progressive Field press box. Last week Feller, 92, entered hospice after being diagnosed with leukemia in August.

Defenseless Cleveland Cavaliers lose seventh straight as Houston rolls, 110-95

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No defense, no victory for Cavaliers who fell to the Rockets in Houston.

martin-rockets-fouled-gibson-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeAfter scoring 22 points in the first quarter, Houston's Kevin Martin (12) was targeted by the Cavaliers' defense -- if not successfully -- on Saturday night. Daniel Gibson's wraparound defense led to a pair of Martin free throws in the Rockets' 110-95 victory.

HOUSTON, Texas -- It sounds as if everyone agrees what the Cavaliers should do against opponents at the 3-point line. They just don't do it.

In a loss eerily similar to last Saturday's loss at Minnesota, the Cavs were undone by the hot-shooting Houston Rockets, 110-95, on Saturday night in Toyota Center.

"It seemed like deja vu all over again when we played Minnesota and they hit shot after shot," said Antawn Jamison as the Cavs fell to 7-16 with their seventh straight loss and their eighth straight on the road.

Whereas the Timberwolves shot 69.2 percent from 3-point range for the game, the Rockets did it just for a half -- 64.5 percent over the first 24 minutes -- but that was more than enough, thanks to former Zanesville High School star Kevin Martin.

Martin had 32 of his season-high 40 points in the first half to propel the Rockets (9-14).

"You've got to give him credit," Cavs coach Byron Scott said of Martin. "He really got it going and made shots. A guy like that, as good as he is offensively, and he can get to the free-throw line as well can make for a long night."

Martin made three of six 3-pointers and 13 of 14 free throws. As a team, the Rockets made 12 of 26 3-pointers, 46.2 percent. Shane Battier had four and Chase Budinger added three.

"Tonight that was the biggest difference in the game," Scott said of the long ball.

So how does he want to try and prevent that?

"You've just got to run them off [the 3-point line]," he said. "A few times we'd run up to them and stand there and watch, and they'd raise and shoot right in our face. We've got to continue to do a much better job of getting guys off that 3-point line and forcing them to put the ball on the floor. I know sometimes guys feel a little uncomfortable and vulnerable running at people like that, but we've got to do it."

Jamison's answer was virtually the same as Scott's, so it's not as if there's a communication problem. There's just an execution problem -- on both ends of the court.

Much like Wednesday's loss to Chicago, the Cavs had a chance but fell apart.

After Houston increased its lead to 75-62 early in the third quarter, the Cavs finally decided to play some defense. Stopping the Rockets on one end allowed them to score nine straight on the other -- a 3-pointer by Jamison, two free throws by Anthony Parker and a jumper and driving layup by Mo Williams. All of sudden the Cavs were within 75-71 with about six minutes left.

Of course, they reverted to form just as quickly. Battier had seven points as the Rockets closed out on a 17-4 run for a 92-75 lead.

"Once we got to striking distance, we just didn't play smart, whether it was a miscue defensively, a bad shot offensively that led to them making a big shot down the stretch," Jamison said. "Those type of plays just break your back. We weren't able to get the stops we needed or convert on the offensive end in order to swing the game our way.

"Offensively, you're going to have those lulls. The one thing you've got to hang your hat on is defensively not having those lulls. We were scrambling throughout the whole game and just couldn't get the necessary stops that we needed or really take advantage of the things we were doing offensively."

Who would be the best next addition for the resurgent Browns? Hey, Tony!

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We'd never take a holiday when it comes to emptying out the latest Browns mailbag -- there's just too many interesting questions.

cards-fitzgerald-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeThe free-falling Cardinals aren't making Larry Fitzgerald a happy camper in Arizona, so one Browns fans wonders what it would take to garb the All-Pro receiver in orange and brown.

Hey, Tony: The Browns really need a big-play WR and there is a certain big-play WR out there that has to be very unhappy with his team's situation. I am talking about Larry Fitzgerald. Would there be any chance of a trade there or am I just dreaming? Let's just say that there is a chance: What would it take to make a deal like that happen? -- Gary B, Philadelphia

Hey, Gary: It would take an enormous investment. The Browns would have to satisfy the Cardinals in a trade and then sign Fitzgerald to a new contract because he is entering his final season. So how does two No. 1s and $13 million a year sound?

Hey, Tony: Any chance that Joe Haden is in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year? -- Greg Barnes, Sharon, Pa.

Hey, Greg: Very little chance. I believe Detroit defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh has the award pretty much sewn up. A big flurry of INTs over last four games might win Haden some votes. Jarius Byrd had nine last year as a rookie.

Hey, Tony: Josh Cribbs got his big contract, yet he hasn't had a single decent return all year. In addition, he drags out injuries worse than Big Ben. Why does the media give him a free pass all year without criticism? -- John Horseset, Avon

Hey, John: Because Cribbs' passion and effort on the field has not changed in the least. He has been hurt and before that teams kicked the ball away. Even though the Browns are last in kickoff return average, they are near the top in average drive start after kickoffs. In other words, teams are sacrificing good field position to prevent Cribbs from taking a return all the way.

Hey, Tony: Each week I watch our rookies very carefully. I'm happy with what I've seen. Even with the Hardesty injury, it appears we have some impact players and a possible quarterback of the future. I was wondering if you could provide a report card for each active rookie thus far. Do we have any "A" players in the 2010 class? -- Rob Houk, Dayton

Hey, Rob: I will reserve final grades for my season review after all games are played. With four games to go, I would rate Joe Haden and T.J. Ward as having exceptional rookie seasons. Colt McCoy would be high up there, too, though he's played in only five games. Shawn Lauvao, whom I speculated as a starter coming out of training camp, was set back by a high ankle sprain and has not regained the time he lost because of the injury.

Hey, Tony: A few weeks ago, you mocked my question about Eric Mangini's excessive tobacco use affecting his game day decisions. Now, I see that he's passed the habit on to his players, specifically Peyton Hillis. When are you going to bring this up to the players about how dangerous this habit is? What's next, Hillis starts chewing tobacco during games? -- Jenna Smith, Shaker Heights

Hey, Jenna: I'm not a fan of chewing tobacco and I would never condone it, but we're dealing with men old enough to make their own decisions.

Hey, Tony: Where do you rate Reggie Hodges in terms of agility, strength, and speed among other punters in the NFL? Also, how is his throwing arm and accuracy? The reason I'm asking is because the team should use him more on fake punts and kicks to utilize his speed. Possibly, we could even have a fourth and short situation with Hodges in at QB, in which he could punt, pass, or run. -- Mark Rosenthal, Chardon

Hey, Mark: Hodges is having a career year. He deserved consideration for the Pro Bowl, though I believe that honor will go to Oakland's Shane Lechler. I'm not sure about his throwing arm. If the opportunity arises, I'm sure the coaches would have confidence in Hodges to run another fake punt.

Hey, Tony: No. 1, What happened to Dave Zastudil? I saw he was taken off IR and released. I think Reggie Hodges has more then won the job, but is Dave gone for good? No. 2, what's the status for Montario Hardesty, pronounced "Hurt-his-KNEE"? Will he be back for spring ball or will it be training camp before we see him again? -- Brett F, Charlotte, N.C.

Hey, Brett: 1. Zastudil was waived by the Browns. Zastudil told me he feels he is still injured. It's possible he will file a grievance to retrieve the salary lost when the Browns cut him. He expects to compete for another team next season. 2. Hardesty -- pronounced Har-des-tee -- is expected to be ready to participate fully in training camp. He probably will not do much in the various off-season minicamps.

haden-pick-steelers-jg.jpgWith Joe Haden (23) and T.J. Ward dramatically improving the Browns' defensive backfield, should the team look for one more top defensive back in next spring's draft?

Hey, Tony: With the emergence of T.J. Ward and Joe Haden, how would you feel if the Browns went after one of the stud corners who would be available in the first round? This could be the missing link between a good Ryan defense and a great Ryan defense. Ryan loves to blitz a lot and that calls for a complete and dominant backfield. With another good to great corner, it could be a scary and young defense. With Ahtyba Rubin, Matt Roth, Brian Schaefering and maybe Sabby Piscitelli, this could be a dominating defense for years to come. -- Jimmy D, Elyria

Hey, Jimmy: I think the No. 1 need on defense is at defensive end. I feel that cornerback is also a high priority, but just not one that needs to be filled in the first round.

Hey, Tony: In our culture, if an untruth is repeated enough times, it becomes the truth, regardless of, oh say, the facts. Why is it that any time Earnest Byner's fumble is brought up, it is said that he fumbled away a "win" when in fact, had he scored it would have been an extra point away from a tie. This untruth was rubbed in Cleveland's face again during the Cavs "Debacle" telecast this past week in amongst a litany of sports failures. The evening was bad enough without a) bringing up all the wounds from the past and b) getting the actual facts incorrect. Argghhhhhhh. -- John Floridis, Missoula, Mont.

Hey, John: You are correct. I have always maintained that if Byner had scored, instead of fumbled, John Elway would have broken our hearts anyway, as he would have had more than one minute to break the tie. Another myth is that Brian Sipe's interception -- The Pass -- in the 1980 season playoff game cost the Browns the Super Bowl. In fact, had they beaten Oakland, they would have had to play in San Diego in the AFC Championship Game. The thought of Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow & Co. facing that shaky Browns defense was a scary one.

Hey, Tony: When do you think that the fans will forget about Art Modell? We have a new team, so let's support them and when we win the Super Bowl it will be our time to laugh. -- Donald Pasqualetti, Reading, Ohio

Hey, Donald: There's that saying, "Forgive and forget." I think it's right to forgive. But it's OK not to forget.

Hey, Tony: The Dolphins recently waived Clifton Geathers. Do the Browns have any interest in bringing him back? -- Mike B, Dover, Ohio

Hey, Mike: Geathers was claimed and awarded off waivers to the Cowboys.

Hey, Tony: With the Jets game only being close by the shankapotamus they had kicking, and the Carolina game won on a missed Carolina field goal, are the Browns still looking at letting Phil Dawson go after this season? He's been behind more wins for this team than all other individual players combined since '99, and should continue to be that for several more years. They made a lot of good moves, but this would be an epic fail. -- Josh Winkler, Hilliard, Ohio

Hey, Josh: I agree. But I don't sense a great urgency on the Browns' part to re-sign Dawson. If he signs with Pittsburgh I will scream.

Hey, Tony: 1) Why on earth would the Browns ever consider letting Dawson go? Is it his age? If so, there have been many kickers who've played well into their 30s. If not age, then what, money? Do they retain a million dollars in exchange for games lost? I am worried if they let him go it will come back to haunt them next year and beyond. I say pay him what he'll likely get somewhere else for a minimum of two years, meanwhile groom his replacement to get accustomed to Cleveland. Who better a teacher than Phil?

2) I write this prior to the Miami game, but assuming Jake Delhomme had a good game, shouldn't Mangini stick with the hot hand until proven otherwise? It was the original plan going in. He's proven to be the most effective at running the no-huddle thus a more balanced pass/run offense. Secondly, I am sick and tired of playing for next year. I want wins regardless if Mary Poppins or Sheppard Smith is in at QB! -- John Woodliff, Canton, Ohio

Hey, John: 1. Age isn't the issue with Dawson. I just don't feel the Browns want to pay a kicker $3 million a year, which is the going rate for someone with Dawson's track record. If they wanted to re-sign him, there's no reason to wait. 2. I feel Mike Holmgren wants to see Colt McCoy play in bad weather. Mangini probably prefers Delhomme's experience. But if Delhomme throws more interceptions, I'm sure Mangini would think otherwise.

Hey, Tony: Why do the Browns need to see Colt McCoy play a regular season game in bad weather to test his arm strength when baseball teams routinely use a radar gun to see if pitchers and catchers can throw a ball from point A to point B in time to be effective? We know McCoy makes quick decisions and has a quick release, so couldn't they test his arm strength in bad weather during practice? -- Daniel Protas, Vernon, Conn.

Hey, Daniel: I don't think you can simulate throwing a football in inclement conditions. His quick decisions and quick release are positives. Mike Holmgren has said that he is not overly concerned with his arm strength because of the factors you cite, in addition to his accuracy.

Hey, Tony: A few weeks ago, the Jags won on a Hail Mary touchdown pass with no time remaining. They then kicked a meaningless extra point. On the same day, the Jets beat the Browns with a touchdown in OT, but there was no PAT. Why does the NFL require teams to try for a meaningless extra point if the TD occurs during regulation? -- J T, San Diego

Hey, JT: The sudden death overtime rules state that the first points scored in overtime ends the game. That is not the case in regulation. The rules state that in regulation all touchdowns must be followed by a PAT attempt. The NFL doesn't acknowledge the enormous amount of money bet on their games, of course. But I believe a single point often changes the outcome of games against the spread.

mangini-bengals-10-jg.jpgView full sizeWith four wins in the last six games, Eric Mangini is becoming the people's choice for 2011. Will he be Mike Holmgren's as well?

Hey, Tony: No one seems to mention the opponent's reaction after playing the Browns. Their comments seem to reflect that they've been beaten up and demoralized even if they win. For as much crap as most people give Mangini, I've got to give it up to him for building a tough-nosed AFC North team. I know it's not there fully yet, I hope he gets another year. -- Sean Wachsman, Louisville, Ky.

Hey, Sean: Your sentiments seem to be in the majority.

Hey, Tony: It seems like we are seeing less and less of a dual backfield with Lawrence Vickers lined up with Peyton Hillis. Any reason for this and do you think it has something to do with Hillis having a bit of a decline in yardage recently. -- Gary B, Philadelphia

Hey, Gary: The inconsistent use of Vickers is a mystery to me. Lately the Browns have used more two-tight end sets, with Robert Royal in the role of an additional blocker. Coaches flirt with different sets and formations to influence mismatches. But I would line up Vickers and Hillis against anybody and take my chances in short-yardage situations.

Hey, Tony: Sunday night one of the NBC reporters speculated that Cleveland was one of the two teams (I don't remember the second) that would attract Jon Gruden as a coach next year. Personally I think Mangini should be retained. But, what's your take on Gruden? Is he the type of guy that could help build a solid, high character, consistently good team -- like Pittsburgh or Baltimore? -- John Turner, Johns Island, S.C.

Hey, John: I have always considered Gruden an ideal candidate to be Browns coach. My opinion goes back long before Mangini got the job. I said it to a league executive 10 years ago. Gruden's Ohio roots and his deep appreciation for Browns tradition and the hard-nosed, physical play required in the Midwest would make him a worthy candidate. Since then, Gruden's inability to develop a young quarterback has become a concern, but it's not a deal-breaker, in my mind. All of that said, I believe Gruden will not coach until 2012. Gruden will always be mentioned as a possible candidate in Cleveland because he and Mike Holmgren have the same agent and it is assumed by many insiders that the if there is a coaching change, the new coach will be represented by Holmgren's agent.

Hey, Tony: Although I'm only in my 40s, I have a healthy respect for the history of the Browns. My father used to grouse on about Art Modell and how horrible it was he fired Paul Brown, and to this day the issue still pops up once in a while, but it seems to me people are ignoring two key facts: The Browns won the NFL Championship in 1964, only two years after Brown was fired, and Paul Brown never won a championship with the Bengals. I am no fan of Art Modell, but it seems to me looking objectively in this case the right call was made, and I can say that even though I consider Paul Brown the best and most innovative coach in the history of the NFL. In hindsight wasn't hiring Blanton Collier at that time the right call? Do you think Collier might eventually be added to the ring of honor? -- Doug S., Orange, Calif.

Hey, Doug: In my opinion, Collier should be the next addition to the Ring of Honor. Because he followed Brown, Collier, indeed, is underrated as a coach. He was a great coach under Brown and a great coach on his own. Collier's 1964 championship did more for Modell than anything in his career. If Collier had flopped, Modell would have been ridden out of town on a rail. The championship bought Modell 25 years of celebrity in Cleveland.

Hey, Tony: I was never a big fan of hiring Mangini, however I have been very impressed with the way that he has turned around the attitude of this team. You have gone on record believing Holmgren will do the right thing and saying that you think Holmgren and Mangini appear to be moving in opposite directions. If you think that at the end of the year, if one of them has to go it might be Holmgren, especially if Mangini continues to win? -- David Sepe, Youngstown, Ohio

Hey, David: No chance. Holmgren will do the right thing. If that means bringing Mangini back, so be it.

Hey, Tony: I went to the Dolphins game and it seemed to me the WR corps did not have confidence in the play calling or game plan. Like they knew they were not a big part in the offensive scheme. Could that be the reason for the poor showing in most of the games? -- Eliot Clasen, Cape Coral, Fla.

Hey, Eliot: For the umpteenth time I will declare: This is not a receiver-friendly offense.

Hey, Tony: I was wondering if you had any insight about all these minor acquisitions this year? Sabby Piscitelli, Jordan Norwood, Eric Alexander, Demetrius Williams, Jayme Mitchell, etc. What is the likelihood of any of these guys actually contributing (this year or next), and what would one of them actually have to do in practice to get some game reps? If we haven't even seen if Carlton Mitchell can catch, what kind of chance do the rest of them stand? -- Justin McHenry, Stow

Hey, Justin: You've got me. It seems there is a growing number of players on the bottom of the roster who exist but do not contribute, except in practice. The Jayme Mitchell pickup is absolutely mind-boggling. He has no experience in a 3-4 defense and has no idea why he was claimed by the team.

Hey, Tony: What are the chances of Josh McDaniels becoming the offensive coordinator in the off-season if Mangini is still around? -- Patrick McKinney, Cuyahoga Falls

Hey, Patrick: It's an interesting question. First, there is no indication Brian Daboll will be replaced. If Mike Holmgren demands a change, the question is whether he would pick Daboll's replacement or allow Mangini to pick it. If the latter is the case, I would think McDaniels would be a candidate. But if Holmgren wants a West Coast-disciple on board, McDaniels would not be a candidate.

Hey, Tony: Defensive players get flagged for putting a finger on a QB. But, QBs can pump fake. I clearly remember Kamerion Wimbley letting go of Big Ben in 2006 because he didn't want to get flagged for a late hit because he thought Ben threw it already. Also, QBs can take off full speed and then suddenly slide so you can't touch them. How are you supposed to go hard after someone and suddenly stop just because the QB slides or pretends to throw? Since it would be impossible to eliminate pump fakes, can the league just start putting flags on the QBs? -- Brian Weisman, Erie, Pa.

Hey, Brian: The biggest stars in the NFL have been and will forever be the quarterbacks. So the NFL is going to protect them above and beyond any other position. All the rules have been and will forever be slanted to protect the quarterbacks.

Hey, Tony: Do you realize you have become synonomous on blogs, tweets, chat rooms and just general conversation amongst fans as Mr. Anti Mangini in Cleveland? What is it that has rubbed you so wrong about him? You always used to preach defense wins in the AFC North, and running game is key in the cold. You preached beating Pittsburgh was the key to everything in this division and you even admit Mangini does not fear them and gets the rivalry ... and yet you speak of West Coast O and going down the field fast a la Holmgren ball admitting all along Holmgren has zero interest in D as a coach. Why do you long for change so much? Is the lure of Holmgren coaching (and running the entire organization at the same time) that exciting to you? -- Michael Spitale, Galena, Ohio

Hey, Michael: I think I have been tough on Mangini, but not unfair. I have said I think he can coach but I don't know if he can win. By that I mean this: He has well-reasoned answers for everything he does and talks a good game and espouses all the right things in a football team. But can he take the necessary risks in offensive football to win? Can he stomach a quarterback throwing three interceptions and still allow him to throw in the fourth quarter with a game on the line? Can he effectively manage a super-talented player who may have character issues? His first season was an abject disaster until the final four games. His authority was taken away in his second season and he reacted favorably. He has embraced the opportunity to learn under Mike Holmgren and I believe he has become a better coach. The only question that's pertinent is this: Is Mangini the coach that can take the team to the Super Bowl? That's all that matters.

Hey, Tony: I find the constant badgering over Mangini's job being in serious question to be more of a personal grudge than real insight. You see the poll results the other day were greater than 90 percent to keep Mangini. I find your claim that he has to go 8-8 not only ludicrous but purposefully disingenuous as well! It's starting to border on propaganda in my opinion. -- John Colosimo, Cleveland

Hey, John: I don't know what you mean by "the constant badgering over Mangini's job." When the team was 4-7 and I was asked, "How many wins does Mangini need to keep his job?" I answered, "five more." I believe it was true at the time. If you are happy with 6-10 or 5-11 every year, that is your prerogative. But I think the people now in charge demand more than that.

Hey, Tony: Wow! Shaun Rogers now has blocked 14 field goals and three extra points in his career. The NFL seems to have a list of every single conceivable record except blocked punts and blocked kicks. If the NFL does not in fact keep track of this record, how is it we know how many Shaun Rogers has? -- Karl Kononchuk, Sparks, Nev.

Hey, Karl: Rogers' kick-blocking exploits in Detroit were well chronicled. When he was traded to the Browns, those numbers carried over.

Hey, Tony: Shouldn't Mike Adams' strategy have been not to score on his interception against Miami? If he scored, Miami would have time to tie the game and perhaps force overtime. If Adams doesn't score but gets inside the 10 (as he actually did), then the Browns run down the clock to kick an easy field goal on the last play of the game, giving Miami no chance to come back. So isn't this a case in which not scoring is actually the smart play? Is this ever coached? -- Paul Rinzler, Arroyo Grande, Calif.

Hey, Paul: Adams admitted after the game that it was good that he was knocked out of bounds short of the end zone. It amazes me how fans constantly second-guess players for intercepting balls on fourth down, or running into the end zone instead of stopping short and running time off the clock. Can it be coached? I suppose, but the situations are fairly rare and when they come up in the heat of the moment, it's difficult for a player who rarely scores to come to the conclusion while running that it would be best for his team not to score.

Hey, Tony: I really enjoy reading your articles. How do you feel about the Browns signing Marquis Johnson from the St. Louis Rams' practice squad? He's 5-11, a good tackler, and played at Oklahoma where he was a standout athlete. It seems with Eric Wright practically playing himself out of Cleveland after the end of this season, he would be a good compliment with Haden and Brown. -- Frank Jacetty, South Euclid

Hey, Frank: I don't know much about Johnson, but I would be in favor of adding any young cornerback on the if-come.

Hey, Tony: What is the deal with Jayme Mitchell? We gave up a 2012 draft pick to acquire him, but he has not been active for a single game. Also, I think he's a free agent after this year? Any ideas? -- Matt Alsip, Towson, Md.

Hey, Matt: The only theory I can come up with is this: Mitchell is strictly an end in a 4-3 system, so he was acquired on the chance the Browns switch coaching staffs and system next year.

Hey, Tony: If a player is on IR this year and the NFL goes on strike, will these players get a paycheck during the strike? -- Carmen Aquila, Mentor

Hey, Carmen: Forget strike. There will be no players strike. If there is a work stoppage, it will be the owners locking out the players. And, no, if there are no games, there are no paychecks.

Hey, Tony: If the "Tie Breaker" decides that Daboll must go and the current hot seat starts to blister for Cam Cameron, who do you think if a better fit for the Browns/Holmgren offense, Cameron or McDaniels? What is the possibility of either donning the OC headset next year? -- John J. Berezo, Culloden, W.Va.

Hey, John: Really, neither Cameron nor McDaniels come from the West Coast-derivative tree. Both are more compatible to what Mangini believes in offense.

-- Tony

Quarterback status back up in the air after Delhomme's poor game: Browns Insider

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Will another wobbly performance lead to a different quarterback starting next Sunday in Cincinnati? Watch video



ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Jake Delhomme may have played his last game of the season if Colt McCoy is healthy enough to start Sunday against the Bengals.

McCoy was back in uniform and served as the third quarterback after missing the previous two games with a high left ankle sprain. He returned to practice on a limited basis Friday and has been moving well.

Delhomme completed 12-of-20 attempts Sunday for 86 yards with one sack, one lost fumble and one interception for a 49.2 rating. Both of his turnovers came when his arm was hit in the fourth quarter. The first time, linebacker Arthur Moats got around Joe Thomas and knocked the ball out of Delhomme's hand for a strip-sack. The Bills recovered and converted it into the field goal.

The second time, Delhomme was hit by blitzing safety Bryan Scott as Delhomme was trying to throw deep to Mohamed Massaquoi. The ball fluttered 20 yards downfield and was picked off by cornerback Leodis McKelvin. The pick came near midfield with 3:51 left and the Browns facing a 13-6 deficit.

"We had a third down and they pressured," said Delhomme. "Mohamed's pressed up and beats the guy off the line. I'm not sure which guy hit my arm, but certainly it wasn't where I wanted it to go. It did affect it because right when he hit it, it was 'alright, that's going straight up in the air.'"

Delhomme lamented failing to score a touchdown on the game's first series, when the Browns were stopped at the Bills' 1. The Browns converted only two third downs.

"That was the story of the day," said Delhomme. "Third down we were not good, and in the red area, we had field goals."

Proud of his big play: Moats reveled in beating Thomas on the strip-sack, which was first ruled an incompletion and then reversed after a Bills' challenge.

As he was being interviewed, one of Moats' teammates yelled, "You beat a Pro Bowler. You know that, don't you?"

"After watching film of him, I thought there were some things I could do against him," Moats said. "I knew he was very athletic, but I still felt like I could get something on him, and it turned out I did. I gave him a stutter inside and he bit on it, then it was an outside-hand knockdown. I was able to flip my hips and get by him."

Missed opportunity: Tight end Robert Royal, who played three seasons for the Bills, failed to grab a third-down pass from Delhomme that whistled through his hands at the Buffalo 43 with 6:32 left.

Gallery previewLast season, Royal dropped two passes here in his first game back since being signed by the Browns.

"It's one of those things where you want to try to make a play for your team," said Royal. "I wanted to try to help get us in position to win the game and it didn't work out. Of course it's my former team and former teammates so obviously you want to make a play to help your team win. I don't know what it is about coming back here. Maybe they've got something on me."

More angst: Defensive back Mike Adams recounted Ryan Fitzpatrick's 11-yard TD pass to rookie Dave Nelson on a post. "He got the best of me. He got me. I seen the dig route all week and he shook me on that dig and went straight ahead."

Where's Watson? Tight end Ben Watson, who caught 10 passes last week, had one for eight yards.

"We tried to throw him a few today," said Delhomme. "They brought limited pressure, not a whole bunch, kinda just playing back. He's in our read the majority of the time. Just for whatever reason it didn't happen."

What weather? It rained all game, but the snow and ice never came. "The weather wasn't a factor at all," said Joe Haden. "It was 1,000 times better than everybody expected."

Botched trick play: Josh Cribbs had the third of three Browns fumbles on a single third-quarter drive after a botched reverse. But he reached around three Bills and recovered the ball.

"It was a miscommuniated play," he said. "Jake was giving me a dummy call. I was in motion, so I stopped motion and he hiked the ball. It was just a miscommunication between the quarterback and the receiver.

"It was a designed end around, but they were kind of sniffing out the play like, 'Hey, Cribbs is in the game.' So he was giving me a dummy call and I stopped motioning and probably should have kept coming around."

Bumps and bruises: Linebacker David Bowens left with a head injury after making the initial contact on a fourth-quarter third down running play that held the Bills to a field goal. Linebacker Matt Roth apparently ran into him and he was face-down on the field for a brief time before walking off. ... Cornerback Sheldon Brown said he suffered a rotator cuff injury making a TD-saving tackle earlier in the drive, but he came back in. He said he'll undergo an MRI Monday. ... Linebacker Marcus Benard got up slowly after a kickoff return and may have aggravated his shoulder.

Extra points: Seneca Wallace ran two Wildcat plays, handing off both times to Hillis. The first went for 25 yards. ... Bedford native and Bills receiver Lee Evans left in the first half with an ankle injury and didn't return. ... Benard recorded a sack to increase his team-leading total to 7.5 on the season. He has 11 sacks in 18 career games. ... The Browns have scored two field goals in the last 10 times they've gotten takeaways. ... Linebacker Chris Gocong recorded a career-high 10 tackles, including one sack and a forced fumble. He has a team-leading three forced fumbles for the season.

Staff writer Dennis Manoloff contributed to this report.


Akron is NCAA soccer's gold standard: Zips win title, 1-0 over Louisville, on Scott Caldwell's goal and clutch defense

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A 79th minute goal by Scott Caldwell was decisive as the University of Akron collected its first NCAA College Cup men's soccer title on Sunday.

akron-soccer-title-trophy-ap.jpgView full sizeAs Akron players clustered around the NCAA championship trophy Sunday afternoon in California, coach Caleb Porter praised their determination. "It's an absolute credit to these guys' character," he said after the 1-0 victory over Louisville. "We were hungry all year long."

Kathryn L. Knapp

Special to The Plain Dealer

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The second year back to the College Cup was definitely the charm for the Akron Zips' men's soccer team. A 1-0 win over Louisville gave Akron its first NCAA championship in any sport.

"It's been a long journey," Akron head coach Caleb Porter said. "It started Dec. 14 (2009) with a bitter loss [in the NCAA title game to Virginia], a painful loss. We recovered and moved on. It's an absolute credit to these guys' character. We were hungry all year long."

The first half allowed for a handful of opportunities for both teams. But in the second half, Akron took charge, attacking play after play. Finally the Zips broke through.

In the 79th minute, Akron's Anthony Ampaipitakwong soared a corner kick into the box. Scott Caldwell blasted a shot off the Cardinal defense. He picked up the rebound and sent it into the top of the net. The goal was the fifth in Caldwell's last seven games.

"Once I got my first one in, it gave me the confidence to keep going forward," Caldwell said. "It takes luck too. The ball's been bouncing my way lately."

From that point on, the Zips didn't stop. They kept creating chances. Akron out-shot Louisville, 15-10, in the final 45 minutes, forcing Louisville goalkeeper Andre Boudreaux to make four saves. Darlington Nagbe and Darren Mattocks spent a lot of the second half making runs. Each finished the night with four shots. Caldwell recorded four shots as well.

"Our goal was to stay on the ball as much as possible," Porter said. "We wanted to get in their defensive end. As the half went on, they were really just hanging on. Things got a little hectic in the last couple of minutes, but that's going to happen."

In the 50th minute Louisville sent a long free kick into the box, where Akron goalie David Meves stopped Colin Rolfe's header. The shot was the lone one on the day for Rolfe.

akron-kitchen-soccer-final-ap.jpgView full sizeAkron's Perry Kitchen goes airborne to get off a pass against Louisville's Dylan Mares in the first half of Sunday's NCAA men's soccer championship game at Santa Barbara, Calif.

A late push by Louisville led to back-to-back shot attempts. The Cardinals' Aaron Horton, who scored the winners in the final minute of Louisville's last two games, got into the box. Horton blasted a short attempt toward goal. Meves was out of position, but defender Chad Barson was there to clear the ball out of harm's way.

"I don't really recall how Aaron got the ball," Barson said. "It was kind of crazy. Louisville had to push forward. Aaron took a shot and I was able to make the play. I knew if I didn't make it Zarek [Valentin] would have had it. We were covered."

Akron (22-1-2) dominated opponents, outscoring them, 64-16. The Zips were tough defensively as well. The win gave them their 14th shutout of the season.

"On a day where clearly we were not at our best, we hung in there," said Louisville head coach Ken Lolla, who preceded Porter at Akron. "In the second half we struggled to keep the ball. At the end we looked for the equalizer. We had a tremendous run."

Kathryn Knapp is a freelance writer in Santa Barbara, Calif.


Thunder humbles Cavs, 106-77: Mary Schmitt Boyer's post-game blog

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The young and talented Thunder have no problem dismissing the sagging Cavaliers in Oklahoma City.

okc-durant-dunk-squ-ap.jpgView full sizeKevin Durant poses a particularly difficult challenge for the Cavaliers as Cleveland attempts to end a seven-game losing streak tonight.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Final observations from the Cavs game against the Thunder at the Oklahoma City Arena:

For the first time, the Cavs are showing some of the emotional toll all this losing is taking on the team. Before the game, coach Byron Scott admitted this season has been tougher than he thought it was going to be. That was quite an admission, since Scott has been adamant that this team is the best he has taken over. It still may be better than his first teams in New Jersey and New Orleans, but right now its not playing like it.

Then, after the game, Scott took forever to come out of the locker room to address the media and admitted he was just trying to collect his thoughts. Frankly, all the questions and answers have been the same throughout most of the streak, having to do with the Cavs poor defense, poor offensive execution and, now, poor bench play.

And for the first time, there are signs of tension in the locker room. When J.J. Hickson was asked about Scott's criticism of the reserves, he said, "Oh, so he's blaming it on the bench.'' Hickson caught himself before he went too far, but it's clear the losing and the changes are getting to everyone.

The worst part? There's no end in sight, not with games this week at Miami and at Indiana, followed by home games against the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. Where will tempers be a week from now?

Final: Thunder 106, Cavs 77. Another night, another loss.

Kevin Durant needed only three quarters to score 25 points, and James Harden and Jeff Green added 19 apiece to lead the Oklahoma Thunder to a decisive 106-77 victory over the Cavaliers on Sunday evening in Oklahoma City Arena.

If you missed Harden's dunk over J.J. Hickson, don't worry. It will be running in a loop on ESPN for the next 24 hours.

Anthony Parker had 12 points and Daniel Gibson 11 for the Cavs, who fell to 7-17 with their eighth straight loss. It's their longest losing streak since they dropped eight straight from Nov. 19 to Dec. 3, 2003, LeBron James' rookie season. Seven of the eight opponents in this streak have scored 100 or more points.

Oklahoma City improved to 17-8. The Thunder shot 53.2 percent for the game and outscored the Cavs in the paint, 56-28.

Third quarter update: Thunder 86, Cavs 58. The Cavs were hanging around for most of the third quarter and were within 67-57 until a 12-0 blitz, including five points by Kevin Durant and four by James Harden pretty much settled the issue.

Ryan Hollins did go nose-to-nose with Durant after taking a charge, and Joey Graham fouled Durant hard on the Thunder's next possession. But none of that slowed Oklahoma City, which increased its lead after three quarters to 86-58 on a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Eric Maynor.

For those keeping track, the Thunder closed the period on a 19-1 run.

Halftime update: Thunder 56, Cavs 45. The Cavs starters returned and managed to cut the Thunder's 22-point lead in half by halftime, but they can't actually play the entire 24 minutes of the second half, can they?

Once Byron Scott goes to his bench, it's all over. So far the highlights of the first half were James Harden's poster dunk on J.J. Hickson and Thunder fan Robert Yankers hitting a halfcourt shot to win $20,000 between the first and second quarters.

Maybe Chris Grant should take a look? Yankers told the in-arena interviewer that he played on Great Britain's national team with Luol Deng.

First quarter update: Thunder 31, Cavs 17. The Cavs are putting up no resistance as Oklahoma City is doing whatever it wants, including driving the lane with impunity.

Kevin Durant already has 14 points, more than halfway to his league-leading 27.5 points per game.

Cavs starters: F Anthony Parker, F Antawn Jamison, C Anderson Varejao, G Daniel Gibson, G Mo Williams.

Thunder starters: F Kevin Durant, F Jeff Green, C Serge Ibaka, G Thabo Sefolosha, G Russell Westbrook.

Injuries: Cavs, none. Thunder, Nenad Krstic is day-to-day with a lower back sprain.

Inactives: Christian Eyenga, Jamario Moon and Samardo Samues for Cavs. Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook and Krstic for Thunder.

Officials: Mike Callahan, Kevin Fehr, JT Orr.

Three things to watch

1. Kevin Durant. The league's leading scorer is playing great, and the Cavs will have their hands full trying to do anything about him. Coach Byron Scott has indicated he may use some zone.

2. Will the Cavs get anything out of their bench, which contributed a measly 22 points in the loss at Houston? The Rockets bench had 33 points.

3. This will be the first time the Cavs have seen referee Kevin Fehr since he was part of the crew that upset Scott (and cost him $35,000) in Orlando.

Champion Zips hoping other Akron teams get a national title experience: NCAA Soccer Insider

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In claiming the first championship for any NCAA team at Akron, the Zips said Sunday night that they hope it's just the beginning.

meves-stop-ncaatitle-akron-horiz-ap.jpgView full sizeAkron goaltender David Meves made several acrobatic saves to protect the Zips' championship dreams on Sunday. Here he deflects the ball wide as Zips defender Chad Barson (left) and Louisville's Josh Lipka watch.

Kathryn L. Knapp

Special to The Plain Dealer

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- In claiming the first championship for any NCAA team at Akron, the Zips said Sunday night that they hope it's just the beginning.

"Winning means more than anyone could imagine," Zarek Valentin said. "It gives the school hope that we can keep progressing not only in our sport, but also other ones."

No stranger: Akron head coach Caleb Porter has been to the College Cup nine times. Porter played in the tournament in 1994 and 1997 for Indiana, failing to get a title. But he's been back as a graduate assistant (IU 1998), assistant coach (IU 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004) and now head coach (Akron 2009, 2010).

During that span, Indiana won three times (1998, 2003, 2004) and Akron won on Sunday.

He's the first: Anthony Ampaipitakwong finished out his four years at Akron in style.

After the match he said he was exhausted, while smiling from ear to ear. "It's an unbelievable feeling," he said. Ampaipitakwong ended his tenure as one of the nation's top players and 17 goals and 30 assists.

Porter said Ampai was his first blue-chip recruit.

"People told us we wouldn't get the top talent," Porter said. "When I was selling him to come to Akron, he didn't even know where it was. After the game I thanked him because he go the ball rolling."

Score first, win: Akron got the first goal of a game for the 19th time this season. Akron was 19-0-0 record when scoring first, 20-0-0 when holding a team to no more than one goal.

If you will the ball, it will find the net: For the second straight game, the Zips' goals were in net with their faithful Rowdies fans behind it.

"We've often said that they're like a vacuum, sucking the ball into the net," Porter said. "It's ironic that we found the goal with the fans sitting behind it."

What's next? With three seniors on the squad and some of the top players in the nation, it's no surprise that the 2011 Zips will have a different look. But Porter said putting together all the right pieces for next year is a challenge he looks forward to.

"We're going to lose some guys," he said. "The nice thing is we have guys in the wings who are ready. As a coach, you're always preparing for the next year.

"Our culture's there. Our style of play is ingrained in them. Our system will change slightly. Our identity will never change. We will keep playing the way we play."

A moment to remember: "We knew we could win this," Ampaipitakwong said. "This is our time. This is our destiny."

Kathryn Knapp is a freelance writer in Santa Barbara, Calif.



Up and down Cleveland Browns hit a major pothole in Buffalo, 13-6

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The Browns play down to the level of the Buffalo Bills after suffering five fumbles and one interception in wet conditions.

nelson-td-adams-brns-vert-jg.jpgView full sizeThe only touchdown in Sunday's game came on this Ryan Fitzpatrick pass to tight end David Nelson against the coverage of Mike Adams in the second quarter. Buffalo never let the mistake-prone Browns seriously challenge in the second half of a 13-6 Bills victory at Orchard Park, N.Y.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- It was cold and wet. But the Browns expected that.

The Buffalo Bills were a better team than their 2-10 record. But the Browns realized that.

Yet, like a nightmare they couldn't shake from their minds, the Browns could not stop the events that would lead to a 13-6 loss to their I-90 nemesis. As predictable as lake-effect snow, the Browns played down to their competition and produced a stinker of a game to fall to 5-8.

"We can't be a good team until we're consistently good," said Josh Cribbs. "We do play up and down to teams' talents."

The Browns fumbled five times -- three by running back Peyton Hillis -- and Jake Delhomme threw an interception. Only one of Hillis' fumbles were recovered by the Bills, but the repeated errors traumatized the Browns' one-dimensional offense.

Whenever Delhomme had to throw, odds were good that the combination of a wet ball and his shaky arm would make for plenty of wounded ducks tossed up for grabs. Delhomme was 12-of-20 for 86 yards and lost a fumble on a strip sack. His longest completion of 34 yards was underthrown, causing Mohamed Massaquoi to stop and wait for it to float down.

"I'm not using [the wet conditions] as an excuse," Delhomme said. "We didn't play good football. It's very disappointing. You have to take your medicine."

The game turned when the Browns ran over the Bills on their first possession, but came up about a half-yard short of the end zone and settled for a field goal.

Hillis ran seven times for 49 yards, smashing through the 1,000-yard season barrier on his fourth carry. But on third-and-goal from the Bills' 1, Hillis was stopped cold running behind fullback Lawrence Vickers. It was Hillis' first third-and-1 failure of the season.

Rather than give it another try, coach Eric Mangini elected to leave with a sure three points.

"I did think about [going for it], but I felt like the game was going to be close, like a one-score game," Mangini said. "I figured we would have more drives later on."

Except nobody took into account this: What happens if Hillis contracts a case of fumble-itis?

A strip-sack by linebacker Chris Gocong and a recovery by cornerback Eric Wright gave the ball right back to the Browns at the Bills' 25. On first down, Hillis took the ball and went into his hurdling mode. Trouble was, Bills safety Jairus Byrd was expecting it. Byrd stayed on his feet and rammed the ball loose with his helmet.

"You knew from watching film that he has been [hurdling] for a while," Byrd said. "If you get him in the open field, he's going to try to stiff-arm you or jump you. It was something I knew was coming. I prepared for it."

Delhomme's 34-yard completion to Massaquoi set up another scoring drive, but again the Browns came up short and had to kick a short field goal. Delhomme's third-down pass from the 8 whistled out of the end zone.

The Bills would take a 10-6 lead at halftime on back-to-back excellent scoring drives engineered by unheralded quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. He scrambled for 13 and 12 yards and also made a couple of tough throws on an 89-yard touchdown drive. Wide receiver David Nelson made a good grab of a Fitzpatrick laser throw from 11 yards for the score.

On his next possession, Fitzpatrick burnt the Browns again with an 18-yard gain on a bootleg. The Bills advanced to the 5 before settling for a field goal.

"He made plays with his arm and his feet," said Browns defensive end Brian Schaefering. "And Fred [Jackson, 112 yards on 29 carries] was a great runner today."

In the second half, the Browns' offense descended from fingernails on chalkboard to sticks in the eyes.

Hillis fumbled twice in the span of four plays. He recovered one and Vickers the other. Two plays later, Cribbs lost the ball on an end-around carry. He recovered. But the repeated miscues discombobulated everything. Throw a wrench into a badly-running offensive machine and it's virtually unwatchable.

"I wasn't like myself today," Hillis said glumly, despite totaling 108 yards on 21 carries. "I let myself down in a lot of ways. Me putting the ball on the ground sure didn't help things at all and I take full responsibility for that."

Hillis has eight fumbles on the season, five lost. Byrd, who forced two of Hillis' fumbles, said, "He is known for putting the ball on the ground. That's something we preached coming in."

The Browns had the ball three times in the fourth quarter and failed to gain a first down. Delhomme lost the ball on a sack by linebacker Arthur Moats. Originally called an incomplete pass, the play was changed to a fumble after a replay review.

The other two drives ended on a Delhomme incompletion for tight end Robert Royal and a pass intended for Massaquoi that was intercepted as blitzing safety Bryan Scott got a piece of Delhomme's arm.

"I don't think we had enough energy throughout the game," said receiver Chansi Stuckey. "I think we were just kind of waiting around for something huge to happen and it never happened. I think we should have just taken it upon ourselves to just attack a little more instead of just waiting for somebody to do something."

Like on the first possession. From the 1.

"You'd like to go back and do anything twice, but that's not the way it works," Hillis said.

Cleveland State, Ohio State, Akron, Kent State and local college basketball links

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Cleveland State men are 12-0 and off until Saturday's visit to West Virginia. Ohio State became 8-0 and Kent State 8-3 with wins on Sunday.

norris-cole.jpgGuard Norris Cole and the Cleveland State Vikings are 12-0.

Cleveland, Ohio -- There's an undefeated Division I men's college basketball team a couple-plus hours' drive north of Columbus.

Cleveland State won at Sam Houston State, 74-62, on Saturday, as Cody Stark reports for The Plain Dealer.

The win makes the Vikings 12-0. We'll see if they move up in the Associated Press rankings on Monday. This week, among the more than 300 Division I college teams in the nation, CSU was outside the Top 25, but gaining respect and some votes with a No. 31 ranking.

On SportingNews.com, Mike DeCourcy writes about what's next for Cleveland State:

Under-the-radar game of the week: Cleveland State at West Virginia, Saturday at 2 p.m., ESPN3.com. CSU’s Vikings are off until the weekend, which means they’ll certainly be visiting Morgantown with a perfect record intact: 12-0. They haven’t yet played a major-conference opponent, although they’ve defeated solid mid-majors such as Iona, Kent State and Akron as well as improving St. Bonaventure’s, who might be a contender in the Atlantic 10.

Ohio State, the nation's second-ranked men's team, is 8-0.

Plain Dealer reporter Doug Lesmerises writes about the Buckeyes' 85-60 win Sunday over Western Carolina.

For old times' sake

There was a sentimental touch to today's Ohio State win. The Buckeyes played in the venerable gymnasium that was their longtime home until Value City Arena was built.

Before the game, Bob Baptist wrote for the Columbus Dispatch, quoting Western Carolina coach and Ohio native Larry Hunter, including what he said to his players: 

"I told them that to walk the hallways of St. John Arena is like going down a memory lane of who's who," said Hunter, an Ohio native who coached for 25 years at Wittenberg and his alma mater, Ohio University. "Jesse Owens, Jack Nicklaus, Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek and the other great athletes, the big, impressive pictures of them and how they're laid out. It's like a museum."

The game is being played in St. John because Value City Arena, the Buckeyes' home for 13 years, is hosting commencement.

"I'm not disappointed at all," Hunter said. "It's one of those relics that the kids ought to experience."

Pick and rolls

Kent State's men are 8-3. The Golden Flashes defeated South Florida, 56-51, Sunday in Kent.

Before today's Kent State-South Florida game, Record Courier reporter David Carducci wrote about South Florida coach Stan Heath. Heath was Kent State's coach when the Golden Flashes advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament in 2002.

Game story on Ohio State's win over Western Carolina, by Bob Baptist of the Columbus Dispatch.

Akron's men are 4-3 after one of their worst losses in years, 82-47, at Temple on Saturday, as reported on Philly.com.

A story on talented Akron forward Nikola Cvetinovic, by Tom Gaffney of the Akron Beacon Journal.

A FoxSports.com photo gallery of the top 10 men's basketball Player of the Year candidates, including Ohio State's Jared Sullinger.

Scout.com's list of the top 100 high school senior boys basketball players includes some who are headed to Ohio State.

Roundup of local college games from Saturday, leading off with the Akron women's 73-64 win at Cleveland State, from The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. 

Game story on No. 6-ranked Ohio State women's 75-66 loss at Syracuse on Saturday, by Jim Massie of the Columbus Dispatch.

 

Urban Meyer's resignation of 2-time national football champion Florida due to health concerns: report

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Meyer, who announced his resignation Wednesday, has recurring burning sensation in his chest that doctors told him last week would raise cardiovascular risk factors if he continued to coach.

urban-meyer.jpgUrban Meyer at a news conference on Wednesday, when he announced his resignation as Florida's football coach.

Gainesville, Florida -- Urban Meyer is walking away from Florida because of health concerns, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Meyer has a recurring burning sensation in his chest that doctors told him last week would raise cardiovascular risk factors if he continued to coach, the person told The Associated Press Sunday on condition of anonymity because Meyer's health issues are confidential.

The Gainesville Sun first reported the story.

Meyer announced his resignation Wednesday and said health was not the reason he was walking away. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family.

The person with knowledge of Meyer's health said the coach can resolve his chest pain with "constant monitoring," which he already has started doing.

Meyer first resigned Dec. 27, 2009, three weeks after he was rushed to a hospital because of chest pain. He changed his mind the following day and instead decided to take a leave of absence. He scaled back some, but changed little about his work habits once the season began.

Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said Wednesday that Meyer has worked his tail off.

"You think of what he's rebuilt. He built one at Bowling Green, he built one at Utah, he built one here," Foley said. "It's not just sacrifices here the last six years. That's 10 years of their lives, not to mention what he did before that as an assistant coach. It's his time to step back and spend time with his family. You're not getting it back. I admire him for that."

Meyer hasn't ruled out coaching again. His future likely will be tied to his health. Meyer was diagnosed with esophageal spasms in January and began taking medicine to treat them.

The person with knowledge of Meyer's health said the spasms have been under control, but other symptoms have lingered. Those prompted Meyer to talk with doctors and family members, and then he decided that continuing to coach at his current pace would be too risky.

Meyer will coach his final game in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 against Penn State, but he intends to remain in Gainesville and continue to work in the athletic department.

Florida hired Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to succeed Meyer on Saturday. Muschamp has the dubious task of replacing Meyer after 64 wins and two national championships in six seasons.

 

Caught in a Thunder storm: Cleveland Cavaliers drop eighth straight as Oklahoma City rolls, 106-77

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No defense, little bench help a recipe for a blowout for the Thunder.

parker-collison-thunder-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeAnthony Parker drew the foul on Oklahoma City's Nick Collison on this second-quarter drive Sunday night, but the Cavaliers didn't get much out of their offense and couldn't slow the Thunder at all in a 106-77 loss.
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Byron Scott took an especially long time to emerge from the locker room after Sunday's 106-77 loss to the Thunder in Oklahoma City Arena.

Then he started his address to the media with a big sigh.

Perhaps that's only natural after the Cavs lost their eighth straight game to fall to 7-17. It's their longest losing streak since they dropped eight straight from Nov. 19 to Dec. 3, 2003, LeBron James' rookie season.

Asked about the 30-minute delay, Scott said, "Thoughts to myself. Just trying to figure out some things." Most of those thoughts must have centered on how to get something out of his bench. Ever since Scott changed his starters against Chicago three games ago, moving Antawn Jamison and Daniel Gibson into the starting lineup, the bench has been a mess.

Although the Cavs entered Sunday with the most points scored by reserves, when Scott turned to them in the third quarter, the game got away for good.

"Our first unit is doing a pretty good job," Scott said. "I've got to find a combination of that second unit that's going to come in and play the right way and do the right things because as soon as all five [starters] are off the floor, we're just getting slaughtered."

J.J. Hickson, who went to the bench when Jamison was promoted, didn't want to hear that from his coach.

"Oh, so he's blaming it on the bench?" Hickson said. Then he caught himself.

"If he feels that way then, that's the way he feels," Hickson said. "That's his opinion. He's the head coach. He gets paid to make decisions to put players in and it's up to us to bring life to the game when we get in and cut the other team's lead down even more. We haven't been doing a good job of getting that done. But it's a long season; it's a work in progress."

In addition to the bench, there were multiple other problems on Sunday. The Thunder outscored the Cavs in the paint, 56-28, and scored 28 points off 17 turnovers, most on fastbreak layups and dunks. If you missed James Harden's dunk over Hickson, don't worry. It will be running in a loop on ESPN for the next 24 hours.

The Cavs did cut the Thunder's 22-point second-quarter lead to 56-45 by halftime, but the game never really felt competitive. Once again, the defense was to blame, as they let the Thunder shoot 61 percent in the first half. Kevin Durant had 14 of his 25 points in the first quarter, halfway to his league-leading average of 27.5.

The Cavs were hanging around for most of the third quarter and were within 67-57 until a 12-0 blitz, including five points by Durant and four by Harden, pretty much settled the issue.

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Ryan Hollins did go nose-to-nose with Durant after taking a charge, and Joey Graham fouled Durant hard on the Thunder's next possession. But none of that slowed Oklahoma City, which closed out the quarter on a 19-1 run against the backups.

"The guys off the bench have to come in with a little different attitude," Scott said. "Like I said, I've got to find a combination that can help us."

University of Akron fans celebrate national soccer title

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Fans gathered at the Barley House in Akron to cheer the University of Akron's soccer team to victory Sunday during a nail-biting 1-0 win.

Akron1.jpgFans at the Barley House in Akron cheer the University of Akron's soccer team on to victory Sunday.

About 30 members of the nearly 2,000 strong University of Akron Ak-Rowdies, a student athletic team support group, made the trip to California Sunday to cheer their soccer team on to the school's first-ever NCAA national championship.

It only took five members who stayed behind to galvanize an entire standing-room only watch party at the Barley House in Akron -- chanting, screaming, drumming tables and ringing a cowbell -- all the way to a nail-biting 1-0 victory over Louisville Sunday afternoon.

"This is totally awesome," said Jeff Wellert, 26, of Doylestown, breaking free from a jumping group huddle after the win. "The first time for an Akron team, ever!"

Last year's soccer team made it to the finals and suffered a heartbreaking loss to Virginia in a shootout after a scoreless draw. A crowd of more than 200 students, alumni and Zips fans gathered at Barley House to watch the game on more than 20 large-screen televisions.

The bar televised Friday's win over Michigan to a packed crowd as well.

After a scoreless first half, the Zips came out strong in the second, taking shot after shot -- leaving many fans with an acute case of anxiety.

"Your heart is up in your throat," said Nancy Kulick, a 1976 graduate who met her husband, Mike, at Akron. "These kids are so talented, it's really amazing."

Brian Cassidy, 37, of Akron, hopes that the national spotlight will attract more soccer fans in the area and earn some well-deserved respect for the team.

"This is a big deal for Northeast Ohio, not just for Akron," he said. Cassidy is a member of the Akron Outlaws, a local chapter of the national nonprofit American Outlaws that encourages soccer fans to support the sport. Twelve members from across the area attended Sunday's event.

But it was the Ak-Rowdies who kept the crowd alive through 78 minutes of scoreless play. Anthony Schupp, 22, a senior from Willoughby, and Mike Reynolds, 25, of Wadsworth, have been to every Zips soccer game for the past three seasons.

Almost every one, Schupp corrects. He was thrown out of one game for "being a little too rowdy" with a bullhorn.

Their job is to support their teams, to stay at all the games until the end, and to "chant and go crazy."

Which they did. After every failed goal attempt they buoyed the crowd, chanting "Let's Go, Zips!" until everyone picked up the cheer.

And with 11 minutes left in the second half, the whole bar went crazy when sophomore midfielder Scott Caldwell kicked the winning goal.

The bar erupted in a shared whoop, chairs toppled as about 200 people simultaneously launched from their seats and swept each other into a round of rough embraces and beer-spilling toasts.

As they would at any other game, the Ak-Rowdies took to the stage at the front of the bar, blue and gold Akron scarves waving, and led the crowd in the traditional "I believe" chant, building a call and response until the whole place boomed: "I believe that we have won!"

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