BROOKLYN, Ohio — Expectations are just what you get when St. Ignatius and University School face off in hockey. That proved the case once again Wednesday when the Wildcats and Preppers met in a late-afternoon game at the Coyne Recreation Center in Brooklyn. The defending state champion Wildcats got the win, 2-1, and as usual it was by that...

St. Ignatius' Liam Geither dives for a loose puck during Wednesday's game against University School. - (Gus Chan / PD)

BROOKLYN, Ohio — Expectations are just what you get when St. Ignatius and University School face off in hockey.

That proved the case once again Wednesday when the Wildcats and Preppers met in a late-afternoon game at the Coyne Recreation Center in Brooklyn. The defending state champion Wildcats got the win, 2-1, and as usual it was by that slimmest of margins.

Seven of their past eight meetings have been decided by a goal, so it was no stretch that St. Ignatius coach Pat O'Rourke predicted a 2-1 game to University counterpart Bill Beard

"I wanted to go to Las Vegas the way he picked that one," said Beard, whose club now holds a 4-3 edge in one-goal games against its rival since the 2008 season. "It's a fragile thing. It's always that slim."

The only game that wasn't in the series was the Wildcats' surprising 5-1 victory last March in the state semifinals. Obviously, this one did not compare

The Wildcats got on the board after less than three minutes of play when junior Liam Geither scored off his own rebound during a scramble in front of the net. The Wildcats got their next goal when sophomore Mike Avdey slammed one past junior goalkeeper Sam Althans from the top of the circle after junior Taylor Wolf fed him off the faceoff five minutes into the second period.

"He won it back to me off a perfect draw," said Avdey, who was getting his first experience in the rivalry. "I made sure I got it off square."

But the Wildcats were in no way home free.

With Althans holding the fort, the Preppers mounted intense pressure against St. Ignatius senior goalkeeper Josh Potts. They finally broke through when Jack Linderman converted on a high drive past Potts with 5:38 to play.

The Preppers had the Wildcats on their heels the rest of way, but could not get the equalizer as Potts came up with numerous big saves with both glove and stick. The Preppers outshot the Wildcats, 14-2, in the final period and 28-18 overall.

"We knew it was going to be about one or two goals," said Potts. "The only time it wasn't was back at state."

It was a well-played game, with all three penalties coming in the first period. The Preppers' defense did a nice job of clamping down on the Wildcats' scoring duo of sophomore Miles McQuinn [21 goals] and junior Pat Spellacy [17 goals].

"They play an up-tempo game like us," said University senior captain Ian Robertson, who has been on the ice the past four seasons. "It's always a great game and a lot of fun. There is no reason to hang your head."

The Wildcats stand 4-0 in the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League's Red North Division and 12-3 overall. The Preppers are 2-2 in the division, 3-6-3 overall.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

Receiving the tattoos is impermissible under NCAA rules regarding improper benefits, and several Buckeyes players could be suspended before the Sugar Bowl if it turns out they did get them for free.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / The Plain DealerBuckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor has several tattoos, but he says through his Twitter account that he paid for all of them.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State is investigating whether several players could be suspended for the Sugar Bowl, the Columbus Dispatch reported, for receiving free tattoos from a Columbus tattoo parlor. Ohio State held its last practice before Christmas break on Tuesday, and an athletic department spokesperson said no players missed the practice.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor stated his case Wednesday night, writing on Twitter: "I paid for my tattoos. Go Bucks."

Receiving the tattoos would be impermissible under NCAA rules regarding improper benefits. Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith was suspended for the Alamo Bowl at the end of the 2004 season for receiving money from a booster.

The players are off until Sunday, when they are scheduled to return to campus. They'll practice twice before flying to New Orleans on Dec. 29.

Ohio State's Sugar Bowl matchup with Arkansas on Jan. 4 has been taken off the boards by sportsbooks in Las Vegas, a common move in situations like this.

The Dispatch reported that the situation came to light after law enforcement investigated the tattoo parlor and found memorabilia signed by current and former Ohio State players. The results of the investigation could affect the players for the Sugar Bowl or, if the investigation isn't completed, could affect the eligibility of players starting in 2011.

Many corporations cut ties or distanced themselves from golf star Woods after news broke just over a year ago that he had been involved in numerous extra-marital affairs..

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerThe fallout continues for Tiger Woods more than a year after the disclosure of his numerous extra-marital affairs.

PORTLAND, Oregon -- Procter & Gamble Co. will not renew its endorsement deal with golfer Tiger Woods at the end of the year, adding another name to the list of companies that cut ties with the golfer after last year's revelations of marital infidelities.

The company used Woods, Roger Federer, Lionel Messi and dozens of other athletes as part of its three-year "Gillette Champions" marketing campaign. Gillette said Thursday it was phasing out that program and not renewing the contract with Woods and several other athletes. It stopped using Woods himself in the campaign months ago.

The golfer was once the most sought-after pitchman in sports and was the first athlete to earn $1 billion from endorsement agreements. However, many corporations cut ties or distanced themselves from Woods after the scandal that broke just over a year ago and dominated headlines for months.

Accenture LLP, AT&T Inc. and Gatorade all dropped Woods as an endorser. Companies such as Gillette and Tag Heuer didn't end their relationships outright but stopped featuring him in advertisements.

Nike Inc. and Electronic Arts, which had more invested in his skills as a golfer rather than a more general symbol of excellence, stuck with him. Woods is trying to rebuild his golf reputation after his first year as a pro golfer without a tournament victory and losing his ranking as the top player in the world.

Gillette is also letting its contracts with other athletes, including soccer players such as Messi, Thierry Henry, and Kaka end as part of the conclusion of the marketing program.

Gillette, however, was keeping some of the athletes -- such as Federer, NHL star Alex Ovechkin and New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter -- for new local marketing campaigns.

Brett McKnight leads the Zips with 20 points, but Akron finishes 6-of-27 from 3-point range.

View full sizeBrett McKnight had 20 points for the Zips.

The Hurricanes (10-3) went 4-0 in the Classic.

"Coach [Frank Haith] kept us focused on things," said Johnson, who had his seventh double double this season. "It's hard being in Vegas. So many things going on."

Malcolm Grant added 17 points for Miami, highlighted by an 11-of-12 effort from the free-throw line. Durand Scott added 12 points and nine rebounds.

Brett McKnight led the Zips (7-5) with 20 points. Brett McClanahan had 11 points and Nikola Cvetinovic 10 points and seven rebounds for Akron, which finished 6-of-27 from 3-point range and is 2-1 at the Classic.

Haith called Akron's poor 3-point shooting "the key to the game."

Miami, which was 1-of-11 from 3-point range, extended its 38-22 halftime lead to 57-35 with 10:08 left on two Grant free throws after a technical was called on Zips coach Keith Dambrot.

Akron responded with a 16-0 run. But the spurt ended after Johnson's dunk with 4:51 left caused the clock above the basket to shut down. It never was fixed.

Dambrot, whose team has one more game in the Classic, hosting Oral Roberts on Jan. 3, said: "We didn't shoot well. Miami played better defensively than I thought they would. [Our] team is a little immature. We've won a lot of games over the past six years, so our team is not going to quit."

The Hurricanes, who were outrebounded, 41-40, built a 35-16 lead in the first half. The Zips were held to 7-of-24 shooting in the first half and missed all six 3-pointers after making 14 in a win over Stetson on Wednesday.

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — Everyone knows Malina Howard is the center of attention for the Twinsburg girls basketball team. You don't have to tell the 6-4 junior that opponents are concerned with her presence at both ends of the floor. But the Tigers, ranked No. 1 in The Plain Dealer Top 25, also have a supporting cast that can...

Twinsburg's Katie Fox defends against a driving Chyress Lockhart during the first half Thursday in Shaker Heights. - (Joshua Gunter / PD)

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — Everyone knows Malina Howard is the center of attention for the Twinsburg girls basketball team. You don't have to tell the 6-4 junior that opponents are concerned with her presence at both ends of the floor.

But the Tigers, ranked No. 1 in The Plain Dealer Top 25, also have a supporting cast that can cause plenty of problems.

Shaker Heights will attest to that after getting dealt its first loss of the season, 69-56, on Thursday as part of the school's three-day Bob Wonson Classic, a showcase of games in honor of the late boys coach.

"I thought we played as a team," said Howard, who scored 20 points in the victory over the fifth-ranked Raiders (7-1). "It was more about the team than an individual. I have teammates filling my spot."

The Tigers (6-0) needed that support group because Howard had to deal with foul trouble. She picked up her fourth and went to the bench with 3:11 left in the third quarter and the Tigers in front, 42-30.

If the Raiders were going to mount a comeback, that was the time to do it. But with sophomore guard Ashley Morrissette scoring seven of her 16 points, and senior forward Nicole Carman holding her ground inside, the Tigers never missed a beat as they increased the lead to 55-34.

"You had two undefeated teams coming in, so it was a big game for us," said Morrissette, who got most of her points on drives to the basket. "We wanted to get in our offense. They wanted to push the ball more."

The only time the Raiders could play their up-tempo game was in the first half as the teams traded baskets in spurts. Senior guard Chyress Lockhart scored 13 straight points to keep her club within striking distance at the break, 33-24.

But too many missed shots and turnovers never let the home club mount a serious challenge after that.

"They are number one for a reason," said Shaker Heights coach Mike Coreno. "They have a 6-4 player on offense and a 6-4 player on defense. We knew what they were going to do and we didn't do a good enough job on the help side. It's a learning experience and we'll regroup."

The Tigers defeated the Raiders in a district final last season, so Coreno said his club's goal is to get another shot at them.

Twinsburg had two other players in double figures with junior guard Leah Fechko scoring 14 points and Carman contributing 12.

"Nicole Carman is an unsung hero for us," Twinsburg coach Julie Solis said. "She does a lot of good things. We have to figure out how to keep [Howard] on the floor. But it means kids are getting experience and that should help down the stretch."

Lockhart, who also had to sit for a time with four fouls, finished with a game-high 28 points. Senior guard Shelby Stokes added 13 points for the Raiders.

The grant will mean a significant increase to the association's 'Return to Golf program.

View full sizePlain Dealer file photoBob Wharton, executive director of Northern Ohio Golf Association's charities.

The Northern Ohio Golf Association's program to help disabled golfers got a $60,000 boost in December from the Harold C. Schott Foundation.

The grant will mean a significant increase to the association's 'Return to Golf program, according to Bob Wharton, executive director of the association's charities.

"We've wanted to do a better job for golfers with disabilities," Wharton said. "We want to get them physically stronger, using golf as the carrot. This grant will enable us to do that."

The money will be used to hire a golf pro and a therapist one day a week, Wharton said.

He said the grant will also enable the golf association to complete its Wellness Center in the basement of its headquarters in North Olmsted. The center is designed so that golfers who have physical disabilities can exercise.

The facility is also used during the summer in inclement weather. Golfers conduct putting contests there and can receive lessons for free.

In good weather, golfers can play the nine-hole association-owned North Olmsted Golf Club.

The Schott Foundation grant will also enable the golf association to purchase specialized golf equipment, including a golf simulator.

Wharton secured the grant with the help of Cleveland Clinic physical therapist Jeffrey Ciolek. Wharton and Ciolek were the key figures in establishing the Return to Golf program in 2002.

Initially, the association had a golf pro and a therapist who volunteered and worked with about 20 golfers with physical disabilities on Tuesdays during the summer. The program has since grown, as the group now works with about 20 golfers during the winter months, and up to 35 golfers during the summer.

"Whether you have a disability or not, most golfers want to see how well and how far they are hitting the golf ball," Wharton said. "This grant will help us get the equipment we need to hook up golfers so they can see how well they are executing the golf swing."

Sophomore forward Renardo Sidney and junior forward Elgin Bailey get into the altercation about 10 minutes before the tipoff of the game between tournament host Hawaii and Utah in Hawaii. Punches are thrown in the fight that lasts several minutes and is broken up by teammates.

View full sizeEugene Tanner / Associated PressRenardo Sidney, far left, and Elgin Bailey, far right, both teammates with the Mississippi State basketball team, fight in the stands before the start of the Utah-Hawaii basketball game at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu.

HONOLULU — Two players from Mississippi State's basketball team fought in the stands Thursday night between games at the Diamond Head Classic

Sophomore forward Renardo Sidney and junior forward Elgin Bailey got into the altercation about 10 minutes before the tipoff of the game between tournament host Hawaii and Utah at the Stan Sheriff Center. Punches were thrown in the fight that lasted several minutes and was broken up by teammates.

Sidney was seen being escorted away by arena ushers and Honolulu Police, who said later that nobody was arrested.

Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury refused comment until he "finds out all the facts."

Sidney scored 19 points in the Bulldogs' 69-52 win over San Diego earlier Thursday while Bailey had two points.

Sidney, a highly touted McDonald's All-American out of Fairfax (Los Angeles) High, sat out all last season while awaiting clearance from the NCAA. He has appeared in just two games this season and scored 31 points with nine rebounds. Just this week, he was suspended by Stansbury for "conduct detrimental to the team" and was benched for the first-round game loss to Washington State on Wednesday.

Bailey has started 10 of the 11 games this season and is averaging 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shaker Heights' boys basketball team paid fitting tribute to its former coach on Thursday night, defeating Buchtel, 61-52, as part of Shaker's Bob Wonson Classic. Kash Blackwell scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Nick Townes and Terry Rozier each netted 11 points for the Raiders (3-3), the seventh-ranked team in The Plain Dealer Top...

The late Bob Wonson, who coached Shaker Heights' boys basketball team to a 362-195 record. - (Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shaker Heights' boys basketball team paid fitting tribute to its former coach on Thursday night, defeating Buchtel, 61-52, as part of Shaker's Bob Wonson Classic.

Kash Blackwell scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Nick Townes and Terry Rozier each netted 11 points for the Raiders (3-3), the seventh-ranked team in The Plain Dealer Top 25 poll.

Wonson had just completed his 24th season as Shaker Heights' boys coach when he died at age 62 in March, 2009. His Raiders' teams compiled a 362-195 record.

Stifling defense helped the Raiders build a 45-32 lead after three quarters over 14th-ranked Buchtel (2-1).

Shaker Heights defeated No. 9 St. Ignatius, 72-56, in a Wonson Classic game on Tuesday night.

Walsh Jesuit 60, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 51 Junior guard Evan Payne poured in 36 points to lead the Warriors (5-0) over the host Royals (3-3).

Sophomore guard Robert Peters scored 28 points for CVCA, which took a brief one-point lead with about five minutes left in the game.

Payne and Peters both made four 3-point shots, and both had six rebounds and three assists.

Garrett Cona put up nine points for Walsh, and CVCA's Caleb Kleibscheidel totaled 10 points and seven rebounds.

Akron East 76, University School 55 Guard Davonte Brunson scored 33 points, including three 3-pointers, and controlled nine rebounds as the No. 22 Orientals (3-0) earned an impressive win over the Preppers (3-1) in a Bob Wonson Classic game.

Guard Matt Burks and center Trevoris Bell scored 12 and 10 points, respectively, for East. The Orientals led, 47-36, after three quarters, then iced the win by making all 13 of their foul shots in the fourth quarter.

Jordan Barham totaled 25 points and nine rebounds for University, and teammate Jack Bentz netted 22 points.

Copley 64, John Adams 58 Forward Jordan Burke scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half, and pulled in eight rebounds in the home win for the Indians (4-2), who also got 10-point games from center Roosevelt Dotson and guard Ben Veach.

Dotson scored all of his points in the fourth quarter, which began with John Adams leading, 43-42.

Guard Mark Marcus led the Rebels with 16 points.

Kenston 64, Nordonia 49 Post player Eric Truog scored 22 points for the No. 13 Bombers (5-0). Host Kenston also got 14 points from guard Jack Rolf and 13 from point guard Justin Brownlow.

Girls basketball

Eastlake North 50, Willoughby South 44 The Rangers (7-1) withstood a rally by the host Rebels (3-5, 3-2) to win this Premier Athletic Conference game.

North benefited from balanced scoring led by Jocelyn Sefick's 14 points, 11 each by Kelsey Pacholke and Lynsey Englebrecht and 10 from Halle McKinley.

South's Olivia Palmisano netted 14 points and controlled 16 rebounds. Teammate Molly Linabarger canned three 3-point shots and finished with 12 points.

Revere 53, Coventry 30 The Lady Minutemen (3-4) won the championship game of the Akron East Christmas Classic Tournament as Maria Pantich scored 12 points and corralled nine rebounds.

Guard Abbi Bull netted 10 points and guard Gabby Vitez totaled eight points and 11 rebounds for Revere.

Akron East 53, Alliance 36 Guard India Banks scored 15 points and had four assists and four steals as the Orientals (3-5) won at their Christmas Classic Tournament.

East guards Jaquea Latimer and Melena Thomas both scored 11 points. Latimer also had six steals, four rebounds and three assists. Orientals forward Airelle Sibley collected 13 rebounds and scored nine points.

Ice hockey

Brecksville 6, Avon Lake 5 Andrew Bell and Evan Harcourt scored two goals each for the Bees, and winning goalkeeper Bobby Seitz made 46 saves.

Wrestling

Medina 45, Normandy 28; Westerville North 46, Medina 26 Host Medina split in its triangular matches, but five of the Bees' wrestlers won twice.

Earning wins over their opponents from Normandy and Westerville North were Medina's 103-pound Ryan Hornack (22-7 technical fall; 1:20 pin); 135-pound Mike Griffith (1:53 pin; 1:15 pin); 140-pound Matt Hammer (:57 pin; 4-0 decision); 152-pound Teddy Hammer (1:06 pin; 16-0 technical fall); 189-pound Joe Gigliotti (2:38 pin; win by forfeit).  

The Buckeyes break free in the second half by scoring 11 of the first 14 points.

View full sizeJay LaPrete / Associated PressOhio State's Deshaun Thomas, left, shoots between Oakland's Drew Maynard, left, and Ilija Milutinovic during the second half Thursday in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Deshaun Thomas scored 17 points and five teammates also hit double figures to lead No. 2 Ohio State past Oakland (Mich.), 92-63, on Thursday night, giving coach Thad Matta his best start in his seven years with the Buckeyes.

Jared Sullinger had 16 points, Jon Diebler and David Lighty scored 13 each and Aaron Craft and William Buford had 12 apiece for the Buckeyes (12-0). Dallas Lauderdale matched a career best with six blocked shots. Craft's point total was a career high. Lighty was making his 100th career start.

Travis Bader had 17 points and Larry Wright 12 for the weary Golden Grizzlies (7-8), playing their third game in four days and fourth in six.

Keith Benson, averaging 17.4 points a game, fouled out with eight points and 10 rebounds.

The Buckeyes started 11-0 in Matta's second season in 2005-06, ending up 26-6.

It was just another top opponent for Oakland, Mich. The Golden Grizzlies upset then-No. 7 Tennessee, 89-82, on Dec. 14 -- the program's only victory against a top 10 team. The loss to the Buckeyes dropped them to 2-28 against ranked opponents.

Leading by nine points at the break, the Buckeyes broke free by scoring 11 of the first 14 points in the second half. Five players scored, with Lighty hitting a 3-pointer and Sullinger, Lauderdale, Buford and Craft each adding a basket.

Down as many as 17, the Golden Grizzlies got as close as 50-40 on Benson's flip over his shoulder at the 13:53 mark before Ohio State pulled away by scoring the next 10 points. Again, the Buckeyes showed their balance, with five players scoring. Diebler hit a shot behind the arc while Lauderdale, Buford and Thomas each had two and Craft added a free throw to push the lead to 60-40 with 10:56 remaining.

Despite outrebounding opponents by eight on the season, Ohio State in the first half was handled on the boards, 21-19, and didn't shoot very well.

Ohio State improved to 252-56 when ranked in the top 10, winning 43 of its past 45 games. The Buckeyes are 89-17 in nonconference games under Matta.

Quarterback Colt McCoy was back in the saddle after a one-day bout with stomach flu. Now all he has to do is prepare for the Baltimore Ravens defense.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerColt McCoy will be on the lookout for Ravens safety Ed Reed on Sunday.

BEREA, Ohio — Quarterback Colt McCoy, sporting a new goatee, returned to practice Thursday after a 24-hour bout with stomach flu or food poisoning.

He'll make his first appearance against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, completing his first tour of AFC North rivals. McCoy lost to Pittsburgh, 28-10, on Oct. 17, and to Cincinnati, 19-17, on Sunday.

"Obviously, their defense is one of the best, if not the best," McCoy said. "They've got great playmakers, great leaders who've been there a long time. I'm excited to play against them. It's a huge challenge for us."

McCoy knows the challenges for him will be to deliver the ball before Baltimore's complex pressure schemes get to him, to use his feet to make plays when needed and, above all, to identify the location of ballhawk safety Ed Reed at all times.

"Sometimes you watch film and he'll line up in the middle of the field and at the snap he'll be playing all the way across the field or in the box," McCoy said. "He's somebody you have to be constantly aware of. For me, that's huge this week, knowing where he is."

Eight of Reed's 50 career interceptions and three of his seven career returns for TDs have come against the Browns.

View full sizePDBrowns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Ryan unplugged: Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's weekly news conference was moved up a day because of the holiday week. The highlights:

• He said if the coaching staff is not retained "it would be dumb as hell. . . . Eric [Mangini] is a great coach and this team believes in him."

• He said quarterback McCoy "is phenomenal. He's going to be a superstar in this league."

• On the run defense's failures in Cincinnati, he said the Browns challenged 14 occasions of the Bengals holding that were not called and the league agreed with nine of them.

This guy likes football: Tyler Clutts, a do-it-all utility player signed this week to the Browns' practice squad, has had quite a year.

He's already played in the Arena League and the United Football League.

"And I got married in February, too," Clutts said.

Clutts also played in the Canadian Football League from 2007 to '09. He finally made it into an NFL locker room at age 26.

"It's been a dream of mine since I was 4 four to make it to this level," Clutts said. "My journey, in my mind, is just beginning. I've got to earn a spot and continue playing. It's hard to get here. It's even harder to stay. I just love the game and I'll do anything here to keep playing."

Clutts, who is 6-2 and 245 pounds, played defensive end, outside linebacker and middle linebacker at Fresno State. In the CFL, he played defensive end, H-back, middle linebacker and learned to long snap. In the UFL, he got his first exposure to fullback and "as much special teams as I could."

Mangini said: "For a practice-squad player, he's great to have. He's a big guy, is in real good shape. Looked like he had good hands in the workout. Sometimes at this time of year you're bringing guys in that have traits and give him chances. A guy like him appreciates the opportunity so much. Obviously his desire to play football is high."

Scoop on Harbaugh: About the only mystery left in the college football season -- other than the BCS championship winner -- is whether Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh will join Michigan, where he played, or jump to the NFL.

"I guess Ohio State fans probably don't want to see him at Michigan, do they?" said his older brother, John, the coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

"I don't know what he's going to do. He just had a baby, little Katy, and that's kind of taken up his attention. I'm just assuming he's going to stay at Stanford. He really likes it there. He loves those players."

Still, Harbaugh admits that Jim, a former NFL quarterback who coached quarterbacks at Oakland for two years, is destined for the NFL.

"I'd like to see him [in the NFL]," John said. "I just want to see him in the NFC. I don't want to see him in the AFC. I don't think my mom could take that. That would be rough. Got to get him in the other [conference] so we only see him every four years."

Brownie points: The Browns signed defensive lineman Ko Quaye to the active roster from Buffalo's practice squad. Quaye, 6-1 and 305 pounds, originally was signed by Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent from South Dakota. . . . Running back Peyton Hillis (knee) returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis, as did defensive lineman Shaun Rogers (hip, ankle).

James, whose massive ego brushed aside his near-hometown team, disses teams like the TimberWolves and Nets.

Associated PressMaybe someday, still without a championship ring, LeBron James will need to play with the TimberWolves, Nets or Cavaliers to help his title chances.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's become a cliche, but it's true:

Fans might have been disappointed, but most of them understood that LeBron James had earned the right to become a free agent and leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.

It is, though, well chronicled how James came across as a selfish egomaniac in how he chose to orchestrate his departure from Cleveland -- 30 miles north of his native Akron -- to Miami.

We don't need to get into how James ignored the Cavaliers as they sought to communicate with them; how he didn't inform them that he was "taking my talents to South Beach," but used one of his entourage to tell the Cavs of the decision almost as "The Decision" began to air on ESPN; how, the next day, James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh basked in their own imagined glories during the narcissistic spectacle in Miami.

Etcetera, etcetera. 

All in the wake of James' surrender during the Cavaliers' playoff series loss to the Boston Celtics.

Maybe it's not enough for James to inflict severe damage on one franchise.

Maybe he wants to exterminate others.

Miami played at Phoenix against the Suns on Wednesday night, and James shared some of his wisdom before the game. Brian Windhorst writes for ESPN.com that James feels contraction -- folding some of the NBA's 30 teams -- might be good for the league.

James must not care how the loss of a team might affect its fans, or its city. Hey, it doesn't even bother him that fewer players would have an NBA job.

James sees almost all things from the lofty perspective of the pedestal he has himself on, built on the belief that he has already established himself as an historical figure.

Windhorst writes, quoting the king-of-no-ring:

"Hopefully the league can figure out one way where it can go back to the '80s where you had three or four All-Stars, three or four superstars, three or four Hall of Famers on the same team," James said. "The league was great. It wasn't as watered down as it is [now]."

In fact, James seemed to have a couple of ideas of which teams could go and some players that would make other teams better right now.

"[Contraction] is not my job; I'm a player but that is why it the league was so great," James said.

"Imagine if you could take Kevin Love off Minnesota and add him to another team and you shrink the [league]. Looking at some of the teams that aren't that great, you take Brook Lopez or you take Devin Harris off these teams that aren't that good right now and you add him to a team that could be really good. Not saying let's take New Jersey and let's take Minnesota out of the league. But hey, you guys are not stupid, I'm not stupid, it would be great for the league."

James, who gets decent compensation for playing, said on Wednesday that he doesn't enjoy playing on Christmas, as the Heat will in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

James thinks a game on Christmas wouldn't be so big if there were more games on other days between two good teams, as he thinks there were in the 1980's. He figures with fewer teams and fewer players, more of the players would be good players, worhty of sharing the basketball court with him.

Windhorst quotes James: 

"You had more [star] players on a team, which made almost every game anticipated, not just a Christmas Day game," James said. "I don't ever think it is bad for the league when guys decide they want to do some greatness for what we call a team sport."

That last sentence James said.....Let it speak for itself.

Who is the most likely successor should Browns President Mike Holmgren decide that Eric Mangini isn't the coach he wants?

View full sizeAP FileIs this the happy face of the next Browns coach? Sandusky native Jon Gruden is one of the names being bandied about by rumormongers.

Cleveland, Ohio -- The speculation -- and that's all it is right now -- is that the losses to two-win teams (at the time) Buffalo and Cincinnati sealed Browns coach Eric Mangini's fate, that nothing at this juncture will save his job. Not a win over Baltimore on Sunday. Not a win over Pittsburgh to close out the season next Sunday.

Starting Blocks isn't willing to debate the wisdom of ousting Mangini. Mainly because at least this particular Starting Blocks writer thinks it would be a bad idea; better the devil you know, etc. Now if we want to talk coordinator positions ...

But we digress. The fact is that the rumors are out there that Mangini is done. Out with the old, in with the new! Ah, but therein lies the rub. Who is the new coach?

Is it Sandusky native Jon "Chucky" Gruden (and we have an affinity for him, for obvious reasons, if indeed Browns President Mike Holmgren makes that move)? Ex-Steelers coach Bill Cowher? What about another Holmgren disciple, Steve Mariucci, who once shared an office in Green Bay with Andy Reid? Carolina's John Fox is gonna be looking for work come Jan. 3. Tennessee's Jeff Fisher, despite his long tenure with the Titans, which dates back to when they were the Oilers, could come to a close over the rift between the coach and owner Bud Adams. Denver's Josh McDaniels is also on the list of unemployed. Or maybe even a college coach? How about Jim Harbaugh from Stanford, who just might be tempted to bring his quarterback, Andrew Luck, to town?

Of course, there's always the most likely scenario: Holmgren, who has expressed an interest in coaching again, returning to the sidelines, there to mentor Colt McCoy and install the West Coast offense he so dearly loves (and so brilliantly executes).

So, let the games begin! But remember, at this stage, it IS just a game.
 

Browns running back Peyton Hillis, who's been resting a sore knee, is expected to do much more in practice today and should be fine for the Ravens game.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis should be fine for his rematch against the Ravens despite a sore knee this week.

CLEVELAND -- Browns running back Peyton Hillis, who sat out Wednesday and was limited Thursday with a sore knee, "will do significantly more'' in practice today and should be fine for the Ravens on Sunday, Browns coach Eric Mangini said.

Mangini also said that Colt McCoy, who returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with a stomach virus, came through the session fine and will also be okay for the game. "I think it was just one of those bugs,'' said Mangini.

Mangini said the Browns are aware of Ray Lewis' comments that Hillis' blockbuster performance against Baltimore in the first meeting "won't happen again'' and that the Browns better buckle up their chinstraps.

"He says those things, but he's always been able to back it up,'' said Mangini.

In other Browns news:

* Tight end Robert Royal (shoulder) is the only Brown not practicing today.

* Mangini confirmed that former Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, a Canton native, visited practice last week. McDaniels worked with Mangini and many of the other Browns coaches on the New England staff and they remain friends. Mangini said McDaniels' visit had nothing to do with him possibly joining the Browns staff at some point.

The University of Akron has put Caleb Porter under contract as its men’s soccer coach. The contract runs for 10 years, and it’s worth about $350,000 annually. The Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto asked him about the contract and his commitment to the university. Q: Why commit so long to Akron?   A: Akron is where I want to be long...

View full sizeDetails from the contract between the University of Akron and men's soccer coach Caleb Porter.

Berea -- Former Browns offensive coordinator and current Atlanta Falcons receivers coach Terry Robiskie was preparing for his 4 p.m. kickoff against the Seahawks last week when the locker room attendant rushed over and said, "Your son just made a heck of a catch for a 46-yard touchdown!"  Robiskie, who's helped coach his son Brian from pee wee-ball to...

Berea -- Former Browns offensive coordinator and current Atlanta Falcons receivers coach Terry Robiskie was preparing for his 4 p.m. kickoff against the Seahawks last week when the locker room attendant rushed over and said, "Your son just made a heck of a catch for a 46-yard touchdown!" 

Robiskie, who's helped coach his son Brian from pee wee-ball to his days at Chagrin Falls High, Ohio State and now with the Browns, couldn't help but get choked up. 

"As I stood there in the doorway, my heart and my eyes got full," said the elder Robiskie. "I was just so happy for him and how far he's come. I know all of the work he's put into this and the time spent on the job. We often tell our players, 'You get what you earn.' He's starting to get what he's earned, and I couldn't possibly be prouder of him." 

Before his own game against the Seahawks began, Terry Robiskie fired off a quick text message to his son, which Brian was surprised to see right after the Browns' 19-17 loss to the Bengals. Later that night, when Terry finally got a chance to talk to him, he did what only a great NFL receivers coach would do: He scolded his son for holding the ball out precariously the last 5 yards of his TD -- the first of his NFL career. 

"He said: 'No. Don't do it,' " said Brian Robiskie. "Then he said, 'Good catch.' " 

But Robiskie couldn't have been happier for his son, who's coming on strong down the stretch after spending two games on the inactive list earlier this season -- including the first meeting against the Ravens in Week 3. 

After catching only two of nine passes thrown his way in the first two games, Robiskie earned a trip to the bench for the next two outings against Baltimore and Cincinnati. But instead of complaining or questioning the coaches, Robiskie did what his dad taught him to do since he was a youngster: work hard, maintain a great attitude and prove yourself on the field. 

"I've sat and watched Brian all year and watched him work," said Terry Robiskie. "I think the thing that keeps me smiling each week are those times when I watch him get knocked down, get up and keep right on going. In the Cincinnati game, he got knocked down right before the half with about 16 seconds left -- there was a flag [on Roy Williams for a personal foul that was offset]. I thought for a minute he might be down for the count. But he was right back on his feet and managed to catch the touchdown to bring his team within two late in the game. That makes a dad smile. I just kept saying to him over and over and over, 'Just keep working.' " 

The touchdown catch was Robiskie's 16th catch over the past four games -- the most by a Browns wideout during that span. Overall, he caught five passes against the Bengals for 82 yards, his career high and the most by a Browns receiver this season. The surge has followed a season full of questioning by fans and media if Robiskie -- the Browns' second of three second-rounders last season -- has what it takes. 

"I don't really think the light's been off, I think it's just had a chance to shine a little bit brighter," said Browns coach Eric Mangini. "It's hard to predict when it's going to start clicking for a guy. You've got to keep working, and that little bit [of improvement] is enough to help you get open. Once it starts hitting, those chances tend to increase." 

Robiskie's breakout game came in Week 11 against Carolina when he caught seven passes from Jake Delhomme for 50 yards. He caught two over the next two weeks and then stood out again in Cincinnati, catching the five for 82 and the long TD at the end from Colt McCoy. 

"I don't think there's been any difference," said Brian Robiskie. "When you've got passes that go in [for you], there are chances to catch the ball. Colt's doing a great job, and the line's doing a great job protecting. If everybody works together, the receivers get the ball." 

In Robiskie's first six games back after being inactive for two weeks, he rarely had the ball thrown his way and caught only seven passes for a season total of nine. What's more, he was completely shut out in back-to-back losses to the Jets and Jaguars. 

During that time, Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll continued to say Robiskie needed to get off the line of scrimmage faster and do a better job of getting open. Robiskie kept working at it, and improved so much that his dad has been using him as an example in his own film room. 

"This year has been outstanding for me because we've played a lot of the same teams," said Terry Robiskie. "Not only do I get to watch him, I get to show his tape to my guys and say, 'See, this is what I keep telling you to do.' " 

Brian Robiskie has made a dramatic turnaround from the two first games where he caught 2-of-9. Over the past four outings, he's caught 16 of the 18 passes thrown to him for 89 percent. Over the same span, Mohamed Massaquoi -- who gets lower-percentage deep balls -- has caught 12 of 23 passes thrown his way for 52.1 percent. 

"That's my goal is to make the most of balls that come my way," said Robiskie. 

At first, it seemed like perhaps Robiskie was dusted off by Delhomme and that the other quarterbacks might not have the same chemistry with him. But last week's game in Cincinnati disproved that theory. McCoy threw to him early and often, including a 17-yarder over the middle after McCoy rolled to his right and threw across his body. 

"Robo has played great," said McCoy. "Especially last week, he made some clutch plays. We had a couple times we had the sight adjust, and he was able to see it and run the right route. That was one of our third downs we converted [a 9-yard catch in the first quarter]. He practices hard. That's one thing about the guys in this locker room. If I can say anything, we practice hard." 

Mangini often likens Robiskie's slow start in the league to that of Bills receiver Stevie Johnson and Jaguars receiver Mike Sims-Walker. Johnson caught a total of 12 passes and two TDs his first two seasons. He now has 72 catches for 943 yards and 10 TDs. Sims-Walker missed his first season with a knee injury and then caught 16 passes in 2008. This year, he's got 42 catches for 531 yards and seven TDs. Robiskie caught seven passes as a rookie last year and has 25 for 240 yards this year. 

"I never want to look at a guy in another situation and try to directly compare him to myself because his situation is different," said Robiskie. "Like coach said, 'It's a matter of making the most of your opportunities.' If I have an opportunity, I have to try to capitalize on it." 

Brian's development has been one of Terry's most cherished gifts this season. 

"It's been a great joy for me to sit and watch my son do all of this at a position I know so well," said Terry. "To see him run a route and get open, to make a good catch, to get a good block, to cut-block a defender -- it's just been outstanding."   

If all the suspended Ohio State juniors turn pro, coupled with a deep senior class, the Buckeyes could set a record in the NFL Draft.

COLUMBUS -- If their five-game suspensions for the start of the 2011 season help push juniors Terrelle Pryor, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Dan Herron into the NFL, the Buckeyes could be in for a record-tying draft haul.

Ohio State had 14 players drafted in 2004, and there are 10 OSU seniors with at least a chance to be drafted. Throw in a player like junior center Mike Brewster, the most attractive draft prospect among the underclassmen according to analysts, and Ohio State could have a shot at 15.

"He could go in the second round," National Football Post draft analyst Wes Bunting said of Brewster, "but offensive linemen like that usually know if they stay, they can maybe be a late first-rounder next year and improve their game."

Three analysts said all the other OSU juniors would be better off staying, but that was before the suspensions were announced. While OSU coach Jim Tressel said this might not be the best time for the players to be going out for job interviews, an agent said that while the NFL does consider character, one suspension like this probably wouldn't be held against the players unless a pattern of behavior was discovered.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / The Plain DealerOhio State senior defensive lineman Cameron Heyward leads a host of Buckeyes likely to be called during April's NFL Draft.

Posey intrigued analysts with his big-play flashes, but they have questions about his hands and think he'd be behind several other junior receivers, pushing him into the middle rounds. They thought Herron was on the edge of being drafted in the late rounds or being a free agent, while Adams would be a top 10 offensive linemen next year but would slide this year. And Pryor, the analysts said emphatically, needs time, too.

"There's so much talent there, and while he made pretty significant strides this year, I think there's a firm belief in the scouts I've talked to that he could continue to make some more strides if he returned," Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com said.

"I think if [Pryor] came out now, he'd be a midround pick, but he'd be looked at as more of a wide receiver," Scott Wright of DraftCountdown.com said. "I think if he wants to play quarterback, he needs to stay in school. He's nowhere near ready."

A lot of other Buckeyes are. Though lacking elite draft talent, the depth of the Ohio State senior class should play out not on April 28, the first day and first round of the NFL Draft, but on the two days and in rounds two through seven that follow.

"There's a lack of a headline player, but there are a lot of good quality football players," Rang said. "I think you'll hear the Ohio State name over and over on draft day, and I think a lot of these guys are coming in more prepared to make an NFL team than most programs."

Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward is the only Buckeye senior with a chance to go in the first round, and after his stats dipped compared against his junior season, some analysts no longer see him as a first-round lock. But he'll still lead a group that should ensure Ohio State has its second-most productive draft since the NFL Draft dropped to seven rounds in 1994.

"I think we have a lot of talent," senior linebacker Ross Homan said about the team's draft prospects. "It's just a matter of time."

According to NFLDraftScout.com, nine other OSU seniors after Heyward project as potential picks between rounds three and seven: cornerback Chimdi Chekwa, safety Jermale Hines, Homan, offensive guard Justin Boren, linebacker Brian Rolle, cornerback Devon Torrence, receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, running back Brandon Saine and offensive lineman Bryant Browning.

There are intriguing athletes with questionable college production (Torrence, Saine) and steady college players who may fall short in some measurables (Hines, Rolle, Sanzenbacher), but Heyward still leads the class.

Heyward has been versatile at Ohio State, playing end and tackle as the Buckeyes moved between a 4-3 scheme and some 3-4 looks, but there is agreement that Heyward's NFL future is a little more pigeonholed, in a 3-4 that isn't necessarily looking for elite pass rushers on the edge.

"He's not a quote-unquote sexy prospect," Wright said. "He may not get 10 to 15 sacks per year, but more teams are shifting to the 3-4 and I think 3-4 teams will absolutely love him while a 4-3 team may not be interested."

Wright has Heyward going between picks 20 and 32 in the first round.

Rang thinks Heyward is in the same position he was last year, when he decided to return for his senior season, but that the hype has died down a bit. He thinks Denver in the middle of the first round could be a landing spot, while Bunting has Heyward in the late first round or early second round.

The next senior off the board for the Buckeyes probably will be Chekwa, who along with Brewster was one of the two Buckeyes named to a first-team All-American team this season.

"Chekwa to me is one of the best football players on the entire team," Rang said. "As a mid-round prospect he jumps out at me with his size and I'm not worried about what he runs."

Linebacker Brian Rolle will create questions because of his height, which should be measured at less than his listed 5-11, but he has created some buzz for himself by playing his best football in the second half of his senior season.

In the right defense -- one that lets him run in space -- Bunting said he could see Rolle fighting for a starting job as a middle or late-round pick.

"He runs well, he's fluid and he'll smack you for a little guy," Bunting said.

Whether it's all, some, or less likely, none of the suspended juniors that go pro, Rolle and the other seniors should be part of a big Ohio State draft weekend.

Cleveland - It's one thing to endure the losing. It's another for Cavs fans to adjust to a season without one of the all-time greats. Hall of Fame broadcaster Joe Tait could lift fans through even the harshest of winters and losing streaks with his descriptive play-by-play and often biting observations. But early into his 41st -- and final...

Cleveland - It's one thing to endure the losing. It's another for Cavs fans to adjust to a season without one of the all-time greats.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Joe Tait could lift fans through even the harshest of winters and losing streaks with his descriptive play-by-play and often biting observations. But early into his 41st -- and final -- season as voice of the Cavs, Tait fell ill and now faces heart surgery in a few weeks.

So the responsibility of replacing a legend has fallen on Mike Snyder, a longtime Cleveland broadcaster and huge Tait fan.

"It's really a great opportunity," he said Friday. "I just wish it wasn't coming under these circumstances."

Snyder, raised in East Cleveland and a 1970 Shaw High School graduate, grew up a longtime listener of Tait's. He's worked as the Cavs' studio host for the past 18 years and even filled in for Tait for a couple of games along the way.

But taking Tait's place behind the microphone would be intimidating for anyone.

Tait has called more than 3,000 Cavs games -- all but two seasons -- since they first took the court at the old Cleveland Arena in 1970. Last summer, he was honored with a Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Basketball Hall of Fame.

So it's kind of like replacing a two-time MVP at small forward.

"I guess I had to let myself not think too much about it, just kind of let's just do it," Snyder said, "because he simply is the best play-by-play voice for basketball that I've heard in my lifetime. To think that I'm sitting in that chair. I kind of put it this way: You don't fill Joe Tait's shoes, you keep the big seat warm. I think that's what we've tried to do."

Snyder said he spoke Thursday with Tait, who said doctors have told him he could be scheduled for heart surgery the first week of January, and, if all goes as expected, could be back in the broadcaster's booth -- christened "Joe Tait Perch" at The Q -- by the All-Star break.

Meanwhile, the challenge falls to Snyder, in some respects the James Brown of local radio.

He co-hosts a morning show on WTAM AM/1100 with Bill Wills, often returning from Cavs' road trips so late that he only has time to swing by the house for a few hours before heading to the station for the 5 a.m. broadcast. Oh, and on weekends, he handles studio work for the Browns.

The Cavs' play-by-play gig came up and he's loving it -- especially working along side Jim Chones, former Cavs center and Snyder's game-day radio analyst.

"It's really been fun working with Jim," he said, "and we're doing something different in terms of what people have heard in basketball broadcasting in this area, where you've had two men doing the game, a play-by-play guy and an analyst."

Different, but with a little familiar sprinkled in.

Listeners will often hear Snyder acknowledging the sidelined broadcaster with Tait-isms during games: "As Joe Tait would say, 'You'd better call the bus driver, it's been one of those games,' or "As Joe would say, 'This is trench warfare tonight.' "

"It's not like I plan it at that moment," Snyder said, "but when it comes along, as I've listened to Joe for all these years, we feel like we're in for Joe Tait every night. We're waiting for Joe to come back, because Joe Tait will be back this season."

The trophy case is becoming 'hardware central' for Akron's national championship soccer team as junior defender Kofi Sarkodie on Friday was named Player of the Year by Soccer America. It is the third consecutive season an Akron player has received the esteemed award from the national publication, joining Teal Bunbury in 2009 and Steve Zakuani in 2008. It's the...

The trophy case is becoming 'hardware central' for Akron's national championship soccer team as junior defender Kofi Sarkodie on Friday was named Player of the Year by Soccer America.

It is the third consecutive season an Akron player has received the esteemed award from the national publication, joining Teal Bunbury in 2009 and Steve Zakuani in 2008.

It's the third piece of hardware Sarkodie earned this season. The native of suburban Dayton, and Hermann Trophy semifinalist, was named the 2010 ESPN Academic All-American of the Year; and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) First Team All-American.

View full sizeMark J. Terrill / AP Kofi Sarkodie, Soccer America's men's soccer player of the year, helped the Zips win the NCAA championship earlier this month.

Sarkodie scored a career-high eight goals in 22 games this past season and had six assists from his outside back position. He was second on the Zips with five game-winning goals.

Teammates Anthony Ampaipitakwong (senior midfielder) and Darlington Nagbe (junior striker), a St. Edward grad, joined Sarkodie on Soccer America's MVP First Team. Ampaipitakwong is a two-time NSCAA All-American and became the school's first winner of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in 2010.

The CLASS Award is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I men's soccer as chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men's soccer coaches, national soccer media and fans.

Nagbe is one of three finalists for the Hermann Trophy, the Heisman Trophy of college soccer, and is a two-time NSCAA All-American.

Soccer America named freshman midfielder Perry Kitchen and freshman striker Darren Mattocks to its All-Freshman First Team.

The Browns managed one touchdown -- on a trick play. But quarterback Colt McCoy had his worst day as a Brown, throwing three interceptions. Baltimore also held running back Peyton Hillis to just 35 yards on 12 carries.

(AP Photo/Mark Duncan)In one of Sunday's few highlights, Browns wide receiver Brian Robiskie, catches a 29-yard touchdown pass against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Chris Carr. The first-quarter TD pass was thrown by wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Last season, the Browns won their final four games to help save coach Eric Mangini's job. This season, they are careening toward a four-game losing streak to close, thereby making Mangini's seat white-hot.

The Browns managed one touchdown -- on a trick play -- and had a huge gamble backfire in falling to the Baltimore Ravens, 20-10, at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

The Browns (5-10) have lost three in a row. They finish the season next Sunday at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Baltimore (11-4) has won three straight this season and six in a row overall against Cleveland.

In the week leading to the game, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis told reporters there would not be a repeat of Browns running back Peyton Hillis gaining 144 yards on the ground, as happened Sept. 26 in Baltimore. Lewis was correct: Hillis managed 35 yards on 12 carries.

The Ravens received a belated Christmas gift at the outset of the second half. Browns kicker Phil Dawson's onside-kick attempt bounced out of bounds; it did not travel the required 10 yards, regardless.

Baltimore showed its appreciation by scoring a touchdown on the third play of the ensuing possession to build a 20-10 advantage. Joe Flacco connected with Derrick Mason from 22 yards at 13:30. Mason fought through illegal coverage by Sheldon Brown.

The Browns were reeling until late in the third quarter, when Flacco under-threw Anquan Boldin and was intercepted by corner Joe Haden at the Cleveland 41. The Browns reached the Baltimore 47 before punting.

Cleveland drove to the Baltimore 27 late in the fourth, but Ravens safety Ed Reed intercepted Colt McCoy near the goal line. Reed finished with two picks.

The Ravens led, 13-10, at halftime.

The Browns received the opening kickoff and began the possession at their 35. McCoy went 3-of-3 before being intercepted inside the Baltimore 5. McCoy attempted to connect with Mohamed Massaquoi deep down the right side, but Massaquoi was well-covered.

McCoy's long passes have left something to be desired in his rookie season.

After holding Baltimore to a three-and-out, the Browns took over in Ravens territory. They moved to the 29, at which point Seneca Wallace entered to take the first-down snap.

Wallace faked a handoff and pitched the ball to Massaquoi, who rolled right and threw into the end zone in the neighborhood of Brian Robiskie. While defensive back Chris Carr lost track of the ball, Robiskie had it all the way and made a diving catch with 7:01 left.

Mark Duncan, Associated PressBaltimore Ravens linebackers Jarret Johnson, front left, and Ray Lewis stop Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis after a short gain in the fourth quarter Sunday's game in Cleveland. Baltimore held Hillis to 35 yards rushing on 12 carries.

Baltimore maintained the ball hit the ground. It lost the replay challenge.

 The previous time a non-quarterback threw a touchdown for the Browns was Sept. 8, 2002, when Kevin Johnson connected with Quincy Morgan from 33 yards.

The Ravens cut the deficit to 7-3 on Billy Cundiff's 27-yard field goal with 13:35 remaining in the second quarter. Cundiff capped a 16-play, 80-yard drive that featured plenty of Ray Rice and lasted 8:26.

Minutes later, the Browns committed a turnover. Carr stripped Massaquoi after a short completion; Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain picked up the ball and returned it 9 yards to the Cleveland 20.

On third-and-5 from the 15, Flacco threw a dart through double coverage and into the hands of T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the back of the end zone. Cundiff's extra point gave the Ravens a 10-7 lead at 11:47.

Midway through the quarter, McCoy threw a medium-deep pass to the right that floated. Reed easily intercepted and returned the ball 20 yards to midfield.

The Ravens converted the third Cleveland turnover into three points, Cundiff's 40-yard field goal coming with 4:06 left in the half.

The Browns responded with a 10-play, 50-yard drive. Dawson drilled a 30-yard field goal with three seconds left for the 13-10 margin.

On the play before Dawson's kick, McCoy missed an open Robiskie in right corner of the end zone on second down. It was not an easy throw but one McCoy would like to have back.

Misuse of timeouts by the Browns' coaching staff cost its team another crack at the end zone.

On this day, the Browns simply lost to a far superior team.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini had reason to look glum Sunday as a far superior Baltimore Ravens team defeated the Browns 20-10.

Because his job is on the line, much of the discussion after the Browns 20-10 loss to Baltimore is the future of Eric Mangini. But if the Browns coach does lose his job, it won't be because of what happened on this gloomy, windy, bone-chilling Sunday.

Flacco is only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to the playoffs in each of his first three pro seasons since 1970. Since 2008, only quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Drew Brees have more wins that Flacco.

Baltimore came to town knowing it needed to win to keep the pressure on Pittsburgh. The 11-4 Ravens hope the Browns can somehow end the season with a victory over the Steelers, giving Baltimore a first round bye in the playoffs.

So this was a big game for Baltimore, which played like it. The Ravens were determined to shut down Peyton Hillis, and they did it. In Game 3, Hillis rolled over Baltimore for 144 yards.

This Sunday, he had only 35 yards in 12 carries. He averaged 2.9 yards per carry. His longest gain was 7 yards. He also is physically beat up, and missed some snaps.

Just like Buffalo, Cincinnati and even Miami (a 13-10 Browns victory), the Browns' limited, All-Peyton-All-The-Time offense has been exposed for all its limitations. No matter who is the Browns coach next season, they need more depth at running back, more depth at wide receiver, more of an offense suited for rookie quarterback Colt McCoy.

Don't be discouraged by McCoy's three interceptions. A rookie game was due, and it came on this day with a 20-mph whipping wind and facing a defense ranked No. 5 against the run, No. 10 overall. And yes, the weather was a factor, because the Texas native never played in 13-degree wind chill with the breeze whipping all over the stadium.

McCoy was 15-of-29 for 149 yards, no touchdowns. His three interceptions equaled the total that he had in his first six starts, covering 152 passes.

By comparison, rookie phenom quarterback Sam Bradford when into Sunday with 17 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions for the season. But in his previous three games, the Rams quarterback had five interceptions and zero touchdowns.

Every rookie has rough stretches.

In the big picture, the real problem for the Browns and Mangini is not McCoy, or this game.

It's that the Browns failed to capitalized on heir back-to-back victories over New Orleans and New England.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy avoids Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs as he looks for a receiver downfield in the third quarter Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland.

That moved their record to 3-5. Suddenly there was a sense the Browns were headed to respectability -- at least 7-9, maybe even 8-8.

Since then, they are 2-5.

Today, the overall record is 5-10. This is the seventh time in the last eight years that the Browns have lost at least 10 games.

The last four losses have all been close -- New York Jets (26-20 in overtime), Jacksonville (24-20), Buffalo (13-6), Cincinnati (19-17) -- before this 20-10 verdict to Baltimore.

The Browns could have easily tied the Jets game, but gambled near deep in their own territory near the end of overtime. The losses to Cincinnati and Buffalo are especially discouraging because the Browns were the more talented team. Both the Bengals and Buffalo entered their games with the Browns owning only two victories.

Now, the Browns are on a three-game losing streak as they head into their final game.

Mangini was able to save his job a year ago despite a 5-11 record because the Browns had a final four-game winning streak, followed by some very positive meetings with new president Mike Holmgren.

Holmgren has remained quiet about Mangini's future. His last public comments came after the bye week when the Browns were 1-5. Holmgren's comment were vague, even confusing, about the coaching situation. But it is clear the former Green Bay and Seattle head coach didn't rule out the possibility of coaching in 2011.

Who knows what Holmgren will decide. Perhaps he will coach the team himself. Or hire another coach. Or surprise everyone by keeping Mangini but wanting major changes on the offensive coaching staff.

But one thing is certain -- the Browns will have a different look when it comes to the coaching staff next season.

.