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Cleveland Browns WRs coach is first to bolt

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George McDonald accepts position with University of Miami.



BEREA -- Browns wide receivers coach George McDonald is leaving the team -- again.

 McDonald has been hired for the same job with the Miami Hurricanes.

 It's the second time in two years McDonald has left the Browns. When Eric Mangini's job status was being reviewed by President Mike Holmgren a year ago, McDonald accepted the receivers job with Rutgers University. McDonald then returned to the Browns when Mangini was retained.

 The assistant coaching staff of Mangini, who was fired after his second 5-11 season, is in limbo. Holmgren met with the coaches on Monday and didn't technically fire anyone, nor did he guarantee any would return.


Indians closer Chris Perez answers your questions Wednesday at noon

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Have a question for the Indians' closer? Now's your chance to ask about what it's like to close a Major League Baseball game, what life is like in the bullpen and more.

chris-perez-indians.JPGView full sizeChris Perez will join cleveland.com for a live chat Wednesday at noon.

The Indians certainly have some questions heading in to the 2011 season, but one thing they know for sure is they've found their closer in right-hander Chris Perez.

Acquired from St. Louis in the summer of 2009, Perez went 2-2 last season with a 1.71 ERA and 23 saves in 27 opportunities. That includes a post All-Star break record of 2-0 with 16 saves in 17 opportunities to go with a 0.63 ERA. Opponents hit just .158 off Perez following the All-Star break last season.

Now's your chance to ask Chris Perez about what it's like to be a closer in Major League Baseball. He'll take your questions on cleveland.com beginning Wednesday at noon. Simply type your questions in the player below. Chris will get to as many as he can.

Please note: This is a moderated chat. All questions must be approved and not all questions will be answered.

Lake Erie Monsters center Ryan Stoa named to AHL All-Star team

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Center Ryan Stoa becomes the fifth Lake Erie Monster player selected for the AHL All-Star Game since 2007-08.

stoa-avs-09-mug.jpgView full sizeRyan Stoa has 14 goals to lead the Monsters this season and will play in the AHL All-Star game later this month.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Center Ryan Stoa, who leads the Monsters in goals (14) and ranks second in points (25), has been named to the AHL Western Conference All-Star Team. Stoa is the Monsters’ lone representative. The All-Star Game will be played Jan. 31 in Hershey, Pa.

Stoa has appeared in 39 of Lake Erie’s 41 games. His five power-play goals rank first on the club and his eight power-play points are tied for second (with Kevin Montgomery) behind Patrick Rismiller (11).

Stoa, a second-year pro out of the University of Minnesota, started slowly this season but has been solid the past six weeks.

"This is a well-deserved honor for a player who has worked hard on his game over the last year and a half," Lake Erie coach David Quinn said. "He is combining grit and speed with his skill and size, which has allowed his offensive skills to influence the game."

In 54 games as a rookie, Stoa scored 40 points (23G, 17A). He also played in 12 games for the parent Colorado Avalanche last season, notching two goals and one assist. His 23 goals with Lake Erie last season tied for second on the club (with Darren Haydar) and the 40 points ranked fourth.

Stoa is the fifth Monster named to the AHL All-Star Game since the team’s inaugural season of 2007-08. He joins T.J. Hensick (2008, 2010), Tyler Weiman (2009), Kyle Cumiskey (2009) and Haydar (named in 2010, injured, replaced by Hensick).

Monsters alum recognized: Avalanche defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who began the season with Lake Erie and played 10 games before getting promoted to Colorado, has been named by the NHL as one of 12 rookies who will participate in its All-Star Weekend.

The rookies will join the 42 All-Stars in the skills challenge on Jan. 29. The All-Star Game is Jan. 30 in Raleigh, N.C.

Shattenkirk is the first former Monster to represent the Avalanche at an NHL All-Star weekend.

Shattenkirk, Colorado’s first-round pick (14th overall) in the 2007 draft, made his NHL debut Nov. 4. He has scored 20 points (5G/15A) in 31games. Despite spending the first month of the season in the AHL, Shattenkirk ranks second among all rookie defensemen in scoring.

"Obviously I never thought, being called up a little into the season, that this would even be a possibility," Shattenkirk told reporters. "It’s an honor to be selected among these other great rookies and to participate in the All-Star weekend."


Cleveland Browns moving beyond Jon Gruden; Fewell interviewed, Shurmur remains likely front-runner

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The former Tampa Bay coach says he's not coaching. Browns interview Perry Fewell and are linked to interest in Dave Wannstedt for a position on their staff.

grudenss.jpgJon Gruden signed off ESPN Radio's coverage of the BCS Championship game by saying he'd be back in the broadcast booth next season.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns' coaching search appears to be narrowing.

On the ninth day since Eric Mangini was fired, several developments supported the national perception that Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur indeed is the front-runner to replace him.

To wit:

• Jon Gruden announced to his ESPN radio audience in the wee hours of Tuesday morning that he will not be coaching in 2011 and will return to the network booth as a football analyst;

• Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell completed his interview in Cleveland for the head coach job;

• After the Fewell interview wrapped up, ESPN reported the Browns were one of several NFL teams interested in former Chicago, Miami and University of Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt for a role on their staff. Wannstedt, who was Jimmy Johnson's top defensive coach in Dallas and Miami, is considered a contender for several defensive coordinator openings; and

• Browns assistant coaches -- excluding receivers coach George McDonald -- are still under contract and in limbo. A scheduled meeting with President Mike Holmgren was postponed. McDonald left for a similar job with the University of Miami.

Gruden was considered a top candidate because of his long-time association with Holmgren, his devotion to the offensive system learned under Holmgren and his Ohio roots. But Holmgren never formally interviewed him for the job, perhaps partly due to the fact that he knew Gruden's intentions all along.

At the conclusion of ESPN's radio broadcast of the BCS Championship game early Tuesday morning, play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico asked Gruden if he would take a coaching job.

"No," Gruden responded. "I'll be back with you."

Earlier this week, Jim Gruden, Jon's father, told The Plain Dealer that he was not sure whether his son "wants to get back into the rat race." The elder Gruden explained that Jon has a son entering his senior year in high school who plays quarterback and linebacker and Jon immensely enjoys watching him play. He also helps coach the team.

Gruden still has one more season remaining on his contract as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that pays him handsomely through 2011.

Fewell was the third coaching candidate to receive an interview from the Browns, following Shurmur and Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. It was conducted at the Browns' facility and concluded in mid-afternoon.

Fewell also was interviewed by Carolina and Denver, but Carolina filled its job with Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. Two New York newspapers speculated that Fewell is likely to stay in his present role with the Giants.

A source said the Browns' interview with Mularkey, conducted Saturday in Atlanta, was kind of rushed, as Mularkey was understandably preoccupied with preparations for the Falcons' NFL playoff game this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Browns' reported interest in Wannstedt comes as a surprise. The only known link to the Browns is that Wannstedt was Dolphins head coach from 2000-04 when Bryan Wiedemeier worked with the club in a variety of roles. Wiedemeier is now a Browns executive vice president and a member of Holmgren's inner circle participating in the coaching search.

It's possible the Browns could be looking to pair Shurmur with an experienced defensive coordinator. Shurmur has no experience as a head coach and has been Rams offensive coordinator the past two years after serving 10 seasons in Philadelphia as an offensive assistant coach.

Meantime, Mangini's top assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and special teams coordinator Brad Seely, remain employed by the club. Holmgren postponed a meeting scheduled for Monday to determine their future.

McDonald was released to join the Hurricanes as receivers coach. It's the second time in two years McDonald left the Browns. He accepted an offer last year with Rutgers when Mangini's status was undetermined, then returned when Holmgren announced Mangini would be back in 2010.

Michigan taps Brady Hoke of San Diego State to succeed fired Rich Rodriguez

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Michigan taps Brady Hoke of San Diego State to succeed fired Richard Rodriguez as the Wolverines' head football coach.

brady-hoke-michigan-ap.JPGView full sizeBrady Hoke will trade the sunny climes of San Diego State to take over as head coach of Michigan, the school announced today.


Updated at 5 p.m.


Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Michigan picked San Diego State's Brady Hoke as its new football coach on Tuesday, hours after LSU said Les Miles would be staying in the Bayou.

Hoke is not a Michigan man -- he's a Ball State alumnus -- but he is a former Wolverines assistant and athletic director Dave Brandon praised him highly in announcing the decision.

"We are pleased to announce the hiring of Brady," Brandon said. "He is a terrific coach and will be a great ambassador and leader for our football program. We look forward to having him build a championship program on the field and in the classroom."

Hoke, who will be introduced at a news conference in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, spent eight seasons as a head coach at Ball State (2003-08) before leading the Aztecs (2009-10). A defensive line coach at Michigan, Hoke helped the defense lead the nation in rushing defense and was on the staff during the 1997 national championship run. During his tenure, Michigan went 5-3 against rivals Michigan State and Ohio State and in bowl games.

He replaces Rich Rodriguez, who was fired after going 15-22 in three disappointing seasons with the Wolverines. That includes an 0-6 mark against the Buckeyes and Spartans.

Rodriguez was fired after going 15-22 in three seasons with college football's winningest program and he also embarrassed alumni and others by getting hit with NCAA violations tied to practice time. He replaced retired coach Lloyd Carr in a marriage that seemed doomed from the start.

Brandon bought out the last three seasons of Rodriguez's contract for $2.5 million on the first anniversary of taking the job. His latest decision was a big one, too.

Brandon needed to find a new coach who would fit in on the field and campus along with exciting a fan base and donors who fill the Big House and still new luxury suites.

Whether Hoke can do those things is an open question and the last week was full of speculation that Miles would be the best choice Brandon could make. The LSU coach was a popular choice among fans when Carr announced he was retiring after the 2007 season, but he stayed in Baton Rouge then and did again this time around.


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P.M. Cleveland Indians links: Tribe on Tour announced; more Bob Feller memories

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Tribe on Tour lets fans meet Indians players and manager Manny Acta.

shin-soo-choo-crow.JPGView full sizeShin-Soo Choo is expected to be part of this year's "Tribe on Tour" preseason tour of four local malls, from Jan. 28 to 31.

Indians pitchers and catchers report to spring training in a little more than month, but you won't have to wait that long to see 'em.


The team today announced plans for its "Tribe on Tour" whistlestop run through four area malls over the last four days of this month, according to mlb.com.



The tour will include visits to the Beachwood Place Mall in Beachwood on Jan. 28, the Westfield Great Northern Mall in North Olmsted on Jan. 29, the Summit Mall in Akron on Jan. 30 and the Westfield SouthPark Mall in Strongsville on Jan. 31. Each event is free for all attendees.

Joining the "Tribe on Tour" will be a variety of players, as well as some alumni, staff and broadcasters. Manager Manny Acta is slated to be on hand for the first three stops, and former player and manager Mike Hargrove is scheduled to take part in all four mall visits.

Though all appearances are subject to change, players scheduled to be at all four stops include outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, outfielder Michael Brantley, first baseman Matt LaPorta and reliever Tony Sipp. Pitcher Aaron Laffey is expected to join those four when the tour pulls into Strongsville.
Two good things come out of this, three when you think that talk of baseball means this yucky weather can't last forever. One is stated in the excerpt -- the events are free -- and the other is merely understood -- that this is one time you can see the Indains and KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that they won't blow a lead in the ninth. Or the first.

More on Feller
The stories about the late Bob Feller, who died last month at the age of 92, keep coming out. Joe Goddard is a columnist for TheDoings-ClarendonHills.com, a Chicago Sun-Times vehicle. He wrote a piece today about seven memorable athletes he'd interviewed during 42 years with the big paper. One of 'em was Rapid Robert.



The Cleveland Indians' Hall of Famer was my boyhood idol for his bowlegged swagger to the mound, high leg-kick motion and slingshot pitches that produced 100 mph strikeouts.

Feller was a baseball ambassador in his retirement years, making appearances throughout America. He also was a bit eccentric, using blue-ink pens for autographs as a tribute to the blue-and-red color seams on American League baseballs compared to black-and-red seams on National League balls.

Feller was cantankerous in his later years, annoying Indians' front-office staffers by saying things like, "Am I have the only one promoting this team around here?"
Starting Blocks isn't 100 percent sure of the veracity of that last statement, but we wouldn't bet against it (sorry, Pete Rose fans, if that brings up bad memories). From what we've learned about the late, great Indians pitcher, his self-edit button was rarely used. In some ways, we could just hear him saying, "Hey! You kids stay off my mound!"



Firelands High hires Mike Passerrello as new football coach

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Mike Passerrello has been named head football coach at Firelands. His hiring was approved Monday night at a school board meeting. Firelands Athletic Director Leo Spagnola confirmed the hiring in a release.

Mike Passerrello has been named head football coach at Firelands.

His hiring was approved Monday night at a school board meeting. Firelands Athletic Director Leo Spagnola confirmed the hiring in a release.

Passerrello, a first-year assistant, took over coaching duties on an interim basis in the third week of the season when head coach Todd Pooch was arrested for solicitation of prostitution. The charges were later dropped.

The Falcons went 1-7 under Passerrello, finishing the season at 2-8 overall and 1-6 in the West Shore Conference.

Sure the BCS is a fraud, but the NFL's 'playoff' Seahawks and revamped OT rules are bizarre, as well: Bill Livingston

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After the baffling, controversial college football season, the NFL playoffs, with a flawed playoff format and a new overtime concept, might be even more perplexing.

seahawks-trufant-reax-horiz-mct.jpgView full sizeWhen Marcus Trufant and the Seahawks began celebrating a playoff victory over the Saints in Seattle despite "winning" the NFC West with a 7-9 record, it proved that the BCS doesn't have a monopoly on goofy postseasons, says Bill Livingston. The looming threat of an overtime debacle is just the next land mine for the NFL.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The college football season came down to a head-scratching ruling on a move out of the parlor game of "Twister."

The reaction of many disaffected fans is to give thanks for the comparative sanity, clarity, fairness and preparedness of the NFL.

After several replays, it was hard to see the difference between the call that let Auburn's Michael Dyer roll over a would-be tackler, steady himself, then rise and run into winning field goal range and the exact opposite ruling in the Sugar Bowl. In the Sugar Bowl, Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams was ruled down because his wrist touched the ground after Ohio State's Ross Homan grappled with him. The two plays looked the same to me.

The fluke Auburn play summed up a deeply flawed season of ethical quandaries and nonsensical NCAA eligibility rulings. The college game clearly has systemic defects.

So let us move on to the NFL, the super-league of American sports, where far-sighted men of wisdom have crafted an American obsession.

The NFL is sometimes called "The Shield," and not only because of its logo. The Shield is the fan's defense against the market inequities of baseball and the player-driven star system of the NBA.

The Shield, meaning the actual NFL logo, has eight stars on it, one for each division. Until 2008, it boasted 25 stars. No one knew why there were 25. But eight stars, like the octet of tiny four-team divisions they represent, are twice too many.

The NFC West's kinglet was 7-and-9 Seattle. For the Seahawks' sad-sack season, they received a home playoff game. In it, they took down the real America's Team -- the defending Super Bowl champion, back-from-Katrina, lost-and-then found New Orleans Saints.

Miscast as a Cinderella story, the Seahawks actually are the reverse. Eight divisions represent an artificial attempt to keep fan interest alive and turnstiles spinning around the league. By rewarding lousiness, The NFL has crafted a riches-to-rags story. It is wild-cardism to the max. A joker inevitably turns up in the deck.

The provocative Web site Coldhardfootballfacts.com dissected the weakness of the eight-division format in 2009, when the Arizona Cardinals reached the Super Bowl after a 9-7 record rewarded them with two home games against wild-card teams with better records.

This season, no fewer than five teams (the New York Giants, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, San Diego and Oakland) across the two conferences had better records than the Seahawks, yet missed the playoffs.

Where is the reward for the brutal 16-game regular season there?

Why reward excellence with a home-field disadvantage?

What is the sense of making NFL playoff teams resemble the playoff dregs of the NBA's Eastern Conference?

Nevertheless, the Seahawks advanced. The league's television mouthpieces will make them out to be fantasy football in the flesh. Here's hoping they take the Bears to overtime this weekend in Chicago because that could become the ultimate fiasco.

The overtime rules, you see, are different in the playoffs this year. No longer applicable are the sudden-death rules under which OT has been conducted since the 1958 Colts-Giants championship game.

The new gizmo is called modified sudden death. Coaches were given no chance to become familiar with its intricacies during the regular season. Unlike the any-score-wins days, it is hardly a cut-and-dried concept. The Official NFL Rulebook lists no less than 22 different game-ending scenarios because a first-drive field goal is no longer enough to decide it.

Had Michael Vick converted a pass for two extra points on wild-card weekend, the Eagles could easily have forced overtime with a field goal on their next possession against Green Bay. The half-baked, jerry-built overtime scheme could have been exposed then and there. Most fans have no idea of the new rules, and no coach has any experience with its pitfalls.

Whenever it finally happens, the journey of the nation's foremost sports league into the unknown in its biggest games might make the BCS look good.


Kent State rides big first-half lead to 80-63 victory over Bowling Green

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Behind some solid first-half defense, deft passing and near-flawless free-throw shooting in the second half, the Golden Flashes earned a much-needed victory.

KENT, Ohio -- A desperate Kent State played like it Tuesday night.

Behind some solid first-half defense, deft passing all night and near-flawless free-throw shooting (15-of-16) in the second half, the Golden Flashes earned a much-needed 80-63 victory over Bowling Green.

A Kent defense that held BG to 33.3 percent shooting in the first half softened considerably after the break, in part because Kent got that big lead and lost focus while the Falcons heated up.

"That happens,'' Kent center Justin Greene said. "That's what we need to work on. We've got to clean it up. We haven't been up 20 on anybody in a long time, so that was probably a shock for us.''

Kent (10-6, 1-1) got 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists from guard Michael Porrini, 17 points from Greene and 12 points from senior guard Rod Sherman. But on a night when Kent had 21 assists overall, and won the rebounding battle, 34-33, the key contributors were the two players that have struggled the most this season.

Sophomore guard Randal Holt had 11 points and four clever assists. He got into the lane and found the open man, and hit the dagger 3-pointer with 3:14 to play for a 71-54 Kent lead.

"I thought Randal Holt had his best game of the year," Kent coach Geno Ford said.

Then there was 6-11 power forward Justin Manns, who started the season strong before struggling recently. He showed signs of a resurgence with 10 points, nine rebounds, a blocked shot, a steal and an assist.

"Justin Manns had the best game of his life,'' Ford said. "His best two games have been the last two."

Bowling Green (6-10, 1-1) had won four straight and five of its last six, including two on the road. But the Falcons just never got untracked, even as four players scored in double figures, led by A'uston Calhoun with 17.

"When you got 12 turnovers in the first 12 minutes of the game, you're feeding into their transition,'' BG coach Louis Orr said. "We put ourselves in a hole with bad defense, and bad offense. And that's a bad combination. We fed 'em. We just gave them energy."

Kent, which has not won a road game this season, begins a two-game trip Saturday at Ohio University.

Cavs vs. Lakers: Mary Schmitt Boyer's in-game blog

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Ryan Hollins, J.J. Hickson and Antawn Jamison will start along front line in Los Angeles.

ryan-hollins.jpgView full sizeRyan Hollins will start tonight against the Lakers.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Notes and observations from the Cavs game against the Lakers Tuesday night at Staples Center:

Cavs starters: F J.J. Hickson, F Antawn Jamison, C Ryan Hollins, G Manny Harris, G Mo Williams.

Lakers starters: F Pau Gasol, F Ron Artest, C Andrew Bynum, G Kobe Bryant, G Derek Fisher.

Injuries: Daniel Gibson (left ankle sprain) remains out, but he rejoined the team on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Christian Eyenga (right ankle sprain), Joey Graham (right quad strain), Anthony Parker (low back strain), Leon Powe (right knee surgery) and Anderson Varejao (torn tendon, right foot) are out for Cavs. Matt Barnes (right knee surgery) and Theo Ratliff (left knee surgery) are out for Lakers.

Inactives: Gibson, Graham, Powe for Cavs. Barnes, Ratliff for Lakers.

Officials: Ron Garretson, Marat Kogut, Olandis Poole.

Three things to watch

1. Can't wait to see how Manny Harris fares against Kobe Bryant.

2. If points in the paint have been a problem for Cavs up to now, wait until the Lakers set up shop in there.

3. Will Jack Nicholson show?

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott unveiled a new, big starting lineup in order to counter the Lakers' size tonight. Ryan Hollins will start at center, with J.J. Hickson at power forward and Antawn Jamison at small forward, along with Mo Williams at point guard and rookie Manny Harris at shooting guard.

Scott is missing Anderson Varejao (right ankle), Daniel Gibson (left ankle), Joey Graham (right quad), Leon Powe (right knee surgery), Anthony Parker (back) and rookie Christian Eyenga (right ankle). Eyenga made his first start in Sunday's 108-100 loss at Phoenix.

Speaking before the team's shootaround this morning at UCLA, Scott indicated he thought it was unlikely Parker or Eyenga would play.

The Cavs have lost 10 straight going into the game and 20 of their last 21, along with 16 straight on the road.

Kobe Bryant's Hall of Fame career? It's no surprise to ex-teammate Byron Scott: Cavaliers Insider

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Once asked to be Bryant's "mentor," Scott says he never had to assist the young star's dedication. "We didn't have to teach him how to come to practice and practice hard."

kobe-poses-trey-vert-ap.jpgView full sizePresent at the beginning of Kobe Bryant's NBA career, Byron Scott fully expected the brilliant performance delivered by the Los Angeles star.

LOS ANGELES -- When Kobe Bryant was a rookie in 1996, Lakers General Manager Jerry West thought Byron Scott would be the perfect mentor for the young star.

Scott, who spent the first 10 years of his career with the Lakers, had been away for three seasons, playing in Indiana and then Vancouver. But he agreed to return to the team he loved -- even though he was a bit uncertain about how things would work out.

"I didn't know how Kobe and I could fit," the Cavaliers coach said before Tuesday's game against the Lakers. "I was twice his age. I had kids his age almost.

"But we had an unbelievable relationship to the point where I had to tell him, 'Stop calling me Mr. Scott. We're teammates. You can call me Byron. You can call me B. But don't call me Mr. Scott.'"

Even though he was supposed to be the teacher, Scott wound up as the student in some ways.

"I think I learned more from him," Scott said. "He'll say to this day that I taught him how to play. He had God-given talent. I didn't need to teach him how to play. I think all I tried to do was teach him how to be a professional every single day and come to work every single day, treat practice like it's a game. He did that.

"He taught me more -- watching him play and watching the way he approached the game. At 21 or 22 I didn't have that. So he taught me a whole lot more than I could ever teach him."

Scott could not get over Bryant's maturity.

"You could tell he understood exactly what he wanted," Scott said. "I remember one of our conversations I asked him, 'What do you want to accomplish in this league?' He didn't blink and said point blank, 'I want to be the best player in this league.'

"I got an opportunity for a year to watch him in practice every day, watch his work ethic. It wasn't something he had to be taught, which is unusual for an 18-year-old rookie -- to come in and play as hard as he did and have that type of mindset.

"We had some pretty good veterans on that team, but we didn't have to teach him how to come to practice and practice hard and do this or do that. He was there before everybody."

Scott did not hesitate when asked if Bryant was the best player in the league.

"I think so," he said. "I think he has been for the past six or seven years. It shocks me that he's only got one MVP. But he has five rings. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Kobe, to me, has been the best player and the hardware he has proves it."

Brown's town: Scott thinks former Cavs first-round pick Shannon Brown blossomed after joining the Lakers."No. 1, the system probably fits him a lot better here in Los Angeles," Scott said. "No. 2, he's playing with Kobe Bryant.

"Some guys just need time. Sometimes the first or second place they're at isn't the right place for them. A guy like Shannon, as athletic as he is, and wants to learn and plays the game hard and really cares, when he got with a team like L.A. and with a player like Kobe who took him under his wing, it was the biggest thing that could help him."

Like a broken record: Cleveland Cavaliers' 11th loss in a row sets team marks in futility

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The injury-depleted Cavs drop their 11th straight in team-record style, suffering the worst loss in franchise history, 112-57, to the Lakers at Los Angeles. They also set a team record for fewest points in a game as lose their 21st game in 22 overall.

jamario moon cavaliers.JPGView full size An already disheartening season hit rock bottom on Tuesday night as Jamario Moon (15) and the Cavaliers proved to be helpless against the Lakers in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES — The Cavaliers have lost a lot of games a lot of ways this season, but Tuesday night at Staples Centers, the Lakers looked as if they were in another league.

The injury-depleted Cavs were totally outclassed and suffered the worst loss in team history, 112-57. They also set a team record for fewest points in a game as they lost their 11th straight, 21st in 22 overall, and 17th straight on the road to fall to 8-30.

The 57 points was also a Lakers opponent record low.

The Cavs' previous worst-margin of defeat was 54, a 141-87 loss at Philadelphia on Nov. 2, 1970.

The Cavs' previous low for points scored was 59 against San Antonio on March 25, 1997.

In an effort to counter the Lakers' size, Cavs coach Byron Scott again altered his starting lineup, going with 7-0 Ryan Hollins at center; 6-9 J.J. Hickson at power forward; 6-9 Antawn Jamison at small forward; and 6-1 Mo Williams and 6-5 rookie Manny Harris in the backcourt.

Gallery preview

"We've got to go as big as possible . . . just to try to match up with the size of this team," said Scott, the former Laker who got a nice hand when he was introduced before the game. "They're so long and so big, we've got to try to negate that somehow."

The Cavs were trying to match up with 7-0 Andrew Bynum, 7-0 Pau Gasol, 6-7 Ron Artest, 6-1 Derek Fisher and, oh, yeah, 6-5 Kobe Bryant.

Scott, who mentored Bryant as a rookie, had a little advice for Harris heading into the game.

"Stay down on pump fakes, stay in front of him as much as possible, make him work on the other end," Scott said. "He's going to look at you as a rookie, and he's going to go after you.

"Manny's done a real good job of accepting those challenges, but this, to me, is the ultimate challenge for a rookie, knowing the killer instinct that guy has and how he looks at the younger guys when he's being guarded by them. This is a real good test for Manny. The last few games he's played extremely well, and this is the ultimate test.

"The one thing I don't think I have to tell him is, 'Don't be intimidated by him.' I don't think Manny is intimidated by anybody."

Before the game, Harris acknowledged Bryant's skills.

"We know he's great -- he's Kobe Bryant," Harris said. "That goes for any great player. I just feel as if they bleed like I bleed. Give them respect, but at the same time, don't give them too much respect to where you don't go out and play your game and things like that.

"It's the thing you dream of doing, and you finally get the chance to do it. So I'm excited for that."

It got a lot less exciting in a hurry as the Lakers jumped to a 13-2 lead and pushed it to 19-6 with 4:56 left in the first quarter. By that time, Scott had called two timeouts to try and stem the tide, but unless the Marines landed on the Cavs' bench, it wasn't going to help.

The Cavs scored a season-low in the first half and trailed, 57-25. A half-court shot by former Cav Shannon Brown pushed the Lakers' lead to 92-41 after three.

Even with the Cavs full-strength, this would not have been much of a game, but without Daniel Gibson (left ankle sprain), Joey Graham (right quad strain), Anthony Parker (low back strain), Leon Powe (right knee surgery) and Anderson Varejao (torn tendon, right foot), it was over at the tip. Gibson, in a navy bow tie, arrived from Cleveland in the third quarter. Christian Eyenga, who wasn't supposed to play because of a sprained right ankle, played six minutes before tweaking the ankle again in the third quarter.

Everybody was in pain by then.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668

After dealing with Minnesota's big men, Ohio State men's basketball prepares for Michigan's long-range game

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No. 2 Ohio State will get a very different defensive test against Michigan's perimeter game.

umich-morris-hoops-kan-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeDarius Morris and Michigan took Kansas' talented Jayhawks to overtime on Sunday before losing, and the Wolverines' emphasis on the perimeter game will be a different kind of challenge for the Buckeyes on Wednesday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Four thoughts on Ohio State's visit to Michigan Wednesday night.

1. The Buckeyes will be tested in a completely different way defensively compared to Sunday, going from the Big Ten offense that most focuses on the inside game, Minnesota, to a team in Michigan that takes 43 percent of its shots from behind the 3-point line.

Can the Buckeyes adjust and prove they can dominate with defense?

"To me the big thing is to be able to change gears," OSU coach Thad Matta said.

The start against the Golden Gophers was one of the best defensive efforts of the season. But the finish wasn't.

"The first 32 minutes we played great defense," freshman big man Jared Sullinger said. "Sometimes we let our foot off the pedal. But at the same time when we have five guys connected -- when you look at the first 32 minutes of the Minnesota game -- we're a special team when it comes to defense."

2. Sullinger seems to pride himself on being a different kind of big man. Matta praised his individual effort for diving for a loose ball against Minnesota and forcing a jump ball that changed the possession arrow.

"Honestly, most big men in this day and age, they hit the ball and get a deflection and they're like, 'Play's over.' I did what I had to do," Sullinger said, crediting his brothers, J.J. and Julian, for teaching him to play that way. "I was instilled with it. It was an easy hustle play to make."

3. If it eventually happens, Matta isn't afraid of the No. 1 ranking. The OSU football team lost the first week the Buckeyes moved up to No. 1 this season.

"I'd like to be No. 1," Matta said. "That means we keep winning."

For now, Matta believes the No. 2 Buckeyes (16-0) are a notch below unanimous No. 1 Duke (15-0) and Matta thinks every vote should go to the Blue Devils.

"They're the defending national champs and until they get knocked off, they are very, very deserving of that," Matta said. "The rest of us are kind of swinging it out."

4. Could new Michigan football coach Brady Hoke, who officially will be introduced at a 1 p.m. news conference, make an appearance at the basketball game, much as Jim Tressel famously introduced himself to Ohio State fans in 2001 at a home basketball game against Michigan with his proud "in 310 days in Ann Arbor" speech?

Former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez also made his first public appearance as the Wolverines' coach in February 2008 at a home basketball game against Ohio State, when he was momentarily drowned out by some Ohio State students in attendance.

So maybe it would be better for Michigan to wait. If it happens, Coach Hoke, it's 318 days until the Ohio State-Michigan game.

P.M. Cleveland Browns links: Team may have a new head coach by Thursday; Pat Shurmur emerging as frontrunner

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Could Pat Shurmur be the Browns head coach by this time tomorrow? Some think so.

pat-shurmur-ap.JPGView full sizeSome experts are saying that Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur could be the Browns next head coach, and be named to the position as soon as Thursday.
Several developments in the last 24 hours have led Plain Dealer beat writer Tony Grossi and others to speculate that St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is the frontrunner in the race to replace fired Browns coach Eric Mangini.

Grossi's piece in today's paper notes that Jon Gruden, who was considered a top prospect, told a national audience on his ESPN radio show that he'd be sticking with the network for the remainder of his contract, which runs through 2011.

Now comes growing speculation from the News-Herald, turfshowtimes.com and Sports Illustrated's Peter King that the Browns could have a new head coach as early as Thursday ... and that Shurmur is the best guess to fill that spot.

The surprise development, though, is that former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator and University of Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt is emerging as a real possibility at the defensive coordinator's position. Which seems to indicate the departure of Rob Ryan, either voluntarily or otherwise.  As Grossi noted:

The Browns' reported interest in Wannstedt comes as a surprise. The only known link to the Browns is that Wannstedt was Dolphins head coach from 2000-04 when Bryan Wiedemeier worked with the club in a variety of roles. Wiedemeier is now a Browns executive vice president and a member of Holmgren's inner circle participating in the coaching search.

It's possible the Browns could be looking to pair Shurmur with an experienced defensive coordinator. Shurmur has no experience as a head coach and has been Rams offensive coordinator the past two years after serving 10 seasons in Philadelphia as an offensive assistant coach.

Mangini,  y'all
Eric Mangini is going to do some playoff commentating for ESPN during the playoffs, starting this weekend with the Jets-Patriots game - which is very interesting considering that whole Spygate episode in which  the Pats got caught taping Jets practices while Mangini was head coach in New York. Oh, and the whole Mangini-Belichick history.

But don't be surprised if you see him on the sidelines again next season. Not as a head coach, but in the job where he made his reputation: defensive coordinator. According to cowboysgab.com, Mangini is a consideration to take over that role with the Dallas Cowboys.

Mangini was let go as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns after they had a very disappointing season. Eric would be a great fit for the 3/4 system that Dallas employs. He is likely to get back into coaching and the defensive coordinator position might be his way back to restoring his coaching success.

Dallas fans may think there's no way he could be any worse than fired ex-Cowboys coach Wade Phillips, who also handled the defensive coordinator role. If Mangini IS hired by the Pokes, they'll get a chance to find out; Phillips is taking over that job for the Houston Texans.

One more, y'all
Current Brown and former Cowboys linebacker Scott Fujita -- yeah, he was there before he was with the Saints -- has a nit to pick with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Or maybe a nitwit? It came out on espn.com on the NFC East blog.

Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Scott Fujita wasn't shy about criticizing owner Jerry Jones on Tuesday. Fujita's a member of the NFLPA executive committee and wasn't pleased with some of Jones' comments during a recent "60 Minutes" in which he said a lockout would not be "devastating" to the league.

"The perfect example is Jerry Jones and he said a lockout would not be devastating for players, fans communities, our support staff [and] everyone involved," Fujita said. "For him to say something like that to me is one of the more irresponsible things I've heard through this whole process. Unfortunately that's just where it's at."

Wow. Imagine that. Jerry Jones saying something ridiculous.

From the Plain Dealer
We already told you about Tony's story setting up the frontrunners for the coaching job. Columnist Bill Livingston has a word or two to say about the whole playoff system in the NFL, a system that allowed a 7-9 team to HOST a game ... in one of the more home-field advantage stadiums in the league. Oh, and to institute new overtime rules ... just in time for the playoffs.



Receiver Michael Floyd opts to return to Notre Dame, won't turn pro yet

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Notre Dame's team-leading receiver, wideout Michael Floyd, won't turn pro; he'll return for his final season this fall.

michael-floyd-ap.JPGView full sizeWide receiver Michael Floyd has opted to return to Notre Dame for his final year of eligibility.

South Bend, Ind. — Michael Floyd, Notre Dame’s leading receiver this past season and one of the top pass catchers in school history, has decided to return to the Fighting Irish for his senior season instead of declaring for the NFL draft.
    
Floyd announced his decision Wednesday.
    
The 6-foot-3, 227-pound Floyd enters his final year at Notre Dame with the most touchdown receptions (28), second-most receptions (171) and third-most receiving yards (2,539) in school history.
    
Earlier, Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph announced he would skip his senior season and enter the draft. 



Cleveland Cavaliers A.M. Links: Cavaliers fall hard in LA; Game stories

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The Cleveland Cavaliers played the Los Angeles Lakers just in time as the Lakers employed a new defensive scheme. In other words, it wasn't a good for the Cavaliers in a 112-57 loss. The Cavaliers set a franchise record for lowest points. It was the largest margin of victory for the Lakers since 1972. It got so bad for the Cavaliers...

The Cleveland Cavaliers played the Los Angeles Lakers just in time as the Lakers employed a new defensive scheme.

In other words, it wasn't a good for the Cavaliers in a 112-57 loss. The Cavaliers set a franchise record for lowest points. It was the largest margin of victory for the Lakers since 1972.

It got so bad for the Cavaliers that LA Times reporter Mike Bresnahan writes how fans  began grabbing for their cellphones to snap pictures of the Staples Center scoreboard at the end of the third quarter, the Lakers ahead by a stunning 92-41.

The Cavaliers (8-30) simply haven't recovered since Miami forward LeBron James thumped his former team, 118-90, last month. It didn't help that Cleveland recently lost center Anderson Varejao for the season because of a torn tendon in his right foot.

That Lakers' lead of 92-41 after three quarters was the first time since March 2001 that an NBA game had a margin of at least 50 points before the fourth quarter (Minnesota vs. Chicago).

 

Game Stories

 

Cleveland.com: A broken record.

 

Ohio.com: Cavs hit rock bottom.

 

The News-Herald: Lakers defeat Cavaliers.

 

Indians closer Chris Perez answered your questions - Chat wrap

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Indians closer Chris Perez joined us for a live chat today. He talked about what it's like to be a closer in the big leagues, who his favorite players are of all-time, his contract status, the Indians' offseason so far and more.

Tribe sweeps Tigers with double wins WednesdayView full sizeChris Perez will start the season as the Indians' closer.

Indians closer Chris Perez joined us for a live chat today. He talked about what it's like to be a closer in the big leagues, who his favorite players are of all-time, his contract status, the Indians' offseason so far and more.

Use the player below to see what Chris Perez had to say earlier today.


LeBron should be careful when he talks about karma - Bill Livingston blog

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  John Kuntz | The Plain DealerLeBron James thinks karma is working against his former team. "Crazy. Karma is a b****. Gets you every time. It’s not good to wish bad on anybody. God sees everything!" — LeBron James, on Twitter, after the Cavaliers 112-57 loss to the Lakers Tuesday An expert now in Eastern religions, LeBron James, who...

 

lebron-rally-jk.jpgLeBron James thinks karma is working against his former team.

"Crazy. Karma is a b****. Gets you every time. It’s not good to wish bad on anybody. God sees everything!" — LeBron James, on Twitter, after the Cavaliers 112-57 loss to the Lakers Tuesday

An expert now in Eastern religions, LeBron James, who can do anything (just ask his entourage), chided Cleveland fans for being unkind to him Tuesday night. He said they had bad karma because of it.

It was a direct shot at Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert, who emotionally predicted bad karma for James in the wake of his desertion of the franchise on the nationally televised display of self-indulgence known as "The Decision."

In Buddhism and Hinduism, karma is the effect your actions in this life have in determining your destiny in your next incarnation.

James, also tight with the Almighty (just ask him), added, "God sees everything."

In that case, the Big Eye in the Sky might have seen James quit on the Cavaliers on the court in Game 5 against the Celtics last season, after which he quit on Ohio as a free agent and adjourned to the team he was stacking in Miami.

Actually, he didn’t even say Miami, he said he was "taking my talents to South Beach," which meant he was going to a party, not moving to a city.

Following their one-time leader and realizing their apparent karmic destiny, those Cavaliers who remain quit on the season once and for all Tuesday night, scoring 57 points against the Lakers and losing by another 55.

For his part, James has never faced the consequences of his actions, so he really has no idea what karma is.

In high school, high-priced lawyers fought his suspension by the OHSAA for taking free throwback jerseys and his eligibility was restored quickly.

Cavaliers owner Gilbert all but hired royal wipers for the self-styled "King."

Even when James returned amid a storm of boos from the stands on Dec. 2, his wimpy former teammates greeted him with hugs and small talk, in a servile display that clicked the "Off" switch on them and their season in many fans’ heads then and there.

As a Cavalier, James had the run of the franchise, he was the face of Cleveland sports for most of his seven years here, and he could leave even hardened NBA writers spell-bound by his gifts for the game.

I know, because I was one of them.

As we look back on his seven years, we can see that the Cavs reached one Finals with James, losing four straight games in it to San Antonio. The run was set up by an incredibly lucky draw when Chicago lost and injury-riddled Washington won, both on the final night of the season. To get to the East Finals against the Pistons, the Cavs had to beat only two .500 teams, the Wizards and Nets.

Cleveland lost the next year to the eventual champion Celtics despite a brilliant seventh game by James, who demanded roster changes in its wake. Too bad he did not demand better play from himself in the early games, for he was an abysmal 8-for-42 in the opening set in Boston. The first game, a 76-72 loss, was clearly there for the taking.

In 2009, the Cavs were beaten by a cheater, Orlando’s Rashard Lewis, who starred in the East Finals, then served a 10-game suspension before the next season for using performance enhancing drugs.

It was the last hurrah, really.

James spent the 2009-10 season by often repudiating what coach Mike Brown said in public and by lobbying in the media for more playing time for those whom coach James deemed worthy of it.

The playoffs devolved into his Bo Kimble left-handed free throw, due to the Elbow of Death, and the biggest abdication since Edward VIII fell for American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson.

When the going got tough in the most recent series with Boston, James got going toward the glitter and ease of South beach, leaving behind such insulting remarks as, "I feel bad for myself," and "I spoil people."

He certainly didn’t bother to spoil Boston’s victory party in the elimination game that arrived in the sixth contest, blowing off Brown with a sneer when the coach pleaded for his team to foul in a game that was still mathematically within reach.

Whether karma exists or not is a matter of philosophical debate. Art Modell won a Super Bowl after bolting the city and taking the Browns with him. Carlos Boozer profited handsomely from misleading the pre-Gilbert Cavs about his free agency intentions. Miami has the Eastern Conference’s best record.

Still, scandal-plagued Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who considers James his "mentor," trotted out for pre-game warmups at the Sugar Bowl in a Miami Heat ballcap. Pryor left the stadium with a torn tendon in his foot that required surgery.

The lesson might be to be careful what metaphysical force you call a "b****." Just sayin’.

Cleveland Indians close the doors on first ever Snow Days

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Snow Days are officially over for this winter. How did the Indians feel it went? WFNY has the answers.

Snow Days.jpgSnow Days at Progressive Field
It took a little over four weeks for Progressive Field to go from baseball park to winter playground. 

But once the transformation was complete, just over 50,000 Clevelanders took advantage of their new downtown attraction. As the scaffolding comes down this week, the park will once again start transforming back into a baseball field as the team prepares for Opening Day 2011.

Not to be confused with Snopening Day 2010, of course.

Robert Campbell was one of the chief members (no pun intended) of Indians front office personnel involved in the planning and execution of the Snow Days event. He tells WFNY that the Indians are very happy with how the event turned out. 

"The plan all along was for there to be a Year 2 of the event, and now we start the process of evaluating and determining what enhancements to make for next year," Campbell said.

The big draws were, of course, the Batterhorn - a large snow tube slide going from the outfield bleachers to the field below - and the Frozen Mile which was an ice rink and track running along the perimeter of the field.

Campbell says the Indians were somewhat surprised by the popularity of the Frozen Mile. 

wedding party.jpgA wedding party shows up to take pictures at Snow Days
"It was [actually] a more engaging group event than tubing," said Campbell. 

Not only was it a great group event, but it became a date night destination for twenty-somethings. But in the spirit of mid-summer baseball, were there any proposals at the Indians' Snow Days? 

"Not that we're aware of." laughs Campbell, "But we did have a wedding party show up for pictures pre-wedding. The groomsmen started throwing snowballs at each other, which was a sight to see."

One of the biggest nights during the Snow Days event was New Year's Eve, which featured fireworks plus dinner and dancing options in the Terrace Club.

"The Snow Year's Eve event had a very diverse attendance," said Campbell. "There were people dressed in suits and dresses, those dressed for the elements outside, and even a few families in pajamas."

The fireworks that shot off at midnight were a hit. People from all over downtown were able to see them and celebrate together, likely the goal of the Indians as they would double as venue advertisement. Given the turnout, the Indians hope that they have started a new tradition for celebrating the New Year in downtown Cleveland.

The Snow Days event drew interest from several other Major League cities as well. The Indians front office personnel gave tours to representatives from the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros as well as execs from the Philadelphia Eagles. All of these teams were investigating whether a Snow Days event would be feasible at their locations.

One of the lessons learned from year one of Snow Days was that fans really were excited just to have the opportunity to walk the field. 

"We take that experience for granted because it is something we do all the time, but walking the outfield and taking pictures in the dugout is something the participants were really excited about," Campbell said.

There is no question that Snow Days will be back next season, but for now, the Indians event staff can turn their attention back to the business of baseball, and getting the field ready for opening day.

Cleveland Cavaliers: John Lucas sees deja vu all over again

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Former coach talks about the Cavs before and after LeBron James.

john lucas.jpgJohn Lucas

An embarrassing 55-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers that extended the Cleveland Cavaliers' losing streak to 11 games put the franchise in familiar territory.

The Cavaliers fell to 8-30 overall, and that's the same record the Cavs had on this date eight years ago. Former Cavs coach John Lucas, who was fired during the 2002-03 season, sees the similarities in today's Cavaliers and the team he coached.

"Both seasons were about LeBron," Lucas said today in an interview with Starting Blocks. "We were trying to get LeBron, and this current team lost LeBron, and you have similar results."

The two teams had similarities but also some major differences.

Unlike now, Lucas said the Cavaliers team he coached was trying to get in position to draft James in the NBA Draft Lottery.

"We were on our West Coast trip, and we were getting better," Lucas said. "But we got three games ahead of Denver for the last spot, and I'll leave it at that."

Today, Lucas didn't want to readily admit the organization purposely tried to get into a position to draft James. But Lucas previously made comments about the Cavs tanking games.

The Cavaliers, with the likes of Smush Parker, Ricky Davis, Jumaine Jones, and Darius Miles, finished 17-65 and won the draft lottery and drafted James.

So in the first year after James, the Cavaliers are are right back where they started.

"The difference now is that coach Byron Scott has a bunch of young players and some injuries," Lucas said. "The only thing missing from this team is LeBron James. My team was going to need a whole lot more than LeBron."

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