Jay Cutler is one game away from the Super Bowl? That’s like Keanu Reeves being one block away from the Academy Awards, writes Norman Chad.

Associated PressPatriots coach Bill Belichick, left, congratulates Jets coach Rex Ryan following New York's 28-21 victory Sunday in the AFC divisional playoff game.
• Jets, Bears advance to conference championships | Box scores

Jay Cutler is one game away from the Super Bowl? That’s like Keanu Reeves being one block away from the Academy Awards. How does one make sense of such stupefying NFL success, plus Rex Ryan? Couch Slouch — despite a sore back and a slumping mind—manned the post over the weekend to file this playoff report:

Steelers 31, Ravens 24: So we go to a replay review on the opening kickoff. What’s next — throw the challenge flag on the coin flip? I was in such a blind rage over this, I literally missed the first quarter-and-a half.

When I resumed watching — as a Steelers fan — I was disgusted. Every time I looked up, Terrell Suggs was sacking Ben Roethlisberger. On several plays, it appeared Suggs was in the Steelers’ huddle, but the game was so poorly officiated, nobody noticed it.

By the way, if Ed Reed doesn’t want to get blocked by Hines Ward, I suggest he buy a dress and apply for work at the new Oprah Winfrey Network.

Magically, my prayers were answered — for the sake of argument, let’s pretend that I pray — in the waning minutes. Remember David Tyree’s ball-pressed-against-his-helmet- with-his-right-hand 32-yard catch in Super Bowl 42? The Steelers’ Antonio Brown executed his own ball-pressed-against-his-helmet- with-his-right-hand 58-yard catch, and as I popped open a PBR, I heard Ray Lewis’ distant wailing deep into the ain’t-the-beer-cold night.

Packers 48, Falcons 21: Let’s talk about the Falcons’ head coach first — OK, how many of you knew his name before the game? It’s Mike Smith. Mike Smith? Isn’t that how you sign the registry when you’re checking into a motel for an adulterous affair? Mike Smith? Isn’t that the guy who’s shift manager at EZ Lube? Mike Smith? Aren’t half the White Pages in Durham, N.C., filled with Mike Smiths?

Ah, but here’s the name to remember: Aaron Rodgers. In three career playoff games, Rodgers is now 77-of-105 for 969 yards, 10 touchdown passes and one interception. It looks like the Packers made the right decision in 2008 — Rodgers is younger, healthier and maybe as good as Brett Favre, and I don’t think he even has a text-messaging plan.

The Packers were so dominant, three of the 10 Punt, Pass & Kick winners on site were Wisconsin kids. Meanwhile, the Falcons were so bad, it was like watching a Seahawks game.

Bears 35, Seahawks 24: At the outset, Fox’s Daryl Johnston offered that it would be “a chess match at the line of scrimmage.” That ended the audio portion of the game for me.

On Cutler’s first postseason pass ever, he threw a 58-yard touchdown to Greg Olsen. That ended the video portion of the game for me. Johnston’s first year at Fox, somebody told him, “You sound great.

Give us more.” Then, his second year at Fox, somebody told him, “You still sound great. Give us more.” Then, his third year, somebody said, “You sound unbelievably great. Give us even more.” We’re now in Year 10 — Johnston starts talking Sunday at dawn and doesn’t stop until Sunday at dusk. If he says grace before Sunday dinner, nobody ever eats.

My anti-Cutlerism is well-documented. He remains the Gen Y Jeff George: gunslinger arm, water-pistol head. And now he’s 60 minutes from the Super Bowl — if he gets there, I’ll watch the game with a helmet on and try to sack him from my sofa.

Jets 28, Patriots 21: The last time I rooted for Bill Belichick might have been late 1991, when his Browns played Sam Wyche’s Bengals; well, it’s going to be another 19 years before I do it again.

Maybe Ryan outcoached Belichick, maybe Belichick outsmarted himself. He briefly benched Wes Welker for wagging his tongue. He had Tom Brady blocking on a reverse.

He called a disastrous fake punt. Plus his Patriots executed an excruciating 14-play drive to run out the clock in the fourth quarter — and they were trailing by 10 points. I would like to root for Ryan — he’s a barrel of fun: loud, profane and blustery, masking a million insecurities (suddenly, I’m Dr. Phil!)

— but I can’t. I’d rather root for jet lag than root for the Jets.

I can only pray — for real — that Mike Tomlin outcoaches Rex Ryan next Sunday.

Ask the Slouch!

Q: So Cam Newton declared he was going pro and would accept money to play football. Didn’t his father already make that declaration for him last year? — Steve Van Tassell, Alexandria, Va.

A: You know, my dad tried getting me work at T.G.I. Fridays. Big difference, though — it didn’t threaten my “amateur dishwasher” status.

Q: Football announcers talk about the clock in the heads of quarterbacks for knowing when to get rid of the ball. Did your ex-wives have clocks in their heads telling them when to get rid of you? — Dave Bartels, Franklin, Wis.

A: Actually, each of them wrote it down on a calendar.

Q: If Bill Belichick keeps the red challenge flag in his sock, what does he keep in his pockets? — Patrick Smullen, Mentor

A: Nineteen years’ worth of lint, and his Sam’s Club card.

Q: Prior to the Steelers boarding a flight, should TSA agents be warned that James Harrison might spear them?—John Swope, Irwin, Pa.

A: Pay the man, Shirley.

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

Norman Chad is a freelance writer in Los Angeles

Talk Cleveland and national sports all day on Digital Sports Network, cleveland.com's online sports station featuring live streaming video and audio.

The Browns go looking for coordinators. The Jets and Packers look to be on a collision course for the Super Bowl. The Cavaliers return home after a dismal 0-5 trip out west.

Talk about it all day on Digital Sports Network, cleveland.com's online sports station featuring live streaming video and audio.

It's Week 2 with DSN's new lineup - which now includes Joe Lull joining Harry Petsanis for In the Trenches from 2-5 p.m. as well as Mr. Moohead and Spinner Dave on Moohead Radio.

Today's lineup on Digital Sports Network:

Morning Sports Page: Daryl Ruiter, 7-9 a.m.

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

Have a Bud with Les: Les Levine and Bud Shaw, noon-2 p.m.

In the Trenches: Joe Lull, 2-5 p.m.

Back in the Saddle with Bob Karlovec and Ken Silverstein, 6-8 p.m.

News, Notes & Rumors: Will Smith, 8-10 p.m.

Outside the Box: Gary the Numbers Guy, 10-11 p.m.

Who will have to step up for a version of the West Coast offense to work for the Cleveland Browns?

View full sizeJoshua Gunter,
The Plain DealerBrian Robiskie could be a key player in any version of the West Coast offense that new head coach Pat Shurmur installs in Cleveland. But will he or someone else be the key to the success of that offense?

Cleveland, Ohio -- Pat Shurmur's hiring as head coach of the Cleveland Browns means the team will shift to a variation of the West Coast offense. It's a style of offense that requires a lot of "yards after catch" gains.

The Browns have an extremely accurate quarterback in  young Colt McCoy, although as everyone says, there are questions about his arm strength. Though it's unlikely, given the support McCoy has from team President (and quarterback guru) Mike Holmgren, it's possible that the Browns could do a little quarterback shopping. After all, Seattle (Holmgren's home before here) quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is a free agent once the season ends.


Whoever is under center -- and again, odds are that it will be McCoy -- will have the benefit of one of the more sure-handed receivers out of the backfield in Peyton Hillis (if only he could hold onto the ball as well as he can catch it!) and a decent if unspectacular possession receiver in Brian Robiskie.

But all the pieces are not in place to run the kind of offense that Shurmur likely envisions, one that could best be personified in Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Robiskie is still a work in progress, and neither he nor wideout Mohamed Massaquoi has shown an ability to get any separation. Therefore, it's reasonable to assume that Cleveland will try to bolster the receiving corps either through the draft (Julio Jones of Alabama and A.J. Green of Georgia are the names most bandied about) or through a trade or free agency.

Still, if this kind of offense is going to work, SOMEONE is going to emerge as the key player, the proverbial straw that stirs the drink. Who will it be?

With the offseason ball already rolling, WFNY takes a look at potentially locking up running back Peyton Hillis beyond 2011.

Matt Sullivan/Getty ImagesShould the Browns look to lock up Peyton Hillis beyond 2011? WFNY Thinks so.

PD reporter likes fact that Shurmur will call offensive plays - and take the credit or blame that goes with it. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's special edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web-based television show about what's happening in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Chuck Yarborough, who is flying solo as Branson Wright is off.

New Browns coach Pat Shurmur was introduced to the media Friday, and the team's movement toward a West Coast offense has begun. Which player most needs to emerge to make the West Coast work in Cleveland? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest, Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff, says that QB Colt McCoy is the key, but that this offense is one that can make stars, instead of needing stars to make the offense. Dman also talks about how Shurmur's version of the West Coast might be different from what other coaches have run; and he says that Shurmur's press conference provided fans with some reasons to think Shurmur and his staff will be able to turn the Browns' ship around.

SBTV will return Tuesday with Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston as the guest.

Since the 1964 title, Browns fans have been asking themselves: Could next year be NEXT year?

Richard J. Misch, The Plain DealerNearly five decades and hundreds of losses after the Browns' 27-0 win over the Colts to claim the 1964 NFL title, the team's fans remain steadfast and true, always believing in 'next year." But is next year really NEXT year this time?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- How'd you like those games this weekend?

We can acknowledge that Bill Belichick is a great coach; heck, we learned to read in pre-K, so all those stories about his playoff wins and Super Bowl trophies are as familiar to us as black ice on the Valley View bridge (and just about as welcome).

But boy, it's fun watching him lose, especially to a character like Rex Ryan ... even if Braylon Edwards DID have a touchdown catch.

And yeah, watching the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game is like scoping out an MMA fight between Freddy Krueger and Jason: in an ideal world, both of 'em lose. But the world isn't ideal, so one of 'em had to win.

Though it kills us to say it, we'd bet the ex's next alimony check on the Steelers to take it all.

Seattle was out of its league in Chicago; and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers was just out of this world. Having those two venerable teams battle for the NFC crown will be  something special. You almost expect to see George Halas on the Bears' sideline and Vince Lombardi on the Packers'.

It'll be Pittsburgh over Green Bay in the Super Bowl. That's what we're thinking. Or more accurately, that's what we're thinking when we're not thinking about next year and the Browns.

The hiring of Pat Shurmur, a West Coast offense proponent and the guy who turned Sam Bradford into a rookie of the year candidate with the Rams, gives Cleveland fans hope, as Dennis Manoloff points out on today's edition of Starting Blocks TV.

But you know, the beauty of being a Cleveland fan is that there's always hope. Chad Conant of the Marion Star caught it pretty well in a column today that captures why Browns backers follow the team with the same fervor they had back in that last championship, in 1964. It has a "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" feel to it, since it was prompted by a question from his 5-year-old son: "Daddy, if the Cleveland Browns make us sad so much, why do we cheer for them?" Conant - who correctly notes that "no one jumps on the Cleveland bandwagon; if you're on it, you've been there since birth" - explains it this way:

It's our way of life. For years now, we enter every game hoping for the best. Sometimes, youngsters like Colt McCoy give us a reason to be optimistic. But, there's always a tug at us. Nothing good can be genuine, can it?

That takes us back to that fateful day in 2002. The playoffs. The Browns led the Hated Steelers 24-7 in the third quarter and 33-21 in the fourth quarter. It was a rout. It was pure awesome.

In the blink of an eye, it was the ultimate heartbreak.

It was a chance to thumb our noses at the Hated Steelers. Then, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'Afala scored in the last minute. 38-33 Steelers. Despair in Cleveland.

It was euphoria followed quickly by a punch in the gut. It defined life as a Browns fan.

We stick around because we believe that one day, the happiness won't end. They will get that one defensive stop they have to have and win the whole miserable thing. We'll see the Browns reach heights unknown to Browns fans. If the Saints can do it, why not the Browns?

Believeland isn't just a play on the name of the city. It's who we are.

A little 46-year streak of agony won't change that.

Anybody got a tissue?

Fire photon torpedoes
Browns defensive coordinator -- oops, we mean FORMER Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan -- is all but signed, sealed and delivered to the Dallas Cowboys. And it doesn't hurt that his twin brother, Rex, just coached the Jets to a win over the seemingly unbeatable Patriots. So naturally the Dallas paper and online community are all abuzz about Rob. One guy, however, put it in the most unusual way.

Did you know Rob Ryan is a Klingon?

Yeah, neither did we. But it would explain the mane; he's covering up those forehead ridges. Riiiiiiight. Anyway, here's what John B. Hafford had to say on the Dallas version of bleacherreport.com:

For over 14 years, the Dallas Cowboys have been Boy George to most of the NFL's Ozzy Osbourn: dysfunctional, confused and weak of heart.

But, the closet Trekkie in me has been screaming for the Cowboys to do what the Federation does whenever it needs someone to pull its butt out of the fire: Call the Klingons for help.

Rob Ryan is that Klingon.

Over the past few days, I have read the stories and comments from Peyton Manning-esque praise to derision because of the no-talent squad Ryan had to work with in Cleveland.

As one who was born and raised in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas, I can tell you that there is nothing fickle—as Cowboys fans are often thought of—about bringing a tough-minded DC to Dallas who is so far removed from Wade Phillips in his command style and warrior spirit, that one cannot but froth at the mouth at the promise of the true talents of our defense finally being utilized.

Yeah, that's all well and good, but the best part is that owner Jerry Jones is adding a new item to the concession menu, just for Rob and his fans: Klingon Gagh Nachos.

Bills due?
Did you get a chance to see former Browns coach Eric Mangini on the tube this weekend? He was smart, articulate and most of, RIGHT, especially when it came down to setting up just how Bill Belichick's Patriots could be beaten.

His sagacity did not go unnoticed by Mike Catalana, a sportscaster for Rochester, N.Y. television station WHAM (insert your own George Michael joke here). Catalana sees a future for Mangini in upstate New York.

I usually don’t pay a lot of attention to the ESPN parade of experts before a game. I mean how many times can you hear Mike Ditka talk about the good old days or hear Cris Carter explain that it all comes down to the wide receivers to make you want to go read a book. But there is one guy that did a lot of talking this week that the Bills should be talking to right now. Eric Mangini laid out the game plan to beat the New England Patriots and then we all go a chance to watch New York do a lot of the things he suggested in the stunning upset. If I was Chan Gailey I would be on the phone with Mangini today and talk to him about coming to Buffalo. I would offer the 2 time NFL head coach the job of Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator and I would let him go to work in setting a game plan to get after the Patriots and Jets.

We don't think Mangini would be interested in being someone else's assistant, not after two stints as the head honcho. But stranger things have happened. Besides, it would be kinda fun to be able to say, "Eric, take the job. How often do you get a chance to have the Bills pay you rather than you pay the bills?"

My sense after the hiring of rookie head coach Pat Shurmur, though, is people are wondering where the "school zone" ends on this long, winding road to becoming playoff-relevant. When do the Browns stop creeping along? When do they stand on the accelerator and make up for all the lost time?

QB calls Michigan 'my family': says he's excited to play for new coach Brady Hoke.

Tony Ding, Associated PressDenard Robinson, the first quarterback in BCS history to throw for 2,000 yards and run for 1,500 yards in the same season, says he's excited to play for new Michigan coach Brady Hoke.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Record-setting quarterback Denard Robinson acknowledged he thought about transferring when Michigan fired Rich Rodriguez.

"Rich Rod was one of the few coaches that gave me a chance to play as a quarterback on the next level," Robinson said in an interview posted on mgoblue.com, the school's website, on Monday.

Robinson decided to stay after talking to his parents, brother and high school coach.

"This is my family -- my home now," he said.

Rodriguez was fired Jan. 5 and Brady Hoke was hired a week later. Robinson told Hoke a day after he was hired that he was committing to staying to play for him next season.

Robinson's high school coach said "every school" wanted Robinson to leave and he had heard from 10 to 15 coaches within a day of Hoke's hiring.

The first player in NCAA history to throw and run for 1,500 yards said new coach Brady Hoke was "terrific" and added that he was eager to learn his offense.

"It's going to be something to learn," Robinson said. "It's going to be fine."

Art Taylor, who coached Robinson at Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High School, backs Robinson's decision.

"I'm supportive of Denard and happy for him," Taylor wrote in a text message. "As long as he is happy, that is the most important thing."

Robinson finished sixth in voting for the Heisman Trophy and won awards as the Big Ten's offensive player of the year and MVP.

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon has said QB Tate Forcier, who backed up Robinson after starting ahead of him when they were both freshmen in 2009, is no longer with the program.

Former Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will be named the Dolphins new offensive coordinator, a league source said.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerBrian Daboll will be offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins.

CLEVELAND -- Former Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will take the coordinator job in Miami, a league source said.

Daboll was Browns offensive coordinator under Eric Mangini in 2009-2010. Daboll's offense finished 29th overall in 2010 and 31st in points scored, but all three of his quarterbacks went down with high ankle sprains this season.

Daboll was forced to get rookie quarterback Colt McCoy ready to play his first four games at Pittsburgh, at New Orleans, and at home against the Patriots and Jets. He beat the Saints and Patriots and almost defeated the Jets, losing in overtime.

Daboll will work under Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, who was almost replaced after the season. Both of the Browns coordinators have landed new coordinator jobs, with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan taking over in Dallas.

The Browns are in the process of interviewing coordinators, with Eagles secondary coach Dick Jauron and former Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt coming to town this week to discuss the defensive post.

Brett Favre files retirement paperwork ... and may mean it this time.

View full sizeAP FileBrett Favre has filed the paperwork stating he is retiring from the NFL. Again.

Wanna hear an old joke? OK, two guys walk into a bar ...

No, the OTHER old joke: Brett Favre has filed the paperwork to retire from the NFL..

Foxsports.com had the initial report, later confirmed by league spokesman Greg Aiello. And this time, according to the website, the 41-year-old quarterback may mean it:

Favre's NFL-record string of 297 consecutive regular-season starts ended last month when he was forced to miss a mid-December game against the New York Giants because of a shoulder injury. Favre returned the following week against Chicago but suffered a concussion that sidelined him for Minnesota's final two contests.
Favre had one of his most disappointing seasons in 2010. He threw 19 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions and finished with his lowest completion percentage (60.6) since 2006. Favre also was fined $50,000 for not being forthright with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in an investigation involving alleged sexual harassment against a fellow former New York Jets employee (media personality Jenn Sterger) in 2008.

Favre, though, is still considered a future first-ballot Hall of Fame selection with one Super Bowl title and most NFL career passing records in his name.

In a just world, he'd be invited to the induction ceremonies three times ... and sent home during the first two before it really sticks.

Vote in this week's You Pick the Game contest to decide where we send one of our reporters. Voting is open until noon Thursday. The winner is announced in Friday's Sports section.

Vote in this week's You Pick the Game contest to decide where we send one of our reporters. Voting is open until noon Thursday. The winner is announced in Friday's Sports section.

Two have ankle problems, another a sore knee. James tweeted his dis-respect for the Cavs after their 55-point loss to the Lakers last Tuesday.

Associated PressLeBron James during Miami's loss at Chicago on Saturday night.

MIAMI, Florida – Back in their building for the first time in nearly two weeks, the Miami Heat took final inventory Monday of all that they lost during their marathon road trip.

Two stars to ankle injuries. A 13-game road winning streak. The lead in the Eastern Conference. And for good measure, a balky left knee for Dwyane Wade.

Suddenly saddled with a three-game slide, the Heat play host to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. LeBron James and Chris Bosh didn't practice on Monday because of ankle woes, and Bosh is doubtful for Tuesday. Wade also didn't practice because of some knee soreness, but he says he'll go against the Hawks.

James left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Heat as a free agent last July. Via his twitter account, he mocked the talent-short, injury-riddled Cavaliers -- presumably intended for owner Dan Gilbert's attention -- after their 112-57 loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles on Jan. 11.  

CHARDON, Ohio - Chardon is changing football coaches, but not its wing-T identity. "We will go back to the roots of what Hilltopper football is known for," said Mitch Hewitt, who has been tabbed as the school's next coach.

Hewitt, 30, was the defensive coordinator at West Geauga, then Riverside the past four years. - (Courtesy of Bowling Green State University)

CHARDON, Ohio - Chardon is changing football coaches, but not its wing-T identity.

"We will go back to the roots of what Hilltopper football is known for," said Mitch Hewitt, who has been tabbed as the school's next coach.

Hewitt will be recommended to the Chardon school board to replace fired coach Jim DiPofi, Athletic Director Doug Snyder said in a statement. The board's next meeting is Jan. 26.

Hewitt, 30, is a Chardon social studies teacher and city councilman. A former star player and assistant coach at Chardon, he has been the defensive coordinator at West Geauga and Riverside the past four years on the staff of Dave Bors, also a former Chardon assistant.

"We will be wing-T based," Hewitt said. "We have to hide the ball and limit possessions and no doubt will be using wing-T, option, misdirection and angle blocking."

Chardon has had three straight losing seasons.

"Chardon has been able to score," Hewitt said. "It's been the defensive side they have struggled. The focus will get back to winning football ugly. We can't get in shootouts and do what [Willoughby] South does because we don't have the athletes. We have to get back to playing championship caliber defense."

Hewitt was the Division II Ohio Defensive Player of the Year and finished second in Mr. Football voting in 1998, the year he led Chardon to a state runner-up finish as a linebacker and fullback. He was a four-year starting linebacker at Bowling Green and a captain his senior year.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-6177

Teams can recover from the loss of a superstar like LeBron James, but it usually takes years, even a decade.

View full sizeThe Plain DealerRecovering from the loss of a superstar -- either through free agency or retirement -- can be a long process. The Bulls have won only one playoff series since Michael Jordan (guarding Cleveland's Craig Ehlo) retired in1998.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Let's see, do you learn history; or do you learn FROM history?

Cavs fans are going to get a chance to find out, if a piece in today's Akron Beacon Journal is correct. And they're not really going to like the lesson.

Jason Lloyd of the Beacon-Journal seeded the storm clouds with the piece from which this excerpt was taken:

As the Cavaliers' front office unpacks the tool box in an effort to rebuild the franchise, the task ahead remains daunting. Rarely has an NBA team in recent history lost a superstar and returned to relevance within a decade.

A decade.

Hope the Cavs brought big shovels.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen left the Bulls after their sixth championship in 1998, officially beginning the Bulls' rebuilding efforts. It took them seven years just to reach the playoffs again and they've still won only one playoff series since Jordan retired.

Shaquille O'Neal took the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995. He left after the next season — which ended in the conference finals — and it took the Magic 13 years following his departure to return to the Finals. The Magic didn't win a single postseason series for 12 years after he left.

"I feel bad for some of the guys who are still there," Ilgauskas told HOOPSWORLD. "It's got to be very hard mentally to go from top to bottom so fast, but they have great fans, passionate fans. They've got good people in that organization, so hopefully they'll be able to turn it around."
 
As for why he'd leave the only team he ever played for despite the allegiance he feels, the answer isn't a particularly mysterious one.
 
"I've been through a lot of losing seasons in Cleveland, and while I didn't think they'd have the record that they did now, I didn't want to go back there. I wanted to go somewhere that I'd have a chance," Ilgauskas explained.
 
"It was a basketball decision," he said. "I felt like this would give me the best chance to compete and win a championship. It was tough to leave Cleveland after so many years, but I felt that it was time."
 
Now, of course, he's the starting center for the second-best team in the Eastern Conference, and while his scoring and rebounding numbers are the lowest they've ever been, Ilgauskas feels as though his career has been rejuvenated.
 
"It's great. We don't have one bad seed on this team, and we police ourselves. We've got a bunch of good veteran guys that know how to play the game, know exactly what they're here for, and do their job. I think all the hatred outside for us helped to mold us into the cohesive unit that we've become because we don't have anybody to turn to but ourselves."

You know, that may be the best argument for getting over LeBron James' ignominious departure: Less vitriol from hurt Cavs fans means less motivation for the Heat.

Feeding frenzy
Scuba divers have a saying when it comes to diving with sharks: "I've only gotta be faster than one other diver."

In the NBA, that diver is the Cavs. Andy Roth of The Sports Network writes a "Pulse of the NBA" column that appears in several locations, including macon.com. In his latest blog, he talks about the woeful Washington Wizards, who are the only team without a road win this season. And then, he pours blood in the water to get Jaws all higgledy-piggledy.

As bad as things are in Washington, they're a lot worse in Cleveland with the Cavaliers having lost 13 in a row, 23 of their last 24, and owners of the league's worst record at 8-32. Last week had to be one of the worst a team has had to suffer through, as the Cavs lost by a mind-boggling 55 points to the Lakers, then lost to the Jazz by 22 and the Nuggets by 28.

Adding injury to insult so to speak, Cleveland has been hit with a ton of injuries, the worst being the loss of Anderson Varejao for the season with a torn tendon in his right ankle. The Cavs have had the likes of Alonzo Gee, Manny Harris, and Christian Eyenga in their starting lineup recently due to all the banged-up bodies, so it's no surprise their play has looked more like a D-League team.

Tribe centerfielder Grady Sizemore hopes his rehab regimen will allow him to be on the field for Opening Day.

View full sizeChuck Crow,
The Plain DealerGrady Sizemore is rehabbing from microfracture surgery on his knee and hopes to be back on the field when Opening Day rolls around on April 1.

You can hear in his voice that he desperately misses baseball. Maybe the way you miss family after months away. "Having to watch the team play for so long ... it's just brutal," he said. "You're so used to playing every day. Having to watch the guys play, it's just miserable."

... If Sizemore comes back and is a star again, a whole lot of logical questions will follow: Because Sizemore's current contract has a 2012 option for $8.5 million, would it make sense for the Indians to pick up the option? Would it make sense for them to trade him, in their effort to rebuild their pitching?

But none of that matters until he gets back on the field and plays, and plays well. And he can't wait to try. "I just want to come out and get healthy and get back to playing and having fun," he said.

After more evaluations the Indians found that Morris had really limited range of motion in his left arm – only about 45 degrees – which was not allowing him to be free and easy with his delivery like he was before. He underwent a minor arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder in September to release the joint capsule in his left shoulder in order to give him more range of motion.

...“The surgery was a great success and so far seems to be just what I needed,” Morris said. “My range of motion is far greater than expected and my shoulder is stronger than it has ever been. I've been doing my rehab here at home in Charlotte at Architech Sports and Physical Therapy and the Indians have been very happy with the success we have had. After my honeymoon my wife and I will be heading out to Arizona so I can continue my rehab with the Indians’ trainers and staff.”

Teams often bring their most recent No. 1 Draft pick into big league camp as a way for them to gain experience. This seems to be the case with Pomeranz this spring. Pomeranz (fifth overall in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft) has no minor league experience and it will likely be at least a few years before you see him in an Indians uniform. also be in camp.

No. 1 Buckeyes have had Big Ten's Freshman of the Week all 10 weeks. All area teams continue to win more - some much more - than they lose.

Associated PressOhio State freshman point guard Aaron Craft (4) showed off his all-around game against Penn State on Saturday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio State's men's basketball team is ranked first in the country for the first time since the final poll of the 2006-07 season, which was conducted prior to the NCAA tournament and the Buckeyes' loss to Florida in the national championship game.

Ohio State (18-0) squeaked past Penn State, 69-66, on Saturday at OSU's Value City Arena. Bob Baptist of the Columbus Dispatch writes about the Buckeyes' No. 1 status, and about freshman point guard Aaron Craft, who was named the Big Ten's Freshman of the Week:

Coach Thad Matta said this morning, before the ranking became official, that he does not expect it to be a distraction for his players.

"With this team, we don’t have to talk about it because I think they’re all pretty aware we didn’t play as well as we needed to play (last) week," he said. "That’s something we’re more focused on, how we can play better basketball."

Ohio State plays host to Iowa on Wednesday and is at Illinois on Saturday.

Craft, who had 19 points and seven assists and played superb defense on Talor Battle in the Buckeyes' win over Penn State on Saturday, is the third Ohio State freshman to win the conference award this season. Buckeyes have earned the honor all 10 weeks: Jared Sullinger eight times and Craft and Deshaun Thomas once apiece.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com coverage of Ohio State, Cleveland State, Akron and Kent State, and college basketball around the country, includes Doug Lesmerises' Big Ten Insider and Elton Alexander's National College Basketball Insider.

To the hoop

Despite three recent losses, Cleveland State's men still hold a lofty ranking in the Mid-Major Top 25, on CollegeInsider.com.

Ohio State was ranked No. 1 by Luke Winn for Sports Illustrated's SI.com before many pundits had the Buckeyes there. He was impressed, too, by OSU guard David Lighty.

Akron's men lost at Buffalo, 73-70, on Sunday, as the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Kent State's men got a key weekend win, by David Carducci for the Record Courier.

Coach Thad Matta gets some credit for Ohio State's No. 1 ranking, by Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch.

Some recent disappointments were somewhat offset by a major win for Ohio State's women, by Rob Oller for the Columbus Dispatch.

Kent State's women's team is having yet another banner campaign, highlighted by Saturday's win over powerful Bowling Green.

The women's team at Cleveland State is enjoying a winning season, while Akron's women's team has a solid chance for a winning campaign.

The AP, USA Today/coaches and RPI rankings.

More on the men's college basketball RPI rankings, on Rivals.com.

Overhaul is among a few changes being considered before season begins next month, source tells AP. NASCAR shying away from big changes to Chase for the Sprint Cup title format.

Associated PressJImmie Johnson, champion of the Chase for the Sprint Cup, which likely will not be subject to wholesale format changes.

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – NASCAR is considering scrapping the points system it has used since 1975 in favor of a simpler method that awards points per finishing position, The Associated Press has learned.

The overhauling of the system is one of a handful of changes NASCAR is considering implementing before the season begins next month. Series officials have been detailing their ideas in individual meetings with teams, a person who attended one of the briefings told The AP on Monday.

The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because NASCAR has not finalized its upcoming changes.

The sanctioning body wants to go to a scoring system that would award 43 points to the race winner, and one point less for each ensuing position down to one point for the 43rd-place finisher.

NASCAR is also shying away from wholesale changes to its Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format.

NASCAR chairman Brian France floated the idea last July of shaking up the Chase to create more drama to the 10-week series that determines the Cup champion. Among France's suggestions were widening the 12-driver field, instituting elimination rounds, and adding any other drama that could create "Game 7" type moments rivaling those from other professional sports leagues.

But teams have been told NASCAR is leaning toward keeping it a 12-driver field, with one caveat: The top 10 drivers following the 26th race of the season would qualify for the Chase, while the remaining two spots would go to the drivers with the most wins who are not already eligible for the Chase.

NASCAR officials have also told teams they aren't leaning toward adding eliminations.

Preseason testing begins Thursday at Daytona International Speedway, and NASCAR president Mike Helton and vice president of competition Robin Pemberton are scheduled to discuss some of the changes planned for 2011.

But the major announcements aren't scheduled until next week when France makes a presentation during Charlotte Motor Speedway's annual media tour.

France and his top officials found themselves in a precarious position at the end of last season, which was marked by the closest championship race in seven years. France had already publicly toyed with the idea of changing the Chase, which was implemented in 2004 to spice up NASCAR's championship system.

"Right now every sports league, or almost every one, is looking at what they need to do to change their formats a little or a lot, depending on who they are, to make sure their playoffs or their championship runs are what they want them to be," France said two days before the November season finale.

Three drivers went into the season finale eligible to win the championship. It went to Jimmie Johnson, who overcame a 15-point deficit to Denny Hamlin in the final race to win his record fifth consecutive title.

Because the system seemingly worked as the Chase played out last season, sweeping changes did not seem necessary.

The points system, though, apparently is a different matter.

NASCAR legend claims the current system was devised on a napkin over drinks at a Daytona bar in 1974 and implemented the next season. The complicated scoring method gives 175 points to the winner, and decreases in increments of five points and then three points down to 34 points for the last-place finisher.

Five-point bonuses are awarded for leading a lap, and to the driver who leads the most laps.

NASCAR is still debating how to award bonuses under a straight points system, and ideas being considered are for anywhere from one to three points being given to lap leaders and race winners.

On Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, perhaps the best college basketball player in the country this season, and why that should be enough.

View full sizeJulian H. Gonzalez / Detroit Free PressIn just his freshman season, Ohio State's Jared Sullinger has been a man among boys (or Wolverines) in pushing the Buckeyes to the No. 1 national ranking and an undefeated start to the season. In a sport which often is measured by NBA draft appeal, Sullinger should be appreciated for what he is, and not what he may or may not be a year or two from now, says Bill Livingston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The "paint," the shaded area in the free-throw lane on a basketball court, can be any color. At Ohio State, it is as scarlet as a blush of anger. The game played in it is not for the soft of sinew or weak of purpose.

The lane is OSU freshman Jared Sullinger's sweet spot.

Big men in basketball are often uneasy with their size, eager to prove they can do more than bang or turn and shoot over smaller defenders. Sullinger, 6-8, 280, shines in the lane.

His ability to score around the rim in preseason practices led Ohio State coach Thad Matta to reconfigure his offense. At midseason, the freshman has given the unbeaten, No. 1-ranked Buckeyes consistent inside offense.

Center Greg Oden, who took the Buckeyes to an NCAA championship game appearance, was a defensive force. He was also fragile, foreshadowing his star-crossed NBA career. The next in line at OSU, Kosta Koufos, was a tall, skinny three-point shooting finesse player. The one after that, B.J. Mullens, was raw and tall. All left school for the NBA after one season.

The problem is that Sullinger might not be big enough to play the same game in the NBA. He has a center's skills in a power forward's body. In basketball language, he is a "tweener." The term is a stigma.

Sullinger's game is for the purist. It is about "sealing" defenders off with a "wide base" (scout talk for a big butt), body angles, drop steps and controlled mayhem. He is smart, knows how to create space and has good body control.

He made two old-fashioned three-point plays at the end of the game to turn back red-hot Penn State Saturday, backing down Nittany Lion defenders Drew Jones, who is 6-10, and Billy Oliver, who is 6-8, and out-muscling them because of his weight advantage.

Matta usually substitutes freshman point guard Aaron Craft for senior center Dallas Lauderdale of Solon at the first time out. Lauderdale is a shot-blocker and defender, whose presence on the floor can clutter up Sullinger's work space. With outside shooters Jon Diebler and William Buford, paired with Craft and versatile David Lighty of Villa Angela St. Joseph, Matta's team has great spacing.

Opponents have to choose their poison, defending either the perimeter or the interior. Sullinger passes so well out of double-teams that his work with Craft against Penn State led Matta to compare the two to John Stockton and Karl Malone.

But at the NBA level, coaches will want to see more of an outside game from the big kid in the paint. Sullinger has the ability to make longer shots, witness a twisting baseline jumper against the shot clock in the Penn State game, but he prefers it when his game is more compact.

This flies in the face of a generational trend. The 3-point line has made basketball more a game that is played in open, not constricted, space.

View full sizeTerry Gilliam / Associated PressWith a willingness to absorb the physical punishment that comes from playing in the paint, Sullinger displays some old-school talents that have benefited the Buckeyes, averaging 17.6 points and 9.9 rebounds in his first 18 collegiate games.

But just as the spread offense did not remove the need for power in football, the long-range bombing has not eliminated the need for players who can post up in basketball. Sullinger can score on easier, shorter shots and get defenders in foul trouble. He serves as the focal point of an inside-out offense that creates open looks for shooters like Diebler and Buford.

There is a serious question, however, about how effective he would be with Dwight Howard or Kevin Garnett guarding him.

One of the NBA season's sensations this season has been Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who is a bit of a Sullinger play-alike. Love, 6-10 and 260, came into the NBA as a walking double-double threat in points and rebounds, but he has gone to a rarefied level this year, averaging over 21 points and almost 16 rebounds per game. He had 31 points and 31 rebounds against the Knicks. Love has also, in his third season, become a bona fide 3-point threat, making 44.4 percent of his tries.

It is easy to project professional stardom for players with a single, startling physical skill-- John Wall's quickness, Derrick Rose's explosiveness. It is more difficult when it depends on an appetite for work and contact. Sullinger would probably not be the instant savior for which Cavaliers fans yearn after this awful season. It might take a year or two for his gears to mesh.

But it should be enough to watch a player who is at peace with himself, who is attuned to the realization of collective goals, not individual ones, on a team whose top six players are all from Ohio.

Sports Illustrated called Sullinger the national College Player of the Year at midseason. The emphasis is on college. The idea that the sport is a glorified NBA tryout camp can go hang.

Buckeyes are 18-0 with 13 regular season games, the Big Ten tournament and, presumably, the NCAA tournament ahead.

Associated PressDavid Lighty (23), Dallas Lauderdale (52), Aaron Craft (4) and the rest of the Buckeyes are ranked first in the country.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio State's Buckeyes are the nation's new No. 1-ranked men's basketball team.

The Buckeyes are 18-0 as they prepare for Wednesday night's home game against Iowa (7-10). At this point, though, the only certainty is that OSU will be among the 68 teams that qualify for, or get an invitation to, the NCAA tournament. Well, unless the Buckeyes lose all but a game or two the rest of the way in the regular season and then in the Big Ten tournament. That's not going to happen.

Injuries are among the numerous, unforeseen factors that can alter the course of a season.

Or, youth -- a trait of the Buckeyes with key freshmen Jared Sullinger, Deshaun Thomas and Aaron Craft -- can bite a team, especially when the magnitude of games multiplies with each succeeding contest.

David Lighty, Jon Diebler, William Buford and Dallas Lauderdale -- with coach Thad Matta -- give the Buckeyes an accomplished veteran core, though, to calm the first-year guys when the pressure amps up.

There's a long way to go, but moving to No. 1 begs the question? How far can the Buckeyes go this season?

Losing takes its toll, but the Cavaliers are following the advice of someone connected to the losingest team ever by trying to think positively.

View full sizeChris Polk / Associated Press"Right now you're trying to recover from a big loss of a huge star," Washington Generals owner Red Klotz said of the struggling Cavaliers. "You need time to recover. You have a fine coach, you have fine players. But the NBA is the toughest league in the world."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- At this point, after losing 13 straight and 23 of their last 24 games, the Cavaliers are approaching the future with the best possible outlook.

They are thinking positively.

That's the only way to handle the losing, and the only way to break free from the curse of pessimism that has plagued them in this season of rebuilding. Take it from someone who knows.

Red Klotz is the founder, owner, and longtime player and coach of the losingest basketball team ever -- the Washington Generals.

You think 13 in a row is tough? The Generals, the team that always faces the Harlem Globetrotters, lost somewhere around 10,000 games in a row before topping that squad of entertainers in red, white and blue.

Globetrotters' owner Abe Saperstein chose Klotz to run the Generals about 60 years ago because Saperstein knew Klotz would push his club to play its best without upstaging the stars of the show, the Globetrotters.

Klotz has spent a lifetime losing. He's now 90 years old, still playing half-court hoops, and, because he identifies with them, rooting for the Cavaliers.

"It's not easy to replace a big star," Klotz said recently from his New Jersey home. "Right now you're trying to recover from a big loss of a huge star. You need time to recover. You have a fine coach, you have fine players. But the NBA is the toughest league in the world."

Don't tell the Cavaliers something they already know. They lost by 55 points to the L.A. Lakers on their recent road trip. They were outscored by an average of 26 points in five road losses. They have won only once since Nov. 27.

But Byron Scott has experienced worse in his career. When he played with the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995, he endured losing streaks of 19 and 23 games. That was when the one-time member of the Lakers' Showtime era turned to Coors Light to soothe his woes, though he did not drink alcohol before that.

He hasn't become that distraught this season. Yet.

"I don't like losing," Scott said. "I've been in a position on a number of occasions when I've had to deal with losing. But I'm a winner. Period. That's what I'm used to. I'm used to winning. To keep your spirits up, it's tough after some of the losses we've had. But the next day, when I wake up, I always look at it as another opportunity to get better. That's what keeps me going."

That's the only way to approach it, Klotz agrees. Well, aside from scouring Europe for some big-man and point guard help, which he also suggests the Cavaliers try. But more than anything else, enduring the losing is a matter of believing the future will be better.

"Positive thinking," Klotz said. "When you go out there, you go out there to show them how good you are and how good the team will be. When you walk off that court, you have nothing to be ashamed of."

View full sizeGeorge Frey / Associated Press"Even though it's tough right now, I still enjoy being sore, I still enjoy competing," says Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison. "I don't enjoy the losses. But you know what? I don't have any regrets."

A positive attitude mixed with the knowledge that there is a bigger picture is what's helping the Cavaliers through this time. Antawn Jamison doesn't remember the longest losing streak of his career -- "I tend to forget those moments," he says -- but he knows he has been through worse. He's using that experience and his role as team veteran to help him now.

"I had a responsibility of these young guys looking at me; I can't fold right now," Jamison said. "I have to stay positive and lead by example, and that's what I'm going to continue to do. To say that it's not tough mentally is an understatement. But you have to keep plugging away. Nobody's going to feel sorry for us."

Plus, Jamison has perspective. The Cavaliers might have lost to Denver on Saturday with only seven healthy players, and they might have the worst record in the NBA. But it's still all just a game.

"If these are the only problems I have to deal with in life, I'll take it," Jamison said. "There's a lot of people less fortunate than I am. This is my job, my passion, my love. I enjoy what I do. Even though it's tough right now, I still enjoy being sore, I still enjoy competing. I don't enjoy the losses. But you know what? I don't have any regrets. I don't sit there and think, 'What else can go wrong today?' I try to be positive."

"[There are] only two ways you can take it -- it's either going to kill you or going to make you stronger," Scott said. "I think for our guys, it's going to make us stronger. I think it's going to be that much more gratifying when we do turn this thing around."

M*A*S*H unit: The number of healthy Cavaliers was so depleted Monday that coaches participated in 5-on-5 drills that even included Scott.

Guard Daniel Gibson (sprained left ankle) participated in practice and is likely to play Wednesday after missing the road trip. Mo Williams (left hip flexor strain) is questionable, and Christian Eyenga (sprained right ankle) likely needs several more days rest, Scott said.

Anthony Parker (back) remains out, and is not expected to return until next week, Scott said. Additionally, Anderson Varejao is expected to have surgery on the torn tendon in his right ankle this week. That injury should sideline Varejao for the remainder of the season.

Scott might be 49 years old, but he still found a way Monday to compete during Monday's practice. And he let them know whenever he made a good play.

"I talk a lot when I'm on the basketball court, so they heard me a lot when I made shots," Scott said. "It was fun, but I'll probably be sore tomorrow."

Asdrubal Cabrera played only 97 games last year because of a broken left forearm, but he received a healthy raise.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerAsdrubal Cabrera had his salary more than quadrupled by the Indians, agreeing to a $2.02 million deal as the two sides avoided arbitration.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Asdrubal Cabrera became the fourth-highest paid player on the Indians payroll Monday night when he signed a one-year deal worth $2.025 million to avoid arbitration.

The Indians' shortstop is not expected to stay in such a lofty position long -- Shin-Soo Choo is still unsigned and eligible for arbitration -- but he certainly won't drop out of the top 10 for the cost-cutting Tribe.

The Indians have three unsigned players still eligible for arbitration in Choo, Rafael Perez and Chris Perez. Only Choo has received consideration for a multiyear deal.

Cabrera's contract represents a $1.58 million raise from his 2010 contract of $444,600. The 24-year-old switch-hitter batted .276 (105-for-381) last year with 39 runs, 16 doubles, three homers and 29 RBI. He played only 97 games because of a fractured left forearm suffered with he collided with Jhonny Peralta on May 17. Cabrera did not return to the lineup until July 19.

He was hitting .287 (39-for-136) at the time of his injury. He hit .269 (66-for-254) after his return.

Cabrera played 27 games for Caracas this winter in Venezuela. He hit .252 (26-for-103) with four doubles, one homer and 16 RBI. Caracas lost to the Dominican Republic for the title in the Caribbean World Series.

Arbitration-eligible players and teams exchange salary figures Tuesday. If a settlement cannot be reached, a player's salary will be determined by arbitration. The Indians and Cabrera did not exchange salary proposals.