Once again, Kent State has found a way to push itself back among the elite in the MAC's women's basketball race.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / The Plain DealerJamilah Humes leads Kent State's women's basketball team in scoring with 14.4 points per game, but it is the Golden Flashes' commitment to defense that has made them again a power in the Mid-American Conference.

• Wednesday: Kent State vs. Akron, 7 p.m., MAC Center.

KENT, Ohio -- Over the years, Kent State women's basketball coach Bob Lindsay has had all kinds of teams.

Some years, his players could light up the scoreboard with 3-pointers; other years, they would pound the ball inside. He has won with some of the best guards ever to play in the Mid-American Conference; and won with some of the best post players, as well.

Yet in recent years, even as the Golden Flashes have remained consistent winners, the crown belonging to the MAC's best program has shifted across the state to Bowling Green. The Falcons have won the last six MAC regular-season and four of the last six tournament championships.

But Saturday, Lindsay showed that his team has evolved once again. KSU snapped a 13-game losing skid to BG with 44-43 win that was beautiful for its defensive ferocity and tenacity. It wasn't the points scored by KSU seniors Jamilah Humes, Taisja Jones, Ellie Shields and Chenel Harris that made the difference as much as the floor burns earned.

BG, 15-2 and 3-1 in the MAC, hadn't been held to fewer than 56 points all season.

"It is fun to see the seniors having some success," Lindsay said. "That's the best part of it to me, but it's still only half over. What that Bowling Green game means in the overall spectrum of things, I'm not sure. But it was fun, it vindicated us a little bit, and gave us a shot in the arm I hope for the rest of the season."

Lindsay's 19th KSU team is 13-3, 4-0 in the MAC heading into Wednesday's home game against Akron (8-8, 1-3).

In 21 seasons, his teams are 405-228. This year's squad is on target to give him a 13th season of 20 or more wins. His KSU teams have won four MAC regular-season titles. Through the years, Lindsay himself has changed, more than once, to coach the game the way it is needed to be played.

"The game has changed in the last 10 to 15 years to more dribbling," Lindsay said. "At one time it was more passing and cutting. The biggest challenge is to teach the game the way it is being played now and how to recognize things, both offensively and defensively."

This year, Humes, Jones, Shields and Harris anchor a defense that ranks second in the MAC in FG percentage (37.2 percent); points allowed (57.6); and 3-point defense (29.3 percent). Offensively, they lead the MAC in shooting percentage at 44.1 percent.

"In this era of college basketball, if you're not guarding anybody, you have no chance," Lindsay said. "If you can guard, you can stay in the game and maybe steal one at the end. That's basically what we did with BG."

It is what Kent will have to do the rest of the season to remain atop the MAC standings.

The second half of the Cavaliers' season will focus on improving defensively by simplifying what they do.

View full sizeNam Y. Huh / Associated PressByron Scott made his renewed emphasis on defense crystal clear for the Cavaliers on Tuesday. "If you make a mistake by not getting up and doing what you're supposed to do, next dead ball, come to the bench," he said. "Cause you're coming out."

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- There are but two simple rules for the Defensive-Minded Cavaliers, the new-look squad that debuts Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns at The Q.

1. There is now only one way to play defense. No more multiple approaches and varied schemes. One way to fight through screens, one way to defend pick and rolls. One way.

2. If you somehow manage to forget that single way to play defense, start eyeing which seat on the bench you'd like to occupy.

"If you make a mistake by not getting up and doing what you're supposed to do, next dead ball, come to the bench," coach Byron Scott said Tuesday. "Cause you're coming out."

Gone are the days when Scott forgave defensive lapses because of the handy excuses of a young team learning a new system. In 40 games, one shy of the midway point of the season, that's resulted in a defense that gives up 104.9 points per game (fifth-worst in the NBA) and allows opponents to shoot 48.1 percent (third-worst) and 43.3 percent from 3-point range (flat-out worst).

Not to mention 13 straight losses and 23 defeats in the last 24.

Something needs to change, Scott realized after returning from a winless five-game road trip. He turned to "defensive coordinator" assistant coach Chris Jent and asked for a simplification of the defense.

What they came up with was a stripped-down version of what they've taught since training camp. Typically, Scott has employed three ways to defend pick and rolls -- much easier than former coach Mike Brown's multiple options. Scott has called out which defense the team should employ when they travel up and down the court. He's had different rules for different players, both on the offensive and defensive sides. Now?

"If someone messes up, it's very simple to figure out who it is and bring him to the sideline for a little while," Scott said.

Not only will the Cavaliers simplify everything, they're hoping to perfect what they do. It won't take long for opponents to figure out how the Cavaliers' defense works, but Scott is employing a zero-tolerance rule to anyone who doesn't follow his scheme.

"I've given them leeway because of us learning the new system and the two or three different things we try to do, especially on pick and rolls," Scott said. "Well, now the leeway is gone."

So much of the early part of the season has focused on the Cavaliers learning Scott's new Princeton offense, but for the remainder of the games, the young players will be commanded to focus on defense.

"I'm not worried about the offense," Scott said. "Really, I'm not. There's some times when we've still got to do a better job of spacing the floor, we still have to do a better job of reading certain plays. But we've got to do a much better job on the defensive end, period."

Injury update: There were signs of improvement Tuesday. Joey Graham (right quad strain) and Anthony Parker (low back strain) both practiced, but neither is expected to play against Phoenix. Daniel Gibson (left ankle sprain) successfully practiced for a second day, and is expected to play.

Christian Eyenga (right ankle sprain), meanwhile, experienced swelling in his ankle a day after practicing, and suffered a setback that likely will keep him out of action until next week.

Mo Williams (left hip flexor strain) did not practice and is listed as questionable. His injury still is being evaluated, but he is not expected to play against Phoenix.

In celebration: The Cavaliers' seventh-annual Black Heritage Celebration begins Wednesday, and continues for three games in February. At the Phoenix game, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Night, there will be a video of King's "I Have a Dream" speech from Cavaliers players, and a halftime gospel performance by The Pastor's Choir of 4REAL Empowerment Center.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Monsters did not let the previous weekend's bonanza go to their heads. Lake Erie was fundamentally sound and gritty in defeating the Oklahoma City Barons, 3-1, Tuesday night at The Q. The Monsters (20-19-3-4) have won four straight for the first time this season. They were coming off a weekend on the road in which they prevailed against Rochester, Hershey and Rochester....

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Monsters did not let the previous weekend's bonanza go to their heads.

Lake Erie was fundamentally sound and gritty in defeating the Oklahoma City Barons, 3-1, Tuesday night at The Q.

The Monsters (20-19-3-4) have won four straight for the first time this season. They were coming off a weekend on the road in which they prevailed against Rochester, Hershey and Rochester.

Lake Erie, in its fourth AHL season, can tie the franchise record for longest winning streak Thursday night when it plays host to Rochester.

The Monsters began the day in the middle of a compact Western Conference North Division. They have a good chance to make a move in the coming days because 11 of their next 12 games are at home, where they are 11-5-2-2.

Oklahoma City (22-16-2-4) had won four in a row, including the first three of a seven-game trip.

The Barons won four of six in the season series against Lake Erie.

Center Mark Olver gave the Monsters a 1-0 lead at 1:23 of the second period. Olver cashed after he gathered a puck that a Barons defenseman chipped into his chest. Matt Ford earned the assist.

Oklahoma City answered with a power-play goal at 3:53 of the period.

Late in the second, the Monsters regained the advantage when center Ryan Stoa beat goalie Jeff Deslauriers on the power play. It was the Monsters' first power-play goal since Jan. 8 at Texas; they were 0-for-21 in their previous five games.

Center Mike Carman created space for Lake Erie with an even-strength goal at 6:16 of the third. When Carman scores at even strength, it's news: Just two of his nine goals this season have come in such a situation.

For the remainder of the game, Lake Erie's skaters did a quality job in front of goalie John Grahame, who started and won his fourth straight.

It's a busy week for the Browns in their efforts to fill the vacant offensive and defensive coordinator positions.

APAtlanta quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave reportedly set to interview for Browns' offensive coordinator opening.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns interviewed Atlanta Falcons assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave for their offensive coordinator vacancy on Tuesday, a league source confirmed.

Eagles secondary coach and senior assistant Dick Jauron also arrive in town Tuesday and will interview Wednesday for the defensive coordinator position, a source told The Plain Dealer. Fellow former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt will interview Thursday for the defensive coordinator job.

Musgrave was scheduled to arrive in Minnesota Tuesday night to interview for the Vikings' coordinator position, according to reports by ESPN and NFL Network.

Musgrave, 43, brings 14 years experience as an NFL assistant, including coordinator stints with the Eagles (1998), Panthers (2000) and Jaguars (2003-2004). An advocate of the West Coast offense, he learned the scheme from playing quarterback for the 49ers from 1991-94 under head coach George Seifert and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan.

The Falcons quarterbacks coach since 2006, Musgrave is credited with guiding Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan in his first three NFL seasons. Ryan, who committed three turnovers in a 48-21 divisional round loss to the Packers on Sunday, has guided the Falcons to a 33-13 mark, including 13-3 in 2010.

A first-round pick out of Boston College in 2008, Ryan threw 28 touchdowns and only nine interceptions this season, earning a 91.0 rating -- ninth-best in the NFL.

After last season, Falcons coach Mike Smith added the title of "assistant head coach" to Musgrave's duties. He hoped to keep his staff together this season, but "reluctantly" granted the Browns and Vikings permission to interview him, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported. Musgrave is viewed as potential successor to Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, who interviewed for the Browns' head coach job.

Musgrave would replace Brian Daboll, who has moved on to the Dolphins. In Cleveland, Musgrave would most likely not call plays, at least in the early going. New coach Pat Shurmur has said he'll handle that chore.

Musgrave also drew interest from the Rams, who hired Josh McDaniels to replace Shurmur. Two offensive assistants with ties to the Browns staff, Ravens' quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn and Rams receivers coach Nolan Cromwell, are not coordinator candidates at this time.

In other coaching news, Browns quarterbacks coach Carl Smith might be up for an assistant position in Seattle.

See photos as Akron held a citywide celebration Monday to honor the University of Akron Zips' national championship in men's soccer.

Before the season, many local and national pundits predicted the Cleveland Cavaliers would win between 30 and 40 regular season games. A few even predicted the Cavaliers would make the playoffs. There was an exception in Yahoo.com reporter Kelly Dwyer. Dwyer was laughed at when he predicted the Cavaliers would win only 12 games. No one is laughing now....

APByron Scott

Before the season, many local and national pundits predicted the Cleveland Cavaliers would win between 30 and 40 regular season games. A few even predicted the Cavaliers would make the playoffs.

There was an exception in Yahoo.com reporter Kelly Dwyer. Dwyer was laughed at when he predicted the Cavaliers would win only 12 games.

No one is laughing now.

The Cavaliers are 8-32.

"This is the guy we need. His history as a defensive coordinator is way better than his head coaching history. We need an experienced DC seeing as we now have an inexperienced, offensive-minded head coach." - jskzes

View full sizeAP Photo | Keith Srakocic, FileDave Wannstedt.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns to interview former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt for defensive coordinator this week, source says, cleveland.com reader jskzes thinks Wannstedt would be a solid choice. This reader writes,

"This is the guy we need. His history as a defensive coordinator is way better than his head coaching history. We need an experienced DC seeing as we now have an inexperienced, offensive-minded head coach."

Coach Byron Scott hopes to fix the Cavaliers' woes by making the defensive simple.

Lonnie Timmons III/The Plain DealerDaniel Gibson

The Cleveland Cavaliers (8-32) are the worst team in the NBA for many reasons. The team has been hit by injuries. They don't have a true go to player on the roster, and they can only dream about having an inside game.

But you don't become the worst team in the league without playing pitiful defense. And the Cavaliers are horrible on defense.

They are 26th in the league in points allowed per game (104.9), 28th in opponents' field-goal percentage (48.1) and 30th in opponents' 3-point percentage (43.3).

So not only did coach Byron Scott go back to the drawing board, he made that drawing board real easy to understand.

Scott says on Cleveland.com:

"We're going to keep it real simple," he said. "The guys like that a whole lot better. "They understand that I'm putting more pressure on them to be focused for 48 minutes on the defensive end. If you make a mistake in the coverage, on the next dead ball, you should just walk off. Just walk to the bench because I'm going to sub you anyway."

It seems a little too late for Scott to get tough. Does it really matter at this point?

Former coach Mike Brown

GoErie.com reporter Duane Rankin caught up with former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown recently. Brown was in town watching his son Elijah score nine points in St. Edward's loss too Penn Wood in the Burger King Basketball Classic semifinals at Gannon University’s Hammermill Center.

Rankin did a Q and A with Brown on life with and without the Cavaliers.

Q: What’s it been like to not be coaching? That’s your love. That’s your passion.

A: It’s been tough, but I’ve had an opportunity to spend time with my beautiful wife and my two kids and be around them almost every day. So this is also a new and great experience for me, too, but when I watch games on TV and now that I’m doing some work for ESPN, and I’m around it more, you really feel that hunger, that want to be back out there trying to teach and coach and just be a part of something that you hope is headed in the right direction.

Q: When you look back at it now, what went wrong to where you’re here instead of coaching the Cavaliers?

A: We just didn’t win a championship. That’s a tough thing to do. Only one team every year is going to get that and there are a lot of teams that have won it and continued to win it. (Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert) felt he had to make a change. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the man because he was the guy that gave me an opportunity when he didn’t have to. I appreciate what he’s done for me. I had a great relationship with (former Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry, current Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant and former Cleveland assistant general manager Lance Blanks). Again, that was all positive. There is not an negative thing I can say about my experience in Cleveland. It just didn’t work out. You feel bad about it, but you understand it’s the business.”

Three the hard way

Despite all of Byron Scott's talk about improving the team's defense, the Cavaliers will have their hands full when they play the Phoenix Suns tonight.

The Cavaliers have a major weakness inside of the paint, and the Suns will surely take advantage of that deficiency behind a three-headed monster at center.

Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic writes :

It is a versatile monster, like a Transformer. Coach Alvin Gentry has traditional, physical centers in Robin Lopez and Marcin Gortat, who look and substitute like a tag team. When Gentry wants to play with more shooters, he moves Channing Frye and his returned shooting touch to center.

"There is a gaping offensive hole at third base that the likes of Donald, Nix, Everett and Phelps can't fill. I realize that, theoretically, the offense will improve with Santana and Sizemore returning; but to leave such a gaping hole in an offensive position is tantamount to front office malfeasance." - ossievitt

View full sizeAP Photo | Tony DejakJason Donald could get a look at third this season for the Indians.

In response to the story Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about NFL teams' focus on young coaches, LeBron's Twitter tales and who's on third for the Tribe, cleveland.com reader ossievitt doesn't like the Tribe's third base situation. This reader writes,

"There is a gaping offensive hole at third base that the likes of Donald, Nix, Everett and Phelps can't fill. I realize that, theoretically, the offense will improve with Santana and Sizemore returning; but to leave such a gaping hole in an offensive position is tantamount to front office malfeasance."

"Other than Andy and Delonte, every other player on the Cavs quit the last two years in the playoffs when the going got tough. Just because James got fed up and didn't carry the team in the Celtics series is no reason to single him out. Don't get me wrong - I don't approve of what LeBron did in the Celtic series, but all those other guys laid down, just like they did against the Heat on Dec. 2 and just like they have done for Byron Scott all year." - tick9999

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerThe Cavaliers as a team didn't put up much fight against the Celtics in the playoffs last season.

In response to the story Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about NFL teams' focus on young coaches, LeBron's Twitter tales and who's on third for the Tribe, cleveland.com reader tick9999 thinks LeBron wasn't the only quitter on the Cavaliers last year. This reader writes,

"Other than Andy and Delonte, every other player on the Cavs quit the last two years in the playoffs when the going got tough. Just because James got fed up and didn't carry the team in the Celtics series is no reason to single him out. Don't get me wrong - I don't approve of what LeBron did in the Celtic series, but all those other guys laid down, just like they did against the Heat on Dec. 2 and just like they have done for Byron Scott all year."

Yahoo! Sports NBA editor says the team made its own bed by coddling LeBron James and assembling this weak roster, Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's happening in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.

How many games do you think the Cavaliers will win this season? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Kelly Dwyer, editor of Yahoo! Sports' Ball Don't Lie blog. Before the season began, Dwyer predicted that the Cavs would win 12 games this season - a prognostication that drew him a lot of criticism, especially from Cavs fans.

Dwyer, who was the subject of Mary Schmitt Boyer's NBA Insider notebook on Sunday, says he feels sorry for Cavs fans. But he does not feel sorry for the franchise, because by coddling LeBron James and assembling this current roster, the team made its own bed. He also talks about how the team should purge the roster and start over.

SBTV will return Thursday.

"This may be my favorite Buckeye basketball team ever. No selfishness - a true team. Just fun to watch this group. Thad Matta has made OSU an elite program." - sadsamjones

View full sizeAP FileJared Sullinger is just one reason fans are enjoying this year's Buckeyes basketball team.

In response to the story A young craftsman at the point: Ohio State's Aaron Craft a vital cog of undefeated Buckeyes as a freshman, cleveland.com reader sadsamjones is loving this year's Buckeyes. This reader writes,

"This may be my favorite Buckeye basketball team ever. No selfishness - a true team. Just fun to watch this group. Thad Matta has made OSU an elite program."

Indians haven't had much success with first-round picks in recent years, but maybe Pomeranz and 2009 first pick Alex White will change that trend.

Associated PressDrew Pomeranz pitching for Mississippi in an NCAA tournament game last June.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians haven't got much from their first-round draft picks in recent years.

Often, as the years go by, a team more than offsets early-round misses with middle-and late-round surprises, and shrewd trades and free agency signings.

It serves an organization well, though, for a marquee pick to emerge as an impact player, even once in a while.

The Indians hope left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz can be that kind of guy. Cleveland tabbed him in the first round of last June's draft. Pomeranz didn't sign with the Indians until the Aug. 16 deadline, too late for him to make his professional debut in 2010.

In fact, the Indians' first pick in the 2009 draft, pitcher Alex White, had an impressive 2010 season. Maybe he and Pomeranz can someday anchor the Cleveland rotation.

Tony Lastoria of Indians Prospect Insider writes about Pomeranz as he nears his first pro season.

Pomeranz throws a fastball that sits at 91-94 MPH and has touched 95 MPH, and he complements it with an excellent knuckle curveball. He currently lacks a quality third pitch as his changeup needs a lot of work to become at least an average offering. It has potential to be an above average pitch for him, which if it does would give him three quality pitches in his arsenal to attack major league hitters.

"For me my changeup is a feel pitch as I can throw it in games if I have a feel for it, but I just don't know where it is going,” Pomeranz said. “I really didn't have a need for it in college as I just lived off of fastball-curveball. I started out in college with a good feel for it because I would throw it in a lot in practices and in bullpens, but then once the season came around I did not really throw it in games much so I lost my feel for it. So that is the big thing, just being able to feel it coming out of my hand and my release point."

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage includes Terry Pluto's column expressing his happiness that the Indians are bringing back Tribe Hall of Fame manager/player Mike Hargrove as a special consultant; beat writer Paul Hoynes' report on Hargrove's hiring; Hoynes' story on the Indians reaching one-year contract deals with outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, closer Chris Perez, reliever Rafael Perez and second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera.

Grover's numbers

Hargrove, as indicated by his Indians Hall of Fame status, excelled for the Tribe as a first baseman from 1979-85 -- he actually played left field in 1979 while Andre Thornton manned first base -- and a manager from 1991-99.

Stephanie Storm of the Akron Beacon Journal notes some of Grover's accomplishments in an Indians uniform: 

“The Human Rain Delay” spent 22 years in an Indians uniform as a player, coach and manager. The 1974 American League Rookie of the Year with Texas, Hargrove later batted .292 in 888 games over seven years with Indians. He led the American League with a .432 on-base percentage in 1981. Hargrove’s best season in Cleveland was 1980 when he batted .304 with 11 home runs, 86 runs scored and 85 RBI.

As the Tribe skipper, Hargrove went 721-591, including two AL titles and five AL Central Division crowns. Hargrove ranks second all-time in club history in managerial wins behind Lou Boudreau (728), third in managerial winning percentage (.550) and is the only Indians Manager to guide the Tribe to two AL Pennants. He was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame in 2008.

For younger Indians fans who may not know why Hargrove was nicknamed the "Human Rain Delay:"

The left-handed hitting Hargrove went through the same lengthy routine before every pitch during his at bats, stepping out of the batter's box to adjust this and that to ready himself for the next pitch. The habit irritated some pitchers, often winning Hargrove a mental edge in the pitcher-hitter contest.

Full counts

A video interview with promising infielder Jason Kipnis, on MLB.com.

A story about former big-league infielder and longtime coach Sandy Alomar, Sr., the father of former Indian stars Sandy Alomar, Jr. (currently an Indians coach) and Roberto Alomar. By former major leaguer Doug Glanville for ESPN.com.

Readers' questions about the Indians are answered by Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.

Jim Ingraham writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal about the possibility of Shin-Soo Choo becoming a free agent a ways down the road.

The Indians payroll chart for 2011 and future years, on Indians Prospect Insider.

Indians notes, including the signing of the arbitration-eligible players, by Chris Assenheimer for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Indians signings, by Jim Ingraham for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Bowling Green's basketball program will receive largest donation in MAC.

Bowling Green University will receive the largest one-time gift today ever designated to a Mid-American Conference basketball program, according to an article in The Toledo Blade.

The previous largest gift to BG was the $8 million Kermit Stroh gave to the school for the building of the new basketball arena that bears his name.

The donor (is it Tim Conway, who graduated from Bowling Green?) will be introduced this evening at a news conference. The gift will be used to increase salaries for coaches, to buy games against big-name opponents, to increase recruiting budgets, to enhance student support in terms of academic and conditioning.

Life is like a cartoon

The New York Times profiles LeBron James and his next venture into the cartoon world. James will participate a Web-based animated series based on his LeBrons series from his Nike commercials.

The cartoon series, called “The LeBrons” and planned for a spring debut on its own YouTube channel and Mr. James’s Web site, lebronjames.com, will revive the characters from a popular series of Nike commercials in which Mr. James played four versions of himself: the youthful and wide-eyed Kid LeBron; the physically adept Athlete LeBron; the smooth and savvy Business LeBron; and an ornery elder statesman called Wise LeBron.

 Each episode will convey a message from the value of staying in school, to staying off drugs.

Chicago or Chicaco?

Put this into the oops department. The Green Bay Press-Gazette apologized for an error in a recent headline. Maybe the Chicago Bears will use this as motivation.

Ohio Stadium

Either Paul Janssen of Dublin has too much time on his hands, or he is really creative. Janssen used about a million Lego pieces to build his version of Ohio Stadium.

It took him about 1,000 hours over two years. On Ohio.com:

 "It's flat-out insane to build something like that," said Ben Coifman, a fellow Ohio State professor and member of the Central Ohio Lego Train Club, where Janssen is president. "But that's part of what we love Paul for."

 .

Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson, who missed the entire West Coast trip with a sprained left ankle, is eager to return tonight against the Phoenix Suns at The Q.

AP PhotoDaniel Gibson will be back in action tonight for the Cavs after missing 5 games with a sprained ankle.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson, who missed the entire West Coast trip with a sprained left ankle, is eager to return tonight against the Phoenix Suns at The Q.

"I'm ready to go,'' Gibson said after shootaround on Wednesday noon at The Q. "I had two great days of pratice, so I'm looking forward to the opportunity to get out there and play.''

Gibson joined the team in the middle of the epic 112-57 loss to the Lakers, and then watched the Cavs lose the last two games at Utah and Denver to finish the trip 0-5. The Cavs have lost 13 straight overall and 23 of 24.

Watching instead of playing has been difficult.

"It's tough,'' he said. "You want to be out there with your teammates and you want to be out there helping. But your body won't allow you to. So you try to talk to guys and inspire guys, but there's no more inspiration than being out there with them and scrapping with them. Now I get the opportunity to help us try to right this ship.''

Browns' former offensive coordinator will take over the NFL's 30th-ranked offense.

View full sizeAP FileChad Henne's struggles in Miami and Colt McCoy's successes here in Cleveland may be the reason former beleaguered Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll got the OC job with the Dolphins.

The Browns' offense was ranked No. 29 in the NFL last season under Brian Daboll, a mammoth improvement (not) over the previous year's No. 32 standing.

That's the kind of thing you expect when you finish next-to-last in the league in points scored, averaging 16.9 points a game.

So why the HECK was Daboll a hot enough commodity for the Miami Dolphins -  whose offense with the stellar (where IS that sarcasm font?) Chad Henne at quarterback - finished at No. 21 overall in the league, and beat out the Browns (barely) as the No. 30 team in scoring, averaging 17.1 points per game?

Greg Cote of the Miami Herald wrote that the hiring at first mystified him, but that there are definite advantages. First and foremost is that Daboll isn't ex-Dolphins coordinator Dan Henning, who was just about twice the age of the 35-year-old Daboll ... and called games like he was having to clear plays with head coach Amos Alonzo Stagg. (Who, among other things, was credited with creating the Statue of Liberty play.)

But the biggest reason Cote is becoming a fan of the hire may surprise you:

Now here is maybe the biggest reason to feel hopeful about Daboll: What he might do for Henne.

Talk to folks in Cleveland, as I did Monday, and most of them credit Daboll for the fast development of rookie quarterback Colt McCoy this past season. His first start was in the sixth game, he had wins over the Saints and Patriots, and the Browns ended the year thinking he was their future to a more confident degree than Miami seems to feel about Henne right now.

Both QBs arrived as flawed prospects, Henne as the 57th overall draft pick in 2008, McCoy as the 85th in ’10. They share similar physiques and arm strength. With Henne’s progress stagnant, who’s to say fresh offensive leadership, a fresh eye and approach, won’t unlock something in Henne?

As a former USC quarterback and long-time quarterback guru, though, Holmgren will remain hands-on with McCoy, with Shurmur’s blessing.

The day Shurmur was hired, McCoy told clevelandbrowns.com Holmgren was “almost like a dad,” which in his case has a football meaning, since his father was his high school coach.

McCoy said his frequent talks with Holmgren were “definitely coaching sessions.”

“He treated me like I was his quarterback,” McCoy said. “He coached me up ... good things, bad things ... ‘Here’s where you messed up ... here’s what we can do to get better ... you exceeded all of our expectations this year, but here’s what we can do to get better.’

“I like that. I need that.”

Other general managers around the NFL expect the Cleveland Browns to hire Bill Musgrave shortly for their offensive coordinator job.

Several teams that are interested in Musgrave, who was the Atlanta Falcons' quarterbacks coach the previous five seasons and their assistant head coach this past year, don't believe they will have a chance to talk to him at this point. Musgrave interviewed in Cleveland on Tuesday.

Musgrave has vast experience in the West Coast offense, which Browns president Mike Holmgren prefers, and has helped several quarterbacks thrive.

Musgrave is headed for Minnesota to interview there, according to today's account by Mary Kay Cabot in The Plain Dealer. But if La Canfora is right, it's all for show.

Mary Kay also says the team has interviewed Philadelphia's Dick Jauron for the defensive coordinator position formerly held by new Dallas DC Rob Ryan, and next will talk to Dave Wannstedt.

Wannstedt was the Cowboys' defensive coordinator in the Super Bowl years under Jimmy Johnson, and has had head coaching stints with the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins and University of Pittsburgh.

WFNY takes a look back at the Browns-Jets trades of 2009.

Mark Duncan/Associated PressHindsight 20/20: Was the Braylon Edwards trade a good idea?

As you know by now, Eric Mangini is gone as Browns coach. But a year before his release, Eric Mangini, talent evaluator/roster guru, was relieved of his duties with the hiring of Tom Heckert.

As we see now, it was a move forced on him in order to keep his Head Coach title in Cleveland for a second year, turning out to be a stay of execution. Anyone who watched Browns football can easily admit that Eric Mangini as Head Coach was much better than Eric Mangini as Manager of all things Browns Football.

Mangini wasn't ready for it, but that didn't stop Aston Villa Cleveland Browns Owner Randy Lerner from handing The Manginius the keys to his Bentley. This started with the 2009 NFL Draft, where the Browns held the fifth-overall pick thanks to their horrific 2008 season where they faced reality (in the form of a regular, non-Charmin-soft schedule) and finished 4-12. 

At the time, the Browns were thought to be one of the teams looking to draft a franchise quarterback, as the jury was clearly still out on Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. Apparently, in Mangini's evaluation, he could get by with the duo for at least one more year. After the player most thought the Browns sought - LB Aaron Curry - was scooped up by Seattle in the fourth spot, Mangini and his hand-picked GM (with no authority), George Kokinis, were on the clock.

When identifying his pre-draft roster plan, Mangini did his best Bill Belichick impersonation. He made a deal with his old team, the New York Jets, who desperately wanted a face of their franchise with a new stadium on the horizon and a Grand Canyon-sized hole at QB with the "retirement" of Brett Favre.

Doing what he clearly thought was best, Mangini dealt the fifth pick to New York and received what he viewed as a king's ransom - three players and two draft picks. The players were all "Mangini guys" - safety Abe Elam, defensive end Kenyon Coleman, and quarterback Brett Ratliff. The picks were the Jets first-rounder (#17) and their second-rounder (#52). 

"Okay," we all thought. Its a win-win for both franchises. The Jets got their quarterback; a good-looking, charismatic kid from USC, perfect for the big city. The Browns needed picks and depth everywhere, and to be able to snag two players who would most likely play right away (Elam and Coleman) as well as an additional second-round pick? Seemed like a good move. Second round picks are like gold in the NFL these days because of the expected instant impact and relatively inexpensive contracts.

Except that you MUST hit with that additional second-rounder if you are a team like the Browns, so devoid of talent seemingly everywhere. And what did the Browns do?
The 52nd pick was the last of their three second-rounders. The first two were both wide receivers - Brian Robiske (#35) and Mohammad Massaquoi (#50 - the pick they received from Tampa Bay for TE Kellen Winslow). Two picks after Massaquoi, Mangini decided to go after a little known defensive end from Hawaii in David Veikune. The hope was that Veikune would be able to transform himself into a 3-4 pass-rushing outside linebacker.

Two seasons later, we sit here just a few days from the AFC title game. How did those deals work out for the involved teams?

For the Jets, it's been everything they could have asked for. From day one, Sanchez took over as the starting QB and has not only steadily improved his play, he has become best known for his late-game heroics, including pulling an all-time rabbit-out-of-his-hat move in Cleveland as the Jets won in overtime, 26-20. This Sunday, "The Sanchize" will lead his team into its second consecutive appearance in the AFC Championship game. He has won four road playoff games over the likes of San Diego, Indianapolis and New England. No quarterback has ever won five playoff games on the road. 

Meanwhile, the Browns didn't exactly enjoy the riches of this deal.

So what about those extra sixth-round picks Mangini got for moving down twice? The first was cornerback Coye Francies from San Jose State. He seemed to have made a name for himself during training camp in 2009, except he found himself in Mangini's doghouse and never found his way out thanks to his bad temper. Francies was released and brought back this season, but only managed to see the field over the last two games as an extra corner.

The other sixth-round pick was running back James Davis from Clemson. Davis, like Francies, looked like a keeper, winning the Bassett Award for the best rookie in camp. He was thought to have a role in the offense as the change of pace back with Jamal Lewis except that preseason football and regular season football are two completely different things.

Davis got four carries in the opener, gaining just five yards. Two games later, he had five carries for 10 yards, and was never seen again. He was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury that happened during the Browns post-practice "opportunity period." Davis made the team out of camp this year, but again, rarely was active. Strangely, he became the odd man out when the team actually needed him, and was released in October.

So to recap:

• The Jets got Sanchez and are now entering their second consecutive AFC Championship game.
• The Buccaneers got Freeman who in his first full year as a starter, won 10 games.
• The Eagles got Maclin, a speedy outside threat who has been perfect for their West Coast offense. He caught 70 balls for for 964 yards and 10 TDs this past season.
• The Browns received two serviceable, yet unspectacular veteran players (Elam and Coleman), a third string QB who was released (Ratliff), a rookie center who was a hit (Mack) and three extra draft picks (Veikune, Davis, and Francies), none of whom made it through two full seasons with the team. 
  

Ohio has seven horse racing tracks. All are struggling to attract fans and offer quality standardbred or thoroughbred racing. A bid announced this week to create Mahoning Valley Downs & Resort in the Youngstown area seems a far-fetched dream.

 Ohio has seven horse racing tracks. All are struggling to attract fans and offer quality standardbred or thoroughbred racing. A bid announced this week to create Mahoning Valley Downs & Resort in the Youngstown area seems a far-fetched dream.

There has been no formal discussion about the proposed track with Ohio Racing Commission (ORC), only speculation, said Executive Director Tom Fries Jr.

"We have yet to receive an application from them for a racing license," he said. "We received an email last week (from principals Rick Lertzman and Dr. Bradford Pressman), asking to set up a meeting to talk about it."

 Because of the shaky economics of Ohio horse racing, Fries is puzzled by the interest in building another Ohio track, the first in 60 years.

 The ORC would first have to run the proposal, when they finally get it, past the owners of the seven tracks. The overwhelming odds are the track owners' position on sharing horses or fans would not be friendly. Petitions to allow the track would also have to be signed by 51 percent of the gubernatorial voters in the township or townships where the race meet is to be held.

Northfield Park is closest to the Youngstown area. Dave Bianconi, who is in charge of Northfield's harness racing, couldn't find a kind word for developers of the proposed thoroughbred track.

"I don't think there's any way they're going to get a racing license," Bianconi said. 

 Plans call for a "world class casino." With four Ohio casinos approved by the electorate and on the drawing board, it's a sure thing powerful Penn National Gaming Co. or the Harrah's-Dan Gilbert partnership would fight another casino. 

 It's still not as crazy as the local developer who wanted to move Thistledown to downtown Cleveland a few years ago. The developer didn't own Thistledown, and the pie-in-the-sky proposal quickly disappeared. 

 Thistledown happenings: There has been little news from Harrah's Entertainment officials since completing the purchase of Thistledown in July, and no reports this winter on what the huge casino company will do to improve the local thoroughbred racing facility. There was hope a renovated Thistledown could be patterned after Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack in Pennsylvania, a premier horse racing facility. With major management changes in the works at Thistledown, that now seems bleak. 

 Fairbanks dead at 79: Veteran Thistledown racing official Allen Fairbanks, 79, died at his St. Petersburg, Fla., home on Monday after a long illness. A jockey on the East Coast in the 1950s and 1960s, Fairbanks was a state steward at Thistle for 21 years, retiring in 2004. No funeral arrangement haved been made yet.

No slots for now: Ohio's tracks and the horse racing industry have been impatiently waiting for some good news on video lottery terminals. Gov. John Kasich seems ambivalent about the slots proposal. Despite the opportunity for much-needed revenue, Kasich has put VLTs on the back burner. Buckeye horsemen, fans and track officials have been selling the slots as the salvation for horse racing in the state.

New driving star: Northfield Park trainer Rachel Kaneoka, who turns 24 on Saturday, is making waves as a harness driver. The young horsewoman recently earned her provisional driving license. In the second driving start of her career, Kaneoka booted home trainer Jeff Welling's pacer, No Risk, on Jan. 12, guiding the favorite to a mile victory in 2:01. Kaneoka trains standardbreds for top driver Elliott Deaton, as well as Kent State University basketball coach Gino Ford.

Sunday gamble: Northfield Park's free Gulfstream Park handicapping contest has been a hit, with 270 gambling on Sunday they had the needed five winners on the 11-race card at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., thoroughbred track. James Robert of Euclid picked five, but needed a tie breaker to top Ray Albert of Oakwood and win the $500 top prize.

The contest runs every Sunday through April 24. The top four finishers, and the handicappers who compete in 12 of the 16 contests, qualify for the $5,000 finale in the spring.

Noble on top: Driver Dan Noble has the early lead in the 2011 driving standings at Northfield Park, posting 29 wins. Aaron Merriman, sidelined by a bad racing accident in 2010, is second (21), followed by Deaton (18). Trainer Jeff Amann leads the conditioners with six wins, one more than Russ Swartz. Bill Webb's Open Class pacers, Howyadoinpal, has been the racing star, undefeated in three starts this year.

Mattison, who was the Baltimore Ravens coordinator, ran the Florida defense when it held Ohio State to 82 yards in the 2006 season national title game.

Associated PressNew Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio State has won its last seven football games over arch-rival Michigan, outscoring the Wolverines by an average of 31.4 points a game to 15.4.

OSU pounced Michigan, 37-7, on Nov. 27, the next-to-last game for Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez before he was fired and replaced by Brady Hoke.

Hoke and Michigan made a major move on Tuesday, when they announced they had hired Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison to serve in the same role for the Wolverines, as reported by Jeff Arnold for the Ann Arbor News and annarbor.com. It will be Mattison's second term in Michigan, having been on the coaching staff from 1992-96.

Hoke likely knows what happened on Jan. 8, 2007, when Ohio State and Florida played in the BCS National Championship Game.

The Gators routed OSU, 41-14 (ESPN.com box score). Mattison was Florida's defensive coordinator. His defense held the powerful Buckeyes offense to 82 total yards from scrimmage. It had nothing to do with Ohio State's first touchdown, a 93-yard return by Ted Ginn, Jr. on the opening kickoff.

Google Books carries the book, "Urban's Way: Urban Meyer, the Florida Gators, and His Plan to Win," by Buddy Martin and Meyer.

Mattison's son, Bryan, was then a defensive end and captain for Iowa, so he was familiar with the Buckeyes. Bryan spent a lot of time with his father and the Gators as they prepared to face Ohio State. Page 219 of the book describes Florida's plans for the game, including:

Bryan, his father and the Gator linemen also studied Ohio State's offensive slide technique and knew their scheme so thoroughly that they could guess where the ball carrier or passer was going to be. It was if they had a copy of the Ohio State game plan.

"Coach Mattison broke the film down and the way he explained things, 'If you get this or that, this is what you can expect,' " said all-SEC defensive lineman Ray McDonald.

Charges not specified on Bradley, who was released on bail. With the Mariners, he's re-united with a manager he didn't get along with, Eric Wedge.

Associated PressSeattle Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley.

SEATTLE, Washington—Seattle Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley is in trouble again.

Bradley was arrested in Los Angeles on a felony charge Tuesday morning and released from jail on $50,000 bail at around 5:45 p.m. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department booking records did not specify the nature of the charge.

The Mariners released a statement late Tuesday night saying they were aware of Bradley’s arrest. General manager Jack Zduriencik said the team was taking the situation “very seriously” and added that the Mariners “are in the process of determining the full circumstances of what occurred today.”

Bradley, a Los Angeles native, has a court appearance scheduled for Feb. 8.

The switch-hitter spent two weeks away from the Mariners in May to deal with emotional issues. He has played for eight clubs in 11 major league seasons marked by boorish behavior, suspensions and repeated run-ins with umpires and managers.

During spring training last year, Bradley called himself the Kanye West of baseball. He was acquired by the Mariners from the Cubs in a December 2009 trade and has one season remaining on the $30 million, three-year contract he signed with Chicago.

A right knee injury ended Bradley’s 2010 season in late July. He batted .205 with eight homers and 29 RBIs in 73 games for Seattle before undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in August.

ESPN.com, with information from the Associated Press, reports that Bradley allegedly made threats against a woman.

Eric Wedge was recently hired as Seattle's manager. He and Bradley had their problems when they were both with the Indians.

Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes wrote about Bradley and Wedge on Dec. 8.