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Pat Shurmur needs to share the play-calling load - Browns Comment of the Day

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"I can't believe any experienced guy is going to want the offensive coordinator job with no playcalling responsibilities. I hope Shurmur knows what he is doing. It would seem that he will have enough on his plate being a first time head coach on a team that has so many issues to deal with. You would think he would be happy to have someone to share the load." - bobbyjoe47

pat shurmur carousel brownsView full sizePat Shurmur.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns A.M. Links: Browns miss out on offensive coordinator; Hillis is glad he's miles away from Mile High, cleveland.com reader bobbyjoe47 isn't so sure about Pat Shurmur calling the plays. This reader writes,

"I can't believe any experienced guy is going to want the offensive coordinator job with no playcalling responsibilities. I hope Shurmur knows what he is doing. It would seem that he will have enough on his plate being a first time head coach on a team that has so many issues to deal with. You would think he would be happy to have someone to share the load."

To respond to bobbyjoe47's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Cleveland Cavaliers' J.J. Hickson turning his season around

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J.J. Hickson has embraced the rebound in his new role as the Cavaliers' starting center.


J.J. Hickson has embraced the rebound.

Since becoming the team's starting center five games ago after Anderson Varejao was lost for the season, Hickson is averaging 11.8 rebounds, which fans --and coaches -- know hasn't always been his strong suit. His season average is still just 6.1 rebounds per game.

"He's doing a good job of rebounding," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said as the Cavs prepared to play host to the Milwaukee Bucks tonight at The Q. "He would probably be averaging two or three more if we could put Stickum on his hands every now and then."

jjhickson.JPGView full sizeThe Cavs' J.J. Hickson is averaging 11.8 rebounds per game since becoming the starting center five games ago.


Scott was joking, obviously. But after some early clashes with Hickson, and one benching for missing a mandatory practice, the coach has nothing but good things to say about his new starting center.

"I think his whole attitude has changed," Scott said. "His approach has changed. He's been much more focused. He's been great at practice. The one thing that we talk about with J.J. is on the defensive end, communicating a lot better, and more, and he's doing a lot better job of that.

"The one thing that I think has been really good about him is he hasn't forced anything. He is taking what the defense is giving him. He's rebounding the ball much better. These are all the things we knew he could do.

"Right now, he's just going out there and playing good, solid basketball."

Hickson would be the first to admit his attitude has changed and that he's working harder and focusing more. The starting role and his increased production have boosted his confidence, or is it the other way around?

"I think it helps his confidence just being on the floor 30-plus minutes," Scott said.

Hickson agreed.

"It just feels good to be out there and back in the starting lineup and just feels good to contribute and try to help my team win," he said.

Although undersized for a center at 6-9, 242 pounds, Hickson relishes the challenge.

"I'm no stranger to playing the [center]," he said. "I played it the whole season last year until the playoffs. Just knowing I am an undersized [center] in this league . . . my mentality changes as far as how hard I'm playing. I think it works in my favor."

Injury updates: Antawn Jamison, who was limping after banging his knee during Wednesday's loss to Phoenix, took part in most of practice Thursday and is expected to play tonight against Milwaukee. Joey Graham (strained right quad) and Christian Eyenga (sprained right ankle) practiced Thursday and could play tonight, Scott said, as long as they don't experience any further problems.

Graham, who revealed he had been out with a torn quadriceps tendon, has not played since the Cavs' loss at Miami on Dec. 15. He said he thought he tore the tendon late in training camp, but thought the pain was caused by tendinitis. Then he aggravated the injury when he tackled Dwyane Wade in that Miami game. He said he was told at the time he would be out three to six weeks, and he's at four weeks right now.

Graham said it has been painful watching the Cavs lose 14 straight games and 24 of 25. He thinks he can help, especially on the defensive end, with his size and strength.

"From the beginning of the season, we've been lacking a defensive presence," he said. "That's one of the reasons why they brought me in."

Scott agreed.

"He brings some of the things we really need," Scott said. "One thing about Joey, he's a physical, tough basketball player, and we need some of those elements right now."

Getting offensive: While Scott said Monday that he was dedicating the rest of the season to getting a better defensive effort out of his team, he said he threw a tantrum at the end of practice Thursday because of what he called lapses on the offensive end.

Scott said he also talked to a few players individually, including Ryan Hollins, who has been held out of three of the past five games in spite of the team's short bench. In addition, Hollins missed one game after a death in his family.

"He's not the only one I talked to about understanding what we're doing on both ends of the floor," Scott said.

All Access Fox: Fox Sports Ohio will offer another Cavaliers All Access Night tonight against the Bucks. Scott will be wearing a microphone throughout the game and will be featured in an interview at the start of the fourth quarter. The telecast will also include a behind-the-scenes look in the FOX Sports Ohio TV truck, video coach's room and the Cavs' radio control room. Fans can also interact with broadcasters Austin Carr and Fred McLeod by visiting foxsportsohio.com and clicking on the "Cavaliers All Access" graphic.

Lake Erie Monsters beat Rochester, 2-1, in OT

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mark Olver scored at 2:34 of overtime as the Monsters defeated the Rochester Americans, 2-1, Thursday night at The Q. The Monsters (21-19-3-4) tied a franchise record with their fifth consecutive victory, three of which have come against Rochester. They moved into third place in the AHL's Western Conference North Division. Olver extended the longest goal-scoring streak...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mark Olver scored at 2:34 of overtime as the Monsters defeated the Rochester Americans, 2-1, Thursday night at The Q.

The Monsters (21-19-3-4) tied a franchise record with their fifth consecutive victory, three of which have come against Rochester. They moved into third place in the AHL's Western Conference North Division.

Olver extended the longest goal-scoring streak in the league to five games and gave Lake Erie its first overtime victory.

Olver went top shelf from the right circle to beat goalie Jacob Markstrom.

Rochester pushed ahead, 1-0, on a shorthanded goal by Kenndal McArdle at 2:04 of the second period. McArdle received a pass from Chris Taylor and scored from the edge of the left circle.

In the final minute of the second, McArdle briefly tangled with Monsters enforcer Patrick Bordeleau. When the 6-6 Bordeleau squared to fight, the 5-11 McArdle, a winger, thought better of it and skated away.

McArdle was assessed holding and roughing penalties; Bordeleau, roughing. The Monsters struggled to create chances on the power play.

Lake Erie's relentless even-strength pressure in the third period finally paid off at 15:08. David van der Gulik shoveled a rebound past Markstrom, who had been unable to secure T.J. Galiardi's slapper from the top of the left circle.

van der Gulik's goal was his first since Dec. 29 against Rochester.

The parent Colorado Avalanche had demoted Galiardi on Wednesday. In 2008-2009, Galiardi played 66 games for the Monsters and 11 for Colorado. He appeared in 70 games for the Avalanche last season and is at 28 games this season, the latter marked by injuries and substandard performance.

The Monsters out-shot the Americans, 14-3, in the first period but had nothing to show for it. Julian Talbot hit the pipe at 19:00.

 

Cleveland Browns' need for a good defense is serious: Terry Pluto

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Cleveland, Ohio -- Yes, it was a joke.  But Pat Shurmur made me a little nervous when he said at his news conference, "There is a defense?"  Of course the new Browns coach knows there is a defense. But let's hope that Shurmur and the Browns' front office realize that there are four teams left in the playoffs, and...

Cleveland, Ohio -- Yes, it was a joke. 

But Pat Shurmur made me a little nervous when he said at his news conference, "There is a defense?" 

Of course the new Browns coach knows there is a defense. But let's hope that Shurmur and the Browns' front office realize that there are four teams left in the playoffs, and all four have bruising defenses. 

Here are their rankings: Steelers (second), Jets (third), Packers (fifth) and Bears (ninth). 

Yes, defense still matters . . . a lot. 

As in the highest-ranking offense in the playoffs is the Packers (ninth). Then comes the Jets (11th), Steelers (14th) and somehow, the Bears made it into the final four with the 30th-ranked offense. 

This is not to suggest the Browns try to do it the hard way, as Chicago has this season. Or that offense doesn't count -- the Packers, Steelers and Jets are all above average. 

But if you dig deeper into how these four teams have prevailed, you find even a more powerful testimony to defense, especially stopping the run . . . an area where the Browns ranked 27th. In fact, the Browns have never ranked higher than 23rd against the run since they returned in 1999. 

But this season, here's how the four playoff teams handled the running game: Steelers (first), Bears (second), Jets (third) and Packers (18th). 

Keep in mind that the Browns also play in the same AFC North as Baltimore, which lost to Pittsburgh in the second round. The Ravens defense was 10th overall and fifth against the run. 

Consider that the Browns ranked 22nd in defense, an improvement over 31st in 2009. 

That No. 22 was their best defensive ranking since 2005. It also was enough to persuade Dallas to quickly hire former Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to put some D back into the Cowboys. Ryan wanted no part of remaining with the Browns after head coach Eric Mangini was fired, so he was not a viable option for 2011. 

There has been some agonized gnashing of teeth from Browns fans about some of the different coaches passing up a chance to be offensive coordinator under Shurmur. That should be no surprise as the new coach said he plans to call the plays, at least for part of this season. Why should a respected coach such as Bill Musgrave take an offer from the Browns, when he can go to Minnesota and be the play-caller? That's exactly what he did. 

It seems that among team President Mike Holmgren, special assistant Gil Haskell and Shurmur, the Browns can find someone to help implement the West Coast offense. Those three guys know it well. They can hire a young guy and ease him into the job. 

Not on defense. Not in this division. Not with this team and this front office that puts so much emphasis on offense. 

The Browns absolutely, positively must find a strong, veteran coach to lead the defense. They have talked to Bill Davis, recently fired by Arizona. In four years in the job -- first with San Francisco then the Rams -- Davis' defenses have ranked 26th, 32nd, 20th and 29th. 

Every coach is at the mercy of his talent, so maybe Davis had little with which to work. But his r sum  has little to offer as a defensive coordinator. Dick Jauron has been the head coach of Chicago, Detroit and Buffalo, along with time as a defensive coordinator in Jacksonville and Detroit. 

In his past four years (from 2006 to 2009) as the Bills head coach, his defense ranked 19th, 14th, 31st and 18th. The previous two years at Detroit, the defenses were 20th and 22nd. 

Not terrible, not great. 

The best choice seems to be Dave Wannstedt, the former head coach of Bears, Dolphins and University of Pittsburgh. In his five years with Miami (2000-04), his defenses consistently ranked in the top 10. Early in his career as a coordinator in Dallas, his defenses were 20th, 10th, 17th and first. 

Yes, there are a lot of numbers in this story, and some might suggest you can make statistics say anything. 

But this much is true: If you want to win in the NFL, you better defend. And when it comes to selecting a defensive coordinator, the Browns must take no chances and find the right guy.  


 

Cleveland State men's basketball team wears down Horizon League foe Detroit

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Tre Harmon has 22 points as the Vikings remain in the hunt for the Horizon League regular-season title.

cleveland state 1.JPGView full sizeCleveland State's Trevon Harmon, front, tries to hold off Detroit's Eli Holman in a battle for a loose ball during the first half Thursday at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. Harmon had 22 points for the Vikings.

Elton Alexander / Plain Dealer Reporter

CLEVELAND, Ohio — In the end, the difference was free throws and Cleveland State's relative efficiency at the line that allowed the Vikings to prevail in a very physical battle against the Detroit Titans, 81-69, Thursday night in the Wolstein Center.

The triumph kept CSU (17-3, 6-2) alive in the Horizon League race while the Titans (10-10, 4-4) are now likely looking for a league tournament miracle to salvage their season.

The Vikings were dominated on the boards as expected (39-27), and while they forced 19 turnovers, Detroit broke the pressure enough for layups and dunks to stay in the game until the final minutes.

cleveland state 2.JPGView full sizeVikings coach Gary Waters, center, watches guard Norris Cole, right, drive on Detroit's Nick Minnerath.

But when it came time to make free throws down the stretch, the Titans were 2-of-9 after tying it, 59-59, while CSU closed it out by making 11 of its final 18 at the line.

Guard Tre Harmon paced CSU with 22 points, followed by guard Norris Cole with 18 and forward Tim Kamczyc with 10. The Titans got 16 points and 14 rebounds from forward Eli Holman, 16 points from forward Nick Minnerath and 11 from guard Ray McCallum. But 17-of-29 from the line overall couldn't offset CSU's 24-of-35 from the stripe.

"Down the stretch, you have got to make free throws, got to close it out," Detroit coach Ray McCallum said. "You've got to make free throws and their guys did."

The Vikings took a quick 9-2 lead. But Detroit's size and athleticism stepped up after that, and with 11:48 to go in the half the Titans had put together a 10-2 run of their own, bolstered by a commanding 14-5 advantage on the glass.

It was clear a hot shooting night by CSU, at least from the 3-point arc, would be key to the outcome. On cue, the Vikings answered Detroit's run with a 14-4 run that included four 3-pointers, two each from Harmon and forward Charlie Woods. The points from Woods were welcome as CSU had scored just four points off the bench in its previous three games combined.

"I was in a slump earlier," said Woods, who finished with eight points and three rebounds. "But you can't be afraid to shoot to get out of it."

By halftime, thanks to a boost from the bench, CSU led, 39-32.

The Titans closed the gap quickly in the second half by attacking CSU's press defense. Three straight times Detroit got dunks and a layup. With 5:33 to play, the Vikings' bench struck again. A rebound, stick-back and free throw from center Joe Latas gave CSU a 66-60 cushion it would not lose.

The 6-11, 270-pound Latas has had his troubles of late, but in a physical game against the Titans it was right up his alley as he had five points and four rebounds in 17 minutes.

"It helps when you see they are not going to call a foul on a bump," Latas said. "So I'm not picking up quick ticky-tack fouls."

The Vikings will face Wright State (13-7, 6-2) Saturday, with the loser falling out of a three-way tie for second place.

Ohio State Buckeyes football underclassmen are all in for 2011 season

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For only the third time in 20 years, no Buckeyes are leaving early for the NFL. However it happened, even amid suspensions, that surprising reality helps Ohio State in 2011.

DeVier Posey.JPGView full sizeReceiver DeVier Posey is honoring his word and will return to the Buckeyes for the 2011 season.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The fulfillment of the pledge overshadowed the reality of the returns. When the NFL released its official list Wednesday of the record 56 underclassmen who declared for the NFL Draft, it revealed that the five Ohio State Buckeyes suspended for the start of the 2011 season had kept their promises, when many had assumed a little deceit.

The group included four juniors with legitimate NFL options -- quarterback Terrelle Pryor, receiver DeVier Posey, offensive tackle Mike Adams and running back Dan Herron -- and even after OSU coach Jim Tressel explained that the only way they could play against Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl was to stay and face their NCAA punishment in September, well, come on.

"Some guys have different situations, and I think some guys pledged and some guys, you know, we were just basically saying sorry," Pryor said in New Orleans, fueling the idea that at least someone would turn pro. "I can't really think that if they would choose to leave they were breaking the pledge. I think some guys have different situations."

mike brewster.JPGView full sizeBuckeyes center Mike Brewster.

There's still no word on the pending appeal Ohio State hopes reduces the suspensions from five games. But here's the situation. For just the third time in the past 20 years, and the first time since 2003, no OSU underclassmen will be drafted, and the group that stayed was the most highly-ranked, closely-watched recruiting class of the Tressel era. Three years ago, you had to figure some of these guys would bolt. So having them back, even if they're suspended, is something of a victory for Ohio State fans.

Especially when it comes to Pryor and center Mike Brewster (who isn't suspended but had the best draft prospects of any OSU junior), the Buckeyes should be getting what they didn't get out of early draft entrants like Chris Gamble, Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Gonzalez, Santonio Holmes, Beanie Wells and Donte Whitner -- four productive seasons.

So losing four starters for the start of the 2011 season is a blow -- but not losing any of them for all of 2011 is a surprise, not what most would have expected when the Class of 2008 landed in Columbus. According to rivals.com rankings, 10 of the top 26 players in that '08 class declared for the draft early this year, including No. 2 recruit Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson, No. 4 Julio Jones of Alabama, No. 5 Patrick Peterson of LSU, No. 9 A.J. Green of Georgia and No. 10 Will Hill of Florida. The Buckeyes had more players in the top 26 that year than any team -- No. 1 Pryor, No. 3 Adams, No. 12 Brewster and No. 22 Posey -- and all of them are back.

Even if three of them end up playing just 64 percent of the season, that's better than 0 percent of the season. Of the top 12 teams in the final AP poll, seven lost at least one player to the draft early, and the five schools that didn't were Ohio State, Boise State, Nevada, Oklahoma and TCU. Whether it's an early departure or a suspension, the bottom line is whether a guy is helping your team or not, and the Big Ten is losing early three of its best defensive linemen (Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan, Wisconsin's J.J. Watt, Illinois' Corey Liuget), two of its best rushers (Illinois' Mikel Leshoure and Wisconsin's John Clay), maybe its best receiver (Indiana's Tandon Doss) and a standout safety (Iowa's Tyler Sash). That's five first-team All-Big Ten players and two second-teamers, and none of them are from the six-time conference champ.

Frankly, when it comes to 2011 alone, OSU fans might rather take the suspensions.

A confluence of events led to the return. There was some underachievement, because none of the juniors was likely a first-rounder, unlike James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins when they chose to return to Ohio State as seniors in 2008. Most draft analysts thought coming back was the smart move for all the OSU juniors. So not being ready for the NFL paid off, because while not maximizing their potential yet, the Class of 2008 has helped Ohio State win 33 games, two bowls and three Big Ten titles.

Then the suspensions complicated things. While no one associated with Ohio State was rooting for the players to sell their gold pants, the pledge might have played some role in getting them back.

Ohio State still has 10 senior starters to replace. That's won't be easy. But after 30 OSU underclassmen have been drafted since 1992, not having it happen this year? In a morass of bad publicity, that's something Ohio State fans should appreciate.

OSU notes: Ohio State confirmed that backup offensive lineman Sam Longo asked for and was granted his scholarship release, a prelude to a transfer. Longo redshirted in 2009, played in one game in 2010 and was behind three other linemen from the 2009 recruiting class -- Corey Linsley, Jack Mewhort and Marcus Hall -- on the depth chart. Andrew Norwell was the only offensive lineman in the 2010 class, but four are pledged to the 2011 class. . . . An Ohio State spokesman said eight seniors so far are known to have received invites to the NFL combine, which begins Feb. 23 in Indianapolis -- Chimdi Chekwa, Cameron Heyward, Jermale Hines, Ross Homan, Brian Rolle, Brandon Saine, Dane Sanzenbacher and Devon Torrence. Justin Boren and Bryant Browning could also be on the final invite list.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479


Cleveland Heights’ Aaron Ashley overcomes pain, sickness, depression to play his way back

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CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — It was a few days before Christmas in 2009 when Aaron Ashley decided he didn't want to live anymore. Less than 12 months earlier, Ashley was regarded as one of the top high school basketball players in Ohio, a can't-miss college prospect with two years of high school basketball in front of him. But now,...

Cleveland Heights boys basketball senior Aaron Ashley has dealt with a broken leg, mononucleosis, pancreatitis, suicidal thoughts and Guillain-Barr syndrome, an acute neurological disorder that can cause partial paralysis of several muscle groups, to become a college prospect again. - (John Kuntz l PD)

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — It was a few days before Christmas in 2009 when Aaron Ashley decided he didn't want to live anymore.

Less than 12 months earlier, Ashley was regarded as one of the top high school basketball players in Ohio, a can't-miss college prospect with two years of high school basketball in front of him. But now, he lay ill in University Hospital, feeling as low as someone could feel when he summoned his father to his bedside.

Sylvester Ashley remembers the day his youngest of six children spoke the words no parent wants to hear.

"I want to die. I'm tired of going through all this. I want to give up. I don't want to live anymore. Not like this."

Said his father: "They had my son on suicide watch. They had a nurse in his room around the clock. It breaks your heart."

Sylvester Ashley, 55, remembers his first reactions were of disbelief and denial.

"This can't be happening," he remembers saying to himself. "This can't happen, and I won't let it happen."

Sylvester Ashley admits he had never been an overly spiritual man, but he knew it was time to ask for help from a higher power.

"I told Aaron right there that he had to believe in God and that he had to put himself in God's hands," he said. "I told him he had to have faith in God and that he was going to pull through this. And I told him he had to pray. We all prayed, and we prayed a lot."

The Aaron Ashley story has a happy ending but not before it alternated between anguish, fright, faith, hope, recovery, relief and, ultimately, a joy beyond belief. It is a story that went for miles but whose chapters are measured in baby steps.

"It's a miracle, is what it is," said Sylvester Ashley. "A miracle."

Aaron Ashley, 19, has rallied from the depths of depression and near-death caused by a series of illnesses to a regular kid whose basketball future is burning bright once again.

"When I look back at it, I feel I was very blessed," he said.

'Basketball was his life'

When Ashley was a young boy growing up in Cleveland Heights, he became enamored with basketball.

"He was more than a kid who liked basketball," said Cleveland Heights coach Barry Egan. "Basketball was his life. The game meant everything to him. He was obsessed."

Yet Ashley's initial venture into organized basketball in the fifth grade was dismal.

"It wasn't good," Ashley said, shaking his head and smiling. "I had no coordination, no footwork. I was a work in progress. I loved the game, but I got no playing time on my youth team. I went home crying and complaining to my dad that they wouldn't let me play."

Ashley, a soft-spoken, easy-going kid who usually keeps to himself in the company of strangers, used his poor start as a learning experience.

"It made me want to work harder, to practice more," he said. "It inspired me to get better. I worked every day. I started to catch on. I started to feel that I could be a pretty good player."

It worked. So did Ashley. Over the next few years, he spent hours working at the game, practicing or playing whenever he could. By the time he was 12, he was regarded as one of the top eighth-graders in Northeast Ohio and became the talk of the AAU circuit. He led Monticello Middle School to an undefeated season, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds. As a freshman, he excelled as a member of Cleveland Heights' junior varsity team. As a sophomore, he was promoted to a varsity team loaded with talent. He was the first player off the bench and averaged about 10 points as the Tigers reached a Division I district final.

"I was OK with coming off the bench," said Ashley, who had grown to 6-4 and about 185 pounds and figured to be an integral part of Egan's plans for the 2008-09 season. "I felt I still had a lot to prove."

Ashley, who by this point had become an excellent perimeter shooter, was anxious for his junior season to start. Stardom and a college scholarship seemed just around the corner.

"I've had 61 players earn Division I scholarships during my coaching career," said Egan, in his fifth season at the school with previous stops at Troy and Marion Harding. "And I'm telling you, Aaron was a shoo-in. He was that good."

Ashley had spent the previous summer playing AAU ball for the King James All-Stars, run by St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Dru Joyce.

"We had a very good team that year with a lot of high-profile, Division I kids," said Joyce. "Aaron was our most consistent player. But, besides that, he was a joy to be around. He was a very respectful kid, a great kid to have on your team."

The play that changed his life

Dec. 5, 2008. Opening night of the 2008-09 high school season against visiting Solon. Heights was on the verge of taking control of the game early in the fourth quarter when Ashley went airborne for an offensive rebound. It was a play that would change his life.

"I went for a tip-dunk," he said, describing the move in which a player gets a hand on a rebound and slams the ball in one motion before returning to the ground.

A common three-player collision occurred. Ashley hit the floor first. Two players landed on his leg. A chilling "cr-a-a-c-k" rang through the gym. Ashley screamed in pain and began crawling across the floor in search of help. Witnesses said it was one of the most ghastly injuries they had ever seen.

"I knew right away that it was serious," said Tigers assistant coach Trevon Chesney, who was one of the first people to arrive at Ashley's side and is one of his biggest supporters. "I just held his hand and told him it would be all right."

The tibia and fibula bones in his left leg had been snapped. Ashley's junior season, which had been filled with so much promise, was over after less than 30 minutes. He spent four days in the hospital. Chesney spent much of it with him.

"That first night I was in so much pain, I wanted them to cut my leg off," Ashley said.

"It was tough to watch," said Chesney. "I asked myself more than once, 'Why him?' "

Of course, nobody knew the broken leg was just the beginning of a gut-wrenching, frightening nightmare that would last almost two years.

'Just a bump in the road'

By fall 2009, Ashley had recovered from the broken leg after having a titanium rod inserted, spending five months in an ankle-to-thigh cast and undergoing extensive rehab.

"I thought the broken leg was just a bump in the road," he said.

He was anxious for his senior season to begin. But in September, he began experiencing severe stomach pain and constipation. Treatment provided only temporary relief. A voracious eater, he had a hard time keeping food inside, running to the bathroom after every meal. More doctor visits resolved nothing. The pain increased, and he began feeling weak. He had a hard time climbing stairs.

"It got to the point where I couldn't feel my legs," he said. "I was crawling around the house."

On Oct. 5, he fell while walking from the shower to his bedroom. He was admitted to the hospital. Then came the diagnosis.

He had mononucleosis, pancreatitis and Guillain-Barr syndrome, an acute neurological disorder that can cause partial paralysis of several muscle groups. Doctors aren't sure how he contracted Guillain-Barr , which is rare, especially among young people. There is no immediate cure for Guillain-Barr . It has to run its course, and recovery time varies from patient to patient. At one point, Ashley went two weeks without eating, being fed intravenously.

There was no relief

Days turned to weeks and eventually weeks turned to months with Ashley confined to a hospital bed. His parents visited daily. Occasionally, he would be released, only to return a few days later. Tests were followed by more tests. He was prescribed as many as 20 medications. He was poked and probed. Nothing worked, and there was no relief. By mid-November, he had come to a disheartening conclusion.

There would be no basketball. With his junior season lost to the broken leg, he now realized his senior year would be lost, too. All his hopes and dreams were gone.

"It was bad," Ashley said. "The worst. Thinking that all I had worked for was gone. All I could do was lay there. I got very depressed."

Ashley speaks slowly and quietly when he recalls the lowest point of his life.

"I didn't want to live anymore," he said. "I was in so much pain, and I couldn't eat, and I was always going to the bathroom. I couldn't walk, couldn't get out of bed. I told my dad I wanted to die."

His condition worsened, and his weight loss was alarming. He went from about 190 pounds to 124 -- on a 6-4 frame. A feeding tube was inserted, but the trips to the bathroom continued. The pain intensified.

"I never saw anything like it," said Ashley's mother, Pamela Ashley. "All you could see of him were skin and his ribs. We never felt he was going to die, but I never thought he'd ever be able to play basketball again. I will never forget it."

Said Egan: "When you went to visit him in the hospital, the bed just seemed to swallow him up. At one point, you could see the screws they had put in his leg. It was very hard to see."

Ashley's sickness and lengthy hospital stays took its toll on the family.

"We argued," Pamela Ashley said, "because we didn't have any answers. At one point, I asked the doctors: 'Are you sure my son doesn't have cancer? He is disappearing right in front of my eyes, and he is in pain.' They assured me he didn't have cancer."

'I deserved another chance'

Slowly, the miracle Ashley's family and friends had hoped and prayed for began to show itself. His appetite returned. He was able to keep food down, and the trips to the bathroom were less frequent. His father said he knew his son was on the right track in February 2010 when Ashley asked for some of his dad's barbecued ribs.

"They're the best," said the son. "He's known all over Ohio for them."

Ashley was not home free. While in the hospital, he continued to grow, and three of his toes curled downward. They had to be broken and reset, and Ashley spent another two months in a stabilizing boot.

In April, Egan and Cleveland Heights administrators applied to the Ohio High School Athletic Association to grant Ashley another year of athletic eligibility. It was approved in June.

"That was a blessing," said Ashley, now 6-5 and 185 pounds. "I felt I deserved another chance."

By everyone's account, Ashley is not back to the form he showed before the foot injury and illnesses. Still, the belief is he is capable of playing at the Division I or Division II college level. He returned to the court on Dec. 3 -- opening night of the 2010-11 season -- and has helped lead the Tigers to an 11-2 record and No. 5 ranking in The Plain Dealer Top 25 poll entering tonight's game at No. 3 Mentor. A forward and the first player off the bench, he is averaging 10 points and nearly five rebounds per game.

"I know I lost a lot, more than I ever thought I would," he said of his absence from the game. "But I feel I can play my way back."

Why not? He's come back from much deeper depths.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: trogers@plaind.com, 216-999-5169

Cleveland Browns one game from Super Bowl, 1968 season: Video and Plain Dealer game story

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Browns tried to duplicate their title win over the Colts four years before, and also a big 1968 regular season win at Baltimore. This was the Browns' first chance to get to the Super Bowl, which four teams are playing for on Sunday.

browns-colts-stadium.jpgCleveland Stadium on Dec. 29, 1968, when the Browns played the Baltimore Colts for the NFL title and a trip to the Super Bowl to meet the AFL champion.



This Sunday, the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears play for the National Football Conference championship, and the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers play for the American Football Conference title.



Five times, the Browns have come within one win of playing in football's biggest game. This is about their first chance.


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As the Cleveland Browns prepared to face the Baltimore Colts in the 1968 National Football League championship game, their fans recalled a couple earlier games between the perennial powerhouses.



One, when the Browns upset the Colts, 27-0, in the 1964 title game in Cleveland. It was the next-to-last season before the first Super Bowl.



Two, and more relevant to the task at hand, the 1968 Browns were 2-3 when they went into Baltimore on Oct. 20 and stunned the Colts, 30-20, to begin an eight-game winning streak. The loss would be Baltimore's only one during the regular season.



Cleveland and Baltimore had not met between the 1964 title game and the Oct. 20, 1968 game.



Pro-Football-Reference.com details the 1968 Browns and the 1968 Colts. It has the boxscore and statistics for the championship game, a 34-0 Baltimore romp.



The late Chuck Heaton, Browns beat writer for The Plain Dealer, covered the game. His complete game story is included on The PD's Browns History Database, which includes Plain Dealer stories on every regular season and playoff game the Browns have played.



Two of the most important Colts, coach Don Shula and Tom Matte, had strong area ties.
Shula had graduated from Painesville Harvey High School.



Heaton wrote:





Tom Matte, former Shaw High School and Ohio State star, scored three touchdowns before being injured in the last quarter as the Colts gained a spot against the New York Jets in the Super Bowl a week from Sunday in Miami.



AND IT WAS THE BIGGEST DAY in the amazing coaching career of young Don Shula, who played for John Carroll and the Browns and had an apprenticeship under Blanton Collier at Kentucky.



Heaton ended his story with a reference to the Super Bowl. The Colts were heavy favorites to defeat quarterback Joe Namath and the Jets in the Super Bowl, but Namath guaranteed a Jets win, and they delivered, upsetting Baltimore, 16-7.



Heaton wrote:



The big factor, of course, was the stout Baltimore defense. It's a fine one and will pose a real test for Namath and the Jets in Miami.



The Colts will receive about $10,000 per man for the victory as compared to the Browns' $6,000 and will be favored to pick up $15,000 in Florida.



For the Browns losing meant that some questions remain to be answered. It can't be a completely stand-pat off-season but the team did come a step further than the 1967 club.



The Browns can look to the future with a fair degree of optimism. And they certainly would prefer not to look back to yesterday.



Video: From youtube.com, the lowlights segment -- plays from the championship game -- in Part 3 of the Browns 1968 highlights film.





Video: And, from youtube.com, a Colts highlight film includes championship game footage.




Cleveland Browns one game from Super Bowl, 1969 season: Video and Plain Dealer game story

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Everyone should have known it was silly to shrug off the Browns' 48-point loss at Minnesota in the regular season. This was the Browns' second chance to get to the Super Bowl, which four teams play for this Sunday.

blanton-collier.jpgCoach Blanton Collier led the Browns to four championship game appearances between 1964 and 1969.



This Sunday, the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears play for the National Football Conference championship and the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers play for the American Football Conference title. The winners go on to the Super Bowl.



Five times, the Browns have come within one win of playing in football's biggest game. This is about their second chance.



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Everyone agreed that the 1969 National Football League championship game between the Cleveland Browns and the Minnesota Vikings would be much closer than the game the teams had played on that Nov. 9, when the host Vikings blitzed the Browns, 51-3.



The blowout was considered an aberration. After all, the powerful Browns had routed the Dallas Cowboys -- possibly the league's most talented team -- 42-10 during the regular season and 38-14 in a playoff contest to advance to the title game.



And yes, the Browns did close the gap on their 48-point loss to Minnesota. This time, in the championship game on Jan. 4, 1970, the Browns played the Vikings four touchdowns closer than they had eight weeks before. They lost by 20 points, 27-7.



It didn't make the Browns look any better when Minnesota went on to lose the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-7.



For the Browns, it was their final game before moving from what was re-named the National Football Conference to the American Football Conference, as the NFL completed its merger with the American Football League to become the new NFL.



Pro-Football-Reference.com details the 1969 Browns and the 1969 Vikings, and has the boxscore and statistics from the championship game.



The late Chuck Heaton, The Plain Dealer Browns beat writer, covered the game. His complete game story can be found on The PD's Browns History Database, which includes Plain Dealer stories for every Browns regular season and playoff game.



Heaton wrote, in part:



The Browns looked as though they were on ice skates, as the Western rulers showed the way with drive and second effort.



The Vikings perhaps have a team better suited to the elements - the biting cold and somewhat slippery field. At any rate, they seemed right at home.



CLEVELAND ALSO made the mistakes. There were two interceptions of passes by Bill Nelsen, with Paul Krause and Wally Hilgenberg making the steals. There also were two fumbles by the usually sure-handed Leroy Kelly, and once he lost the football with Hilgenberg recovering.



Walt Sumner and Erich Barnes slipped and went down to allow Gene Washington, a gifted receiver who caught three passes for 120 yards, to make two big first-quarter grabs.



Washington gained 33 yards on the pass from Joe Kapp when Sumner slipped. That was the big chunk of real estate en route to the first touchdown, scored by Kapp from 7 yards out.



Lined up to the other side, Washington went deep only minutes later and was all alone on the Cleveland 45 after Barnes fell. The end from Michigan State just ambled for 75 yards and the second touchdown.



Video: From youtube.com, the 1969 Browns highlight film shows how cold it was at Minnesota's Metropolitan Stadium, and also glimpses of the Vikings' domination.





Video: More of the Browns tough day, at the end of a Vikings highlight video from NFL Films and youtube.com.



Treadmill race in Stow will leave elements out for competitors

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Vince Rucci hopes the Treadmill Triple Challenge in Stow becomes an annual event.

vince rucci.JPGView full sizeVince Rucci, owner of Vertical Runner in Hudson, is a dedicated trail runner who is organizing a race that will be run entirely on treadmills.

STOW, Ohio — Not long ago, the idea of staging a race on treadmills would have been anathema to Vince Rucci, co-owner of Vertical Runner in Hudson. To him, a trail runner at heart, a run didn't count if it didn't involve mud.

Then Rucci broke down and bought a treadmill, and everything changed. Suddenly he realized what many runners, especially those in northern climates, have known for ages: treadmills are invaluable tools.

Now the director of many of the area's leading trail races is doing exactly what would have been unthinkable to him a few years ago, launching a competition entirely on machines. He's calling it the "Treadmill Triple Dare," and he hopes it becomes an annual tradition.

"Around here, there's never been an effort to put on an event like this. Only stunts," said Rucci. "But a lot of runners turn to the treadmill almost exclusively when temperatures drop."

Here's how it works:

Each of up to 120 participants at the Akron General Health & Wellness Center North in Stow will be assigned a partner and a treadmill. There are three, 10-minute legs to the race and each person will take turns completing them. Scoring will be based on distance -- the person who covers the most ground in one hour wins.

Leg one is the "Hill Challenge," a steady, uphill run, with the treadmills fixed at a mountain-like 8 percent incline.

Next comes the "Distance Challenge," the equivalent of a short road race, a no-holds-barred burst at zero incline.

In the last leg, the "Random Challenge," racers will be subject to whatever course the treadmill presents. Could be hilly, could be relatively flat. As in the other two legs, runners will be free to set their own speed.

"It'll teach you to pace yourself," Rucci explained. "This way, if you run yourself out on the hill, you won't have anything left for the flat run or random."

Unlike most races, the "Treadmill Triple Dare" also includes built-in rest time. While your treadmill partner races, you're free to recover. Then again, every experienced runner knows that stopping and starting is challenging in its own way.

Moreover, the "Triple Dare" levels the playing field, so to speak, among various breeds of runners. Where trail races favor hill-climbers, and road races go to the light and speedy, a combination event like this plays to the strong, all-around runner.

The winners, Rucci said, will be those most at ease on a treadmill and able to run relatively fast under any conditions.

But you don't have to compete to take part. You don't even have to go anywhere. Just as technology makes it easier to keep running during the cold winters of Northeast Ohio, the directors of "Triple Dare" will enable the curious to participate in spirit through a live webcast.

"I think it's going to be pretty fun," Rucci said. "The idea is such that you can take it really seriously or just have fun.

"The only problem would be if there's a power outage. Then we're in trouble."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: zlewis@plaind.com, 216-999-4632

Live on DSN: Talk NFL draft, NFL playoffs, Browns' coordinator search and more

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It's mock draft season - who should the Browns take with the No. 6 pick? We'll talk with Ric Serritella from NFLdraftbible.com at 10 a.m.

a.j. green.jpgSome mock drafts have the Browns selecting Georgia's All-SEC receiver A.J. Green. What do you think?
It's mock draft season - who should the Browns take with the No. 6 pick? We'll talk with Ric Serritella from NFLdraftbible.com at 10 a.m. It's Steelers-Jets and Bears-Packers in the NFL conference championship games on Sunday - who ya got? The Browns look to be close to hiring a defensive coordinator after interviewing Bill Davis and Dave Wannstedt.

Talk about those topics and more - including the Cavs-Bucks tonight and Cleveland State keeps its  postseason hopes alive - all day on Digital Sports Network, cleveland.com's online sports station featuring live streaming video and audio.

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:
Today's guest is Ric Serritella from NFLdraftbible.com at 10 a.m. to talk about the NFL Draft. He'll join the guys every Friday leading up to the draft.

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

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

Moohead Radio, 5-6 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.

  



Cleveland Browns: Which defensive alignment is best for the Browns? Poll

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Which defense do you prefer for the Cleveland Browns?

dave wannstedt.JPGDave Wannstedt

The Cleveland Browns played the 3-4 defense last season, and the Browns had success under that defensive philosophy under defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Now that Ryan has moved on to become defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, which defensive alignment should the Browns play this coming season? Stick with the 3-4, or switch to the 4-3?

The Browns have played the 3-4 since 2005 when former coach Romeo Crennel made the switch.

The Browns interviewed former NFL coach Dave Wannstedt and former Browns assistant Bill Davis for defensive coordinators, reports Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Wannstedt believes in the 4-3. Davis is a 3-4 defense supporter.

 

Sports of all sorts: Browns interview coordinators; Dan Gilbert makes business moves; ESPN praises new Kent football coach

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Former Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt and former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis interviewed for the Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator position. Mary Kay Cabot on Cleveland.com writes how Davis was a defensive assistant and linebackers coach under Chris Palmer in the Browns' 1999 expansion season. Ohio.com repoter Nate Ulrich writes how Davis is a proponent of the 3-4 defense...

Questions for the Cavaliers Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.

Former Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt and former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis interviewed for the Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator position. Mary Kay Cabot on Cleveland.com writes how Davis was a defensive assistant and linebackers coach under Chris Palmer in the Browns' 1999 expansion season.

Ohio.com repoter Nate Ulrich writes how Davis is a proponent of the 3-4 defense and Wannstedt is all about the 4-3.

 

Biz move

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert continues to make business moves away from basketball. Gilbert is part of a group that helped arrange about $125 million in private funding for a rail line in Detroit, according to Freep.com.

 

Praises for new coach

ESPN's Andrea Adelson has this article on non AQ coaches, particularly a brief on new Kent State coach Darrell Hazell.

Hazell has done a terrific job as an assistant at Ohio State and has deep recruiting ties here. That should help, along with his outgoing personality and reputation among players who love playing for him. The Golden Flashes only have one bowl appearance in their history, but Hazell could be the man to change all that. His former players love him, too. Anthony Gonzalez called him an "unbelievable coach" and Ted Ginn said in an Akron Beacon-Journal column that he was "like my everything."

 

Come to DSN's TweetUp with cleveland.com and the Indians

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Hey, sports fans: Join Digital Sports Network (DSN) along with cleveland.com the Cleveland Indians for a TweetUp at Deagan's Kitchen & Bar on March 3rd!

tweetup_sticker.jpgJoin us for our 3rd TweetUp on March 3, 2011!

Hey, sports fans: Join Digital Sports Network (DSN) along with cleveland.com the Cleveland Indians  for a TweetUp at Deagan's Kitchen & Bar on March 3rd!

What is a TweetUp you ask?  A TweetUp is simply a casual event where people who interact and engage with one another on Twitter meet in person.  Digital communication turns into face-to-face interaction and 140-characters becomes a real life conversation! 

The party starts Thursday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.  Deagan's Kitchen & Bar will be offering drink specials (more details to come) and free appetizers for tweeps in attendance!  

At 7:30 p.m. we will raffle off two tickets to the Indians Home Opener (provided by the Indians), which happens to be on a Friday this year (Friday, April 1st vs. Chicago White Sox)!  We will also raffle off a pair of concert tickets at the House of Blues.  You will need to be in attendance to claim your prize.

Some active local tweeps that will be in attendance:  @GregKozarik, @RuiterWong, @DugoutSportShow, @TonyMazur, @WFNYScott, @dan_labbe, @dawgpndgirl, @denisep, @taawd, @TribeTalk.

So grab a friend and come count down to the start of baseball season with Digital Sports Network, cleveland.com and the Cleveland Indians.

RSVP to the event on Facebook.

Not on Facebook?  You can RSVP here, too. 

Hashtag: #CLEtweetup

Details:

Thursday, March 3, 2011

5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.


14810 Detroit Ave., Lakewood  44107

216.767.5775


Cleveland Browns lose Dave Wannstedt to Bills; hope to hear today from Dick Jauron

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Wannstedt agrees to rejoin friend Chan Gailey as Bills LB coach and assistant head coach.


dave wannstedt.JPGDave Wannstedt is headed to Buffalo.

BEREA -- With Dave Wannstedt agreeing to rejoin friend Chan Gailey as Buffalo Bills linebackers coach, the Browns are hoping to secure a deal today with Dick Jauron to be their defensive coordinator.

 Jauron has been the Browns' top choice all along. He is a candidate to stay in Philadelphia as Eagles defensive coordinator, but may not be their top choice.

 Former Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis is the Browns' fallback. Davis also could land a role in another capacity if Jauron is hired as coordinator.

 Wannstedt's decision to join the Bills, first reported by Alex Marvez of FOXsports.com, was not a surprise. Gailey was offensive coordinator in Miami when Wannstedt was Dolphins head coach. Wannastedt also will carry the title of assistant head coach with the Bills.

 


Cleveland Browns will hire Dick Jauron as defensive coordinator, source says

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Hiring of former Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears head coach should come soon, sources say.

dick jauron 2.JPGFormer Bills and Bears head coach Dick Jauron, above, will be hired soon as the Cleveland Browns' new defensive coordinator, a source tells The Plain Dealer.

Updated at 12:35 p.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are expected to hire former Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach Dick Jauron, 60, as their defensive coordinator soon, a league source told The Plain Dealer.

One of the other leading candidates for the Browns job, Dave Wannstedt, accepted a job today with the Buffalo Bills to be their assistant head coach/linebackers coach, according to reports.

A source close to Jauron said he "seriously doubts" a deal will get done today, but they are close enough to perhaps agree to "a general principle."

Jauron has received multiple inquiries, including from the Philadelphia Eagles. But the source said Jauron's familiarity with Browns President Mike Holmgren and GM Tom Heckert has him leaning toward the Browns.

Jauron formerly was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears. He would be the first coordinator to join the staff of new head coach Pat Shurmur.

In an appearance on Pro Football Talk Live, Shurmur declined to confirm or deny Jauron's hiring. "I think it'lll become public and official from the Browns side very quickly," he said. "Obviously Dick's a very well respected guy in the profession, a guy I've known him a long, long time."

The Browns had also interviewed former Cardinals defensive coordinator Billy Davis for the position and still might offer him a job on the staff.

Jauron was a defensive coordinator with Jacksonville from 1995-98 before being named head coach of the Bears from 1999-2003.

He became defensive coordinator of the Lions in 2004 and was named interim head coach for the last five games of the 2005 season.

He was named Bills head coach in 2006 and held the job through 2009.

His record as a head coach is 60-82.

Jauron was a safety with the Lions and Bengals from 1973-80 and finished with 25 career interceptions.

Plain Dealer reporter Tony Grossi contributed to this report.



Cleveland Browns: Time is right for switch to West Coast offense and 4-3 defense, says Tony Grossi (SBTV)

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PD Browns reporter says that what Browns have been doing for a decade hasn't worked against Steelers and Ravens. 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 Branson Wright, as Chuck Yarborough prepares for his vacation to Belize.


Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer Browns writer Tony Grossi, who answers fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature.


Tony answers questions about why Rob Ryan left the Browns to become defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys; whether fans should be concerned that new Browns coach Pat Shurmur will be calling the offensive plays; and whether the West Coast offense can work against the physical defenses the Browns will see each season from their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.


Tony also discusses whether the Browns should move to a 4-3 defensive alignment. What do you think? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.


SBTV will return Monday with Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff breaking down Sunday's NFC and AFC Championship games.

Cleveland Browns: Which ex-players deserve induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

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Which Cleveland Browns players have been overlooked by the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

bernie-kosar-art-modell.JPGWould either Bernie Kosar or Art Modell get your vote when it comes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will announce the class of 2011 during Super Bowl weekend. A committee will go over the list of 17 finalist on Feb. 5, and the inductees will be announced.


Certainly, debate will follow on players who will be left out. Speaking of being left out, how many former Cleveland Browns deserve to join the list of 21 Browns in the HOF? 


Why isn't someone like Clay Matthews in the HOF? Matthews played 19 seasons and 278 games in the NFL, for the 16th-most in NFL history.


Only someone from outside of Cleveland would even consider him, but one day (maybe in a million years), Art Modell will make the HOF. Right?


John Wooten was one of the best guards ever for the Browns, just ask Jim Brown; and Gary Collins will go down as one of the best clutch receivers in Browns history. Collins set a team record with 13 TD receptions in 1963, and Collins was voted to the NFL's 1960s All-Decade Team.


 



Cleveland and ex-Pittsburgh Steelers' coach Bill Cowher picks the New York Jets

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Even Bill Cowher picks the New York Jets over the Steelers.

cowher-afctitle-96-ap.jpgBill Cowher picks the New York Jets over his former team.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the New York Jets for the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. A victory means the Steelers will go for their seventh Super Bowl ring.

That's something no Cleveland Browns fan wants to see. So this means Cleveland Browns fans will become Jets' fans on Sunday. 

Although the Steelers are the favorite on Sunday, even former Steelers' coach Bill Cowher (who might we add, began his career in Cleveland), picks the Jets to defeat the Steelers.

Cowher was on WFAN radio recently:

Earlier this week Cowher said on WFAN radio:  

“Well I’ll tell you what, Pittsburgh will have some issues this weekend. The way the Jets are playing, I’m telling you this is going to be a game, I think it will be a classic game, and I like the Jets. They match up well. I think it’s going to be a tough ball game, but they certainly have all the ingredients to go to the Super Bowl.”

Way to go Bill!

The Akron Aeros proudly present the "Nice 2 Meat You" Burger

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Looking to injest about 3,000 calories in one sitting? The Akron Aeros have you covered as WFNY takes a look at their latest concession stand item.

Podcast: WFNY's Rick Grayshock, Craig Lyndall talk Browns, Cavs (Download)

 

Nice 2 Meat You.PNGOpen wide, baseball fans. You will not be leaving Canal Park hungry this coming season.

Stock up on expandable waistbands, folks.  You're going to need them after this summer.


A few months ago, we introduced the world to the "Three Dog Night" - a hot dog, stuffed inside of a bratwurst, stuffed inside of a kielbasa - that is to be served this summer in Akron's Canal Park, home of the Aeros.  Estimated to weigh in around a full pound and packing approximately 3,300 calories, the intestinal thrill ride now has some company.


Enter the "Nice 2 Meat You" Burger.


Doubling the weight of the Three Dog Night, the new burger comes equipped with a 1.75 pounds of hamburger meat, stuffed with a half pound of hot dog, and a quarter pound of bacon, cheese, and onions.


Liberally named as we are not quite sure the half-pound hot dog qualifies as one of the two meats, this creation is bound to turn some heads based on mere size alone.  Oh, and as you can see in the images above, the "Nice 2 Meat You" is served on not one, but two kaiser rolls.


Aeros Executive VP Jim Pfander asks, “Where else can you find a two pound burger that includes other meat sensations, such as hot dogs and bacon, and with cheese and onions for extra flavor?"


Heaven, obviously.




"Along with '3 Dog Night'," Pfander continues, "the “Nice 2 Meat You” Burger will provide some extreme food options at Canal Park this summer. We are looking forward to feeding many fans with Akron’s newest food sensations.”


The Aeros are currently selling ticket packages involving the Three Dog Night, and WFNY is told that the "Nice 2 Meat You" Burger will also be a part of similar promotions.  In addition, the Aeros will roll out at least one more signature food item between now and opening day, hoping to incorperate all of the newly-expanded menu into one colossal calorie-filled campaign.  Dan Foust, Assistant General Manager, Media & Marketing, tells us that the next item will be of similar ilk (read: a ton of food) and will also incorperate the use of - what else? - a hot dog.


Winners of the 2009 Eastern League championship, the Akron Aeros may want to look into partnering with a few select fitness centers in the near future as their clientele may be in dire need of some cardiovascular work by the end of the 2011 season.  Foust humored WFNY by entertaining the idea of a few treadmills on Canal Park grounds, but did mention that Jason Kerton, the team's Director of Food and Beverage, does hope that these items can be shared amongst multiple fans.


In 2010, the state of Ohio fell from 10th to 12th in terms of percentage of obese residents (29.7 percent).  Thankfully, the Aeros are making sure that the 17th state admitted to the Union rightfully takes back their top-10 ranking come this time next year.  Stay tuned folks; there is plenty more to come.


Just make sure to bring a napkin.


 


 

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